Sunrise at Midnight | Iljae

Chapter 7 - Get Me Now

It was one of the coldest days to date on the calendar. Even Ilhoon, who much preferres the cold winter over the hot summer, can't bear the freezing temperature. He is sat cuddled up amongst the fluffy blankets of his bed- doing everything in his power to keep himself warm. His heater thought it was the best decision to break at that very moment, so the only thing keeping him sane right now is watching the continuous melodic fall of the snowflakes outside his window.

Ilhoon breathes a long, heavy sigh; currently running on zero hours of sleep and struggling to keep his eyes open. The sequential fall of the pretty shapes outside are slowly lulling and hypnotising the vulnerable boy, maybe sleeping right now wouldn't be so bad after all.

It was a stark contrast to what he is used to. Usually, he finds comfort in feeling numb from the cold. However, right now, cooped up in a warm cocoon and watching the snow fall outside- gives him a much different feeling. The cold makes his mind and body feel numb, - figuratively and physically, - as it helps halt the unwanted thoughts and feelings penetrate his conscience. This warming feeling, however, is making him stop and think- letting all of his hushed thoughts come to the surface of his mind; which for the first time, isn't scaring him. Ilhoon just lays still, his head nuzzling amongst the blankets as his eyes slowly shut. Darkness filling his vision in replacement of the snowy carpet outside.

The boy's mind turns to what happened with Sungjae the day before. But the more he thinks about it, the more he regrets ever telling the other boy about what's been happening to him. Sure, all he mentioned was his lack of sleeping, but in the end, all that's going to result in is a nosy boy trying to get into his own business. He's still not sure whether he even considers the other boy a friend yet. Technically, they only met properly the night before, and look where that led him- spilling one of his biggest secrets to a random guy. A stranger even. What else could he potentially reveal next? He let his guard down, and frankly, he blames half of that on Sungjae. He has this special way of breaking Ilhoon's walls that he spent so long trying to build. The truth is, the boy is scared. Scared of Sungjae, scared of what is happening, scared of what he is turning out to be, but most of all- he is scared of losing more of himself than he already has. That alone terrifies him the most.

I can't end up like him. I can't, and I won't.

With that thought lingering in his mind; he finds himself drifting off to sleep for the first time in what feels like a long time.

...

A loud ringing sound wakes Ilhoon from his peaceful sleep. He swears under his breath as he unwillingly opens his eyes. The only time I actually fall asleep and I get woken up. Does the world really hate me that much? Nonetheless, the annoyed boy puts his attention towards the default ringtone that is coming from his newly-bought phone. His eyes widen as he instantly realises who is trying to contact him, the only person who knows Ilhoon's new number.

The boy is instantly awake and attentive as he snatches his phone from his bedside table and looks at the new message.

His heart starts to beat dangerously fast as his eyes scan the only three words that were sent to him.

Get me now.

Within a blink of an eye, Ilhoon is up and out of bed- nearly dropping his new phone in the process as he is now in his car and speeding along the freeway. Not even thinking twice before complying with the messenger's request.

The whole way, his hands were shaking on the steering wheel. He's trying to distract himself from the running questions and scenarios that are going on inside his head. Instead, he tries to focus on the music that is playing softly in his car.