Chapter 5
I feel like my whole world turned upside down after hearing what this woman just said. I feel the horror run down my spine and just looking at the woman with an inhumanly wide smile feels like I'm in the horror movie. She talked about the tube in our chest. She said that it's a connection like connecting my life to Hyunsung and his too in mine- to be specific, our life turn one and our life is now connected. If Hyunsung dies, I'm going to die too. If he feels pain- I'm also feeling that. If we tried to pull this out, our brain will be affected and my heart too. It's like making one human in two bodies. Hyunsung is the brain- the intelligence while myself is the life.
Mother Arnika- she wants us to call her that- wrote on the board while the others were taking down notes while weeding through it which there was still a lot.
I was just seating at my desk with a serious look. I watched as mother Arnika explained how to kill people without anyone noticing. They resite all the topics and it seemed that they already know well about this. Seriously, what kind of place is this? Are they want us to be a killer?
What is their purpose for teaching inappropriate lessons like this?
The class ended without me and Hyunsung me reciting in class. My thoughts about this place are still messed up. Until I don't have the information about this school, I'm clueless.
The guy with glasses stood up and picked up his books before walking out of the room.
Wait, isn't that guy who was with that loner guy? And I think the loner guy is Lee Minhee?
My head snap to the guy who stood up from the front. I stood up and dragged Hyunsung with me causing him to gasp in shock. I walked up to that guy and he seems surprised when I suddenly jumped in front of him. Why I didn't recognize them after I saw them first in the class?
And why are they here? Are their parents terminating them to be here?
"Hi! I know you. You're that loner guy in our school right?" I asked. I feel energetic all of a sudden because some of my schoolmates are also here.
He looked down, avoiding eye contact with me but his face is flashing in red. I chuckled because of how cute he is when he's blushing like this.
"Nice to talk to you Lee Minhee-shi. I'm Lee Sunie by the way and this is Hyunsung, my...life partner!" I chirped and heard Hyunsung groan in annoyance. "That creepy woman already said- "
Minhee suddenly covered my mouth with fear in his eyes. He looked around as if wanting to see something. He looks troubled and scared.
"Don't put that sassy attitude here Sunie. Mother Arnika and the rest wouldn't like that." He said in a hushed tone. I frowned and remove his hands from my mouth.
"Why? Aren't they bad too for teaching us to kill people? We also wouldn't like to learn that unless one of us wanted to be a killer." I said and this time Minhee smack my mouth softly.
"Do you want to die?! Just shut your damn mouth!" He shouted and that cause me to step back, shock is the only thing I can feel right now. I don't feel upset or hurt about him yelling at me. I understand why he does that. Everyone is in a shit situation right now and even I would scream like that if ever I stayed long here. Minhee is just stressed out.
"Don't say like that to Sunie!" Hyunsung immediately inserts himself between us, placing me behind him.
Minhee's furious face soften. He looks guilty. He quickly apologized and walked out of the classroom.
"Sorry for that. My brother is just stressed." I heard Fin say behind me. How do I know? He's the only one among us who has the deepest voice.
"I understand," I said and faced them, just when a poster captured my attention. I walked closer to that poster and Hyunsung quickly followed behind.
I read the poster and it was saying about the rules and regulations.
The first rule is don't run in every hallway.
The second rule is don't say something bad to your parents.
Parents, they mean those weird people?
The third rule is don't dirty the place
The fourth- don't put the mirror in front of your parents.
The only thing we are allowed to do is follow these rules. If we don't we will be punished. What crazy people. I need to get out of here before something bad happened to us in the future. As what they doing to us right now, they experimenting with something and I would like to find that out.
Right, I need to find my friends.
I walked out of the room but I was about to reach the door when someone tug the edge of my long sleeve. I turned around to see who it was and saw Jihae. He points to Hyunsung who still standing in front of the poster. He was looking down.
"I think your partner is sulking?" He whispered. "Anyway, we're going to wait for you both outside- "
"Please don't. Go on. I need to find someone- my friends." I said, cutting him off. He didn't respond and just walked out of the room with Fin tailing behind him.
I shrugged and marched to Hyunsung. I held his both shoulder and slightly shake him. He groans before looking up at me. I smiled. I don't know why Hyunsung is sulking like this but I found it adorable. "Why are you sulking here? Come on, we're going to find my friends."
