PRISONERS (14/?)
Title: Prisoners (14/?)
Author: qrn
Pairing: OT6
Rating: M (Mature), for sexual & violent themes
Summary: Each of them has their own problems that may just be too hard to cure.
Author's Notes: FINALLY... chapter 14 completed! *dances* Had a huge presentation for one of my business classes yesterday and reports to do over the weekend, which explains the delay. So I'm really grateful for the loyal readers who've been waiting patiently for this chapter <3 Also, more guessing game this time around! On another note, I thank you guys for all the love you gave for the Petals series *bows* I hope you guys don't kill me for the overly depressing & disturbing content >.< Feedbacks & comments are welcome, as always ^^ Enjoy!
14. YOSEOB
I stepped my foot into the dark room.
And I felt something sharp piercing my skin. I yelled in pain.
I heard a loud click, and I realized the guards had disappeared. I banged on the door, and the knob wouldn't budge. I held my breath in horror as I turned around.
There were three silent figures dressed in black, sitting on the chairs under a dim light bulb with their heads facing down. My hands were shaking with fear--but being the curious soul I was, walked closer to inspect their faces. And jumped back surprise.
"Mom...?" My eyes widened. "Dad--" I was choking on my words.
They only looked at me remorsefully; the fact that they didn't say anything made me even more terrified. The person sitting on the middle chair had one side of her face covered by long, black hair. I flinched as she lifted her head slowly, facing the light.
"Noona!" I cried in disbelief. It was Haeyeon.
They came for me...?
Her lips curved into a smile--the same cruel smile she would always give me back at home. "Yoseob-ah." She remained still on the chair, her hands folded primly on her laps.
"Why--Why are you here?" I stammered, letting my knees fall down on the floor. I wanted to run, but legs were too numb to move.
"We're just checking up on you," she said. "We hope they've treated you well." I'd recognize that sarcastic tone anywhere.
I felt a lump stuck in the back of my throat. I threw a glance at Mom and Dad, whose faces resembled lifeless dolls.
"Do you know why you're here?" she continued.
I didn't even have the energy to shake my head.
Dad spoke up coldly. "You have problems."
"And you need to be cured," Mom added in an emotionless tone.
I wasn't mentally disabled or anything, and I always made sure to behave properly at home. I was normal, so why did they send me to this sick place?
"I--I don't understand." My voice was quivering.
Haeyeon's smile vanished from her frigid face. Without a word, she lifted the hair covering her face's left side using one hand.
I gasped in shock.
I stared at the horrifying charred marks on her once beautiful face, and her left eye was blood red in color. There were various purple bruises and cuts on the forehead and cheek, as if she had been beaten countless times.
"Remember this?" Her voice was chilly, and it brought shivers down my spine.
I clamped my mouth shut with my hands, too scared to say anything.
"You did this to me."
I didn't.
"You lost control on that day." Her eyes were full of hatred.
It can't be.
"I--" I shook my head anxiously. Even though I hated her, there was no way I would do something that terrible to my own sister.
"Because of that stupid mid-test paper, you hit me!" she screamed.
I don't remember!
"It's a pity that you turned out like this," Dad said, giving me that frosty look.
"We don't know what to do with you anymore," Mom chimed in.
I had no idea what they were talking about.
"I didn't do anything," I blurted out. What kind of therapy was this?
Dad lowered his voice. "You're a shame to this family."
"You were never good in anything." Mom's words echoed in my mind.
"Useless," Haeyeon said through gritted teeth.
With each sentence came a sharp, stinging pain. I wanted to get away from this torture.
"That's right."
I looked around in panic. No one else was there.
Who?
The three figures only sat still, their lips not moving. Not them.
"No one loves you."
The voice was deep and toneless, as if it had no emotion to it.
Doojoonie.
The cold tears trickled down my cheek as I mouthed the name repeatedly without a sound.
"No one wants you."
I could hear the frosty voice echoing in the back of my mind.
"Not even your own parents."
Shaking uncontrollably, I pressed my hands against my ears. "No." Doojoon cared about me.
"Hate."
My voice was trembling. "No."
"Hate."
My eyes widened as rapid flashes of images began running through my head--torn drawing papers, balloons, strange faces, broken plates, empty house...
Just look at them.
I tightened my grip.
I want a balloon, too.
The pain was pulsating.
They're our relatives.
My knuckles were turning white.
No dinner for me.
