INVISIBLE STRINGS ~ Scoups [C]

🎀7

"Mingyu..."

His eyes widened. "Y/N!"

He sprinted toward the voice, Joshua following closely behind. Pushing aside low-hanging branches and stepping over roots, Mingyu finally spotted her.

Y/N sat slumped against a tree trunk, her face pale and her lips slightly cracked. Her flashlight had died, and her arms were wrapped tightly around herself.

Mingyu knelt down immediately. "Y/N! Are you okay? Can you hear me?"

Y/N forced a weak smile. "You... found me."

Joshua crouched beside them, quickly checking her condition. "She's exhausted and freezing. We need to get her back to camp now."

Mingyu nodded and, without hesitation, carefully scooped Y/N into his arms.

"Hey... you don't have to..." Y/N mumbled weakly.

"Shh, just rest" Mingyu said softly, his voice filled with concern. "We're getting you back safely."

Y/N leaned her head against Mingyu's chest, her breathing shallow but steady.

Back at the Camp

The camp buzzed with worry as flashlights flickered and teachers coordinated with other students. Yeri stood near the edge of the camp, her eyes scanning the forest desperately.

When Mingyu emerged from the darkness carrying Y/N in his arms, Yeri gasped and sprinted over.

"Y/N!" she cried, her voice breaking.

Joshua followed closely behind, helping to clear a path.

A teacher rushed forward. "Bring her to the medical tent immediately!"

Mingyu carefully laid Y/N down on one of the makeshift beds in the tent. The camp nurse checked her temperature and began administering basic first aid.

"She's severely dehydrated and exhausted but she'll be okay after some rest and fluids" the nurse said reassuringly.

Yeri sat next to Y/N, holding her hand tightly. "You scared me so much... don't ever do that again."

Y/N eyes fluttered open briefly. "I'm sorry, Yeri..."

Yeri shook her head, wiping away a tear. "No, don't apologize. Just focus on getting better, okay?"

Outside the Medical Tent

Outside the tent, Mingyu stood with his hands on his hips, staring down at the ground. His shirt was stained with mud and leaves from carrying Y/N through the forest.

Joshua walked up to him, patting his shoulder. "You did well, Mingyu. She's safe now."

Mingyu let out a deep breath. "She could've gotten seriously hurt out there, Josh. And for what? Because of a stupid argument?"

Joshua glanced over toward another corner of the camp where Scoups stood, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed, staring at the medical tent.

"He hasn't said a word since we split up" Joshua said quietly.

Mingyu brows furrowed as he stared at Scoups. "He should be the one in there, making sure she's okay."

"But he's not" Joshua said simply.

The silence between them lingered until a teacher approached, instructing them to rest for the night.

The Morning After

Sunlight spilled across the campgrounds as students began packing up their tents and gathering near the central meeting point.

Y/N sat on a camping chair near the medical tent, wrapped in a blanket. Yeri was beside her, helping her sip from a bottle of water.