He didn't say anything about it but I can feel that he dislike the idea of searching for my friends. I don't know but it feels like he wants me to keep me by himself. I'm not numb and I'm too assuming to judge everything I sense.
I don't know if Hyunsung wants me to keep me all by himself or something scaring him out there. I held his hand and he let me drag him out of the classroom.
This day I must say, is normal. Just like what Jihae said, everything will be fine as long as I followed the rules. I keep on searching for them but Jihae thinks that they were in a different area of this place. We're talking about that while in the middle of eating the toothpaste in the massive hall where the weird sculpture is placed.
It was already night and it was time for us to go back to our room but I don't want to go back yet. I mean, there's no curfew here but once mother Arnika caught us- we have no choice but to go back to our room. Just then, I remember that bookworm in the classroom earlier- there's no tube behind his head. He's free whenever he goes. That folk is sure lucky. He goes around without anyone tailing behind him. I don't like that my life and Hyunsung are now connected- become one, something like that but this situation is just so troublesome and hassle. I can't sneak around without anyone knowing.
"If you want to go to another area, you must pass through the father. Because the father who holds that area- holding them." Jihae said while sucking the toothpaste. I watched as Jihae sucked the toothpaste-like he has already gotten used to the taste.
"I wish I can eat like you," I said and tried to eat the toothpaste. It feels like brushing my teeth. I sipped the amount of the thing and somehow I feel stuff already.
"You can. Everyone can." He said and chuckled.
I glance Hyunsung who seating beside me. He wasn't eating his toothpaste. Did he dislike it? He suddenly throw it in the bin and stood up. He grab my hand and pulled me up but I remain seated in my seat. When he noticed that I have no plan on getting up, he glared at me.
"Let Sunie stay for a while. We're in the middle of talking if you see." Jihae said, sounding as if mocking Hyunsung. He tsked before pushing away the tube that looped on his shoulder. He dropped it on the floor and walked away. I watched as the tube unloosed slowly and turned back to a straight line.
"Someone just did something inappropriate and mother Arnika will kill her," Fin spoke softly. "That means we're going to eat human meat."
Jihae smack him but it was too late because I already heard what he said. I feel like my face paled up. I froze and shivered in horror. Is it true that we're going to eat human flesh?
I stared at them in horror. Jihae held my trembling hands and shoulder.
"As long as you won't break the rules, you'll be fine, and don't worry. I'm here, we're here to protect you." He said and touched my cheek.
"But I don't want to eat human! That's gross!" I hissed, shaking my head. "And why does mother Arnika need to kill her? Aren't we they specimen?"
"Such innocent Sunie." Jihae cooed, brushing my fluffy hair. "Because she's nothing but a useless specimen already and she needs to dispose of tomorrow in the morning. While her life partner will be killed too."
"What?!"
Fear slowly consumes me whole just thinking about it. The girl will go to die tomorrow and will be eaten by us because she's already a useless sheep. And since it is her last day, she did something inappropriate that upset mother Arnika? Did she try to escape?
What if I become useless too and need to be disposed of immediately too? Am I going to die like her, even Hyunsung is gonna die too? Since our lives were connected.
"I don't want to die..." My voice is wavering and my eyes watering in fear. "I want to live. I want to go home! I want to be out of here!"
Jihae holds my shoulder, trying to calm me down. "Don't be scared. I don't think that you'll be useless in the end."
I sniffles, scrunching my nose. I need to get to my friends and escape from here as possible. Even Jihae tells me that I'm not going to be useless, he can't say that. I'm useless already.
"I'm going to get my friends and get out of this place!" I said in determination.
Jihae and Fin want to say something but I didn't let them as I stood up and walked back to the room I just woke earlier in the morning. I pushed the door open before closing it and found Hyunsung already sleeping on his bed. I quietly walked to my bed and carefully lay down. The one small window with bars near the top of the room roof taunting us with its light. The light that came from the moon.
My thoughts start to wander. Wondering of what this place is exactly. Wondering why like mother Arnika existed in this world. Wonder if my life and Hyunsung will end up just like the girl. I'm scared. And the silence without anyone beside me made me go nuts. I feel like wanting to kill myself than face my fate.
I whimpered, tears running down my face. I can't stay here. It's crazy to stay here. I'm scared. I faced the wall and wonder again. I can't sleep. I'm scared that if I open my eyes I will find myself in that room again and this time, they are killing me.
