~Time skip: 1 month~

Eric arrived home from school, noticing a banged up package by their front door. He quickly called his mom, worried it was a bomb or something.

"Call the police and stay as far away as you can."

Eric did just that, patiently waiting for the police to arrive. They finally arrived, the box being carefully examined. It was clear, no bomb inside. They left it with him, saying there was a note for him inside. Eric peered into the box, his heart dropping into his stomach.

The seal was torn to pieces.

Eric searched for the note amongst the fluff, finding it at the bottom. In shaky letters sat the word "STOP". It looked eerie. Who could have done this? No, there was only one person who could have.

"Kevin..."

He was torn. Did he just throw it all away and forget or learn why this happened and why he said "stop"? He brought the box inside, calling Changmin for advice.

"Yo!"

"Look at the picture I sent you."

Changmin was much too quiet for his liking. What was he thinking so hard about?

"Throw it all away and don't contact him ever again. He's psycho."

"Min-"

"I'm serious, Eric. Oh my god, he's going to murder you. Have your mom let you stay with family. Eric, I'm terribly worried about your safety..."

"What if this is his way of saying he needs help?"

"He could literally text you Eric! Stop trying to excuse his psychopathic behavior!"

Changmin was right. Maybe he was trying to defend his actions. Yet no matter how much he looked the note over, none of it screamed "I'm going to kill you". It felt more like... a cry for help.

"Thanks, Min. I'm hanging up."

"You better not-"

Eric sighed, trying and failing to piece the seal back together.

•

Mrs Sohn entered the house, noticing it was silent. She quickly hurried to Eric's room, seeing him working on homework in silence.

"So what was in the box?"

Eric pointed to it sitting on his bed. She looked in, worry etching onto her face.

"Mom, can I go visit Kevin? He needs help."

"I would agree but from a parental standpoint...!"

"Please, Mom. He's not okay. He needs me."

"Eric-"

"He was here for me when Dad was on his last legs. Why can't I do the same for him now?"

She was more concerned that Kevin's current state would put her son in danger. She already lost the love of her life. She wasn't going to lose their treasure too.

"I'm just worried. He could really hurt you... We lost your father. How do you think I'd feel if I lost you too?"

Eric went quiet, hearing his mother's fears loud and clear. She loved the both of them dearly. He didn't know if she could withstand losing him on top of his father.

"I still want to go. I want to help how I can."

She wasn't sure if her son was courageous or foolish. Maybe both. Still, it seemed he was set on going and would probably find a way to sneak over.

"Promise me you'll stay safe. Come home if it gets too dangerous."

"I promise, Mom."

It was obvious she was still against his decision, but she was showing restraint to show that she trusted him to make decisions for himself.

•

Eric arrived in front of the Moon household, taking deep breaths. He hasn't been here in years, their schedules becoming too busy to do simple visits anymore. He buzzed the apartment, being allowed in.

"Was it 4C or 4E..." mumbled Eric, trying to remember the correct one.

He went with his gut, ringing the bell for 4E. It took a moment before the door opened, revealing Mr Moon.

"Eric...? Does your Mom know you're here?"

"She does, Mr Moon. I'm here to see Kevin." Eric explained, peeking behind him. "Is he home from school yet?"

"Not yet. He... He stays out later than usual." Mr Moon let slip before waving it off. "Come in. We have a lot of catching up to do."

Eric happily shared what had been happening in his life while Mr Moon listened with interest. He couldn't help but notice Mr Moon seemed a bit jumpy.

"Are you okay, Mr Moon?"

"Ah, yeah. Why do you ask?"

Eric frowned, placing a hand on his arm.

"You're jumpy like something could happen at any moment. What's going on?"

Mr Moon tensed, subconsciously moving away from him. Not something he was keen on sharing. They both turned at the sound of the front door opening. Mr Moon seemed more nervous than before. Kevin started to pass by before pausing. He turned, looking into the living room.

"Eric...?"

"Yes! Eric came for a surprise visit, Kevin. I don't know anything about this."

Eric was confused at his last statement. Why did he have to include that part in? Kevin scrunched up his nose, heading towards his bedroom. Once the door closed, Mr Moon exhaled.

"Are things strained between you two...?"

"What? No. We're fine like always."

Now that he was looking around... Eric got up, inspecting around the place. Things that would be there weren't.

"Where's Mrs Moon?"

"She's on vacation. She'll be back later." smiled Mr Moon.

Yet he couldn't find it in himself to believe the words coming from his mouth.

"I'll go speak to Kevin. Hope you can breathe easier soon."

Mr Moon said nothing in response, getting lost in his own thoughts. Eric knocked on the door, asking for entrance. The door swung open, a tired smile plastered on Kevin's face.

"Eric...! You're here... you're still here."

"Yeah? I did just get here. I heard you've been staying out later. What brought you home sooner?"

"I had a feeling something was going to happen. And I was right. Come in!"

Eric pushed the door open more, entering the room. He couldn't find the appropriate words to describe what his room looked like. All he could think of was a tornado. Eric quietly picked up articles of clothing, placing them in the laundry basket. Homework pages and trash were sorted, Eric now being able to see parts of the room.

"Oh, you don't have to do that."

"I'm already doing it Kevin. Why haven't you been cleaning? Between the both of us, you were the borderline neat freak."

The silence from Kevin was deafening. Eric slowly turned, seeing Kevin looking down at the floor. Something strange was taking hold of the Moons and he was going to find out. Eric flitted between his room and the kitchen, getting rid of trash and placing dishes where they belonged.

Eric washed his hands, heading back to Kevin's now mostly clean room. With how busy he was, he completely missed the photos hidden behind a bean bag chair in need of lots of TLC. He moved it aside, bile rising up in his throat. What was this...?

"Oh! You... you found it. You weren't..." Kevin spoke, torn between pulling Eric away or trying to explain.

"Why do you have so many pictures of me here? And all these... hearts... and white stains..." Eric spoke slowly, backing away from his find. "Kevin- mmmppphh?!"

"Please don't freak out. I... You're just so wonderful, Eric." grinned Kevin, keeping a firm hold on Eric. "I had to show admiration somehow..."

Yet that grin felt creepy and unsettling. This wasn't the Kevin he knew. Eric freed himself, quickly leaving the room.

"Eric? Is everything-"

Eric grabbed his things, leaving through the front door without a word. Mr Moon cautiously walked to Kevin's room, listening in for anything strange. It was then he heard it. Mr Moon rushed in, cradling Kevin close to his chest.

"Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe with me." Mr Moon said in a soft tone, stroking his sobbing son's head. "It's okay..."

He himself didn't believe those two words.