VMK. FEATHERS FOR ONE, A CROW FOR THREE.

03

The scents were clouding up the walls.

     The smell of coffee and assorted pastries was intoxicating from the moment he stepped in the quaint, family-owned cafe. Whispers were not the sort of thing that ever followed Jeongguk, it was normally the thing he chased. Though it had only been a mere few hours since the mirror turned sides and ate at his stomach lining, the chastising voices were already starting.

     Did you hear about Jeongguk losing his shit in the bathroom?

     Always going on about fucking girls, I don't believe it. He's insane.

     He'll probably jump off a building next. I'd pay to see it.

     We always knew something was wrong with him.

     He was trying to pretend like it didn't bother him but in actuality, it was eating at the boy. He had a worm in his stomach and it was gnawing. Hollow and empty. Jeongguk was positive you could hear the echo of his flesh being chewed as he took steady steps to the order counter. Did carbs get rid of worms?

     The girl at the counter was a recent hire. Jeon knew all the workers there; it was such a small business. He recognized her from school, not from his consistent visits. Coral seeped into her cheeks, blooming up her slender neck, mouth puckering in surprise. Tucking a strand of fair hair behind her ear, she stuttered around the classical what-can-i-get-for-you spiel.

     He ordered what he always did, a plain bagel. It was nothing special, but it was warm and cheap. He gave his best smile, a hand on the counter, body leaning in enough to fluster the girl even more than she already was.

     The girl bowed her head slightly, briskly walking away to go fetch his order. She didn't even notice he'd given her the incorrect amount of bills. He was a snake and she was a mouse.

     With a fresh circle of bread in his palm, a small tin of cream cheese balancing precariously on top, Jeon Jeongguk was on top of the world, a smug pull to his lips. It hung in the air proudly, a string gathering gazes his way before turning away to their coffee again.

     He was walking to a window seat when it happened. That smokey black figure which wavered in the air before slashing out of sight once more. It was there. In the booth. He did a double-take, ears ringing, heart clunking inside his chest.

     Breathe, Breathe, Breathe.

     I am sane.

     The boy with galaxies in his eyes slid into the booth before he could second guess himself, startling the brown-haired male sitting on the other side. There was a journal laid out between the two, with swirling darkness looming within the page spread open. It was almost identical to the creature Jeongguk had seen in the bathroom.

     Just looking at a drawing of it had his stomach flipping and turning, the worm restless and exploring relentlessly. He was going to be sick.

     The same amber eyes and murky body were staring back up at his face. Gooseflesh rose along his arms, the air chilling around him. He was a star frozen in time. Crusted over, frosty ice swallowing every inch of him. Trapped. He was caught.

     He broke the verglas, jabbing a finger at the offensive drawing.

     "What is that?"

     "My artwork-"

     "What the fuck is that?"

     "Do you not like it? I'm sorry-"

     "Do you see them too?"