— pᵃʳᵃᵈᵉ

TAEHYUNG: CHECK.
MINGYU: CHECK.
WONWOO: CHECK.
SEHUN: CHECK.
JAIJIN: CHECK.
HOSEOK: CHECK.
EUNWOO: CHECK.

[part 5]

When Eunwoo had fled from the prying eyes at the fair, he hadn't had a destination in mind. Even as he ran along the unfamiliar streets of New Orleans his mind was preoccupied with feelings of confusion. You see, completely blanking out for over an hour was something that had never happened to him before. By the time he was capable of thinking enough to decide to head back to the hotel, he already found himself surrounded by people in costumes and masks. For Eunwoo, who didn't have a lot of experience participating in events that didn't not involve his family, or school, the setting was entirely new. It looked like a party, just.. different. Why was everyone wearing masks though? Befuddled and assaulted by various sensations, the 19 year old with a limited social life stood completely helpless in the mass of people. Should he really go back to the hotel? His brain was telling him that he probably should, but.. in the end, 19 year old guys were not known for being particularly mature, especially when there was something "fun" in front of them. And so, indulging in his remains of childishness, Eunwoo started to wizz about the crowd of people. Several intoxicated individuals went out of their way too try and converse with him and one particularly drunk lady got quite aggravated when she saw he didn't have a mask and promptly made him wear a spare she'd been carrying around. With his new disguise, Eunwoo truly started to loosen up. As the hours past his clothes began to stick to his body, drenched with sweat. He had also consumed various beverages and some other.. substance his new friends didn't want to elaborate upon. He was having trouble thinking clearly, but he was having the time of his life. The world had become so colourful! Any fleeting thoughts he might have had about the morality of his present behaviour were gone with the wind. There was a huge grin on his face and he simply could not get it off. Thank god he was wearing a mask.. if he met anyone he knew (unlikely, as this was not Korea, but nonetheless) he would have been too ashamed to show himself. Some more time passed, and then Eunwoo found himself leaving the parade, his arm slung around a handsome stranger he'd met half an hour ago. Someone had recommended visiting the witch doctor who had set up shop nearby. Who was Eunwoo to refuse something as awesome as that? It wasn't any day that he could meet true heretics.

TAEHYUNG: CHECK.
MINGYU: CHECK.
WONWOO: CHECK.
SEHUN: CHECK.
JAIJIN: CHECK.
HOSEOK: CHECK.

[ Part 11 ]

23:40.

Howls of laughter, festivities, enjoyment and carefreeness wafted up with the cool breeze. A figured was perched on the edge of a roof, tear-filled eyes gazing up at the sky as he curled up on himself. It was a while since he had been here, unmoving, unthinking. After Hoseok had fled the restaurant, he had quickly washed up in the washroom of a dilapidated store before scaling a relatively tall building to hide on the roof. No one would bother with looking for him, much less here, since the festival was soon coming to an end and people were looking forward to making the most of what was left. Despite his initial reason for having escaped here, the young male thought that finally, he would have some time in solace to just think. Ponder on his situation. Figure out his course of action. His nerves were still frazzled, but after he spewed the acid and horrible feelings out, Hoseok felt much better now. His mind had cleared up a bit too, thanks to the fresh air up here.

Now that he was free to leave, a lot of options sprang up. There was always the possibility he could become a normal citizen in some other country, doing things that "normal human beings" do; you know, precisely not kill people for a living. The only problem with that in Hoseok's mind was the fact that he didn't know what to do. So accustomed to following what he had been told, it was difficult to fathom a time when he'd be living a life in which he controlled his decisions. Of course, the fact that he was sitting here pondering that showed that he was capable of thinking for his own. But it still had been for something he was familiar with. To.. live a normal life? How did one even do that?

