Injurias Relictas

The Injuries Left Behind

(Part 1)

5:15 pm

Jungkook was left in the dark room, the corner of his forehead had hit the floor but he couldn't feel any pain; he could barely breathe. He could only hear the pounding in his ears, feel his blood boiling in his veins, and how he was slowly suffocating. His lungs weren't big enough for the air he needed; he gasped and gasped but no relief came. He felt like vomiting but refrained in fear. If his throat was obstructed for even a second, he would die.

There was too much energy in his body, so much so that he was shaking, unable to stand up or even sit properly. From time to time, he could feel a sudden build-up of ecstasy, but then it would leave and he would be left shaking in fear again. There were times when his thoughts were less scattered and he could make sense of what the words meant: "Where am I?", "What happened?", "What day is it?". But before he could think more about it, his eyes would roll back and his body would collapse, hot and bothered.

He was sure he heard a laugh, but he wasn't sure of it.

It was hot and then cold, it was pain and then pleasure, it was fear and then bliss, it was nausea... a lot of it. But it never came, and he never let it come.

He wanted to be touched...

He wanted to know where he was.

He wanted warmth against his skin...

He wanted to get out of whatever room he was in.

He wanted...

He was sure he'd spent hours and days in those highs and lows before it all stopped.

5:45 pm

At first, he was trying to use clarity to think. Then, he was waiting for the ecstasy to arrive. And, finally, the pain was so much that he was left begging for it to come.

But it never came.

Maybe another hour or two passed until he moved again. He was so cold so suddenly, but he was sweating like it was the hottest of days. His shirt felt disgusting against his skin so he took it off. He tried opening his eyes to see but it was so dark that he thought he'd gone blind. He knew he was in a room though his head was foggy, so he crawled onwards, trying to find a wall to lean against.

5:50 pm

He'd forgotten what he was looking for until his head hit something. He felt around and felt hollows on what he thought was the wall.

An Exit?

He extended his arm thru but knocked over some tiny glass bottles and stopped.

A kitchen?

Sliding a bit closer, his knees knocked against something and he lowered a hand.

Leather. Shoes. A closet? Was he in his closet at home? But he doesn't remember having gone to dinner. Was he being punished?

He heard a door being closed in the distance.

"Minus one point".

Jungkook jolted and turned around, slamming his back against the shelves. With harsh breaths, he remembered where he was. But the slower his breathing became, the slower his brain seemed to be as well until he was doubting... where was he?

He concluded waiting for someone else to open the door to where he was, only then would he remember who was punishing him. If he heard the door being unlocked, someone else closed it, but if it was open, he had closed it himself. And if he had closed it himself and he was in his house, the maids would open it to call him for dinner.

He wasn't even sure of his age.

6:00 pm

6:10 pm

Leo glanced at Finn by his right and Emily by his left. Then, back at the wooden double doors the officer was closing as they walked into the corridor. The eyes of some students inside the Auditorium registered nothing but worry.

They were being taken to interrogation.

Twenty minutes after Garrett left, an officer on the second floor began to speak from the railing. The hundreds of students could hear. He said that all the students injured by the struggle were to go to another Auditorium. The problem was that he didn't explain why, so another struggle ensued. That was until he explained that anyone who fought back would be a suspect immediately.

Tom, Jimin, Emily, Finn, and Leo were not injured, so they didn't stand from where they were. But Miranda entered the room with a group of uniformed men. Jungkook's mother and headmistress went straight to them, making them worry.

Leo could only pretend ease. They, along with another two guys, were the first ones taken to interrogation, and the only ones escorted by the headmistress. Flanked by four officers, one on each corner, they walked in silence behind Miranda. And all for reasons they had yet to know.

Miranda entered a meeting room that had been left with the door open. Leo entered, followed by the rest. Inside, there were another two men, but they wore suits. They stood at the wide rectangular table. Once inside, someone else closed the door behind them and Leo took a step closer to Finn. He looked around quickly, breathing slow and barely moving where he stood.

- Perfect. Now, we can begin. - The man with slanted eyes spoke up with a smile and went to sit down.

Leo didn't move, and, since he was at the head of the group, neither did the others.

- What is this? - Leo asked both the man and Miranda who was standing with her arms crossed in one of the corners.

The other man who was blond from head to beard answered in a deep voice.

- We just want to ask you a couple of things and then we'll let you go back to your rooms. -

- Leo. - Emily whispered from his left and tugged his wrist. But he didn't take his eyes from that man.

- I think I want a lawyer. - He squinted his eyes at them.

Then the one who was already seated spoke up.

- None of you are suspects. If anything, you're witnesses. We're here to ask you a few things regarding each of your roommates. - He spoke calmly, relaxed.

Leo felt Finn taking a step up to speak so he tried to warn him with a stare.

But he was unsuccessful.

- I don't have a roommate, why am I here? -

- We'll answer everything if you sit down. - The good cop invited them.

Leo had never mistrusted anyone so kind so quickly.

A tug on his wrist from Emily and the steps of the other two guys nearing their seats told him he had lost the fight. Frightened, he looked at Finn, but all he could see on his face was confusion.

