Just Before The Dawn [DaeJae]

Eleven

"Hey, are you listening?"

"Oh? Sorry..." Daehyun snapped out of his thoughts and smiled at Junhong  in apology.

"Are you alright? You seem a bit spaced out today."

"Yeah. I just can't stop thinking about something..."

"Do you want to talk about it? I dot think its good for our studies when you can't focus."

Daehyun sighed. "It's about Youngjae."

"Oh... What exactly is it?"

"I'm more and more worried about him. He doesn't seem to be in a good condition. The way they treat him at school is just impossible."

"I understand. I feel the same about him to be honest even though I didn't get into as much contact with him as you. But I don't really know what we could do, it seems like he doesn't want help..."

"I don't think it's like that. I think it's more that he does want help but he has lost hope. That he has made so many bad experiences that he diesnt believe it will get better anymore."

"But if you're right, what do you want to do? How do you want to help him?"

"I don't know. I wish he'd just trust me but I guess that's gonna be a long and hard way."

"And why? I mean... Yes, I am kinda worried too, after what you've told me but you don't even really know him and if he doesn't let you help him this will influence your mood and concentration. I don't want you to get dragged down by worrying all the time."

Daehyun nodded. "I am aware of that. But I have to try, I can't keep watching this and I can't just forget about it."

"Okay. I will try to help you as much as possible, so if you need anything just tell me."

...

It was already after midnight when Daehyun left his best friend's house. He was tired and cold and all he wanted to do was cuddle up in his bed and sleep.

On the bridge, he suddenly remembered he hadn't answered Youngjae the day they talked.

Since Youngjae didn't know Daehyun was the other writer, so it would be strange if he stopped answering.

After writing the next lines, he quickly went home.

Youngjae was outside as well, taking one of his usual nightly walks.

Slowly, he started to feel cold so he decided he should better go back home. He hated freezing.

As he approached the dorm building, he reached into his pocket to get his keys, as usual.
With the difference, that there were no keys.

"Shit" he mumbled, checking in all of his other pockets, but all he found was his red marker and an old pack of chewing gum.

Youngjae felt the tears come when he realized he had no chance to get in at this time without the keys. He didn't want to freeze to death, though.

What could he do?

He could only think of one possibility and he didn't like the thought at all, but he had absolutely no choice.