What If?
@melodicrosesojin
HANEUL WAS GRATEFUL THAT HE WAS BEING INTRUSTED BY GRIM TO TAKE ON MORE TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS AN UNDERSTUDY. NO MATTER HOW MUCH PRAISE THE YOUNG ANGEL RECEIVED FOR HIS DEDICATION, HE WAS STILL LEFT FEELING THAT HIS EFFORTS JUST WEREN'T ENOUGH. TO ASPIRE TO BE A PROTECTOR, YET FEELING HINDERED BY ALL THE FEARS THAT PLAGUED HIM. IT WAS ALMOST LIKE HIS FEARS WERE PERFECTLY PICKED AS A SICK JOKE.
TRAINING RAN LATE AS USUAL. AS SOON AS HANEUL GOT TO HIS BEDROOM HE FLOPPED ONTO HIS COUCH, BURYING HIS FACE INTO THE CUSHIONS. "...an angel that is afraid of heights??" HANEUL WHINED. HIS HAND REACHED INTO THE SMALL GAP BENEATH THE COUCH WHERE HE HID HIS LYRIC BOOK FROM HIS SISTER. A PEN BOOKMARKED WHERE HE LEFT OFF.
♪ What if I, What if I fall? ♪
HANEUL HUMMED THE CONCEPT OF A MELODY AS HIS MIND WONDERED AGAIN. Minnie hasn't checked in yet. I hope she doesn't stay out too crazy late.
HANEUL'S VOICE NO LONGER HAD TO COMPETE WITH DANCE TRACKS ONCE THEY WERE JUST OUTSIDE THE EXIT DOOR. THE PACE OF THE RHYTHMS ACTUALLY FELT LIKE THEY ADDED MORE TENSION TO THE SITUATION. IT WAS ONLY A MUFFLED HUM IN WHAT LOOKED LIKE A STAIRWELL WITH A STAIRCASE THAT LED TO THE ROOFTOP, AND ONE THAT LED DOWN TO THE DOOR TO ACCESS THE STREETS.
REFOCUSING ON SOJIN'S FACE HE NOTICED THE TEARS AND WRAPPED HIS ARMS AROUND HER. ONE OF HIS HANDS SOFTLY PATTED HER BACK. "You don't have to explain yourself to me. I wish you reached out sooner." INTERUPTED BY A LOUD BANG ON THE DOOR, A PAIN IN HANEUL'S BACK FOLLOWED AS THE STEEL DOOR SLAMMED OPEN ON HIM. THIS FORCED HIM TO FALL WHILE SOJIN WAS STILL IN HIS ARMS. HAN LOOKED BACK WITH FURROWED BROWS AND FELT HIS HEART DROP.
THE STRANGER HAD RETURNED, HOVERING OVER THEM WITH A BROKEN BOTTLE IN HIS HAND.
