Chapter I "House of Newbies"  

   "Please let me run more. Eventhough my feet are full of scars." ~ Bangtan Boys 'Run'   

"No more cold. Melt the ice." He heard the whisper and saw a shadow jumping on him. He screeched as pain shot from his arm and before he knew it, he was back in his room.

Confused, he looked at his surroundings. The sunlight was shining through the light curtains, it was causing his eyes to ache. He was drenched in sweat and he just realized he was on the floor. He groaned, he had fallen off of the bed and his shoulder had taken the punishment for such a nightmare. His breathing was finally being controlled as he eased his body onto the wooden floor.

He begun to clean up, folding his covers and struggling greatly to keep the under sheets wrapped around the mattress as they are meant to. Descending the stairs from his bedroom balcony, he picked up the left over take out meal from his coffee table and begun to think.

Today marked his first nightmare in months. He didn't know if he should feel ashamed that he was a 21 year old guy, going to college and he was having dreams that dropped his blood pressure in pure fear. He has the same nightmare multiple times, and he’s still confused as to where it derived from.

"Jungkook-ah, I have donuts and coffee." A loud bang on his door caused his heart to drop to his stomach. He felt a surge of relief as he saw his friend walking in, the spare key in his hand as the other held this said coffee. The fair skinned boy looked at him, his plump lips biting down onto the breakfast dessert, the sight made him smile. He was glad he wasn't trapped in some maze where a monster was hunting him down, he'd rather see his friend struggling to drink directly from a coffee cup after it’s poured out.

"Yugyeom-ah, what's with the he pleasant surprise? Class starts at noon today." He spoke, not even hesitating in taking off his clothes for a fresh new pair. The boy smirked wickedly, that's evil grin almost making the donut on his mouth to meet its demise and crash onto the floor.

"There was a rumor yesterday about your love, and I think it's true. We'll find out today." The boy spoke with great hope as he sat in the small counter in the kitchen and begun to prepare his coffee. The scorching hot brew had such a pleasant scent that just wrapped around Jungkook's nose.

"Care to share the rumor?" Jungkook asked, finding a shirt in his closet and pulling it over his bare body. His skin was fairly pale, it almost looked so soft and fragile like a delicate sculpture. He button a flannel around his body and walked to the counter to joint his friend.

"Nope, you'll see in time." Yugyeom spoke as he tried to drink directly from the foam cup only to feel a shock of pain from the burn. His body jolted forwards as his tongue went numb and he suddenly dived into a donut.

"Wimp." Jungkook laughed, calling his friend out as his strong grip found his coffee cup and like nothing, he drank straight from it with no problem. The scorching hot brew didn't bother him, it always felt like it cooled off in his mouth and he's never been burned.

"Creep, that's weird. Anyways," the boy continued into a different topic. They went about their usual routine, Yugyeom basically lived with Jungkook, although it's not official, he was there every minute of the day.

"I forgot to tell you I'm heading to the shop before class today. So, I'll see you after, what time do you get out?" Jungkook asked, breaking away from the couch they were both occupying. A movie played before them, but like usual, the two boys sat at the couch that held limited space. Jungkook's longs legs stretched out and resting on Yugyeom's lap as the boy has his feet propped onto the coffee table.

"One of my classes might get cancelled, we're looking about three or four maybe." Yugyeom muttered as his eyes were completely controlled by the movie. He was engrossed with the little action that made Jungkook cringe, it was high quality but not real enough for him.

"Meet me for dinner at five, the usual place. Now, I'll have to go or I'll be late." Jungkook spoke, groaning as he retracting his stretched feet and utilizing his body for movement after two hours of doing nothing.

Jungkook worked in a music shop in an art paradise plaza. His extensive knowledge on instruments reaches a simple happy birthday tune on guitar and piano. He loves music, but he wished his hands were better at making it with the instruments he works at. He didn't have to know how to play though, he stayed there because of the dance studio his boss runs. On the dance floor, that's something else he has definite confidence in.

"I'm glad I caught you before class, I need help with an assignment due today." Jungkook almost dropped the electric guitar he was hanging on his head as a sweet voice made his entire body jump.

There, standing before him was Park Sooyoung and all her glorious charisma trailing behind her like a shadow. Jungkook gulped, meeting her eyes as she smiled nicely at him, her beautiful dark eyes sparkling before him. She wasn't supposed to be there, but he didn't care, his heart raced just seeing he giggle at his clumsiness.

"Aren't you supposed to be in the studio?" He blurted out and immediately regretted saying it. Her face changed instantly, in the blink of an eye her eyes sadden and her lips draped down like a prune, all happiness away from her.