As he sat here, collecting his thoughts, that nagging feeling that he was missing out on something extremely important kept resurfacing. How did he get here? What happened during the times where he could not recollect anything? Was there somewhere he had been transferred to? Thoughts kept swirling in his mind. There was also a faint ache in the chest that he had not been aware of until recently, like he was.. missing someone. Since the time of the priest's death, Hoseok has this feeling of fingers grasping his heart — it made him think that it was worry for a person he cared for immensely. Who it was, where they were, what happened to them, Hoseok knew not. But gazing over the city, listening to the sounds of enjoyment, he felt determined to find out what had happened to him. It was easy to simply accept it and move on, but Hoseok was at least going to try damnit. Nevertheless, that could wait until tomorrow. For now, he was simply going to enjoy the solitary peace over here, the cool breeze on his skin and the sky twinkling with stars, like it was finally smiling some luck upon him. Hoseok felt content.

TAEHYUNG: CHECK.
MINGYU: CHECK.
WONWOO: CHECK.
SEHUN: CHECK.
JAIJIN: CHECK.

[ 4 / 10 anonymous ]

Just moments after turning onto a new block Jaijin regrets his hasty decision. The scent of smoke fills his lungs, laced with spice and sweat. He coughs and presses a fist to the center of his chest. Waving a hand in front of his face Jaijin finds the source to be multiple people, those sitting on the sidelines with cigarettes and, by surprise, a few with fog machines among the party-goers. Is that even allowed?

This must not be the official parade because there are no barriers among the citizens. Anyone can join and leave the event as they please, which seems to be the case as the line swells and empties at random points. Jaijin, caught in the middle of all this, is shoved further into the crowd by a group of rowdy young men painted head to toe. Green and purple stain the side of his plain black shirt, causing his lip to curl in disgust. He can't stew over the matter for long as he's shoved by another group, and then another, until he's literally pressed up against others. It's to the point where you could step on someone's foot and they wouldn't know it was you, or that it was your hand on their hip instead of another's.

Jaijin becomes the victim, lips stolen passionately by a man in drag before having more beads placed on his shoulders. "G'day, love." Then he's gone, through the crowd for another patron and leaving Jaijin dazed.

What was he supposed to be doing again?

Apparently it's not important as he simply can't recall. The energy of the crowd is getting to him, and for once during this whole thing Jaijin has a clear thought. He needs to /get out/. It spurs him to start shoving his way through the crowd, hands pressing into people's arms and backs, sometimes digging crescents into their skins with his fingernails.

"Excuse me." he mutters over and over again in his mother tongue, too busy escaping to even try and speak in the English they wish to hear. What a stupid language anyways. The distraction of that thought is welcome as he continues to struggle his way out. It seems as if more and more people are joining and blocking him further from the sidewalk he so desperately wants to step foot on. Glimpsing the grey slabs of concrete Jaijin knows he's close, and just meters away he shoves someone to the ground so he can actually move forward. He didn't even bother to apologize.

Finally on the sidewalk Jaijin puts his hands on his knees and breathes out. Too much - over stimulation of his mind is causing him to sway. Jaijin didn't just need to leave the parade, he needs to leave this street. Another alley is all too welcoming and he steps foot inside.

@jeongguk j. 〈 jeon |H| TAEHYUNG: CHECK.
MINGYU: CHECK.
WONWOO: CHECK.
SEHUN: CHECK.

[ 6 p1 ]
He’s a mess, stumbling through with invisible blood on his body. He’d done that. He had done that. He couldn’t believe it.

WHy did he not feel remorse? His gasps were unheard as the people moved jovially around him, laughter echoing in his ears and he hated it. He hated the laughter. He wanted to scream at the splitting sensation but he couldn’t bring himself to. Why did he feel relief instead of remorse? He should be crying for the people that he’d sentenced to death, not crying because his deed was complete.

Beads fall around him as he stands numbly in the crowd full of people. Beer bottles clinking together and loud voices meshing together. Purple and gold and green scattering across his body - from glitter to feather, it made him sick. Bile rises in his throat and he has to turn away to vomit up the steak and eggs he had so graciously ate. His hands fold around his stomach and a soft sob leaves him as sick dribbles from his lips. His fingers attempt to wipe away the mess, grabbing the letter that had endorsed this heinous act and rubbing the spittle and food bits against it. The writing smudging, no longer able to make out ‘Kim Taehyung’ .. And he tosses it right into the sewer.

He didn’t know why he was like this.

