Chapter 23: 19:28 – A Countdown to First Death [04:32am]

Seungho POV

It was a little surprising to see Joon reemerge, blinking owlishly against the brightness of the stage. I hadn’t expected him to have the courage to return. I rose from where I had been rubbing G.O’s back, trying to get him out of that shocked stupor. 

“Joon?” I tilted my head. For a second I worried that it might possibly be a hologram. But his words directed to me dispelled that thought.

“Hey Seungho,” he ducked his head in greeting. “Um…do you mind if I have a word with Byunghee for a bit.”

I looked from Joon to G.O. Was it safe to leave the two alone?

“It’s okay Seungho,” G.O touched me softly with one hand. His voice sounded exhausted. "Go to Thunder. He's still cuffed to the chairs."

“Okay,” I nodded and stood up. “But you two, please. No more fighting.” I looked Joon straight in the eye, daring him to argue elsewise. He gave me a short bob of the head and a, “Yes. I promise. I just want to talk. No more punches.”

I took his word. “Got it.” I clasped a hand on his shoulder, promising him untold dangers if he did not abide by my words and then strode off the stage, leaving behind a storm that I had no idea which way it would turn.

Joon POV

I gulped.

Now that the moment had arrived, I had no idea what to actually say. On my short walk to the stage, I had prepared so many lines of apologies. Of questions. But they had all flown out of the window the minute Seungho had looked me in the eye and made me promise that there be no more violence.

“Byunghee-“ I started, just as Byunghee went “Changsun-“

We both halted and stared at each other.

“Ah,” I gestured at him to continue just as he held out a hand, suggesting I do the same. We stopped and stared at each other again.

“Then,” I opened my mouth just as Byunghee said “I”.

We both stopped. And then we couldn’t help but laugh. It felt warm and friendly, like a summer storm had swirled though, the sun still shining and the rain but a gentle shower. It threw me back to those times when we had been ten years old and nothing in the world, not hunger nor pain, could destroy our brotherly relationship.

“Byunghee, I’m sorry,” I said. It had to be me first.

He stared at me. “I’m to blame as well.”

I shook my head. “But I nearly killed you. I’m sorry for not listening to you that time, for attacking you without second thought. I let my emotions get the better of me.”

Byunghee quirked that unique smile of his. “I too, apologize for not listening to you that night. My emotions also got the better of me.”

I could only laugh. “It seems Byunghee that like always, we’re too alike.”

He joined in with my laughter. “It seems so. We’re both too hot-headed and quick to act first and think later.” Then his smile vanished. “But I’m sorry. Really. I should have done something, anything. If I had acted, your sister would be alive today…”

I shook my head. “You were right Byunghee. You were unconscious. Say what you will, but don’t say it like a man hwa and go all ‘I should have used my willpower to wake up faster’. You know that that’s impossible and I know that if you had woken earlier, you would have done something. And that’s enough.”

Byunghee stood up and searched my eyes. “Is it Changsun? So much happened and it’s because I joined the BlackBeards. I started everything,” he heaved a sigh. “I caused the both of us so much pain.”

“Hey,” I leaned forwards and wrapped one arm around him in a brotherly hug. He sniffed and responded, pulling me in tight. “It’s okay.” I rubbed his back soothingly. “We can’t change the past, but at least now we know the truth. Can we go back to what were so long ago?”

He smiled. “Brothers?” he held out a hand.

I grasped it. “Brothers.”

His smile broadened and he pulled me roughly into another bear hug. “I missed you.”

“Ouch!” I hissed as his shoulder came in contact with my left cheek. It stung and Byunghee pulled back almost immediately.

“What’s wrong?” his eyes were scanning my body immediately. They focused on my cheek, still a little red. With one hand he touched it gently. “What happened? The ringmaster?”

“No,” I shook my head. “Mir.”

“Huh?” It was clear from his disdainful expression that he thought it impossible for that little softie to cause any physical damage.

“Ahh,” I gave him a sheepish grin. I didn’t know how to explain this one. “He ah…was scolding me for running away. I kind of told him our pasts and got worried that I was the wolf. And he told me off and slapped me to boot.”

That had Byunghee chortling. “Ahaha, I see that kid’s got you in line!” he teased. “What happened to the Changsun I knew?! Partner in crime? Always tough and always scaring others off with your dark glare and moody words?”

