Harmless || Stray Kids ✔️

35

Seungmin

As soon as I wake, I know it has started. My throat tingles, forcing me to rub it. I open my eyes, confused as to why it was still dark. My body hates me; it always wakes me up at such random times nowadays.

I sigh, not even thinking about trying to use my voice. Now that I've had the test run of losing it once, my fear isn't too bad to deal with. It's as if I pushed myself super hard at practice. It'll be back in no time.

"Seung, you want some breakfast?" I hear Jeongin ask, tapping my arm a few times.

It's so late out, why is he asking me that? I try my best to see him through the darkness, but I can't. Not being able to see or talk is already scaring me.

I get up, stumbling over to the room light. How did he find his way over here when it's so dark?

The switch flicks, but nothing happens.

Panic.

I grasp my chest, covering my mouth with one hand. He doesn't understand. I can't see anything. I've gone blind. I've gone blind! How am I supposed to communicate?

"Hey, hey, it's okay." I feel his hands on my shoulders. "I'm going to go get Felix. It'll be okay. Just stay here-"

"No, no, don't leave me! Please!" Yet nothing comes out. I reach out my arms, trying to grab at him so he wouldn't leave. I can't fucking see anything!

He's still there, so my hands immediately wrap around him. "Hyung, it's okay. Come out with me, yeah? I'll help you."

We slowly stand up and he leads me through the house. I'm blindly walking, putting every amount of trust I have in him. This is more terrifying than I could have ever imagined.

"Felix!" He shouts. I listen my hardest, hearing tiny footsteps come toward us. "It's happening. He can't speak nor can he see."

"What?" Felix is surprised. Yeah, me too. "Okay, um, let's go back to your room. I'll take him from here, Innie."

Felix leads me back, sitting me on the bed. "First, I think you need to calm down. Or do your best to. I'm sure whatever this thing is can smell the fear, so you gotta let go of it. Say it in your head. Say you're not afraid of it."

I'm not afraid of you.

"I think maybe I need to leave you alone. Will you be alright alone?"

I hesitantly nod. What if something happened? What if I needed them? How was I supposed to get them? I'm newly blind and mute.

"Okay. I'm shutting the door now. Bang on it if you need us. We'll be close by."

Okay. I can do this. Shutting my eyes, I take in a deep breath.

This is nothing. I could go my entire life blind. This isn't bad. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of what you will bring. Do whatever you want to me. I can take it. Just leave my family alone. I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of you.

As I repeat it in my head, a sense of relief overcomes me. It can't be this easy, can it?

I open my eyes, my skin crawling away as soon as I do. A monster made up of dripping black ink is crouched in the corner. It's white, clouded eyes stare back at me, unblinking.

"I'm not afraid of you," I growl, even though my anxiety is going through the roof. "Get out of here! Leave! I'm not afraid of you!"

It just stares at me, taking in probably unneeded breaths. I stand, taking a step forward. The ink seeps into the wall, disappearing completely.

Immediately, I sprint out of the room. Only a few of the boys are in the commons. Felix spots me instantly, coming over to me with a worried look.

"It's gone."

He smiles brightly, pulling me into a hug. I let the warmth sink in, only momentarily forgetting about what I had just witnessed.

Suddenly, my knees begin to shake. More of my weight is pushed onto Felix until he pulls back a little, frowning at my sudden movement. When he pulls back, my support is gone. I collapse to my knees, becoming lightheaded.

"Seungmin! What's wrong?"

Minho is quick to come over, helping my upper body lay down before I hit my head on the floor.

"Just... just a bit tired, 's fine. Need- Mm, need to talk to you."

"Catch your breath real quick. We can talk later. Lix, can you- oh, thanks, Sung. I'm going to sit you up real quick, Min. I have some water."