Season two, chapter seventy-eight

"She's a dreamer,
and he is her dream"

THEA DREW IN a deep breath, experiencing a combination of anxiety, worry, and serenity. Upon learning of her impromptu assignment from Hyun-ki, Thea promptly agreed without any hesitation. At first, it was intended for Hana to handle the task, but Hyun-ki proposed that Thea would be more suitable due to her close relationship with Mun, indicating a possible successful outcome.

Thea carefully draped the covers over Ju-yeon and Ung-min, who were in a deep slumber, with only their heads resting on the bed while the rest of their bodies laid on the floor. They were near Mun, who remained unconscious by their side, prompting Thea to smile gratefully at the bond between them. She then moved to the edge of the bed, gently grasped Mun's hand, and tenderly touched his forehead with her other hand.

"I'll begin now" Thea murmured in a steady tone, as she softly shut her eyes and noticed a change in her environment, marked by a sudden chill, palpable tension, and unique traits

Thea's eyes gradually opened to a scene where she was surrounded by a thick white mist, hindering her ability to see far into the distance. The entire environment seemed to be veiled in the mist. A sensation of excitement and longing to find Mun surged through her body, causing a shiver to run down her spine.

"I'm in. I'm inside... Mun's mind" Thea declared with a quiver in her voice, her eyes scanning anxiously in every direction, desperately looking for any sign of Mun

"You need to be careful, if you get lost in there—"

"I know. I'll be trapped here" Thea interjected calmly as Hyun-ki expressed his concerns about potential repercussions "Mun! Answer if you can hear me, Mun! Mun?" Thea called out urgently, her voice reverberating through the space as she advanced slowly, her gaze sweeping the area and her pulse racing with a surge of adrenaline

Thea nervously bit her lower lip, unable to locate Mun and apprehensive about becoming ensnared in his thoughts indefinitely if she proceeded. Her gaze sharpened as she observed Mun crouching in the distance, the mist dissipating to unveil him attired in white, his head bowed reverently in front of his residence, his locks cascading gently over his features. A sudden wave of joy flooded through Thea's entire being simultaneously.

"Is that him?" Thea murmured quietly, her breath hitching in her throat as she hurried towards him without any hesitation, nearly tripping in her elation and profound joy

As she felt a swelling sensation in her throat, tears welled up in her eyes, teetering on the brink of spilling over. Anxious, she stood before Mun, who lifted his head upon realizing her presence. Thea was nearly entranced by the profound yet gentle gaze of his doe-like eyes. Despite his vulnerability and sadness, her heart swelled with joy at the sight of him, evoking a desire to envelop him in a comforting embrace for eternity.

"Who are you?"Mun inquired with a gentle voice filled with confusion, prompting Thea's smile to slowly disappear as his question lingered in the air

Thea observed him with puzzlement, her eyebrows arching in astonishment, however, a myriad of feelings such as anguish, apprehension, and melancholy had consumed her. She found herself feeling as if she was trapped in a surreal state, unable to rouse herself from it.

"It's me, Park Athena" Thea responded with perplexity, her quivering vocal tones echoing through the room, carrying traces of melancholy

"Park Athena?" Mun, with a sense of bewilderment, reiterated his words, his lengthy hair falling over his eye as he looked upwards in an attempt to see her, all the while staying in his bent posture on the floor "I don't know you"

Thea was momentarily speechless, her breath hitching in surprise, as she questioned, "You don't know me? What do you—" In a hurry, Thea made a move towards him as if to reach out but Mun, perceiving her intention, promptly rose from the ground and cautiously retreated, his brow creased and a hand extended as a barrier to halt Thea's advance

"Don't come near me" Mun firmly cautioned Thea, maintaining his unwavering gaze on her as she remained in her current position, unable to fully grasp his refusal and puzzled by his repeated assertions of unfamiliarity with her

Thea let out a deep breath, ready to reaffirm, "Mun, it won't take long," as she moved closer to him, experiencing a multitude of emotions overwhelming her completely

"I told you to stay back" Mun's voice grew louder as he took a step back, his alert eyes wide open. Thea couldn't help but feel uneasy, noticing that the affection and warmth once present in his gaze had now been replaced by a sense of unfamiliarity and distance. His eyes no longer reflected love, but rather a perception of her as a foreigner, a stranger

"Whats wrong?" Thea's voice appeared to tremble, leading to a slight break in her composure as her eyes quickly became filled with tears on the verge of overflowing

"Back off!" Mun's commanding voice grew louder and more forceful, eliciting a physical reaction from Thea as she shrank back, her shoulders tensing as she finally managed to wipe the tears that had long been brewing inside her

Thea, with a concerned expression on her face, softly asked, "What's wrong?" Her brow creased in thought, tears visibly falling down her fair complexion, and her posture displaying a mix of fear and sadness

"Everyone will die" Mun spoke in a hushed tone, his words laced with a sense of insight as he observed Thea's response. She grappled with deciphering the implicit truths that Mun appeared to understand, yet remained determined to uncover their significance

"What?" Thea inquired with a sense of confusion, finding herself at a loss for words upon hearing his statement, which was beyond her comprehension

Mun, with a clear and assertive tone, proclaimed, "Everyone around me... dies," before proceeding to stride in an uncharted path without casting a glance behind him. Meanwhile, Thea was taken aback by the abruptness of his statement and subsequent movements

He found himself once again in flight, yet Thea was unwilling to allow his departure so easily after finally locating him. Despite her efforts, she harbored a growing realization that her actions may not be enough to persuade Mun to return to her side, as he seemed resolute in his unfamiliarity with her and the truth reflected in his eyes.