He saves face by standing and walking along with the parade, leeching off of their happiness for just these moments. His fingers rubbing against his pants to wipe off the slimy feeling he’d developed on the tips. He needed answers. But where? His eyes fall over to an alley, and the answer he gets is an unwelcome one. Flashbacks pooling at his mind and –

- D E C E M B E R 2 N D, 1 Y E A R A G O -

Run.

Cordiform lips part in pants. Sweat dribbling from a high forehead, mixing with the rain that is pouring so freely on him, the cloudburst unwelcome and unwarranted. Only proving to obscure this scene all too much.

Feet pressing hard against the concrete, rubble flying from under his feet as puddles he once played in now become an obstacle that prevents him from going. Predator becoming prey in just a moment, not knowing he had been on a walk with someone until it was near too late. Lights disappearing and horns fading behind him as he runs. Runs. Not knowing which way to turn. Not sure which sign would meet him, which wall would block him off and leave him at the hands of the one who was pursuing him. The should be soothing psithurism of rain sprinkling along car hoods and vacant shops becoming the tune of his doom, invoking striking fear that pierces through his heart. Into his soul.

[ 6p2 ] Into his core.

Silencing the demons that were usually all to ready to grip onto his disarrayed state, claws digging into flesh and fingers pressing until blood dripped from around their digits. But nothing. Nothing but their afraid whispers mimicking his own. Just a little bit more, he could see civilization just up ahead. The alleyway stretching long and thin in front of him, like a never ending nightmare. Dumpsters replaying over and over as he trips over himself, knees giving out and hands falling through the air in attempts to grip onto gravity and right himself. But he was tumbling. Chin scraping hard against the wet gravel, smearing dirt and scraping, blood rising to his skin and dripping down his unhealthy, pale neck. Pooling at the edges of his shirt and turning the white cotton a scarlet red.

No color would survive the void of those eyes though.

Fearful iris' land on the figure just down the way, the one who walks slowly with fiercely choleric whistles falling from thin lips. Lips pulled in a sinister grin, scrunching dimples on a would be beautiful face, the shadow of the abandoned balconies above them giving the man proper disclosure of his true identity. But Taehyung knew. Taehyung knew what he looked like. That face was in his nightmares more often than not. It was a face he would never be able to say goodbye to, but a face that he was too frightened to describe to the police.

Appentence to coalesce with the crowd just down the way has him back on shaking feet once more. Pointed hips bumping harsh against tin trash cans, creating a ruckus that would hopefully turn heads this way. But he was invisible to them. His yells and screams of plea creating a dissonance that only he seemed to hear, his voice cutting through the air until there was nothing left but the hoarse groans. Desperation in his limbs as he tosses a trashcan to the side, disrupting a bundle of cats that are hissing and scratching each other in their attempts to find safety from the rain - from the crazy men.

His lips were aquiver as his knee gives out, hitting the ground once more, fear taking over his body and pulling him in like sticky tar. Catching his converse and dragging him to a halt. The rain stops as he rolls onto his back, but only from the man above him. Timberlands pressed close to his rib cage as the nefarious figure grins down at him. Sickly sweet voice soothing to his ears as devilish fingers reach down to caress his cheek.

"So trouvaille," He whispers, accent so thick against the french word, running invisible blades along Taehyung's spine, eliciting a pitiful whimper from colorless lips. Eyes flooding with fear, like he was under the blade, but there was no weapon on the man. The only weapon being his fingers.

Hit him.

He couldn't move his muscles.

Knock his legs out to the side!

His fingers barely twitch. Not even as the figure bends down, weight barely grazing his chest as fingers wrap around his neck.

Scream out.

No one would hear. Too caught up in the saudade of life around them, constant pining for 'that friend', glee on their faces as they walk around in their own little world. The nightlife too bright and loud to be drawn to the bleak alleyway. A hole in the wall.

Anathema brings bile to his throat as calloused hands press around his neck, his eyes bulging as black swarms his vision, tickling the edges of his eyes until he could barely move, struggles against his hands paused with a firm knee to his chest and precision to pressure points on his neck. As his vision blacks and his nails scratch helplessly against the neck above him, he recalls the sough of the man above him.

