Chereads / Welcome to Silent Hill / Chapter 5 - Chapter 3

Chapter 5 - Chapter 3

Helloooooo my lovelies!!!

so instead of going to write for "my Destiny" and "My Saviour" on my wattpad and ao3 accounts like a respectable author who is organised .... I spent these days, obsessing and playing over Bladur's Gate 3. Guys.....GUYS IT'S THE MOST AMAZING GAME EVER!!!!!!!

Anyone who knows me knows i'm a huge Dungeons and Dragons nerd and player, i prefer RPG games to anything else, and Baldur's Gate 3 is EPIC!!!!! Love it and already planning to ruin my life playing it! Thank god it's summer and me being super pale and sensitive to sun and heat, I have the perfect excuse to stay home and PLAY ALL DAY!!!!

hum-hum, a little countenance thankyouverymuch! so i was saying, GO PLAY BALDUR'S GATE 3!!!

Ok i promise i will stop my fangirling, dnd nerd stryle and let's get back to this book! Please enjoy this new chapter that will, hopefully, shed some light on the plot <3

love you!!!!!

Driving at night is one of his recent favorite things to do.

Well to be honest, it had always been Taehyung's favorite kind of drive: taking the car and driving at a moderate to slow speed through dimly lit roads and stopping at hills or open fields just to contemplate the night sky. Jeongguk had always laughed whenever Taehyung would shyly come sit next to him and ask him, with the cutest shy little voice, if they could go on a drive at midnight.

And when Taehyung passed away, Jeongguk made it a ritual to drive at midnight once a week. And he had discovered how utterly relaxing this little practice turned out to be. Ok, he had no one beside him on the passenger seat (certainly not Taehyung sighing in happiness with a little smile on his delicious lips while his face was glued to the car window to see the stars), but he still liked it and found himself doing it more often.

But this time, he couldn't find it in himself to actually relax despite the radio streaming some music in the lowest tone possible, and despite the street lamps casting a dimly relaxing light on the road.

He was simply going through his "plan" for what felt like a thousand times already, ever since he had taken the decision to go to Silent Hill when he had been able to make out the reflection of his Taehyung on that picture.

A picture Yoongi had taken three years ago, when the town had already been deserted and labeled a ghost town by the authorities who did a good job of baricading the bridge connecting the town to the rest of the roads.

Jimin and Hoseok had protested loudly when he had simply said he'll be going to Silent Hill. Namjoon had argued, logically and calmly, that there was nothing he could find there since the town had been abandoned for more than five years. Seokjin had begged him to change his mind and try to forget.

But he couldn't forget.

How could he forget???

Not after seeing Taehyung's shadow in that picture, even if it's blurred and could actually be nothing, or maybe not even Taehyung's! But he couldn't forget! He had never been able to forget Taehyung and the huge gap he had left in all of their lives-in his life, by passing away.

No he can't. And he won't.

The only one who didn't protest was Yoongi, who was the one to shut everyone up by speaking one sentence.

"It's his decision. Leave him be."

And while Yoongi had been calm as usual about the entire situation, Jeongguk knew his hyung had been very worried about him, about his mental health in particular. No doubt the platinum haired reporter was actually thinking that Jeongguk had surely gone into some type of schizophrenic hallucination from the shock and longing caused by the death of his husband. Can anyone blame him if it's actually the case ? No, because Jeongguk had loved Taehyung, still does, with every fiber of his being ever since they were young middle schoolers, confused about the difference between friendship and love.

But Jeongguk was actually very grateful to Yoongi for his help in the preparation for his flight to the USA, a flight that he had booked that very same day and was set for two days later. Everyone had pitched in of course, the Kim brothers offering to help him watch over his business during his absence, Jimin offering him a paid stay at a very nice inn in Brahams, the town next to Silent Hill, and Hoseok getting him a map and some details about the town (even though Jeongguk had been there already and knows the place, he had accepted with a huge smile, since it was the thought that counted in this case).

