Feathers And Carnations Chapter Twenty-five

*This song was on repeat the whole time I wrote this chapter. It’s good. (if not showing it’s I Hold You by CLANN)

TW: violence

A distant rumble had Jisung raising his head from where it rested on his knees. It was so distant, he briefly wondered if he heard thunder or imagined the sound altogether. Then he felt the floor under his body tremble as another rumble vibrated through the air. Moments later the bars of his cell rattled as a distinguishable explosion rang out in the distance.

Alarms suddenly blared throughout Chimera loudly, making Jisung jump in surprise. Of course there’d be alarms, idiot. Shouts echoed down the corridors, accompanied by thundering footsteps. A few guards bolted right past his cell.

“Attack on the West Wing, let’s move!”

“I thought it was on the North side!”

Now was the time to move.

Jisung jumped to his feet and snaked his arm through the bars of the cell as he tried reaching where to insert the key. It was a little difficult to maneuver around the chains on his wrists, but after a few tries he managed to jam the door open. Another explosion shook the air, so much closer this time that he nearly lost his footing. It was now or never.

Jisung bolted down the corridor, running a bit oddly due to the chains between his wrists.

“Hey!” a deep voice bellowed. Deafening gunfire broke out, and Jisung skidded around a corner, narrowly avoiding the ricocheting bullets that followed his footsteps.

He dropped into a crouch behind a door that sat ajar and waited for the man pursuing him. A gun barrel came around the corner and Jisung lurched forward, wrapping his chain around it and wrenching the gun out of the man’s hands.

The man swung at him. Jisung spun out of the way and threw a flying kick at the man’s head. Before the guard could recover from the hit, he grabbed the fallen gun and shot him.

The ground shook and lights flickered as another explosion went off. Jisung steadied himself and then continued on after checking how much ammunition the gun had. A set of doors slammed open in front of him, but thankfully the group of guards that stormed out headed in the opposite direction, completely unaware of his presence.

Something flashed, and Jisung’s back was suddenly on the floor, his ears ringing. He coughed as a cloud of dust and smoke swirled around him, and he tried focusing his blurry vision. He pushed himself upright with a groan and flinched when he felt something wet roll down  the side of his face. With a shaking hand, he touched his face and his fingers came away wet with blood.

It didn’t take long for his mind to catch up and realize what happened. That explosion was far too close. Had he run out of time already? His body jolted back into action. Minho.

Debris littered the corridor around Jisung, and he avoided the obstacles easily, pushing the rushing wave of dizziness that was trying to take over. The building shook again, sending him stumbling into a wall, but he pressed on, determined to reach Minho before it was too late.

Jisung rounded the last corner and took aim at the guards flanking the doors to Hyeon’s office. They hardly noticed him with the shaking that was going on, and that only made it easier to shoot them down.

Jisung shot the keypad by the door and kicked the doors open.

He only had time to pull the trigger once before something heavy slammed into his shoulder, sending him crashing to the ground. The gun fell and clattered out of his reach as his vision temporarily blacked out. A heavy boot pressed into his back, keeping him down.

A maniacal laugh slowly began filling the space between the rumbling explosions all around. “You’ve really outdone yourself this time, JH-47! You really thought this would work?” Hyeon’s voice was mocking but shaking. 

Jisung coughed and shook his head as his vision slowly  came back into focus. “You’re afraid.”

“Of you?! That’s absurd, how could I possibly be afraid of such a pathetic creature?”

Jisung craned his neck to see one guard keeping him down and two others off to the side looking tense, angry, and afraid all at once. Hyeon was next to the room Minho was locked in, pressed against the wall and holding a large knife. His eyes were wild and lit with a spark of insanity. “You created your machines to be destructive spies, and they’re turning against you, of course you’re scared.”

“I will not have you ruin everything I’ve built!” Hyeon screamed, his crazy smile vanishing.