"Mun! Mun!" Thea attempted to follow him, calling out his name as she ran, however, he had inexplicably disappeared into the dense white fog as if by some supernatural force, prompting Thea to frantically cry out "No. Mun. Mun! Mun!"

"Mun is hiding deep within himself" Hyun-ki explained, letting out a tired sigh while still displaying his typical calm and serious attitude "He's refusing to wake up"

"But why would he do that?" Ms. Chu asked with confusion and noticeable concern in her voice and expression, seeking some explanation to this whole mess

"Maybe he thought we all died in the hotel that day" Thea responded in a subdued manner, carefully evaluating the circumstances and reflecting on Mun's unusual actions "He went into a coma before he could see us escape. 'Everyone around me dies' I'm worried about what he said. I'm afraid he blames himself for failing to protect us. Most of all, he was the one who carried all the burden" She let out a weary sigh as she rubbed her temples, conveying her inner conflict

"Then we can let him know" With a hint of optimism in his tone, Jeok-bong proposed a potential solution to their dilemma, suggesting "Hana or Thea can enter his mind and tell him that we're fine. Can't you just tell him that we came out of there alive?" He looked at Thea with anticipation, noticing her anxious gesture of biting her lower lip

"Mun doesn't remember her" Jong-guk pointed out with a furrowed brow, while also making an effort to stay composed

Jun-seo added, "If she forced him to remember her, he might hide even deeper within" as he sat down next to Thea, who smiled in delight at the sight of her dear brother. Ever since they were reunited, they had been inseparable, like two peas in a pod

The unexpected sight of both of her parents dressed in the customary white attire of the Yung people left Thea in a state of astonishment. The rare and impressive coincidence of them both being Jun-seo's Yung partners was reminiscent of a past occurrence with Mun, leading Thea to consider that having both of her parents present once again was truly a blessing.

"So there's no way?" Mo-tak inquired exasperatedly, expressing his frustration by rolling his eyes and firmly clasping his hands on the table"How could this be? Has this ever happened before?"

"Just once. A similar case took place abroad" SuHo started to recount with composure and confidence, recalling the event with clarity "A counter fell into a coma after losing his colleague and refused to wake up"

"And what happened to the Counter?"Jeok-bong expressed interest, concerned about its outcome, as Thea leaned forward with curiosity

"The Counter... died while being in a coma. The Yung individual connected to them...vanished as well" Gi-ran responded, casting her eyes downwards towards the pristine table before her, her gaze conveying a touch of melancholy and regret regarding the events that transpired

"It's all about Mun's will to wake up" stated Hyun-ki in a serious manner, with his hands folded on the table, exuding a calm and collected demeanor devoid of any worry or anxiety "Thats the only way. But we're running out of time"

"Then that's enough" Ms. Chu rose with exasperation, declaring, "You said it was up to him" She cast a sorrowful gaze at Mun's unoccupied chair, then assumed a resolute and somber expression as she surveyed the remaining individuals. "No one is more strong-willed than him. Who helped us get back on our feet whenever we felt helpless? It was Mun. So why wouldn't he wake up? He will wake up. No matter what. So you better not blabber about there being no other way or whine about this situation. I won't put up with it. Got that?" Her voice grew louder as tears welled up in her eyes, projecting confidence in her impassioned declaration that resonated with everyone present. "Both Wi-gen and Mun...will return"

Thea's eyes turned to the vacant chair next to her, her brow creasing with evident sorrow. In Mun's absence, the surroundings seemed bereft of significance. It felt as though all vibrancy and joy had vanished with his descent into a coma. He had been the cornerstone, the source of happiness, the one who infused purpose into their endeavors. He was the individual who bolstered them in times of crisis, holding the team together by being a constant pillar of support for all.

In his absence, everything lacked coherence; in his absence, everything lacked significance; in his absence, the days became dull, overshadowed by sorrow, anguish, and apprehension for the future.

It had been three days since Mun's absence, and the prevailing stillness appeared to deepen with each passing moment. The household ambiance was characterized by expressions of grief and sadness on countenances that once exuded happiness, even in challenging times. The team's central figure missing had truly transformed the environment; nobody could summon the courage to wear a brave front when they were not inclined to do so. Thea released a sigh as she arranged the utensils on the table in their designated spots, her gaze lingering a bit longer on Mun's usual place. Despite her increasingly faltering demeanor, she made sure to set utensils in his spot, conscious of his absence as usual.

