~~~ EXO Xiumin - Beyond ~~~

She wasn't big city girl. Although she didn't mind going to the city with her family. It gave her sense of anonymity, like she didn't even exist in such a huge jungle full of tall buildings and people flowing in the streets without ever stopping.

She's never been to Seoul on her own though. And she most definitely never skipped school day on the top of it.

Now she was doing the two things, she never thought she will ever have courage to go for. Sitting in the train going from her little town to the never sleeping city, gave her jitters. Not because she was nervous about the journey. She was alright on her own. The thing was, she didn't have a clue, what she will do, once she arrives to her final destination.

But she will figure out as she goes.

Did anyone know about her trip day?

Of course not.

No one could know, what would she say? Oh, hey guys, I just need to pop into the Seoul for a bit and find out who is behind the scary weird calls. I will be back in no time...

Yeah, she could not even see how that would be a sufficient explanation. The only one who would probably understand... would be Jun, but she will be hardly sharing this information with him now.

She shook her head, staring out the window of fast moving bullet train. She decided to do this on her own. She was kind of excited to find out finally... but nervous as well. She could only guess and see, what kind of impact this whole thing will have on her.

But she was ready to put down this issue on her list of things that tortured her. She wanted it gone. She tried to call the number, but however long she left it ring, no one bothered to pick it up.

The last option for her left to do, was to make this trip a real thing. The speaker inside of the coach, let her know about the end of her journey that was quickly approaching. She felt so out of place, sitting in this busy train. Everyone seemed to have their own business to attend to, while being in Seoul. Mostly going to work. She was supposed to be at school at the moment. She could have chosen to ride down to Seoul on weekend, but it was more convenient to have everyone, who could possibly spoil her plans, out of her way.

Her parents were thankfully in different part of country, she didn't have to worry about running into them by chance.

It was only her in this, just like she promised to herself.

She was tired beyond her strength. She couldn't remember the last time she slept. She took a nap on the way here in the train, but the half an hour snooze, only provided her with tiny bit of power storage to survive this day. She mapped her journey all the way to the hospital in advance, so she doesn't get lost or anything.

She didn't like the idea of her going to hospital and she almost didn't want to go, when she realised that the place her detective roleplay is taking her to is indeed one, but she scolded herself for being cowardly as always.

She pushed through the crowd of people on the train station. She had the address written on the piece of paper, so she can give it ot the taxi driver. She didn't want to go by a public transport, she didn't believe herself to that extend.

"Where to, miss?" the driver asked, when she managed to stop one car on the street. She quickly climbed in and handed him the paper. He observed the address, looking at her through the rear window, with a little frown on his face. He quickly smiled and set on the road, thanfully the ride didn't take too long. It meant less time for her to change her mind and quit, before they get to there.

One thing she forgot to do is to turn her phone off. She left house early in the morning, even before her bother managed to wake up. Lately she was going to school on her own, so he didn't bother to ask her, if she wants to take a ride with him and Junmyeon. That gave her some time in the morning. Now that she arrived infornt of the the premises of the hospital, her phone started to blow up under the amount of text messages and missed phone calls. Everyone knew by now, she skipped school, which was not like her at all, no matter how tired she might have been.

She looked over the messages from Bora and Baekhyun in their goup chat. Sehun didn't have patience to text her, instead he kept on calling her. The only person, who didn't want to know her whereabouts, simply didn't care at all, was Junmyeon.

It stung, it sucked so much, but the only one to blame was her.

She switched her phone off fast and put it away in her backpack. She glanced up on the tall building, which was the main house of complex of many of them. She didn't really figure out what she will tell anyone, once she get inside, but she was more than ready to improvise.

She found herself in modern welcoming hall, it definitely looked like a hospital and  it smelled like one too. Her empty stomach protested, and she had to stop for a second, to regain the little strength remaining inside of her. Her hands were shaking profoundly, that she had to roll them into fists to not look like she is here as patient.

Because she felt like she was one, whenever she entered hospital, for whatever reasons. She hated it, it made her feel weak and powerless, which wasn't far from true. And mainly at this exact moment.

Now that she was here, she had no idea how to find, what she came for and it was because she couldn't focus her mind anymore.

"Damn it...," she murmured and found free bench to sit on, before she restores her power storage and continue in her hunt.  Her heartbeat was resonating in her ears, making it even harder. People were swarming around her, rushing through the hall to attend their business. And there was her, trying to catch a breath.

All of sudden Jun has appeared in her mind, his voice overpowering the sound of her own heartbeat, driving her crazy.

I'm here with you...

His voice said. She could clearly see even his face, being serious, his eyes melting into her, making her feel the comfort she needed so much.

I love you...

The words for normal people assuring, for her being the signal to run away, echoed in her head. His melodic, sweet voice putting the amount of emotion, that she herself was feeling, but could not say a word...

Her throat squeezed, as the lump obstructed, and her eyes filled with tears.

She didn't allow herself to think about that time, he told her those words and she so harshly turned him down. She couldn't do that, she was not worthy, not anymore. Not after she wounded him so badly.