“Too late.” Jisung twisted, wrapping his chain around the guard’s ankle and sending him to the floor. In one swift motion he moved up and wrapped his legs around the man’s head and jerked to the side, breaking his neck.

“What are you doing? Get it!”

One of the guards bolted out of the office in fear while the other one charged toward Jisung. Jisung grabbed his fallen gun, but only a loud click met his ears when he pulled the trigger.

The man’s electrified baton flew at him. Jisung rolled out of the way, narrowly avoiding the powerful hit. A deafening boom shook the entirety of the room, sending items flying from the tables throughout the room and the men stumbling. Jisung recovered faster than the guard, and he grabbed the closest thing to him, which was a piece of metal pipe, and struck the man in the head as hard as he could.

A door slammed and Jisung whirled around in time to see Hyeon disappear into the room with Minho. His heart stopped. No.

Jisung couldn’t feel his legs as he crossed the room in a split second. Desperation clawed at his lungs as he scrambled for the key Eui gave him. He wasn’t strong enough to kick the door down and he cursed himself, fumbling with the lock. He burst into the room and screeched to a halt.

Hyeon stood over Minho, his large knife resting above Minho’s heart. His crazed eyes landed on Jisung. “One more move and ML-32 is gone for good.”

Rage and fear boiled together, making Jisung’s blood simmer and his hands shake. “Two birds with one stone,” he panted, gripping the pipe so tightly his knuckles turned white. “Chimera is the first bird and it’s burning. You’re the second, and you’re cornered.”

“I’ve been cornered before and I’ve gotten out just fine.”

The floor shook again. They were running out of time. “We can either stand here and wait to be disintegrated, or we can do this the hard way.”

“I will not give in to some machine.”

“That’s it,” Minho suddenly growled. He jerked his leg out, knocking Hyeon off balance.

That gave Jisung just enough room to move. Not wanting to accidentally hit Minho, he dropped the pipe and tackled Hyeon. They rolled across the rough cement floor. Hyeon’s knife cut into Jisung’s arm in the frenzy, but that would be his final mark.

Jisung’s knee dug into Hyeon’s throat, pinning him completely as he grabbed the knife and pressed it into his ribs.

Hyeon choked and his pale face was practically white as his bloodshot eyes met Jisung’s dark gaze fearfully. “I-I- what do you want? Anything, I’ll- I’ll do anything, just please!” He squeaked as Jisung pressed his knee down just a little harder.

Finally, after so many years, the one Jisung hated and feared the most, the one that caused endless suffering for so many others, was at his mercy. He tilted his head and recited the words Hyeon told him only hours earlier. “Your little life is in my hands and the moment I decide to, I can kill you with a snap of my fingers.”

Hyeon whimpered, pushing against Jisung’s knee. “Please, I’ll do whatever you want.”

“Say Minho’s name.” When Hyeon didn’t respond, Jisung dug the knife into his ribs harder. “What’s his name?”

“Lee Minho! Now let me go!”

“What’s my name?”

Hyeon struggled. 

“Say it!”

“Han Jisung!”

“Are we machines?”

“No! You’re vermin. You’re nothing but disgusting f-“

Jisung drove the knife through Hyeon’s ribs and into his heart. Another boom sent the lights flickering and bits of debris raining down. He staggered to his feet, realizing only then how much his entire body was shaking. He searched Hyeon’s pockets and pulled the only set of keys he could find.

“Are you okay?” Minho asked as Jisung began unlocking his chains.

Jisung brushed the question aside. “Can you stand?”

Minho gave a short nod. “I think so.”

Jisung crouched beside him and wrapped his arm around Minho to support him while he struggled to his feet. “I need to find a way to get my chains off, okay?”

“Hyeon’s office has metal cutters. I took note of them when I thought I could still make it out of here.”

Smoke was beginning to fill the room when the pair stumbled into the front room of the office. Most of the tools and equipment were no longer on the tables, but fortunately, it didn’t take long to find the metal cutters.

Minho worked at cutting the chains connecting Jisung’s wrists, and he let out a dry laugh. “Turns out sitting chained in a room for several days really takes it out of you.”

