We followed the shouting the best we could. My heart constantly dropped into my stomach at the blood curling screams. I looked at Hwanwoong who looked just as pale. We picked up our pace then noticed something large looming in the distance. I pulled Hwanwoong along as I ran towards it. When we arrived, I couldn't look at the sight before me.

"Geonhak!" Hwanwoong shouted then left my side.

I followed behind as we approached a bloody Geonhak. Suddenly we were being swept away by a tendril. Dongju. Where was he? I hid behind a tree as a tendril threatened to send me flying if I didn't. Hwanwoong seemed to have the same idea as he poked his head out from behind a tree. We looked at Geonhak who tightly held onto something.

"Don't tell me it's Dongju..." I thought as I kept watching.

I saw Geonhak's mouth move, but I couldn't hear what he said. I decided to move and see why he wouldn't move from that spot. I managed to reach him while sustaining a few scratches. I looked over what he was clinging to and felt creeped out that it resembled a human body. I noticed he kept a certain area open, but I couldn't understand why. Then it hit me. I checked my pockets then frowned as I didn't have food or water. Soon Hwanwoong was by us holding one of those small water bottles.

I hurriedly took it then poured it over the strange form. They loosen and revealed a terribly beaten Dongju. We pulled him away as the tendrils seemed more fierce than before. I checked Dongju's pulse and concluded he was okay. The others seemed relieved. Geonhak's legs gave out under him and he passed out.

"I'm not surprised... Who knows how long they've been here and how long Geonhak had been keeping Dongju safe..." Hwanwoong said as he positioned Geonhak next to Dongju.

"True... So that's the core I'm guessing?" I said as I looked at the green tower like structure.

"Seems to be. How do we help it, especially if it's running rampant like this? And I swear those tendrils did NOT have teeth before." said Hwanwoong a bit startled.

"Well, let's find the heart of it? Maybe we should get more bottled water..." I said as I eyed the tall structure.

"Yeah." agreed Hwanwoong as we moved Dongju and Geonhak to a safer place.

ㅠㅛㅠㅛ

We stood outside of it's reach with water bottles in our pockets. It didn't seem as upset as before, but that didn't make me feel any less scared. I looked at Hwanwoong who trembled like a leaf in the wind. I held his hand and felt his trembling. It slowly started to disappear.

"Thanks. It's just... after seeing Geonhak, I couldn't help but worry. Would we end up like that? Will we die?" Hwanwoong said as he stared the tower down.

"Let's not worry about what ifs. What happens, happens." I said as I took a shaky step forward before sprinting.

ㅠㅛㅠㅛ

I stood and watched the green tower structure fall apart. Was it supposed to fall apart? We weren't able to get in, but we managed to do some damage. It continued to fall apart then revealed a small, silver, egg shaped object. Hwanwoong walked towards it. I rushed towards him and pulled him back.

"You have no idea what that thing is! It could kill you!" I scolded as I held him tight so he couldn't move.

"Okay, I get it! You're cutting off my circulation!" he hissed then bit my arm.

I let him go then bent down. I picked up a piece of the tower then threw it at the object. It hit it then fell to the ground. It seemed safe, but I didn't want Hwanwoong getting hurt. I climbed onto the debris then held the object in my hands. It started to glow and soon I found myself surrounded in white. All of this felt like we were shooting a sci-fi movie or TV show. The object started to disintegrate in my hands. It completely disappeared and I was still stuck in the white nothingness.

Soon it started to disappear and gravity had taken over, sending me ass first into the ground. I stood up as I rubbed my now hurt behind.

"What happened? You touched it and boom! You vanished instantly then came back the same way." said Hwanwoong as he looked at me.

My body felt weird. Nothing on the outside changed as Hwanwoong would've said something. Was it internal? I pointed my finger towards a tree then freaked out when a miniature version of it appeared in my hand. I never knew I could do that. I wasn't supposed to be able to do that. I started to panic and scream. Hwanwoong looked lost in thought then pulled me closer. I had stopped screaming, but I was still in a panic.

"Shh... We need you to keep a cool head." he said as he kept his gaze with mine.

I nodded then felt him place his hands on my cheeks. They were soft and warm. I subconsciously leaned into them.

"Close your eyes..." he said softly.

I did as I was told. I was already starting to feel better. I felt something soft brush against my cheek then touch my lips. It stayed there for a bit, so I decided to learn what it was. I bit it. It bit me in return. What was it? The soft feeling had already disappeared.

"Open." I heard him say.

I opened my eyes and looked at him curiously. He seemed strange compared to before. Did something happen?

"So, I just bit something and it bit back..." I said as I eyed him.

"Did you now..." he responded quietly.

I leaned forward and inspected his lips. He could be the only perp as no one else who could bite was around. I couldn't believe I bit his lip. Then I realized he had given me a peck on the lips. I looked at him in disbelief. He kept his eyes on the ground beneath him.

"Hwan... do you... like me?" I asked slowly. "Romantically?"

He kept his eyes downcast. It seemed as if he wasn't going to respond to me.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to! I couldn't help myself. Ever since we first awkwardly met in the men's room, I've liked you. It hurt so much, knowing I had started to fall for a straight guy. That's why I didn't want you to be nice to me. Call me whatever you want, but I can't stop these feelings, Seoho. I am a man who loves you." said Hwanwoong as he teared up and ran away.

He didn't give me a chance to respond. I didn't chase him. Getting Geonhak and Dongju back to the hotel was more important at the moment.

ㅠㅛㅠㅛ

I managed to get them into the car and back to hotel where Keonhee and Youngjo waited. I dragged them into the elevator then sighed in relief when I put them down. I picked them up again and dragged them to the room. I called Youngjo then waited for him to open the door.

"Woah, what happened to them? And you?" asked Youngjo as he lugged one of the two into the room.

"We found the core, well, according to Dongju, Geonhak found it." I said as I checked the chat to be sure.

"And yet, nothing is back to normal." Youngjo said as he peeked out the window. "Where's Hwan?"

I kept quiet then walked past him to see Keonhee.

"Did you leave him all alone in Manhattan!? What the fuck, Seoho!? Hwan may be strong, but he only has so much stamina! I can't believe you just LEFT HIM!" Youngjo said with a voice oozing anger and resentment.

"I'm going back. I just needed to drop them off." I said as I swiped a few snacks.

I just hoped nothing had happened while I was busy dropping them off.