I gasp as soon I heard someone screaming, crying from somewhere. She sounds like she's been torturing or something. She cried like she was suffering in pain.
"Mother Arnika please! Don't kill me please! I'll be useful! No please!" I heard her beg and the next thing was a painful screeching from her.
I covered my ears and cried quietly out of fear. My heart beating painfully fast in my chest. I'm scared. What if I'm useless too and she's going to kill me or hurt me like what she does the girl right now. I'm scared. I can feel my body trembling in so much fear.
I could hear the girl's screams from somewhere, but it sounded so close like it was under us. And finally, everything went silent with a final, piercing thump from somewhere near in the room- the sound of something dripping on the floor afterward. I could feel my face pale and my body shivered even more. Is the girl already dead?
I flinched when I feel a hand wrapped around my waist. I turned around and see Hyunsung laying beside me with tears of fear running down his face. His plump lips were quivering and he sniffles silently.
"That sounds scary..." I murmured in the air. He nodded, wiping the tears away from my eyes.
"We only have each other." He whispered.
"But we have my friends too. We have Jihae and Fin- "
"I don't trust them." He held my both hands and bring them to his chest. "I want to protect you. I promise I won't let that woman butcher you up." He said with his tone all serious.
He pulled me into a hug and buried my face on his chest. I can hear his heart beating loudly inside his chest. He wanted to protect me because he doesn't want to die. Our life is connected and if I die, he'll too. To keep himself alive, he won't let me die like everyone in this orphanage(?)
-
Hyunsung stared at Sunie until the younger fell asleep. He just couldn't take his eyes out of Sunie. He looks so precious and very rare in this world. Sunie is indeed beautiful and he has this unique face that no one can compare. Despite their situation, when he's beside Sunie he feels safe. When he first saw him back in their fan sign, he already hit in the heart like love at first sight.
Hyunsung was somehow glad that his life and Sunie were connected. They can be together 24hours.
He can tail Sunie whenever he goes and he can at least stay beside him, watch him over.
Hyunsung moves his hand to brush Sunie's hair softly. He watches as the strands of the younger's hair slide through his slender fingers. Sunie's hair is indeed soft and fluffy. He stared at the younger's hair and noticed the other strands slowly painted in white. He has no idea of why the others' hair turning white while the others aren't- like his hair and Sunie's. What kind of experiment that father Chil do to them? And what is this place? This place sure looks like a ward when they are in their room but when the outside, it looks like they were in the orphanage- and when they go to class- they were in the school. How do those people turn their lives like this? How can they exist in their world?
Hyunsung wanted answers but even anyone of this place has the same questions. Everyone does.
Hyunsung shook his head and hugged Sunie as tight as possible but careful not to touch his tube. Screw those questions, the most important thing for him is to get out of here with Sunie- and keep Sunie safe at all costs.
But protecting him wasn't as easy as he thought because when he woke up first in the morning. He found himself inside of a square room with the only metal bed he was currently laying right now, across from him was a mirror where he can see his reflection. He can see the tubes that are linked to his body and the heart monitor beside him. Above him was a blinding operating light like in every hospital in the city.
Panic and worry took over him as he knew his current situation right now. He moves his hand to the left and right violently, trying to find the person he loves so much for his dear life. Sunie wasn't beside him. He wasn't here. Where is he?!
The beeping sound take its pace when Hyunsung began to panic after not seeing Sunie. He gets up but two metal objects prevent him, pushing him back to the hard bed. He move harshly- violently and everything just to get out of this bed but no matter what he do, the chains around his waist were too tight and heavy. It hurt his wrists. He hissed in pain, groaning with his teeth gritted together. He can feel his mouth watered for some reason that chokes him on his saliva. He swallowed hard and groan once again when his throat shot up in agonizing pain, and it felt as though the walls of his larynx were set on fire. He heavily gasped in pain.
Everything hurt so bad but the thought of Sunie wasn't on his side is more painful than his aching throat. Tears dotted his eyes while keep on struggling. He needs to find Sunie, he needs to protect him.
"Calm down Mr. Hwang Hyunsung."
Hyunsung breath stopped as soon he heard the familiar voice somewhere in the room. His eyes landed on the mirror across him. He is sure that someone is watching him through that mirror. That father Chil and his minion are watching him behind that mirror. His eyes sharpened, glaring at the mirror with piercing eyes.