And Yoongi had been the one to drive him to the airport, being all decent about it. However, at the last minute before he was going to his designated gate for his flight, Yoongi had gripped his arm and muttered.

"You be careful, Guk. They say the town is haunted. And while I've been there and never seen an actual ghost, I can tell you that the place is not all nice and cozy.

-What do you mean? I've been there before and it was a nice town.

-No I'm not talking about that. The thing is, there's talk about the big accident that made the town inhabitable."

Yoongi had paused a bit, collecting his thoughts before he added with a frown.

"What happened in that town and rendered it abandoned...had been terrible, as I heard from some folks. They say the place is cursed, and unexplainable things happen there.

-Hyung...

-I know, I know! I don't believe in supernatural shit but I'm telling you....when I've been there, I felt like someone was always breathing down my neck. I was relieved when we were done with filming and exploring it and could only relax when I was back on the plane to South Korea."

Jeongguk felt his heart skipping a beat...or two, or perhaps fifty, knowing his hyung wasn't one to be scared easily and yet here he is, the memory of Silent Hill apparently being one of the not so good ones for the stoic reporter. Yoongi pressed on his forearm tighter and whispered.

"Don't go there unless you are sure you got all the information you need from the people in Brahams and the other towns. Don't go in there blindly because I'm not sure of what could happen in that seemingly deserted place."

Jeongguk nodded, showing bravery he wasn't actually feeling and smiled to reassure the frowning man.

"Don't worry hyung, I'm just going to verify if anyone knows something about this letter. I won't stay at Silent Hill, I've got a room booked in Brahams. Expect me back maybe a week or so later. I'll be careful.

-You bet your ass you gotta be careful. And don't go in there unprotected, get a weapon at Brahams, the guy who runs the inn can help you."

Jeongguk nodded and boarded the plane.

And here he is, nearly 24 hours later from that conversation, in a rental car, a silver Land Rover Discovery SUV, driving through the night at the search of the indication for the road to Silent Hill. He went to Brahams first, a small town nearby Silent Hill where he figured he could start his research there since there was no sign for the town in any map he consulted (and Brahams is the closest small town to Silent Hill too so the locals might have some information), checked in his room and left his luggage there, the innkeeper was an old friend of Jimin and had assured him his stuff would be safe and sound before supplying him with a 9mm handgun and ammo, rented this car and took off, impatient to start his search. Yes he kinda disobeyed Yoongi who advised him to do an exhaustive amount of research first but he just...couldn't stay put.

The thought of Taehyung being so close, alive and well...even if it was a very thin possibility, was making him all tingly and eager.

He had the picture from Yoongi's article printed and secured in the inside pocket of his gray trench coat, zoomed in on the window of the antique shop where he could see the blurred form of his angel. That ring on his index was a beautiful thin ring with a heart and infinity sign encrusted with gems and diamonds that he had bought for him during their years in college. He would recognize that ring anywhere. He was sure it was no other but his Tae, since it had been a custom order from an artisan his father knows. It wasn't logical but he had to verify; he'd rather get a second heartbreak after being sure his angel is really dead than live his life in doubt of a "what if" if he ever ignores the possibility of his beautiful lover being alive and well.

He had a small backpack with a flashlight, some food and water, a first aid kit, an emergency radio, a rolled bed and a change of clothes. The gun was strapped in his belt with the ammo along with a survival knife tucked in his black boots. He chose to dress simply, black pants and a black turtleneck sweater, a scarf wrapped around his neck since it was so damn cold here and the trench coat. He did have a change of clothes in his backpack as well as...clothes for Taehyung...if he ever finds him...

From what he could make of the picture, his lover was wearing the same clothes that he had the day of his death: a thin charcoal gray sweater that he loved to snuggle in since it was so fuzzy and fluffy, simple blue cargo pants and his favorite gray shawl that he always had around his thin shoulders every night during winter. Those clothes couldn't possibly protect him from the freezing cold so Jeongguk had taken precaution and even brought a coat with him and warm boots.