The three of them sat down leaving him in the center, facing the blond one that looked rather familiar.

6:20 pm

<<<

6:10 pm

Jungkook woke up from his slumber by the coldness in his skin. He found himself sitting, curled up in a ball, with his legs being hugged against his naked chest, and his forehead resting on his knee.

He felt dizzy. His throat felt dry. His skin was clammy. And he wanted to cry.

He has felt this before. He could remember it vividly now that he was reliving it.

If that man had been here when he was going through the highs...

Jungkook started crying. Now he remembered why he'd felt so disgusted with himself the day after when he was fourteen. He knew his worst fears hadn't come true and yet... the memory of his own actions, his attitude, the things he said... to that man...

The suffering will continue as long as he lives, no matter if the other one dies first. He was branded for life, his brain altered. He was a disgusting thing undeserving of love.

He was undeserving of Taehyung.

Sobbing his heart out into the palms of his hands, he remembered all the times he had touched him and felt he had stained beauty with his own hands. How dare he believe himself to be beautiful?

How dare he hope Taehyung would come and save him when he knew, if that man came back, he would scarcely fight him off?

A weak person like him who wouldn't even defend himself didn't deserve to be saved.

Let that man do as he pleased. Jungkook wanted to die.

6:20 pm

Lightning struck and thunder boomed and the door of the closet was opened.

6:20 pm

- Alright, let's introduce ourselves, shall we? My name is Vinh Nguyen but you can call me Vin, and this is Frederick Mertens, you can call him–

- Mr. Mertens. - The other finished for him, looking directly at Leo.

The latter's breath caught in his throat. He's heard of this man.

- Exactly. - Vin finished and then placed his elbows on the table, leaning closer to them as if eagerly. - And which of you is Garrett White's roommate? -

A startled movement by his left made Leo look. It was one of the guys he's never seen before, short and copper skin, a bit hunched with fear but strong and muscled. Now that he looked properly, Leo had the impression that this guy was from a humble upbringing.

- I'm his roommate. - He answered, just loud enough for them to hear.

- And your name is? - Vin asked.

Leo noticed they weren't writing anything down.

- Gaspard Samuel. -

- Year and semester. - Mr. Mertens asked this time. Leaning back on his chair with his hands folded over his lap, looking almost bored.

But Leo forced himself to mimic his ease. He was fearing the cold sweat on his temples was too noticeable.

- Second year, fourth semester. - Gaspard's voice was tentative and low.

- And for how long have you met Garrett? - Vin spoke up again, acting like it was a mere conversation.

Gaspard shook his head.

- I only met him a week or so ago, when he arrived. -

Vin gave a tiny gasp.

- ¿Really? That's quite short. But I must say, when I met my roommate, he left quite the impression, I'm telling you. - He laughed. - What impression did your roommate leave on you? The quiet type? The angry type? The "leave me alone" kind of type? I really hated those. - Vin wondered, squinting his eyes as if deeply interested.

Gaspard shook his head and lifted his shoulders as he thought.

- He was... kind, I guess. -

- Noh, but what do you mean by "guess"? - Vin laughed. - Give me some details, how is he? Or were you perhaps a bit... weirded out by him? - He asked cautiously.

Gaspard shook his head frantically.

- No, no, never. I was just barely in my room so we hardly crossed paths, but he never gave me a bad vibe. He even told me about the food I should eat and stretches I should do after training and they've worked very well. -

Leo swallowed. That Vin guy was a very good cop. And he didn't even look older than thirty.

- Oh, that's a relief. - Vin sighed. - You seem to have a pretty good roommate, nice luck you got there. - He congratulated him and Gaspard smiled a little, nodding along. - So he would give you all of this good advice right before you two went to bed? I'm assuming because you said you were barely in your room. -

- Yeah. - Gaspard nodded.

- So you speak to each other every night? -

- No, well... most nights he would come back to the room when I'm already asleep. I only notice his arrival when I wake up and see him there. -

- Does he now? - Vin's eyes widened and he lifted a hand to his chin. - Do you know if he's ever come back after ten in the evening? Cause he shouldn't be doing that. - He frowned in worry.

- Yeah, he has, but I don't think he even goes out of the building. - Gaspard shook his head, believing his worry.

- So he has friends? That was fast. - Vin laughed again.

Leo was getting dizzier the more he breathed to calm himself down. But there were so many eyes on him that he couldn't simply leap up and beat Gaspard to a pulp. How frustrating it was to stay silent while that oblivious jackass plays right into these two people's games.

He wasn't exactly sure if he was more scared about them finding out about Garrett and his friends or his own involvement with them. Or just himself and Finn.

- No, not really. He told me he arrived with his girlfriend so I guess she's the one he was with. -

By the corner of his eye, Leo saw Emily's head twitch a bit.

- Oop, I saw that. - Vin grinned and pointed at her. - I wonder if this is said girlfriend? -

They all looked at her and she gripped Leo's hand even tighter. He could feel her shaking, but he wasn't sure why she hadn't refused immediately. Maybe it was the sudden eyes on her that froze her but something on her face told Leo that she was thinking fast. He couldn't speak up in her place because Mr. Mertens' eyes were on him and he couldn't attract more attention to himself or to Finn. So he gripped her hand back in support, and she finally seemed to have an answer.

