𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭 • ᵐⁱⁿˢᵘⁿᵍ

The Quest Begins 15.2

Changbin's Changbin's mouth moves but no words come out, he's trying to process the tall stranger wearing a cloak in Minho's living room. "Um," Changbin turns to his friend in hope that the other is a friend of theirs from Seoul, "Minho, may I get an introduction to your friend."

Minho blinks back, "Friend?" He's certainly not friends with either of the paranormal beings--not yet at least.

"Yeah, the guy in full elven get up," Changbin whispers so he doesn't sound rude if the other hears him.

Minho looks at the two and that's when it clicks, Hyunjin's long grey hair and cloak must look like an elven costume to Changbin. "Ah no, that's--"

"-You can't see the boy?" Hyunjin raises a hand as he cuts off Minho, his brows furrowed while looking at the other human.

Changbin looks around, confused, "What boy?"

"I won't let him see me." The ghost says to the reaper. Only Minho and Hyunjin can hear him.

Hyunjin turns to face the boy--a site very confusing for someone who can't see the ghost. "You should let him. He can help you."

The ghost shakes his head, it took him a lot of courage just to let Minho see him. "What if he tries to hurt me?" Clutching at the reaper's cloak, he's like a shy child hiding behind their parents when meeting someone new.

"We won't. I think he'll be happy to see you." Hyunjin strokes the back of the boy's head. Hesitant, the boy finally agrees.

Changbin's eyes widen when he sees a boy appear next to the elven-looking person. "The, the..." Pointing at the stranger who just appeared out of thin air, Changbin starts hyperventilating. "Y-you-"

"No!" Hyunjin raises his hand, silencing Changbin in not only a metaphorical sense but literally. Changbin's mouth moves but he is incapable of making a sound. "I'm sorry, you can't say it. Minho has to do it."

"Wait, what?" Minho looks between the reaper and his friend, "If he knows things why can't he say them?"

"I'm sorry, things have a way they have to work and I'm sure you understand that. For now, he cannot help." Hyunjin lowers his hand, blocking certain memories from Changbin's mind. "We have a deal, remember?" Hyunjin's eyes narrow on Minho.

Minho nods his head, "Yes." He mumbles. He's having to start at square zero when there is someone next to him who knows things.

"Why do I have to wait?" The ghost sniffles, one hand tugging at the reaper's cloak while the other holds his face, hiding his pained expression.

Hyunjin is instantly heartbroken, he doesn't want it to be this way yet it has to be because even he can't say the boy's name if he tries. "Go to the library. You want to start there." Hyunjin repeats what he said earlier to Minho.

The library isn't filled with just books, it also has an archive and within that archive are old newspapers-newspapers that were only drafts and never published. The archive holds truths hidden from the eyes of many. Truths that someone knows like the back of their hand.

Everyone's attention is taken by the crying male beside Minho. "I c-can't believe it." Changbin walks over to the ghost, enveloping them in his arms even when they try to resist at first. "I've missed you so much." Losing your friend is one thing, but finding out they've been struggling for so long on their own is another. Part of the reason why Changbin never feared coming to the house was that he always felt like part of his friend was still here, and he was right. They've been here but in great pain.

"Um, Changbin?" Minho speaks up, continuing when the male looks at him, "Could you drive me to the library."

Changbin scoffs, "Of course, you didn't even need to ask." Looking back at his late friend, Changbin is mesmerised by how much they still look like the last time he saw them. "I'll be back."

"Oh, okay." The boy blushes slightly, not used to the kindness of others other than Hyunjin.

"Let's go," Changbin says, giving the boy's shoulder one last rub before leaving.

"I will find your name." Minho smiles softly at the ghost boy.

The boy smiles back, "Thank you."

Minho follows after Changbin, his seatbelt not even buckled in yet when Changbin starts driving off.

When the car can no longer be heard, the boy turns to the reaper, "What is the deal were you on about earlier?"

Hyunjin is shocked for a moment until he realises what the boy is one about, "Nothing you need to be worried about. Anyway, Felix should be here soon." Trying his best to change the conversation topic, Hyunjin walks out of the living room and towards the basement door. "Don't want to keep him waiting for us." Hyunjin holds the door open for the boy and the two make their way down the wooden stairs.