[DBtT] Chapter 32
Title: Dreaming Back to This
Rating: R
Genre: AU, sci-fi, suspense
Chapter: Soon (32/?)
Pairings: YooMin, HoSuJae
Summary: Changmin's running from a past he can't forget. Yoochun's running towards a future he can't see. Two people, seemingly on separate paths, collide. What starts in dreams…
Warnings: Graphic torture, character death
Notes: And the rescue commences! ^___^ Little bit longer than usual, just under 2000 words. I don't know that I'm entirely happy with this part, but it is what it is. You guys will have to let me know, yes? And… don't kill me for the ending? 0:-)
Previous: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16, Chapter 17, Chapter 18, Chapter 19, Chapter 20, Chapter 21, Chapter 22, Chapter 23, Chapter 24 , Chapter 25, Chapter 26, Chapter 27, Chapter 28, Chapter 29, Chapter 30, Chapter 31
Chapter 32: Soon
Changmin opens his eyes, stares at Jaejoong. Min? What is it? What's wrong? Jaejoong's voice is clear and strong in Changmin's head, the concern palpable even without their shared empathy. It's a major change from when they'd first started communicating this way, a reminder of how hard they've worked on Jaejoong's abilities. Minnie?
Blinking, Changmin refocuses his thoughts. I talked to Yoochun. They're coming for us. His lips curve into a tiny, barely-there smile, but it's more than he's managed in a long time. Jaejoong's chest twinges with a sudden longing for his eye-crinkling laughter. Any laughter really, it's been so long. But Changmin's would be especially sweet.
They're… when? How?
Changmin sits up - slowly, painfully, each movement a new level of discomfort until he's all the way up - and shrugs. He didn't give me many details. They've got inside help somewhere. Somehow. And I do know that it'll be tonight sometime. He did tell me that.
Jaejoong checks his watch. Already 11:00. Not exactly a whole lot of 'tonight' left, but he doesn't mention this to Changmin. For the first time in a lifetime shoved into the last few weeks, Changmin has hope in his eyes, and Jaejoong's not about to shadow that with any kind of worry or doubt.
And then the door opens again.
~*~~*~
They spent most of the 45-minute train ride from the center of Seoul up to Ilsan in silence, each running over thoughts and plans again and again. Yoochun replayed his dream with Changmin, reliving every word and gesture. Soon, he thinks, sending the thought out to anyone listening. Soon it won't be just a dream anymore. Soon I'll be able to take care of him for real again.
It's a short walk from the subway station to Junsu's parents' apartment to borrow their car. Then, from there, another short drive to the parking garage with Tessa's direction. Yoochun parks in the appointed spot then waits, and the other three trade looks. "It takes about 15 minutes to get through the tunnel," he offers as explanation, recalling the information the guards and not-so-willingly supplied. All four stare at the green-glowing 11:07 of the car's clock.
Just like the subway, they wait in silence. When - eternities later - the clock blinks over to 11:11, Yoochun mutters a soft, "Screw it," and reaches out to the wall. He finds the designated bumps with little difficulty and presses in the sequence. The floor beneath the car trembles for a moment before starting to sink. As soon as the lift hits the ground, Yoochun hits the car's accelerator.
In the backseat, Junsu clutches at Yunho's hand. With every minute that passes, the nerves gnawing at his belly sharpen their teeth. His foot starts an irregular rhythmic tap-tapping. Yunho squeezes his hand then lifts it to press a comforting kiss to the back. Their eyes meet and say it all: We'll have them back soon.
~*~~*~
They'd been beating him for what seemed like hours; some ridiculously alert part of his brain supplies that no, it's really only been maybe 10 minutes. 15 tops. Another, slightly more delirious, part grumbles out a sarcastic thanks for the reality check. Both sides go quiet when yet another foot makes contact with his stomach.
Jaejoong had prepared himself for a fight from the first moment the guards had stepped into the room. Changmin was in no condition to take any more damage, and Jaejoong resolved to do absolutely everything within his power to stop them. When the four men had pulled Changmin away then started forcing him to his knees, Jaejoong had snapped.
