47-2

This time I'm the one that wakes up with Jaewook softly asleep beside me. I decide that I need to take action, even if it's only a little bit, and get out of bed. First, I take Jaewook's phone and find his mother. I text her letting her know that Jaewook is okay and suggesting that she stays wherever she is. Then I get out of the room and softly search the apartment. The clocks read 3:30 so it's likely that Hansoo is asleep. Just when I'm about to lightly knock on his bedroom door, something rubs against my ankles. I gasp in surprise at first, then I wince at how even that hurt. A small furry creature mewls at me, big eyes looking up at me as if asking for something. I want to fuss over how cute it is, but since talking should be avoided I simply lift up the kitten into my arms. I knock on the bedroom door. After an audible groan, I hear Hansoo get out of bed. When he opens the door, there's a moment where I feel like crying again. I don't know what's come over me. Maybe it's because this mess involves Jaewook and as much as I try to be positive and show I'm okay to him, in reality I'm so not okay. Seeing someone else who doesn't need the protection of knowing I'm okay is making things difficult. Now I suddenly really miss Zen. "Destiny, what's going on?" He asks me, but the look in his eyes isn't one of surprise, meaning he let Jaewook come over and knows we're here. Instead of speaking, I push through the door and sit on the edge of his bed. I let the little kitten go and take out Jaewook's phone again. Mine must still be in my bedroom. The kitten climbs onto Hansoo's lap and, as if by instinct, he starts to pet it. I type in the phone. I can't talk. His eyebrows cross as he looks at me. It's only when his eyes leave mine to scan the rest of me that he understands; or at least that he understands why I can't speak. A flash of fury flicks through his dark irises as he stands up abruptly. "No—"I have to force out to make him stop what he was going to do. I grab his hand and pull him back down. I feverishly type on the phone. Not Jaewook don't you dare hurt him. He's hurt too More confusion covers Hansoo's face. I need you to do me a favour. At first, I assumed he'd be reluctant. Here I am, someone he may or may not still be crushing on but knows he doesn't have a chance with, asking for a favour. Not only that, but the reason behind why I don't like Hansoo back is sleeping in one of his bedrooms. Yes, they have made up, but that only runs so deep. However, I'm a bit shocked by how eagerly he nods his head. "Of course, what is it?" At first, I think it's because he still wants to try and win me over, but that's my ego speaking. This is just who he is. Call the police and send them to Jaewook's apartment. "What? Why?" Just do it please. Call for a noise complaint. Now I just look at him with as much pleading desperation as I can. It doesn't take much. He just sighs and grabs his phone. He does the call just as asked and hangs up. "They've already received noise complaints and have investigated." I feel my heart pound a bit faster from this information. Did his father wake up and leave the premises before they arrived? Was he still unconscious? Is he even alive? I divert my eyes to my hands. "Destiny, are you okay? You should go to the hospital." I want to nod that I'm fine, but I'm a medical student, I know the risk and severity of strangulation. I also know I blacked out, but I'm desperately hoping it was from exhaustion since it happened after the choking and not during. But who knows. It's terrifying and I don't want to go to the hospital and try to explain this, but at the same time, I know what could happen if I don't. I could die. I look back up at Hansoo with stubborn tears in my eyes. I type one more thing. I need to go His eyes widen with new severity and he quickly gets up and walks around the room. I can't pinpoint exactly what he's doing in the dark room, but I think he puts on a shirt and grabs a jacket. Wait, I didn't mean right this second, I want to tell him. He grabs my hands and pulls me up before remembering that I'm injured. He softens his actions and leads me out of his room. "Jaewook, sleeping," I croak out, not wanting him to wake up without me. "I'll text him where you are. Don't worry, right now you need to take care of yourself." With a wheezing breath, I oblige and let him put his jacket over me, leading me out of his apartment and to his car.