[17] to the stars and back

                                    

                                          
the wind blew, drifting a few dried leaves before him. hueningkai halted his steps in front of the police station, having second thoughts if this is the right decision.
                          
what else can he do, anyway? he wanted to know the identity of the guy that's haunting taehyun. but obviously, he doesn't have the ability to see ghosts.
                          
but there's another person who saw him— lee howon.
                          
he took a deep breath before entering the police station. 
                          
he went to the visiting area and sat at one of the vacant tables, knees were bouncing up and down whilst his fingers kept tapping on the table, creating an annoying sound.
                          
few minutes later, the police brought howon to him. hueningkai gulped at the sight of the intimidating guy, who's giving him a solid look.
                          
howon took a seat across him, "you, again? what do you need this time?"
                          
hueningkai hid his fidgety hands in his lap, "i want to know who is the guy in your nightmares."
                          
howon lifted an eyebrow and snickered, "are you serious? how would i know his name?"
                          
"b-but," hueningkai paused and sighed in defeat, knowing he didn't think of that. 
                          
howon crossed his legs and leaned his back on his chair, getting comfortable. "i'm sorry but i don't have any idea who he is."
                          
hueningkai looked at him and nodded his head, "of course, sorry for disturbing you."
                          
when howon didn't utter another word, kai took that as a sign to leave. he stood up from his seat and politely bowed to him, "thank you for your time."
                          
"wait, sit down." howon said, halting kai's steps. 
                          
hueningkai looked at him for a second before he sat again. "why?"
                          
howon sighed, "is your friend still seeing this guy?"
                          
"yes," hueningkai answered and added, "the situation is getting worse. i don't want him to get hurt in the end. i need to tell him the truth but i don't have proof."
                          
kai sighed and muttered, "even soobin hyung didn't believe in me. i don't know what to do anymore."
                          
it's true. hueningkai was desperate for solutions but he can't think of anything. 
                          
"i can help," howon announced, bringing hope to the younger.
                          
hueningkai can't help but to smile, "really? thank you so much."
                          
howon pressed his lips into a thin line and tilted his head, "hit and run on december 14, 2020."
                          
the younger stopped smiling and frowned, "huh?"
                          
"search it on the internet. it will help you a lot." howon muttered. 
                          
kai slowly nodded but can't help to ask, "how did you know about it?"
                          
howon suddenly avoided his gaze and cleared his throat, "i'm done here. go home."
                          
howon stood up and the cop guided him back to his cell. 
                          
hueningkai bore his eyes at him until he's gone out of his sight. he sighed and looked at the dusty ceiling before closing his eyes.
                          
___
                          
beep. beep. beep.
                          
it was that sound again.
                          
that annoying sound that make his ears bleed.
                          
it's the sound that's keeping his hopes up while giving him anxiety.
                          
yeonjun stood before beomgyu, who's still lying peacefully in his hospital bed. oxygen still filling up his lungs yet he looked so blue.