He wakes up supine, the phantom pain on his neck and clothes soaked through to the bone. His hands snap up to his skin and rub circles to bring the area to life once more, trachea feeling squashed and esophagus bruised. Why was he alive? Petrichor lingers on his nose, along with the sickly scent of pineapple–

- F L A S H B A C K E N D -

His legs had gone their own way in his stupor, his mind staying focused on the alley that brought back phantom pains and the reason for his metanoia. Limping gait causing a flare in his thigh now, burning from the extra weight added to it, from the double work that he had to put in. Taehyung’s teeth dig into his bottom lip as he meets an area that he’d only witnessed in a dolled up version.

Princess Tiana, eat your heart out. Taehyung was in the bayou.

@wonwoo j. 〈 jīn |SH| Mingyu help but laugh at Wonwoo's response, although he probably wouldn't have heard him with all the noise blasting right around them, which in most cases would serve a great purpose. "I know we've got people out to hunt us down but I didn't know you'd take your costumes so seriously." He mused, flashing his signature canine grin for a split second before continuing. "Though I'll have to admit...this kinda maybe suits you just a little bit." What the younger also wanted to say was that Wonwoo would make a pretty fine girl if he ever decided to take 'that' path down the road. And by 'that' he meant becoming a drag queen, he didn't have anything against it but the thought of the older pursuing that career made him burst out into laughter.

Mingyu took the other's arm in his hand, carefully watching as the material fell right off his shoulder. "I know first aid, my mother taught me all the things I needed to know before she disappeared." He spoke without sparing a glance towards Wonwoo, too focused on the damaged arm in his hold. He brought two of his fingers and gently pressed them against the other's arm to find where the source of pain was coming from directly. After a few pokes here and there he came to the conclusion that Wonwoo had indeed broken his arm, if that fact wasn't already obvious to the both of them. "...that's a really odd coincidence. I know we sort of knew each other back then but I didn't know things would catch up to us this quickly." he mumbled, unsure of what to make of the information he had just heard. It was definitely strange and the coiling in the pits of his stomach wasn't helping either. "We need to find out everything he knows then kill him, I'll take down what's left of the gang and right after we'll complete what you want."

Mingyu carefully slid the sleeve of Wonwoo's blouse off him and bit down into his lower lip. "look as much as I want to take you to the hospital...i don't think we'll get there quickly and chances are, it might be closed." he sighed quietly, scratching his cheek which happened to be a habit of his when things made him nervous. Just then he ed his overlay and draped it over Wonwoo before taking off his white shirt. Luckily he too was wearing another shirt under despite the fact of how thin it was. In almost an instant and with a few folds, he made a temporary sling. Mingyu slid it over Wonwoo and positioned his arm inside, undoing a few knots to make it tighter and much more comfortable for the latter.

"It's not the best...sorry."

@mingyu k. 〈 kmin "That's the purpose of this outfit, mingyu. Though many have not seen my bare face, it doesn't hurt to be careful of people in dark." Wonwoo answerd followed by a laughter that only lasted for seconds because his damaged arm started to hurt real bad, causing wonwoo to hiss in pain. Is this karma for deceiving little kids with his beauty? He thought irritatedly. Thinking of beauty he eyed mingyu's outfit. Wonwoo took his observing mingyu's outfit, half limping as he was guided by the other to somewhere more private. "by the way nice costume." He uttered, a knowing look in his eyes as they walked a few blocks down. Even though mingyu's outfit was less dramatic than his own, wonwoo still couldn't digest the image he was seeing tight then. In his memory he only saw mingyu dressed in custom made suits for the young heir which were a little colourful or nothing at all.

"Show me your arm."

"You know first aid? " It was a dumb question but he had to make sure mingyu wouldn't make the situation worse than it already had been, nonetheless he shifted to his left and showed his broken arm. "I think I sprained it because it didn't swell like people say when a bone is broken. " By the time he was finished talking, he had ed his blouse so they could properly inspect the damage done. He was wearing a black tee underneath that saved him from being half and gestured mingyu to pull off the right sleeve down. Wonwoo stayed still while they were getting the blouse off. He felt pain only when there's a little to movement involved and other than that he didn't for which he was thankful. He certainly didn't want to run to a nearby hospital in that kind of outfit but he knew they had to eventually, if they wanted to get the work done.