But it wasn't the one he was waiting for.

- Yes. -

6:30 pm

<<<

6:20 pm

His heart beat frantically in his chest as he looked up at that silhouette reflected in the door, contradicting his last claim with every pump of hot blood thru his veins. He clutched his legs close to his chest tight enough to hurt, but his body had been aching already, and more so did his heart.

Evans stood there for a while, not doing or saying anything, simply looking at him. He had taken off his suit jacket and rolled up his sleeves. Jungkook can remember this sight. Of course, he remembers.

Slowly, Evans closed the door behind him, leaving them in darkness once more.

As he trembled, frozen from even dropping a tear, he heard his footsteps getting nearer, unable to guess how he could see with no light but the one coming from beneath the door. Right when he heard him stopping in front of him, Jungkook swallowed, already feeling the disgust of being half naked in front of him. But then he heard him step closer to stand by his side. And felt him sitting down next to him with his back against the wooden shelves.

A couple of seconds passed and Jungkook could hear him breathing hard. Not fast or panting, simply hard enough to be heard. A lump rose in Jungkook's throat and he heard a little, hopeful voice in his head going "is it over?". He nearly spoke it too; those words. The words of a child, of a youth that would find himself glad to "have his friend back". Jungkook was so confused with himself, with his memories, so much so that his head was hurting and it was getting hard to breathe.

- Give me a rundown of how you are right now. - Evans breathed out in a low, raspy voice.

Jungkook's head snapped in the opposite direction of where the voice was coming from and blinked rapidly, biting his lip.

This was the voice.

He had told Taehyung that first talk they had in his classroom that he had never been talked to so softly so he wanted to keep hearing it. But he had forgotten he'd heard it before. And he had forgotten why he liked it.

This was the voice of a calm man that promised not to hurt him physically.

Tentatively and with his mouth dry, Jungkook tried to answer.

- Pain on my head, shoulders, knees... My... chest also; it's hard to breathe. I'm dizzy. Thirsty. - Not knowing what else to say, he stopped. And waited.

He heard fabric sliding against the floor and guessed he was getting more comfortable. But he wouldn't be able to see him even if he turned his head.

- Answer me this truthfully and I'll be kinder than usual with you, understood? -

Jungkook's forehead wrinkled with fear, his breathing became faster and the dizziness harder to ignore.

- Yes. - He whispered.

Evans took a deep breath.

- What have you and Taehyung been doing in his apartment? -

6:30 pm

6:30 pm

Leo didn't react in any way. But, internally, he was astronomically confused.

- Really? That's so sweet, that you two entered the same university. - Vin smiled at her, lowering his hand. - So you two met at school? -

She will have to lie from here on out and Leo never met her to be a liar. How on earth will she get out of this without messing it up? Miranda was in that same room!

- No. - She answered.

- Then, where did you meet? I hope I'm not being nosy, just curious. - Vin chuckled.

- We met last summer when I traveled with my parents to visit my aunt and uncle. In Lancashire. -

Leo tried not to look at her, or even look surprised for that matter. She knew how to lie.

- Oh, that county is very pretty! Very nostalgic and gray, I've been there. Do your aunt and uncle live close to Morecambe? -

Emily sighed.

- Not at all. They live in Clitheroe. -

That was true, and her disappointed little sigh was also true. She hated every time she had to go visit that place exactly because it was all gray and cold and in the middle of almost nowhere. Her half-truths were so well made that Leo nearly started doubting what he knew.

- So he's from Clitheroe? -

She stayed silent. Leo turned his head to look at her casually and found her grimacing.

- May I ask why all of this is important? I just feel like you're trying to blame him for something and I don't like that. -

What a way to cut the flow. Leo wanted to kiss her on the cheek for her bravery.

- Are you... - Vin started to ask, very tentative. - Maybe you're afraid that he'll get mad at you? -

She got startled.

- What? -

- Cause, if that's the case, we can protect you. I can protect you. You have nothing to fear. -

- No, no, that's not it. - She frowned and shook her head, grabbing Leo's hand with both of hers on her lap. - He's the kindest guy I know. He noticed a guy bleeding out in the Auditorium and lifted him on his shoulder to get him to the hospital wing, how could he ever be harmful? -

She was fighting for him in a way that made Leo wonder deeply if it was a lie. And he was still wondering why she had lied in the first place.

- Very well, I'm glad that he wasn't harmful to you nor to his roommate. That's a relief. - Vin sighed.

- Relief? - The question seemed to have jumped out of her, unwillingly.

Leo nearly closed his eyes and sighed.

6:40 pm

<<<

6:30 pm

His blood ran cold and his breathing stopped. The panic rose in him faster than he could bear and a tear slid down his cheek soundlessly. His lips trembled, but he lifted a hand to shut his mouth, and he forced himself not to gasp for air.