“Oh shut up Byunghee,” I turned my face away, feeling it heat up. “I wasn’t that bad…was I?”

That set Byunghee off again. “Oh you were. Looks like that kid's got a good grasp on your heart.”

I flushed red. “It’s not like that!”

“It’s everything like that!”

“Oh bones,” I cursed. Once Byunghee got started, he never stopped. I stepped away from him as he doubled over with mirth. “Hey Byunghee, so tell me. I wished for change. What wish did you ask from the ringmaster?”

He stopped laughing and stood up straight. “Oh,” he gave me a sad smile. “I asked him to-“

Thunder POV

“Hyung!” I called out as Seungho jogged over. 

“Thunder!” Seungho said. “I was worried about you!” He slowed to a stride, eyes taking in the silver cuffs that still held me tight to the chair. Somehow Mir had gotten free, but mine were still as tight as an octopus' eight tentacled grip. 

“Sorry hyung,” I apologized. “I got a little...held up." 

“It’s okay,” he said and ruffled my hair. “Let's see..." He leaned down to touch the cuffs, tapping them as if they held a secret button and like magic, they slid back, retracting deep into the plush red seats. 

"Thanks hyung," I smiled, massaging my aching wrists. 

Seungho just shook his head. "I didn't do anything," he said. "They just retracted of their own will." 

"Thanks anyway," I said. "For coming for me."

"It's nothing kid," he extended a hand and I took it. 

“So hyung? Where’s G.O and Joonie-hyung? And Mir?" 

Seungho tilted his head towards the stage. "Those two are having a chat. Hopefully sorting things out. Mir is backstage I believe. Shall we go find him?" 

"Sure," I agreed and got to my feet. 

Mir POV

I heard footsteps from the entrance other than the stage. Whipping around, I saw two figures melt out of the darkness: Seungho and Thunder. Relief filled me.

"Mir," Thunder broke into a smile. "You're okay?" 

"Yeah," I nodded. "But i'm not the one we should worry about right now." My eyes flickered to the doorway of the stage and I knew the other two shared the same thoughts with me.

Seungho however tried to reassure me. "They look fine Mir. They were just talking."

I nodded along and tried to squash the fear in my heart. It would be alright. Changsun had promised me he wanted to resolve everything...but...but what if G.O - I mean Byunghee - didn't think the same? What if he launched an attack. Then Changsun-hyung would have to defend! Or what if he let Byunghee do what he wanted? What if- 

Bones. I really needed to shut up. 

"I'll go check out if they're done..." I said, worry overriding me. At least a glimpse of him would quell my fears. One steps, two, three. Almost at the door. By my side was Thunder, equally worried about the two. I could see their figures in the distant, small black lengths. 

“Mir-“ Seungho called out to me. But suddenly the corridor and the stage were plunged into darkness and we all froze.

Blackout.

“Thunder, Mir, don’t move!” instructed Seungho. His voice was like an anchor in the sudden flood of fear that rushed through me. Whitewashed and fast-flowing, I was threatening to be bowled over.“I’m sure the lights will come on in a second.”

I closed my eyes and tried not to shake. 

Seungho POV

One second, two, three. Time stretched into what felt like hours but must have only been half a minute. And then the lights flickered on and I looked around me.

“Finally,” I let out a sigh of relief. I didn’t want my dongsaengs to know of my fear of the darkness. “Let’s go check-“

A sudden scream pierced through the air. Shrill, painful and so, so much sorrow that it twisted my heart. I barely registered that I was alone in the corridor. Instead, I sped down the hallway, threw myself through the door and into the bright lights and was greeted with the most horrifying sight ever.

A body.

Lying face down on the polished wooden floors.

So still. So cold. Under all that light.

My eyes were drawn to the sliver of silver sticking out his back. A long knife, buried to its hilt in flesh. Blood soaked his white shirt, a butterfly blossom like a painting.

My hands flew to my mouth and I had the sudden urge to throw up. I fell to my knees.

The worst scenario had happened. Everything I had feared.

I heard unsteady steps leftwards of the body, Mir approaching the body. A thud as he crumpled over it. I felt the scream before I heard it. Saw the tears before they fell. Raw and primal. So much emotion.

Changsun, he screamed.