"You see, " He began, looking at nothing in particular while mingyu inspected his arm. "I did my research on that unknown person that almost killed you. Turns out he was the same person who messed up my last mission. Because of him I'm now under surveillance and have to live with the fear of being exposed every second." His voice was indifferent, but the ugly frown on his face expressed whatever he was feeling very clearly. "So what do you want to do first? Kill that guy then find your ex-brothers or whoever might be trailing you down here, get Intel on their true motives? And I've got everything you might need so no need to worry about weapons." Then there was silence after that except little painful hisses when wonwoo's arm was being poked for a few minutes before he asked. "Hospital?"

@wonwoo j. 〈 jīn |SH| Mingyu pushed his way through the crowd attempting to find Wonwoo, with every step he took, the streets became more and more packed almost suffocating him with the strong scents of perfume and god knows what. Being tall was an advantage but for that very reason Mingyu was dragged away to get changed into possibly the most gaudy outfit he had ever seen in his entire life. Countless gems and sequins were sewn onto the suit that hugged his body before being covered in tinsel from head to toe. Instantaneously he was pushed back into the swarms of locals all coming together to celebrate, it was clear to see that he stood out other than the few men who walked around on wooden stilts. As he stepped forward, he was soon taken aback at the sight of a small girl collapsed on the floor and with that, he quickly picked her up in his arms.

"m-mr have you seen my dad-" she sniffled as she clutched onto Mingyu for her dear life, he looked around nervously. If there was one thing he hated, it was dealing with kids because no matter what he done, they always broke out into tears. Maybe it was the way his eyes narrowed down to form a glare even thought it was meant to be a smile but one thing's for sure...this small and fragile girl wasn't going to find her father by herself in a place like this. Quickly he glanced down at his watch, he knew that Wonwoo would have to wait. The safety of this child had suddenly become his number one priority, the missions could wait. "Don't worry, we'll find your dad. Can you tell me what he looks like?"

Mingyu stumbled through the crowds looking for a man that had fit the child's description. Short, brown hair and wearing a bird suit. It seemed like an easy task but when you've got 50 birds dancing in unison, it's hard to differentiate each one from each other. "appa!" she yelled and pointed straight ahead to a man dressed as a blue bird. "ah sorry it seems like your daughter got lost, please keep an eye on her next time." Mingyu silently bit into his lower lip and cursed under his breath. He had to admit that he did come off a bit too strong but clearly the father was at fault. He bid farewell and looked up at the night sky. It was only 6pm now yet everything seemed even more beautiful than before. As the fireworks burst into spectrums of light in the sky, a certain someone caught his eye. It was Wonwoo, at least he thought he was.

"hey."

no answer

"heyyy."

Mingyu started to doubt that this was Wonwoo he was speaking to.

"Wonwoo--" and with that he watched as the latter fell to the floor, staring down at him for much too long. "o-oh- sorry!" He stuttered, bending down to help lift Wonwoo off the ground. "I didn't really recognize you with you wearing..uh that-" Mingyu eyed Wonwoo's outfit, it was very eccentric compared to all the other costumes that were shoved up his face. Instinctly Mingyu clutched Wonwoo's wrist, the one that wasn't broken obviously and walked through countless people into a more secluded area, though there were still the odd few people doing business that meant nothing to him.

"Your arm, show me it"

@mingyu k. 〈 kmin "Never thought I'll be visiting this place so soon." Carelessly spilled melancholic words disappeared into the festive ambiance, unheard as he intended to. The crowd was wild, frolic screams and loud music in harmony even though it was five in the evening. The twilight sky gradually turning darker darker , whatever hues that the setting sun scattered over the sky faded away while he watched the enthusiastic people with a little of delight in his eyes but had to put up a cheerful persona, screaming till his throat hurt and limbs tired from all the jumping and weird dance moves, they say, he had to do to stay hidden. Honestly he was regretting his decision like the last time that ended up him in the witness protection program. "You can do it, he'll be here soon." Mumbled under his breathe in his mother tongue though no one could understand what he said, he was still cautious of his actions. One can never know what's or who's lurking in the dark, possibly closer than imagined.

