The first few moments after you wake up are the worst. You’re drowsy, your body is stiff and you feel like you’re dying of thirst. So when I open my eyes as I wake up, already hating the fact I had to wake up, the fact that there were three pairs of eyes looking at me really didn’t help matters. Groaning, I sit up quickly, causing the three of them to jump back quickly.

“See we didn’t even have to wake her,” Jongdae says, holding his arms up. His voice louder than it should be around someone who’s just woken up.

“We have to wake her so she can get some dinner,” Chanyeol explains, “She’s probably starving.”

“Well then why did we let her sleep all day, again,” Jongdae asks, throwing his hands in the air.

Baekhyun slaps his arm lightly, “Because she was tired.”

“I’m right here,” I say with a groan, pouting at them.

“Well it’s time to wake up,” Baekhyun says, filling the room with light. About twenty little orbs float close to the ceiling, looking like stars.

“Fine,” I say, getting up and finally stretching. I wouldn’t have been able to go back to sleep with the light in here anyways. Besides, I am actually starving. “Can I shower or something? Anyone have a spare toothbrush?”

“Alright here,” Jongdae says, shaking a backpack before turning and walking towards the door.

“And where exactly is the bathroom with the showers,” I ask, quickly following behind him as Baekhyun links his arm with mine and Chanyeol follows.

“They’re community showers,” Baekhyun explains, “This building use to be one of those fancy rich kid schools. Abandoned, but it’s our home. If you promise not to run away, I can show you around!”

I smile at his bubbly attitude, because he was just so happy and it was honestly infectious. Even in the situation I was in, I couldn’t help but smile.

“Not by yourself you’re not,” A voice states from ahead of us.

I look up and see Sehun. Before I could say something Baekhyun lets go of my hand, running down the hall and, quite literally, throwing himself at Sehun. “Sehunnie, why would I not be allowed to show her around,” the pout on his face was adorable.

“You could if someone else is there, but not by yourself. You’re literally the only one of us who she could escape from,” Sehun says, rolling his eyes. “Hyung, stop,” He says, pushing Baekhyun’s face away from his arm as the shorter man tried to bite it.

“That’s not true,” He whined, giving up on biting Sehun as we catch up with them. He lets go of Sehun and links his arm with mine.

“How would you stop her if she tried to run,” Chanyeol asks, “You’re an awful shot, so you’d most likely shoot her in the damn head when aiming for the leg. You’re awful with weapons. You could blind her, sure, but she’s smart enough to cover her eyes.”

“She also happens to be smarter than you,” Jongdae teased, laughing as Baekhyun hit him for his remark.

The back and forth between the men who accompanied me got louder and louder as time went on. They acted like brothers, making fun of one another and playfully hitting each other, and I couldn’t help but think it was rather cute. I find myself understanding why my mom wanted to help them. Seeing them like this, joking between friends, it’s hard to see them as criminals.

“Here we go,” Chanyeol says, opening the door.

I peek my head in and my jaw drops. The floor was marble, white and cleaner than I expected. I walked in looking up and seeing nice light fixtures hanging from the ceiling. The right wall was lined with multiple sinks and one long, continuous mirror. The walls here tiled with black and white tiles that created an intricate triangular geometric design. The left and back wall was lined with doors, ten in total, though after about ten feet up, the walls stopped and there was no roof except the one over the whole room. One on the back wall had steam coming from it, the sounds of someone showering echo in the room. I took a few steps, peeking in the first stall and saw that there was a small space that you can get dressed, and a huge shower that had multiple shower heads and a bench in it to sit down. It had a glass door separating the shower from the changing area, so that water didn’t get all over everything.

“The stuff you’ll need is here. Jongin will take you so you can get some things from your apartment later tonight.” Jongdae hands me the backpack before turning and walking out the room as the other three swiftly follow him.

I shake my head, quickly entering the stall. Turning on the shower, let it heat up as I look at the stuff in the backpack. Hairbrush, hair ties, toothbrush, toothpaste, clothes that looked like my mom’s, socks, soap, shaving razor, shampoo and conditioner. Setting it all in, I quickly shower, scrubbing the small flakes of dried blood off that somehow were still on my hands and under my nails.

My thoughts drift to what my coworkers thought as I missed today’s shift. Someone must have taken my phone, since no one called me. I wondered if they were worried for me. I know a few of them would try to check on me, but do they really care? Would they really care if I went missing if they knew I was lying the whole time? Junmyeon said that they were suspicious of me since my mother died… would they have come after me if this didn’t happen? Would I have been taken to some secret place to be executed? Or would they have kept me and tested on me.