But now that she needed it, she was selfish enough to let herself think about it, because only that could calm her down to the extend, where she could operate again.

It probably took some time, someone sat next to her, while she was trying to stay conscious. They talked to her, but she couldn't hear, what they said and they eventually left her alone.

It must have been an hour or more, before she stood up again, composed enough to think of next steps. She walked to the reception of the hospital, already having a plan in her head. It didn't have to work, but she was confident it will go as she wishes.

"Hello dear, what would you like," the lady behind the desk greeted her warmheartedly, showing her smile. She did all she could and returned that smile.

"Hello, I wonder if you can help me. Mom sent me to come and visit my father, but forgot to tell me, which ward to go to," she lied smoothly. The lady's grin deepened when she heard about Jihye's struggle. "If you can just tell me, where the ward is... Id be very grateful. I have this number, but I think everyone is busy," Jihye quickly continued, so the lady has  no time to ask her for the name of her father, who was not in the hospital whatsoever and passed a paper with the phone number, she copied from her dad's office at home.

"Alright, you just need to go to the fifth floor and follow the sings for the building B, you will cross long bridge corridor and you will be there," the receptionist explained the journey to her without questions asked, right after she observed the telephone number.

When she was in the elevator, on her way up, she was sort of excited, sending her heart racing crazily, that she managed to get thus far. She kept on repeating her directions in her head, guaranteeing that she won't get lost and find what she was looking for.

She found the corridor bridge that was connecting the main building with the other one on the other side.

That was the second time she had to stop in her tracks, but this time for a different reason. She felt like she knows this place all of a sudden. Like she was here before, but that was not possible... she was pretty sure, she's never been here.

Maybe it was the amount of hospitals she actually has been to, that reminded her of this place?

She wasn't sure, the unsettling feeling deep inside her stomach, became more concentrate, but she started to walk again, until she reached the door leading to the building B. She looked around, seeing the welcoming desk and the sign hanging over it.

Mental health care Hamchun Facility.

Her head felt dizzy. She didn't know what she was expecting to see, but she was probably hoping deep down, it won't be this. She didn't understand a thing. Why would be someone from here calling her? She had no recollection of knowing someone, who would have to be locked up here...

"Miss, are you alright?" the nurse walking past her, stopped, observing Jihye's pale complexion.

"Yes," she let out.

"Is there anything, I can help you with?" nurse didn't seem to get the hint and kept on standing in front of her.

"No, I'm perfectly fine, I'm just waiting for someone," Jihye forced smile one her face to look at least a little convincing. Nurse nodded her head and continued walking. Jihye moved on to the bench by the door. She needed time to think this through. Her main reason to be here, is to find out about the place, the person calls from. Did she want to go further though?

She was still scared, no matter how many times she scolds herself mentally. Why can't she be as strong as other human beings.... Why must she be so pathetic. She managed to go through all those years of not sleeping and living as a ghost. She'd lost everything to get here and deal with her problems on her own...

She decided to ignore the alarm setting off in her brain, telling her to turn around and leave now, her legs felt like made of jelly, when she made those few steps towards the reception desk of this ward. The sweat broke on her face, rolling down on her neck, sending shivers all over her body.

She thought she will make. She was determined.

But then something, that she never thought can happen, not here and now... only in her dreams, if she had any proper ones.

Her eyes landed on the double winged door on the right, when they opened and Junmyeon walked out.

Jihye's legs rooted  to the floor as she watched Jun coming out, his face serious, while he listened to the man dressed in white robe. Jun and doctor shared few more words, before the doctor turned around and disappeared behind the door again, leaving Junmyeon standing there, lost in his thoughts. Until he lifted his gaze and he found here standing there, frozen, almost unable to breath.

He looked at her, almost like he didn't recognise her. He made one step, stopping right after, as his beautiful eyes widened in the sight of her, standing in front of him, out of all places.

"Jihye...," perhaps if he didn't speak, she would believe her own miserable state caused her seeing things, but the moment his voice travelled to her ears, it was a breaking point. It was definitely him, she was not that creative to imagine the way he let her name slip out his lips. "What are you doing here?" he wished to know.

If she had enough air in her lungs, she would want to know the answer to the same exact question. Instead her eyes decided to go blank, all she saw at that second, was darkness, her legs gave up under her weight. Suddenly her power bank become empty and she was sent to fall on the floor as a sack of potatoes, in the middle of the hallway of Mental care facility. They might as well keep her here... she thought frantically, while she already saw herself crushing down on the floor, but before she could... Junmyeon caught her.

He kept her upright, on her feet. She didn't know what is happening, but he was moving her around to some other place. His arms around her were the only thing supporting, protecting her from crumbling. She wanted to get mad at herself for not keeping her word, but she realised if he wasn't here, she would drop down in front of everyone, at the hospital.

