Hidden: Strings of Fate

CHAPTER 52

I told Min to drive as fast as she could.

"What's wrong, Honey? Why are you so worried? I mean, the boys are safe, they're all together."

"Min..." I looked at her, expecting her to know what I was thinking. She looks at me expectantly. I sighed. "Just step on it... Jun Gi's alone with them. What if he tells..."

"A-a-arasso. I understand."

"Yep. Ppalli."

We managed to get back home within 10 minutes. Thank goodness there was less traffic on the roads. I sped out of the car and ran it to VIXX's apartment, leaving Min to park the car. I punched in the passcode and opened the door in a hurry. I found them lying around trying to choose what movie to watch.

"Where's... Jun... Gi?" I said through my pants.

"He said he wasn't feeling well and went down to your apartment." Someone offered up. I didn't see who it was.

"Did he say anything?" I interrogated.

They looked around at each other. "Not really. We got back to the apartment and he stayed for a bit. Then he made the excuse that he was feeling sleepy and left." Jaehwan replied.

"Is everything ok? Why are you so out of breath?" Hakyeon asked.

"Enjoy the movie. Min'll be here shortly. And I'll be right back." I head back out of their apartment. My mind wasn't in the right place. I kept thinking the worst. 'What if he's already told them and they're just covering up? How am I going to face them? I should have never left him alone with them!' I was furious at myself. How could I be so stupid? I rushed down to our shared apartment. I tried to calm my breathing down before I went in.

"Jun Gi?" I called out. I searched the apartment to find him fast asleep in my bed. He was facing me and was wrapped up tight with the blanket. No cold air could invade his body. I began to calm down as soon as I saw his face. He looked peaceful. I went to sit down next to him and stroke his hair. Where did it all go wrong for us, I wondered. It hurt that I couldn't trust him any more. After all, we had been friends for so long and for something to break us up this bad. I mean, sure we had little falling outs before. We'd make up soon after but it was never as serious as this.

"Honey..." he uttered. "Where... are... you?"

'I'm right here' part of me wanted to scream. But the side that wanted to stay quiet overpowered me. My eyes fell on his forehead. He was sweating. I got up to get a bowl of lukewarm water and a flannel but was held back by his hand. He had a tight grip on my wrist. I turned halfway to meet his gaze.

"Why... did you... leave me?" He spoke with his eyes, half opened. I could feel his body shivering. How long had he been suffering from this cold? Why didn't he say anything?

"I..." I begun. I couldn't think of a reasonable excuse to give him. There was no excuse. "I don't know."

His fever was getting worse. "Stay with... me please..." his arm dropped off my own.

"I'll be right back OK? I promise." I whispered as I headed to get the bowl and flannel. Jun Gi almost never fell ill and when he did, it was almost always from over exhaustion and over working himself. Laying the bowl down on my medium sized bedside table, I dipped in the flannel, making sure to soak it in the water. I picked it up and squeezed out any excess water before I placed it on his forehead. I took another and began wiping his body down. It wasn't the first time I had done this. I remember that the last time he had over exerted himself playing basketball. So much so that he ended up collapsing at the prom. We had to drag his unconscious ass to the A and E. He ended up staying in hospital for 2 days after which he got discharged. When he got home, he was told to rest. Did he? Nope. When Min and I heard, we dragged him back to his house and ended up spending our summer looking after him.