He couldn't remember what narrative he had chosen with Taehyung. He remembered something about him being the bad teacher, keeping him locked up to listen to him talk about how he should change his behavior, but then he also remembers he had introduced him as a friend to Leo and Emily. He even remembers one where Taehyung was pretending to be his friend to get him to change as a favor to his father and another one where he was still acting badly, resulting in Taehyung... keeping him to talk? Which one was it? Wasn't Evans just now with Taehyung? What did Taehyung say to make him wonder something like this? Without knowing everything, he couldn't lie as convincingly; he was dizzy, thirsty, confused, cold, hot, hurt, and he couldn't think right.

Trembling, he lowered his hand from his mouth and answered as calmly as he could.

- Talking, mostly. -

Evans sighed. Then, Jungkook felt his hand on the back of his head, brushing his hair with his fingers.

He shut his eyes and felt the tears falling.

- Is that why you were so hesitant to answer? Because you were doing so many things that you couldn't decide which one to tell me? Come on. You know you can tell me everything. I'll keep your secrets as long as you keep mine, you know this. - His hand slid down the back of Jungkook's head to stop at his neck and hold it gently.

A warning.

Jungkook gasped, unable to move. His deepest fear couldn't come true. Not today. Not right now. But which one was it now? Before he met Taehyung, he had one. But now... he seemed to have two fears.

Lie. Lie. Lie.

- We would just... talk. Or... he would be working... and I would be also, or... reading; he has a lot of books. I... I would just spend time there. -

- Why. - He demanded, his hand getting infinitesimally tighter.

Jungkook's mouth trembled when it opened again.

- Because... It was peaceful... and pretty. -

- Ah, that's right. You like pretty things. - He thought out loud. His hold never lessened. - And what do you two talk about? -

- I... don't remember much... -

Evans laughed. A sound so familiar to his subconscious mind that excitement rose inside of Jungkook. And he cried even more.

- You don't remember. - He kept on laughing. - Right. Well... it must've been quite the conversation if Taehyung was down there, proclaiming to know the real you instead of the trouble maker everyone else sees you as. Won't you tell me? - He asked with an audible smile, his hand going a bit tighter.

The hold wasn't yet uncomfortable, but Jungkook trembled.

- I... might've told him about how it was living with my siblings and... my father and mother, and... how it was at school...-

- Oh, right, that reminds me. Who's Raphael? -

Jungkook's head snapped to look at the front and the hand on his neck tightened.

- Who is he? - Evans demanded.

- A... A schoolmate. Why...? -

- Why do I ask? Well, if you really want to know... lay down on the floor. -

Jungkook hesitated for a moment.

- You know what I want right now. - Evans continued. - So, do it. Right now. -

Moving carefully, Jungkook slid away from the shelves, and, with the hand on his neck guiding him, he slowly sank until he was laying with his back against the cold floor. His knees were bent so the point of his shoes hit the point of two of the many leather shoes beneath a shelf, and he placed his arms tight against his sides, trying not to breathe.

- That's it. - Evans sighed with ecstasy, keeping him there with only one hold and not much pressure. - This is where you belong. Beneath the palm of my hand, laying on the ground I step on. You have but only to do as I say, Jungkook. Isn't that so easy? So... If I ask who someone else is, I expect you to tell me why they looked so concerned downstairs without me having to ask more than once. - He leaned forward and whispered. - Am I clear? -

Jungkook couldn't see his face, but the faint light from beneath the door let him see the toned forearm fading into shadow.

Darkness... A little voice said from the back of his head and something answered inside his chest with a roar. Darkness... Hatred built up inside of him, burning away his fears, making him feel stronger and able. Darkness... Jungkook greeted his teeth. His head felt clearer than he had ever had it.

- That depends... on how you looked. - He lied, keeping his voice fragile. - I don't know why anyone would be worried if you were there. - There was slight reverence in his tone.

- Mh... - Evans remained silent for a moment.

If he had believed him, Raphael would simply look like a worried classmate and Taehyung a professor who knew more than the rest because they spoke a lot about him. Hearing his silence lengthen, Jungkook felt confident that he had.

But the confidence didn't last long.

He had the impulse, the strength, and the mind to stand up and fight him off once and for all. But just like it had done when he was taking Oliver to the hospital wing, the confidence that suddenly came, was slowly fading; like the image of that home in the mountains. And he was left doubting whether he'll be able to jank his hand off his throat faster than he can tighten his fist.

As if on queue, such fist squeezed his neck once, twice, and then he chuckled.

- Again... you took your shirt off. -

6:40 pm

6:40 pm

- Yes. - Vin nodded in earnest as if Emily had dodged a bullet. - Now. Which of you is August Förster's roommate? - He pointed from the guy by Emily's left to Leo by her right.

- Me. - The other one answered in a clear tone.

- And who are you? - Vin asked, smiling slightly.

- I don't think that's necessary. You want to know about him, not me. And I know nothing about that guy, I don't know how long he's been here, and I didn't even know his last name until right now. I'm in my second year, the only reason we're roommates was that I asked for my room to be changed to one in the main building and his roommate had graduated last spring. He was a man of few words, not exactly quiet. And I also don't know at what time he would go to bed because I would be in the Arcade with my friends late into the night. I know nothing that might help you. - He shrugged, indifferently.

