Secrets and Dreams

Chapter 11 - Dreading Loss

Sicheng was lost in Taeyong's kiss, the delectable sensation of their lips moving against each other created pleasurable friction making him weak. He tightened his arms around Taeyong's waist for support. It was a lengthy kiss but Sicheng felt it was not enough when their lips parted.

"I love you, Sicheng," Taeyong whispered into his ear. "Please don't ever leave me. I'll die if you do."

"I will never leave you," Sicheng solemnly promised. "Even when you turn your back on me, my heart will still be yours."

Taeyong kissed Sicheng on the nose and they smiled at each other. They continued to walk hand in hand along the wooded trail while the sun bathed them with a gentle warmth. Sicheng could hear the birds singing and in the distance a bone-chilling wail echoed through the forest. The couple stopped on their tracks and looked at one another worriedly. Sicheng felt shivers run down his spine as they heard it once more.

"Wait here, I'll go look if someone was hurt," said Taeyong and let go of Sicheng's hand.

"No! Don't go!"

"Don't worry, I'll be fine," Taeyong said and caressed Sicheng's cheek before heading towards the direction from whence it came from."Stay here where it's safe."

"Please be careful," Sicheng called out and had to be satisfied with Taeyong's smile and wink.

Sicheng wore a frown as he watched Taeyong walk towards the sound, lips pursed with worry in his heart. Why did he have to be a hero all of a sudden? I don't need heroes, he thought as he sat on a large protruding root of the enormous oak. He sighed and closed his eyes as he leaned against its trunk.

When Sicheng opened his eyes it was nightfall. He frowned blinking and looked around frantically. He was certain he didn't fall asleep, merely closed his eyes momentarily. He stood up, patting the dirt off the seat of his jeans and wondered where on earth Taeyong was. He suddenly felt his heart sinking. Worry overtook him. He started to walk towards the way Taeyong went to look for him, oblivious of the darkness looming over the path, lit only by soft moonbeams through the tree branches arching over the trail.

One moment he was on solid ground and the next he was sliding and slipping into a hole, crying out in fear as he flailed and tried to grasp at roots or rocks to no avail. Sicheng landed on his stomach with a thud over crusty earth, dirt and gashes all over his exposed extremities. Picking himself up, groaning in pain as he did while vainly trying to dust himself off, he figured out how to get out of the dank cavern. There seemed to be a faint light far ahead so he went that way, cursing at himself for being so careless.

Sicheng felt the chill as he walked through the dark cavern, it's walls lined with rocks and tree roots jutting out here and there. His body ached all over but he was determined to walk straight toward the light. All he needed to do was get out of the eerie darkness and find his beloved Taeyong. A knot started to build in the pit of his stomach filling him with a sense of foreboding. What if Taeyong got hurt? No, he shouldn't think about that. Finding Taeyong was his goal and shouldn't cloud his brain with worry. He must be clear headed.

As Sicheng neared the muted illumination the air seemed to lose it's musty scent and was more redolent of the forest greens. He saw an opening leading out to the moonlit path ahead. His hopes went up. Clutching at his sides while lugging his way through the winding path with his aching body, Sicheng was determined to find Taeyong. He felt something was awfully wrong.