He'd leapt at them, arms and legs swinging, to get them as far away from the younger boy as quickly as possible. They'd smirked then, almost as if they'd been waiting for that response, before turning their attentions on Jaejoong. Changmin had started screaming when the first punch had connected with Jaejoong's body, though his yells had tapered off to harsh sobs a few minutes before.
Just when Jaejoong felt sure he would lose consciousness, the guards pull away and take a few steps back. Changmin crawls over and cradles Jaejoong against his body as the intercom speaker in the ceiling crackles to life. "We're not sure how we missed it when you first got here," Dr. Phillips' voice filters into the room, "but we know you can communicate with Jaejoong telepathically, Changmin. And we also know you can only do that with other powered people. So what is he, Changmin? What can Jaejoong do for us?"
Changmin shakes his head, trying to suppress any more tears. "I don't know what you're talking about. Jaejoong can't do anything. He's never been able to do anything!" He looks down at Jaejoong's bloodied and bruised face. "Why did you hurt him like this?!" he cries as another sob escapes his throat.
"Don't insult us, Changmin!" the doctor snaps. Changmin knows, logically, that the man's not actually there in the room, but he can't help the reflexive flinch at the tone. "We've seen you two, smiling at each other even when neither of you is speaking. Responding to nothing. At least nothing anyone else can hear." A long pause, as if he expects a response, but Changmin refuses to say anything else. "But, I suppose, if you don't want to talk after what we've done to him, there are… other options."
The intercom cuts off with a soft click, and the guards look down at him with leering grins. Changmin clutches Jaejoong tighter and scoots them both back into the corner. Please, Yoochun. I don't think I can survive this a second time, so please. Hurry.
~*~~*~
The guard stops them at the entrance, stepping around the door to question them. Yoochun replies to each question clearly and honestly, and the answers only seem to confuse and anger the guard more. But, as soon as the digital numbers on Yoochun's watch flip over to 11:30, the guard's eyes glaze over as he turns and walks away, leaving the door wide open. Yoochun smirks as the other three blink at him. "We've gotta go. I only gave us so much time. Tessa?"
The petite girl nods, sitting sideways on the car seat with her feet resting on the pavement. "I know, I know. I'll be a good girl and wait here. Just… hurry, okay? And bring them back." With a couple quick parting words, the three boys slip through the door and into the building.
Yoochun had imagined a lot of thing about this place from the years sitting in the coffee shop across the street, even more over the last few weeks that they've had Changmin. It's not the dark fortress or terrifying chamber he'd pictured; instead, it appears - for all intents and purposes - like any generic office building: white linoleum-tiled floors, pale blue walls, and solid wood-paneled doors at sporadic intervals along the hall.
Taking just a moment to breathe and collect his thoughts, Yoochun ushers Yunho and Junsu down the hall and into the stairwell at the end. He checks his watch as they start climbing. "Fifth floor. We've got another 13 minutes." They practically sprint up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
They reach the fifth floor in nearly record time, and Yoochun quickly directs them out the door and down the hall. After a few more turns, though, he realizes they're not exactly where they should be. He waves a hand to slow them to a stop. "This… isn't right. None of this looks familiar at all." Biting hard into his lower lip, he turns to look at the hall they just came from then pivots back to look where they were heading. "I- I don't…"
"Yoochun. We're losing time," Junsu prods.
"I know that, Junsu! I just… We must've taken a wrong turn somewhere. I don't know where we are." And then the door to their right starts to swing open.
Yoochun swears his stomach lurches up into his throat as his heart slams against his rib cage. They can't get caught now, not when they're so close he can practically feel Jaejoong and Changmin already. Just when he knows for sure he's going to pass out with the anxiety, Hyunae peeks around the door frame. "What are you guys doing here?" she hisses.
Yoochun scowls. "We got a little lost," he mumbles. "This place is like a freaking maze."
Rolling her eyes, Hyunae darts a quick look around the hall then points down where they'd come from. "Head down that way. Take the first left then the third right. Your friends will be in the second door on the right. And hurry." Without waiting for a reply, she slides back into her room and shuts the door. The three boys share a quick look before taking off again. Within a minute, they're pushing past the already-open steel door.