He gulped, thinking he was really turning insane. His husband is dead, been dead for five years now so what's the point? Yoongi was right after all: he was turning schizophrenic just like that!

He stopped at a gas station for a refill...and for information since he couldn't find any indication on the car's GPS to pinpoint the way to Silent Hill.

Inside the diner attached to the station, groups of bikers and truck drivers were having dinner, a blonde waitress serving them with flirty smiles and winks, another blonde girl was behind the counter and looked like the owner of the place. Disregarding the curious looks he got from some clients, he went to the counter directly, presenting his card.

"Just for gas.

-Alrighty!"

Waiting for the girl to process his card, Jeongguk looked around, seeing no one paying him attention anymore so he bent down a bit and asked in hushed tones.

"Was wondering...do you know the way to Silent Hill? I can't find it on the GPS."

The girl paused before raising an eyebrow, giving him a look over before asking with suspicion.

"Why do you wanna know?

-No particular reason. I'm just driving back to Brahams and heard about it from an old friend. Is it true it's abandoned because of an accident? Coal mines?"

The girl kept silent for some minutes before resuming her work and answered nonchalantly.

"Yeah, I heard a huge fire spread out in the coal mines and it got underneath the town, spreading all over the natural reserve of coal. The place's dangerous, risks of collapsing and all, so the government made the decision to abandon it. The road's been blocked since.

-Is that so? Any chance you might know where it is?"

While asking, Jeongguk slipped a hundred dollars bill on the counter, a small smirk on, knowing the girl won't resist it. And he was right, her demeanor changed to slightly flirty as she leaned on the counter and answered in a giggle.

"Sure thing, for a handsome guy like you. Silent Hill you say? you won't find it on the GPS since the town's been deleted from the official maps and all. But, I've got an old map and we can match it up to your GPS, yeah?

-Wonderful!"

A smile is all he needed to get the girl to help him, and he exited the diner with the information he needed.

...plus some warnings from the flirty girl...

"You be careful out there, the town's abandoned but it's creepy and there are risks of collapses everywhere. Some people say the place is cursed or something. Not saying I believe in old stories but one can't be careful enough in that place."

Yeah. Same old story that he heard from Yoongi. Apparently the fire was still burning to this day underneath the town so it was really dangerous for anyone to venture there. Plus if a fire of this magnitude was burning, the fumes could be toxic and the air unbreathable.

So he set out once more, this time with a destination in mind and determined to save his Tae.

He was driving, focusing on the road in order to see the sideway that would lead to the driveway of the town when his car radio started getting heavy static noise. Frowning, he thought the radio was dysfunctioning and it was bothering him since the rental company could find this as a way to charge him extra for damage and whatever. So he tried to get the frequency right, pressing on the button to search for another station.

But it wasn't working.

Cursing, Jeongguk took his eyes off the road for a second to turn off the radio but...the static noise was getting heavier to the point of hurting his ears. He jabbed the button once more, twice, thrice...he was actually punching the button now but the damn thing won't turn off and the static was getting louder.

The front wheel bumped into something and it jolted Jeongguk out of his frustrated fight with the radio. He looked up to see a sign indicating Rivervale County 17 straight ahead....and Silent hill to the right.

He took the right exit of course.

But as he turned to get in the side road, the static noise got too loud and sharp all of a sudden to the point of getting a yell of pain out of him. He punched the off button once more, repeatedly while yelling profanities.

The lights of his car illuminated something at the same time the static noise stopped.

It looked like...a wheelchair abandoned on the side of the road.

Jeongguk was confused, following the discarded wheelchair with his eyes before shrugging and turning to focus back on the road.

And realized there was someone in the midst of the road, merely sixty centimeters away from crashing into the car.

He yelled and swerved violently to the right, the end of the car hitting something and making the SUV swirl on its own before the front hit a streetlamp, coming to a halt while the front lights shone on a plaque with "Keep out. Danger" sign. The light was enough to show Jeongguk the barricaded entrance of a small bridge.

