Chapter 4 Protecting you

Y/n's P.O.V:

I woke up this time feeling rather sick, the room had an odd smell, like pond water but mixed with this sweet scent which was rather familiar. Once I full woke up V greeted me excitedly

V: Good morning Y/n! Today's a wonderful day isn't it?

Y/n: Um okay. Why are you so happy today?

Something about his behavior seemed off-putting. He was never this happy during a school day, where I was going to leave

V: Oh nothing, I'm just happy because today fortunately for you it'll be a great one!

Y/n: Whatever you say

V was acting odd. I couldn't think of a plausible reason for his cheerfulness, I was already quite drained to think. Going early to school had its perks, you wouldn't be the center of attention, walking in and everyone's eyes fall on you? No thanks. I prayed today would be uneventful.

Jimin: Good morning Y/n

I hated to admit that I had mixed feelings about the one person that talked to me normally, I couldn't help think a lot of my problems began with his arrival. Even so I didn't want to point a finger. Not greeting him back must have been the wrong thing since he was getting too close for comfort

Jimin: Hey why are your eyes red? Have you been crying?

I completely forgot I cried myself to sleep. An excuse was all I could make.

Y/n: Oh it's nothing. I'm just a bit stressed out

Jimin: Why? Do you want to talk about it?

Before I could reject, the other students started flocking in. The teacher appeared right after, his face, grim and pale.

Teacher: I have some grim news. If any of you remember Mun Jeiwon, then I'm sorry to say he will not be joining us in class from this day on. He is no longer with us in this world. The police found his body in his bathtub along with his entire house flooded last night after a neighbour reported sounds of screaming. They are still not sure what happened but the investigators are working on it. I'd like you all to stay calm but also acknowledge this loss. The world isn't all that safe so please take care of yourselves.

I had a strange feeling of foreboding, the shock of the news mixed with anxiety had me trembling. Even though I didn't know him, even when he caused me pain, the idea of that person dying made me sick. Homeroom had rather been quiet; as the day continued, everything seemed to go back to normal. I tried to clear my mind and focused on class

Teacher: Okay class that's it for now, I'm giving you all an assignment and it will be in groups. Of course I will be deciding the pairs

For someone who doesn't get along with people, this was the worst possible outcome. I prayed that I would not end up with someone troublesome

Teacher: Yoona and Kris, Y/n and Jimin

I think I breathed the biggest sigh of relief, this was the only good option for now. Even though it was still hard for me to deal with him, it was still better than anyone else. If I thought it over, we might just be getting along with him too. With the biggest smile Jimin came skipping to my desk

Jimin: I guess fate really has it's ways

I had an awkward smile, he was way too excited for a simple assignment but I humored him regardless, scared he might end up making things difficult

Y/n: haha, yeah I guess

Jimin: Y/n, you don't like me very much do you?

Was he guilt tripping me? I was too flustered to think through and the panic was evident on my face. Jimin started laughing

Jimin: I'm joking! It's alright, we met only recently. It's normal to not trust strangers.

Y/n: I'm sorry. I'm not really used to this

Jimin: in that case do want to do the project somewhere familiar? Like your place?

Do the project at my place? I never brought a friend home, let alone a boy at that. Although the idea of staying in my element was attractive. After thinking hard for five minutes I answered

Y/n: Sure. My grandmother would love to meet you. She has been asking me if I've made any friends anyway

I didn't realise right away but Jimin had the most dramatic "touched" reaction, I almost snorted

Jimin: you think of me as a friend? I'm so relieved

I guess being friends with me was a bigger deal to him than it was for me. I smiled to myself, the thought of it made me feel warm. Maybe I could hang out with him, it'll be a first but I was looking forward to it now.

Jimin: since we're friends now we should celebrate! If you're okay with it, let's hang out sometime

Nodding, we parted ways to make it to our next class. Last period our teacher decided we should do field work for the chapter we were reading. Outside we went, our school had a garden behind it, it was the perfect breeding ground for insects. Just the topic we had on our lesson. Sometimes I asked myself if it was worth taking biology as a major. That's right, I hated insects. This was going to be an awful experience. My gut was never wrong because soon I was met with the very situation I a lot to take in. First paired up with Jimin which I somehow managed to tell myself wasn't all that bad, and now this. Each team had equal number of girls and boys, a girl named Taeyeon and two boys, Sehun and Vernon, were paired up with me. I didn't think the group would even acknowledge my presence so it was surprising when Taeyeon helped me and talked to me.

Taeyeon: at first I thought you were a bit weird but I guess you aren't that bad.

Y/n: Thank you?

Taeyeon: sorry let me phrase it better. You're nice

I could never get used to people not thinking I was odd and needed to be avoided. I was glad not everyone looked at me like a problem. Sehun turned out to be quite laid back as well, he just minded his own business. Vernon on the other hand was a little playful. He teased me for a while, it wasn't that bad but I had no intention of getting too friendly with him.

Vernon: Hey Y/n!

Y/n: Yes?

While the rest of us were observing the butterflies fluttering around the orchard Vernon suddenly came running from God knows where.