My thoughts were shattered after I hear a soft voice singing. I couldn’t make out what he was saying, however, since I didn’t know the language. Though, I didn’t really need to, as the voice calmed my panicking thoughts and help me relax.  Just as I was getting completely calm, the voice stopped. Part of me wanted to call out and tell whoever it was to not stop, but the thought alone embarrassed me beyond belief. It doesn’t take me long to finish my shower, the hot water relieving some of the tension in my neck and shoulders. Once I was completely clean the emptiness of my stomach became too hard to ignore, I shut off the shower and got dressed. I could hear one of the sinks on and someone brushing their teeth as I open the door.

“Oh, Y/N,” the voice mumbles, a little bit of foam by his mouth.

Leaving the stall, I look up and smile. Of course the peaceful, tranquil song came from him. It made complete sense, honestly. He looked embarrassed, looking down and trying to avoid my gaze.

I walk over to another sink, “Hi, Yixing.” My smile was wide, trying to free him from his embarrassment.

He smiled at me, his mouth full of toothpaste. “Oh,” He said, spitting the foam out and rinsing his mouth out, “Sorry. I suppose I was a bit lost in my own world when you came in. I didn’t hear you at all…”

“Which is a feat, since four of the loudest people I’ve ever met escorted me here,” I say with a laugh. I don’t know what it was, but it was like he had this aura of peace around him that made me feel fine. Like I could talk to him, which is a lot to me, since the only person I ever felt like that with was my mom.

“Baekhyun, Jongdae, Chanyeol and little baby Sehun,” He asks, giving an awkward laugh before rinsing his out of the rest of the toothpaste. He rinses his toothbrush out, before slipping it in a holder that rested on one of the sinks. Each sink had them, some with two, one, and some with none.

I nod, getting my toothpaste and toothbrush. “Little baby Sehun?”

“He’s the youngest. Sometimes you can’t tell, but other times he acts like it.”

That was shocking to learn. He looks like he could be one of the oldest. “Hows your arm,” I ask before I start to brush my hair.

“It’s fine,” He says, a slight grimace as he moved his right arm.

“Liar,” I say, “Remember it’s no use in lying around me.” I wag my finger at him, a habit I shared with my mother.

“Ok, fine,” He says, a blush on his cheeks, “It hurts. A lot.” Yixing looked like the most innocent person to ever exist in that moment. He wore black sweatpants and a white loose v-neck tee, and I take it as a sign he was going to take it easy for a while.

After a few minutes of silence, I finish brushing my teeth before throwing my hair into a messy bun, “Let me see it.”

“What,” He says, looking at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“Your shoulder,” I explain, a smile fighting its way on my face, “Can I see it? To see how it’s healing?”

“Oh, right…Um, sure,” He stammered.

I suppressed the laugh that wanted to fight its way out. Yixing was embarrassed and he looked so cute when he was. Before he could move, I take the neckline of his tee and pull. It was a v-neck, so I was able to see the stitches. “What the ,” I stuttered, looking at it, “It’s… almost ready to take the stitches out? How?”

“Um… well,” He explains as I let go of his shirt. He looks down, his cheeks turning red as he ran a hand through his wet hair. “You see, while I can’t heal myself with my power, I do heal faster than other people, but only if I rest, as in, bed rest. Not moving, just laying there either sleeping or thinking. After you fell asleep yesterday and Kyungsoo took you to your room, I’ve pretty much slept non stop.”

Nodding, I shrug, “For the best, really. You have to be in an awful amount of pain right now.” I quickly gather my things, “Well, still, while you are healing much faster than normal, please don’t rip your stitches. You’d still be in big trouble if you do.”

“Could I still die if I did,” He questions loudly, his face covered in shock and worry.

“Only if I ruin more clothes making to put you back together again.” I laugh, “Now, um, can you show me where the food will be? I am starving.”

He smiles, flashing that adorable dimple at me, “Of course! Here, let me,” He says, taking my backpack from me and putting the shoulder strap over the one that isn’t injured.

My face can’t help but smile. I follow him as he explains to me what is where. He was very kind, and polite. He seemed as soft as a lamb on the inside and out. I couldn’t help but to wonder how someone like him could be some bad criminal, but perhaps he’s just better at hiding it. I couldn’t help but to remember all the scars on his chest and stomach when I was working on his shoulder.

Not all books are like their cover, I remind myself. He probably is a murderer like most of the rest of them, but given the hand they’ve all been dealt, that fact doesn’t scare me as much as it should. I’ve always been sympathetic to Inhumans, even before I knew I was one. Just because people are scared of them doesn’t mean they should all die. Sure, they’ll be some bad ones, but there will be plenty of good ones too. Plus I’m sure there are plenty of Inhumans who have powers that are harmless, like mine.

“And here,” Yixing says, opening a door on the left, “Is our dining room.”

It was smaller than I expected for a school this size, so this must not be the school dining room. The floor was dark marble, the table in the middle of the room was massive, looking like it could fit 20 people. It was made of dark wood with matching chairs, and more extravagant than anything I could have hoped to own. Two chandeliers hung from the ceiling, they were silver and lit the room, though two of the bulbs were out.

