-Youngjae’s POV-

I had been ignoring and avoiding Daehyun all day longer after I put that gel stuff on his chest. I was mad at him. Maybe didn’t think about the fact that my mother died from being poisoned and becoming sick, but it still hurt me. Daehyun was poisoned and became sick.

My eyes began to tear up just at the thought of it. I know that he’s going to be fine, but still…having been growing up with someone you love so much who’s sick and could be gone at any second is scary to me, and has scarred me. I don’t want that to happen, not ever again. I still can’t believe that he’d faked like that!

I quietly wiped away some stray tears so that nobody saw that I was crying. “What’s taking them so long?” Tae asked openly. “Maybe Kris is still looking for Jayde.” Min said. “What if he can’t find her? What if that wind blew him away or off track?” Tae said. Min snickered a little, “That’d be funny if the wind blew him way. I can see it.” He said. The twins snickered together imagining the scene.

“Thanks again for healing my burnt wounds.” Lee thanked Zelo. “It was nothing.” Zelo said quietly not wanting to start a conversation. The vampire nodded awkwardly and slowly walked away.

Ever since the Bang incident Zelo has been quiet, he hasn’t really spoken to anyone. He only speaks when he has to, otherwise he just gives one or two worded sentences. “Jayde!” Tae called once the two arrived. “Hey. She said waving slightly. “Um…I’m sorry…for uh…a…” we all looked at her waiting to hear what she had to say. “About what happened early.” She tried again.

“I…am…er…s-sorr…s-s-sor…” She couldn’t find her words. “I’m *cough* sorry.” She coughed. “About what?” Tae asked innocently. Jayde just looked at him. “About what happened earlier.” She muttered.

“Awe~! Don’t be sorry! It wasn’t your fault.” Tae said. “Wait a second. Did Jayde just apologize…again?” Lee said. Everyone was silent. “She did! Didn’t she!?” Lee exclaimed. Jayde growled under breath. “Looks like not everyone is perfect. Even the most powerful being says sorry.” Jasmine teased, though she sounded more serious than playful.

“Shut-up.” Jayde hissed. “I never said that I was perfect.” She grumbled. “Yeah, that’s only you who thinks that.” Lee told Jasmine. Jasmine scoffed at him. “I never said that.” She defended. “I never said you said that. I just said that you think that.” Lee said.

Just then I felt someone pounce on me nearly causing me to jump out of my skin. “Haha! I got you now Yoo Youngjae. You can’t run away from me now.” It was Daehyun. I tried to break free from his grip but it was no use.

“Let me go.” I said squirming in his hold. “No. I’m never letting you go.” He said. “Daehyun, I’m serious. Let me go.” I said trying to push the older away. “Mm mm.” he said hugging me tighter. “Daehyun, I want you to let me go.” I said angrily. He looked at me not looking as happy and cheerful as a few seconds go. “Youngjae…why do you keep avoiding me? Why do you not talk to me? Why don’t you want to be around me?” he quizzed. I felt my eyes water again. “Just get away from me.” I said weakly.

“Youngjae…what did I do wrong?” he asked in all kind of innocence and worry. “I’m mad at you stupid.” I buried my face into his chest, trying to hide the escaped tears. “Wh-What? Jae…what did I do? Did I hurt you again?” His voice sounded almost hurt and angry. I nodded into his chest. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?” I asked not wanting to talk about it.

“Y-Youngjae…please.” He said. I clenched onto his shirt. “I-I don’t…appreciate the fact that you…pretended to be sick after you got better…” I sniffled. “It really hurt me.” I went on. “When I found out you were sick, I was scared. I was so scared Daehyun.” Tears streamed down my cheeks. “Youngjae…does this have to do with your…mother?” Daehyun asked finally realizing it.

“I didn’t want anything to happen to you. I would’ve done anything to get you better if you didn’t get better. And when…and when you started faking it just…I couldn’t believe it.” I cried into his chest.

The elder wrapped his arms around me holding me tightly. He rest his head on top my shoulder. “I’m sorry Youngjae. I didn’t know. I’m so sorry, that was selfish of me.” He said sincerely. It sounded like he was beating himself up.