- Alright, you're a man that goes straight to the point I see. - Vin smiled and nodded. - Well, we're not letting you off just yet, so bear with me, yeah? - He waited for his answer. And the guy nodded once. - Good. You... - He turned back to Emily. - ...must be Alex's, aren't you? -

- Yes. - She answered, averting her eyes.

- And how was she? - He asked as he rested his chin against his fist.

- Terrible. - Emily answered dispassionately.

Leo nearly frowned.

- Really? - Vin looked worried again.

- Yeah. She was always angry and rude and... from the moment we met, I thought she was... kind of weird. - She said in an undertone.

Leo's eyebrows lifted and he looked at her. But so did the others, including Mr. Mertens.

- What did she look like? - The latter asked with a serious expression.

- She had short hair. - She touched her neck to show just how short. - She was a bit taller than me, she had... a bit of muscle, she would always wear black, never wore makeup or accessories, or skirts. -

The guy next to her wore such a deep grimace that, when he spoke, Leo expected his words.

- And you slept next to her for a whole week? - He was disgusted.

- I was hoping we could talk, or she would come to her senses, or this was just while she settled down in Evanthe... - She grieved.

- Why didn't you tell me it was this bad? - Leo spoke up, unable to stop his worry.

She turned to him with a pleading stare.

- She... She was too scary. I didn't know if... -

Vin sighed.

- I'm so sorry you had to endure that all these days. - He grieved for her. - But now that you know you can be protected, if there's anything you know about where she is, you can tell us. -

She shook her head.

- I don't know. - Her voice was a mere line of sound.

- Wait. - The guy that spoke before, put a hand on the table. - She's the one who's not here? - He asked Vin directly.

- There are currently four people missing. - He answered. - And it is your roommates. That's why we wanted to converse with you a little to get to know these people from the ones who've been with them the longest. -

The guy scoffed.

- To me, her roommate sounds the guiltiest. -

Gaspard nodded while Emily lowered her head. Leo didn't take his eyes off her and he frowned.

But then he frowned deeper.

- What about Jungkook Jeon? - He looked at Vin, avoiding looking at the corner of the room. - He also wasn't in the Auditorium. -

- Not to worry. Mrs. Abram told us he's with a teacher. -

Leo then nodded. No doubt he'll be with Taehyung.

- You're Jace's roommate, right? - Vin asked him.

But Leo blinked.

- I... guess. He told me he was J, like, just the letter, so I don't know– I got here a week ago. With her. - He excused himself with a shrug.

- And how was he as a roommate? -

Leo thought about it with a grimace. He knew he wouldn't even be able to talk about the punch they gave him or what he heard, no matter how much he wanted to. If it wasn't for whatever they did to the pair of them, he and Finn would be able to tell them they were the ones helping the fighters in the capital. But now, he could only say half-truths.

- Well, he, as a roommate, was not the issue. It was all the electronics he had and how he would be working late into the night or wake up too early. It was mostly the light on his screen and the constant clicking that made me want to change rooms. - A complete lie.

- And that's why you're here. - Vin grinned a little, looking at Finn. - Now everything makes more sense. Because we know you asked to be left alone and yet your room has someone else's stuff in it as well. But we now know you were simply helping a friend. - He nodded.

Finn nodded as well.

But Mr. Mertens frowned.

- Why did you ask to be left alone? - He demanded in a low voice.

Not even Leo knew about this. This last fact was what made him want to change the subject. If Finn hadn't told him fully about this, it is because he doesn't want to talk. If they force him, it'll hurt him.

But holding back information in front of a cop wouldn't make him a human with emotions, it would make him a suspect. Leo turned to look at him and he saw no fear, no delight, and no kindness in those cold, green eyes as he answered.

- Because I had a roommate once and he attacked me. -

Leo's blood ran cold.

6:50 pm

<<<

6:40 pm

Oh, heavens... Humiliation. Imprisonment. These were the things he'd had nightmares about since he could remember and now he could remember why.

- Was it getting too hot? - Evans asked, with a grin. - Was it hard to breathe? Were you begging I would arrive? -

- Stop. - Jungkook whispered.

- Were you able to remember what happened last time? - He leered, making Jungkook grimace. - You know, the funny thing is, it wasn't meant to turn out that way. It was just written as a booster, to give a punch of adrenaline, so you could imagine my shock to find you rolling on the floor and pleading for something... I couldn't understand. -

Jungkook was breathing fast when he blurted out,

- Why did you come back if this is why you left? -

Evans leaned closer.

- Are you trying to ask me why I left you, little Jungkook? -

The nickname struck him squarely in the chest and he sobbed audibly. He felt like a child, small and sad, abandoned by the friend who would come and be with him almost every day.

- You're not my friend. - He fought back his thoughts, but, in tears, it came out like an accusation for leaving him.

- Aww, you're genuinely mad about it. - He crooned. Then, quite suddenly, he laughed loudly. - This is so fun. -

Jungkook couldn't stand hearing that laughter.

- Why did you come back!? -

The hand on his throat tightened.

- Now, now. No raising your voice unless I tell you to, remember? -

- ...Tell me. - Jungkook whispered.