Jisung’s lips twitched. “That’s okay, I’ll carry you on my back if I have to. We’re going to make it out of here.”

“The question is if we’re going to make it out of here in one piece.” As if in answer, the building rocked so violently the two were sent tumbling to the floor.

Jisung caught himself, and his heart jumped as he realized his chain was broken. The cuffs would have to be taken care of later, but at the very least he had his full range of motion back. 

Minho and Jisung reached for each other at the same time, and they helped each other up.

Dust and smoke were heavy in the air, making it difficult to see as they ran out of the office and through the crumbling halls of Chimera. Jisung’s chest was tight as they passed blocked passageway after blocked passageway. He was beginning to question if there was really a way out of here when he spotted a flicker of light down a narrow hall.

“This way!”

Arms and hands linked, Jisung and Minho ran for the clear opening near the top of a wall at the far end of the destroyed hallway. They carefully climbed the nearby pile of rubble and dropped onto what appeared to be a courtyard outside. The sun had just recently set, but clouds were rolling in, sending billows of smoke flying into the air.

Not noticing Minho’s frail state, Jisung scanned their surroundings, his chest tightening more when he realized they were still in the middle of the compound. In order to escape, they had to go back inside or scale the massive building, and neither option seemed possible in their conditions. We’re trapped. 

Minho suddenly tugged his hand. “This way! There’s a small opening between the buildings over there.”

Hope sparked once again. “Good eye, Minho.”

He smiled. “You need to start calling me a cute nickname, love.”

“I’ll try to come up with something.”

They ran for the small opening. They didn’t make it very far.

The stone wall closest to them detonated.

Jisung’s body flew, and he let out a cry of pain as his body finally jolted to a stop. He couldn’t hear anything save for the rushing in his head and distant rumbles. It took several attempts to push himself upright, his limbs feeling as if they were weighed down by a pile of bricks. His vision struggled to come into focus, but he could see a huge slab of stone barely a foot above his head. He was inches from being crushed completely.

“Minho!” his broken voice screamed, echoing loud in his head. He rolled onto his side, frantically looking out from under the stone.

“Jisung!” Minho appeared a few feet away, on his feet but looking ready to collapse.

Jisung willed himself to his feet, and he pushed toward Minho, ducking through the maze of rubble that had nearly crushed them. Minho fell against a slab of wall heavily, but Jisung covered the rest of the distance despite the heavy limp that resulted from a pain in his hip.

“You’re alive,” Minho breathed out, closing his eyes tightly.

“Are you ok-” Everything inside Jisung went cold. Minho’s clothes were torn open, revealing a massive gash that ran from his chest down to his lower abdomen gushing blood.

Minho’s eyes flicked down to himself when he noticed Jisung’s paled face. “Well, that’s not good, is it?” His legs gave out.

Jisung caught him. “It’s okay, I’ve got you.” The ground shook with continued explosions, and he carefully pulled Minho into a corner against the building that was sheltered by large chunks of stone. “I’m going to sit you down, okay? I’ll take care of you, you’ll be okay.”

Minho groaned as he was lowered to the ground. “I’ll keep my eyes open for as long as I can.”

“Good, just focus on me, okay?” Jisung wasn’t sure if he was breathing, tearing the remainder of Minho’s top and using it to staunch the bleeding. A dark mist was settling over his shoulders, sending him a message that deep down, he knew there was no making it out of here. Not anymore.

“Jisung.”

He shook his head “Don’t. Don’t say it. We’re going to get you out of here, okay? You’re finally going to get the freedom you deserve.”

“Jisung.” Minho grabbed his bloodied hands, stopping him. “Sit with me for a minute, okay?”

Jisung went still as he met Minho’s eyes. They were resigned but… peaceful. “Okay,” he whispered. He shifted to sit beside him and pulled Minho’s head to rest against his chest.

“And the pattern continues. You’re comforting me when I need it most. Thank you.”

