Killer Concepts

Hyuk Part 1: BLOOD AND LIFE

A/N   Almost done.  I really am happier with these chapters now.  I hope all of you are too.   Thank you for reading. 

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           It was barely dawn when Hyuk was shocked awake by his most recent nightmare. Hazy after images of blood and carnage muddled his thinking. The dorm was eerily quiet. Everyone else was still asleep as he made his way through his morning routine and into the kitchen. Getting a bottle of water from the refrigerator he notices a cold pot of tea and a notepad with pages torn out of it sitting on the counter. He also saw Ravi's jacket draped over the back of one of the kitchen chairs.

          From where he stood, Hyuk could make out the dark stain on the right cuff of the leather jacket.  With trembling fingers, he reached out to rub the stained leather. Flakes of dried blood coated his fingers. He rubbed his finger together. The moisture of his skin turned the flakes back to liquid, smearing dark brown across his fingertips. He put his fingers to his nose and breathed in the burnt coppery smell. Dizziness engulfed his senses, nausea warring with excitement. He knew what that stain meant.

          Someone had died by Ravi's hand last night.

          Hyuk whimpered, breathing in more of the scent that coated his fingers. He wanted to feel it. He wanted to feel someone's hot blood running through his fingers as their life slipped away. Craved to see a river of red. 

His breath came out of him in jagged gasp. That desire disgusted him as strongly as it attracted him. He stared at his fingers. The sticky feel of the blood, the smell of it, captivating his senses.. This was real, not like in his dreams.  He fought to keep control.  

          A gentle pat on his shoulder brought him back to his senses. He looked to see N next to him with a compassionate smile on his face.  Looking into those calm eyes, Hyuk was able to pull himself back together.

          "Go wash your hands, Maknae and wake the others." N told him. "We have to leave for practice soon. I'll start breakfast."  

          Later that morning Hyuk sat in the back of the company van as it transported the group to their practice studio. On his right Leo slept with his head resting against the window. On his left was Ken, studying his new book, a history of Korea centering on the years of the Japanese occupation. In the center seats, Ravi and Hongbin threw random bits of song back and forth.

          Ravi was in high spirits. He was laughing and joking as always, tapping out the song's tempo on the back of the front seat where N sat. Occasionally Ravi's hand would miss the seat and smack N's head. N would playfully scold him, feigning anger and everyone would laugh.

          Hyuk halfheartedly laughed with the rest but inside he was haunted by his conflicting emotions. This morning Ravi was back to his super cool rapper self. It was like nothing even happened. It made Hyuk wonder if this was who he really was or was this the mask he wore over his true self, the author of last night's killing. Even though his hands were clean, why did he feel like he wore the same mask?

          As soon as they arrived at the studio, Hyuk was summoned to the executive offices. Thirty minutes later he rejoined his brothers in their practice room. His face was splotchy and his eyes were red from crying. The others rushed to him in concern.

          "I have to leave," he said choking on his emotions.

          "Those bastards didn't fire you, did they?" In an instant, Ravi was bowed up, ready for a confrontation. Hyuk was like a little brother to him, part of their family.

          "No, no. It's nothing like that." Hyuk reassured them.

          "My father has passed away." He continued, tears again filling his eyes. "They gave me permission to go home for the funeral. I'll be back in a few days."

          An idol trainee's life was not easy. Constant training, striving for perfection, the pressure to succeed was enormous. It was rare for an entertainment company to allow a fledgling trainee out from under their direct control. Trainees could go a year or more without leaving to visit family or friends. They all knew how close Hyuk had been with his father even after he had come to Seoul. The news had to be devastating for him.

          "Will you be OK?" N asked, slipping his arm around Hyuk's slim

shoulders.

          Hyuk's tentative nod did not reassure any of them.

          "Maybe we can get them to let us go with you," Ken suggested. Everyone chimed in their agreement.

          "Really guys, I'll be fine," Hyuk insisted. "I have to go, got a train to catch."

          Eyes downcast, Hyuk hurried to leave the room. He couldn't let them see that as much as he mourned his father's passing, he feared returning to his hometown. Growing up, his father had been his lifeline, his touchstone that keep all the bad feelings at bay. Going back to that town with all its memories without his father being there to ground him, terrified him.  

A/N What do you think could be so terrifying waiting for Hyuk back home? 

 What secrets from his past will raise their ugly heads and how will they effect his life?

See you next time

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