(E) Chapter 7                                                                                            The sound of the pitter pattering rain rang in Kai’s ears. To him, the sky was crying wand washing away all the hope he had. The tan skinned boy stood up slowly, feeling the gazes of Luhan, Baekyoung and Kris on him, knowing that they were thinking the same thing. There was no room for denial anymore, Kai knew that- but everything happened so quickly. A little bit too quickly for him to accept it right away. The silence was suffocating and Kai his lips, waiting for the older people to say the words he did not want to hear.   “We have to shoot him.” Kris finally said, looking down on the ground when Baekyoung silently stood up from the chair. Kai didn’t move, his expression still shocked when the stairs creaked and Baekhyun and Chen went down. The two had no idea what was going on but with the tense atmosphere, they stopped walking. “Did something happen?” Baekhyun asked and Baekyoung shot Baekhyun a glance, shaking his head to tell his brother not to ask. Baekhyun and Chen looked at each other when Kai stood up. His expression was still as still as ever and everyone found it scary. The boy moved to the door and nodded at Kris. “Let’s go.” Kris walked to the side and took the metal case, opening it. Inside were the silencers that Tao had brought back. The police man looked up at the rest and they all nodded, slowly moving and standing up to walk to the door. Chen and Baekhyun who were still in the dark of what happened walked after Baekyoung who turned to them and whispered as lowly as possible. “Tao just turned.” The rain was falling down hard but that did not stop Kai from trudging forward to the shed. He was by the door when Kris reached and just then they could hear growls and grumbles coming from inside the shed. His heart was beating in his chest and he couldn’t hear himself think with the nervousness of seeing Tao as someone different. Kai gritted his teeth, Luhan coming beside them to unlock the lock. The boy kneeled down and inserted a pin into the lock and Kai wanted him to take forever but in three seconds it was opened. Kris had appeared and removed the lock, Luhan standing away as all of them stood under the rain, their hands above their eyes to shield it from the rain.   “Graaaaaaassssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…” Tao’s wail became louder as the door unlocked and Kris paused, looking at the Kai who stood rooted at his spot unmoving. They were outside the shed but they could see Tao inside. The Tao now was not covered in blood, nor did he… seem like a zombie. But his eyes were different and the growls that escaped his lips were enough to confirm that he wasn’t the Tao they knew. “Graaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssshhhhhh….” Tao could be seen struggling against the ropes, his wrists turning bloody. His body leaned forward and it was like he was in need of flesh or blood. The evil in his eyes and the sudden change in his actions made Kai take a few steps backwards. Kris had his silencer ready and he looked over to Kai who still seemed in shock. “Kai…” Baekyoung started and Kai’s face started to change, the expression of sadness making Baekyoung stop talking. Instead the older boy patted Kai on the shoulder when Kris looked at Kai.   “We have to… It’s dangerous.” Kris said to Kai, readying the silencer and all Kai did was shake his head repeatedly, turning away from the shed not wanting to see the sight in front of him. His breathing became uneven and Kris also moved backwards seeing that Kai wasn’t ready. He grabbed Kai’s wrists, pulling the boy closer to him before talking. “Kai-yah… we have to.” “No…” Kai said again, shaking his head. “No, hyung. No.”   “We have to, Kai-yah…” Kris repeated and Kai shook his head again as if he was on autopilot. “No, hyung.. No. Not now.” Kai heaved and Kris stood up, deciding to do it. The faster they finished, the safer they were. They did not know the strength of these creatures and they didn’t know when Tao would be able to get away from the ropes. Kris stood up, taking a stride. He was good with guns and could aim from far, his skills making him able to get into the police force despite his lack of education at his age. The tall Chinese boy lifted the gun, and squinted- aiming for the head when Kai yelled. “NO!” Kai threw himself in front of Kris, widening his arms to block his aim when Kris’ expression turned annoyed. “Kai, move away.” Kris started but Kai refused, shaking his head from left to right over and over again. “Kai.” Kris’ voice hardened but that did not budge Kai who looked like he could care less if he was shot by the silencer. A sob left Kai and everyone watched as he did the thing they never thought he would.   