A moment of silence followed in which Jungkook felt sure he'd crossed the line. But then, he answered.

- I don't have to explain anything to you. But let's just say, it's far easier to do this when no maid will be able to hear from the other side of the door. And I couldn't simply make up excuses to take you out of your house; what if I said we were in the park and your sister just happens to be there and she never saw us? Too messy. Too much to worry about; I have enough with my job. And you left it way too easy for me, making trouble as you were this first week. - He said with a grin.

The images that popped into his head as he heard him were even worse than his nightmares. His first worst fear could've been real in so many ways, in so many opportunities. This was a monster, a monster, he wanted to get this fact into his head, this was a monster, never a friend, never. And yet it hurt that delicate, little part of him.

But he just wanted to rip that useless thing apart with his teeth. This was never a friend, this was a monster. He will never be friends with a monster.

Evans' other hand suddenly held his waist and he jolted.

- You know what I've noticed? You've been getting too chiseled for my liking. I liked you better when you were all soft. - His thumb slid down the muscles in his abdomen, making him shiver. - Seeing how you like when things are pretty, I'm surprised you would let yourself become this... thing. Your face was rounder and softer, now it's just cold and with sharp edges. Even your skin looked better. - Feeling around in the darkness, his index finger traced his stomach till he found his belly button and then traced a line downwards.

Jungkook shut his eyes and bit his lip hard enough to cut it.

- Do you not grow any hair? - He kept touching, sliding his fingers up his chest and to his face, tracing his cheeks. Then he took his arm and lifted it, tracing beneath it as well. Jungkook could simply feel tears sliding down his temples. - I knew you weren't normal, but this is truly... something to think about. What a nice subject you are, Jungkook. - He lowered his arm and traced back down his stomach with one finger. - You should stop going to the gym and eat more. That way you'll look way nicer to me. No one will have you anyway. You're too "pretty" for any woman to have an interest in you. - He chuckled.

- You're too broken for anyone to really like you. You have a shitty memory that not even you can count on, you've been taking drugs since you were a kid so you'll probably die soon, and anything can be a potential trigger. You can barely be considered a human. That's why you're a perfect student. A perfect toy. -

He's lying...

Jungkook gasped and cried.

It could all be real and he could be free from fighting against it-NO.

He had to remember, he forced himself to remember: Leo, Emily, Jimin, Tyr, Garrett, Hoseok, August, Garrett's father, the image of a home, the hints that this is not who he really is, Namjoon, Jin, Taehyung... Remember Taehyung. Remember Taehyung. Remember Taehyung.

This is Darkness, this is war.

- ¡SHUT UP! -

Evans let go of him and he gasped, opening his eyes with a snap.

He shivered with terror. What had he done? The one who screamed right now... that hadn't been him, had it?

Silence ensued... he wasn't sure where Evans was, he couldn't see his arm anymore... he wasn't breathing, wasn't blinking...

Then, ten fingers were visible, nearing him from the shadows, and his mouth opened in a silent scream that he swallowed when gentle hands grabbed him by the upper arms.

Jungkook let go of his bated breath shakily. And Evans spoke in a caress of words.

- Who gave you hope, little Jungkook? - He asked, curious.

Jungkook could've peed his pants if his body wouldn't shut down when he was frightened. As it was, he couldn't answer. His mouth wouldn't move.

Thumbs caressed his biceps softly in encouragement.

- You once told me you wanted to have muscles, but I told you not to. And you agreed. Why aren't you agreeing now? Do you think you're a person? Do you think you're more than my little friend? Hm? - His voice was sweet and gentle, his hands warm and soft. Jungkook's head was at war and he was crying silently. Then, after thinking for a while, Evans spoke again, but his voice was just a line of sound. - ..."pretty"... You said Taehyung's apartment was pretty... -

The thumbs caressing him stopped. The voice speaking softly stopped. The air getting into Jungkook's lungs stopped.

He'd messed up.

Pretty... pretty...

"When I marry, I'll live in the prettiest house of all." "Pretty? Why would you want your house to be pretty?" "Because I loooove pretty things, so I want a pretty house, and a pretty wife, and pretty food, and to be pretty." "You'll never have a wife if you're pretty." "...really?" "Yes. So, be pretty, little Jungkook. And I'll be your friend forever." "Really!? Yes!"

Little Jungkook... why?

Evans let go of him slowly and stood up. Jungkook was shaking terribly, crying in silence. Footsteps walked away from him, stopped not too far, and then the light turned on. He had to close his eyes again at the brightness, his heart was beating so hard he had to gasp for air, but his arms were glued to each side of him. Frantically, he blinked his eyes open. Evans was standing over him, looking down with a frown.

Slowly, Evans squatted down next to him, clicked his tongue, and looked up from his neck to his eyes.

- Those aren't bruises, little Jungkook. -

Jungkook frowned as he breathed rapidly, unable to understand anything.

But then clarity came to him.

The hickeys.

His eyes widened. And Evans nodded slowly, the corners of his mouth pulling downwards before his hands grabbed him by the shoulders.

This time, not as gently.