Yoochun first notices Changmin holding desperately onto a nearly-unconscious Jaejoong. Then he notices the four giant guards surrounding the boys, grabbing Changmin's ankles and attempting to pull him out of the corner he's huddled into. Yoochun launches himself at the nearest guard.
~*~~*~
Changmin had really barely noticed when the other three barged into the room, so focused on fighting off the monsters around him. It's only when all four shift their focus away from him and Jaejoong that he looks up and straight into Yunho's eyes. His whole body slumps over Jaejoong's as he fights off tears. "Hyung."
Junsu and Yunho both immediately rush over, Yunho taking Jaejoong into his arms as Junsu helps Changmin into his feet. Once he's standing, Changmin looks around only to find Yoochun desperately fighting off all four guards. His breath catches when one of the men lands a solid punch across Yoochun's face, and a strange sort of calm settles over him. With hardly a thought, all four guards collapse to the floor unconscious.
Yoochun blinks for a long moment, the sudden end of the fight leaving him somewhat bewildered, before looking up and meeting Changmin's gaze. He smiles. "Minnie."
Offering Yoochun a small smile of his own, Changmin turns to the door and cocks his head to the side. "We have to go. Now. More guards are already on the way." He leads them all out the door, striding confidently down the hall and towards the stairs. They trail behind him, Yunho shifting Jaejoong's weight in his arms.
As they rush back down the stairs the other three had just come up, Yoochun checks his watch. Time's up. Any security he had ordered away would be back at their posts now; the unfortunate detour has cost them a quick and easy exit.
None of them had counted on Changmin, though. None of them had realized exactly how much help he would be. He takes out every guard they encounter, all of them falling unconscious before they can so much as question the group. A small corner of Yoochun's brain bothers to wonder if they're actually dead, but he never pauses to check.
Within minutes, they're back on the ground floor with the exit to the tunnel in sight. Yoochun can see the tunnel guard's feet just outside the door, obviously already laid out on the ground. He can only assume it's Tessa's work somehow. And just when Yoochun thinks they'll get out of this okay, much easier than any of them had expected, a man in a white doctor's lab coat steps in front of the door. Changmin skids to a stop as the doctor smirks, and Changmin breathes out a terse, "Dr. Phillips."
//Chapter 33//
Rating: R
Genre: AU, sci-fi, suspense
Chapter: Soon (32/?)
Pairings: YooMin, HoSuJae
Summary: Changmin's running from a past he can't forget. Yoochun's running towards a future he can't see. Two people, seemingly on separate paths, collide. What starts in dreams…
Warnings: Graphic torture, character death
Notes: And the rescue commences! ^___^ Little bit longer than usual, just under 2000 words. I don't know that I'm entirely happy with this part, but it is what it is. You guys will have to let me know, yes? And… don't kill me for the ending? 0:-)
Previous: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16, Chapter 17, Chapter 18, Chapter 19, Chapter 20, Chapter 21, Chapter 22, Chapter 23, Chapter 24 , Chapter 25, Chapter 26, Chapter 27, Chapter 28, Chapter 29, Chapter 30, Chapter 31
Chapter 32: Soon
Changmin opens his eyes, stares at Jaejoong. Min? What is it? What's wrong? Jaejoong's voice is clear and strong in Changmin's head, the concern palpable even without their shared empathy. It's a major change from when they'd first started communicating this way, a reminder of how hard they've worked on Jaejoong's abilities. Minnie?
Blinking, Changmin refocuses his thoughts. I talked to Yoochun. They're coming for us. His lips curve into a tiny, barely-there smile, but it's more than he's managed in a long time. Jaejoong's chest twinges with a sudden longing for his eye-crinkling laughter. Any laughter really, it's been so long. But Changmin's would be especially sweet.
They're… when? How?
Changmin sits up - slowly, painfully, each movement a new level of discomfort until he's all the way up - and shrugs. He didn't give me many details. They've got inside help somewhere. Somehow. And I do know that it'll be tonight sometime. He did tell me that.
Jaejoong checks his watch. Already 11:00. Not exactly a whole lot of 'tonight' left, but he doesn't mention this to Changmin. For the first time in a lifetime shoved into the last few weeks, Changmin has hope in his eyes, and Jaejoong's not about to shadow that with any kind of worry or doubt.
And then the door opens again.
