T H I E F || NCT ✔️

Chapter 04

~*~

We had been running for the gods know how long. Hendery was still holding my wrist. I pulled my hand back and stopped running.

The guys followed me to stop. I looked at them, wanted to say something but nothing came out. My breath was caught in my throat.

I fell down on my bump and hugged my knees. I buried my face and sobbed.

I felt arms around me. I knew it was Jaemin and Renjun. I let them and we were crying together.

"I-I have to..." I said between my sobs. "I have to go back." I said quietly to the boys and got up from the ground.

"Juli..." Hendery said as he walked closer to me.

I felt the hem of my sleeve was being pulled down. Renjun pulled my sleeve preventing me to go. He closed his eyes shut and shook his head to the sides.

I looked up to face Hendery who was watching us.

"Let's go, boys." Hendery said.

Both Jaemin and Renjun pulled me to follow them.

~

We stopped our walk and settled to rest. Hendery made a small campfire to warm us up.

After a few minutes, Renjun and Jaemin were already heavily asleep on my thighs. I was having a little cramp but didn't have the heart to move, afraid that I would wake them up. Even though it didn't look like it was possible.

I have to keep being the strong one in front of them, for their sake.

I leaned my head back to the tree and sighed quietly. Hendery was watching the flickering fire in front of us. He hadn't said a word since we stopped to rest.

A lot of what he said still doesn't make sense. Both he and Mai. I really wanted to ask him about it, but I feel like I can't stand an argument right now.

Like how Mai knew about him, what is the twelve Olympians, what institute, who is Victor...

I studied his face, he seemed like he was in deep thought. Furrowing his eyebrows, staring intensely at the fire. I almost felt sorry for him. I wonder what he was so worried about.

"How are you holding up?" He finally said.

I was surprised by the sudden sentiment and looked away from him.

I didn't know what to answer. Because I don't think I, myself can answer that. I felt numb, I wasn't feeling anything at the moment, and it was good. I was finally calm and I thought I could never silence my mind after all the shit that just happened but, at the moment I am free of any thoughts and it was soothing.

"Uh... about Mai— I don't even know what to—"

"Here's how things are gonna play out," I cut him, because saying those things were just gonna make me feel worse. "You don't bring up Mai— ever. Matter of fact we can just keep our histories to ourselves. Secondly, don't ever do your firebending in front of anyone but us three," I said, referring to Jaemin, Renjun, and I. "They'll either try to kill you or bring you to the Fireflies. And lastly, don't you ever lay a finger on me, ever again. Are we clear?"