asylum°nct dream

asylumㅡ eighteen

  Cold air blows through the dark, silent streets in the autumn month and stray, fallen leaves drift away as they are carried by the strong winds.

  Officer Joon is still at his quiet office, searching through folders and constantly reviewing the seven brothers' files as well as the cold case of Seolla.

  It's been a long while since the dinner considering that it's autumn already and nothing seems to go out of hand. But, even with all the tranquility, Joon feels more and more anxious as the days pass.

  He's starting to get sleepless and is constantly making sure his nieces are safe and sound.

  As his eyes frantically read the words in the files, a sudden cold chill travels down his spine.

  His hand reaches for his beater until a concealed figure reveals himself from the hallway connected to the lobby and the office. "Stop searching. It's useless," the man speaks.

  His voice is distorted and thick- mangled. A voile-altering device in use.

  "What do you want from me? What do you want with my nieces?" Joon interrogates.

  The voice laughs- frightening and gruesome than anything else Taejoon has ever heard.

  "A stupid question coming from the fool. Is it not obvious? I want them. So, I want you to stop being such a killjoy. Always calling them here and there!"

  Out of the blue, the atmosphere becomes more cold and dark than it already was, if it even is possible. The masked man raises a finger and points at Joon. "This is a warning: Fuck off. Heed it."

  Again, as always, the anon dashes and vanishes like the wind.

  Taejoon feels a sense of caution and... fear. He quickly checks the surveillance and sighs in frustration and feeling of defeat.

  The securities who are on duty are both knocked out and the tape of the day had already been discarded.

  The middle-aged police officer quickly packs up to return home.

  Taejoon hangs his coat before heading to the kitchen for a glass of water.

  He swings the door open and he shakes his head at how bright the area is. "Those girls always forget to close the lights here."

  After quenching his thirst, he makes sure his nieces are still on their beds and secure before heading to his room.

  To not be able to sleep a wink yet, again.

- - - -

  A figure sneaks through the balcony of the seven brothers' mansion and tiptoes down the hall.

  "You're back early," a deep voice asks, making the sneaking anonymous to abruptly turn his head.

  Jisung looks at Chenle as he leans against the wall. "Which means you didn't finish him."

  Chenle rips off the black full coverage mask from his head. "I couldn't. Hyungs would be mad."

  The younger one chuckles lowly. A chuckle sonorous and dark that it makes even your bones shiver.

  "Getting rid of a pawn from the opponent will only make the game easier. Why would they get mad?" Jisung questions and approaches his brother.

  Chenle takes off his gloves. "I didn't kill him. But, I've cornered him on the board."

  Jisung raises his brows in amusement before breaking out into a huge gummy smile. His pearly whites are shown and he engulfs Chenle in a bear hug. His switch suddenly flipped.

  "Yay! Lele did it! Now, things will be more fun!" Jisung cheers and Chenle hugs him back. Both of them giddily jump up and down in their spots.

  Chenle snickers and lets go while giving the mask and gloves to Jisung. "I did good, didn't I?"

  The other nods excitedly and they both skip to their rooms like a pair of happy pills.

- - - -

  Mei Xing awakes with a jolt. Her figure is drenched in cold sweat and her heart is racing abnormally fast.

  She scans around the room. Her sisters are still here, everything is still in place and nothing seems to be out of the ordinary.

  The light coming from outside shows that it's morning. Extremely early in the morning, to be exact. Sky in blue-pink shades.  

  She stares at her bed sheets. She can't recall what she dreamed of. All she knows is that, it was all so terrible and horrendous to make her look like she was just standing under the rain.

  Feeling wide awake and dehydrated, she swings her legs off her bed and stands before heading to the kitchen.

  Just as she's about to click on the water dispenser, a loud, raucous crash erupts and she gasps- frightened eyes aimed to the balcony.

  The fear from before arises again and her whole figure starts to shake.

  "What was that?" Mei Lien walks to the living room with haste.

  Zhen follows behind her and she turns to the balcony. "It sounded like it came from there."

  Lien turns to the outdoor, now Xing is with them, silent and pale as a sheet of paper.

  Zhen and Lien slowly and cautiously approach the sliding doors of the balcony with household weapons in their hands.

  The oldest swipes the curtain open and is welcomed by the sight of their pot, smashed onto the balcony floor into pieces.
 
  A meow makes them turn their beads and they see their neighbour's black cat at its own apartment balcony.

  "Whew! I almost had a heart attack. It was just Floofy again," Zhen sighs out in relief.

  "Do you think Uncle Joon is back?" Xing brings up.

  Mei Lien stares at the door of their uncle's room. "I don't think so. It's too quiet. Usually, we can hear his snores from a mile away."

  The three return to their room. Xing completely forgetting about taking a drink for herself as sleep overtakes her.

  At the same time, Jaemin is sitting on the tree just outside their room.

  He silently enters the place to make sure they're asleep before heading to the kitchen.

  As soon as his eyes lay on the water dispenser, he quickly pours the tainted liquid out and washes the container repeatedly before refilling it with fresh water.

  Then, he wipes the sink and wet spots dry- leaving as if he was never there.