#encounters.

Far be it from Hangyeol to not answer the door when it calls to him, when a presumed authoritative individual requested his presence. He did not find it pertinent to indulge in the man’s impatience, too occupied with nursing the warm cup of tea on his table and the new edition of his favorite comic book in his hand. He hums softly in contemplation the louder the man gets. So, he’s heard about his habits, has he? And the attack on the beach he dare not forget? 

Soon enough, the incessant noises overwhelm his senses. He raises to his feet, palms firmly planted on the surface of the coffee table. A rush of haze swarms around his head, slipping him into a weary bout of lightheadedness. His left hand clutches the center of his forehead now dripping with sweat. He’s panting now, unable to keep his breathing steady as his lungs grasp for air. 

“Fuck…” The swear barely makes its way off his tongue and he is unable to utter anything more. What’s left of his voice is hushed and hoarse, trapped behind a restricted esophagus. 

Hangyeol does not register his tumble to the floor, only able to discern so when the walls turn upside down and the hardwood presses cool against his shoulder. Worst of all, his arm begins to pulsate with pain. There’s a sense of fullness to it, wiggling through his veins and pressing just beneath the epidermis. His hand twitches and curls underneath him as if possessed. The pain is too great for him to continue his claw across the floor. 

He gives in, allowing the darkness to consume him.

it’s 8:53pm by the time she rounds the corner to the station and it’s not until 8:57pm when she drops the cigarette stub into the gutter before walking inside, shades perched on the bridge of her nose sliding down ever so slightly as she pushes the door open.

when she had received the note earlier in the day, courtesy of the persistent fucker who couldn’t take a hint, she had half the mind to ignore the request entirely. she has no interest in involving herself with their island’s little police force, unlike gaeun who had been well-acquainted with their station’s waiting area. and frankly, she hasn’t got a clue of what could possibly warrant this, unless one of the tourists reported her for her general demeanour. again.

but the fact that he explicitly stated it was a non-emergency works out in their favour. better to rip the band aid off in one go than let whatever this may be fester into a bigger problem.

which leads her to where she is now, grimacing at the fluorescent ceiling lights that do nothing to quell her sleep deprivation induced migraine. a young man, swamped in his uniform like a child playing dress up, passes by her with a stack of papers in his arms and she just manages to snag him by the sleeve, stopping him in his tracks.