Zitao gasps and scooches away from the two boys as fast as he can, resulting in him falling off the table he was on. He whimpers as they approach him.

"P-please don't hurt me...." he begs, "I don't know how I got out, I s-swear. P-please."

"We aren't going to hurt you Zitao," one says. Zitao whimpers as he leans down, "Chanyeol, you can leave now. Take Autumn with you."

"Autumn?" Zitao exclaims, then sees the other boy lean down and pick up her still form, "Autumn!"

He tries to get up and go to her, but he is held back by the first boy. He can hear Autumn moan a bit as the other boy, Chanyeol, carries her out.

"Don't hurt Autumn!" Zitao cries.

"Calm down, she's fine," the first boy soothes.

Zitao trembles and begins to panic as he feels his powers start to go out of control. They disappear as something cold wraps around Zitao's wrist. He could feel his powers writhing in protest inside of him. It hurt, and Zitao whimpers.

"Zitao, calm down," the boy orders.

The pain slowly dissipates and Zitao sighs in relief when it's gone.

"Are you hungry?" the boy asks, Zitao nods slowly. The boy smiles, his Dimples showing. He holds out a hand, "I'm Yixing."

Yixing...

Zitao's head begins to pound. And he closes his eyes tightly, not shaking Yixing's hand.

"I want Kris and Lulu and Autumn," he says in a pleading whisper, then opens his eyes, "Please."

"You can see Autumn, she's one of us now."

Zitao freezes. She was one of them?

"What does that mean?"

"Autumn agreed to join us, the Exo," the boy explains slowly, his demeanor slowly darkening, "We let her bring you back to life."

"Suho killed me..." Zitao mumbles.

"That was an accident Zitao," Yixing sighs, "As soon as it was over, Suho ran up to me with you in his arms. He didn't mean to kill you, but he was too late. He was really beat up about it."

"Still..."

"He acted out of anger. That doesn't justify what he did, but it does explain it," Yixing swallows, "Please Zitao, don't make us put you back in the basement."

Zitao shutters at the thought.

"I want Autumn...."

Yixing nods, "When she wakes up, you can talk to her," he smiles again, lifting Zitao up, "Before anything else, let's get some food into your stomach."

Zitao's mouth waters at the thought and he nods in earnest. Yixing leads him out of the room and down the hall. The smell of multiple seasonings fill his nose.

"Looks like Kyungsoo is making Jongin's favorite," Yixing comments, "Do you like rice?"

"I liked Autumn's when she and Kris made it..." Zitao trails off.

"Well, something tells me you'll like Kyungsoo's even more," Yixing states, "He burns our meat sometimes, but most of the time his food is amazing."

Yixing enters a room, Zitao follows. And his jaw drops.

He had never seen so much food in his life. Even when Kris's boss would let them eat after hours at the restaurant, never was there this much.

"Woah," he breaths, Yixing chuckles.

Yixing goes over to a huge refrigerator and opens it. After searching for a few moments, he pulls out a smallish container. He puts it in the microwave and heats it. The scent mixes with the spices and makes Zitao's stomach grumble in a demanding way.

After the microwave beeps, Yixing grabs utensils and sets the hot food on the counter.

"Dig in."

Zitao doesn't have to be told twice. He eagerly stuffs his face.

🔹🔹🔹🔹

Autumn groans as she feels herself being lowered down.

"You're awake already?" she recognizes the deep voice as Chanyeol.

"Mhmm," she moans, then heaves, "Toilet. Now."

He lifts her up swiftly and carries her over to the bathroom and unceremoniously drops her. She scrambles to the toilet and pukes.

"Um, Autumn, can I...?" Chanyeol begins to ask, Autumn waves him off.

Ugh, where is all of this coming from?

When she's done, she flushes the toilet and rinses her mouth. Then, still clutching her stomach, stumbles downstairs to the family room, where she assumed Chanyeol ran. She was correct. Chen, Xiumin, and Baekhyun were with him.

"Hey Nim-nim, do you feel better?" Chen asks in a gentle voice.

"Not particularly," she answers slowly, then turns to Chanyeol, "Sorry Chan."

He looks confused, "For what?"

"Getting sick and grossing you out."

Chanyeol shakes his head, "Don't be sorry. You're just not used to using your power that extensively. All of us have been through that stage at least once."

Her eyes widen in realization at the cause of her ailment.

"Did it work?!" she asks excitedly, the boys smile at each other. It made her nervous, as it wasn't a 'happy' smile. It was more of a smirk.

"Go check the kitchen," Baekhyun answers slowly.

She appears, and at the sight of the familiar tall, thin frame, she squeals.

"Z!"

He turns around and she tackles him in a tight hug. She could feel his ribs.

"Autumn!" Zitao cries, hugging her back. The return embrace was so weak, unlike when they had been living together with Kris and Lulu.

Kris and Lulu.

She breaks away and looks up at his face. His cheeks were so hollow, but his eyes were happy. He was happy.

"Autumn, do you want to talk to him alone?" Yixing asks, she nods. He leaves.

"Autumn! I saw the red haired one carrying you out and I thought you had died or something and I was freaking out then they told me you joined them and then Yixing brought me downstairs and he fed me and..."

"Slow down Z," she stops him quietly.

He tilts his head, "What's wrong Autumn?"

"Z, do you want to stay up here with me?"

He nods eagerly, "I want Kris and Lulu to come up too so it can be just like it used to."

Autumn takes a deep breath, gathering her energy for what she was about to do.

"Z, if you choose to join them and to stay up here, you won't be allowed to see Kris and Lu for a while," she tells him.

I have a plan Z. I just can't tell you yet.

Zitao looks around, confused as to what just happened.

"Eyes on me," she commands, and the realization comes to his face.

Say you'll join them, then you'll be safe up here with me. I'll get them out, I promise.

"So you have to choose. Me and luxury? Or them and pain?"

Z hesitates to answer, then nods, assuring her of his understanding of the situation.

"I choose you. I don't want to be hurt anymore."

She squeals and hugs him again.

"Come on, we have to tell the others!"

She drags him to the living room and informs the boys there. They whoop in an seemingly artificial joy.

Don't worry Kris and Luhan, I'll be coming for you soon.

🐢🐢🐢
Authors Note.
I believe this will be the last chapter for this book. It depends on whether I plan on making a trilogy or not, I'm in favor of the trilogy right now. Tell me your opinions please!
Don't forget to vote and comment!

(Ps. If I do make a trilogy, what should the title be for the next one? Give me ideas!)