Monsta X: The Clan Pt. 2

15: On Fire

"This place is on fire, fire"

"Champion, champion"

Changkyun:

I pedaled through the darkness, the blinding LED lights from my bike illuminating the empty tunnel.

Hardly anyone went down here as it was supposed to act like a trail. Nobody was outside these days, especially at night, so I had the concrete path all to myself.

The golden tassels on my bike handlers constantly brushed my arm and I almost ripped them out in frustration. While for the most part, I loved my bike because it was decorated nicely, it was annoying at times.

The others usually teased me for how childish it was, but it reminded me of when I was younger, riding my bike through empty dirt roads with them till the sunset. Wonho helped me attached a bunch of cool gadgets such as blinking lights on the wheels, a glowing seat, and a nice white basket in the front where I kept my teddy bear.

What people wouldn't know is that inside the white, glowing teddy bear was the game I was playing earlier, hidden deep within its cotton stuffing. If I was stopped by any soldiers then they would never find it. It would be safe.

Pedaling harder I emerged out of the tunnel and onto a narrow street. On my left ran a large concrete wall and on the right was the thick forest, looking inky black and ominous in the night. Very few streetlights were placed down here because, again, nobody went down this way. It was the perfect place to travel discreetly.

Still, I couldn't help but feel anxious. These days hardly anyone even dared to travel outside, nevertheless at night too, with such chaos going on at the moment.

Even though we were far from the main action that doesn't mean that there weren't guards here or any violence. I felt as though a monster was gonna lunge out of the trees and drag me in, which only made me pedal faster. I hadn't been outside in days and it was too dangerous.

It didn't help that I heard a sudden, loud snap behind me, causing me to nearly topple off of my bike. Quickly turning around, I was surprised to see a dark figure speed by me in a blur of flashing lights. Nearly blinded, I got off my bike and stared at the stranger slowed their bike to a stop.

Stepping down from their bike, they turned and faced me, pulling their hood down with a grin.

"Oh my god, it's just you," I sighed in relief.

Kihyun smiled and headed towards me, pulling his bright bike with him. I was surprised that he was riding it; it was just like my bike with the bright LED lights and cute tassels. When we were younger he had long abandoned it, claiming it was too childish for him. Yet here he was. It was hard to take him seriously with his pink hair.

"It's only me," He laughed, stuffing his hands into his pockets and smiling harder.

It didn't fit his features, that smile. With the dark bags under his eyes, grimy look, and worn out clothes it seemed so out of place. So forced.

"So did you get the flowers?" I asked, uncomfortable with talking to him. I hadn't talked to anyone in so long that this seemed unfamiliar.

He nodded in response and gestures towards a small black bag sitting in his bike basket. Now that I noticed it I could smell the faint aroma in the air, that nauseating and familiar scent that I never thought I'd have to smell again.

That meant the final piece was gathered. The flowers, from which we would harness the power from with my teddy bear game and magically create a way to bend time.

Sounds ridiculous but at the same time, it was a reality. This was really happening.

I was excited.

"And you have the game, I assume? Wonho had been spamming me for a while trying to get in contact with you; he was really worried," Kihyun said, giving me a pointed look.

"Oh haha, yeah sorry about that," I said sheepishly, wondering why this was so awkward. "Don't worry, I have the game, it's hidden and safe."

"Okay," Kihyun said with an awkward nod. "Let's get going then I guess."

Without another word, he turned around and climbed aboard his bike, as I followed and did the same.

However, as he was adjusting his position, I couldn't help but notice the bright red I saw on his hands as he was fixing the handlebars.

It looked like blood.

Before I could even say a thing about it he tugged his sleeves down over his hands, almost as if he could sense me glancing at him. Pushing off of his pedals he started riding and I followed, swallowing hard.

Was I supposed to mention it to him?

I was too scared to.

I surprisingly hadn't seen Kihyun for while, not since we were thrown in prison after our final escape. When we both were released, we both had gone out separate ways, for the most part, me trying to isolate myself from everyone and him trying to work closely with the others to get something done.

We had spent the last few months apart. Who knows how much each of us has changed since then, from better or worse.

So I decided to ignore it.

How simple things were back then when we didn't have to worry about much. All we'd do is ride around on our colorful bikes, laugh at Wonho's strange yet amazing inventions, and spend the days and nights with each other.

Now? We were fighting to even see each other again, one last time.

Oh, how sad that sounded.

Pedaling faster, I felt anxious to reach Wonho's place. I never thought I'd say that but the idea of finally making things right again was too exciting for me, so energizing.

We went down the dark street, heading towards our freedom, at last.

A/N

The timestamp is 2:24-2:34

Changkyun's bike is so cute in the M/V I can't.

Update schedule changed to only Sunday's so next update will be 9/9. Thanks for the support and don't forget to vote!