❝deprived

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                                 Reality is something that everyone deserves, along with truth, but what will you do if both are deprived from you?

Tao's perspective 

“Let’s set off to search for them.” This was Duizhang’s sudden announcement. “We have to hurry before any of them get into trouble. And stay alive as long as you can.” He put on a jacket. “Who’s coming with me?”

What he asked to us all aback. The members exchanged nervous glances but no one broke the silence. Seconds later, I noticed everyone was looking at Kai, even me. I guess we have grown too dependent, waiting for his decision.

“No one?” Duizhang laughed bitterly. “I can’t believe this.”

As he was about to walk out the door, Kai finally moved from his stiff position. “I’m coming.” He spoke as if he was in trance. “I know where to seek.”

Luhan gave Kai a bothered look. “Count me in, too.” He said, quite unconvinced.

Yixing nodded in accordance and it goes on like that until all of us decided to take part on the quest. That’s how we are, how foolish we are in our verdicts. But anyway, as long as we’re together, nothing else matters.

Duizhang doesn’t seem pleased but he wasn’t mad either—way too neutral. “Well then, we got to go. We have no time to waste.”

*****

The moment when the very last person came out of the tent, it burst out into flames and then crumbled to ashes.

“Chanyeol, did you do something?” I whistled as I go pass him.

“I didn’t!” He defended. “It was caught by fire all by itself!”

“There’s no need to fuss over that thing. It just relocated.” Kai raved. “As for now, let’s find the three. We’ll worry about where to find the tent later.”

Everyone nodded and we started moving. Kai led the way and we entered the Forest of Mirage. Every direction is an illusion which shows danger, despair and calamity.

“Keep close everyone.” Chanyeol’s voice echoed. “You might get lost.”

“We know.” Baekhyun muttered. “No need to tell.”

“Shh! Quiet, guys.” I stooped walking when I felt a sudden movement in the woods. “Someone… I mean something… uh, whatever is watching us.”

All the members stopped walking and quieted down. I sharpened my senses and felt the rustling stopped. The wind became still and the vibrations on the ground eased.

“What is it, Tao?” I felt Duizhang’s hand on my shoulder.

I looked up at him and faked a smile. “Nothing, hyung. I guess the illusions have overwhelmed me. I’ve been thinking too much.” But honestly, I am not convinced of my conclusion.

He nodded, pushing a reassuring smile. “Okay! Let’s get moving.”

I noticed Kai was looking at me as if I reminded him of something bad. His eyes contracted like they normally do when he can’t focus. Somehow, his reaction bothered me.

When our group started to move forward, I felt it again: the same swift movement but now more agitated and… closer. My whole body acted accordingly to my instincts. I made a quick bend to snatch the knife from my boots and threw it to the direction of the movements. For a moment, everything was still but suddenly a black ragged creature leaped out from where my knife probably landed. Its hands were bony and stained with blood. It bared its fangs on us and I can only think of a one simple word…

“RUN!” I shouted and sprinted for my dear life.

Everyone trailed after until I realized something: Luhan is not with us. I made a halt and gazed back. He was still standing on his recent place, sweating like hell.

“Luhan, what are you doing? Run!” Kai demanded.

Luhan uttered no reply; he just looked at us with a shocked expression. He doesn’t even blink. That is when I figured out he was unable to move. I think Kai also got the same idea because he muttered something under his breath and charged towards him but it was too late. The monster swooped down and took Luhan with him. In a swift flash of black, they disappeared into the woods.

“Luhan!” Kai hollered, purely aghast.

I’ve never heard him like that. Fear is clearly spoken behind th