"No, my boyfriend and I broke up and I can't go there anymore, I'll see him." Wheels turned inside Jungkook's head, he wanted to cheer and let his excitement out in one grunt but his crush was devastate and the pure sight devastated him too.

Jungkook spent time talking to Sooyoung, half of the time comforting her and the other half, helping her with the work that was due today. Sooyoung and Jungkook got along great, meeting in class and falling for her, even more amazed seeing her moves on the dance floor, he was sure it was meant to be. The only constraint was she had a boyfriend and today might be the day everything goes in his favor.

Jungkook heard a chiming of chords echoing in the room. He looked up after staring at the same sheet of paper for half an hour already to hear a costumer in the store. He cleared his throat, and swiftly walked in the direction of the strumming acoustic guitar.

"Finding everything okay?" He asked and was meet by a pair of glimmering auburn eyes. She looked at him directly but her eyes were something different. They were like the Sunburst guitar she held, they reflected pure fire. It wasn't normal and he just stared deeply into her iris, noting the dancing flame holding on to his soul.

He could use a thousand lines to describe her breathtaking and unnatural eyes. Walking down the street during autumn, seeing the leaves withering away and wrinkling due to the tint of orange and red, almost burning from the cold. That's what he'll settle for, her eyes were like the fire in autumn and that wasn't normal. Not one bit.

"I'm fine, I was just looking around." She spoke softly and almost blandly, it was like she had no emotion. She was stunning though, not the way Sooyoung was but still completely breathtaking. She wore a lose gray beanie on the top of her head, a rich coco brown color filled her hair as it all fell onto one side in a low pony tail.

She had an open flannel on top of a black tee that had the Dark Side of the Moon album cover on it. She wore black pants the shade of charcoal and a pair of pure white converse at the souls of her feet. She was clearly not from here and he was caught in a daze, not wanting to look away as she put the guitar back on its hanger.

"Actually, do you know where the art store is?" She asked, tugging away a mint green chord that was plugged into her ears, she had her earbuds on the entire time.

"Yeah, it's just down this hall and...you turn....right." He trailed off, using his hands to signal where he meant but noticed he autumn burning eyes were gone. They were dark and purely brown now, making him lose his train of thought. He could have sworn they were not that color moments before.

"Thanks." She bowed politely and reached down to grab a skateboard he didn't know was there. She looked straight out of L.A. as she strutted away but it was her eyes that were tripping him off so badly.

"Jungkook-ah, what's the name of that catalase we're using?" The question brought him back to reality, that’s right, he was helping Sooyoung with the biology pre-lab. Thinking about biology, Jungkook convinced himself he saw her eyes wrongfully, the genetics would not add up to such a fictional characteristic.

By the time the two were heading out to get to their university, Jungkook took notice of the familiar grey beanie slouched over in the bus stop. Her back pressed against the sign as a thin pencil was flying all across a pad of paper. He assumed she found the art store and surely stocked up. Jungkook and Sooyoung stood meters away from her, although Jungkook was enjoying every moment he was having with Sooyoung, he couldn't help but feel his attention drift to the L.A girl.

"Yes, I'm waiting for it right now Junhoe. I would have already been there if you let me ride my board but no." She spoke into a phone as her conversation in English was pooling into his direction as the bus was coming into a halt.

"Why do foreigners not take inconsideration their surroundings, can she be any louder?" Sooyoung made a very silent and smart remark Jungkook knew she shouldn't have. It surprised him to see such words come out of her, especially with that tone.

"I actually can be louder, I just chose not to." The girl raised her voice and her words were shot directly at them two in the language no one expected her to speak in. Jungkook was surprised by the confidence and calmness of the girl, but he couldn't help but feel amusement boil inside of him. "By the way, if you want to talk about consideration, you should not talk about people in front of their faces as if they are there." She spoke softly before climbing onto the bus and plugging her ear buds in.

There it was again, Jungkook stumbled back slightly as he caught a glimpse of the autumn fire in the girl's eyes. He couldn't be seeing things, could he?

Update, he was almost, whole heartedly convinced he was seeing things and even imagining things. He started questioning why Sooyoung sat next to him, completely single and completely ready to have him sweep her off her feet. Everything just had to be a dream, especially after he saw that thing in his nightmare.

Where? The L.A girl was a couple of seats in front of him in the bus, in her thin and delicate sketch pad was a spitting image of the slithering creature in his dream. He could already feel his ears throbbing as the slithering and slimy notices were ringing in his ear. Why was the creature in his nightmare in the girl's drawings?

