The Black Fox & The White Tiger

Black Turn

His jaw hurt from constantly being forced open. He tried to keep his head facing upwards so his saliva would go down his throat instead of out his lips but sometimes it would be too tiring so he would have to look down again. How long had he been sitting here, unable to do anything again? This was even worse than the cell. He wasn't even allowed to stand and walk around. He could barely move his arms that were behind his back and they were starting to get sore from all his pointless struggling again. He could only watch as the black Baekho walked in and out of the room to check on him.

"Time for food and water," the other said as he squatted beside Minhyun. He glared at the other as his hands came closer to remove the gag. Minhyun closed his mouth once it was off and wanted to massage it so badly but he couldn't. He gulped down as much saliva as he could. "Open up."

Baekho opened the bottle of water and placed it against his dry lips. He hesitated at first but knew he wouldn't survive if he kept this up. He was already becoming thinner from the lack of nutrition and proper sleep. He sipped the water as the other tilted the bottle. Once he had enough, the other lowered the bottle and unwrapped the food, repeating the same words and movements. He bit down unwillingly and ate to satisfy his hungry belly. Once done, the other wiped the gag clean before putting it on again. Minhyun would try to fight him sometimes but he was already too frail to do much. He sat there, stretching his legs out and back in. That was the most exercise he could manage being in the position that he was.

He let out a sigh, trying to get into a more comfortable position if he could even do so. He felt his eyes closing against his will since he hadn't had an actual sleep for 3 whole days now. He knew it was probably still too early to lose hope but he could feel his body giving out on him. They were somewhere in the middle of the ocean of stars and his universe clearly didn't have the right technology for space travelling which made him even more desolate to think about. He wondered how Baekho was doing, praying the other hadn't forget him but at the same time, wishing him well. He hoped he hadn't done anything stupid yet.

His eyes eventually closed and he fell asleep, unable to keep up with his mental weariness. He dreamt. The first dream in awhile ever since the machine had been removed.

He laid on cold glass, feeling the stiffness in his body as he opened his eyes. It only became colder when he felt snow touch his exposed skin. He lifted his hand, realising it was a dream. He touched the snow. It felt real though as it melted away in his touch. He blinked, looking at the bleak dark surrounding. This is probably how he felt about his situation. He sat up, leaning against his arms as he saw himself smiling back at him. Except he was blonde and Minhyun had never had blonde hair before.

"You sure have some strong willpower. Took me 3 whole days to try to get through to you," he spoke. Minhyun was confused. Why did he not sound like a dream? Why did he sound like he was actually conversing with himself?

"You're me," he said in a lost voice. The blonde him nodded and came closer until he was standing in front of Minhyun himself. He held a hand out and Minhyun took it, flinching at the coldness. "Aren't you just a dream? Why... why can I feel you? I must be really tired."

"This is a dream but I am very real in your dream," the other replied as he pulled him up. "I'm magic."

"That's dubious to think about," Minhyun replied, taking a closer look at the other. They really looked very much alike, just like the Baekho who had taken him compared to the Baekho he had shared a bed with. Then it clicked in his mind. "Are you... the Minhyun that died? And now you're visiting me in my dream?"

"Ding! Ding! You're much smarter than your other half," the other said in a cheery tone.

"Other... half? Baekho?"

"Ding ding!"

"You've seen him? How is he? Is he eating alright? Sleeping well?"

"Calm down. He's doing fine. A little thinner but I believe better than you." Minhyun let out a relieved sigh.

"Thank goodness he's fine... can I see him?" Minhyun asked sheepishly. The other let out a questioning hum before nodding.

"You could but are you sure you want to?"

"Yes. I just... I just need to know he's doing fine with my own eyes."

"Alright then." The blonde Minhyun snapped his fingers, creating a mirror in front of Minhyun. Within the mirror was Baekho. His Baekho. The King Baekho. He held the mirror, feeling how real it felt but more importantly was Baekho. He showed a pained smile as he watched the other talking to someone, not realising that Minhyun was looking at him from another plane of existence. He did look a little skinnier but overall, there wasn't too big a difference compared to himself.

"I miss you so much," he said softly, tempted to hug the mirror but that would make him unable to see the other so he just stared in the mirror until the other Minhyun took it away again.

"Now then, back to business. We need to talk."

"Talk? About what?"

"About you. And what to do about this situation."

"What else can I do? I've already tried...."

"I know you have but you don't want to get brainwashed, right?" Minhyun gasped softly. How did the other know? Was he really magic? "I can see you don't exactly trust my words yet but... you like nature, right?"

"That... doesn't really have anything to do with my situation."

"No. But watch this." The blonde Minhyun snapped his fingers again. The dark surrounding seemed to tear apart. A wide field of grass filled the area. Blue sky. Trees. Mountains. Nature surrounded them. Warmth. Everything that Minhyun missed except Baekho appeared around them.