IV

“Donghae..”

“Go away.”

“Please just listen.”

“Get out of my room.”

“Donghae..”

“You just left like that.”

“That was because-…”

“Go bother someone else.”

“Donghae..”

…

“Donghae, please.”

“Donghae..”

He’s getting sick of this bastard bugging him. He came right after his second meal of the day. Donghae turned his head toward the man. “What?” He snapped.

“Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.” Hyukjae took steps closer until he was by the bed. He had his hands clasped together and eyes pouring out guilt.

Donghae rolled his eyes, “Really? I personally think you were serious when you said that.”

Hyukjae took his liberty of sitting on Donghae’s bed but not once has he tried reaching out to touch him. Who knows what Donghae would do this time? “Donghae. Listen. That ‘get you back on track’ didn’t mean I thought you were insane.”

He exhaled loudly gazing straight into Donghae’s bored eyes with fiery passion as he said with courage, “I’m going to get you out of here, Ha--.. Donghae.”

“And how are you supposed to do that?” Donghae, on the outside, did not waver. But deep inside him, he melted when Hyukjae looked at him like that.

“I’ll think of way. I promise you I’ll do everything.”

Donghae shook his head and shrugged, “Why are you even doing this?”

“I’ve told you. I know you more than everyone in this damned place. What they say about you?..” Hyukjae pointed a finger at the door to which Donghae followed and turned to look at the closed door. “..That.. That is insane. Those people who put you in here? They are the ones who are insane! And.. And.. They should be here, not you!”

Donghae removed his gaze from the door, glanced at Hyukjae, “How are you sure that I’m not the monster they say I am?”

Upon hearing this, Hyukjae stood up hands fisted. “Monster? Who said that? You’re far from being a monster. You’re not even close to being ‘crazy’ or-.. or ‘mentally ill’.”