“Hyeon broke you, didn’t he?”

“Yeah,” came the whispered response. “This was just the last hit my body could take. The hope in your eyes gave me hope. I’m sorry I ripped that away from you, love.”

Jisung’s breathing grew strained as he tried fighting down the emotion welling up in his lungs. “You’ve only ever given me things. Hyeon was the one that took everything.”

Minho gently took Jisung’s hand, intertwining their fingers. “Thank you for saving me. I thought I was the one saving you but it’s always been the other way around.”

“You saved me too, and I’ve remembered so many things thanks to you.”

Minho smiled. “I’m glad.”

Jisung noticed the bracelet on Minho’s wrist, and a tear silently rolled down his cheek. “You still have this?” he asked, brushing his free hand over it.

“I wouldn’t let them take it from me,” Minho whispered, squeezing his love’s hand.

The pair went quiet as the air around them continued to tremble and burn.

“I wanted to know all of you,” Jisung murmured hoarsely.

It took a few heartbeats for Minho to respond. “Maybe in another life, my love.”

Jisung kissed the top of Minho’s head, letting the tears flow freely down his face. “At least we’re together.”

Quiet stretched between them, joining with the sounds of chaos all around them. The wind picked up with the rolling clouds, painting the world a dark gray.

“Sing to me?” Minho suddenly whispered.

Jisung’s heart cracked as he remembered. “So sing when the pain becomes too much?”

“Exactly. It’s a comforting distraction. Your voice is free while you aren’t.”

A song came to his mind. He couldn’t remember all the lyrics, but in a broken, quiet voice, Jisung sang.

“Don’t you dare look out your window, darling, everything’s on fire.
The war outside our door keeps raging on
Hold on to this lullaby
Even when the music’s gone, gone

Just close your eyes, the sun is going down
You’ll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light, you and I will be safe and sound”

The ground shook with a nearby explosion. Minho’s hand tightened around Jisung’s.

“Just close your eyes
You’ll be alright
Come morning light
You and I’ll be safe and sound”

Quiet washed over them once again.

“Your voice is one of angels,” Minho finally murmured. “Thank you.”

Jisung wasn’t sure if his voice could work anymore, so just pulled Minho closer. He closed his eyes, wishing they could have lived another life, one without all the pain and sorrow that constantly weighed them down.

“Jisung?”

“Yes, darling?”

Minho weakly smiled. “My world was a crumbling building and you were my green vines and little flowers.”

Jisung swallowed down a sob, and he searched for a response as he recalled the conversation that seemed to happen so long ago.

“I love you. I should have said that years ago.” Minho’s hand slowly went limp in Jisung’s.

“Minho?” Jisung drew him closer. “Minho?”

He was no longer moving.

A suffocating weight fell over Jisung, and he curled closer to Minho’s body, letting out heart wrenching sobs as his heart died with Minho.

⧫⧫⧫

A bright white light passed over Jisung’s face, and his heavy eyes slowly opened. He squinted in the light, trying to make sense of what was going on.

“It’s them!”

“Get them out, we’re out of time!” The light came closer and then finally lowered to reveal Changbin and Chan.

Changbin ducked under the rubble and held his hand out. “Come on, Ji, we’ve gotta get out of here before this place is swarmed. Jisung?”

Jisung couldn’t move. “He’s gone,” was all he could manage.

Changbin dipped his head. “Shit. I’m sorry, we have to leave him, we’ve gotta go.”

“We can’t leave him!”

Chan stepped closer. He was cradling his arm to his chest. It was clearly broken. “I’m sorry, Jisung, we’re the only ones down here and we’re out of time. Changbin, get him out of here.”

Jisung held onto Minho tighter, but he didn’t have the strength to fight against his best friend as he pulled him away. He was thrown over his shoulder, and all Jisung could do was scream for Minho as he watched his body disappear among the ruins of Chimera.

————————– Don’t hate me. A few chapters left. Thanks for reading