Hidden: Strings of Fate

CHAPTER 11

"Hyung, what are you doing? Let her rest," I heard both Hyuk and Hongbin protest. The shadow slid towards them and pulled them away from the door. I heard yelps of pain coming from outside, saying "ow hyung, that hurt! You could have been gentle." I heard Hongbin say.

My eyes had started to get used to the light that had once intruded into the dark room. I felt a yank on my wrist.

"Get up! Now!" someone commanded. I wanted to get up but my body wouldn't listen to reason. It was paralysed with fear. I tried to move but my body refused me. I looked at the dark shadow that towered over me. Its arms stretched towards my own again. As the shadow started to engulf me, I started to see the face clearly. His eyes were puffy, red and filled with anger, the nose was sleek and slim and flaring with rage, his lips in a thin line like he had no patience left.

"I said, get up! Now!" he repeated. I whimpered at his yelp. He yanked me up on to my feet. Taking a hold of my arm, he hurled me out of the room. I couldn't stop my body from going forward. It felt like I would burst through the walls of the apartment. My feet had no strength to stop me. I was heading towards the kitchen. My arms flailing, finding nothing to grab onto to help reduce the force.

"Ravi hyung!! Behind you..." I heard Hyuk catch Ravi's attention. A body appeared from nowhere in the kitchen and managed to catch me in time. I had fallen into his chest.

"Are you ok? Did you hurt yourself?" Wonshik asked, worried. Hongbin came rushing out of another room and stared at my attacker in disbelief. My attacker scoffed. I looked up at the kind soul who had saved me from further damage. All I managed to say was "g-g-gomawo."

Hongbin and Wonshik steered me to the three-seater. They helped me descend into one of the seats. I had Hongbin on one side and Hyuk on the other side. He helped guide and move things that would obstruct my seating. Wonshik stood in front of me. He fell onto his knees in front of me, took my hands into his and asked innocently "you're still here? I thought you had left."

I smiled and was about to answer him when a tear escaped. Wonshik looked mortified. Hongbin and Hyuk both followed his gaze and became distressed. Hongbin intertwined his hands around mine while Hyuk wiped my tear away and enveloped me into a hug. "Hey, don't cry. You look ugly when you cry," he whispered into my ear as he continued to wipe my never-ending tears. Wonshik inquired "who did this? Who made you cry? Show me who it was. I'll go and teach them a lesson."

Hyuk continued to stroke my hair to help calm me. It had fallen one side. It had engulfed my whole body almost. Wonshik's eyes narrowed in on my neck; his fingers came up to move the left-over strands of hair away so he could see clearly my injury. His touch was gentle. The four of us stayed silent. His gaze then fell onto my wrists. The grab marks had become more noticeable. Blood had rushed up to the surface making the imprint of Leo's hand look as though it was blushing. I followed his gaze so did Hongbin and Hyuk. Wonshik twisted and turned them, inspecting them carefully. He was about to open his mouth to say something, but I cut him off by saying " Everything has been washed and put away. If you need to ask me about where something is, you have my number. Please do not hesitate to contact me. I'll be leaving now."

Wonshik moved aside and allowed me to pass. My phone. Where had I left it? I heard the faint ring of my phone go off in the distance somewhere. I followed the sound. It was coming from the room that my assailant was in.