still you | baekyeon

Chapter 25

An unidentified man, his visage obscured by a white mask, commanded with a forceful tone. His demand was explicit: "Just do it!" The intent of his words became clear when he added, "Go kill him!"

In the dim surroundings, illuminated only by the moon's feeble light, their figures were partially visible. Three men were present, their identities veiled by masks. Amidst the obscurity, Taeyeon discerned their silhouettes. One man, broad-shouldered and muscular, confronted the other two figures situated a short distance away. Amidst them was a figure of particular interest: restrained by bound wrists and devoid of a mask. He knelt on the ground, his shirt pulled taut by a slender man standing behind him.

Baekhyun...

The directive exchanged among them unveiled the unease within their ranks. "You do it. I can't," the wiry man admitted. The muscular individual sighed heavily, his frustration evident. "Move, you coward," he chided his comrade. The skinny man's grip on the victim's shirt loosened, resulting in a harsh impact as he fell to the unforgiving ground, his face making abrupt contact with the cold surface.

Taeyeon involuntarily suppressed a gasp, her hand muffling the sound as she concealed herself behind a bench. The gravity of the situation gradually dawned on her. As the ominous scenario unfolded, her focus shifted from her own precarious position to the chilling tableau before her.

The muscular figure expressed his contempt. "You bastard, you've had enough." His words held a palpable anger. "Say goodbye to your beloved fans, whom you considered your life," he taunted as he retrieved an object from his pocket. Taking hold of the victim's hair, he forced the man to raise his head, unwittingly revealing his face to Taeyeon's horrified gaze.

Recognition coursed through her as she realized the victim's identity: Baekhyun. A shiver of disbelief swept over her. Desperation and a sense of impending tragedy held her captive as she witnessed the unfolding drama.

The shadows seemed to take on a life of their own as the assailant's silhouette approached, a malevolent intent in his demeanor. A chilling truth became evident: he held a gun. Taeyeon's heart raced, her disbelief transforming into sheer horror.

"No," she uttered in a hushed whisper. Her voice trembled with an urgency that couldn't be contained. Her eyes remained fixated on the impending scene before her. His finger poised on the trigger, a solitary word escaped his lips, carried on the wind like a final plea: "Taeyeon..."

The world seemed to hold its breath as a gunshot echoed, shattering the night's fragile tranquility.

"NO!" The exclamation tore from Taeyeon's lips as her eyes snapped open, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. In the dim light, the sight of the man she had seen in her distressing nightmare confronted her, further escalating her panic.

"Taeyeon, are you okay?" His concerned voice reached her ears, but she remained frozen, her gaze locked onto him. She struggled to find her breath, the terror of the dream still clutching at her.

Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over. Unable to articulate her emotions, she reached out and embraced him tightly. The touch of reality was a stark contrast to the nightmare, and she clung to it desperately. The feeling of his presence reassured her on a profound level – a tangible confirmation that he was alive and well.

The weight of her emotions consumed her, and silent sobs wracked her body. His presence and warmth became an anchor in the storm of her distress. His shirt became her lifeline, her grip tightening involuntarily.

"It's okay... It's just a dream," he soothed, his voice a gentle reassurance amidst the turmoil. As his arms enveloped her, a strange calm began to wash over her, the storm within gradually subsiding.