The Redeemers || BTS | AU

Hoseok *** 4

The voices wouldn't stop.

Hoseok tapped his fingers impatiently against the marble ledge. His gaze trailed across the city of Rio de Janeiro, basking in the hot sun amidst the bustling tourists and pedestrians running along its narrow streets, while "Christ the Redeemer" grazed the skies in the distance. Though Hoseok's eyes saw it, his mind was not there.

His mind was never there.

He clawed at the brown locks of his hair frustratedly. Why wouldn't the voices stop? Had he forgotten to ingest the pills this morning?

It was bearable when it was only one voice, but currently, numerous sounds and hisses prodded at his brain, picking each lobe apart and wearing it down piece by piece.

Little by little.

Little by little.

"Stop", he mumbled, squeezing his eyes shut and gagging out the breath that had remained clumped up inside his throat. He exhaled, fingers gripping the ledge for dear life.

"Stop it".

All Hoseok had to do was count down from ten. He had to focus on one voice. His voice.

Hoseok didn't even know what his voice sounded like anymore. It was always the other voices that would fill the tiny neurons running alongside his scalp, jostling him with electric impulses, never truly leaving him alone no matter how many pills he consumed.

He felt for the pocket of his blazer where a small square box lay. His fingers trailed over the tin material for reassurance, but he could feel his gut twist with displeasure when the familiar sound of jiggling beads met his ears.

No.

Hoseok released his hold on the box.

Not today.

Ever since the last time it had happened, he couldn't seem to shake off the fear that it would repeat. The fear that he would overdose again.

Even if just one more of those tiny black beads melted in his mouth, then the momentary spur of dopamine would erupt in his brain, making him crave for more.

Hoseok was afraid he'd lose control.

No Hoseok, that can't happen.

He grit his teeth in frustration. Hoseok could feel himself speaking, but his own head would never hear it. It would remain as that feeble voice trying to cry out within the unorganized jumble of his mind.

"Senhor Jung".

Hoseok blinked for a moment. The name was repeated.

His posture straightened, and he attempted to draw his focus to the woman in front. Hoseok pulled the corner of his lips upward.

She bowed to him once, then, her fingers clamped around an earpiece snaking along the side of her head.

"There is an urgent matter that Senhor RM would like you to tend to".

He pursed his lips into a gracious smile, gesturing for her to lead the way.

The woman pressed a button into her earpiece, "Hope at east point, I repeat, Hope at east point", she spoke into the mic.

They proceeded down the corridors, footsteps resonating across the polished floors until the duo reached a set of looming metallic doors. It had two letters boldly imprinted in the center: CR.

A panoramic view of the city glistened through the glass windows around the building, cascading a tinged aura onto the bolded symbol.

"Senhor", the lady stepped out of his path, waiting for him to proceed. The voices prodded the back of his head, but he managed to let his cheeks rise into a smile.