[1]

@mingyu k. 〈 kmin "Uhmn --" A tug on the skirt he was wearing, apparently he decided to dress up as female, a look alike barbie to be exact; the idea seemed very much appealing and worthy of putting into action back then, corn silk hair that fell to his bottom and a floral printed white blouse and a long umbrella skirts down to his legs coupled with red heels and the beauty he was blessed with, he managed to get a perfect disguise required for critical missions but after walking for hours he was kind of regrettting it for not thinking thorough. Nothing could be done. With an invisible sigh, exasperated, he shifted his attention to the continuous tugging on his skirt, with a perfect practiced smile on his caked up face. Save the boost his ego received at the awed look in the pair of widened blue eyes. The culprit was a eight years old girl, dressed as a princess or so it seemed with a baby blue lacy princess gown, a tiara of blue roses perched on her head and a pair of transparent rubber shoes -- Cinderella may be? And how could he be so cruel to such an adorable princess. "What is it? " He asked softly, crouching down and probably shocked the girl because of his voice was of a man but she was nice enough to not question it. "Uhmn.. can we take a picture together." Fidgetting, she asked to which wonwoo immediately gave a positive smile, nodding is head and held out his arms and within a minute someone appeared, probably her guardian or parent he didn't know and took the picture. "you're so pretty mr. I wanna be like you." "you're far more prettier than me, little one." "Bye. " "Byeee!" After her dad, he found out after the picture was taken, thanked him and parted ways. Wonwoo was a bit happy. Well it was worth it. He mused, going back to doing those weird dance moves as the parade moved ahead.

He was tired. Not that much but the irritation was back in his system. The only pleasant memory was of that sweet little girl praising his beauty that still brough forth a heartfelt smile to his red smeared lips. Lifting his wrist up, he rolled the sleeves of his blouse; he was wearing a long sleeved one, revealed thin bracelet of gold and diamonds studded watch, obviously a fake bought from a local shop but still looking expensive. About to be seven, it read and just as he rolled his sleeves down while looking up ahead at the sky---boom. The night sky then turned a dark canvas for the tone being as various fireworks began to explode up in the sky, vibrant in colour and louder in sound and the crowd seemed more louder than the fireworks that even if he hated the noise wonwoo couldn't help but laugh at it at the same time. The fireworks indeed were beautiful, mesmerizing wonwoo no matter how many times he had seen then just like that time. For a moment he forgot why he was there and what he was supposed to do, silently enjoying the night beauty with blissful look on his face.

"hey --" ignored.
"Heyyy-" wonwoo still was out of it to know the familiar voice.

"Wonwoo--" A little louder but still dull enough yet it was enough to snap him out of his dazed state, fear settling within his heart, a loud gasp and he hurried his heels. Bad move. The next moment his face kissed the ground and somehow in his bewilderment he had managed to sprain his right arm or worst dislocated the whole arm, crying out in pain thigh after a little inspection it turned out a broken arm. He didn't know weather to be grateful or not. Still laid out like a dead fish on the ground did wonwoo dared to look at the face of the person that called out is name. "Oh.. why so late? " He wasn't irritated at that person for being late but for the broken arm. How they're going to get any work done? "Mind helping me stand up." He asked with a small frown because getting up by yourself with right arm being useless and heels on your feet seemed difficult than he thought. And if they want to get their work done within the limited time, they had to work fast than lieing helpless on the steet.

[2]

[ ALDJFLASDA YA S SS S <333
AND DW BBY, YOU CAN CHOOSE ANY ORDER YOU LIKE! JUST SO LONG AS YOU GO THROUGH THEM ALL ]

