Apocalypse ✦ Nomin

42

After what felt like hours of unbearable silence, the train slowly comes to a stop. People stand from their seats and begin shuffling about as they move to get off.

Jeno holds his book close to his chest with his right arm. He then grabs ahold of Jaemin's hand with the intention to lead him through the aisle, but the moment he puts his hand in his, Jeno feels a sort of electricity surge through him, making his heart flutter. He turns his head towards Jaemin, wondering if he felt it, too. They gaze at one another, and Jeno blinks slowly. Jaemin smiles softly at him, causing Jeno to look down and away from Jaemin, but he smiles warmly nonetheless as his cheeks become dusted with a tinge of pink. Despite the persistent fluttering in his chest, Jeno hastily pushes these feelings aside and refocuses on the matter at hand. Jeno clears his throat and stands from his seat, Jaemin following suit. As they pass the few remaining people still trying to exit the train, Jeno continues to smile.

Upon reaching the exit, the two hop off onto the platform and Jeno darts his eyes around to survey the area for any suspicious-looking individuals as well as a place to hide. There is a large building just beyond the platform, and Jeno determines that they could possibly hide out there.

Unfortunately, Jeno's eyes land on a boy with jet black hair wearing sunglasses, a black leather jacket, a dark red shirt, and black jeans. He leans his back against one of the nearby pillars with his arms crossed. He seems to perk up slightly as he seemingly spots Jeno and Jaemin. He reaches up and slightly lowers his glasses, revealing a pair of glowing red eyes that stand out despite him standing under the bright light of one of the lamps. Jeno recalls meeting this particular boy on one or two occasions, but it was hardly enough to fully recall his name. Something with a 'J'. Still, he knew the boy had most certainly been sent here by his father, and it terrifies Jeno.

"Run," Jeno utters to Jaemin.

"What?"

"I said, run."

Jeno takes off in a sprint as he initially starts out practically dragging Jaemin along. Soon, Jaemin catches up and they run alongside one another. Jeno glances back to see the boy chasing after, but he was determined to shake him. Jeno jerks Jaemin around the corner of the building, and—without hesitation—waves his hand, causing the both of them to become engulfed in thick smoke.

The second it dissipates, Jeno gathers his bearings. They appeared to now be in the middle of a dark alleyway that sheds next to no light into it. Jeno squeezes Jaemin's hand tightly in his before proceeding to walk towards the street. They step out onto the sidewalk and find that businesses line either side of the street. Some of them include a closed tattoo parlour, a liquor store, and a particularly interesting-looking building with neon signs littering the outside of it. Jeno immediately realizes that they are not in a particularly good part of town.

Jeno turns and notices that they are standing just beside a small pizza shop.

"Care for some pizza?" Jeno inquires as he lets go of Jaemin's hand.

"Huh?" Jaemin blurts out as Jeno begins walking towards the entrance of the shop. He walks behind Jeno and follows him in.

The place didn't look particularly clean or nice with various stains on the walls and flies buzzing around the place. Even some of the plastic booths appear to be tagged by markers and pens. A scruffy-looking man in a stained white shirt stands idly behind the counter on the other side of the small dining area. He looks up at the two of them with a bit of a surprised expression while still managing to look dead inside.

"What're a couple of kids like you doin out so late?" he asks in a gruff voice.

Jeno's eyes flicker down to his book, then back to the man, coming up with an excuse on the spot.

"We stayed up studying and thought we'd stop for something to eat," he lies, earning a nod from the man, "Do you happen to have a restroom?"

"Down the hall, it's the only door on the left," he drones out, "There's only one toilet, though."

"That's fine," Jeno dismisses him. He glances towards Jaemin and nods his head towards the hall to the left of the counter.

The two stride towards the door, and Jeno yanks it open. He allows Jaemin to enter first, and he follows behind, making sure to click the lock after shutting it.

Jeno lets out a deep sigh before opening the book to the bookmarked page. He skims the text and nods to himself.

"What's going on? What are you doing?" Jaemin questions.

"Cloaking us so that no one can find us," Jeno answers as he shuts the book with a thunk and places his free hand in Jaemin's. He instantly begins reciting the incantation.

"Jeno?" Jaemin speaks wearily as Jeno's eyes slowly roll to the back of his head, showing only the whites of them as the words roll off of his tongue without him putting any sort of effort in. It was as if he wasn't in control. Suddenly, Jaemin's eyes do the same as his entire body goes limp. But he does not collapse. Instead, he temporarily becomes suspended in air with his feet hovering a foot above ground. Jeno levitates as well, dropping the book from his arm and causing it to land on the floor with a loud bang.

Jeno reaches the final line, and the moment he finishes, the both of them gasp simultaneously and drop back down to the floor. While Jaemin lands on his feet, Jeno collapses. His head harshly slams against the tile flooring, and Jeno begins to violently spasm. He is vaguely aware of Jaemin's panicked screams, but it was as if he was a million miles away. Jeno could slowly feel himself slipping and there was nothing he could do.