The man breathed deeply before he started his car again, speeding to crash the barricade. He succeeded and breathed in relief, hitting the barricade and crossing the bridge at high speed. He was about to hit the brakes to slow down when...

....when he saw Taehyung sitting in the midst of the road, looking at the sky....

He froze before he realized that he was going to hit his lover and he swerved right but he didn't do it properly, ending up flipping the car when its front hit something.

The car flipped once before it stabilized and crashed on something, Jeongguk hitting his head violently on the wheel.

And before the sharp sound in his ears coupled with the immense pain from his head could blacken his vision, he could've sworn he saw Taehyung walking towards him with a smile.

Before everything went black.

***

Darkness was surrounding him. No sound. No words. Nothing. No one.

But he was slowly regaining consciousness and opened his eyes despite the sharp pain over his left eye.

Jeongguk blinked, realizing he was in the car, head against the wheel. A dim light was around, signaling day time.

Or was it? It wasn't so bright that day, and even if it's winter the sun should've shone a bit brighter, no?

The man looked around, realizing the front window was cracked in some corners and recalled the accident he had last night. Inspecting his face in the mirror made him realize there's coagulated blood from a cut on his temple, close to his left eyebrow, which explained the pain he felt there. He groaned, closing his eyes while cursing his own carelessness.

And opened his eyes suddenly, recalling what he saw...why he crashed...

Taehyung...sitting on the road....Taehyung....coming to him before he blacked out...

Scrambling, he got out of the car with the firm intention of inspecting the surroundings, in the hope of seeing a trace confirming he hadn't been hallucinating what he saw yesterday night.

Only to come to a halt, seeing the astonishing sight in front of him.

Heavy fog...and snow? Was it snow falling from the heavily fogged sky? He couldn't tell at first, because the fog was so heavy he was barely able to make out a radius of perhaps three meters around himself. He caught the snow and frowned when he realized what it was.

It's not snow...it's ashes...ashes falling from the sky...

Must've been from the fire in the mines, thought the thirty two years old CEO. He took some steps further before returning to the car, seeing it was banged up but could still function ...hopefully, since he had no other means of transport to leave the town. He took his backpack and set out, deciding to search every nook and cranny until he could make sure that Taehyung is fine and get him home....or he was hallucinating everything and get himself interned in the closest asylum in Seoul!

But moving was difficult with the fog and he had to use his memory to try and recall his way. Well he crashed through the road leading from Rivervale Highway so...if he recalled correctly, he should be in South Silent Hill.

Luckily, that's the closest part of town to Lake View Hotel, his destination.

"Alright, I can do this...I can do this!"

He set out, walking straight ahead, leaving his car behind. Best not to take it into town with risks of collapsing roads and all. He paid a hefty sum for its rent and with the damage it took, he was going to pay another hefty sum for repairs, no need to pay the original price of the car because it collapsed in Silent Hill! So he set out a fast pace, deciphering his way into the heavy fog.

And then he saw it, the huge wooden sign.

"Welcome to Silent Hill"

He stood there for some seconds, nostalgia hitting him ten folds...recalling his lover's excitement when they had seen this sign for the first time

(flashback start)

"Look Gukkie! We're here! This is Silent Hill right?

-Yes, yes it is. Calm down love before you hurt yourself."

Taehyung pouted, nose stuck against the car window while he drank in the sight of the little town with its little houses and shops surrounded by greeneries and the view of Toluca Lake from afar. It looked so peaceful, so beautiful and he couldn't wait to explore it.

"I knew you'd love it here. The lake is the main reason I chose this place to be our honeymoon destination.

-It's perfect Gukkie...it's perfect..."

Taehyung had turned to look at his husband, smiling so widely in that cute boxy shape before he bent forward to kiss his husband on the cheek, blushing slightly.

"It's amazing...I love it already...

-Wait till you discover the hotel. It's everything you ever wanted."