I lifted my head slowly and looked at them.
Nobody's home.
"I wish you'd never been born," they said simultaneously.
Those words drilled an irreparable hole through my heart.
When I blinked, the three had vanished. The chairs were empty.
"Mom!" I cried, looking around. "Dad!" There was unfathomable darkness, and the only source of light was the dim bulb.
No way.
"Noona!" No response. I could move my limbs freely now, so I stood up and attempted to search the room.
Where did they go?
I continued shouting their names, but to no avail.
Did they just fucking disappear?
Suddenly the room was filled with white light. I held up my hand to cover my eyes from the brightness.
Then a familiar voice greeted me unexpectedly.
"Yoseob-ah."
It was Seungri.
He was sitting on the middle chair, one leg crossed over the other.
Where did he come from?
The only door in the room was locked.
How did he enter?
That usual, arrogant smirk was plastered on his face.
If this is a dream, I should wake up.
I pinched my arms. I cringed in pain.
It was no dream.
It's real, I thought to myself in horror. "Why are you here?" I shouted incredulously.
What is this place?
"Well, I've been wondering why you haven't been to school lately," he said, smirking. "So this is where you're hiding."
I clenched my fists tightly.
"A mental institution," he continued. "Wait 'till everyone at school knows about this."
No!
I was about to run and punch him, but my feet were glued to the floor--again.
What's happening?
I tried to move, but it was as if my leg muscles were contracting constantly.
"Don't tell them!" I cried.
You.
"Why..." I fought back the tears; I couldn't let him see me crying like a weakling.
You heartless bastard.
"Why are you so horrible to me?" He had been picking on me since I entered high school.
A chuckle escaped his lips. "I'm not the only one, Yoseob."
A lump began forming in the back of my throat.
"You know," he spoke up. "People always talked behind your back when you weren't around."
Of course they do.
"They hated how you were always such a tryhard."
I...
His dark eyebrows furrowed into an ugly line. "Sucking up to the teachers."
I just...
"What an attention-seeker."
I just want them to look at me.
"So annoying," he said, clicking his tongue.
Is that too much to ask?
"Just wait," he growled. "I'll definitely pay you back for what you did to me."
I gulped. "What..." My hands were trembling. "What did I do?"
Without a word, he pulled up his pants to the knee--revealing casts wrapped around the legs.
My eyes widened in shock. How?
As if reading my thoughts, he replied in a hateful tone, "That basketball match."
The events replayed in my head.
That day.
"We lost."
You went off at me.
"You were never supposed to be on our team."
I only remember that much.
"You pushed me to the ground," he said. "Then grabbed a metal bat and hit my legs with it."
What?
"I didn't!" I cried in a perplexed voice. "I don't know what you're talking about!"
I never did that.
"Don't fuck with me, Yang Yoseob," he glared at me.
"But I--"
"Don't fuck with me unless you want to get fucked up."
I felt like screaming--first it was Haeyeon, now Seungri. They all claimed that I had horribly abused them, but...
When did I ever do those things?
"I guess the principal realized you're just a fucking nutcase so he had yet to expel you," he added. "Then you got sent to this fucked up place."
It's unfair.
"Good thing I can still walk." He gritted his teeth. "I would've killed you if these legs are fucking paralysed."
I felt a cold chill run down my spine.
He deserved it.
My vision was getting blurry. I was scared.
"They hate you, too."
It was the same voice.
Who are you?
The throbbing pain in my head emerged again.
"They don't care whether you're still alive or dead."
Seungri continued to watch me silently.
"It's better to disappear."
I looked down so he wouldn't see the tears.
Would it make a difference if I was gone?
I held a hand over my chest--it hurt so much.
The cold words echoed through my eardrums.
"I wish you'd never existed."
---
"Enough."
I opened my eyes slowly (my eyelids felt so heavy), my body drenched in cold sweat. I glanced around and saw staff dressed in white labcoats surrounding me.
Where is this?
It was a different room; it was filled with bright light, and for some reason it wasn't as scary as the one before. A tall man with face mask leaned over.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
I was lying in front of a tunnel-shaped machine with cables coming out of it. I could even move my arms now.
What just happened?
My head still hurt. "What happened?" I asked weakly, noticing my eyes were wet.
Was I crying?
"Just some therapy procedure," he replied casually. He turned to the others, "Take him back."