“Don’t be mad at yourself. You didn’t know.” I sniffled resting my hand on his chest. I shifted a little and looked up at him with wet, teary eyes. He looked back at me, his eyes were glossy. “Besides, I got you back anyway.” I smiled slightly wiping tear from under my eye. Daehyun just smiled and pulled me in closer until the tip of his nose was touching the tip of mine. Youngjae…you’re just too cute.” I blushed a little.

He looked me deep in the eyes, “I’m glad you’re mine, Yoo Youngjae.” He said soothingly and kissed me lightly on the lips. “I love you Youngjae.” He said. “I love you…too Daehyun.” I yawned. He chuckled in his deep laugh. “What?” I asked sleepily. “Nothing, just go to sleep.” He smiled sweetly laying down into his sleeping bag, pulling me down with him.

I rested my head comfortably on his chest snuggling closer into him. “Good Night Daehyun…” I yawned closing my eyes. “Night, Youngjae. Sleep tight.” He said, and with that I fell fast into a deep sleep.

I’m glad to have Daehyun back with me…and to think I almost didn’t give him a second chance. I am more than happy to be with him, no matter where we are, I am happy. However, for some strange reason I didn’t sleep well that night. I had an uneasy dream that I couldn’t wake from until the sun rose. But when I woke up I found myself laying on the ground…alone. Daehyun was gone.

I quickly sat up. “Daehyun?” I looked around to see that everyone was still asleep. Just then I heard the snapping of a few twigs. “Daehyun?” I gasped.

I quickly stood up and headed straight to where the sound came from. I stumbled over some rocks and branches before I found him. My eyes widened. “D-Dae?” I gasped running to him. He was flat on his stomach on the ground. “D-Daehyun.” I said again kneeling down beside him. I was terrified. He wasn’t moving nor responding.

I felt my whole body tremble as I reached out to touch him. His body was cold but he was breathing. A wave of relief flowed upon me as I carefully turned him over onto his back. Though I was relieved that he was alive I couldn’t help but still be afraid. Why is he like this? What happened to him? Something had to be wrong. Why else would he be out here?

“Daehyun. Can you hear me?” I asked speaking quietly not wanting to bring any unwanted attention. For a moment I felt like we were being watched. I carefully looked around to see nothing, but that didn’t ease me one bit. “Daehyun.” I said shaking him gently. But he did not respond. “We have to get out of here.” I said in a hushed tone.

I knew that I couldn’t carry him back to camp, or let alone even pick him up an inch off the ground, but I didn’t want to leave him alone to get help.

I grabbed his shoulder and slipped my other hand under his back lifting him up to where he was somewhat sitting up. Then I stood to my feet and placed each hand under his arms, dragging him against the darkened earth.

It wasn’t until a few drags when I heard something growl from across us. I didn’t stop, instead I dragged faster trying to greaten our distance. Just then the growling creature revealed itself prowling out of the wooded trees that had kept it hidden before. My eyes slightly widened at the sight of the beast. It stood large on all four paws (more like claws), it looked that mixed of a lion and a werewolf.

Its fur was black and smooth with a rough thick maybe. Its eyes were large and sharp and shown a deadly green in the darkness of the dawn. The creature bared its yellow terrifying fangs letting out a deep shiver-giving growl. I felt my heart skip a beat or two as I began to slow down, unsure of what to do, but then I was stopped when my back hit something almost soft.

I froze slowly turning around to be greeted by another animal the same breed as the other one. There was now two of them. I broke out in cold sweat, my heart rate accelerating, but I remained calm. “I’m not scared of anything.” I muttered to myself quietly.

The creature behind me sniffed me taking a long inhale before breathing cold air down my back, not to mention the smell was horrific. I nearly puked the creature bit the top of my shirt lifting me off my feet. I held on tightly to Daehyun, not wanting to lose or leave him. However, the beast was not pleased and shook its head, shaking Daehyun and I. But I held on with all my strength. Out of displeasure the creature threw me to the side forcing the two of us apart.