~*~~*~
They spent most of the 45-minute train ride from the center of Seoul up to Ilsan in silence, each running over thoughts and plans again and again. Yoochun replayed his dream with Changmin, reliving every word and gesture. Soon, he thinks, sending the thought out to anyone listening. Soon it won't be just a dream anymore. Soon I'll be able to take care of him for real again.
It's a short walk from the subway station to Junsu's parents' apartment to borrow their car. Then, from there, another short drive to the parking garage with Tessa's direction. Yoochun parks in the appointed spot then waits, and the other three trade looks. "It takes about 15 minutes to get through the tunnel," he offers as explanation, recalling the information the guards and not-so-willingly supplied. All four stare at the green-glowing 11:07 of the car's clock.
Just like the subway, they wait in silence. When - eternities later - the clock blinks over to 11:11, Yoochun mutters a soft, "Screw it," and reaches out to the wall. He finds the designated bumps with little difficulty and presses in the sequence. The floor beneath the car trembles for a moment before starting to sink. As soon as the lift hits the ground, Yoochun hits the car's accelerator.
In the backseat, Junsu clutches at Yunho's hand. With every minute that passes, the nerves gnawing at his belly sharpen their teeth. His foot starts an irregular rhythmic tap-tapping. Yunho squeezes his hand then lifts it to press a comforting kiss to the back. Their eyes meet and say it all: We'll have them back soon.
~*~~*~
They'd been beating him for what seemed like hours; some ridiculously alert part of his brain supplies that no, it's really only been maybe 10 minutes. 15 tops. Another, slightly more delirious, part grumbles out a sarcastic thanks for the reality check. Both sides go quiet when yet another foot makes contact with his stomach.
Jaejoong had prepared himself for a fight from the first moment the guards had stepped into the room. Changmin was in no condition to take any more damage, and Jaejoong resolved to do absolutely everything within his power to stop them. When the four men had pulled Changmin away then started forcing him to his knees, Jaejoong had snapped.
He'd leapt at them, arms and legs swinging, to get them as far away from the younger boy as quickly as possible. They'd smirked then, almost as if they'd been waiting for that response, before turning their attentions on Jaejoong. Changmin had started screaming when the first punch had connected with Jaejoong's body, though his yells had tapered off to harsh sobs a few minutes before.
Just when Jaejoong felt sure he would lose consciousness, the guards pull away and take a few steps back. Changmin crawls over and cradles Jaejoong against his body as the intercom speaker in the ceiling crackles to life. "We're not sure how we missed it when you first got here," Dr. Phillips' voice filters into the room, "but we know you can communicate with Jaejoong telepathically, Changmin. And we also know you can only do that with other powered people. So what is he, Changmin? What can Jaejoong do for us?"
Changmin shakes his head, trying to suppress any more tears. "I don't know what you're talking about. Jaejoong can't do anything. He's never been able to do anything!" He looks down at Jaejoong's bloodied and bruised face. "Why did you hurt him like this?!" he cries as another sob escapes his throat.
"Don't insult us, Changmin!" the doctor snaps. Changmin knows, logically, that the man's not actually there in the room, but he can't help the reflexive flinch at the tone. "We've seen you two, smiling at each other even when neither of you is speaking. Responding to nothing. At least nothing anyone else can hear." A long pause, as if he expects a response, but Changmin refuses to say anything else. "But, I suppose, if you don't want to talk after what we've done to him, there are… other options."
The intercom cuts off with a soft click, and the guards look down at him with leering grins. Changmin clutches Jaejoong tighter and scoots them both back into the corner. Please, Yoochun. I don't think I can survive this a second time, so please. Hurry.
~*~~*~
The guard stops them at the entrance, stepping around the door to question them. Yoochun replies to each question clearly and honestly, and the answers only seem to confuse and anger the guard more. But, as soon as the digital numbers on Yoochun's watch flip over to 11:30, the guard's eyes glaze over as he turns and walks away, leaving the door wide open. Yoochun smirks as the other three blink at him. "We've gotta go. I only gave us so much time. Tessa?"
The petite girl nods, sitting sideways on the car seat with her feet resting on the pavement. "I know, I know. I'll be a good girl and wait here. Just… hurry, okay? And bring them back." With a couple quick parting words, the three boys slip through the door and into the building.
