Low numbers

-Jisung... Jisung? Are you up? Jisung! Felix yelled în the older's ear who jumped from his bed in surprise.

-What? he shouted back in annoyance.

-How is this outfit on me? he made a turn.

-You woke me up for that?

-Yes! I have a date with Changbin hyung and I need to look flawless.

-Ask your brother, Jisung yawned.

-He doesn't know I'm going on a date. Let's keep it that way, alright?

-Felix?

-Shit, the youngest heard his brother's voice and jumped in the bed to cover himself with the blanket.

Jisung was too tired for that shit so he just watched the madness unfolding in front of him. The door opened in a second.

-There you were! I was wondering if you could come and help me pick a new assistant at the shelter since Jisung is going to be a teacher.

-Ahm... not today, hyung. I promised Seungmin I'll go out with him. He needs relationship advice, Felix lied.

-Alright... I'll ask Hyunjin then. He found me Jisung, he can't do worse than that.

-Hey! Jisung felt offended. I liked you more when you were all sweet and innocent.

-I was sassy back then too! Remember when I called you at 3 am because you told me I'm mean?

-I do... You ruined such a good sleep, Jisung said unamused.

-Alright, I'll get going then, Minho kissed Jisung quickly and ruffled Felix's hair. See ya!

-Bye, hyung! Felix yelled before getting off the bed and sighing in relief. That was close.

Felix noticed that Jisung was still on the floor with no intention to get up.

-What's wrong?

-What?

-Why don't you get up on the bed? You told Minho hyung you won't help him because you wanna sleep, right? Jump in, he patted the place beside him.

-I can't, Jisung said bluntly.

-Alright, I'll get up. Jeez!

-No, I mean I can't get up! I can't.

Felix's expression dropped into pure worry and fear.

-What do you mean?

Jisung tried to pull himself up, but he fell instantly back.

-Ji, what's going on?

-This is going on, he showed Felix the number on his wrist.

-40... Is that bad?

-I can't get up on my own, Felix! What do you think? Jisung lashed out.

-Maybe there is something we can do. You need someone to hate you, right? Tomorrow at school you can make your students despise you. Maybe the numbers...

-Yeah... You're right, Jisung calmed himself down with deep breaths. Can you- Can you help me get in the bed tho?

-Yeah, of course! Felix helped him lay down. Should I stay here? I can call off the date, he was fidgeting.

-No. Go and have fun! I won't die until the number drops to 0 and I will be alone all day. Nothing will happen.

-Call me if you need anything, understood?

-Yes, mom, Jisung reassured Felix that it was safe for him to go.

-Okay... I won't forgive you if you dissappear without telling me beforehand. You promised me I will be the one to bury you, he said with tears in his eyes.

-And you will. Now enjoy your date, please!

Felix nodded and left, still with an uneasy heart. He had a bad feeling about it.

-Do you really need to go? Chan whined like a baby.

-Yes. I promised Minho hyung I'll help him. I'll be back before you know it, alright? he kissed Chan before grabbing his jacket.

-Be careful!

-You too! Hyunjin waved before exiting the apartment.

Chan was already missing him, but he had to be patient. He had all the apartment to himself and he could stare at Hyunjin's art all day. What more could he want?

-He left the door open again, he sighed.

He closed the door and noticed a blue ribbon tied to the knob.

He'd never noticed it before because the door was always open.

Such a curious place to put a ribbon on.

It's not like Hyunjin was a fan of them. The whole place was a mess, so it wouldn't have surprised him that the item was there. But something was unsettling about it.

It looked like it was put there purposely.

-It will be alright, Felix, trust me! Seungmin was on the phone with his best friend. Yes, you look stunning. Yes. Yeah. Uh-uh. Okay, have fun! And call me after you get home. Bye! he shoved his phone in his pocket and knocked at Jeongin's door.

-Can I help you? an older man opened the door.

-Ahm... Seungmin looked once more at the door number to make sure he didn't have them mistaken. Is Jeongin home?

-Yeah, why?

-Can I talk to him?

-Hey, loser! Come here! Someone's looking for you! the man yelled so loud Seungmin actually squirmed in pain.

-Hyung! What are you doing here?

-I have a free day and I thought we could go somewhere together.

-Ah, I can't today. My family came in town.

-I see. That was...

-My cousin.

-Al-alright then... I'll go, Seungmin looked down in shame and disappointment.

It was the second time already. He knew Jeongin loved him, but keeping his family away from him made him sad. Like their relationship was shameful and wrong and on the verge of ending anyway. That's how it felt.

-You made it! Changbin hugged the blonde with a huge smile on his face. You look amazing!

-Thank you! You too! Are you sure this is safe tho? You're an idol, after all.

-I have bodyguards anywhere. We have the whole restaurant for us, he winked.

-By all means, let's go! Felix clung to Changbin's arm and walked inside with him.

Everything was perfect. The live band, the food, the lights, even the expensive curtains.

The place was their sanctuary and nothing was to disturb them.

Unless...

-Lix?

-Yeah? he looked up from his phone in surprise.

-Something's wrong?

-Ah, Jisung is sick and I was just making sure he's okay. I guess I overdid it. I'm sorry! he placed the phone on the table and turned the sound off by mistake.

-That's alright. I like this about you. You're loyal and caring. If something happens we'll both go and check on him, alright?

Felix's heart melted. He expected to be scolded. He didn't even think of hearing such words.

-Thank you! I mean it! For everything.

-No, thank YOU for making me this happy, Changbin blushed.

-It's just the first date, Bin. Why so cheesy?

-I don't even know, he chuckled. It's like I have the brain of a 5 years old when I'm with you. I'm trying my best to look cool, trust me. But I just fold so fast the moment I see you.

-Ahh! That's so sweet! Felix hid his burning cheeks in his palms. Stop it! I'm embarrassed.

-Good, I'm not the only one! Changbin added fuel to the fire and they both started laughing at each other.

Jisung felt his throat dry. He wanted a glass of water, but there was a problem. He couldn't get up the bed.

The room was spinning around him and his legs were weak.

He tried his best to hold on to the bed, then to the desk and the door, but he collapsed once again.

He even tried to crawl across the floor to the sink.

He almost made it. Almost.

He fell again and took with him a knife from the counter.

-Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! he screamed in frustration. What am I doing? God! he hit himself in the head with his palms. It's not fair! It's not fair! Why me? Why the fuck? I'm gonna die like this... All because of those stupid numbers! he felt a wave of rage going through his system.

He took the knife and stabbed his wrist three times in his attempt to scrap the bloody numbers off him.

When he saw the puddle of blood growing underneath him he panicked.

-Shit! he took his phone and delayed Felix who wasn't picking up. Damn it, Felix!

Minho was at work, Hyunjin wasn't home, so the only chance Jisung had was...

-BANG CHAN! BANG CHAN! PLEASE! I NEED HELP!

The older burst into the room and froze at the gruesome scene.

-Jisung?