The Scent of Your Blood

Chapter 1

(6:33 PM)

Hongjoong was carrying 2 heavy boxes towards the building's elevator with his friend, Yunho, who was also holding 2 boxes and following a few steps behind. Hongjoong struggled to press the button with the arrow pointing up but managed and gave a small smile in victory.

"Ugh! If San and Wooyoung weren't such lazy bastards, this would've been done faster," the tall man groaned as he rolled his sore shoulders and twisted his head, his neck cracking slightly. The elevator dings before the doors open and the 2 stepped into the metal box then Hongjoong pressed the floor they need to go to, the doors closing.

"Yunho, have you forgotten that Wooyoung has the flu and San has classes? Besides, this is the last of the boxes so stop complaining." He smiles at his friend who pouts.

"Right, I forgot. Sorry hyung, I'm just so tired." Just as he said this, he yawns.

"Another late night watching Netflix again?" Hongjoong raises a brow.

"No, I wasn't watching Netflix, surprisingly. I was completing an assignment that I had forgotten about." The elevator dings as the doors open again and they step out into the hallway, strolling down to Hongjoong's apartment; 66.

"You need to write reminders on your hand or put a reminder in your calendar in your phone from now on so you don't forget," he said and pushed his unlatched door open with his shoulder.

"Hey, that's a good idea. Why did I never think of that?" Yunho's brows furrowed and Hongjoong smiled.

"Maybe you're just too preoccupied with other things to focus on other things if that makes any sense."

Yunho nods. "Yeah," He quietly says but the other male hears. "Where do you want these?" He shrugged his shoulders and Hongjoong turned to look at the boxes. Yunho couldn't see what was written on them since the words were on the front of the boxes.

"Um, the one on top is going in my room, while the bottom one stays here," he said as he placed down the two boxes that had 'Kitchen' written on them next to the fridge. Yunho did as he was told; placing the boxes down before grabbing the one on top and walking over to Hongjoong's bedroom. He heard the taller male let out a groan.

"You don't mind if I have a little rest on your bed, hyung?"

Hongjoong walked over to his room where he found the giant laying like a starfish on his bed and he giggled at how funny his friend looked. "No, I don't mind." He smiled and walked out of the room to start unpacking the boxes in the lounge room.

An hour had passed when Yunho emerged from the bedroom looking not as tired as he was before the nap and Hongjoong looked up from where he was seated on the couch. He smiled and Yunho sat next to him, leaning back as he stretched his arms above his head.

"Sleep well?"

He nodded and focussed on what Hongjoong was doing. "Do you need help with anything before I go?"

Hongjoong looked up at the clock hanging on the wall seeing that the time was already 8 pm. Jeez, time had flown by, he had gotten the kitchen sorted and was nearly done with the lounge room. "Hmm, nope. I can manage on my own. Thank you for helping with the boxes."

Yunho smiled and nodded. "You're welcome." He stood up and walked over to the front door but turned around to face Hongjoong. "Hey, hyung." The said male looked up away from his phone. "It's nice seeing you again after so many months." He said and Hongjoong smiled.

"Yeah, it's nice seeing you again as well. It's also nice to get away from my parents and live on my own."

Yunho opened the door. "Yeah, I bet. Well, I'll see you tomorrow maybe?"

Hongjoong nodded and waved to his friend who waved back before leaving, the door softly clicking shut behind him. Hongjoong sighed as he leaned back against the couch, his head resting on the back. His eyes shut and he soon dozed off. While he slept, all the lights in the apartment suddenly and unexpectedly switched off.

A dark figure emerged from the right corner of the lounge room, a foggy black smoke covering its body. Red glowing eyes observed Hongjoong closely. It tilted its head and a sinister smile grew on their lips, showing sharp pointed teeth. "A new prey," a deep voice muttered and it chuckled, "perfect." It disappeared in a blink of an eye, evil laughter echoing around the room until it faded away and the lights flickered back on.

Hongjoong woke up and looked around the room, blinking his eyes at the brightness. He sat up and rubbed his eyes before standing up to walk into his room. He flicked the switch on and the room lit up. He undressed, only leaving his underwear on and he looked in the long mirror in the corner of his room. He observed his body and runs his hand over his lower abdomen, letting out a sigh.

"Why the hell was I born intersex?" He muttered to himself with a pout on his lips. "Why can't I just tell my friends that I don't have a dick?" Hongjoong furrowed his brows. "Why am I so embarrassed by my body?" His hand fell to his side and let out a sigh through his nose. "Don't listen to what your parents say, Hongjoong. You're not a freak, you are beautiful. You're an amazing person and having a vagina is normal." A tear rolled down his cheek and he wiped it away. He turned the light off before crawling into bed and going to sleep.

(4:53 PM, Before moving in)

When Hongjoong had told his parents that he was moving out, they were overjoyed to see him go and he was also happy to leave those two toxic assholes. He contacted his best friend, Yunho, to help pack all of his things and within a few hours, they were on their way to an apartment that Yunho had told Hongjoong about a week prior.

Walking into the building and telling the receptionist that he was to be moving in, she smiled as she asked for his details. She then asked what room he was moving into and when he told her, "room 66," her smile disappeared and her eyes widened.

"Are you sure you want to move into that apartment, sir?"

Hongjoong raised a brow and slowly nodded to confirm. "Yes, why? Is there something wrong with that room?"

She looked around before leaning closer, motioning for the young man to come closer and she whispered, "that room is known for strange murders to happen every time someone moves in after a week or so. Some say it's haunted by a demon, others say it's cursed." She leaned back into her seat and Hongjoong stared wide-eyed.

"So, what you're saying is that I should NOT move into that room?" She nodded, her eyes wide.

"Well, do you have any other rooms for rent?"

She turned to her computer and tapped away. A sigh left her lips and she turned to face Hongjoong again. "Sadly, no."

"That's okay, I think I can manage." He cheerfully smiled and the woman raised an eyebrow at his behaviour.

"Well alright, but if you notice anything strange please come tell me, okay sir?" He nodded before walking out of the building to start bringing his belongings in from his car.

The apartment already had furniture so Hongjoong didn't have to bother buying any and he was glad since he didn't have much money.