Flatline ─ Jimin

4 ∘ Tides of Time

chapter four.
❝ 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸. 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸. 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸. 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱
𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁. ❞

∘◦ ❉ ◦∘

The sunlight that drilled the casement blazingly illuminated the ashen room, the delicate melody of classical music instruments wailing indoor, but the room remained less alive. Jimin scuppered the time by calling his brothers who were practicing their new songs, however, that did not subtract his anxiety because of the vacuous bed in front of him.

In the end, Jimin could only nod at every word they said and wind up by quoting he was unable to concentrate at the moment.

Hours had passed since Crystal went to her daily checkups, but Jimin was cornered in the upheaval of thoughts. After Crystal's one week precipitous absence, all Jimin could think of was the possibility that she would no longer return.

From the short amount of time he knew Crystal, he discovered her condition was awfully fragile.

And the only way to scantily capsize the thoughts was asking Rory.

"Can I ask you a question?"

Rory looked up from the book he read and turned to him, noticing the timid tone in Jimin's voice. "You just did."

"Please?"

Averment of a staggering quantum of curiosity was depicted all over Jimin's facial feature, causing Rory to heave a sigh for he could guess what the boy was going to ask. "Sure."

Jimin seemed conflicted, he actually had no idea how to put it in words, but thinking of being forthright would possibly help him to alleviate the heaviness in his chest, he hastily exhaled the question out. "Is Crystal dying?"

Rory had prepared himself to elucidate anything about Crystal's illness, but not that. The disheartening thought literally sent shivers all over his body, failing to maintain a tranquil demeanor. "W—What makes you think that?"

"The way you lied three days ago, and now, you stuttered."

Jimin's question came out of nowhere, and honestly, this was what Rory hopelessly wanted to avoid. Someone started caring for Crystal and inquired things that were not his place to answer.

There was a beat of silence before Rory shook his head. "I don't know if I should be the one to tell you the story."

"Just tell me one thing—something," Jimin stammered. "I want to know how sick she is behind all those cheery stances."

"All I can say to you is that Crystal has been here for five years and never left for once," Rory responded wistfully. "Two reasons. Her illness and her family."