truly, deeply mad
@rmjungeunâ
for freaks like jongin, the lab is a sanctuary. the beginning of a new school year marks more frequent visits to the lab, a new research assistant post, and empty labs. hands deftly wipe down the last of the beakers and place them neatly into the cabinet. behind him, on one of the long tables, a complicated set up of test tubes, flasks, plastic tubing, bunsen burners, and burets is all held together by a multitude of clamps and ring stands. there is quiet but there are also the small pops of bubbling mixtures and the lethargic, rhythmic drip of distilled solution. a translucent green liquid fills half of the beaker on the far right. he turns off the bunsen burners and the water flow for the condenser, and picks up the beaker, holding it to the light to verify its consistency and clarityâ
âSHIT!â
in the next chemistry lab over, an obscenity, shattering glass, and an explosionânot large but contained. loud, but probably not enough to shock the security guard awake in the lobby downstairs. jongin takes long strides towards the door that connects the two rooms, beaker still gripped in his right hand. the window set into the door is clouded by grey smoke. it rushes out in grateful escape as he swings open the door. he immediately buries his mouth and nose in the crook of his arm and squints. he discards the beaker on a nearby table and takes a step inside, fumbling for the switch which turns on the fume extraction system. there is violent coughing, the rumble of fans, and a low wooshing as the smoke is quickly sucked up into the vents.
what the smoke makes way for is certainly a sight.
