Eight bodies were at the table, already eating. They were all dressed casually, Jeans and tshirts. Most of them were loud, having a laugh and joking. It was like seeing a family.

“This is one of the few staff dining rooms,” Yixing explained as we both walked closer.

“Y/N,” Baekhyun yells, “Come sit next to me! Hurry before all the chicken is gone!”

I sat and ate quietly, just watching these men talk and care about each other. If I didn’t know any better, this would be like a group of guys going out and having a meal together, just… normal. I find myself being quiet, but enjoying their back and forth.

“Y/N!”

I look up, seeing Sehun looking at me from across the table, “Um… yes?”

“How old are you,” He inquires, leaning back in his chair, his plate completely empty of food.

Minseok laughs, “You just hope she’s younger than you so you’re no longer our maknae!”

“She’s a surgeon,” Junmyeon says with a smile, “I highly doubt she’s younger than our Sehunnie.”

Sehun rolls his eyes at them, “Nayeon said she was young, so I was just curious. After going through that much schooling she’d have to literally be a genius to be younger than me.”

“I’m 24,” I say, “I turn 25 in a little over a month. In November.”

“So she’s younger than Xiumin, Suho, and Lay,” Baekhyun says, “But older than the rest of us! See, I told you she was a noona to me!”

Jongin sees my confused face, “Our codenames. Minseok is Xiumin, as you know. Junmyeon hyung is Suho, Yixing hyung is Lay.”

“What’s yours,” I ask, finishing my food.

“Kai.”

“And,” Baekhyun interrupts, “Kyungsoo is D.O, Jongdae is Chen, Chanyeol doesn’t really have an official one, but when we talk over comms, we often just call him goof, since he’s super goofy. We call Sehun Maknae over the comms because he can’t pick a name.”

“So what do they call you, then,” I ask, leaning against my hand.

“The light of their lives,” He says with a smirk.

“Absolutely not,” Kyungsoo says with a smile. “We mostly just say, ‘HQ’ when we want his attention.”

“Which is boring,” Baekhyun whines, leaning back in his chair.

The conversation flowed, other members making suggestions for Beakhyun’s name. From ‘Sunshine’ to ‘Annoying loud mouth’. The conversation comes to an end as Jongin stands, pointing at me, “Well, Y/N, we’re going to go to your place to grab some of your things.”

“Besides clothes, what should I get,” I ask, looking between them all.

Junmyeon smiles, though it was more sad than happy. “Honestly, whatever you deem important. You might need to take a few trips.”

“Why?”

Baekhyun places a hand on my shoulder, “My job isn’t just comms. I hack into things. Security cameras, emails, and… well… police mainframes. The hospital filed a missing person’s report, and two people in the alley where Jongin got you also filed an official report of Inhuman activity. The police chief ordered them to test your blood that you donated in the last blood drive a week ago. They’re onto you being an Inhuman…”

“So it’s best you take anything that has sentimental value,” Kyungsoo says, not meeting my gaze.

A long sigh left my lips, so I stand, looking over at Jongin before nodding, “Alright. Let’s go.”

“You’re not upset,” Yixing asks, frowning.

“Why be upset. It’s happening. My being upset isn’t going to stop it,” I say, giving him a smile, though it doesn’t reach my eyes. I was sad, but I just have to go with the flow. “But… if I could ask a favor?”

“Anything,” Junmyeon exclaims, “Just say the word.”

“Can I… stay in a different room please,” I ask, my voice barely over a whisper.  Everyone was silent in the room for the first time since I’ve been in here. “That one was my mom’s, I can tell and I just… I just can’t deal with…” I stop, knowing if I kept speaking, tears would fall down my face.

“We’ll prepare another room for you, no problem,” Chanyeol says, a big grin on his face. “There’s a pretty prime room next to the kitchen that’s open, after all.”

“One on the second floor, too,” Jongdae adds with a grin. “Some rooms are used for other things and some don’t make for good bed rooms, but I think there is a few to choose from.”

“The one on the second floor sounds fine.” I nod, “Thank you.”

Before anyone spoke anymore, I walked over to Jongin. Before I knew it, we were right in front of my apartment. He warned me to keep the lights off so that no one will be suspicious. He held up his hands, holding my set of keys. It didn’t take long. He went back and forth and dropped off bags of clothes as I packed up mementos and photo albums. After Jongin took those, I backed up my favorite quilt that my mom and grandmother made for me before they passed, my old fluffy stuffed elephant that I had since I was a child, and a necklace my mother gave me when I was in high school.

“Alright,” I said, looking at him as I stand in the hallway to the left of the front door. It suddenly felt bare in my home. After moving all that means a lot to me, this was just an apartment. And empty, lifeless apartment.

