fifty-six

Mrs. Hwang has a frown on her face. She's concerned. Confused.

Hyunjin said something to her too. Before she and Minho left.

Minho knows it was about him. He can tell.

Probably so Mrs. Hwang won't let him out of her sight.

But Minho doesn't care about that.

He lets Mrs. Hwang drive. The woman stops where Minho asks. And Minho lets her follow him everywhere.

They've been through all the streets. All the ones Minho's walked with Jisung. They've been to the stores, too.

"Dear... It's getting late..." Mrs. Hwang says.

Minho doesn't follow her to the car. He's tearing up.

Mrs. Hwang stops. She steps back.

Minho wipes his eyes. He's ready to argue. They still have lots of places to check. He will go around the whole city.

Mrs. Hwang doesn't have to drive him. He'll do it himself.

But Mrs. Hwang's not looking at Minho. She's frowning at her phone. Then looks up. Around. At all the street signs in the light.

She takes Minho's arm. "Get in the car, dear. I got a message. Jisung might've gone into a store... It's a little farther away from here..."

Minho gasps. Clutches her arm. "Where— Is he okay?!"

Mrs. Hwang opens the car door for him. "We'll go see, dear."

- - -

- - - - - -

"Yeah... I've been here before..." Mrs. Hwang murmurs. She's driving through slowly. "Ages ago. It's not... the same... as it used to be..."

Minho stares around in fear. It's not a little farther away... It's hella far away. It would take hours to go here on foot.

The place where they stop... is a small convenience store.

The buildings around are old. Run-down. They have long dark shadows. Some have dull lighting. Others have blinking lights.

"Let's go in and ask.." Mrs. Hwang says.

Inside... There's just an old man behind the counter.

He's watching a small TV. Mrs. Hwang greets him. Takes out a folded paper. It's a copy of Minho's sketch.

"Excuse me. Does this man look familiar to you?"

The man takes the paper. Squints his eyes. Nods. "Yeah, yeah... that looks like him. The strange kid yesterday. He just showed up. Didn't say anything. He was totally lost. Then he just walked out."

"Oh... Did you see where he went?"

"No... but I hope back the way he came," the man says. Chuckles. Shakes his head. "Not a good place to be if you're not from here."

Minho takes the paper. Hurries out wordlessly.

"Minho, please wait— Ah, thank you so much, sir."

The streets are dark. But there are a few people around.

Minho sees a man. On the steps. He's under a weak orange lamp. He's smoking. Minho approaches him slowly. The sketch shakes in his hand.

"Tsk. I'm not buying whatever the fuck you're selling."

The voice is harsh. Minho shakes his head.

"N-No, I have a question... have you seen this person here?"

The man glances at it. Sneers at him. "No. What the fuck do you want?"

"N-Nothing..." Minho turns away. Looks around. He wants to cry. "Oh, where could you be, Sungie..."

He's hit by lights. A car stops on the road. It's Mrs. Hwang. She lowers a window. "Minho, get in please."

"N-No," Minho says. "J-Just follow me if you want..."

He moves away. The man on the steps felt dangerous. Minho's chest hurts. From dread. Worry.

Minho keeps walking. Mrs. Hwang follows him. There are no people he can ask. But he knows everyone's aware. Of him. Of the car.

Sooner or later... they'll face someone. He feels aggression around him. But it just scares him more. For Jisung.

"Dear," Mrs. Hwang calls. Stops the car. Gets out.

"Please, Mrs. Hwang," Minho begs. "I have to look, if he's here, he could get hurt— or... or he could've already gotten hurt, please—"

Minho pauses. Squints. Mrs. Hwang turns to where he is looking.

Mrs. Hwang's headlights have cast a long beam of light.

Minho turns on the light of his phone. Strides forward. Crosses the road.

There's a narrow gap. It's between two buildings. That's where he glimpsed a shadow. A sitting... form...

Minho directs the light towards it. There's a yowl.

Minho jumps from it. Oh, it's just a cat...

Mrs. Hwang's now right behind him. "Let's go. We're not welcome here. It could be dangerous right now— let's come tomorrow, during the day."

"Yeah..." Minho says. Steps ahead. Flashes his light again.

But... he's sure he saw a figure...

His heart drops. He feels tears quickly stream down his face.

"What— what on earth is that?" Mrs. Hwang says.

"Jisung..." Minho whimpers. He rushes to him. Feels so afraid.

He pushes a crate out of the way. Crouches down.

He's careful not to shine the light directly on Jisung's face.

"Oh, Sungie..." Minho whispers. He touches his cold body.

It's hard. Still. Like a statue.

Jisung's sitting tightly. He's hugging his knees. His head's resting on it.

Minho lets out a sob. "Jisung... No..."

"Minho?" Mrs. Hwang's stepping around in haste. To get him.

"Mrs. Hwang..." Minho answers. He's trembling. "P-Please bring your car closer... Jisung can't m-move by himself now..."

To be continued...

Don't worry guys, I will reward y'all soon with some smut.

But for now.... let's all feel pain together <3