❝shooting star
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                                  If I will die, I want to be like those tiny twinkling figures so that no one can neither hurt me nor touch me

XIUMIN's perspective 

I took a deep breath, containing the tears as long as I can. So this is how painful goodbye is. Wow! Just wow and I know sooner or later I will encounter similar things in the future. I mocked the game inside my mind. I kept looking at Suho, trying to estimate when, will I have to do the same thing. I was deep in thought but I was brought back to my senses when he called my name. He was already fading but he managed a smile as if we will see each other again somehow. My heart skipped a bit as if it was stabbed, making it harder to control my tears. I would really miss that smile. I smiled back and when he completely faded, I whispered the word ‘goodbye’. Baekhyun who was trying hard not suffer a breakdown immediately fell to his knees. Dreadful tears started streaming down, one after another. Everyone was silent. No one dared to comfort him, no one except Chanyeol.

“Hyung, you okay?” Chanyeol knelt and patted Baekhyun. “You’re crying again.”

Baekhyun let out a light chuckle as he wiped his tears away. “I am not crying. I am okay, really.” He smiled and stood up, offering a hand to Channie.

Chanyeol accepted it and pulled him to a hug. “Move on, okay? Everything will be fine. No one will be blaming you. For as long as I am here, I will protect you. I won’t let that tears ever flow again.”

Baekhyun smiled knowingly and nodded. “Thanks, Channie. I will always remember that.” He let go from the hug and wiped the evidences of tears. “I will just go for the lake.” He said and turned his back on us.

Chanyeol was about to follow but Kai held him back. “Give him space. He needs time to recover.” Kai said in a hoarse voice.

“B-but…” Chanyeol was about to defend but Kai cut him off.

“Shhh. I promise he will not drown himself. He needs a rest. We all need to rest.” Kai assured and offered his hand. “Follow me.”

“To where?” Chanyeol blinked.

“To the Haven.” He smiled and led the way.

Except for the crickets, everyone silently followed Kai’s lead. Asylum was great place, really, it was like a paradise. It was so rich that everything that you may need can be found here. It was like a place in fairytales, wonderful and perfect except for the fact that it was a part of the game. In the center, there is somewhat a hotel made of definitely luxurious gems but mostly diamond. It was like heaven on earth. It was radiating tranquility and warmth as if welcoming you in. Inside, the rooms’ colors shift depending on how you want it to be, from red to blue, blue to black, etc. Everything was so comfortable and cozy, a very huge factor for a good night’s sleep. And you know what? There are exactly 11 rooms provided like it was planned right from the very start. I peeked out on my window, gazing upon the beautiful scene of the lake. The lake was still and calm. I decided to come out and sat on the grasses, facing the lake. The air was too perfect, not too hot nor too cold. Everything is a wonderland. In the still reflection of the lake, I saw a shooting star. I lay down and stared at the sky with splendor. The sky was clear but there is something wrong. Only a few stars can be seen and there is actually no moon on sight. Those few visible stars are shining brightly to be classified as normal but I was too blown up that my mind refused to cooperate and comprehend. I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.

I found myself holding a bow and arrow, pointing it at my partner Kyungsoo. My expression was firm but I can see the fear written all over.

“Xiumin, don’t do this. We are partners, remember? We have to help each other to survive.” He was kneeling before me, begging with tears racing down to reach the ground. “Xiumin, you’ll regret this. Listen to me; this is for your own good.” I can feel the desperateness in his voice. “Reconsider things and make the right decision.”

“Sorry.” I bent my head down as I tried to stop the tears. “Sorry Kyungsoo but… but… you have to die.” I shoot the arrow and closed my eyes.

I heard that the sobbing shrieked to a halt. When I opened my eyes again, I saw the fallen Kyungsoo, blood was starting to form a puddle around him. This night, another star will fall. With shaky hands, I let go of the bow and fell to my knees. As to what have I done, I really don’t know.

“You’ve just done the right thing, why are you mourning and crying?” a very familiar voice asked.

I can hear the footsteps getting nearer and stopped beside me. “Do you regret killing him? Tell me, Xiumin.” The voice boomed over me in a belittling tone.

I looked up to glare but my heart sank when I saw who owned the voice. I was dumbfounded; I can’t believe my eyes.

No, this can’t be. Please tell me this is not real. The person who owned the voice is… the person is…

I woke up in a start. Cold sweats are falling heavily like rain. I jerked to sit, still trembling as I gazed around. I was somehow relieved to see myself still beside the lake, no b