Dream Of Our Own

CROWN

Soobin opened his eyes, looking up at his ceiling. His head throbbed with pain concentrated along the crown of his head. Is this a migraine? He sat up and rubbed his eyes, yawning and stretching out his arms, glancing at his alarm clock. 8:30... I should get out of bed.

He rolled out of bed and walked to his bathroom, feet padding along the soft blue carpet. His eyelids were still drooping from the sleep as he grabbed his toothbrush and toothpaste. He began brushing his teeth and looked up, eyes widening. Antler-like horns were sprouting from his head. No. No, this isn't real. It can't be... He reached up and grabbed one of his horns, tugging gently. "Agh!" He winced as pain seared through his head, realizing the horns were attached and that this was real. I'm becoming a monster. His heart raced, palms sweating and head spinning. This is impossible. Why is this happening to me? "Mom!" He ran downstairs to the kitchen.

She turned around and shook her head. "Why are you wearing those? It isn't Halloween, Soobin." She handed him a plate with beef and kimchi.

"This isn't a costume, mom. I tried pulling them off..." he ate, eyes downcast. "I'm a freak."

"That isn't possible, Soobin. People don't grow horns." She came around and tugged gently. "They're stuck." She moved his hair to the side and saw that the horns were growing out of his head. "Oh... oh my..." she covered her mouth, stumbling away from him. "Go get dressed. We're going to find someone to cut these for you."

Soobin ran upstairs, tears stinging at his eyes. Everyone will think I'm a freak. He struggled to take off his t-shirt, hearing it tear. He pulled it away slowly, seeing several large rips down the back of the tee. Soobin grabbed a fresh tee and carefully slipped it on, changing into jeans and shoving on sneakers. He started down the stairs, freezing when he heard his mom on the phone. "Will it hurt him? You aren't sure? But he's my son, you have to be sure! I know it's strange but this is my son, we're talking about!"

Soobin gulped, shaking his head. It wasn't worth it. He snuck to the front door and slipped out unnoticed, running as fast as he could. He hit the town and slowed down when he noticed people staring. "Is that a costume?"

"No, there's no headband."

"That can't be real."

A crowd began to form around him, trapping him in like a caged animal. A boy around his age tugged at his horn and everyone gasped. "He's a freak!"

"Monster!"

"He might be dangerous!"

"Step back, sweetie." A woman tried to hide her daughter away from him. What if I am dangerous? What if I hurt somebody? I'm a monster. What if I keep transforming? They might be right.

Soobin was dizzied with the stares and jeers and began to turn slowly, taking in all the shocked and angry faces of people he had grown up around. "Freak!"

Soobin pushed his way out of the crowd, running without aim. Tears blinded his vision, eyes stinging. He heard shouts but eventually they faded and he couldn't hear the people anymore. He stopped running and sat on the ground, chest heaving as hot tears rolled down his face. Nothing made sense. This wasn't possible. He had never heard or seen anything like it. Humans didn't just grow horns overnight. Humans never grew horns. How could this happen? And why me?

He suddenly became aware of his surroundings. Wherever he was, it was dark, cold, damp. He couldn't see anything. Had he fallen down a sewage drain without noticing? His surroundings were just as uncomfortable and strange as his circumstances. At least here, there was no one to laugh at him and call him awful names. Just my luck. Maybe this is where I belong. Maybe I shouldn't be around people. I belong in the dark, where no one can see me.

A light appeared in the dark. He wasn't sure what it was but it radiated heat and looked like an opening of some kind, a passageway to somewhere better. Whatever it is, it's better than what I've been through today, I'm sure. Soobin crawled towards it, falling through some kind of hole. He fell onto his hands and knees with a grunt, looking around himself. Everywhere, there was lush green grass and tall trees. Birds chirped happily, flitting from tree to tree. Squirrels ran around the grass and a gentle breeze caressed his face. Where am I? Did I die? Is this heaven or some kind of afterlife?

"You're a new face." A boy walked up to him, holding out his hand to help him up.

"You're not scared of me?" Soobin looked up, wiping his tears away.

The strange boy stared down at him with a smile. "No. Why would I be?"

"Because of my horns. I'm a monster." Soobin looked down at his feet, tugging at his shoelaces idly. The boy unfurled wings, chuckling. "Whoa." Soobin's eyes widened. "You have wings? Are you an angel? Is this heaven?"

"I'm not an angel. And this... it's more of a safe place fore people like us. I woke up one day and there they were: my wings." The boy turned to show off the beautiful feathered wings. "It was surprisingly painful. It felt like someone had ripped my skin or my muscles had torn or both."

"You said people like us? Are there more?" Soobin's mind was reeling. This couldn't be true. It had to be a dream.

The boy faced Soobin and held his hand out again. "We're not alone. Come, I'll show you around."

Soobin took the boy's hand and stood, a smile spreading on his lips.

A/N: Hello! Thank you for reading my story! TXT's concept really inspired me and I will continue to update as inspiration strikes and introduce major plot points when TXT continues their story. Once again, thank you! I hope you enjoy my writing and leave constructive/ nice comments and lots of likes! ❤️ I love you!!