It Follows {Book One}

16

Friday, August 17
14 days

•Chenle•

"Lele, wake up."

He didn't want to open his eyes. Chenle was perfectly content lying there on the ground, letting the coolness of the smooth, cement floor sink into his skin. He clung to Jisung, though the younger hadn't moved in days. He would've been worried, but his chest continued to rise and fall, same as it always had. Every so often his breath would hitch, but it would return to normal just as soon as it happened.

"Chenle." The voice said again, louder than the first.

Chenle hummed, managing to pry his eyelids open. Mark stood over him, staring down with bloodshot eyes. Chenle jumped up, startled. He hadn't seen Mark since before he got sick. Chenle wasn't allowed to go into the room where the sick were being kept. He looked awful. Thick, purple under eye bags that seemed to swell, the whites of his eyes were bright red and shining. He wheezed with every breath, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Mark's clothes hung off his body, suddenly several sizes too big. His cheeks were hollow, his eyes sunken, his skin yellow and papery.

"Mark!" Chenle's voice came out smaller than intended, but he was scared. "What are you doing?"

"I need to talk to you."

"Okay," Chenle pulled his knees up to his chest. He noticed Mark's legs were shaking, and he wondered how he even managed to come find him. "Sit down."

"I don't think I'll be able to get back up."

"Fair enough," Chenle pursed his lips. "What's up?" Maybe a little too casual for talking to a freaking zombie. Chenle shuddered.

"It's about Donghyuck."

Chenle narrowed his eyes. He couldn't think of a single reason why Mark would come to him about Donghyuck. Taeyong or maybe even Johnny would've made a lot more sense. "What about him?"

"He has a lot of issues with himself. I doubt you know about it, Taeyong probably doesn't want you to."

"I saw his scars."

Mark nodded. "I made him promise to stay with me. Y'know, now that we're all gonna die and shit."

Chenle still didn't see the point.

"I made him promise not to die. I know that's impossible. I know that's stupid, I just," Mark trailed off and sighed. His body started to sway slightly, and he threw an arm out to hold himself steady against the wall. "I don't want him to freak out after I die. Understand what I'm saying?"

"He's living for you, isn't he?"

"I'd like to be humble and say there's more to it, but there really isn't. Basically what I'm asking is that you keep an eye on him when I'm gone, okay?"

"Mark-"

"I'm leaving."

Chenle blinked. "You're leaving?"

"I hate this, I feel like I got run over by a truck, Chenle. And then it keeps backing over me and I can't deal with this anymore. I'm leaving, and I'm gonna go out on my own terms. I have Donghyuck's pill, and mine."

"Mark, you only need one."

"I'm taking both."

"Why can't you just take them here? So you can be out with the others? Then you won't be alone."

Mark shook his head. In the darkness, Chenle saw a faint glimmer over Mark's face. He was crying.

"I don't want Donghyuck to see."