"Where's Sunie?! Where did you bring him?! Why he isn't my side!" Hyunsung yelled. The beeping sound beside his ears annoyed him more than he is right now.
"Despite your crucial situation you dare to ask that kid against my will." The doctor said with a stern voice.
"Where is he?!" He shouted again.
"Do not worry my son, Lee Sunie is beside your room- sleeping. I won't kill him though because I can see potential in him."
"What did you do to him! Please! Let me be by his side please!" Hyunsung begged, tears running down his face.
"You see, your partner is having an operation right now. His hair can't turn all pure white just like the others."
Hyunsung didn't speak but struggled between his silent cries. He was sure, this sick man doing something to Sunie.
The burning pain in his arm shot him. He hissed, groaning in pain. He tried to push himself up, but he couldn't go far.
"He has something in him. Let me tell you this Hwang Hyunsung. You love him because his face is rare and very unique like yours yes? And he has the strong instinct and knowledge- he's brave and tough. His sanity won't snap out."
"Don't you dare touch him!" He groans, feeling the pain has gotten worst and the IV that linked on his body become more irritating- add the beeping sound beside him.
"The operation will be successful. Now, go to sleep and Lee Sunie will be in your side again. I can promise you that."
Hyunsung didn't listen and kept on struggling not until the door slide open and that same man went in holding a syringe. He came closer to Hyunsung and himself was struggling more than ever, screaming and kicking in the air. The man finally scooted beside him and inject the syringe into his arm.
Hyunsung winced and tried to avoid his arm from the man but it was too late. The man injected something in him and Hyunsung's eyes felt heavy until he dozed off, still crying and thinking about Sunie.
Hyunsung woke with an abrupt start to find himself lying on the same metal bed. His eyes felt heavy, his chest burning in pain along with his arms, and as he tried to lift his hands, he felt a searing pain course through his wrists. His wrists are still tied on this bed. He looked around frantically and found himself in the same white room but without a mirror across from him. He moves his head to his right side and his eyes widen, the beeping sound goes faster. Sunie was laying on another metal bed beside him. He was still unconscious, eyes close and Sunie was breathing hoarsely- the beeping sound of his monitor is fast. Sunie is in a bad condition.
Hyunsung wanted to reach and hold Sunie's arm but the chain around his wrists stopped him. Tears gathered in his eyes again, seeing the blood that runs down from Sunie's eyes, nose, ears, and even in his mouth. The metal bed under him is already soaked in blood.
"Sunie...Sunie...what do they do to you?...Sunie..." He asked but his throat burned to make it hard for him to speak. "Sunie..."
Sunie's hands jerked a little that give Hyunsung hope that the younger is getting back to his consciousness. Sunie's eyes squint together before he slowly opened his eyes. Hyunsung's heart almost stopped as soon he see Sunie's eyes all bloodshot red- even the iris- all red. There's no color can be seen in his eyes, just red. Indeed red.
Hyunsung's chest tightened and the burning pain in his throat become worse.
Sunie winced painfully, closing his eyes again. His eyes are sure stung. More blood flowed out from his eyes and nose.
"Its hurts..." Sunie breathed out.
"Sunie..." Hyunsung tried to steal his attention but only a whisper came out from his mouth.
The dark veins slowly showed off and those things were crawling up to his head, making Sunie look like a freaking zombie. Sunie winced loudly, gritting his teeth together in horrible pain- blood flowing out from his mouth. Sunie's lips were pressed into a thin line at the greenish goo and putrid smell emanating from his blood.
The door swung open and two-man came, pushing a metal table as its wheel squeaked. Hyunsung eyes move back to Sunie he saw him shivering.
"Right, Lee Sunie smell so bad right now. We need to clean him up." The man that everyone called father Chil took what it seems like a host but made it in the clean huge tube. He pressed something on it then water sprayed out of it to Sunie.
Sunie screams, struggling, kicking but it can't be helped. The rude water violently spits out on him, especially on his face. Sunie cried messily while screaming in pain and that led Hyunsung to heartache. He can feel Sunie's pain, he can feel all his struggling. He wanted to protect him but how so? He was tied in this bed, feel so useless. Sunie is struggling while he? Watching him suffer.
Hyunsung sobs, feeling his heart clenched even tighter in his chest. He can't do anything to help him out.
Father Chil finally stopped spraying his water and put the host tube under the metal table. He took his gloves and put them on before walking to Sunie while his minion followed behind him.
"Now...let's see."