Taeyeon: shouldn't you be helping with the report?

Vernon: oh relax will you?

He was grinning from ear to ear, a devilish look in his eyes. He turned to me with a smoldering smirk

Vernon: do you like butterflies?

I nodded, still confused to what his intentions were. He suddenly jerked his hands up, which I noticed in that split second were behind him

Vernon: Then you'll love the baby one too!

I screamed as Vernon threw a caterpillar up in the air, Taeyeon being near me shrieked just as loud. The sudden attack was enough to press my heart, it started beating to the point of getting painful. I didn't realise when my eyes had become glossy.

Taeyeon: That was not nice at all!

Sehun: gosh dude, what was that about?

Vernon: Oh my God You should have seen your face! It's too funny!

He was laughing until he crouched, Taeyeon tried to tend to me but I was not in my right mind. Pain and anger was all I felt

Y/n: Why did you do that?

Vernon: I'm sorry but your face was hilarious. You're so fun to tease

I left in a fit, I didn't want to cry in front of them and I certainly didn't want to deal with him anymore. Childish people are always there, no matter how old you got. Class was almost over so the teacher didn't bother looking my way. I headed home yet again feeling like the world hated my existence.

Author's P.O.V:

You had left school early without notifying your teacher, Vernon was still laughing with no hint of remorse

Taeyeon: Vernon can't you just mind your own business?

Vernon: Why do you care? I can't help if she's a cry baby

Taeyeon huffed and stomped off leaving the two boys. She needed to find you to set things right but you had already left.

Sehun: You went too overboard. That's bullying you know?

Vernon: Jeez sorry mom. I'll apologise to her tomorrow with bubble tea, happy?

Sehun: can I get one too?

Vernon: Whatever, let's go school's over.

~~~~~

While the boy went home smiling you were already at your limit. Breaking down was all you could do to make it stop hurting. V was right there watching, beyond your knowledge he greeted his teeth. This was affirmation enough to strengthen his resolve.

V: Who did this this to you

His voice caught your attention, sometimes you kept forgetting V was there. Wiping away stray tears you spoke

Y/n: This boy named Vernon. He knew I was scared of insects yet he-

V: I can't stand your pain, I will erase all that hurts you

You weren't sure of what V had said, it was way too soft for you to hear.

V: It's going to be alright. Everything will be alright

You smiled and wiped your face, reassuring words were all you needed. It was good to know not everyone wanted the worst for you. But V wasn't someone who would let things slide. He saw your pain and it was enough of a push for him to protect what mattered most to him. No matter what he needed to do to achieve it. It was midnight, a full moon was high up in the sky, you were sound asleep, too tired to hear the whispers in the air.

???: You want to protect her don't you?

V: Yes

A strange feeling came over the boy's soul, like an enchantress, the entity whispered honey like temptations that, at this point, became hard to resist.

???: so what are you waiting for? Kill him.

V: Kill him?

???: Yes. It is the only way.

~~~~~~

Vernon was trying his best to sleep but couldn't, something or someone kept him fidgeting on his bed for hours now. His back felt hot

Vernon: Is it me or is it hot in here?

He could barely stay still now, sweat dripping down his neck he sat up and noticed something odd about his room.

Vernon: That's strange, I remembered the window was open

He said to reassure himself. He got up and opened it only to let in a stormy gust even when the sky was clear. The wind, smelling like fresh rain. He closed it immediately and fell back in surprise

Vernon: What was that?

Just then sounds of screaming echoed from downstairs. He jumped in surprise

Vernon: What's going on?

He gulped loudly, primal fear taking hold of his actions as he slowly crept downstairs. It was dark and he was walking blindly, almost tripping down the stairs. The sound of bullets leaving a gun echoed. Fearing the worst Vernon gathered all his courage to go in. He went in to find a man holding a gun facing his back, he knew that back very well

Vernon: Dad? Whats going on? I heard s-something and-

He never thought he'd be more frightened, as he saw the limp woman's body resting in a pool of blood.

Vernon: What did you do? Why did you kill mom?

He swallowed all that was going to come out as the man pointed the gun towards him. The man's eyes showed no sign of life, his skin pale Grey. Like a gale of the strongest storm the man tackled him, choking him against the wall. Vernon used all his strength to get away but it was useless. The man was stronger, bigger and somehow couldn't feel pain. The fight wasn't over when the man dragged the boy into the bathroom

Vernon: No! Stop! Please stop this!

He was in tears, struggling against the man's unnatural strength. Before he knew it, his head was inside the tub filled with black, muddy water. It was a short struggle before his body limped and stopped moving. The man tossed him inside the tub before shooting himself in the head. The house became quiet, soft whistling of the wind gave the scene an eerie feeling.

V: Does it hurt? Do you know how it feels now?

He left the bodies to rot. Coming back to your bedside he smiled at your sleeping form

V: I promise you will never cry again, I love you Y/n

You were in your dream land, little did you know, your doll was sinning. Only to protect, what was now most precious to him. In another place an entity smiled, things were just getting started.