"Hold on to me. Wait a second, lets wait here for a minute, so you can catch a breath and then I will take care of you," Junmyeon's voice resonated in her head, sending her racing her heart on the track. She will not calm down anytime soon, he was here. She thought she will forget even his scent, but not even that number of weeks without him, could make her. She was full of him, she found herself grabbing his shirt, scrunching up the fabric in her fists. She didn't know that someone's company can make her feel as excited and as calm at the same time, only he could do that to her.

She realised, they were on the staircase, of the building, she could only see the edges of the surroundings. She finally closed her eyes and let Jun hold her in his arms. She could hear his heart beat pacing fast in his chest, because she was resting her head on the right spot. It felt like he was shaking the same ways she was, his fingers digging into her flesh, like he couldn't believe, he was having her in his arms.

"Let's go," he mumbled into her hair, after an eternity passed by. She didn't have anything to say, she couldn't. At this point, she would agree to anything he would ask her.

She roughly knew, they went outside of the hospital and then he seated her in the taxi, that all without letting go of her. He was taking her somewhere and she didn't care one bit where. She felt so ecstatic to have him around her, she forgot about her mission, why she was in the Seoul and followed him like a puppy.

Somewhere in the middle of the car ride, she blacked out, fall asleep, thanks to the lack of it over the past few weeks, she fell into the bottomless, black pit and didn't get out even when he was taking her out of the car, when they arrived to his in advance set destination.

She woke up hours later, she didn't wake up screaming, or because of having bad dream. She woke up peacefully and slowly, opening her eyes, seeing that she is not in her room at home, nor anywhere she knew. She still felt very safe and comfortable, being surrounded by pillows, duvet and soft mattress underneath her. She was on her side, legs crawled up into a ball. She felt refreshed. She released quiet breath, looking around unfamiliar surroundings.

"You awake?" the voice startled her, she looked the direction it was coming from and found a man she could not stop thinking about, sitting on lounge chair, arms crossed on his chest and legs on the foot rest. He was frowning at her.

She pulled herself up to sit down, moaning as her relaxed muscles protested to move all of a sudden. She was doubtful, when she first opened her eyes, remembering the absurd memory of Jun, saving her ass. Again. She sheepislly tucked her messy hair behind her ear, but it kept coming undone. Why was she nervous...

"Just leave it, I've seen you like this many times, I like how you look when you wake up from a proper sleep," his voice dropped down to the lower key. The memories came rushing back, her face automatically burning up. Meanwhile Junmyeon left his spot on the chair and seating himself on the edge of the bed. "You always look so alive, your eyes shining, your cheeks pink, messy hair, because you wiggle so much," he smiled with the last remark, and she felt like she will be able to fry an egg on her cheeks, if he keeps on talking. His smile didn't change, charming her away.

He was still so beautiful, as she remembered, from all the times, she saw him from up so close. Her feelings about him will never change, she came to realisation, as his gaze travelled over her face, meeting her eyes.

"You are irresponsible, Jihye! I can't believe you were hazarding with your health like this," she knew the scolding will come sooner or later, she would be happier, if it was later. She could not talk back at his accusation, but she had something to ask him.

"Jun...," she had to clear her throat, because her voice was gone, "What is this place?" she asked, changing the subject of her question last minute. What she wanted to ask, was something different. 

"It's my apartment. I was accepted for SNU and I got this place a week ago," he replied quietly. It was his place. The reality hit her hard, she missed so much, about his life. He was about to start new life here. And she was still getting in his way. She wanted to get off the bed and leave as soon as she can, but he didn't allow her. His hand grabbed hers. She stared at his fingers holding hers, they looked so small in his.

"What are you doing," he said dryly, making her look up into his face. All she wanted to do now, was to throw herself on him, but before she would do that, she needs to go and don't act rashly.

"I should go, I troubled you long enough," she let out, pushing his hand away and standing up. He did the same, one look into his face, taught her about his mindset. He didn't say a word and let her stand there by his bed. She followed him with her gaze, when he walked out of the bedroom. She glowered and went after him, just to see him locking up the main door of his flat.

"What do you think you are doing?" she let out, her voice cracking.

"Making sure, you are not going to escape. You are my hostage now. Make yourself at home, I'm going to take a shower now," he explained, leaving her completely speechless. She could not comprehend what is happening, not even after she tried to open safely locked up door, when he went back to his room, to do his business.

How did she get into this situation again?

~~~

Eyyyyy

Took m long enough huh???

Well life happens, I kind of thought I will have so much free time, cuz I had, I literally had like 3 weeks off... I became jobless, homeless, carless😂 I was busy tho!

Well I'm still carless cuz my new job is literally 5 min walk away from my apartment, but all the other aspects are now on again😁

I moved to Spain from England and it was a huge transition and it still is so alien to me that I'm here 😳 but I'm settled, I'm gonna start my new job tomorrow and hopefully find plenty of free time to write... I wanted a job that will allow me to do so!! Fingers crossed!!

So!!!

New chapter!! I hope you liked this little irresponsible detective adventure of Ji, all I wanted to get to the part Jun pops out of nowhere... we all know the both have the same snoopy tendency😂

I will try to finish this story ASAP, cuz I have an idea for a new one, not gonna say much, cuz it's still a fetus in my head but anyways!! I want to baby this story until the very end!!😊 so there will tons more dark moments!! Wait for it!!

Thank you for the patience from your part and sorry!!!

Love ya!!