CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR
THE LOST BOY!

❝ DON'T BRING MY HEIGHT INTO THE CONVERSATION. ❞

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Pain.

All he felt was pain coursing through his whole body as he remained motionless, even if he tried to move a muscle his own body forbids him from doing so. It was like a nightmare. Since when was the last time he felt like this? Like he couldn't do anything but watch everything fall in front of his eyes.

That day was the last time he felt like this.

He breathed heavily, accidentally inhaling the thick puff of smoke that stung his eyes and heated his whole body; he coughed loudly, trying to blow away the smoke from his face.

He looked around. Smoke, fire, blood, and more pain. He groaned, forcing himself to exert the power to move. He was still stuck inside the car and he had to get out before it would explode, which he didn't know if it would but he wanted to trust his gut and go.

He glanced at the driver's seat, his dark eyes remained still as if what he saw didn't bother him. He couldn't even remember much as he was still in some daze from the crash, but what should he feel anyway? Remorse? Sadness? He didn't know so he reverted his gaze away from the man who lay dead in the driver seat and weakly lifted his arm to push the wrecked car door away.

"Shit," he cursed under his breath as his body felt limp, black spots began to appear in his vision. Gathering up all the strength he has left in his body, he pushed through and fell face flat on the floor. He gritted his teeth, a string of curse words left his mouth as he hastily crawled away from the burning car, not daring to look back as the car exploded into more flames.

The teenage boy tried to recall moments before the crash happened but his mind failed to push through as the second he closes his eyes, darkness overcame him and he laid limp on the ground.

Hours had passed since the crash and he awoke; the intoxicating smell of medicine tickled his nostrils, welcoming him to the unknown place he settled in. Did the UA take him in again? He thought but scoffed, knowing that was absolutely false.

He let out a breath of relief, staring up at the bright light. There was peace here, no doubt. Since when was the last time he had this peace? It almost felt like forever to him but for the first time, he was glad there was peace.

"Ah, you're awake."

He recognizes him. Kim Doyoung. One of the top doctors the UA has ever produced, that is until he was reported missing; but he wasn't, he was down, here, a part of a brewing plan to infiltrate the system that runs the whole world.

"I know you."

"Of course you do," Doyoung murmured, crossing his arms, feeling a bit weird to see the kid they thought they lost years ago. It was strange; to have him suddenly appearing out of nowhere after being out of the radar for the whole time they had been searching for him. They had gone as far as to assume his death. And now Doyoung was seeing him alive, right here, breathing like the human he was supposed to be.

He wasn't going to be fooled easily. Something was wrong the moment the car had crashed and though he wanted to welcome the kid with warm hugs, he couldn't allow any more that would delay them from their main goal.

"Why are you here, Chenle?"

The teenage boy was taken aback by the sudden question, unsure of what he meant. Cautiously, he examined the doctor's face; his jaw clenched, head held up high, eyes wary, and held lots of emotion. There are two outcomes with being involved in the UA's schemes from the inside. One, with you, end up becoming a lifeless corpse whose duty knows nothing but to serve the UA and only the UA, while the second, is you thrown into a rollercoaster of emotions. Playing soldier for the UA as an undercover meant you had to act as if you weren't bothered by their schemes. You had to lock away those emotions until eventually—they would eat you up, rip your heart, and make you vulnerable.

Doyoung had ended up with the second one.

Chenle merely shook his head, generating an answer that Doyoung didn't expect. "I don't know."

"No. You know something."

Chenle frowned at him, releasing a deep sigh as he gestured to his healing body. "I really don't know anything. I just woke up to pain realizing that the car had crashed, but then here I am... wherever this place is."

"But you do know me?" Doyoung questioned, pointing at himself.

The teenager looked at him for such an obvious answer, he let out a little laugh, "You're Dr. Kim Doyoung! Who wouldn't recognize you? Not every day you get treated by a world-renowned doctor, right?"

Doyoung then stepped back at the teenager's words. He only knew basic information, but was that it? He really did not remember anything of before? Was this teen brainwashed like Seraphine? Different thoughts filled Doyoung's mind; he was sure of one thing though.

He sighed, massaging his temple a bit. "This is gonna make me crazy." He murmured under his breath before forcing a smile towards the teen. "Where did you come from? Do you at least remember that?"