They lifted me up and placed me in a wheelchair (I had no strength to fight back). I looked down on the hospital gown I was wearing (since when did I have it on?) and gasped. There was blood smeared over my stomach area and just below the waist.
Why am I bleeding?
I held up my bloodied palms in shock, speechless.
Am I hurt?
Strangely, I didn't feel any pain. My eyes widened in horror as I was reminded of what happened in the previous room.
Mom... Dad...?
I recalled Haeyeon's abhorrent face and Seungri's broken legs.
Did I...
"What did I do?" I stuttered, too afraid to move.
Did I kill one of them?
One of them guided me out of the white door. "Don't worry, everything went well."
Well?
"But there's blood...!" I stopped as the staff tightened her grip on my shoulders. I could feel her nails digging into my skin.
"I told you everything's fine," she said in a low, bitter voice.
I fixed my gaze to the front, avoiding eye contact.
This place is scary.
I kept my mouth shut as she wheeled me down the long hallway.
I have to escape.
I didn't know what kind of experiment or therapy they had me go through, but it terrified me.
I have to escape whatever it takes.
We strolled past cell rooms (couldn't tell they were empty or not), and I could feel my heart beating louder.
Doojoonie.
I clenched my hands into fists as I began wondering what they did to him. I remembered the scream I had heard earlier when Mr. Yoo was talking to us.
Don't tell me he's...?
I shut my eyes in fear.
No.
I bit my lips.
Please, no.
I didn't know what time it was; the corridor was deserted, and the dim light was creeping me out.
What about Dongwoon?
As scary thoughts began running in my head, we arrived at an unfamiliar red door.
This isn't my room.
She opened it and pushed me inside.
I jerked back in fear. The entire room--the walls, curtains, the floors--was painted red. Even the lights gave off a shade of crimson color. There were two people sitting in the far corners, but it was too dark to see their faces.
"No," I shook my head, trembling. "No."
What the heck is this room?
"You'll be sleeping in this room," she said coldly, pushing me out of the wheelchair by force. I fell to the floor, hard. With that, she disappeared with a slam of the door.
Wait!
"No!" I cried, banging on the door crazily. "Please, no!"
Take me back.
"Don't leave me here!"
Don't go.
There was no answer.
I'm scared.
Suddenly I missed my cold, damp cell--anywhere would be better than here.
"So they got you, too."
I turned around, my eyes filled with horror. One of the figures emerged slowly from the shadow.
No.
He was tall, with unkempt black hair and broad shoulders. As the light hit his face, I could make out a pair of black eyes flashing with hatred.
Don't come closer.
I pressed my back against the door as he approached me little by little.
Stay away.
His cheeks were sunken, and there were dark circles under his eyes. His blue shirt was ragged, and his pants were a fading black color. "You can't run away, kid." He stopped five feet away from me, and I heard a clink. My eyes caught a glimpse of long chain hanging from the wall and tied around his ankles.
He's dangerous.
"They've got you for good now," he growled.
I held on to the wheelchair for my life's sake, glad the woman didn't put a chain around me like they did to this guy.
This is crazy.
The black-haired guy said again in a low voice, "This is where those motherfuckers keep the brainwashed patients."
Brainwash?
"...head..."
Flinching sharply, I shot a glance at the other crouching figure on the opposite corner. It was another guy with (if I wasn't mistaken) light brown hair, and he was rocking his body back and forth on the floor, knees pulled in towards his chest. He was wearing a dirty white shirt and brown pants.
"Off... head..."
I froze.
What?
My legs went numb, and I could slowly feel goosebumps all over my skin.
These people are scary.
Suddenly he looked up at me with a warm eye smile. I was slightly relieved--his face was normal-looking, and it wasn't as scary as I had initially thought. "Do you want to play?" he asked, holding up a red Queen chess piece.
No.
I had a bad feeling about this, so I kept silent.
"Let's play," he said, almost nagging.
I don't want to.
Still smiling, he hid the piece behind his back. "Guess which hand it is in."
Don't say anything.
I gulped, refusing to answer.
"Which hand is the Queen, left or right?"
I shook my head slowly, clutching on to the wheelchair.
"Come on, just take a guess."
I bit my lips.
I don't want to stay here.
"It's not hard." He was persistent. "Left or right?"
I have to answer.
If I didn't do what he said, he would keep asking the same question all night. Holding my breath in fear, I replied in a shaking voice, "...right."
It was a huge mistake.
