Chapter Text
Hellfire burned through my veins as I continued to climb my way through hell. I literally could not feel my legs but this needed to be conquered. Why did stairs have to be so long, anyway? I swear these damned steps seemed to be getting longer and longer the further I go. I felt the sweat gather on my brow as I tried to drag my legs up. My bed would've seen me hours ago if the bus driver didn't speed off when work dragged on late. The eerie shadows around the corners made the trek up to my apartment even more unappealing. Why did I refuse when Seri offered to drive me home? Because I'm stupid and wanted to torture myself, that's why.
The shadows were probably just a side-effect anyways. I was running on coffee and sheer willpower at this point. Exhaustion was no stranger either, in fact, I’d probably consider it a constant friend at this point. Delusions and hallucinations weren’t far behind but I’d rather not associate myself with them given I could end up in the loony bin if I ever told anyone. I mean, what sane person sees shadows following them in the first place?
Shaking my head, I tried to get rid of the dramatic pathway my mind is going towards, hoping it might make the weird shadows lingering in the corners disappear. No such luck, especially since I think one just waved at me. Great. Waving shadows. I may be closer to insanity than I previously thought.
Groaning, I glanced at the stupid metal box they call an elevator. It broke down eight months ago and I really doubted the landlord would fix it anytime soon. Plus, with the noises I’d hear from inside, some sort of animal lived there. Probably a raccoon with the awful smell it gave off.
The dimmed corridor of the fifth floor could be considered the most habitable in the whole building… if you squint really hard anyways. The occasional graffiti littering the walls could be considered art, right? Plus, at least the funky marijuana smell wasn’t as bad on this floor as the others. The colorful walls of the building were the only bright thing about it considering the dark and shady residents that lived here. It's not surprising to find a drug dealer here, I know three live on this floor alone and others are probably scattered around the rest of the floors. Eli at the end of the hall was a pretty nice guy, considering the shady deals he gets himself into. The troll living in the basement of this building didn’t care about his tenants anyway. He was ugly, greasy, and fat. He also likes to harass everyone for money that they don't really owe. Honestly, it wouldn't be surprising if the troll was extorting rent money to fuel his gambling debts. He looked like the type to frequent pachinko parlors, beady-eyed like a mouse and greedy like a pig. Speaking of the troll, I find a gift from him posted on my door.
“What the fuck?”
I grabbed the paper roughly. It was an eviction notice. I remember paying rent last week! Ripping the form, I shoved it into my bag. Littering was no excuse, even in this dump.
Shoving the key inside the flimsy lock, I turned the knob and found my door stuck. I planted my foot on it, trying to kick with my tired legs. I should've bought grease before coming home. Not that I could afford it at the moment, anyways. I shoved at the door, pushing all my weight onto my shoulder and nearly falling on the floor as it gave way. My bag soon met the floor as I slammed the stubborn door closed and turned the multiple locks I had on it. It had to be done, especially if I didn’t want anyone ‘accidentally’ getting inside thinking it was their apartment.
I crashed on my bed. The heavy creaks echoing around me as a spring poked my rib. It was uncomfortable but it was the only bed I could afford with the savings I had. It was already hard enough to pay for this dingy, unlivable apartment.
Sighing, I got up and fumbled around my bag for my phone. A notification popped up.
Seri
'Did you make it home yet???'
I smiled. Seri was too sweet for this cruel world.
Lisha
'yes i made it home'
Seri
'I don't understand why you wanna stay in that dump of a building anyway when me and Jung-Hyeok offered our guest room to you!'
Lisha
'and ruin your honeymoon?? 😝 No tnx, id rather suffer the leaks than listen to you both'
Seri
'We are NOT that bad!!! Hmph! 😡'
Lisha
'lol sure 😅'
Seri
'anyways, I was wondering if you wanted to grab breakfast tomorrow morning. there's a new cafe opened up near our place and it seems good! My treat!'
I chuckled. She knew my weakness. Free food.
Lisha
'sure! Meet up at 10?'
Seri
'Yup! C ya tomorrow! Goodnight!! 🌛'
Lisha
'night! 😘'
I logged off the chat and went through my nightly routine. Checking through the manga and fanfic updates. It was an inevitable addiction fueled by endless insomniac nights. I can’t help my funky work schedule and I had to study to keep my scholarship. It wasn’t like I had anybody that could suddenly pay for everything.