Yoochun had imagined a lot of thing about this place from the years sitting in the coffee shop across the street, even more over the last few weeks that they've had Changmin. It's not the dark fortress or terrifying chamber he'd pictured; instead, it appears - for all intents and purposes - like any generic office building: white linoleum-tiled floors, pale blue walls, and solid wood-paneled doors at sporadic intervals along the hall.
Taking just a moment to breathe and collect his thoughts, Yoochun ushers Yunho and Junsu down the hall and into the stairwell at the end. He checks his watch as they start climbing. "Fifth floor. We've got another 13 minutes." They practically sprint up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
They reach the fifth floor in nearly record time, and Yoochun quickly directs them out the door and down the hall. After a few more turns, though, he realizes they're not exactly where they should be. He waves a hand to slow them to a stop. "This… isn't right. None of this looks familiar at all." Biting hard into his lower lip, he turns to look at the hall they just came from then pivots back to look where they were heading. "I- I don't…"
"Yoochun. We're losing time," Junsu prods.
"I know that, Junsu! I just… We must've taken a wrong turn somewhere. I don't know where we are." And then the door to their right starts to swing open.
Yoochun swears his stomach lurches up into his throat as his heart slams against his rib cage. They can't get caught now, not when they're so close he can practically feel Jaejoong and Changmin already. Just when he knows for sure he's going to pass out with the anxiety, Hyunae peeks around the door frame. "What are you guys doing here?" she hisses.
Yoochun scowls. "We got a little lost," he mumbles. "This place is like a freaking maze."
Rolling her eyes, Hyunae darts a quick look around the hall then points down where they'd come from. "Head down that way. Take the first left then the third right. Your friends will be in the second door on the right. And hurry." Without waiting for a reply, she slides back into her room and shuts the door. The three boys share a quick look before taking off again. Within a minute, they're pushing past the already-open steel door.
Yoochun first notices Changmin holding desperately onto a nearly-unconscious Jaejoong. Then he notices the four giant guards surrounding the boys, grabbing Changmin's ankles and attempting to pull him out of the corner he's huddled into. Yoochun launches himself at the nearest guard.
~*~~*~
Changmin had really barely noticed when the other three barged into the room, so focused on fighting off the monsters around him. It's only when all four shift their focus away from him and Jaejoong that he looks up and straight into Yunho's eyes. His whole body slumps over Jaejoong's as he fights off tears. "Hyung."
Junsu and Yunho both immediately rush over, Yunho taking Jaejoong into his arms as Junsu helps Changmin into his feet. Once he's standing, Changmin looks around only to find Yoochun desperately fighting off all four guards. His breath catches when one of the men lands a solid punch across Yoochun's face, and a strange sort of calm settles over him. With hardly a thought, all four guards collapse to the floor unconscious.
Yoochun blinks for a long moment, the sudden end of the fight leaving him somewhat bewildered, before looking up and meeting Changmin's gaze. He smiles. "Minnie."
Offering Yoochun a small smile of his own, Changmin turns to the door and cocks his head to the side. "We have to go. Now. More guards are already on the way." He leads them all out the door, striding confidently down the hall and towards the stairs. They trail behind him, Yunho shifting Jaejoong's weight in his arms.
As they rush back down the stairs the other three had just come up, Yoochun checks his watch. Time's up. Any security he had ordered away would be back at their posts now; the unfortunate detour has cost them a quick and easy exit.
None of them had counted on Changmin, though. None of them had realized exactly how much help he would be. He takes out every guard they encounter, all of them falling unconscious before they can so much as question the group. A small corner of Yoochun's brain bothers to wonder if they're actually dead, but he never pauses to check.
Within minutes, they're back on the ground floor with the exit to the tunnel in sight. Yoochun can see the tunnel guard's feet just outside the door, obviously already laid out on the ground. He can only assume it's Tessa's work somehow. And just when Yoochun thinks they'll get out of this okay, much easier than any of them had expected, a man in a white doctor's lab coat steps in front of the door. Changmin skids to a stop as the doctor smirks, and Changmin breathes out a terse, "Dr. Phillips."
//Chapter 33//