Taehyung had simply giggled, placing his head on his husband's shoulder and whispering.

"Thank you Gukkie..."

(flashback end)

Jeongguk had to blink furiously to get himself out of this flood of nostalgia and to wipe the tears that trailed from his eyes. No need to get emotional now, he was here to find Tae not to weep like a baby. And there's no second to lose!

It's just that...Taehyung's happiness back then....was the most cherished memory he had of the delicate angel...

Jeongguk walked away, leaving the sign behind and ignoring the pang of hurt in his chest. Why did Taehyung need to leave him? Why was it necessary for the beautiful angel to die?

His attention was snapped away from those depressing thoughts by the first buildings in sight, slowly emerging from the heavy fog as he got closer.

A street sign showed up the words "Carroll Street" to the left, and "Rendell Street" up ahead. An intersection he was familiar with. Up ahead were houses and small apartment buildings in Rendell Street, while Carroll Street leads to a bowling alley, a club and a gas station.

Oh and a hospital too, he forgot about this since he thankfully never went there with Taehyung.

He stopped to think. If he wanted to take a detour he'd go through Rendell Street just for the sake of it and explore a bit if he wanted to make sure he searched every part of the town. But if he went through Carroll Street it would make it easier to reach the hotel. Of course he'll search the shops there and all before going to the hotel but he needed to verify if Taehyung wasn't there after all.

Even if the town looked deserted, no other soul beside himself.

So he took to the left, seeing the familiar facades coming to view, all dusty and rusty. The roads were cracked in certain places but it didn't look prone to collapsing at all. Maybe he was letting his own memories of the town falsify his judgements? He kept on walking, slowly to inspect the surroundings. Was it him or did the fog seem less heavy now? Maybe he was getting used to it? He was seeing the little shops and the lone houses. The street wasn't too fancy but you gotta admit those few houses looked nice, as if the wealthy people of Silent Hill lived here. Some doors were barricaded, some others were looking as if the owners just closed them without even bothering to lock.

And he felt like someone was watching him closely.

It was unnerving but Jeongguk was sure it was just his nerves and the fact he was walking alone in deserted foggy streets that used to be so full of life once. He had to stop more than once to look around and scrutinize the streets and the dusty windows. There was no one here. He was alone.

A big white building with a small pelouse was ahead. He knew that place: Brookhaven Hospital.

He stopped in front of it, recalling how the hospital had been the only place he hadn't visited with Taehyung back then. There hadn't been any need for it after all.

Was it?

Jeongguk blinked, frowning at this incongru question. Why would he think that way? Why would he question the fact that Brookhaven Hospital had been the only place they hadn't visited? Both he and Taehyung had been perfectly healthy during their honeymoon and the other two times they had come back.

And yet...

Jeongguk had the feeling...that the question hadn't been asked by himself. That he had heard it in his head, not thought about it.

He shook his head. Silly supposition that's all there is to it. The fog was getting into his head after all, he had been walking for an hour perhaps and he was bound to imagine things. He continued on, aiming at the bowling alley to rest since his head had been throbbing and to treat his wound that started bleeding again apparently. He saw the sign of "Jack's Inn" ahead knowing he was now close to the gas station and the motel attached to it so he slowed down.

That's when he heard it. Footsteps.

He stopped, and listened in, trying to discern the direction it was coming from. It sounded like leisure footsteps, someone walking leisurely, with no haste.

He heard humming, and it was coming from behind him. He turned and tried to discern the form of this new comer, someone lost? Someone who heard of the abandoned town and wanted to come see for themselves? Any company is welcomed since it means possible information.

The humming intensified but no one was close. The footsteps sounded like it was coming from the hospital and toward the gas station, meaning it was coming towards himself but...he saw no one. The fog could be the reason for this but...but it was unnerving.

"Hello? Anyone here?"

The footsteps came to a halt but the humming was still going. And...and it sounded familiar....