It wasn’t too bad anyway. Coffee was my life-blood and more than made up for the lack of energy but Seri always insisted that I could pass off as a corpse given the dark bags I had under my eyes and how my skin always looked lifeless. I could probably pop a vein out by just breathing. But for the sake of my daily updates and lovely followers, I couldn’t help but sacrifice a few hours of sleep. It was my only stress-reliever. Fantasies and dreams that can be obtained at the touch of my fingers and imagination.
I was in the middle of reading an update from my favorite fic when someone coughed... Wait, cough? I looked around the small room. Maybe it was from next door? I wouldn't be surprised by how thin the walls were. I mean last week alone, I had to sleep with my pillow over my head to drown out my neighbors' moaning. Like, I know what it’s like to need some but at least have some decency for those who don’t wanna hear how good Min-Jun feels or how tight Seo-Yoon feels. Gross.
I glanced back down to my phone. It was just getting good. Jackson was beginning to realize his feelings and was about to confess!
"Shouldn’t you be sleeping?"
My head snapped upwards, shuffling the blanket I covered myself with. Literally, no one’s there. These walls must really be paper thin or maybe it’s just the lack of sleep… Yeah, that’s probably just it...
Jackson grabbed Mark's arm, grasping it tightly between his fingers, not wanting to let go.
"Mark... It's you... It's always been you," Jackson’s chest grew tight, anxiety lurking at the rejection he faced.
He never told his best friend. He didn't think he would be accepted, especially with how people reacted to him the first time. The rejection wasn’t an easy thing to come back from and Jackson didn’t think he could survive heartbreak a second time.
Tears softly trailed down his face while a hand cradled his cheek. He looked up seeing Mark's red-rimmed eyes, "You idiot! I've been-
The screen suddenly moved upwards, “Hey! I was reading-”
“Yeah, yeah. You should be asleep.”
In front of me stood a pale blond looking bored as he scrolled through my phone. He was wearing a military uniform that screamed ‘respect’ and an air of superiority most can’t accomplish.
"WH- mmph!" His hand shot out, planting over my face roughly, effectively shutting me up.
"Don't. My ears are can't take any screaming right now," he drawled lazily. His hand was heavy, muffling all sound and breath from my body.
“Seriously, this is what you stay up late for? BL fanfiction?” he says.
What the heck! How did he get inside? Actually... scratch that. It wouldn’t surprise me if he could get through that flimsy door… Did he insult my Markson ship???
"Yoongi, I don't think that's going to put her to sleep."
Yoongi. That was too pretty of a name for a criminal. Heck, he wasn’t even dressed like a criminal, like what kind of stupid would you have to be to not cover your face. Wait... who's that man behind him?!
"Kook, this one is a delinquent client. She's been messing up our ratings for the past year and I'm not letting it slide anymore."
"I know, but I don't think this is the right... tactic. She doesn't look like she's going to sleep anytime soon with the way you're smothering her with your hand."
The man named Yoongi looked at me as I glared at him back. He was really getting on my nerves. He was also aggravatingly strong. I couldn’t even pull his arms off of my face.
He sighed, "What do you suggest we do then?"
The guy named Kook brightened, his cheeks puffing up excitedly as he pulled a small booklet from his coat. "Well according to article 23, she gets to decide if she sleeps or not. We can’t really force her to do it…” Kook’s brow scrunched as he swiped his deep purple hair.
“We’re allowed to use dust on her but there’s really nothing in the protocol about cases like hers though.”
Yoongi’s face was blank for a moment as I continued to struggle against his hold. Like, goddamn, this man’s hand is heavy.
“Try section 25, sub-section 3. Exceptions can be made in cases of abnormal caffeine consumption leading to induced insomnia occurring over a period of more than 60 days.”
The other man flipped his booklet and found the passage, “Oh you’re right.”
“Of course, I’m right. I’ve been at this job longer than you have.”
I continued to push at his arm, shoving at it with all my strength. His hand was cutting off my air circulation and I was starting to feel lightheaded.
They continued to bicker as my vision slowly darkened. It was not the time to pass out!
“Oh! She’s about to pass out…”
Their dark eyes were the last that I could recall.