ATEEZ social experiment

Part 18

                  Maze of Memories

      After we took a moment to relax i approach the receptionist once more. I tell her our situation as best as possible. She just looks to me in disbelief and recalls all the times she's seen me. I insist to her that we are not playing a joke on her.
A fantastic idea comes to mind to get her to believe. I tell her to look up missing people in Korea and within the first page nearly all are of my small group.
Her eyes fill with sadness and remorse. Tears form as she rushes from behind her desk and hugs me tightly. She offers comforting words i completely ignore.
Finally she contacts the police and sends us to our room to wait in comfort.

I sit on the balcony watching all the people scurry around the bustling city. A smile grows seeing a group just like my own laughing and smiling as they drag each other to the Eiffel tower.
"You good?" Seonghwa takes a seat next to me.
"Yeah, i'm fine. I came here once as a kid, i didn't remember much before but being here now it all has come back," i grin to the ground and start to laugh, "The elevators were down at the tower when my family visited so my sister and i raced each other to the top. The only reason i won was because there was a clown at the top and she couldn't stop crying she was so scared."
Seonghwa lets out a low chuckle. He tilts his head to avoid the sun in his eyes and turns to me.
      "She had a good reason too i'm not a fan of clowns either," his cringe worthy smile takes over his face. I just shake my head at him.
"It's nice having a place that is only full of good memories," i close my eyes and smile into the sun.
      "I hope you can have more like that," i pier over and catch his eyes on me as he scoots closer.
      "Well I already am," i lean forward resting my elbows on my crisscrossed legs shortening our distance.
      "And what do you mean by that?" he smirks at me and my cheeks begin to warm. I huff and cross my arms trying to hide my flustered ness.
      "Hmm are you talking about us waking up here with no recollection of the last six months?" he teases and i playfully shove his shoulder.
      "You know what i mean," i push back in our little game.
      "Awh please Hana, tell me," cutely he pleas making a flower pose. I try to stay strong but i end up cracking. I can't help smiling at this cute idiot.
      "Fine. I just... lately I really enjoy spending time with you," i say looking back and forth between him and the ground, " and San," I add to avoid being bias and the fear of his reaction.
       "I feel the same way about you," Seonghwa softly says. My cheeks fluster.
       We swim in each other's eyes. Without notice we uncontrollably move closer. Seonghwa gently places one of his hands and cups the side of my face. I lightly lean my head into it. His gently pure eyes explore my face lingering on my smile, my breathing elevates as he tenderly caresses my cheek with his thumb.
      Once our eyes lock the world stops. Nothing else in this world matters. Gently yet with strong intentions he pulls my face to his.
     Our lips meet each other yet again. The same shock as before courses through my veins giving me new life. His soft lips on mine is like clockwork, moving working perfectly. Willingly i let him take control.
     His free hand finds its place on the nape of my neck as he pulls me closer deepening our connection. I drape my arms around his fully embracing him.
      The passion Seonghwa pours into me takes my breath away. Slowly and flawlessly he finishes our moment. Lightly we pull away our foreheads press together keeping us as one.
      Steadily i open my eyes and his deep almond eyes offering me a place of comfort. A smile grows and he looks away as his cheeks begin to blush.
      I can't help but do the same i lightly giggle still not believing this past moment.
      "Knock knock,"  both of us quickly sit up breaking from our trance.
      "ahem The cops are here," San speaks fully knowing what happened.
      Seonghwa and i share and awkward glance before he stands and offers me a helping hand. Once I get up he doesn't let go and i follow closely into the room with him.
      I look to our intertwined hands and cheekily grin so hard my eyes disappear. I can't remember when i was ever this happy.

     The officers ask us some basic questions. Thank god they had one officer in this country that could speak Korean so I didn't have to translate.

      "What is the last thing each of you remember?" Officer Oh asks and we all retreat into ourselves not wanting to speak of the hell we escaped.

      "The guy beat the crap out of me," San speaks up, "He finished with a blow to the throat. I remember struggling to breath then finally blacking out."

      "Do you know what he looked like?" Mr. Oh leans forward rubbing his chin.

      "They were all wearing masks," San says shaking his head.

      "The last thing I remember is him tackling and strangling me to unconsciousness. I thought he was going to kill me," I look to the floor. I can still feel hands around my neck, it's a feeling I'm far too familiar with.

      "What about you?" he turns to Seonghwa who avoids his eyes.

      "I had to watch. Helpless I watch them nearly die then took my own beating. How many lashings does it take to kill someone cause I swear he easily passed that." The cold stair Seonghwa gives drops the temperature of the room.

       Neither of us had any idea what happened to him after we were already taken care of.

      "I am so sorry you kids had to go through this. We already contacted NSI and the NPA. The three of you will be escorted to the airport tomorrow at 10 and within a day you will be home. There is nothing more we can do here. Enjoy your final day here make up for the past year," he smiles to us.

     We all stand and shake hands with the officers and give our thanks for helping us this much.

     Once the two leave we are left in a dull silence. We want to be happy to go home but thinking of what happened triggers us.

    I look down to the scars circling my wrists. We will never be free, no matter what this will always haunt us we will have to live with this the rest of our lives.

       We are bound to this, we can't escape a memory.

A/N
Things will get more exciting i promise! Just have to get them back to korea and cry some. How do you like the story so far?
Thank you all who are sticking with it more twists and turns will soon happen.
I love you all don't forget to vote and comment i really appreciate it💕💕

STAN ATEEZ AND ONEUS