"Melt the ice." He jumped, scaring Sooyoung in an instant. He heard it, he heard the creature speak to him. He felt his heart rush and palpitate more than usual. He felt his stomach fall as he could just barely hear the slithering and it almost felt like the creature was right behind him, whispering in his ear. It's venomous mouth speaking nonsense that just seemed to put him in a trans.

"Ice and fire don't mix." His tongue emphasized the s-syllables. His body jerked slight, he saw it. His scales were black and they navigated through his feet. He could only see the body dragging itself in a zig zag patter as its scales shimmered in the sunlight.

"What are you doing?" Sooyoung asked as he looked down at his feet, the charcoal creature was no longer there. He shook his head, assuring her that it was nothing, he just got a slight discomfort in his leg. Setting both of his feet down, he finally looked up to the front of the bus.

"Snake..."He simply let out in a whisper, too shocked to even move. The charcoal snake creature was next to the L.A girl. She seemed to have noticed it. She peered directly at it and even smiled as the creature whispered something in her ear. She could see it, but she wasn't afraid.

"Oh, the drawing of the snake. It looks so real." Sooyoung piped up, causing Jungkook to wonder, can she see the charcoal snake? Sooyoung acted normal, smiled softly at the drawing that was clearly visible from the L.A girl. The snake kept on talking, its black skin looking opaque and appearing almost like the solid matte black of pure charcoal. What the hell is it?

Jungkook took note on how no one noticed it, and was going to pretend like he couldn't see it either and wait for a response. He devised a quick plan inside his head. The good thing was, the girl seemed to be getting off in the same stop he and Sooyoung were getting off at. As they stood up and waited for the bus to come to a halt, Jungkook made sure his foot will land at the tail of that snake. He wanted to prove it was there and he wanted to prove she could see it like he could.

The sun beamed down on them as they got off the bus, the L.A girl walking in front of the, headphones plugged in and the snake was trailing behind her. He noticed the creature likes to coil around her arms and legs, almost like jewelry and she didn't mind having it wrapper around her body. So when the snake was going up and coil around the girl's left foot, Jungkook stepped on its tail and turned around to talk to Sooyoung, pretending like he wasn't even stepping on anything.

"Crap, I think I forgot to remind Yugyeom-ah to print his dam paper before he came." He spoke with a shaky breath. His nerves were acting up, he could her the sharp slither of the snake as it winced when he stepped on it.

"Dang it." A loud grunt was heard as a body fell onto the ground. The L.A girl fell, the snake still coiled around her leg but since Jungkook stepped on its tail, it was like he stepped on her untied shoelace. "Not again." Jungkook could hear her annoyed voice. He knew she saw where his foot was and she stared directly into the eyes of the snake as if asking him to let go. She could see him and he was a full tangible thing to her and him.

"Call him right now, maybe he hasn't left yet." Sooyoung suggested as Jungkook forgot he was having that conversation with her right then and there. Jungkook was stalling for time now, the L.A girl said nothing. She was still on the floor, only this time she was picking up the scattered papers that fell out of her sketch pad. Jungkook knew she was also staling, prying for the moment Jungkook moved so she could get up.

"I'm sorry, I should watch where I'm looking." A boy about Jungkook's height bumped in to him, the force was not too strong but it was enough for the snake to be released from Jungkook's foot.

"It's fine." Jungkook was a bit disappointed but accepted the boy's apology. "He isn't picking up, I'll just text him and hope he sees it." He spoke back to Sooyoung. He wanted to slap himself in the face. Here she was, her pure and beautiful self, closer than he ever hoped. Yet, all he could do was think of the L.A girl and that dang snake.

"Minyoung-ah, stop messing around, we're going to be late." Jungkook was thrown off as he saw the kid that bumped into him help the L.A girl up. The snake was in between them and Jungkook had a feeling his statement of messing around wasn't directed at just the girl. "We have to stop at the main office remember." The boy spoke as she sigh and turned around, the snake made a choice then, and Jungkook is wondering what the hell is going on.

As the two, Minyoung and her friend ran off, the snake coiled around the boy's arm and as they were running off, Jungkook swore what he saw was real. He could not make it up, he couldn't just assume that's what happened. He saw the boy petting the snake in his arm, it couldn't be a mistaken as a simple rub or scratch, he pet the creature. Even more he swore it whispered something and even Sooyoung couldn't take his mind off it.

It whispered something like what it keeps whispering, melt the ice and fire and ice don't mix. It said, 'water and fire, a neutral combination.' But even creepier, he swore it was looking right at him when it said, 'the ice is awake.' He doesn't know what it's chanting or if he is dreaming or hallucinating. But he knows he saw it, and regardless of the explanation, he knows there is something weird about the L.A girl and her friend.