"As far as I can remember I was under the UA's rule. They tortured me, experimented on me, and nearly drained every part of me until I was left with nothing." Chenle spoke, his tone was bitter and dripped with fury that Doyoung wondered if it were true. He glanced down at his bandaged hands, his fingers curled into a fist. Everything he had just said was true... in a way. All the screams of pain, the endless streamline of tears, and everything that went on and on for who knows how long inside those experiment chambers.

Doyoung didn't bother to speak any further as he walked to his desk, taking a seat. Chenle could tell that he had been stressing a lot lately just by the look on his face and he decided not to say anything more.

≫≫≫

"Aye, Jungwoo! What brings you to our quarters?" Xiaojun questioned the moment the professor had walked into the room. He flashes a smile towards the younger boy as he had gestured him to come inside, welcoming him to their living quarters.

Others would have preferred a room to themselves but these five guys rather have a whole living space where they'd be able to see each other, including extra beds if ever Yangyang and Ten wanted to sleep with them. Jungwoo's gaze lingered around the huge room with Xiaojun casually showing him how they redecorated the whole place.

Kun was busy fiddling with something on his desk, Hendery and Yangyang were both in deep sleep after a vigorous task they had to accomplish earlier, and then there was Sicheng, the person Jungwoo had been looking for.

"—in here Kun keeps his stash of food, and that's basically it!" Xiaojun exclaimed, holding onto a bag of chips. He had been snacking a lot lately with Hendery and Yangyang to which Ten had told them off for being a bit unhealthy, but decided to let it slide knowing how much they missed after being captured by the UA. "Don't tell him I said that though..."

"I can hear you from here." Kun declared from his workbench, shaking his head, wincing as he accidentally pricks a finger.

Xiaojun smiles sheepishly, rubbing his free hand on the nape of his neck. He then turns to Jungwoo, "I'm assuming you're here for him. He's over there," he points at the farthest corner of the huge room, "napping, I think; could be moping over something too, you know," he shrugs, then pointed at his whole body.

His time at the facility, it was a literal hell. Sicheng had been devastated about his experience at the lab ever since they cam back after escaping. All of the dreadful experiments they had to go through, he knew neither of them deserved that. And here he was, in solitude to reflect upon his time there. He has never really been out much unless stated necessary and during those times he wasn't required to leave or had an errand to run, he was here, talking to himself, keeping himself company, and wanting to be alone for a while.

Jungwoo pressed his lips into a thin line, smiling so forcibly after the broken thought of Sicheng that Xiaojun grimaced and began to push him away. "Yeah, I'll pretend you never smiled like that."

Ignoring Xiaojun's comments about his smile, he made his way towards the lone boy. He wasn't napping and was indeed awake, and was probably listening to their conversation earlier. Jungwoo took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts all together before facing the boy who lost himself.

Unable to find peace ever since they had arrived, he hugs his knees close and tugs the thick blanket thrown over his shoulder closer. He remained silent, though he already felt the presence of someone behind him. In silence, he counted down to three, and the moment he counted three, as he expected, Jungwoo spoke to him.

"Hey, I know you're awake... You must be busy but I just wanted to vent and maybe—" Jungwoo didn't get to finish his sentence as Sicheng spun around with a tight-lipped smile. He patted the space beside him, wordlessly allowing his old friend to accompany him in his solace. "You don't really need to talk... I just— I just need someone right now."

Sicheng tilted his head, still with a soft smile on his face, he said, "You have Sera, Jungwoo."

Jungwoo's face fell in an instant, his head lowered, and the words he wanted to say seemed to have abandoned him. He gave a pained smile, "I don't have her, Win. I never did." he shakes his head.

Sicheng slowly nodded his head, letting the thick blanket that draped over his figure loose as he reaches out to wrap a comforting arm around his friend. "You have me."

In the arms of comfort, Jungwoo stayed as they talked for what seemed like hours. At that moment they remained with peace as the troubles that once worried them have gone away. Maybe the reason why Jungwoo loved collecting old antiques was that he had a hard time letting the past go. He could remember each antique he had collected and handled with care over the past years. And maybe that was the reason why he couldn't hold onto Sera like he used to because what was right in front of him didn't share the same past as he did.

≫≫≫

The moment Chenle awoke from his sleep, he was immediately met with discomfort. He shuffled through the thin white blankets, wanting to get out of the bed as he moved, his bare feet to touch the cold tiled floors sending shivers down his spine. Noticing the absence of the doctor in charge and assuming he was already in great condition, he made his way outside the medical bay.

