Crying

twenty eight

*Nightmare Realm*

Yuta kept running ahead of the other two boys, eager to get on with learning about this new world where apparently there was another him. It was a lot to process but Yuta wanted to learn more about it.

So did Ten. And that's where Yuta came into play. 

"Wait up!" Mark complained, dragging his feet as they walked through the pouring rain to his apartment. "You're going to fast Yuta!"

Taeyong rolled his eyes. "Mark we don't want to get soaked now do we?"

"Well we don't but I also don't want to die of hyperventilating  from running so fast!"

Yuta slowed to a more moderate pace and waited for the others. "Sorry guys, I guess I'm just really eager to help and stuff." 

Suspicious, Mark cocked an eyebrow, thoughts jumbling in his head. Why did this boy want to know so much about the other world? 

"It's okay Yuta. I was pretty shocked when I found out this world existed too." Taeyong sympathized. "It's......incredible really....."

Yuta nodded his scar stretched out in a smile. "I have so many thoughts and questions about this new world. Before you leave would you mind answering some of them Taeyong?" 

Taeyong grinned and gave him a thumbs up, earning an excited squeal from the Japanese boy. Mark still didn't get a good vibe from him, even if he was all cheery and bright.

"We're almost there guys." Mark concluded when he saw the familiar shabby building that was his home. "Dreamie Apartment Complex." 

Yuta squeaked in anticipation of all his questions being answered (and another reason) when Mark said the last sentence. 

"Alright then." Taeyong muttered and used his elbow to push open the grimy door to the rickety old staircase. Taeyong hated the dirt and dust as much as he had the first time.

"Oh guys!" Mark called while checking his phone. "Johnny texted and said Doyoung is having Taeil over for dinner anyways. Isn't that great? We can ask them to help then." 

"Oh wonderful!" Yuta hugged Mark, causing the Canadian boy to grimace in displeasure. 

Taeyong tried to smile but couldn't for a large beetle scuttled over the floor towards him. "Fuck it!" Taeyong screeched and dashed up the stairs. Beetles were scary man. 

Mark and Yuta also said fuck it and ran away from the terrifyingly large bug and to Mark's apartment. 

Mark pushed open the door, not even bothering to check if it was locked. The lock had broke a few years ago so they just left it open 24/7. 

"Well that seems safe." Yuta commented sarcastically. Mark shot him a glare of absolute annoyance and disdain for the newcomer. 

"Hey Doyoung, Johnny!" Taeyong waved at the boys. Johnny waved back but Doyoung kept his head down, looking at his book. Another boy, unfamiliar to Taeyong sat talking with Johnny. 

This must be Nightmare Realm Taeil. Taeyong guessed. The boy, Taeil, had dark chocolate colored hair with large circular glasses propped up on his nose. He wore a striped T-shirt and sweats that were pretty big on him because he was so tiny. Yup, it was definitely Taeil. 

"And you must be Taeil?" Taeyong guessed, scratching his bright red hair. 

Nightmare Taeil's eyes widened significantly. "How do you know who I am?" He asked quizzical, propping his head up on his hand the way smart people do. 

"Oh boy....." Mark exhaled. "Get ready for this long ass ride....." 

And then Taeyong explained. He explained who he was, the other realm, his relations with both of the Tens, why he needed help, and more. The whole entire explanation took almost an hour not including the millions of questions asked by Doyoung, Johnny, Taeil, and Yuta. 

"And that's basically it." Taeyong finished and looked up at the surrounding boys. All of them had their mouths dropped open in surprise and shock. While Yuta and Johnny looked intrigued, Doyoung and Taeil looked unsure. Mark just sipped the CapriSun he had retrieved from the fridge. 

"So you're telling me-"

"Yes!" Taeyong cut into Taeil's sentence. He was tired of the 'so you're telling me' questions. "All I say is true. Believe me or not. All I'm asking for is some help getting back home to my family and friends." 

"Well I don't know about you, but I'm on board." Johnny smiled. Even with his scar he was still handsome and also very cheerful. "I'll help you other Taeyong. I need some action around here these days and I don't want you to be separated from the ones you love." 

Taeyong nodded his head in thanks, really appreciative that Nightmare Johnny would assist in his return to his realm. He had said it before but really, other than Ten's exception, their other halfs in the Nightmare Realm reminded him of the NCT members he knew. 

"Well, I'm also helping!" Yuta and Mark put in at the same time. As soon as the words came out of their mouths, Mark turned to glare at Yuta while Yuta only smiled playfully. 

"I still don't know....." Doyoung trailed off. "How can I trust you are not the other Taeyong? How do I believe you're not tricking us?" 

"Well, one he doesn't have a scar like us." Taeil noted. "Maybe it's legitimate."

"Two," Yuta added on. "Why the hell would the Taeyong we know and hate try and mess with us? He's gonna be in jail for a long time anyways. How could he get out unnoticed?" 

Taeil nodded in agreement. "I'll help you. I truly believe you aren't him." 

"Thank you so much for your generosity." Taeyong bowed his mind whirling with thoughts. What exactly did this other Taeyong do that was so bad it had landed him a prison cell? 

"Well then," Johnny put a large hand on Nightmare Doyoung's shoulder. "Aren't you the odd one out Doyoung?"

Doyoung grumbled something under his breath that was incomprehensible. 

"Why don't you help Taeyong?" Mark pressed. Doyoung looked up at him with big bunny eyes. 

"You kinda have to, we're all doing it...." Yuta examined his nails. 

"Who the fuck are you?" Doyoung gestured to Yuta. 

"Come on Doyoung!" Johnny shook the younger boy, completely ignoring his question. 

"FINE! I'll do it! Just don't touch me again!" He finally snapped. 

The others grinned and Mark pumped his fist. While they celebrated, Yuta's phone rang. "Sorry I have to take this." The Japanese boy excused himself from the room.

The others went on brainstorming ways for Taeyong's escape, Johnny, Mark, and Taeil really into it and Doyoung sitting to the side, slouched over on the couch. Taeyong sat in a chair across from them and Yuta talked in the other room. 

"Yes yes of course." Yuta blabbered into the phone. "Yes master. You want Taeil? The one with glasses?" He nodded when he got a response. "Okay I will. Right away yes. Don't worry I will get Taeyong back to you. You can count on me Ten." 

Yuta hung up, slipped the phone back into his pocket, and glanced in the mirror. He blinked once or twice at his reflection and smirked. 

"Ah Yuta..." he spoke to himself. "You are the trickster aren't you?" With that he plastered a smile onto his face and skipped out into the common room.

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And that's the chapter folks! I promised this book would finish by the end of October and I will not break that promise. Don't worry, if you're liking the story there will be a sequel and maybe a third novel too! 

That's it for today but make sure to give some love to one of my best friends on WattPad;

AasJing

She/He/They are so kind and loving and I couldn't ask for a better friend! 🥰

Well that's good see you all another day! Bye bye! 

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