asylum°nct dream

asylum - ten

  Day 4 of summer camp. Wonder what will happen today?

  Mei Xing writes in her journal. Different from what she expected, the summer camp is a great stress-reliever.

  From exciting land and water activities to delicious barbeques, random snack times, some cliche but, still nerve-wracking games like Truth or Dare and etcetera.

  Looking up from her book, she gazes out the window to the beautiful, dark night sky- a little escape from the modern city.

  "Xing! The campfire is starting!" Rianna bursts in and the Chinese girl shuts her book before running out the lodge with her roommate, ear to ear smiles on their faces.

  Soft guitar tunes and melodious singing can be heard from afar as Xing and Rianna runs to the campfire where all others are gathered.

  She sees her twin and sits beside her while Rianna returns to her usual clique. 

  The teachers are not joining since they're having their own little party- not that the students are complaining. 

  "Donghyuck! Jeno! Donghyuck! Jeno!" People cheer after the said two finish their collaborative performance. 

  Jeno smiles brightly while Donghyuck is busy telling the others to clap more- narcissistic, making them laugh.

  "Alright! Who's singing next?" Hyuck asks and everyone volunteers anyone else except, for themselves.

  Suddenly, Xing's arm gets raised up unwillingly and she whips her head to her twin with wide eyes. Mei Lien smiles cheekily and people start to cheer, urging Xing to sing.

  She looks around, baffled but, soon plays along as well. "What should I sing?"

  Jeno the guitarist then, strums the perfect song for their campfire and Xing claps her hand before singing to it.

  Cheers erupt and others harmonize along- starting to stand and dance to Jeno's professional guitar play and Xing's lovely, bright singing.

  As Lien jumps around with the rest, a lad joins her and she smiles brightly at the one and only, Na Jaemin.

  The both of them join hands with one another and start to dance a wild waltz.

  Junho watches- instantly dispirited but, continues to engulf himself in the merry mood. Jaemin, on the other hand, is keeping an eye on him- ensuring he stays far enough.

  Because, for the last few days of summer camp, Jaemin realized that Junho has been going over the line.

  And, Jaemin hates it.

  After their campfire party, they head for the cafeteria to enjoy a late night snack session with one another.

  The clique of 10 sit together at a round table, chomping and devouring unhealthy but delicious food- now 9 at the absence of Jaemin. 

  "Where's Nana?" Mei Lien asks, sipping on her sweet and sour lemon pulp juice.

  Renjun points outside. "He's taking his cash from his bag."

  Meanwhile, in at another table, Junho's friend is searching for him. "Hey, where's Junho? I haven't seen him come in."

  "He said he wanted to take some pictures first at the cliff we went yesterday. The night view from there is awesome," another friend, Henry, answers.

  "Ho and his love for photography," Jin comments and the rest turn to him.

  "Dude, did you just call him a hㅡ"

  Henry gets slapped in the mouth by Eunwoo. "Shhh, let us keep ourselves clean and pure tonight."

  "Ew," Midam lets out at his friend's statement.

  Junho arrives to the peak where he and Henry hung out yesterday due to late night cravings. Although, it's beyond camping grounds, they can still see the lodges that look smaller due to the distance.

  The stars twinkle brightly and the serenity offered by the soft current of streams and faint chirps of birds brings comfort. 

  A proud grin stretches on his face and he takes out his camera for some shots, looking through the viewfinder and rests his finger on the shutter button.

  "Junho," Jaemin reveals himself from behind the trees.

  The said lad jolts and spins around to see a nonchalant Jaemin.

  "Oh, hey, Jaemin. What's up?" Junho asks and realizes where he is. "What are you doing outside the summer camp area?"

  Jaemin scoffs, amused. "I could ask the same to you. We're all having a late night snack party and you're missing out."

  "I'm gonna join later on, after I take a few photos of the view. It's great," Junho answers with an awkward smile- curious of Jaemin's presence. 

  Why is he here? Did he follow him?

  Jaemin says nothing and Junho continues to take photos in anxiousness and Jaemin stands beside him, staring at the view as well.

  "I know you like Mei Lien and I'm pretty sure you know I like her too," Jaemin directly says and Junho quietly gulps.

  Junho faces Jaemin and the latter does the same. There it is again- the same, hollow and dead look in Jaemin's eyes. They look empty but it makes it seem like they're sucking out all the secrets and words from Junho's eyes. 

  "I do," Junho responds.

  Jaemin continues his stare and blinks once before speaking again. "Are you willing to fight for her?"

  He interviews Junho and the latter wets his lips, feeling nervous for some reason. Jaemin has always been known for being a cute, gentle-mannered guy but, Junho feels intensely threatened.

  Junho inhales. "I will fight for her."

  Finally, Jaemin smiles and he takes out his hand for a shake. "Then, good luck to you, pal. Our fight begins now."  

  Junho looks at Jaemin's hand, feeling an uneasy vibe but, ignores it. Slowly, he accepts Jaemin's hand.

  Jaemin's grip around Junho's hand tightens and when Junho looks up, he's taken aback to see Jaemin's once sweet and lovely look turn cold and dark within a blink.

  Junho abruptly regrets reciprocating him. 

  "But, I'm winning this fight," Jaemin speaks in a low, monotonous tone.

  Before Junho can respond with his own words, a loud shout escapes him and is followed by an impeccable CRACK!

  Jaemin looks down at the male who is now at the bottom ground from the high peak- skull is cracked open and dark blood oozes out fast. His eyes are wide and his face is a picture of shock.

  "Our fight ends here, pal," he hisses out the last word before leisurely returning to camp.

  "Hey, Jaemin! What took you so long? Did the age factor finally get to you?" Renjun asks and Jaemin scoffs.

  "You should say that to Mark," Jaemin replies and the rest snicker.

  Mark's mouth gapes open, feeling accused.

  Jisung caresses Mark's arm as if he's a cat. "It's okay, Mark hyung. We'll all one day be grandpas like you too."

  "Hey!"

  Laughs and joy spread at their table while another table is starting to feel anxious and worried at Junho's long absence.