He looked from left to right, checking the hallways if there was anyone around who he could approach, but they were empty, for a moment. With curled toes, he took another uncomfortable step, not liking the feeling of being barefooted in an unknown place with a feeling that he was all alone.

But he was wrong and the lost boy wasn't alone for long as the sound of faint footsteps coming closer clear through his ears, alerting him of someone nearby. He stood there, thinking whether to flee or stay; however, before he even got the chance to choose, the voice of a mere, simple boy breaks his train of thought as he spun around to meet a rather taller fellow.

The shock that had painted the teenage boy's face for a moment was easily wiped away when he had looked down, noticing that he was barefooted. A finger pointed at his bare feet, curiosity deep within his eyes, he asked, "Aren't you cold?"

His tone was sincere as his face bloomed with pure innocence. Chenle had wondered in his mind what a boy like him was doing at such a place. He shook his head, glancing down at his bare feet before forcing a smile up to his face. "No, I'm good." A lie. His feet were cold and surely he wouldn't be able to walk around for long barefooted.

Jisung scrunched his nose at the lie, a deep chuckle from him that made Chenle's face twisted in disbelief. The lost boy scoffed, crossing his arms in front of his chest. He had not expected that such boy would find that funny—no, he seemed rather amused by his lie and Chenle irked at that.

"What's so funny?"

Jisung pointed downwards, obviously gesturing Chenle's bare feet. "You. You're funny. It's obvious you're not good with walking around barefooted and it's way obvious that you're cold." He reached out to pinch a part of the loose shirt Chenle was changed into. "You're wearing thin clothes too."

"Okay," Chenle admitted. "so I did lie."

"Hmm, the living quarters are nearby! I can lend you some of my clothes for the meantime," Jisung eyed him up from top to bottom, mostly taking note of Chenle's bare feet. "and maybe some shoes, too." He added.

Chenle pursed his lips, too stunned to say anything at all. The innocent boy was helping him without even knowing who he was. He wondered whether Jisung even knew something about him, at least a tiny bit that he didn't technically belong. Before he could even reject the offer, Jisung had already clung his arm around his and began to lead him to the living quarters.

Chenle's eyes flew from one wall to another as they passed through numerous windows and doors to who knows where they went to. Eventually, they have arrived at the living quarters, stopping by the floor Jisung's room was located at. Everything happened so fast that Chenle was now sitting on Jisung's bed as the boy rummaged through his stuff.

"Um, may I ask... Why are you doing this?" The lost boy blurted out of nowhere.

Jisung turned around while shrugging, his eyes flew everywhere as he began to think of a response. He then gestured his hand at Chenle himself, acting like it was already obvious to the point he didn't need to explain himself.

"What do you mean?" Chenle began to copy the hand gesture he was doing. "Are you casting a magic spell or what?"

Jisung rolled his eyes, finding Chenle really interesting at this point. "I'm doing this because I want to?" he responded, sounding a bit unsure of himself. "I want to help you, duh." He mumbled and went back to get the clothes he was willing to lend over.

"I'm sure they'll fit you well. I'm just a little bit taller."

Chenle felt his left eye twitch. Alright, he's getting on my nerves. He thought to himself. "Don't bring my height into the conversation." He grumbled, moving to the side to go change his clothes.

Once he was in more comfortable clothes at which was—no doubt—better than the ones they had worn him earlier when they cleaned and treated his wounds after the crash. Jisung nodded his head impressed before tossing him some socks. "Here, they are my most comfortable socks so your feet won't feel uncomfortable anymore." He informed, a grin on his face as he said so.

Chenle had simply no clue why the boy was doing such things to him when he had thought he was the type to stray himself away from getting involved too much. Guess he had messed up that part. When he was done putting on his socks, his lips curled up into a smile, automatically extending his arm out for Jisung to shake and he did.

"Thanks— for that. And," he looked down at his clothed feet, "for keeping my feet warm."

Jisung waved him off with a smile. "That's nothing! By the way, I'm Jisung."

"It's really nice to meet you. I'm Chenle." The lost boy introduced himself, matching with Jisung's energy.

Both of them knew that this would probably be the start of a new friendship. An unexpected turn of events in their lives. But that is if they were willing to stand the truth that would soon be revealed one day. Maybe—just maybe, this was the part in Chenle's life where he would finally feel like he belonged somewhere for all his life he was told that he did not fit in, and he was nothing but a glitch to the system that he had to be erased from society.

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