Jeongguk felt his heart stopping when he realized he had heard the melody. It was "twinkle twinkle" and Taehyung used to hum it often at night when he sat stargazing. He was sure of it, it's Taehyung's voice!

"Tae!! Taehyung!!"

The raven haired man took some hasty steps, turning around and searching, yelling his husband's name with desperate hope. His head snapped toward the sudden noise to his left, turning to run toward it, hearing the lullaby getting louder.

"Twinkle twinkle little star..

How I wonder what you are...

Up above the world so high...

Like a diamond...in the...sky...."

Heaving, Jeongguk found himself in the gas station, staring at what used to be a tacky neon sign saying "Texxon Gas". He heaved, trying to even his breath, eyes darting everywhere to try and discern the form of his lover in this heavy fog.

Nothing.

No one was there.

No sound was coming from the gas station and no sign of anyone. No sound of footsteps, no sound of humming, certainly no sound of a lullaby he was most familiar with.

And no sight of his Taehyung and his lovely boxy smile.

Jeongguk didn't know if he should feel frustrated or simply heartbroken at the empty sight of the abandoned gas station. He simply stood there, like a fool in the midst of a deserted town and heavy fog, looking for his deceased husband because why? Because he had been too eager at accepting any sign, even if it was a prank, that could help him change the past and have Taehyung back in his arms. Because he's a fool, yes he is, and he couldn't deny it himself even if it was killing him. What? He was hearing his husband's voice, his husband's footsteps and he was seeing his husband's shadow and form everywhere now!!!

"What am I doing here..."

He couldn't find a proper answer to his own question and sighed, deciding to keep moving toward the now very close bowling alley.

But then, he caught the form of someone, looking at him from behind one of the gas distributors as if they were hiding. But once they realized they've been seen, they darted to run in the fog. Jeongguk had seen the direction they were running to however and chased them.

"Hey! Hey stop!!"

But to no avail, the form was still running, looking like a little boy...or girl? Or was it even a child? It looked thin and lightly clothed in this freezing cold so...Jeongguk had no idea but he decided having company other than his own dark thoughts is welcome and decided to catch this running figure.

Said figure had taken the corner and went into an alley in between the station's convenience store and abandoned garages. Quickly, the ravenette followed it, still yelling.

"Hey! Stop please! I'm not gonna hurt you!"

But there was no sign of anyone here. Dammit they must've distanced themselves from him and went into hiding! No chance of finding them now!

Jeongguk decided to explore the alley, maybe he could still find this fugitive after all since all he had now were unanswered questions.

But midway through the alley, he heard a sound in the distance.

The loud sound of what could be described as...an alarm?

Frowning, the man stood puzzled, confused about this sound that seemed to reverberate across the entirety of the town. What is it?

As if answering the silent question, the sky seemed to darken considerably. The night was falling apparently. So was this alarm like a signal for dusk or something?

He nearly jumped when he felt something falling on his face and he quickly used his flashlight, illuminating enough to see around himself. What was his surprise when he saw that what fell on his face was no other than rain? What was his surprise when he saw that his surroundings were all dark and rusty, as if the walls themselves were oozing rust?

Gulping, he decided to move forward and explore but very prudently. He was somewhat reassured that he wasn't the only one here, since he had been chasing a figure earlier. He advanced slowly, feeling his heartbeat rising, the impenetrable darkness surrounding him looking like it was literally swallowing everything up and suffocating him.

He clutched the chain around his neck, the one with Taehyung's wedding ring, keeping the sight of his smiling husband in mind to give himself courage. He was doing this for him, he was doing this to find him and to get back their happiness. Taehyung is all worth it.

In front of the dim light cast by his flashlight were a flight of stairs going down. Despite his apprehension, he moved toward it, knowing there was no other way beside down.

He saw something that made his blood freeze.

A huge splash of red on the floor...oozing out of a deformed pile of rotten carcass.