Kai dropped on his knees in front of Kris, his rain covered body shaking from the sobs, his fingers grabbing the sand and holding onto it tightly. His lips kept repeating the same thing, his hands later coming up to position them against each other like he was praying. The tears had mixed with the rain and everyone watched as the strong Kai had completely broken down in front of them. “Please… please…” Kai whispered to Kris. “Please, Hyung. Please…” His voice shook and his head dropped on the floor, his arms going to clutch Kris’ ankles as a beg. Kai felt like the world was over, like he had lost a hundred things when he lost only one. His heart shattered into little pieces, and here he was, stepping on them so it hurt him even more. “Please, hyung… Please…” The boy on the ground kept begging, saying the same thing over and over again. Kai shook his head, not letting go of Kris who was baffled and had no idea what to do. Luhan felt his heart twist at the sight of Kai who, at the moment, did not care about whether he was doing the right thing or not. For the first time, Luhan who had not felt anything- felt like . “Please…” Kai uttered once more and Kris’ hand that was holding the silencer nodded, pocketing back the silencer. The older boy wiped away the rain that had slid across his forehead and dropped onto his knees so he was leveled with Kai, his hand going to Kai’s shoulder and pushing Kai towards himself. “I won’t…” Kris whispered to him and Kai’s sobs came out once more, his right hand going around Kris’ neck to clutch it tightly. He was relieved but that did not stop the fact that his best friend was now someone they could not talk to or even go near anymore. Kris felt sorry for the boy, patting Kai’s back that was arched. For that while, Kai had his forehead against Kris’ shoulder crying his heart out under the rain that refused to stop as everyone watched. Luhan had looked away, his eyes red. Even Baekhyun who was opposed of bringing Tao was crying, the boy wiping away the tears from his face as the rain came down harder. Chen who saw this touched Baekhyun's arm and Baekhyun looked at him, his face stained. Within a moment, Baekhyun was pulled in Chen’s arms and the boy wept against Chen’s shoulder.   Loss.   It was something they all had to go through, they knew it. But just because they knew did not mean that it was easy to accept. Kai’s body went limp, not wanting to move and Kris placed his hands on Kai’s shoulders to move him away, looking at his face. He was greeted by Kai’s closed eyes, Kris shaking Kai’s body. “Kai…Kai!” “He fainted, he hasn’t been getting any sleep.” Baekyoung spoke up seeing that Kai wasn’t moving or responding. Kris nodded, leaning down to lift the exhausted Kai, his footsteps bringing Kai back to the house while Chen followed, his hand rubbing Baekhyun's shoulder repeatedly. The remaining two went to the shed and with a final look at the turned Tao; they slid the doors shut- locking it up safely.   Kris had walked up, moving Kai to the bedroom and laying the boy on the bed. Looking at Kai, he felt his heart drop. With a sigh, he reached down and moved Kai’s hair away from his face. “Is he okay?” A voice sounded and Kris turned around surprised to see Luhan leaning against the doorway. Kris nodded, motioning to Kai who was on the bed. “Sleeping.” “Did you change him?” Luhan asked, walking in, slicking his wet hair back. He had already changed his clothes. Kris shook his head once more making Luhan wave a hand. “Go shower and change your clothes, you’ll catch a cold. I’ll change him.” Luhan reassured him and Kris heaved a breath, trusting Luhan with Kai. The tall guy left, leaving the room and closing the door behind him. Luhan walked to the bag of clothes and shifted through it, finding a T-shirt and pants that were bigger than Kai’s size. With a swift movement of his hand, he shook the T-shirt to make sure it was clean and walked to the bed, his hand lifting the hem of Kai’s shirt. “What are you doing…” Kai’s voice rumbled and Luhan sat down beside him. “You fainted, sit up and change your c