The White Room

Chapter two.

  Taeyong reached out to touch the base of  a tree, smiling to himself as he ran his finger down the textured wood. A little content hum slipped passed his lips and he seemed to forget he had a bystander right next to him.

   Jaehyun didn't mind, head tilting to the side as he kept his distance from the man. He seemed like he was in his own little world and he didn't want to ruin it. He turned and instead studied the sky; many puffy clouds scattered across the pale blue ocean. "It's very pretty, don't you think?" He spoke up, his voice being carried by the wind.

   Gaze turning towards the one who spoke, the ravenette haired male gave a curt nod. He propped his body up against the thick tree-trunk and slid down; as they were in no hurry to get anywhere. "It is," Taeyong paused and slipped his hands into the fresh cut grass. "It gets so boring up in that room, it's nice to see a change of scenery."

 Jaehyun stared curiously before taking a seat next to the shorter, eyes landing back on the sky. "I bet it does. How do you even keep yourself entertained?"

  "Well, you know, they let me watch television, and draw, and if I'm good, they'll let me play the piano." He replied and smiled again at the thought of his fingers gracefully dancing across the keys of said instrument. Taeyong shifted in his spot, eyes fluttering shut when the clouds moved away from the sun; the golden rays highlighting his sharp features.

    Nibbling on his bottom chapped lip, the younger of the two stared at the opposite for a moment too long before responding, "You play?"

   "I do. It's one of my favorite pastimes." He replied gleefully and clasped his hands together. 

  He gave him a dimple smile in return of his words, eyes turning to half moons. "That's really neat. My family never had the money to pay for lessons as a child."

Taeyong rubbed the back of his neck, some jet black hair falling into his face. "You know.. I'll make you a deal. You come visit me regularly, and in trade I'll teach you how to play."

Jaehyun was a bit stunned, mostly because he wasn't expecting this boy he barely knew to want to see him again. Though, it did make sense because he said he didn't have a lot of visitors. "I'll take you up on that offer, Yong."

  He could've sworn he saw a pale pink dust across Taeyong's cheeks and nose but he didn't say anything. Said male cleared his throat before meeting him with a soft laugh. "Then it's a deal. You come back every Thursday and I'll give you thirty minutes worth of lessons." He seemed to glow, a hint of excitement ringing throughout his voice. 

  Tugging at the collar of his cotton shirt, the taller stretched his legs against the grass and fell into a comfortable silence. Maybe this wasn't a bad thing after all, he was starting to be grateful he happened to wander into the other's room. He was enjoying his company. 

***

  After walking back up the stairs to reach Taeyong's room, Jaehyun rushed ahead to hold open the heavy wooden door. 

  After mumbling a shy 'thank you', the smaller darted pass and hopped onto the narrow bed once more. He let his legs dangle over the side, pulling the ugly blue gown over his cream colored thighs. 

  The other followed suit and this time took a seat in the wooden chair in the corner of the room. He tapped his foot against the tiles, looking around for a moment before he finally asked what had been on his mind. "So, if I may ask, why are you here?" Perhaps he should have stayed quiet, but he just couldn't help himself. That question was lingering on his mind because this was no ordinary hospital. This was a mental one; some people where here for help, rehabilitation, mental disorders, or anything that had to do with the mind. So Taeyong...

  Taeyong chewed on his bottom lip for a moment, pink tongue swiping across the chapped surface. He was about to speak, fiddling with his fingers when a nurse came bursting through the door. She wore a friendly, plastic grin that looked practiced too many times to be considered genuine. 

  The male paled and he scooted back onto the bed with a frightened expression, gripping the sheets. " No, no, no...not you..not today.."

  "Oh, Yongie,  dear, I'm not going to hurt you~." She cooed and batted her eyelashes, pulling a tray full of colored capsules out as well as a sharp looking syringe. 

  Jaehyun swallowed, sinking down deeper into his seat. He could feel how scared the other male was, he was even trembling like a leaf. 

   "Do we have a visitor? Tsk, Tsk. You know how Dr. Oh will feel about this." Her tone hardened and she turned her attention towards Jaehyun. The nurse glared, placing her manicured nails onto her pair of slender hips. 

 "I'm sorry, Jennie." Was all Taeyong said, staring down at the ground.

  "No need. He can stay just this once, but know of the consequences." She sauntered over, passing the older male a glass of water and a yellow pill. 

   The patient leaned back like it was poison and shook his head rapidly, a whimper ripping through his throat. "No, no. Please." He sounded like he was going to cry and all Jaehyun could do was watch. 

   "You know the rules." Jennie frowned and grabbed the male's skinny wrists to pin him down. Taeyong started to thrash and cry out, chin quivering as the nurse sunk the syringe deep into his arm.

  The observing male's mouth fell down in horror and his eyes grew wide, the chair being pushed back. For some reason, he didn't expect so much force to be used, and the way the nurse did it was like she was enjoying it. 

   Taeyong's head rolled back and his movements weakened, falling limp under her touch. A strangled sigh left him and his eyes closed. He was sedated.

  "Much better...now," Jennie mumbled and pried the boy's lips opened, popping the pill under his tongue. She grabbed the water glass next, the liquid pouring into his mouth so he could take it easier. "Who are you? No one at the front desk informed me our little yongie here had a friend."

  It took a moment before Jaehyun realized she was speaking to him and he raised his brows, still in shock from what just happened. "Jaehyun...Taeyong's acquaintance."

  "Strange. He never mentioned you..and if he did, he shouldn't remember." The female frowned, sitting cross legged at the end of his bed.

  "What does that even mean?"

  "So I'm assuming he hasn't told you why he's here. Well, Taeyong is being 'reset', as they'd say." She said with a shrug, studying the bottle of his medication. 

  "Reset?" Jaehyun tried out the word, a frown hanging off his lips.

 Jennie nodded "Yes...he's here to forget. With his therapy and his pills, he won't be able to remember anything from his past, not even his trip to the hospital. He'll be new again, he'll be the shiny toy everyone wants. It's funny..he wanted this at first but once the realization hit him, he wanted to back out but he can't; not until it's over."

  The male was left staring, slowly looking over at the sleeping figure on the bed. He looked so peaceful, seemed so calm.

  "...so..he won't remember nothing? Not even what his favorite color is?"

  The female chuckled, dragging a hand down Taeyong's resting arm. "No. He'll be different. But he's allowed to leave goodbye videos before his memory is completely terminated."

  That made the man's heart lurch, and he rubbed his arm. "Oh..how long before that happens?" He wanted to know...just in case. He wanted to make sure Taeyong's last few days were good ones. 

  "A month."