Jeongguk wouldn't say he's a coward, but the sight of this...this horrible thing made him shiver from fright. He took some careful steps, trying not to step on the blood and trying to block the horrible scenery as he progressed under the rain. He found himself in an open space under the inky sky, corridors made from wired barriers looking like a maze going into a specified direction. He followed, directing his flashlight to try and get the best vision in order not to find other unpleasant surprises.

Up ahead, he saw what looked like a...hospital bed? Why on earth would someone leave a hospital bed like this in the open and under the rain? Is it perhaps old and broken?

No...it was covered with a sheet...dirtied with splashes of rusty brown and bright red....covering something underneath while a leather belt bound the ...the thing underneath to the bed....

And it was moving when Jeongguk stepped closer to it, forgetting how to breathe.

He had to forcefully tear his gaze from the strange and morbid sight so he won't throw up the meager dinner he ate yesterday.

Perhaps the meager dinner wasn't meant to stay in his stomach after all. Because the sight he had in front of his eyes once he looked up from the bloodied bed had him screaming in horror and scrambling backward till his back hit the wired barrier.

Because in front of him was the morbid sight of a peeled off human, crucified on the wired barrier with wires and rusty nails all over it, its head covered with an industrial mask while blood pooled underneath it on the floor.

The worst wasn't the sight....but realizing the thing was wheezing...breathing faintly while its lidless eyes were fixed on him.

Jeongguk screamed again, before he tore himself away from the barrier to run away from this. Quickly he darted toward the end of the "corridor", seeing it was closed off with what looked to be a door made from wired grills and chains. He used all his strength to shake the seemingly unstable door but no use. Heaving from fright, he decided to go back and forget about this place, he'll search for the running figure once again later but now he needed to get as far as possible from this corpse!!

Oh but was it so easy? Not really, since he found out he wasn't alone anymore.

But countless, weird humanoid and gurgling forms were surrounding him all of a sudden, seemingly coming from nowhere.

They looked like humans...or what used to be humans...with chains around their necks fused with their flesh and trailing on the ground, faceless with a huge scar in the middle of their faces sewn with wire in a grotesque way. Their arms were so tightly bound around themselves like a straight jacket, fingers and hands fused with the flesh of their sides and backs, wire bounding the flesh and fused into it. They were wearing black thigh high boots with heels and moving twitchingly, as if they were carrying the weight of their flesh and chains difficulty on the high heeled boots.

And the sound...the sound was horrible...the gurgles...the rusty wheezing sounds....

Jeongguk screamed and yelled, backing off and realizing there was no way out. He was surrounded and the monsters were closing in fast. One of them was already too close and the man just went back to shaking the barricade, screaming for help and praying anyone would hear him and come to the rescue. Seeing no progress in trying to get the door open, the man simply darted in between the monsters closing in, using his speed against the twitchy creatures while dodging any attempt at them trying to touch him. He saw another corridor to his right and darted through it, trying to deafen the sounds of the gurgling monsters while he dashed toward what looked like the side of a building. There! A door!!!

He threw himself against the wooden door, getting it open easily and dashed inside the building, yelling in terror and turned to close it in haste. However, all he got was a hit on the head from one of the monsters that lurched forward using its own bulbous head to attack. The hit was too strong and the raven haired man fell on the wooden floor, a loud ringing in his ears blocking the surrounding sounds. Groggy and disoriented, he registered the monsters looming all over him, two of them using the wires on their body to drag him with them.

But when he came to realize it, it was late and he was already being dragged to the outside.

He yelled and kicked, turning on his stomach to grab the floor, hysteria setting in his mind and zeroing on one thing: getting out of this mess and running away.

It seemed all his efforts were for nothing, the monsters still surrounding him and he was nearly giving up.

That's when...the sky seemed to clear out, lights filtering from the inky darkness. The monsters dropped him on the dusty wooden floor and seemed to...to disintegrate on their own, falling like ashes and disappearing.

It was all too much for Jeongguk, who lost consciousness from his hysterical sobbing.

But he couldn't help....but hear the faint humming of "Twinkle Twinkle" right before he blacked out.

***