part 2


He was not the prey tonight.
No. There was no need for panic, no need for the nervous beating of his heart against his sternum, no need for the sweat on his palms. But he felt on display out here, away from the safe haven he had found for himself, a place where he was surrounded by people who were just like him. Outcasts, refugees.
A hunter. It was what he one were and needed to become once more, always ready to strike, no matter what consequences waited for him after he did.
He felt movement to his left, a hand brushing against his upper arm and he jerked away from the touch - too gentle, too familiar, the scent of passion fruit and Hibiskus flower caressing his nose for a heartbeat, before it was swept away in a wave of sweat and bear. The fingers lingered on his back then, sliding down his side to push something inside his pocket and Sehun swayed on his feet, leg nearly giving out under the weight of his body, almost turning around to look at the person whose touch left him - leaving behind the feeling of aching emptiness and longing.
A longing echoing so deeply through him, he caught himself turning his head, chasing the lone figure that was walking away from the parade floats and away into the brightly lit alleys of New Orleans, leaving him a trail of breadcrumbs. The trail for him to follow, tiny dots of blood on the ground to awaken the desires that were buried so deeply inside of him. For a moment, he nearly longed to leave it all behind once and for all, cutting this last string and return to the island, delete all the messages and burn the breadcrumbs. He longed to just be Oh Shixun and bury Sehun along with all the memories he had treasured like the kiss of a lover.

There was no turning back now, though. Not for him and not tonight. It was the only chance for him to end something once and for all. Maybe not the hunt for his head. But he could at least safe a life he had given up so long ago. One last life to keep another.

[] So since Mommy didn't tell me if I have to work through each room in order--- /holds my middle fingers up in a heart shape @ Mommy <3333

FIRST STATION FOR SHIXUN


part 1

The Madi Gras was something that ran through you like the blood in your veins. Hot and pulsing, the beat of drums like the thumping of your heart against your ribs. It absorbed you, pulled you in deeper and deeper, like the parade was like a magnet in the center of a thriving city. It had been years since he had been last surrounded by this many people, bodies pushing into his own from each side, like he was a little nutshell bobbing atop a sea of faces and beads, glittering pearls biting into the skin of his arms, rubbing him raw. Sehun didn't know if it was really his skin that was starting to chafe, or if it was his soul. Years, he thought to himself as he pushed through the masses, dodging arms flailing in a cheer, beer sloshing over the rims of red paper cups and spraying him with sticky foam as if he was walking through moist fog. His shirt was sticking to his back and chest already, sweat trickling over his shoulder blades and rolling down his spine as he wove his way into the throng, the maelstrom of warm and sticky frames.
A couple of days earlier, he would have rather died, than come her - out into the open where anybody from his past could spot him at any time, could find out that he hadn't actually died, that he was still here, hiding from their watchful eyes and ever present hands. They were always ready to close their jaws back around him, to tighten the nozzle around his neck once more. But today he was not the prey to be hunted, no. He was the predator, the wolf on the prowl, ready to rip the one apart he had come to find.

And kill.

Vows were so easily broken, so easily cast aside with the rage bubbling hotly inside his guts, the thirst for blood running through his veins like liquid fire. Where was the memory of the promise he had made over the body of a loved one, to never spill blood again? Where was the leash, he had put on himself to forget about all those days and nights he had caught himself enjoying the gruesome work he had to do?
It had been burned and crumpled together with the message he had gotten a week ago, a tiny row of letters, black against white on the screen of his phone. There was only one person from the past, who still had this number, who still had the right to use it. The only string left to cut that attached him to his old life.
Sehun had once sworn to cut it, like he had done with all the others (sometimes in the most literal sense of the word), but he had found himself unable to do so, like his hands were bound by an invisible force - shackles of love and care that were rendering him motionless, powerless and now made him crave the spilling of blood, the slowly flickering end of a life.
*He* was here tonight.

His way through the masses was hard, the muscles in his right leg cramping painfully as the old injury of a bullet wound in his thigh seemed to have awakened with the usage of yet another life to take, like it had waited to rise again - a dragon, slumbering on a pile of bones, on all the bodies that littered the path of his very life. It was rearing his head again, like his old desires were, as if they were attached to each other, living and breathing inside of him. And yet, he had to walk this way, had to squeeze himself into the little gaps left between the partying bodies that were jostling him left and right, to reach the front rows, nearly pushed in front of a float, too-big plastic figures dancing on top as if to leer down on him.
It was like a personal version of hell, custom made just for him. Masked faces all around him, like the demons of his past were lurking in the shadows behind those glittering, colorful pearls and beads and fabrics. And Sehun felt like there were eyes watching him, where ever he went, studying his every move.

OPEN.