His calm, friendly face suddenly scrunched up into an ugly mask, and I could see his eyes widen as if they were going to pop out of their sockets. His lips curved up into a sinister smile as he held out his right hand.
I held my breath.
It was empty.
"Wrong!" he yelled, almost happily.
I felt as if the whole world crashed down.
"Off with your head!" He jumped and clawed at me, but the chain kept his feet in place. I stared in shock; he was laughing maniacally and repeated the same words at the top of his voice. "Off with your head!"
He's going to kill me.
I banged on the door in desperation. "No!"
"Off with your head!"
I'll die if I stay here.
I screamed as loud as I could. "Someone, please!"
Get me out of here!
"Look what I've got."
I turned around.
Haeyeon was standing, holding two balloons in her hand.
"Where did you get those from?" I reached out to them, but I was too short. "I want one!"
"No." She shook her head. "You can't have it."
"Noona, give me one," I said with a pout.
"Get your own." She stuck out her tongue.
But the carnival was already closed. "Please," I begged, jumping up to grab one of the balloons. I stared at the two colors: green or pink?
"No," she insisted, stepping back.
I wanted it so badly.
"Give me!" I shouted, accidentally pushing her. She fell down to the ground, and the two balloons flew away from her hand.
And she cried.
Mom and Dad came rushing in no time. "What happened, sweetheart?" Mom asked, panicked. "Your knee's bleeding!"
"Yoseob--" she gasped in-between sobs. "Yoseob, he..."
"What?" Dad's face was full of concern. "What did he do?"
"He pushed me to the ground!" she wailed loudly. "And he made my balloons fly away!"
Dad shot me an angry look. He walked over and slapped me. "How many times have I told you not to hurt your sister?" he bellowed.
I looked down, biting my lips.
"Come on, we'll put on some bandages on you," Mom said comfortingly, leading Haeyeon back to the car.
"Why won't you listen?" Dad demanded.
I held a hand over my red cheek, which was stinging with pain.
"I don't want to hear you causing trouble again!" He ran after Mom and Haeyeon, leaving me standing alone.
As a droplet of tear trickled down my cheek, I spotted a small beetle crawling on the ground. I lifted my foot and crushed it instantly.
I just wanted a balloon.
Author: qrn
Pairing: OT6
Rating: M (Mature), for sexual & violent themes
Summary: Each of them has their own problems that may just be too hard to cure.
Author's Notes: FINALLY... chapter 14 completed! *dances* Had a huge presentation for one of my business classes yesterday and reports to do over the weekend, which explains the delay. So I'm really grateful for the loyal readers who've been waiting patiently for this chapter <3 Also, more guessing game this time around! On another note, I thank you guys for all the love you gave for the Petals series *bows* I hope you guys don't kill me for the overly depressing & disturbing content >.< Feedbacks & comments are welcome, as always ^^ Enjoy!
14. YOSEOB
I stepped my foot into the dark room.
And I felt something sharp piercing my skin. I yelled in pain.
I heard a loud click, and I realized the guards had disappeared. I banged on the door, and the knob wouldn't budge. I held my breath in horror as I turned around.
There were three silent figures dressed in black, sitting on the chairs under a dim light bulb with their heads facing down. My hands were shaking with fear--but being the curious soul I was, walked closer to inspect their faces. And jumped back surprise.
"Mom...?" My eyes widened. "Dad--" I was choking on my words.
They only looked at me remorsefully; the fact that they didn't say anything made me even more terrified. The person sitting on the middle chair had one side of her face covered by long, black hair. I flinched as she lifted her head slowly, facing the light.
"Noona!" I cried in disbelief. It was Haeyeon.
They came for me...?
Her lips curved into a smile--the same cruel smile she would always give me back at home. "Yoseob-ah." She remained still on the chair, her hands folded primly on her laps.
"Why--Why are you here?" I stammered, letting my knees fall down on the floor. I wanted to run, but legs were too numb to move.
"We're just checking up on you," she said. "We hope they've treated you well." I'd recognize that sarcastic tone anywhere.
I felt a lump stuck in the back of my throat. I threw a glance at Mom and Dad, whose faces resembled lifeless dolls.
"Do you know why you're here?" she continued.
I didn't even have the energy to shake my head.
Dad spoke up coldly. "You have problems."
"And you need to be cured," Mom added in an emotionless tone.
