1 salt✅

Suddenly

It felt like the beginning all over again, except this time we knew what we were looking for and how to deal with obstacles. Geonhak played a card game with Youngjo while Dongju seemed amazed by Keonhee's skill with a game. I sat quietly with Hwanwoong as we seemed to be the only two taking this seriously.

"Where do you think it could be? We're currently in Hongdae... but it could be like America where it's on the other side." Hwanwoong said as we looked over a map.

"I wish I knew more..." I said then looked at him. "Can I tell you something?"

"You know you can." he said as he gently held my hand before pulling away.

"A voice told me we needed to come back. It said to go home and end it all. After that I no longer heard it. And that weird power disappeared too." I confessed as I looked at all of the cities and provinces.

"Considering everything that's happened, I have no reason not to believe you. So, do you think it'll contact you again when the time is right?" he asked as he kept his eyes on me.

"Not sure... lets hope for it." I replied as I sat back.

I looked over at the four who interacted with one another as if we weren't in a world all alone. How could they act so cheery, especially when we don't know what'll happen next? It's been smooth sailing ever since we tempered with that core in New York, but everything could come crashing down around us in an instant. And there they were, chatting about irrelevant things and smiling like idiots.

I sighed then felt Hwanwoong discreetly hold my hand. Maybe I was being too stiff. I looked at Hwanwoong then smiled softly.

"Why don't we go on a walk together?" I suggested quietly. "It'll probably do us both good."

"Sure. Should we leave together...?" he asked as he discreetly gestured to the others.

"Separate." I replied before getting up and leaving the hotel room.

A few minutes later, I was being embraced by Hwanwoong from behind. I couldn't help but coo at his tiny stature. We looked back then dashed down the hall before any of them noticed we were missing.

ㅠㅛㅠㅛ

I held Hwanwoong in my arms as we sat on the grass in a park. The complete silence besides the wind was unnerving, but it was still somewhat pleasant. It was one of the cooler days during the summer, so it made cuddling that much more enjoyable. Just then a phone started to ring.

"Should we answer?" I asked.

"Nah. They'll live." Hwanwoong responded as he leaned more into my body.

The phone continued to ring until the call disconnected. After today, we'll all be busy trying to find the core and get back to our lives. I nuzzled his cheek then let out a contented sigh. I decided to ask him what his life was like before the whole save the planet situation came about.

"My life... well, as you know, I'm a dance instructor. I teach most ages, 10 to about 50 years old. Doing something I love and getting paid for it, what more could I ask for? Though, I don't live around here. Further north in Chuncheon actually." he said. "How about you?"

"Well, I'm stationed in the central area of Chuncheon. I didn't really do too much." I replied as the cool air blew around us.

"Hm... Maybe I'll come visit when I have time." he said then rested his head against my shoulder. "I can't help but wonder what lies ahead for us..."

"Me too... I hope we can be together for a long time." I said then booped his nose.

We both groaned as a phone started to ring again. We both checked and it was coming from my phone. It was from Geonhak.

"He-" I said then moved the phone away quickly when Geonhak started to shout.

"Where the hell are you? Is Hwan with you? Holy shit- Keon!" Geonhak said with crashing and other unidentifiable sounds in the background.

"Geon? What's going on? Where are you?" I asked in a panic. I let Hwanwoong go and started to head back without him. "Geon!?"

"Youngjo, help me out here! Where's Don- Help me! Ju! Wait, we can't just leave Keon! Geonhak!" I heard on the other end.

It sounded like utter chaos. What exactly was going on? I then realized I had left Hwanwoong behind. I turned around and saw him standing behind me with mixed emotions. I explained everything to him. His eyes went wide and he dragged me by my wrist.

We rounded the corner and noticed familiar colored tendrils all around the hotel we left. We gasped in horror at a car being thrown into it. What the hell was going on that it started to attack? Soon a tree and a truck were being thrown into the building. A fire broke out. We picked up our pace then stopped when pieces of the the hotel fell and blocked part of the front door.

"This is way too convenient." Hwanwoong said with a heavy sigh.

"There's always a backdoor." I said then rushed towards the back.

I noticed tendrils had ceased malicious intent as I approached. I heard Hwanwoong let out a pained groan from behind me. I looked back then saw him struggling to get a tendril to move. I approached him then watched as the tendril backed off. It was weird, but it worked in our favor. I helped him up then held onto him so he wouldn't get attacked again.

"Do you think they're okay...?" he asked as he rubbed his back.

"Not sure." I replied then stopped as a large piece of debris fell in front of us.

I tried calling Geonhak, but he didn't pick up. Hwanwoong tried as well. We reached the backdoor and I told Hwanwoong to stand back.

"But what if you get hurt!? Do you think I'd be okay with that!?" he fussed as he joined me by my side.

"Hwan-" I started, but he already started to open the door.

Luckily the fire hadn't reached the bottom floor. I tried calling Geonhak then sighed in relief when he answered.

"Where the hell are you? Are you inside? Holy fuck it's on fire!? Youngjo, calm down. Focus on getting to the exit. How can I!? I don't wanna diiiiiiiiie! *slap* Shut up and run. These two have futures. Hello? You still there, Seoho?" Geonhak asked.

Did he really slap Youngjo? I shook my head as I kept Hwanwoong from entering.

"We're outside the building. The back of the-" I said then moved us out of the way off falling debris. "Back of the building. The fire hasn't reached here yet. Can you get here in one piece?"

"We'll try. Shit, watch out! Look, it's going to be a process, but we'll get there. Youngjo, pick up the damn pace! I hope we make it out okay..." said Geonhak before hanging up.

I forced Hwanwoong to move back more to avoid being crushed to death. I wanted to go in after them badly, but it didn't make sense to head in and get myself hurt as well. We patiently waited while avoiding falling debris.