He nods, taking my hand in his. Suddenly, we hear someone messing with the lock of the front door. It opened, I see bright lights from flashlights before I’m back at their hideout. “That was a bit too close,” He says, holding his head as he leaned against the closest wall.

I figured the limit to his power was if he used it too many times too quickly, the dizzier he got, since I noticed him stumble the time before this one. Looking around, I noticed we were in the new room. It was just as small as the last one, but it had a window. The bed was made and everything I backed was sitting to the side, but not blocking the door to the bathroom.

“This use to be the upper nurse’s office,” Minseok says with a laugh, completely unfazed that Jongin and I appeared out of no where. “Pretty funny that it’ll be your room now.” He was flipping through one of the photo albums.

Sehun was standing next to him, looking over his shoulder, “Braces, huh? Wow. AND glasses?”

“My teeth are perfect now and I had laser eye surgery a few years ago,” I say, trying to keep my emotions in check. “And I suppose you can call this a doctor’s office now.”

“You were adorable as a baby, Noona,” Baekhyun giggles, sitting on a desk that was against the wall next to the door. Another photo album open on his lap. “Look at those cute chubby cheeks!”

I set the quilt and elephant on my bed, moving to the desk to place the necklace on top of it. Baekhyun peeked at it “It says something. ‘Though she be little she is fierce’, huh, what is that from?”

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Shakespeare,” Junmyeon states, from the doorway. “Act three, I think.”

“You would know that, bookworm,” Sehun jested, smirking at him. Junmyeon just ruffled his hair, smiling at him.

“My mom gave it to me when I was 12. The kids at school were picking on me because I was so much shorter. Being moved up a few classes didn’t help matters on that, to be fair,” I say, keeping the smile on my face even if I so desperately wanted to cry.

Everyone was there, and they helped me unpack and rearrange everything. Except Yixing, whom I made sit on the chair at the desk. Soon, the room was looking better as I hung some fairy lights around the room. They were white and purple, and went around the whole room. It was finally feeling cozy as I yawn, sitting down on the bed. I did nothing at all but sleep and eat and yet I was exhausted. I suppose it was because I was emotionally drained.

A few minutes later, after everyone started to filter out, the only one left in the room was Yixing, who was still sat at the desk. “Are you ok,” I inquired, glancing towards his shoulder.

“Um, yeah. We got some pain medication for me, so it’s fine. But… well… are you ok?” He asks, looking at me with concern. His hands were playing with one another. It seemed like it was a nervous tick that he couldn’t stop.

“Yeah, completely,” I lie, but my facade is perfect. People can never catch me when I’m lying. I know all the tells and avoid doing them.

“You’re lying,” He says, shaking his head. “While I can’t tell when someone is lying, I can heal people, and I’m aware of their health. That also includes their mental health and you… you’ve been extremely sad, and I know it’s probably because you haven’t really mourned your mother.” He stands, walking towards the door. His body was rigid, his hands now shaking. “I know you want to be left alone, so I will, but know that I’m sorry.” His voice cracked as he spoke the last sentence. He was completely tense and refusing to look back at me, his eyes locked onto the wall outside my door.

My words were caught in my throat. I try to keep the tears from falling, from completely breaking down in front of him. When I could finally speak, it comes out very uneven, “Why are you sorry?”

Yixing looks back and I see a bitter smile, “If we didn’t need a doctor for me, your mother would be alive. But we went to find someone to help me one day and she immediately said yes and got mixed up in our lives.” He laughed, though it was empty, “She was happy, helping us, even though she knew what we were doing. She believed in equality for us… for you, and she wanted to see it happen in her life but now she can’t.”

“She was killed in a car accident,” I whisper, my hands fidgeting with the hem of my shirt.

Yixing shakes his head, turning to look out the door again. “They found out that she was helping us… so they made it look like an accident, it happens all the time. Why do you think politicians who voice pro equality views suddenly end up dead? They fear us so much that they’d kill innocent people.” He looks at me once again, “Y/N… they fear us, and there is no stronger weapon of hate than fear, because it rationalizes everything, even killing innocent people and children.”

Tears finally fell from my eyes. My heart was ripped into millions of pieces the day she died. She was the only person I had in my life. The only one who cared about me, who understood me… and someone took her from me. They wanted to kill her. The realization hit me about why Yixing was telling me this. He felt completely guilty. Like it was his fault she was dead. “Yixing, it’s not-” I look up to tell him, only to see an empty room before me.

I laid in bed, looking up at the ceiling, clutching the stuffed elephant to my chest. Silent tears fell from my eyes and for this moment, I felt so alone. It broke my heart to think that someone like Yixing would blame himself for something he couldn’t control. “It’s not your fault Yixing,” I whisper to the silence of my room, hoping that he’d somehow hear me and know I didn’t blame him one bit.