6:50 pm

6:50 pm

- Did he have any reason to attack you? - Mr. Mertens asked.

Leo greeted his teeth.

- No. - Finn answered, his voice uncaring. - He attacked me unprovoked, as far as I remember. -

- Why wouldn't you remember? -

- Because he attacked me as I was sleeping and I had to be taken to the hospital. -

A silence filled the room. Both cops were frowning at him, one apologetic, the other serious. Emily had leaned closer to the table to be able to look at him while the other two guys leaned back to do the same thing. Leo on the other hand was looking down at his own lap.

An unprovoked beating.

He knew he wasn't talking about him but Leo felt guilty.

- Where did this happen? - Mr. Mertens kept on asking.

- Carmichael's Boarding School of Law. -

Frowns deepened and gasps could be heard.

- You were the one they talked about in the news two years ago. - August's roommate exclaimed. - The other guy got arrested and everything. - He continued to mutter until Vin raised a hand and stopped him.

Leo could hear his heartbeat in his ears and feel how clammy his skin was becoming. Gently, he let go of Emily's hand, afraid that she might notice. And he was trying to breathe calmly, but he couldn't relax.

Just this afternoon before the commotion, they had been talking. Laughing, after Leo sat and cried it all out beside him. He had been sitting on the floor looking up at Finn sitting on the bed with so much gratitude, so much of that unknown warmth in his chest that the moment he heard a fight breaking downstairs, he sat down in between him and the door. To protect him.

But not only had he failed to meet him when he was fourteen, he had also failed again and again and then once more when he himself had attacked him without reason. And yet Finn had forgiven him for it; for all.

Leo needed air.

- Thank you for telling us. - Vin said with a nod. - I'm sorry about what happened to you. And I'm afraid to think what would've happened to you, - He looked at Emily. - if Alex hadn't left today. -

Emily lowered her head, clutching at her skirt now that she didn't have Leo's hand to hold.

- Does J's roommate know where he could've gone? - Vin asked, gently.

Leo looked up and shook his head. He was just about to tell them what Garrett had told them about Alex being caught doing something and running away with J and August on her tail, but then he would have to explain how Garrett got the information and, given how he was now Emily's boyfriend instead of Alex', it wouldn't fit the story. And trying to create a whole story with his mind feeling like it might just collapse, was not the safest option.

- We were wondering where they could've been when Garrett noticed the guy nearly fainting and left with him. None of us talked enough with our roommates to know where they could be right now. But I'm sure Garrett is here, helping somehow. -

- Helping who? - Mr. Mertens asked.

- Don't know. The doctor? That guy? -

For the first time in this whole "interview", Mr. Mertens leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.

- So you guys have no idea how he got a card key or why the cameras saw him entering the professors' living area, do you? -

Leo blinked and he frowned down at Emily.

- He stole a card key? -

Emily panicked a little bit as she looked at him.

- You know he wouldn't have done that. - Then, she addressed Vin. - Couldn't someone inside the hospital wing have given him the card? -

- And why would they do that? -

She thought for a moment and then gasped.

- Taehyung. Professor Taehyung. Maybe he went there to talk to him. Maybe he was worried about not seeing Jungkook at the Auditorium and just wanted to make sure he was safe with professor Taehyung. -

Vin was just about to speak again when Finn intervened.

- Wait. If you know where Garrett is, why not go to him and ask him directly? -

Vin grinned.

- Because we wanted to be prepared. - He said, vaguely. - We first wanted to know the roommates of the people who left. To know you as much as we could. Thanks to that, we know honest, valiant, strong, and... sweet, - He smiled at Emily. - hearts like yours hadn't been part or, in the least, didn't know they were part of their roommate's disappearance. We then wanted to know about the people you called roommates, but it's safe to say, in only one week, none of you could've gotten to know enough about them to tell us anything. The only person here that knows more about one of the missing students is her and even she isn't sure why Garrett would get his hands on a key card. But I'm sure she's being honest, just like the rest of you, and Garrett bears no ill intention tonight. So we will go and talk to him, see if there's a problem we can help him with, and the rest of you can go straight to your rooms. The rest of the students will take a bit more time, but don't worry. Are you ok with that? -

- Absolutely. - The guy next to Emily placed his hands flat on the table and stood up. Next to him, Gaspard hesitated a little before nodding and standing up as well, quieter than the last one.

- Can I... umm... - Emily hesitated as she asked, not looking like she wanted to stand just yet.

- Yes? - Vin asked her, leaning forward a bit.

She bit her lip and then asked in a small voice,

- Can I go with you? To talk to Garrett? -

Leo frowned down at her beside him, feeling anxious.

- Of course, I don't see any problem. - He shrugged and stood up.

- Can I go too? - Leo asked, unable to ease the knot in his stomach; the need to protect.

- No. - Mr. Mertens said with finality as he stood.

Vin looked at him apologetically but didn't say anything more, leaving it clear who had the final say.

Emily stood up to follow Vin and Leo stood up with her but stopped before following along. Behind him, he heard the last chair pulling back, and the last person standing up.

They had things to discuss.

