After

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⋘ 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡 – 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎... ⋙

Ⰶ║ July 16 2020 ║Ⰶ

Renjun and Jaemin sit outside the office building with a sigh. They were tired, confused, and extremely worried; and since Mark was chosen with the task to take care of Hyuck and Chenle, it was only Renjun and Jaemin who were able to talk about the Jisung Issue.

"Do you really think there's something out there?"

Renjun cups his face in his hand. "The probability of there being radioactive substances leaking into populated areas is very high considering the circumstances. That can thus mutanize animals...I'm not saying that they grew into mutant ninja turtles, but the effect could still be....strange."

Jaemin narrows his eyes. "But if he also saw what happened when the world ended..."

"Hallucinations." Renjun states sadly. "To be honest, his mental state is dwindling. Someday –and someday soon– he might be fully gone."

"Shit."

Renjun frowns. "I'm sorry Jaem, I really am. I know it's hard to take in, but it's the simple truth. Although, we can still help him."

Jaemin turns to the older boy with tears in his eyes. "Please Renjun. I'll do anything, I just don't want to see Sungie hurt."

"I know. I think the best way to help him is through speech therapy. I know none of us are therapists but I think me and Chenle could really help him. I think we all know that Chenle is a little...well I don't want to say insane..."

"He's definitely off his rocker." Jaemin chuckles.

"Yeah, that. Which also means that he could help Jisung stay in reality. Do you get what I'm saying?"

Jaemin nods slowly. "Yeah I think I get it. Thanks Renjunnie." He engulfs the older boy in a hug with a tight grip. Renjun feels his heart speed up at the embrace but ignores the feeling; it wasn't the time for him to fall in love.

"Let's head back inside, alright?"

Ⰶ║ July 16 2020 ║Ⰶ

Jisung shivers in Chenle's arm and holds him tightly. He hadn't let go of the older boy since Friday; too scared that whatever he saw would come back. Unfortunately for him though, Renjun had been trying to explain to him that he would need to talk more. Of course, Jisung didn't want to, but he also didn't want to feel like a burden. He knew how stressed Jaemin was about his health, and he knew how worried his hyungs were, but Jisung couldn't help it. He was nervous and paranoid; he felt like he was going crazy.

Chenle runs his hand up and down Jisung's spine in hopes of calming the boy and getting him to sleep. It eventually worked and soon enough they were both sleeping soundly on the couch of the office building lobby.

Donghyuck frowns when he sees the baggy eyes of his friend, and sighs loudly when he sees the two babies sleeping. "Jaemin, you should sleep too."

"I know," Jaemin answers, not looking up from the map in his hands. "But I need to drive tomorrow because both Jeno and Mark are tired."

"Jaemin you haven't had a full night's sleep in ages."

"I'm fine Hyuck, I'll have some coffee tomorrow morning."

Donghyuck sighs and sits next to Jaemin. "Seriously...Jaem this isn't healthy."

"Donghyuck, I'm fine. Sleep isn't the biggest issue right now."

"You say that, yet your complexion says otherwise."

"Donghyuck." jaemin's voice turns sharp. "Drop it."

"Sorry. I'll go see what the others are up to." He stands and leaves the lobby, instead making his way towards the conference room where the other 3 sit. He enters the room gloomily and takes a seat in between Mark and Renjun. "He won't listen to me."

"Well," Mark sighs. "At least you tried."

Donghyuck furrows his brows. "Told me to buzz off and drop the matter. I just want to help him."

Jeno frowns. "We all do, but he's stubborn." He leans back in his chair and stretches his arms. "I'll try and talk him out of driving."

"He says you two were tired."

Jeno narrows his eyes. "Mark hasn't driven in a good week, so I don't know what he's talking about." Donghyuck just shrugs and watches Jeno leave the room. He turns back to the two boys beside him. "So where are we driving next?"

Renjun takes out a handmade map and lays it onto the table. "Well we're only a couple miles away from Boseong, but with the added issues and now not being able to drive at night...we'll probably get there tomorrow afternoon."

"Unfortunately, the car is running low in gas." Mark adds. "So we'll need to stop to refill."

"It shouldn't take too long though, so that isn't a huge issue." Renjun folds the map over and puts it back in his bag. "So really, we just need a good night's sleep and then we'll be back on the road tomorrow morning."

Donghyuck nods. "Sounds good."

Ⰶ║ July 18 2020 ║Ⰶ

Mark and Jeno stand outside the car, the phone in Jeno's hand and the number ringing. They had been trying everyday to call back those people on the island, but still to no avail. Yet they still hoped that it would work– and luck seemed to be on their side, because the other end picked up.

"H-h...lo?"

"Hello? Can you hear us?"

"Y-ou...chop-"

"You're choppy too. But you can hear us?"

"Ye-s."

"Ok. We. Are. Coming. To. Jeju." Mark speaks slowly, pausing between each word to make sure it was clear on the other end.

The boy on the call seemed to pick up the trick and tried it himself. "Je.Ju?"

"Yeah. We. Are On. Our. Way."

"Wh-re. Are. Y-ou?"

"We're. In. Gurye. South. Korea."

"When. Y-ou. Ar-rive?"

"Soon. Not. Sure. But. Soon." Mark glances at Jeno who just shrugs but nods.

"What. Part. Of. Jeju. Are. You. In?"

"Hyeopjae. Beach."

Mark and Jeno turn to each other happily. "That's where Donghyuck is from. Oh thank the lords."

Jeno smiles and looks back at his phone but the service cut out and the call ended. Still though, they knew where to go, and they had just the person to lead them.

⋘ Tʀᴀɴsᴍɪssɪᴏɴ ᴇʀʀᴏʀ. Pʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴛʀʏ ᴀɢᴀɪɴ ʟᴀᴛᴇʀ. ⋙