Daehyun fell straight down and I hit a tree before hitting the ground. The first beast made its way towards me while the second focused on Daehyun. I groaned in pain rolling over my stomach. “Daehyun~.” I moaned seeing the creature stalk towards him.

“Daehyun!” I snapped wincing in pain at the sudden outburst. Dang it! I didn’t have my spell book to find something to use to get Daehyun, at least, out of here. Or at least to make him conscious. “Think Jae, think.” I said to myself ignoring the east that was now circling me, my main focus was Daehyun.

I had focused mostly on healing spells, I mean we have a whole bunch of fighters we need someone or something that’ll revive us, in case someone was wounded. I know all of the healing spells by heart and actually made up my own. I only just started looking at combat ones, but they hadn’t stuck to me yet.

“Think Jae. J-Just do something.” I told myself noticing the creature’s mouth nearing Daehyun’s motionless body. I shot out my hand muttering random stuff only to have the blue mystic particles surround the creature’s head, hiding its face completely. The animal jumped frantically being unable to see.

Once the blue dust vanished the creature’s head was now that of a donkey. “Hm…that works.” I shrugged. The other creature growled at me, getting ready to pounce at any time. I struggled to get back on my feet only to slide back down. My back was in too much pain to move. I thought magical beings healed fast. I guess that only applied to vampires and stuff like that.

I tried to stand back up again, with a little help from the inner magical strength in me. This time I was able to stand with a not so sore back. Wow! It worked!

Just then the beast suddenly pounced at me. I quickly hovered my hands over my head defensively and to my surprise the creature never landed on me. Instead it hover over me by a blue sphere. I slowly moved my arms to see that it moved wherever my arms went. Sweet! I moved the creature over my head to the other side, a good distance away and it dropped.

The other beast with the donkey head growled, or neighed at me and started charging at me. I stood my ground a bit amused. Let’s see what else I can come up with.

However, the creature never reached me, instead it was rammed viciously to the side by something unseen. I stood there confused and slightly disappointed. It screamed terrifyingly, then it was silenced. It was dead.

That’s when I saw Jayde walk from the direction where the donkey-beast was rammed into. “Don’t get too crazy. Those last two movers were just by luck. I didn’t come, it wouldn’t torn your head off.” Jayde informed, dusting her hands off before I could say anything.

“Thanks.” I said blushing bashfully, I guess I was getting a bit carried away. The remaining creature growled at us, along with hisses that followed. “Ugh, I hate these things, they’re so useless.” Jayde said picking up a small stick and spit on it. Then she threw it at the beast forcing the creature to freeze and then melt eventually seeping into the black soil.

I quickly ran over to Daehyun who was still unconscious. I observed his body for any broken bones…anything. I didn’t understand why he was out here in the first place, anything could happen ANYTHING! Why is he unconscious? What happened? “Why won’t you wake up?” I cracked a lump forming in my throat, tears appearing in my eyes.

“He’s healed he had a sprained ankle from the fall, but I fixed it.” Jayde assured me. I just looked up at her with watery eyes, that didn’t help much. I wanted to know why he was unconscious and if he’d wake up. “Let’s take him to camp.” She spoke calmly picking him up, carrying him bride style. I slowly nodded, standing, following behind her to the camp.

By the time we arrived to camp everyone was already up. “Wh-What happened?” jasmine asked a bit nervous, spotting us first. But Jayde didn’t respond resting Daehyun on the ground. I just looked at Jasmine with water eyes. She got the hint and nodded sadly. “Lee…Kris.” Jayde called the tow over. Seconds later the said people joined us. “What’s up?” Kris said. “Lee get everyone ready. We’re leaving now.” Jayde ordered. Lee nodded and zoomed off.

“Kris you stay here and help Jae with Daehyun. You guys will leave last so that you have time to get ready. Daehyun will only be out for an hour or so. But he needs to be taken care of. It’s the gas.” Jayde informed. “What about you?” Kris asked. “I’m leaving first, I’ll make sure the pathway is clear for everyone to pass.” She said and with that she disappeared.

