(04) headache

Minhyuk Park:

I rested my head against my arms, staring at the ceiling. Two weeks into training and I still couldn't hold my own against Castle. Today was supposed to be the last day of camp.

"Hey Castle, what's gonna happen to all the kids?"

"Which ones?"

"The ones that died."

"You mean Jaehwa's son can't figure it out?" For some reason, Castle never called me by my name. It was always newbie or Jaehwa's son, the latter of which was aggravating as fuck.

"No, I'm stupid. Plus I have a name."

"I'll call you by your name when you prove yourself." Get off your goddamn high horse.

"Fuck you."

"If you really want to know, we can head over. It starts in a few minutes." The woman glanced at her phone before popping in her earbuds. What starts? Standing up, the Asian woman walked out of the room, leaving me alone.

"What the fuck Minhyuk? Get off your ass." I startled before flushing red upon realizing my mistake as she peeked through the door. We walked down various halls before coming to a large assembly room. It resembled a school auditorium with the fold-up seats in old fabric and a huge, empty stage. I started to go inside before Castle put her arm in front of me.

"You don't want to be in there." Shaking my dark bangs out of my face, I looked up at the woman, confused. Her eyes were steely, suggesting that I keep my mouth shut. We stood outside of the door as kids began getting shuffled in. There were only a dozen or so, but I couldn't recognize any of them. The door shut behind the last girl with an ominous click.

"And now we wait." We were standing in silence, backs against the wall when a piercing scream broke through the air. I nearly jumped out of my skin. What is going on? Looking to Castle, she only shook her head.

"They're adjusting their memories." Okay then. Cuz that makes sense.

After what seemed to be an hour of listening to screams of agony, the door unlocked and everyone shuffled out, brighter than before. A guard walked in front of them, guiding us to the dining hall.

"Everyone, please find a table to sit at." The bald man was already waiting for us, standing at his podium. "What was everyone's favorite part of camp?"

"Communication with Mr. Hender!" The name triggered something in my memories.

"Mr. Park. Provided that he is dead, I will send a report of the incident so that you may receive a tally."

The first person I killed.

"They made their memories less," Castle paused briefly, "gorey."

"Thank you all again for coming to Camp Progress!" With a bow, the bald man left the stage as Castle gestured that I follow her. We walked back towards the front gate where a line of parents stood. Far too many parents for the number of kids in the dining hall.

"I'm sorry sir, your son didn't pass." A guard was speaking to a man with salt and pepper hair. Leaning over, the guard picked up a briefcase, handing it over.

"What's inside?" Even though I knew what the answer was, I could only hope I was wrong.

"About two-hundred thousand dollars." Of course. Why would anyone who send their kids here care about anything else?

Another man approached, his eyes dark.

"Becky Torres-Alpizar." I choked, falling to the ground. The ground was swimming underneath me, turning a horrible red. Castle kicked me in the side before gesturing to the bald man watching from a distance.

"I'm sorry sir, your daughter didn't pass."

Her arms flailing desperately, reaching out.

A sharp jerk.

A crack.

Her body on the ground.

"I figured as much." The man accepted the briefcase, leaving promptly. How could you? She was your daughter, you know.

"I can't do this." I pleaded to Castle. This was too much for me to watch, my stomach was turning.

"Baldy's watching. You don't have a choice."

Time passed and I began to feel immune to my internal stress. Deep down, I felt disgusted by my actions. I hid my eyes behind a curtain of bangs, knowing that if I watched the scene before me without a screen, I'd start crying all over again. Eventually, the line of parents came to an end, with only one couple left, yet the dining hall was empty of kids. I was already mouthing the words the guard was about to say, but something in me forced me to actually look at the pair. A rather short woman smiled, showing off dimples and stood next to a tall, lanky man with kind eyes. No. It can't be. I knew that smile. I knew those eyes.

"Hi! We're here to pick up Stephanie Johnson and," he paused, letting the woman continue.

"Santiago Guzman!"

No. Water had begun trickling down my cheeks. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Castle looking at me in confusion.

"I'm sorry, sir, and ma'am, your children didn't pass." Already, the guard had begun reaching for the last two briefcases.

"What do you mean pass?" Stephanie's father had wrinkled his eyebrows and the woman covered her mouth, shocked.

"They are dead sir."

"This is not a funny prank. What are you, twelve?" The anger lacing his voice was familiar.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU!" Steph's voice resonated through the small area. Each word was backed by explosive anger.

"Surely you were aware of this? It was in the terms and conditions. Here is your compensation." The guard handed the man a briefcase. He opened it, unsure.

"You think our children's lives are worth a stack of money? I demand to see my children!" By now, Santiago's mother had regained her composure. She slammed her hands on the table, coming face-to-face with the guard.

"YOU WILL TAKE ME TO MY SON RIGHT NOW!" The guard had stumbled back in alarm. Clearly this event had never happened before. I watched as tears began to fall down her face, smearing mascara around her eyes. Without thinking, I launched myself towards the couple, only to feel a sharp pain in my neck.

...

"What were you thinking? How could you take him there?" I opened my eyes to find Trigger, curly hair flying wildly as she shook Castle. The latter had a red outline of a hand across her pale face.

"How the fuck was I supposed to know? We went through the same thing a few years ago!" As I sat up, memories flooded back to me.

"I demand to see my children!"

"What did they do to them?" Trigger turned to me, eyes softening.

"I don't know, Bruce had already dragged you here before she found out."

"They are being properly restrained." I turned to the voice to find the bald man. Shit. He probably saw me.

"Sir." Trigger nodded her head, forcing Castle to follow her suit.

"Minhyuk, it appears we will have to make necessary adjustments to your," the man gestured to his head.

"You can't! He'll be fine, I promise!" Why is Trigger so flustered? What is he talking about?

"I'm afraid you don't have a say in this matter." He clapped twice before a handful of guards entered the room, grabbing my arms.

"Hey! What the fuck?" Oh hell no. I recognized the doors I was in front of. The assembly room.

"This won't hurt and we'll do our best to avoid messing with everything." I was shoved into the room, the door shutting behind me.

"LET ME OUT YOU FUCKERS!" A bright light filled the room, filled shortly by flashes of colors. Dizzy, I fell to the floor.

My head hurts.

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