Jun-seo, now recognized as the seventh member of the group, delivered a comforting gesture by patting Thea's shoulder upon noticing her dejected demeanor. Despite not having a prior acquaintance with Mun, Jun-seo had observed from afar the compassionate nature of the boy as he looked out for his sister. This awareness instilled in him a sense of trust in assigning Mun the responsibility of safeguarding his younger sibling, believing without a doubt that Mun would do so unwaveringly.

"What? I already served the rice" Jeok-bong exclaimed in confusion as he watched Ms. Chu serving more rice into a different bowl. Thea lifted her eyes inquisitively, noticing the sorrow and hopelessness reflected in the elderly woman's gaze

Ms. Chu pronounced with a stern countenance and unwavering tone, "This is Mun's" as she presented the bowl of rice to Hana "What if he wakes up and wants to eat?"

"Right"

Hana chose to maintain a contemplative silence as she received both servings of rice, delivering them to Mo-tak, who placed them on the table without uttering a word. Thea promptly retrieved Mun's bowl of rice and returned it to its original spot, appreciative of the communal concern for his well-being, reflecting his esteemed status among the group as a beloved member.

"Then, should we grill some meat in case he wakes up?" Jeok-bong proposed, his lips adorned with a subtle smile and his eyes tinged with sorrow, seeking consensus from all present, as he too yearned for the savory flavor of meat

Mo-tak let out a long tired sigh in response,  "Mun likes meat in broth. Look, Ms. Chu prepared beef and radish for him" he remarked, lifting the dish that left Jeok-bong silent, almost as if it struck a nerve

"These are all his favorites. He'll wake up just to eat" Thea exclaimed with a subtle smile playing on her lips, as Ms. Chu made her way to the dining table after completing the meal service. Thea noticed Ms. Chu looking downcast, prompting her to try and uplift her spirits, even if just a little bit

"Ms. Chu. Yesterday, I asked whether or not there was a way because I was frustrated. You understand, right?" Mo-tak quickly communicated, his demeanor earnest yet optimistic that his concerns would be acknowledged

"Make sure to eat well. You're working hard these days" stated Ms. Chu with earnestness, as she handed the tray to Jeok-bong, who accepted it without any resistance and placed it on the nearby counter

"We're all going through a lot not just me" Mo-tak conveyed, standing frustratedly with his hands on his hips while the others settled down to eat "I should catch Lee Chung-Jae as soon as possible" he declared loudly, his frustration evident as he walked back and forth "Jeez. That way, I won't feel ashamed when Mun wakes up" he added wearily, sinking into his chair

"Lee Chung-Jae's men won't talk, right?" Hana's gaze briefly meeting with Mo-tak's, who decisively nodded in exasperation. Nevertheless, her demeanor became more relaxed upon noticing Jun-seo's slight grin, prompting her to reciprocate with a gentle smile

Thea took note of this interaction, finding herself smiling inwardly. She had recently noticed a significant shift in Hana's demeanor, witnessing her becoming increasingly irritable or somber. Nevertheless, whenever Jun-seo made an appearance, Hana's disposition seemed to transform magically, with her demeanor becoming more amiable. Their conversations were filled with laughter, smiles, and gentle gestures towards each other. Thea found solace in the fact that, at least, the two of them did not seem as disheartened by the current circumstances.

"Have you found Jae-youl yet?" asked Ms. Chu with keen interest, her eyes full of curiosity and anticipation for a favorable answer, which Thea quickly noticed. Holding the chopsticks with rice, she carefully observed the older woman with a sense of intrigue

In recent times, Thea has been the only one paying attention to the array of events happening around them.

"I thought he'd testify against them, but he just vanished" Mo-tak expressed his frustration. His brow furrowed as he shared this information "Ma Ju-seok appeared on CCTV near Jae-youl's house. That means he used Jae-youl to find Lee Chung-Jae. But I have no idea where he is"

Thea carefully placed her chopsticks on the table while contemplating whether Jun-seo had already conversed with Jae-youl or if he was opting to refrain from approaching him once more.

Her gaze shifted to Jun-seo, who sat beside her with a mouthful of food, smiling as he conversed with Hana. An involuntary smile graced her lips, feeling elated to have her brother by her side once again. She also felt thankful to him for granting her the freedom to visit her parents at her convenience. Eagerly anticipating Mun's awakening, she looked forward to sharing all the events that had transpired during his absence.

She simply had to wait.

Author's note;

Many events unfolded in this chapter; however, I am ultimately dissatisfied with the conclusion. Have you also come across the new guidelines on Wattpad? They have become more stringent regarding stories on the platform, so I am uncertain about the future of this story and others on my profile. Nevertheless, I have made a backup of this story just in case, so I may publish it on another platform if needed😉

Question of the day: Do you like the new guidelines that Wattpad has established? 🧡

In my personal opinion, I do not agree with the deletion of these stories as I believe that the unique content on the platform is what has made this app both intriguing and widely used. If these stories are removed, I fear that the majority of users will abandon the platform 😂Until next chapter! 🩷