“Wow, no ‘goodbye’?” Kris muttered before turning his attention over to Dae. “So~, what happened to him?” Kris asked me, but I was too choked up to say anything. “Alright.” Kris sighed in understanding. He observed Daehyun’s body feeling his pulse, and searching for any bruises, cuts, or broken bones.

“His pulse is weak, but everything else is fine.” He informed. I just shook my head, running my fingers through Daehyun’s hair, his skin was cold. “Why is he unconscious?” My voice cracked. “Jayde said that he will be out for only an hour or so.” Was Kris’s response. I felt my breathing get heavier. That’s not what I wanted to hear, that didn’t answer anything.

First he was sick and weak, then he was better, and now he’s suddenly unconscious?! It made no sense. “Why…is he unconscious?” I asked again more stern and cold. Kris reached out placing his hand on top of my own. “Youngjae you need to calm down.” He spoke calmly. “Calm down? Calm down?! How are you going to tell me to calm down?!” I suddenly burst.

“Youngjae.” He said his voice still calm. “No. Y-You don’t understand! You’re not as close to Daehyun as I am to him! You’re not close! You don’t know what it’s like to lose someone close to you! The only person you ever loved. You don’t know what it’s like! And you don’t want to know.” My voice became weaker the more I talked. “Youngjae…I understand how you feel.” Kris spoke darkly.

“Being a shadow seeker isn’t all that easy you know. We have cool, awesome, lethal powers. Powers that are impossible to combat against. But anything can easily kill us if we’re not careful.” He said. I looked at him strangely with mess eyes, unsure of where he was going with this. “Don’t worry I have a point to this story.” he assured.

“…There’s only 12 of us now. Maybe even one or two more who might’ve joined the DM that we don’t know about…” he continued. “Do you know what it’s like seeing your friends and neighbors die in vain?” Kris said looking at me, his eyes had turned a dark gray, gloomy color.

“The DM launched a surprise attack on us years ago. This was before word got to everyone about what the DM was planning. We were their first target, after that town we went through. It went on for 3 days. Nobody could get far, we were confined to one area, so we were forced to hide and survive. The first day no one, I was truly close to, died. I was probably 9 or 10 at the time. The second day I lost my parents, and a few of my friends.” He said. “I’m…I’m sorry.” I choked with sympathy.

“Don’t be, yes I was sad, but I didn’t have time to mourn for them, I knew I had to get out of there. My number one priority was to keep my 5 year old sister safe, no matter what. I couldn’t let her die, I had to save her life.” Kris froze for a second.

I noticed a lump form in the middle of his throat, his eyes began to get glossy. “She was terrified and confused, but I told her not to be afraid. I told her not to trust anyone, not to trust anyone but me. A few more of my friends died that day. Though I was sad I was just glad that my sister was unharmed. We were so close to escaping…” His voice became shaky.

“Still to this day I don’t know what happened. I-I don’t know how I failed her. I had every single plan full proof. Nothing could have gone wrong. I was 100 percent sure that nothing would go wrong. But something happened. The last time I looked back, I saw her being dragged away, crying out my name.” I noticed a stay tear abandon his left eye. He wasn’t looking at me anymore, instead he was looking down to the side.

“I ran to go back to her, but one of my friends had come just in time, Tao. He stopped me pulling me back…I wasn’t able to do anything but watch her horrific death. I can still hear her cries calling me to save her.” He finished.

It was silent for a good minute or so. I was beginning to feel a little guilty for saying that he didn’t understand. “That’s my motivation.” He said looking at me. “No matter what I will make them pay for all they’ve done. Not just to me but everyone else they’ve hurt.” He said determination returning to his voice. “I’m sorry for saying that you don’t understand. You must’ve been through much worse.” I apologized sincerely.

He put a hand on my shoulder. “No one’s situation is worse than anybody else’s. A loss is terrible no matter how it happened or how many people were lost. That’s way it’s important to fight for everyone’s losses, so we won’t fight selfishly.” Kris said.

