Sunghoon checked his phone for any texts from Jake. There were none. He clicked his tongue in indignation. Had he forgotten about him altogether?

The latest text he had received from his friend was to merely inform him about his absence from college the previous day. He hadn't even bothered to get back to him later and tell him what was going on. He bit his lip and grunted in frustration. He couldn't deal with Jake's erratic behavior now, it had started getting on his nerves.

Unless...

Sunghoon's brows furrowed in concern.
What's up with him? Is he okay?
He searched for Jake's number in his contacts' list and called him.

~The person you're trying to reach is busy at the moment~

Sunghoon scoffed. Never mind that idiot. He could take care of himself. He wasn't a kid, and he would have certainly picked up his call if he needed someone to talk to instead of cancelling it.

He sighed. Sunghoon had decided to walk to his college today. Last night's heavy dinner of Japchae and Samgyeopsal had left his face bloated. According to Sunghoon, nothing was better than an hour long walk to college. He decided to stop by at the All Supply Store to buy an energy drink to help him stay alive through Professor Jo's class.

Huh?

Sunghoon squinted at a multitude of people outside the convenience store. Police cars were parked right outside it, news reporters clustering the area and clicking numerous pictures.

What happened here?

He scampered towards the store to get a better view.
'What happened here ?,' he asked a girl with dyed hair. 'They found a severed head in the freezer,' she whispered.
Sunghoon took a step back in shock.
'What?,' he mouthed, the corners of his mouth twitching a little in disbelief. The girl nodded.

He got away from the crowd.
Severed head.
In Geumcheon gu? The quietest district of Seoul? The one with zero murders until now?

His eyes fell on a guy sitting at the back of the police car. It seemed like he had a towel thrown around him in haste, since it happened to be clinging loosely to his shoulders, as if it would fall down any instant.

Sunghoon didn't care if it was a police car.
He unlocked the door and put an arm around his shoulders. 'Sunoo?,' he whispered, rubbing his back.
His face was drained of color and his eyes looked blank. He wasn't thinking , he wasn't looking anywhere, he wasn't blinking. His eyes looked like two hazel glass beads, entirely motionless.
'Sunoo ya, what happened?,' he shook him gently. He pulled the towel back up, covering him properly.
Sunoo's lips parted slightly.
'Hmm?,' Sunghoon looked at him wide eyed in perturbation. 'Why are you like this? Say something, Sunoo,' he breathed.

He seemed to have processed his question now. His face slowly turned to Sunghoon's.
'Hyung,' he said in almost inaudible volume.
'Yes,' Sunghoon inched closer to him and squeezed his hand. His hands were extremely cold and fingers seemed to be quavering uncontrollably.
He nestled Sunoo's hand in both of his palms, rubbing it. 'What's wrong? What happened?'

'I lifted it hyung. I lifted it in my own hands,' his voice wavered. 'Blood dropped from its neck-'
Tears cascaded down his pale cheeks. He gulped, breathing heavily. He clutched Sunghoon's arm with his trembling hands and embraced him.

He hugged him back. 'It's fine, Sunoo. You're fine. Shush,' he whispered in his ears and patted his back. He continued to sob, his face in Sunghoon's chest. He could feel the tears dampening his hoodie, but it was the last thing that bothered him at the moment.

'Should I take you back home? You live in Guro gu anyway, it's pretty close,' he held him by his shoulders. Sunoo shook his head, tears glistening in his eyes. 'It's fine hyung,' he bit his lip, trying his best to smile. 'I'll be fine. The officers anyway told me that they would give me some time to gather myself following which I would have to accompany them to the police station.'

Police station? In this condition? The laws are fucked up. The system is fucked up. These people are unhinged.

Sunghoon gritted his teeth.
'You sure about that? You don't look like you can handle talking about it,' he said gently.
Sunoo nodded. 'I'm gonna be fine hyung. They're gonna give me some time,' he flashed his trademark crescent smile at him.

It was scary how easily he could beam. Sunghoon  found it positively surprising and sometimes a bit peculiar, but that was just what Sunoo was like, and he loved it about him.

'Should I inform your parents?'
Sunoo's smile instantly faded.
'No, no, hyung....Eomma is busy at her workplace and Appa isn't really feeling well,' he shifted restlessly in his seat. 'I'm fine hyung, really,' he beamed at him again, as if he was trying to prove a point. Sunghoon chuckled lightly and patted his back. 'Fine. I believe you. Take care, okay?,' he waved at him and left the car.

He started walking again. He would buy an energy drink from a store located near the college.

His mind subconsciously reverted back to the chopped off head found in the convenience store.

But how did Sunoo find it? Does he work there?

Sunghoon realized that he had forgotten to ask him a lot of questions in context to the event, but the circumstances certainly hadn't been in his favor. He took a deep breath and continued to walk.
His thoughts drifted off to Yeji and her plans to hangout with her friends after classes in the evening.
He texted her.

You're not going out today.
Yeji : Oppa, I'm in class, I'm not supposed to text.
Isn't that what you're doing right now?
Yeji : haha 😒

*Yeji sent a picture*

You're not going out today, Yeji.
Yeji : Why Bozo? Why even bothering saying that? You know I won't listen lol.
You have to.
Yeji : And why is that?

Sunghoon faced an internal debate. He didn't want to scare Yeji by telling her about the severed head found in the convenience store. But at the same time, she would probably find out about it herself and he needed to tell in order for her to take his concern seriously.

Because I said so, that's why.

He decided not to tell her.

Yeji : You sound like mom 😑
I happen to be her son. Of course I would sound like her idiot. Now listen to me and ditch your plans for today. I would advise your friends to do the same.
Yeji : Whatever I'll see.

Yah Yeji, I swear if you don't listen to me I'll tell Eomma about every single day you've missed your classes.
He pressed send.

*You can't send messages to this contact anymore. You have been blocked by the user*

'Aish this brat!,' he cried in vexation.

Author's Note
I hope my chapters aren't getting boring and short 🥲🥲

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