haunted, the forest // nct [3]

{17}

(Sorry about the delay in updating, there has been a lot going on lately, but I hope things will be getting better and more clear so I have time to update. Hope you enjoy ♡)

X X X

Johnny squeezed Ten's hand that rested in his. Ten looked up to meet him gaze, the stars reflecting in his worried eyes.

"We're going to be okay, you know?" Johnny told Ten in a hushed voice. "We're always okay in the end."

Ten exhaled sharply, lowering his brow. "I'm trying to believe that, Johnny, but this isn't some story. I'm actually scared something got the others."

As Johnny tried to comfort Ten, Taeyong was doing the same to his girlfriend, Daerin. He had his arm wrapped around her and Daerin leaned her head against his shoulder. Even Jisoo was seeking comfort by hugging Vernon's arm. Lucas looked between the people walking so closely, then to Jihwan as she kept a distance a few steps in front of everyone. Lucas cleared his throat, quickening his pace to catch up to her.

Once he was next to her, Lucas tilted his head up to look through the tree tops. "The stars are beautiful tonight."

Jihwan shot him a serious look. "Lucas, we're trapped in a haunted forest."

"Well, excuse me for looking on the bright side," Lucas grumbled, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"I think we need something positive right now," Mark commented.

"I have some pretty funny jokes," Vernon put in with a shrug. "If we need to lighten the mood."

Jisoo smiled. "Yes, please. I bet you're hilarious."

Johnny leaned to Ten's ear. "I'm not the only one that thinks Jisoo is head over heels for this guy, right?" he whispered.

"You would be crazy if you didn't," Ten quietly replied with a chuckle.

"What do you call a belt with a watch on it?" Vernon started, already starting to snicker.

"Oh no," Mark sighed.

"A waist of time." Vernon laughed. "Am I right—"

He turned around to get the others to laugh along with him. However, only Jisoo was locked on his arm and Mark was next to him, beginning to freak out at the loss of numbers. The others were no longer there.

"Fuck," Vernon cursed under his breath.

X X X

"DAMMIT!" Johnny launched his fist at the nearest tree.

"Okay, well, could you be a bit more rational?" Jihwan walked closer to the group as her heart rate rapidly increased from Vernon, Jisoo, and Mark just disappearing around one singular tree.

Ten grabbed Johnny's hand that punched the tree to examine his knuckles. Dots of blood began to surface from where he made contact. "Baby, be more careful." Ten wiped away the blood and kissed his wounds. "Punching defenseless objects aren't going to solve the problem at hand."

"I'm sorry," Johnny winced. "It's getting really frustrating."

Daerin pouted and looked around frantically, moving closer to Taeyong. "What if we never make it out of the forest?"

"If we can't find our way out," Lucas started, looking down at the ground lost in concentration, "then there must be some way for us to destroy the spirits."

"And how do you think we'll do that?" Jihwan questioned. "These spirits are controlling us. They can get into our minds."

Lucas brought his head up to meet Jihwan's gaze. A smile surfaced on his face and his eyes revealed a glint of hope. "I have an idea."

X X X

     "IF THESE SPIRITS SEPARATE US ALL ONE MORE TIME I SWEAR I'M GONNA—"

     "Kun, calm down," WinWin tried to hush the older one as he tugged on his sleeve.

     "Yelling might attract something," Jungwoo added. "We're already in such a small group, we can't afford to get separated anymore."

     Kun drew in a couple of deep breaths, closing his eyes and collecting his thoughts. "Okay, okay. I'm fine. Everything will be okay." He turned to face the two younger boys that had worried expressions on their faces. "'To the well-organized mind...'"

"Oh god," WinWin muttered.

"'... death is but the next great adventure,'" Kun finished with satisfaction. "Albus Dumbledore, The Sorcerer's Stone."

"I think Kun is losing his mind," Jungwoo whispered to WinWin as they watched Kun confidently strut off.

"We're all gonna die." WinWin inhaled slowly and started after Kun. "Kun, where are we going?"

Kun grinned at the boys. "To kick those spirits in the ass."