GUNS & ROSES | ꜱᴇᴠᴇɴᴛᴇᴇɴ

x. ✓

𝒙.

At the tender age of seven, I first noticed the absence of my father.

Confusion consumed my young mind as I tirelessly searched for him, asking my mother about his whereabouts every waking hour. But he was nowhere to be found, leaving me to retire to my bed each night with a heavy heart and tears staining my cheeks.

Every morning, I awoke to the sound of my mother's muffled sobs, emanating from behind the walls of my bedroom. The silence that followed was always broken by her appearance at my door, wearing a weak smile that failed to mask her puffy eyes.

"You're awake, sweetie? Go bathe now. I'll prepare breakfast," she would say, gently guiding me out of bed and leading me to the bathroom.

Back then, I couldn't comprehend the weight that burdened my mother. Her once vibrant spirit seemed to wane with each passing day. The spark that once lit up her eyes had faded, her smiles becoming forced, and her laughter often interrupted by tears. As a child, I struggled to grasp the gravity of the situation unfolding before me.

As the years slipped by, I grew accustomed to my father's absence. I stopped asking, understanding that some questions had no answers. Gradually, I witnessed my mother reclaiming her strength.

Her frame filled out, and the radiance returned to her eyes. We never spoke of my father again, silently agreeing to leave him in the past.

But when I turned sixteen, the fragile equilibrium we had achieved began to crumble.

My secret talent for composing songs came to light, and my mother vehemently disapproved. She despised the melodies that flowed from my lips and recoiled when I dared to ask for a guitar on my seventeenth birthday. Sadly, my wishes went unfulfilled.

Yet, destiny had other plans in store for me.

On that fateful seventeenth birthday, a package arrived at our doorstep addressed to me. Opening it revealed a guitar accompanied by a custom case adorned with a delicate sunflower illustration. I glanced at my mother, knowing she held the key to this unexpected gift.

"Mom, did Dad send this?" I asked, hoping for an end to the silence surrounding his departure. Her face fell, fracturing into a myriad of emotions. She had avoided discussing him, shielding him from our lives, but she couldn't hide the truth forever.

On that day, as I celebrated my seventeenth year, the wounds of the past were cruelly reopened. I realized there was no turning back; the truth demanded to be heard.

Seungcheol mirrored my mother's expression when I confronted him with the unexpected question about Rose.

Stumbling backward, he gasped for breath, attempting to regain his composure. His evasion was evident, reminiscent of my mother's silence, a shared secret they both sought to protect.

Before I could coax the truth from him, the library doors swung open with a thunderous bang, heralding the arrival of the two Kings with their vibrant pink hair. Seungcheol turned his attention to them, his voice laced with a growl. "What is it?"

The Kings stood before the High King, their restlessness palpable. "The island is under attack," the one with lighter pink hair announced. "The director wants you to escort Danielle to the shelter immediately."

Seungcheol, deep in contemplation, massaged his temples, weighed down by the burden of his thoughts. "Jeonghan, gather the others. I'll take her to the shelter and meet you all at the quad."

Before I could make sense of the chaos unfolding around me, Seungcheol seized my hand, dragging me toward the back of the library. Confusion enveloped me as I stumbled to keep up, desperately seeking answers.

The island is under attack? What the actual fuck?

"What's happening, Seungcheol?" I implored, my voice trembling with frustration and fear. Since my arrival in Sakura, everything had been shrouded in secrecy. Seungcheol's hostility, the whispers of Rose, Mingyu's plea for protection—each piece of the puzzle fit uneasily in my mind.

The High King paused, turning to face me. Weariness lined his face, his eyes heavy with dark circles. "Things were supposed to be smooth sailing for you, but it's becoming impossible."

He resumed his stride, his grip on my hand unwavering. "Go," he commanded as we reached a towering oak door at the end of a corridor lined with bookcases. "Behind this door lies a path that will lead you back to your dorm room. Lock yourself in and do not leave until Mrs. Joo arrives."

I studied him intently, the weight of the situation pressing upon us both. He was broken, a man on the edge. "Seungcheol, I don't understand. What the fuck is going on?"

Seungcheol mustered a meek smile as his palm brushed against my cheek, a tender gesture amidst the chaos. "Sometimes, ignorance is what keeps you from shattering," he murmured, his voice filled with a mix of sorrow and determination. "Be ignorant, Kim Danielle. It's your best chance at survival."

Those were his parting words before he pushed open the massive oak door and thrust me into the unknown space beyond. I watched as the door closed, severing our connection. And at that moment, the entire island trembled, shaken to its core.

I surveyed my surroundings, finding myself on a balcony that extended to the next building. Crystal glasses encased the space, offering a clear view of the orange sky erupting with bursts of light.

Fireworks, or so it seemed.

A shiver coursed through me, memories of Springfest flooding my mind—the fireworks, Seokmin's warning, Seungcheol's gun, and the bandage adorning his arm.

With a heavy heart, I turned my gaze back to the oak door, wondering what was transpiring on the other side. What secrets lay hidden just beyond my reach?

Before I could delve deeper into my thoughts, the ground quaked once more, accompanied by a deafening bang. Panic surged within me as I realized the severity of the situation. Instinctively, I ran towards the door leading to the adjacent building, Seungcheol's words echoing in my mind.

Be ignorant, Kim Danielle. Be ignorant.

Be ignorant and you will survive.

As I arrived at the door, the one that would lead me to my dorm building, I was both shocked and relieved. Without hesitation, I rushed inside, ensuring every window and door was securely locked. Finally, I found myself in the corner of my room, desperately trying to collect my thoughts.

My heart pounded erratically in my chest as I contemplated the mystery surrounding my family, Director Kuran-Choi, the Kings, and Sakura itself. What were they all hiding from me? The unanswered questions swirled in my mind, urging me to seek the truth.

Moments passed, the trembling ground ceased, and the fireworks faded into silence. With trepidation, I approached the curtains, aching to catch a glimpse of the outside world. However, as I reached for the fabric, a forceful knocking resounded from the other side of my door, startling me.

"It must be Mrs. Joo," I thought, recalling Seungcheol's words. Without hesitation, I swung open the door, only to be confronted by Mingyu—a disheveled figure, covered in wounds and tattered clothes.

"Mingyu!" I gasped, shock and concern washing over me as I took in his battered state. He had been fine moments ago in the library, but now he seemed utterly broken.

"D-Dani..." he choked out, collapsing to his knees, his hands gripping the doorframe for support. "Save us..." he pleaded, raising his head to meet my eyes.

My heart constricted, witnessing the glimmer of tears at the corners of Mingyu's eyes. I knelt down, our gazes locked, and tenderly placed my hand on the crown of his head, offering solace in the midst of chaos.

At that moment, I made a choice—I couldn't remain ignorant any longer. The truth beckoned, and I vowed to uncover the secrets of Sakura, to protect those who needed it most. It was time to embrace the uncertainty, to find my place in this world.

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might dropping a few more updates :) hope y'all like this chapter although it was a little bland...