Broken | Jaeyong

chapter 23

"Yeah, I'm settling in fine." Jaemin assured, his eyes focused on the view outside the window.

"Oh yeah, we here. I'm guessing you've been here before?" The officer asked as he began to get out of the car.

"Yeah, yesterday actually." Jaemin confirmed as he met the policeman outside his door. He had to remain by Jaemin's side until they entered the building. There still posed a threat to his safety.

"Well, how about we get you inside and get you warmed up? It's freezing out here." The officer smiled at him. Jaemin nodded eagerly, having only a hoodie and sweatpants on, his bare feet numb from the cold kiss of the snow.

Jaemin was ushered into the police station, the smell of strong coffee and the warm swell of the air conditioner pleasing his tired and aching senses. His feet slowly felt the raggedness of the old carpet beneath his toes as the police officer gestured for him to take a seat on one of the couches that resembled sea waves on a stormy day. A dark, murky shade of turquoise surrounding him as he sat down on the surprisingly soft surface. He could almost fall asleep and he did mere seconds later just as the officer went to greet someone at the door.

_

Haechan laid quietly by Jisung's side as the younger slept. He couldn't fall asleep. What if Taeyong hadn't called him and told him to run? Where would he be now? Would he be dead or would he be wishing he was? It terrified him. What they might do.

Haechan rolled over with a frail sigh, his gaze coming into line with Jisung's back. The younger's shoulders rising and falling with each and every peaceful snore that left absentmindedly out of his lips, his hair laid softly against his pillow, the shiny strands scrunching messily as he moved his head. Thoughts and dreams battling rampantly in his mind, one fighting over the other, neither succumbing to each other's will.

Maybe if he just laid here, fantasizing of a better tomorrow, perhaps God or whatever merciful being out there might take pity on him and put his weary head to rest. Just for how many hours are left of the night. Just so he can be alright for a few moments and if he's lucky maybe more.

Jisung then turned to him, the taller still deeply in dream land. A wave of peace passed over Haechan. No matter how endangered he felt, he knew comfort always awaited him in the people he loved. Whether it be visiting his mother at the hospital, seeing Mark at the university or talking to Taeyong, he knew he could always found comfort by them and if need be, safety.

That was until he heard something in the hallway. Quiet and not wanting to be heard. Soft, slow, foot steps. Haechan felt his heart pick up pace, his breathing stopping then starting then slowing down before quickening again, over and over and over. The blanket felt extremely hot around his sweating palms and shaking legs. He wanted to get out but there was nowhere to go. He wanted to move but he couldn't. He just wanted to disappear.

The sound stopped by the doorway for a moment before proceeding to get closer. Haechan tried to build the confidence to look with each step the stranger took hesitantly toward the bed. Until they sat on the edge, the pressure of their weight tightening the blanket around his calves. Oh god, he hated it. He just wanted to get out.

He felt a palm against his forehead and that's all it took for him to completely freak out. He immediately sat up and turned to the stranger and all and behold it was not a stranger at all.

"Oh my fucking god! Don't fucking sneak up to the fucking bed like that! I fucking nearly got kidnapped only a few fucking hours ago! What the fuck were you thinking?" Haechan sobbed at the sight of a shocked and quite perplexed Taeyong.