He watched as Emily walked out of the room, staying close to Vin, and then followed after Finn when the other walked ahead of him. His shoulders were stiff as he walked with his hands in his pockets, but neither said anything. Not until they were well away from the meeting room, heading to their rooms.

- We need to talk. - Leo said in an undertone, looking around so no one would notice.

He heard Finn sigh. But he didn't hear a refusal.

7:00 pm

Leo and Fin walked in such stride that they caught the other pair going to the rooms and left them behind. Leo wasn't sure what to expect once he saw the entrance to the Students' living area nor what to say once they were in Finn's room, but, for one, he was surprised to see the broken shards of glass had been cleaned out and red tape had been hanged in each of the broken doors as a precaution, so maybe his talk with Finn will also surprise him.

At least thinking about that kept him from worrying about Emily; or Jungkook, or Garrett, or Jimin, or even his parents which he usually forgets about. As they walked up the stairs, he couldn't help thinking that it was all going so fast that he wasn't able to process enough to take in whatever changes he was going through, so here he was, confused about the littlest details regarding both his life and himself.

He was confused. And he wanted some answers.

7:20 pm

He sighed deeply once he saw Finn's door at the end of the long corridor. The sight of the rain was such a monotone that he ignored it as he went on. Midway, Finn walked past him, taking his keys out of his pocket, still looking tense. Leo's chest tightened with the need to protect him from whatever was hurting him, a different feeling than the one he had towards Emily.

He needed answers.

They entered Finn's room and he locked the door behind him as he watched Finn taking off his shoes and coat. Then he sat down on the floor with his back against his bed and looked up out the closed window. Leo chose to leave the lights off and copied him, for once being the slower one in seating down. But he understood.

7:30 pm

Once he sat down, he made sure to be as close to him as he could without really touching him; folding his ankles with his legs straight.

- Do you have a question? - Finn asked. His voice was as tense as his body. - Or are you going to tell me "that's exactly why I should leave"? - He turned his head to look at him and Leo saw he was smiling.

But there was no humor in his eyes.

Leo looked into those eyes that he could remember the color of even in this darkness; even with his eyes closed. He took a deep breath, felt the tightness in his chest... and spoke with it.

- I'm happy you're alive. -

Immediately after he said those words, the facade broke. Finn's smile turned down as his forehead wrinkled, his eyes filled with tears as his shoulders fell, and he shook with silent sobs, all while looking at him like a deaf man hearing for the first time. A sob broke through his lips, and tears fell like the rain outside.

But Leo refused to let the sight feel just as common.

As he witnessed Finn's walls breaking down like castles made of sand, the tightness in his chest became excruciating to the point where it spread all thru his body, reaching his eyes in tears and flowing up his throat in a sob he tried to swallow back down. He'd witnessed such strength from him for so long, heard such wisdom being spoken so gently, and had seen his green eyes being as warm as if the sun was shining thru the leaves of a tree, that watching him like this, looking at him with so much pain, such excruciating pain, made him seem more human; closer to his reach. And something clicked into place once Leo's first tear hit the back of his hand.

Turning in his place, he extended both arms and embraced him until he was crying on his shoulder. A part inside of him broke with the action, and then remade itself new when he felt Finn getting even closer, embracing him back. Between sobs and tears, Leo realized... he was hugging him, and light sparkled in his chest, as warm as the sun. Smiling through the pain and wishing him closer, he parted his legs and allowed him to sit between them as he held the back of his head with a hand. Once Finn felt this, his arms shook so much due to the sobbing that they fell weakly, so he folded them to place his palms on Leo's chest, and keep him close that way.

This morning, he felt like a monster. Just that same afternoon, he'd been hugging Emily. But, when then, he felt like he needed to prove something, here, it felt right.

He didn't have an answer yet. He couldn't wordout the realization he'd been given. But it wasn't necessary right here, right now.

7:40 pm

It was a while before the sobbing calmed down enough that they could breathe. Leo tilted his head down and to the side, closer to Finn's. He couldn't remember the last time he felt this comfortable. Not even under a thick, heavy blanket had he felt this content. His heart felt like it wanted to jump out of his chest.

But then they noticed something had disrupted the constant sound of rain.

Finn moved his head, lifting it slightly from his shoulder.

- What's that sound? - He asked in a worried whisper; jumpy and scared. - Why does the night look darker? What happened to the light posts? -

But Leo sighed in exasperation and let his forehead fall onto Finn's shoulder.

- I don't care. If no one calls us, it's not important. This day's been tiring enough. - Slowly, he hugged Finn to himself once more. And the latter, though tense, let himself be distracted away from that noise, resting his forehead against the side of Leo's neck and breathing deeply.

And they kept embracing, ignoring the sound coming from another building in the distance.

The sound of fire alarms.

Knock, knock

- Leo, are you there? - Emily's panicked voice came from the other side of the door.

Leo and Finn broke apart and looked at each other, worry visible even in the darkness and one question being exchanged in that stare:

What happened?

________________________________________________________________________________

🌼Thank you for reading Chapter 75 <3<3<3

Your devoted writer,

Ela Shadow Rose 🥀

Go ahead with the next Chapter ->->->