‘I lost my mother not so long ago, about a month or so. I’m not completely over it.” I sighed feeling tears return to the wells of my eyes. Kris slowly removed his hand. “I’m sorry for your loss.” He said out of empathy. All I could do was sniffle, why do I keep crying like this? “I’ll be fighting for your mother too.” He smiled brightly. I nodded. “I’ll fight for the Shadow Seekers, including your parents and friends…especially for your sister.” I struggled to say forcing a smile.

The Shadow Seeker looked around to see that everyone else was now gone. “Hm, I wonder how long they were gone.” He said standing up. I stood up as well. “They can’t be too far, if they are then Jayde will find us.” He said picking Daehyun up. “Unless we’re supposed to be lost.” He remarked positioning Daehyun before securing him on his back.

I couldn’t help but chuckle light heartedly at the remark, before following behind him and Daehyun. Talking to Kris actually made me feel a little better. He’s a pretty cool person, nothing ever really seems to bring him down. Now that I think about it, he’s the only one who hasn’t broke down or shown any sad emotions. I couldn’t help but be thankful that he was on our team. He’s like the glue that holds us together. He’s pretty open, optimistic, brave, funny, care-free, and caring. “Thank you Kris.” I said quiet enough for him not to hear.

It didn’t take long for us to catch up with the others. “So what’s the sitch?” Kris asked walking up to Lee who led the way. I stayed by him, standing on the opposite side of Lee, caressing Daehyun’s hair, his skin felt bit warmer, but he was still pale and his pulse weak, though it was a little stronger than before.

“The trail will get more dangerous up ahead.” Lee answered. “How close are we?” Kris asked. “We’re about halfway there…but there might be a detour, so Jayde said not to get comfortable.” He said. “Like we can.” Kris remarked sarcastically.

We walked for what seemed like hours. I remained by Kris’s side caressing Daehyun’s hair and soft cheek. I was silent, no one talked to me, which I was thankful for. I just wanted to stay silent and not think about much, but just focus on Daehyun. Kris and Lee didn’t exchange much words, leading the group in silence.

Lee seemed serious and focused while Kris was focused but looked a little bored. I looked back to see Min and Tae playing around in their puppy dog form, jumping around Jasmine, who would pick them up every now and then and tickle their soft, plush tummies. Jongup was walking besides her carrying a sleeping Himchan on his back. Jongup is a pretty strong person, this was the first time I’ve noticed his muscles, I guess because he was wearing a sleeveless shirt.

Junhong lagged behind with a sadden expression that he’s had ever since we left Bang behind. I felt really bad for him, even though I about it, I knew how much he like Yongguk, even if he bashfully denied it. My heart broke for him.

I was about to turn around and join Zelo when suddenly, Daehyun randomly jumped off of Kris’s back landing on his bottom. “What the?” lee said as he and Kris stopped to see what happened.

“Whoa! What a rush!” Daehyun said rubbing his head. “Didn’t he fall on his ?” Lee remarked. Kris nodded. “Then why is he rubbing his head?” lee asked. Kris just shrugged. “Humans make no sense.” The vampire remarked shaking his head. “Daehyun. Are you okay?” I asked him concerned, when really I actually felt excited and relieved.

“Youngjae!!” Daehyun suddenly burst jumping to his feet, giving me an excruciatingly tight bear hug. “Daehyun…” I chuckled a little. “I love you Youngjae.” He muffled in my neck. “I love you too.” I said feeling my eyes burn. Not again! “Hmm~, something isn’t right.” Lee said suspiciously.

“What isn’t? Daehyun asked the vampire, looking at him while still holding onto me. Lee seemed to be pondering about something but decided not to share it. “Nothing, let’s keep moving.” He said walking again. Daehyun let go of me and slipped my hand in his, humming as we walked.

I couldn’t help but share the same thoughts as Lee. Something really didn’t feel right, but I felt like I had more information than he did. This is the second time Daehyun went off at night.

“Um…Daehyun.” I said. “Yes JaeJae?” he asked cheery and all. “Where did you go last night?” I asked him. He thought for a bit furrowing his brow. “I don’t…I don’t remember.” He said. “You don’t remember?” I repeated, he didn’t remember last time either. “I was just going to go out for a walk…but that’s it."