Harmless || Stray Kids ✔️

2

I crash down into my bed, a sudden shock wave flying through my spine. Screams tear out of my lungs, tears trailing down my chin. My eyes are open, but everything is spinning.

I grasp my blanket in my hand, feeling that I was awake. I was alive. I wasn't falling, but why was it so real? Why could I still feel the impending doom ready to hit any second?

"Minho, Minho! You're okay, it's okay!" Seungmin shouts, bursting in the room with the other two behind him.

I heave in and out, sobbing out into nothing. I didn't have the strength to hide my face. I was terrified. How could that not be real? That was real. It had to be. I felt too much. My stomach was churning. My body felt winded. My hands and legs were trembling.

Felix comes over, brushing my hair. "Min, it's okay. It was just a nightmare." I collapse into his arms after he says that. My grip on him is almost painful, but I don't care.

"It's okay, it's okay," he whispers, rubbing my back soothingly. I couldn't calm down even if I wanted to. I almost died. I almost fucking died. It was real. It was so real.

"I'm calling Chan."

-

I sniffled in Felix's arms, staring off into space. I was absolutely not doing the shoot today or ever. I refused. I didn't care about letting them down anymore. I wanted to keep them all from going. I couldn't let anything happen to them.

"Minho, are you here with me?" Chan sits in front of me, trying to smile.

My eyes flicker to him, filling up with tears again. I couldn't let them go. I shove my face into Felix's shoulder, shuddering lightly.

"I know whatever you dreamed was scary, but it was a nightmare. You are okay. I'm really sorry, but we have to get ready."

"No."

"I understand that you're scared, but we have to. The managers are going to be pissed if we or one of us miss this."

"I don't care. We're not going." My voice is shaky, but stern. They will not die the death I experienced.

"Minho, please-"

"I said no, Chan!" I yell, looking up at him as another tear falls. "Jisung is afraid of heights just the same as me. The staff will understand. I don't care if they get pissed off. You take care of our group, not them. This is what's best for us, I promise. Please, don't make us go. I'm begging you, hyung."

After that, the room is silent. It's tense. Felix's grip had tightened around me as if trying to tell me to calm down. I wouldn't. I would have a full blown fit if they tried leaving.

"Okay. I'll tell them you guys are sick. We can't shoot if there are only five of us. They'll ask for a reschedule though-"

"Tell them we're not doing it at all."

"Minho, what is this about?"

My throat clogs. I hide myself away in Felix again. He let me, knowing there was something bigger going on if I was arguing with Chan about a schedule change.

"Please, eat some breakfast. I'll call them right now." With that, he and the other two leave. Felix holds onto me, letting me calm down.

"Hyung?"

I wait.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

I shake my head.