I wasn't mentally disabled or anything, and I always made sure to behave properly at home. I was normal, so why did they send me to this sick place?
"I--I don't understand." My voice was quivering.
Haeyeon's smile vanished from her frigid face. Without a word, she lifted the hair covering her face's left side using one hand.
I gasped in shock.
I stared at the horrifying charred marks on her once beautiful face, and her left eye was blood red in color. There were various purple bruises and cuts on the forehead and cheek, as if she had been beaten countless times.
"Remember this?" Her voice was chilly, and it brought shivers down my spine.
I clamped my mouth shut with my hands, too scared to say anything.
"You did this to me."
I didn't.
"You lost control on that day." Her eyes were full of hatred.
It can't be.
"I--" I shook my head anxiously. Even though I hated her, there was no way I would do something that terrible to my own sister.
"Because of that stupid mid-test paper, you hit me!" she screamed.
I don't remember!
"It's a pity that you turned out like this," Dad said, giving me that frosty look.
"We don't know what to do with you anymore," Mom chimed in.
I had no idea what they were talking about.
"I didn't do anything," I blurted out. What kind of therapy was this?
Dad lowered his voice. "You're a shame to this family."
"You were never good in anything." Mom's words echoed in my mind.
"Useless," Haeyeon said through gritted teeth.
With each sentence came a sharp, stinging pain. I wanted to get away from this torture.
"That's right."
I looked around in panic. No one else was there.
Who?
The three figures only sat still, their lips not moving. Not them.
"No one loves you."
The voice was deep and toneless, as if it had no emotion to it.
Doojoonie.
The cold tears trickled down my cheek as I mouthed the name repeatedly without a sound.
"No one wants you."
I could hear the frosty voice echoing in the back of my mind.
"Not even your own parents."
Shaking uncontrollably, I pressed my hands against my ears. "No." Doojoon cared about me.
"Hate."
My voice was trembling. "No."
"Hate."
My eyes widened as rapid flashes of images began running through my head--torn drawing papers, balloons, strange faces, broken plates, empty house...
Just look at them.
I tightened my grip.
I want a balloon, too.
The pain was pulsating.
They're our relatives.
My knuckles were turning white.
No dinner for me.
I lifted my head slowly and looked at them.
Nobody's home.
"I wish you'd never been born," they said simultaneously.
Those words drilled an irreparable hole through my heart.
When I blinked, the three had vanished. The chairs were empty.
"Mom!" I cried, looking around. "Dad!" There was unfathomable darkness, and the only source of light was the dim bulb.
No way.
"Noona!" No response. I could move my limbs freely now, so I stood up and attempted to search the room.
Where did they go?
I continued shouting their names, but to no avail.
Did they just fucking disappear?
Suddenly the room was filled with white light. I held up my hand to cover my eyes from the brightness.
Then a familiar voice greeted me unexpectedly.
"Yoseob-ah."
It was Seungri.
He was sitting on the middle chair, one leg crossed over the other.
Where did he come from?
The only door in the room was locked.
How did he enter?
That usual, arrogant smirk was plastered on his face.
If this is a dream, I should wake up.
I pinched my arms. I cringed in pain.
It was no dream.
It's real, I thought to myself in horror. "Why are you here?" I shouted incredulously.
What is this place?
"Well, I've been wondering why you haven't been to school lately," he said, smirking. "So this is where you're hiding."
I clenched my fists tightly.
"A mental institution," he continued. "Wait 'till everyone at school knows about this."
No!
I was about to run and punch him, but my feet were glued to the floor--again.
What's happening?
I tried to move, but it was as if my leg muscles were contracting constantly.
"Don't tell them!" I cried.
You.
"Why..." I fought back the tears; I couldn't let him see me crying like a weakling.
You heartless bastard.
"Why are you so horrible to me?" He had been picking on me since I entered high school.
A chuckle escaped his lips. "I'm not the only one, Yoseob."
A lump began forming in the back of my throat.
"You know," he spoke up. "People always talked behind your back when you weren't around."
Of course they do.
"They hated how you were always such a tryhard."
I...
His dark eyebrows furrowed into an ugly line. "Sucking up to the teachers."
I just...
"What an attention-seeker."
I just want them to look at me.
"So annoying," he said, clicking his tongue.
Is that too much to ask?
"Just wait," he growled. "I'll definitely pay you back for what you did to me."
I gulped. "What..." My hands were trembling. "What did I do?"
