2 days after the accident
 
The boys hadn't truly smiled ever since it all happened. But on this very day, after living in all that darkness for what seemed like eternity, they finally felt real happiness bloom in the hearts again. The smiles on their faces were no longer forced, but erupted from deep within their relieved hearts.
 
Finally, Taemin's heavy eyelids lifted. Finally, they got to see the youngest’s beautiful ebony orbs again. Finally, Taemin woke…
 
It was a beautiful Saturday morning. The Sun hung high in the azure winter sky. Its mellow rays streamed through the hospital’s window binds into Taemin’s room, caressing Taemin’s seraphic sleeping face. Suddenly, Taemin stirred. The three boys watched as consciousness poured into him, reaching a high-water mark.

"W-where am I?"

Key combed his fingers through Taemin’s hair tenderly. “In the hospital sweetie.”

“Why?”

His hand stilled. “Do you remember anything about it?”

Taemin felt memories flooding back into his head like an avalanche - the accident, that night, everything.
 
"Ahh...”  A sharp pain speared through his mind as he recollected the memories. Reflexively, Taemin brought his small hands to his head, squeezing his eyes shut as he eased the pain. Then, it hit him, Minho.
 
"Where's Minho? And how long have I been sleeping?" He pushed himself upright, ignoring the pain that surged through his frail body.
 
It was Jonghyun that answered this time. "Two days, that's how long you've been sleeping." He smiled. "I’m really glad you're finally awake."
 
Taemin frowned when he realised that Jonghyun had purposefully avoided his first question.
 
"Where's Minho?" he asked again, persistent.
 
His heart raced when Jonghyun kept silent. Panicking, he turned to Onew, who hasn’t spoken a word ever since he woke.
 
"Is Minho okay? I really want to talk to him."
 
"He...he's still not awake." Onew mumbled sheepishly.
 
A miniature smile crept across Taemin's face.
 
Minho’s alright...
 
"Can I go see him?" Taemin beamed.

Upon posting this question, the faces of the other three boys fell almost instantly. Their smiles faded and were replaced with a somber look. From this, Taemin knew that something had gone wrong. They were hiding something, something unpleasant.
 
But Minho survived, didn't he?
 
Isn't that all that matters?
 
Why are they acting so weird?
 
Could they... be lying?
 
"Hyungs, you guys are hiding something, aren't you? W-What happened to Minho exactly? Please tell me… I really need to know…Please…" Taemin choked, his voice filled with anxiousness and worry. Then, his eyes widened, voice faltering as he spoke. "H-He's not dead, isn't he?"

"No! He isn't!" Key bristled, making Taemin recoil at his sudden outburst. Then, just as suddenly, Key's tensed features smoothed, his expression impassive as his voice softened. "No...He isn't...he isn't..."

"T-then what happened exactly? P-please tell me, please..." Taemin grabbed onto Key's shaking hands gently, staring intently into the older's confused eyes. "Please?"

"I-I He-" Key signed, lowering his head in defeat to hide the tears forming in his eyes yet again. "I can't do this..."

Taemin just stared helplessly at the boy, hands still tightly holding onto Key's milky smooth ones, heart pounding tremendously against his ribs. 

What happened exactly?

When he got no response from Key, he looked up at the solemn faces of his hyungs, eyes pleading for answers. "Hyungs?"

Then, he felt Onew's warm touch over his shoulders. "Minho's in a coma.” He took a deep breath. “ He might never wake again.”

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Sorry for how long it took for me to update this short chapter! D: Things are going to speed up in the next chapter. Do anticipate the it! There's gonna be some big changes in Taemin's life soon. Ohh and btw, I've gotten this story a new poster! It's amazing, do check it out! :D Lastly, do comment and subscribe! ^o^