The Shiba Inu, smart one that he is, makes sure that no one is watching him break the command. As the coast is clear, he nudges his own way into the room. The door had a little crack, thus he need not force it. It opens slowly without a peep, and he pads along to Dowoon’s side. The boy, sensitive to the additional noise, turns in the dog’s direction and smiles.

“Hello, Yeong,” he quietly says, extending an arm while remaining in bed.

The Shiba Inu feels smug, noticing that he is welcomed. He nuzzles against the hand, but freezes after it. There is a strange taste. He blinks, puzzled, before it once more to be sure. Yet the strange taste remains. Yeong makes a startled bark.

“Oh,” says the drummer after retracting his hand and looking at it. “It’s blood. Must have tasted funny to you.”

Realising that there is nothing funny about the situation, Yeong makes a decision. He barks repeatedly, and most peculiarly, Dowoon doesn’t even get agitated. The members come running in, ready to scold the rascal but they also freeze.

His bedsheet is messed up with blood. The red substances covers his arms. The boy has a blank expression on his face, as though nothing is out of the norm.

“Dowoon,” gasps Sungjin, wide-eyed. “Dowoon, Dowoon, Dowoon…”

The members work together to bring him out of bed, remove the sheet and other necessary things. A wet cloth is used to wipe most of the blood away and they take a seat in the living room. Every eye is on the drummer boy, who remains stoic.

A pat is given to Yeong for warning them, yet only one thought persists.

“What’s wrong, Dowoon?”

[click here to continue]