Chapter 14: In The Dark

Chapter 14: In the Dark

"You know, I still haven't forgotten that night," Rosy said, her voice sweet and teasing. She leaned closer to Kai, her hand brushing his arm lightly. "You were this close to kissing me. I could feel it."

Kai didn't even flinch. His eyes scanned the crowd, his jaw tight. He wasn't listening to her. His mind was elsewhere.

Rosy pouted, then giggled softly, laying a hand on his chest. "You're distracted. Come on, say something charming. Don't break my heart."

Kai finally turned his head toward her. "Rosy, I'm not here to flirt."

She blinked. "Wow. That blunt, huh?"

"Yes."

His voice was flat. Cold. He scanned the room again. It had been too long. River left with Mr. Damien what felt like ages ago.

Rosy pulled back slightly. "You're really not paying attention to me."

"I'm not in the mood."

"Did something happen?"

Kai didn't answer. Instead, a flash of memory hit him. Just before they entered the hall, River had gripped his wrist. Tight. Like a silent plea.

He hadn't thought much of it then.

But now—

Now he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling rising in his chest.

He stood up.

"Where are you going?" Rosy asked.

"Taking a call," he lied.

He walked swiftly toward the drink section, then the main floor. He scanned every face, every group. River was nowhere in sight. Neither was Damien.

He walked faster, heading toward the hall's corner. He spotted a waiter walking past.

"Excuse me," Kai said, stopping him. "Did you see Mr. Damien? He left with someone. Slim, dark-haired, navy-blue shirt."

The waiter thought for a second, then nodded. "Yes, sir. They went through the side hallway. That way."

Kai turned sharply and headed in the direction the waiter pointed.

The hallway grew quieter with each step. Dimmer.

Then—

Darkness.

The entire hallway went black.

Kai stopped in his tracks. "What the hell?"

He waited for emergency lights. Nothing.

"At an event like this? Seriously?" he muttered, pulling out his phone. He switched on the flashlight and moved quickly down the hall.

"River!" he called.

Silence.

Then—

Banging. Screaming.

Muffled cries echoed from somewhere ahead.

"HELP! NO! PLEASE! DON'T!"

Kai broke into a sprint. He reached the door at the end of the hallway. He grabbed the handle.

Locked.

"River! It's me! Open the door!"

More screams. More banging.

"I don't want to be here! Let me out! I didn't do anything! Please! Don't lock me in again!"

Kai stepped back and kicked the door hard. Then again. Wood splintered. On the third kick, the door burst open.

He rushed inside, light cutting through the darkness.

He found him.

River was curled up in the corner of the room. Trembling. Pale. His hands gripped his hair, nails dug into his arms, breathing harsh and shallow.

Kai knelt. "River!"

River flinched at the sound. "Don't touch me! No! Don't hurt me! Don't lock me in again! No!"

Kai didn't move closer yet. "It's me. Kai. You're safe now. You're not locked in. I'm here. Just look at me."

River shook his head violently. "I can't… I can't breathe… I don't want to be in the dark again. I don't want to be alone. I don't want to be trapped!"

Kai's heart twisted. "You're not alone. I'm here now. Just listen to my voice, alright? Just breathe with me. Can you do that?"

River didn't respond. His eyes darted in every direction, chest rising and falling too fast.

Kai slowly moved closer and reached for him.

"Don't!" River shouted, slapping his hand away. "Don't touch me! Don't!"

Kai knelt anyway, firm but gentle. "River. It's me. It's Kai. You know me. I would never hurt you. You're okay now. You're not locked in. You're not alone. You're safe. I promise you."

River's voice cracked. "No, I can't… I can't breathe… I don't want to—I don't want to remember…"

Kai wrapped his arms around him, ignoring the hits and the pushing. He held him close, whispering softly.

"You're safe. You're safe. Nothing's going to happen to you. Just breathe, River. In and out. Come on. Just like that."

River's body trembled in his hold. Then, suddenly, he slumped.

"River?" Kai said urgently.

River wasn't unconscious, but his eyes fluttered. His breathing was too fast. Too shallow.

Kai recognized the signs.

"Panic attack," he muttered.

He didn't hesitate.

Kai scooped River into his arms bridal-style. His hands slid under River's knees and behind his back. River's head fell against his chest, soft gasps still escaping his lips.

Kai stood and stormed out of the room.

The hallway was still dim, but he didn't stop. He walked fast, holding River tight, whispering in his ear.

"It's okay. Just hang in there. You're going to be fine. I'm here. I'm right here."

Back near the entrance, the backup lights buzzed overhead.

A few guests stared. Some whispered. One woman gasped when she saw Kai carrying someone.

