Secrets and Dreams

Chapter 7 - Affection

[AN: Please play the video after the italics part so it doesn't ruin the mood lol, sorry!!! XD]

Taeyong tried to focus though the darkness, squinting at the black space ahead of him. The sewage tunnel was dank, moist and the potent smell of waste filled his nostrils. He wrinkled his nose as he tread carefully and shuddered as the sewage water seeped into his Chucks. There goes my favorite sneakers, he thought as he continued to explore the tunnel. His steps caused splashing sounds from the puddles of acrid, stagnant water.

He knew he had to find something...or someone, but he could never remember. His brows furrowed trying to think why he was there. It was then that he heard a soft cry, calling out his name.

"Taeyong..."

He tilted his head, straining to hear where the voice was coming from. Judging from the echoes, it was far ahead. Or was it? The tunnel felt like a maze, with twists and turns. The sounds bounced around the concrete walls. It was hard to pinpoint where the sound actually came from. But he knew he had to find the person calling out to him. His instinct was telling him he was needed and the owner of the voice must be in danger. But how did he know that?

Shrugging, he moved further forward. He was about to pass straight though a point where the tunnels crossed. Where do they lead? Where should he go? To the left, right or straight ahead. Then he heard it once more.

"Taeyong...Taeyong..."

Cocking his head he listened intently, trying to guess the location. To the left, he decided as he turned into that tunnel. It seemed even darker here. He cursed why he had no phone he could use to illuminate the gloominess. The voice sounded awfully familiar and the nagging feeling of trying to find someone never left him. He must find this person he thought, as he turned left into the maze of sewage tunnels.

Taeyong didn't know how far he has progressed through this forsaken dungeon. He was getting fretful and jumpy. Especially when an enormous sewer rat crossed his path. Finally at the far end he could see a muted light, trying vainly to fend off the darkness it met. He headed for it, hoping to find out some indication on the voice again. He hasn't heard the calling for some time now and it worried him. A sense of urgency overcame him as he approached the faint light.

The tunnel ended in a large dimly lit room with a tiny window above framing a rusty metal grill. The moonlight shining softly through it, seemingly encasing a crumpled figure at the center of the room. The figure was lying motionless with his back towards Taeyong. Then it dawned on him. He knew who it was and he felt his heart tighten with fright.

"Sicheng!" Taeyong cried out as he ran towards him and knelt beside him, cautiously lifting Sicheng onto his lap and cradling his head. He was breathing and Taeyong felt relieved. He touched Sicheng's cheek and it felt cold and he looked deathly pale and eyes closed.

"Sicheng?"

A soft moan was all the response Taeyong could get. "Please, please be alright," Taeyong whispered. He needed to get Sicheng out of here. He wondered how he could carry him all the way out whilst finding the exit.

As Taeyong pondered on his dilema, a tall figured appeared at the threshold. The long knife in is hand glinting under the moonlight. Taeyong felt his chest tighten in fear as he saw the figure's face. It was Haejin.