Without a word, he pulled up his pants to the knee--revealing casts wrapped around the legs.
My eyes widened in shock. How?
As if reading my thoughts, he replied in a hateful tone, "That basketball match."
The events replayed in my head.
That day.
"We lost."
You went off at me.
"You were never supposed to be on our team."
I only remember that much.
"You pushed me to the ground," he said. "Then grabbed a metal bat and hit my legs with it."
What?
"I didn't!" I cried in a perplexed voice. "I don't know what you're talking about!"
I never did that.
"Don't fuck with me, Yang Yoseob," he glared at me.
"But I--"
"Don't fuck with me unless you want to get fucked up."
I felt like screaming--first it was Haeyeon, now Seungri. They all claimed that I had horribly abused them, but...
When did I ever do those things?
"I guess the principal realized you're just a fucking nutcase so he had yet to expel you," he added. "Then you got sent to this fucked up place."
It's unfair.
"Good thing I can still walk." He gritted his teeth. "I would've killed you if these legs are fucking paralysed."
I felt a cold chill run down my spine.
He deserved it.
My vision was getting blurry. I was scared.
"They hate you, too."
It was the same voice.
Who are you?
The throbbing pain in my head emerged again.
"They don't care whether you're still alive or dead."
Seungri continued to watch me silently.
"It's better to disappear."
I looked down so he wouldn't see the tears.
Would it make a difference if I was gone?
I held a hand over my chest--it hurt so much.
The cold words echoed through my eardrums.
"I wish you'd never existed."
---
"Enough."
I opened my eyes slowly (my eyelids felt so heavy), my body drenched in cold sweat. I glanced around and saw staff dressed in white labcoats surrounding me.
Where is this?
It was a different room; it was filled with bright light, and for some reason it wasn't as scary as the one before. A tall man with face mask leaned over.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
I was lying in front of a tunnel-shaped machine with cables coming out of it. I could even move my arms now.
What just happened?
My head still hurt. "What happened?" I asked weakly, noticing my eyes were wet.
Was I crying?
"Just some therapy procedure," he replied casually. He turned to the others, "Take him back."
They lifted me up and placed me in a wheelchair (I had no strength to fight back). I looked down on the hospital gown I was wearing (since when did I have it on?) and gasped. There was blood smeared over my stomach area and just below the waist.
Why am I bleeding?
I held up my bloodied palms in shock, speechless.
Am I hurt?
Strangely, I didn't feel any pain. My eyes widened in horror as I was reminded of what happened in the previous room.
Mom... Dad...?
I recalled Haeyeon's abhorrent face and Seungri's broken legs.
Did I...
"What did I do?" I stuttered, too afraid to move.
Did I kill one of them?
One of them guided me out of the white door. "Don't worry, everything went well."
Well?
"But there's blood...!" I stopped as the staff tightened her grip on my shoulders. I could feel her nails digging into my skin.
"I told you everything's fine," she said in a low, bitter voice.
I fixed my gaze to the front, avoiding eye contact.
This place is scary.
I kept my mouth shut as she wheeled me down the long hallway.
I have to escape.
I didn't know what kind of experiment or therapy they had me go through, but it terrified me.
I have to escape whatever it takes.
We strolled past cell rooms (couldn't tell they were empty or not), and I could feel my heart beating louder.
Doojoonie.
I clenched my hands into fists as I began wondering what they did to him. I remembered the scream I had heard earlier when Mr. Yoo was talking to us.
Don't tell me he's...?
I shut my eyes in fear.
No.
I bit my lips.
Please, no.
I didn't know what time it was; the corridor was deserted, and the dim light was creeping me out.
What about Dongwoon?
As scary thoughts began running in my head, we arrived at an unfamiliar red door.
This isn't my room.
She opened it and pushed me inside.
I jerked back in fear. The entire room--the walls, curtains, the floors--was painted red. Even the lights gave off a shade of crimson color. There were two people sitting in the far corners, but it was too dark to see their faces.
"No," I shook my head, trembling. "No."
What the heck is this room?
"You'll be sleeping in this room," she said coldly, pushing me out of the wheelchair by force. I fell to the floor, hard. With that, she disappeared with a slam of the door.
Wait!
"No!" I cried, banging on the door crazily. "Please, no!"
Take me back.
"Don't leave me here!"
Don't go.
There was no answer.
I'm scared.
