1 salt✅

New Addition

We all settled down in a nearby hotel in one of the suites up on the top floor as night had fallen. Even in this situation full of negatives, it still had a few positives. I set up a makeshift bed on the couch then noticed Hwanwoong had come out of one of the bedrooms.

"You're sleeping out here? There's plenty of space in the room." Hwanwoong said as he gestured towards the room.

"About that... I snore, so I didn't want to disturb you." I replied, embarrassed. Snoring wasn't something to feel proud of.

"Oh, I see. Thank you for the consideration." he said with a smile.

"Sleep tight, Hwan." I said as I made myself comfortable.

"Sleep tight..." said Hwanwoong softly before heading back into the room.

I lied on my back and stared at the ceiling. What would happen when morning rose? Would we join the other humans wherever they are? Would we remain like this? I took out my phone to see if Chuncheon was the only place affected. The internet didn't say much, which meant news hadn't gotten around or whatever happened already spread worldwide. I couldn't sleep, so I decided to check on the others. I pushed open the door to a room and looked to see if they were sleep. Neither of them moved. Just as I closed the door, I felt something tap me and I naturally jumped in fright.

"It's just me, Hwan." Hwanwoong whispered.

"Can't sleep?" I whispered back as we moved away from the room.

"I wish I could easily sleep like them." Hwanwoong replied as we sat on the floor.

I laughed lowly as I wondered how they managed to do it.

"You have a nice laugh." said Hwanwoong smiling.

I laughed nervously as I wasn't used to simple compliments like this. They were usual more about me looking handsome in uniform. It was only about my looks. When was the last time someone had complimented my smile? My laugh? I looked at Hwanwoong who wordlessly waited for me to say something.

"Thank you, Hwan." I finally said, returning his smile.

We looked up as we heard a door open. Keonhee and Dongju had stepped out then walked over to us.

"You both can't sleep either, can you?" Keonhee asked as he sat down with us.

"We're awake, aren't we?" I replied, making space for Dongju.

"What do you think happened to everyone?" Keonhee asked, leaving the floor open for discussion.

"Aliens?" Hwanwoong piped up.

"In this case, it strangely makes sense." I said with a sigh.

"Maybe the Earth did it. Swallowed them whole." Dongju said while looking around.

"Aliens are believable, what you said, is not. And even if it were true, why weren't we swallowed whole too?" Keonhee countered.

"How are aliens more believable than this living rocking floating in space?" Dongju shot back, clearly ticked off.

"Aliens are living things too, you child." hissed Keonhee.

"Look, whether aliens took them or the Earth swallowed them, it doesn't change the fact that we're here, alive, and that we need to do something to fix this. We survived for a reason, didn't we?" I said, looking them each in the eye.

"Seoho's right. Instead of arguing and causing a rift between ourselves, let's focus on finding a way to save our family, friends, and others. If it's possible that is." Hwanwoong added on.