ʽ REALIZE ʼ ˑ ₇
━━━━━ 〈 七 〉 ━
「 present day ▴ cloudy 」

SUNLIGHT struggled to stream through the dense clouds collecting overhead, and as you got off the bus, it was a rush of wind bathed in seasalt that greeted you. However, despite the never-ending stretch of untouched sand beneath you, and the layered hues of indigo painting the canvas of the skies, you could only feel a sharp pain digging into your chest.

Standing at the edge of the cliff that overlooked the beaches of Pohang, it was an amalgamation of nostalgia and fear that prickled against your skin in tiny goosebumps. As much as you wanted to give into the sunstruck sanctuary around you, your feet yearned to turn back - to ascend the steps of the bus, to return home.

You didn't want to be here.

Your heart slammed into your ribcage, and amidst the silent paradise you had been brought to, the deafening throbs blared through your skull, forcing you to press sweaty palms against your ears as you tried to drown it out.

"W-what's happening..." You coughed, falling to your knees. Everything around you blended into a mosaic of lights, and it felt as if the world was toppling off its axis as it spun faster and faster.

Digging your nails into the damp grass as if searching for something to steady you, reddened eyes began to water and blur. Your request for refuge was cruelly denied by a dizzying vertigo that hijacked your senses and you collapsed deeper into the ground.

You wanted to speak, to cry, but your throat swelled shut and all you tasted was the bitter sting of bile. It was so hard to breathe. Hyperventilating, you attempted once more to fill your lungs and though you tried, nothing entered your body.

'I can't breathe...'

Those words.

They were so familiar.

You didn't want to know why.

But, you finally remembered.

Descending deeper and deeper into the depths of the ocean. Fingers outstretched towards the blur of sunlight that fractured against the rippling surface of water. Your lungs felt like a fire had just ignited within your chest, and when you finally gave in to the most primal of human conditions - you gasped, but only saltwater rushed past your lips.

Muscles weakened, and you flailed, struggling to swim, only to be swept by the undercurrent that pulled you into the abyss.

"Seonhwa..." The hoarse voice of Taehyung broke through your realization and you lifted your head, staring at him with bleary eyes.

"That day at the lighthouse..."

You had drowned.

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AUTHOR'S NOTES

askakjs i was contemplating
whether to continue this or
not, but since i already have
everything written, i just decided
to publish it.

♡