Suddenly I missed my cold, damp cell--anywhere would be better than here.
"So they got you, too."
I turned around, my eyes filled with horror. One of the figures emerged slowly from the shadow.
No.
He was tall, with unkempt black hair and broad shoulders. As the light hit his face, I could make out a pair of black eyes flashing with hatred.
Don't come closer.
I pressed my back against the door as he approached me little by little.
Stay away.
His cheeks were sunken, and there were dark circles under his eyes. His blue shirt was ragged, and his pants were a fading black color. "You can't run away, kid." He stopped five feet away from me, and I heard a clink. My eyes caught a glimpse of long chain hanging from the wall and tied around his ankles.
He's dangerous.
"They've got you for good now," he growled.
I held on to the wheelchair for my life's sake, glad the woman didn't put a chain around me like they did to this guy.
This is crazy.
The black-haired guy said again in a low voice, "This is where those motherfuckers keep the brainwashed patients."
Brainwash?
"...head..."
Flinching sharply, I shot a glance at the other crouching figure on the opposite corner. It was another guy with (if I wasn't mistaken) light brown hair, and he was rocking his body back and forth on the floor, knees pulled in towards his chest. He was wearing a dirty white shirt and brown pants.
"Off... head..."
I froze.
What?
My legs went numb, and I could slowly feel goosebumps all over my skin.
These people are scary.
Suddenly he looked up at me with a warm eye smile. I was slightly relieved--his face was normal-looking, and it wasn't as scary as I had initially thought. "Do you want to play?" he asked, holding up a red Queen chess piece.
No.
I had a bad feeling about this, so I kept silent.
"Let's play," he said, almost nagging.
I don't want to.
Still smiling, he hid the piece behind his back. "Guess which hand it is in."
Don't say anything.
I gulped, refusing to answer.
"Which hand is the Queen, left or right?"
I shook my head slowly, clutching on to the wheelchair.
"Come on, just take a guess."
I bit my lips.
I don't want to stay here.
"It's not hard." He was persistent. "Left or right?"
I have to answer.
If I didn't do what he said, he would keep asking the same question all night. Holding my breath in fear, I replied in a shaking voice, "...right."
It was a huge mistake.
His calm, friendly face suddenly scrunched up into an ugly mask, and I could see his eyes widen as if they were going to pop out of their sockets. His lips curved up into a sinister smile as he held out his right hand.
I held my breath.
It was empty.
"Wrong!" he yelled, almost happily.
I felt as if the whole world crashed down.
"Off with your head!" He jumped and clawed at me, but the chain kept his feet in place. I stared in shock; he was laughing maniacally and repeated the same words at the top of his voice. "Off with your head!"
He's going to kill me.
I banged on the door in desperation. "No!"
"Off with your head!"
I'll die if I stay here.
I screamed as loud as I could. "Someone, please!"
Get me out of here!
"Look what I've got."
I turned around.
Haeyeon was standing, holding two balloons in her hand.
"Where did you get those from?" I reached out to them, but I was too short. "I want one!"
"No." She shook her head. "You can't have it."
"Noona, give me one," I said with a pout.
"Get your own." She stuck out her tongue.
But the carnival was already closed. "Please," I begged, jumping up to grab one of the balloons. I stared at the two colors: green or pink?
"No," she insisted, stepping back.
I wanted it so badly.
"Give me!" I shouted, accidentally pushing her. She fell down to the ground, and the two balloons flew away from her hand.
And she cried.
Mom and Dad came rushing in no time. "What happened, sweetheart?" Mom asked, panicked. "Your knee's bleeding!"
"Yoseob--" she gasped in-between sobs. "Yoseob, he..."
"What?" Dad's face was full of concern. "What did he do?"
"He pushed me to the ground!" she wailed loudly. "And he made my balloons fly away!"
Dad shot me an angry look. He walked over and slapped me. "How many times have I told you not to hurt your sister?" he bellowed.
I looked down, biting my lips.
"Come on, we'll put on some bandages on you," Mom said comfortingly, leading Haeyeon back to the car.
"Why won't you listen?" Dad demanded.
I held a hand over my red cheek, which was stinging with pain.
"I don't want to hear you causing trouble again!" He ran after Mom and Haeyeon, leaving me standing alone.
As a droplet of tear trickled down my cheek, I spotted a small beetle crawling on the ground. I lifted my foot and crushed it instantly.
I just wanted a balloon.