"Open the car! NOW!" Kai barked as he neared the valet.

The driver, wide-eyed, opened the door immediately.

Kai slid inside with River still in his arms. He laid him gently across the seat and cradled his head.

"Hospital. Right now. Go!"

The car peeled out.

Kai kept talking softly.

"You're strong. You're okay. Just stay with me. Don't fade on me. You're not alone anymore. I'm here. Just breathe."

River groaned faintly.

"That's it. Just keep breathing. We're almost there."

As the car disappeared into the night, behind one of the decorative pillars near the hall entrance, a camera clicked.

A man with a long-lens camera crouched low, his face half-hidden behind a column.

He looked down at his screen. Zoomed in.

River.

Being carried by an unknown man in his arms with Panic in his eyes.

He smirked.

And snapped another picture.

"Just perfect" he said with a smirk

Back at the hall, the music still played softly inside the wide, golden hall. People laughed, glasses clinked, and conversations flowed all around. But Rosy sat alone.

Her red dress shimmered under the chandelier light, but her face no longer held its usual smile.

She sat at the edge of a velvet lounge chair, one leg crossed over the other, one hand resting on her wine glass.

Her eyes kept flicking toward the hallway where Kai had disappeared.

She let out a long, soft sigh and stirred her drink slowly.

"Still waiting?" a voice asked gently.

Rosy looked up to see her friend, Kaila, walking toward her. Kaila wore a green satin gown, her braids pinned up high, earrings shining under the light. She took a seat beside Rosy without waiting to be invited.

"Yes," Rosy said, voice flat.

Kaila glanced toward the hallway. "Let me guess. The cold guy in the black suit?"

Rosy gave a slow nod.

"I thought so," Kaila said with a light laugh. "He had this… icy aura. Like someone who doesn't do small talk."

Rosy rolled her eyes. "He doesn't."

"But he's hot," Kaila added with a wink.

Rosy smirked. "Obviously."

Kaila leaned closer. "So what are you doing sitting here alone? Don't tell me you're actually into that guy."

Rosy hesitated, then nodded slowly.

"I like him," she said simply. "He's… different."

Kaila raised a brow. "Different how? Because he ignored you?"

"No," Rosy said, staring at her drink. "Because he didn't pretend. He didn't flirt for fun. He didn't try to be someone else. He's just… him. And when he looks at someone, it's like he sees more than your face. I don't know. I sound stupid."

"You sound like a girl who's falling," Kaila said softly.

Rosy gave a tiny smile.

"I think I already did," she admitted.

Kaila nudged her. "You're blushing."

Rosy laughed lightly, hiding her face for a second.

Then Kaila's expression shifted. "I saw him leave."

Rosy turned quickly. "What?"

Kaila nodded. "Yeah. He was carrying someone."

Rosy blinked. "Carrying?"

"Yeah. A guy. Looked kind of pale, small. He was in his arms. Kai looked… serious. Like something was wrong."

Rosy stared. "Wait. What?"

"I don't know who it was," Kaila added quickly. "They left in a rush. Right through the front."

Rosy sat frozen for a moment. Her face fell slightly, and she looked back down at her glass.

Again.

He left again.

"Wow," she said quietly.

Kaila placed a hand on hers. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"

"No, it's fine," Rosy interrupted. "Really. I'm not mad."

"Just disappointed?"

Rosy let out a soft laugh. "More like embarrassed. I thought maybe this time… maybe he'd stay."

Kaila stayed quiet.

Rosy took a slow sip of her wine, then stared ahead again, her expression unreadable now.

"I'm not used to being ignored," she said softly. "Guys chase me. Not the other way around. But Kai…"

She trailed off.

"He doesn't chase anyone," Kaila said with a knowing smile.

Rosy nodded. "And maybe that's why I want him."

The hall sparkled around them, full of joy and celebration, but Rosy's thoughts were somewhere else.

Far from here.

She turned back to Kaila. "You said you don't know who he was carrying?"

Kaila shook her head. "Sorry. I didn't see his face. Just that he looked weak. And Kai looked scared. Like he was protecting him."

Rosy leaned back in her seat, her fingers lightly tapping the rim of her glass.

"So… he has someone."

Kaila hesitated. "Maybe. Maybe not. Could be anyone."

Rosy didn't answer.

She stared into her drink for a long moment, then smiled—calm and cold.

"You ditched me twice, Kai," she whispered to herself.

Then she raised her glass slowly, smirked, and said under her breath, "But next time we meet… you won't be able to."

She took the last sip and placed the glass on the table.

The music continued.

But her mind was already planning.

Already waiting.