ʽ PROMISE ʼ ˑ ₉
━━━━━ 〈 苦 〉 ━
「 the day at the lighthouse 」

SCREAMS erupted as the bus veered off the corner. Your nails dug into the aged leather of the seat in front of you as you struggled to hold on. Jang Minah's eyes were wet with tears as her limbs twisted around the arm rest. It was a moment of suspension and you felt that icky sensation at the bottom of your stomach - that adrenaline that accompanied roller coasters before they descended past the highest drop.

Metal crashed into freezing water and only the sounds of glass shattering and students crying filled your ears until you were thrown off your seat and onto the ground from the impact. Crimson blood trickled from your forehead as your vision doubled. The dormant instincts to survive ignited and you could only assume it was utter terror that kept you from fainting.

Water seeped through hairline cracked windows and those who hadn't been knocked unconscious from the fall, pressed their palms against the glass, using every fibre of their muscles to find an escape. But no matter how hard they pushed - the window refused to budge.

Likewise, panicked bodies rammed against warped metal doors, seeking an exit to the sinking coffin they had been trapped in. But as much as they pushed, as much as they shoved - wearied muscles were met with unyielding resistance as the doors stayed locked in place.

Wading through floating debris and suitcases which rose higher and higher with the water level, you fought to get back to your friend. As as you neared your seat, the doubled-over figure of Minah laid crumpled beneath destroyed leather.

Your breathing left your lungs in ragged and sharp bursts and your mind went blank at the sight of your best friend passed out.

This couldn't have been happening. Not to you. Not to your normal class. Not to your normal everyday.

"Seonhwa!!" Taehyung's voice severed through the tense air and you quickly spun around, looking at the weary male behind you. He, who had always filled you with an unusual calm, had once again become your pillar of reassurance as his fingers hurriedly wrapped around your wrist with so much strength, you felt your blood slowing from his iron grip.

"Over here!" He coughed against the flowing water, gesturing to a small cracked window at the roof of the bus that could just barely fit a teenager's body.

"I'll push you up from behind!" He was always the hero, the leader. Even amidst the horror that filled your world, it was only Taehyung that kept you sane - alive. But, as much as you wanted to listen, only excuses and worry streamed through your body.

"W-what about you?!" You asked, clasping your fingers around his hand, refusing to let go of your only source of warmth and comfort within the frigid waters.

"I'll come out soon,

I promise!!"

▃ ▃ ▃
AUTHOR'S NOTES

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE
DAY AT THE LIGHTHOUSE
IS FINALLY REVEALED.
2 more chs to go ~

♡