I stared at the wall with my back to them. A week had passed since my last encounter with Yugyeom. Neither had said anything about it. I felt a warmth atop my head but stayed still. I didn't want to do anything.

"Are you hungry?" he asked quietly.

"No." I replied emotionless.

Nothing else was said between us. I heard them shuffling around until it became quiet again. I looked back and saw they weren't there. I sat up then noticed an untouched meal sitting beside the fire pit. I decided to force myself to eat as I couldn't remember the last time I had. I barely made a dent before my stomach decided I had enough.

"This sucks..." I muttered before sighing.

I looked at my hands then tightly clenched them. I was going to get Yugyeom and everyone else back home back to normal. I started to stand up then stopped as dizziness settled in. I stood up fully once it passed. I had to get back to Ms. Wond. I planned to help her and speed up the cure finding process. I stood completely still as things started shifting. I slowly sat down then lied on my side. I figured I'd head out once I got more rest.

시현

I slowly opened my eyes and saw how dark it had gotten.

"How long did I sleep?" I thought while frantically looking around.

Seoho and Harin were fast asleep. The food I had nibbled on was missing as well. They probably ate it. I didn't feel any better than when I went to sleep, but the dizziness and shifting had ceased. I looked back at them then frowned. They had saved me out of their own free will, yet here I was. sneaking off in the dead of night. I decided to leave them a watery message before heading out.

시현

I had only gotten so far before I was forced to break again. It was obvious I was in bad shape due to lack of nutrition, but the least my body could do was help me out until we got there. Maybe I should've waited until I had eaten properly. Though, it made no sense to dwell on what had already happened. I should be worrying more on running into Yugyeom. I never thought about it much, but it was strange how easily he was able to find me.

It was true we could sense other juzuses within a certain distance, but it was eerie how we happened to be in the same area that often. One could say it was like he was stalking me. It was creepy thinking about it more in depth. Though, one could call it commendable due to the amount of dedication it takes.

"If I think about it more rationally, he appeared much sooner than before when I had the marble. Maybe it's that and he's possibly tracking me now." I thought then pulled out the marble.

A part of it shone in the fading moonlight as the moon retreated behind the clouds as if it was hiding from something. I stopped in my tracks as I watched a dark, sticky substance leave a gaping hole in the tree trunk to the right of me. I immediately tossed the marble and hurriedly flew away. It was probably too late to escape as he could sense my presence. Despite it all, I kept going.

I started to notice that nothing else was happening around me other than the occasional breeze. Was I not being chased? Or was he actually tailing me and somehow concealing his presence? That couldn't be possible. My stomach rumbled and kept me from progressing further. I had finally reached my limit. My wings disappeared and sent me plummeting towards the ground. I moved to hang onto a branch and ended up knocking myself out in the process.

시현

"...all the same." a voice sang softly.

I opened my eyes and found I was lying across someone's lap. I rolled onto my back and was greeted with a familiar face.

"Sorrow words, empty and hollow. Why make promises you never intended to keep? My heart is torn, battered and weak. Love is all the same." he sang.

Why was he singing it? Was it directed at me? I frowned heavily. I couldn't believe he was holding a grudge against me.

"Shihyun, you're starving aren't you?" he asked.

I kept silent. Doing so was probably not a wise choice to make. He shrugged while sighing.

"At least indulge me a little." he said with a hopeful smile.

"I refuse." I deadpanned.

"You haven't moved yet, you know." he quipped. "This means something doesn't it?"

I rolled myself off of his lap due to my lack of energy necessary to stand up. He shook his head then produced food from his bag. I tried my best not to look.

"I know you're hungry. Just eat it." he said, holding it out to me.

"Why would I take anything from your filthy hands? Don't you remember injuring me?" I fussed then noticed his brief flicker of emotions.

"So I did... Well, I guess you have another reason to hate me. I guess I really have no chance now, huh?" he asked with a sad smile.

I knew what I had to say, what I needed to say. It was as clear as day.

"I haven't stopped loving you. I do still want you, but not in this state... Surely you understand why." I said, voicing the feelings I had tried hard to hide.

"So that's what it is..." he mumbled.

I rolled back over to him then slightly panicked when he touched me. I instantly relaxed when I saw he didn't touch my exposed skin. I never noticed how careful he was around me when he wasn't batshit crazy.

"You know... I remember I was coughing up blood at one point. My chest was on fire and everything hurt. I was infected then wasn't I? But ever since you appeared that night and gave the strangest breakup speech, those feelings never came back." I rambled, forgetting I had wanted to keep it a secret.

"Ah... so my wish was granted after all..." he said with a small smile.

"Wish...?" I asked, clearly puzzled.

"Mmm. I went to make a wish at a well known spot. It was worth it now that you aren't suffering. I don't think I'd be able to live with myself seeing you in constant pain." said Yugyeom.

I looked at him as he stared off into the sky. It still puzzled me how he was able to retain his sanity when others back home couldn't. I started to ask then quickly backed away when he started clutching his sides. It was just like last time, but this time he wasn't running away. I ducked behind a tree and looked out. It probably took a lot of his power to keep his insanity at bay. It hurt to see him like this.

"Shi, come out. It's okay." he said.

Clearly he wasn't okay. The aura around him was oppressive. I kept perfectly still in hopes he wouldn't spot me.

"Ah, playing hide and seek now are we? All right, I'm up for a game. If I win, you have no choice but to join me. If I lose, I'll let you off scot free. Sounds good?" Yugyeom shouted. I kept silent. "Ah, and here I thought you'd give me an easy win. If I can't find you within three hours, you win."

I watched in horror as he ran right past me. How much longer would it be until he noticed me? Now was my only chance to relocate. I quietly moved then noticed a small hole in the ground. I quickly transformed and hopped in. Not too long after, Yugyeom's figure had ran past. I felt like I was in a horror play.

"Maybe he went further out..." I heard him say.

Was it another trick? Knowing him, it probably was. The aroma of food wafted its way into the hike I stayed in. He was playing dirty, that was true. I didn't know how much time had exactly passed, but at least an hour should've.

시현

I jolted awake at the sound of someone yelling. It was Yugyeom. Seeing as how I was still in the hole, he was frustrated with being unable to locate me.

"Alright, it's been three hours. Come out you piece of shit." he said angrily.

I created a bit of fog to act like a smoke screen. I needed to keep the spot hidden in case I ever needed it. I had barely gotten away before the fog was dispersed. My hairs stood on end and not too long after Yugyeom landed in front of me.

"Where are you off too in such a hurry?" he asked with a cheeky smile.

"None of your business. Just get the hell away from me and stay out of my life." I shouted then hurriedly flew away.

I had probably given myself a death wish. I figured he was already chasing me, biding his time before knocking me out of the sky and having his way with me. Nothing came. Did what I said actually get through to him? That seemed to be the only logical reason.