Mon Amour // ATEEZ

24 Déjà vu

(Dalhae's pov)

Where is this darn vampire again? I'm really playing baby sitter sometimes. Thankfully, the museum had some flashlights available for us to borrow. As much as I know I shouldn't venture into this ominous black fog, what if something has happened to Hongjoong?

Seonghwa and Jongho fallowed me, refusing to let me go alone.

"It's scary in here" Seonghwa confessed, his face betraying a mix of fear and uncertainty. He's hiding behind me. Wow, what a protector he is. I'll lead us to Hongjoong.

But the black fog seemed to be advancing towards us with alarming speed. I couldn't help but cough as it engulfed my face.

"What the heck!" I exclaimed, my coughing intensifying.

"What's going on with my flashlight!" Jongho said as I watched his light go crazy. Suddenly, without warning, my flashlight and Seonghwa's also ceased to function.

"Oh shit" Seonghwa muttered, gripping my arm tightly as a gust of wind swept across our faces. But then, a strange man emerged from the shadow. He's scary, not going to lie.

"Ah, it seems fate has brought us together once more, my dear Dalh-"

"Oh my gosh! It's the crackhead from the garden!" I pointed to the man in front of us.

"That's him?" Seonghwa squinted his eyes, attempting to get a better view while remaining concealed behind me.

The strange man looked around. "Where's the crackhead?"

"So sad that a young man like you is consumed by this addiction" Jongho commented, his voice filled with sympathy.

"Wait, are you people talking about me?" The man's finger pointed towards himself, confusion etched on his face.

I nodded, trying to convey understanding.  "He's even wearing a black cape, he probably think he's some sort of supervillain or something" I couldn't help but remark.

Approaching him cautiously, I reached out and gently held his hand. "It's okay to get help, you know" I reassured him.

"GET LOST, YUNHO!" I heard Hongjoong's voice before witnessing him soar through the air, landing a powerful kick to the man's head. I staggered backward, eyes widening in astonishment.

Hongjoong has the same fiery gaze he had yesterday but multiplied by a hundred. He swiftly turned his attention towards me, his voice filled with a warning. "You better leave before I'm tempted to drag you back myself. Never dare to approach this man again"

"Alright, alright!" I spun around, determined not to pry into the details of this intense fight. I grabbed Seonghwa's hand as he stood frozen in shock. "We should leave, now"

Jongho quickly pulled out his phone, capturing the unfolding scene. "Don't be a prick, let's go, Jongho" I urged him.

"I could be swimming in cash with this video!" He exclaimed excitedly. But, alas, fate had other plans as a sudden and merciless gust of wind snatched his precious phone from his grasp, plunging it into the depths of the ominous shadow. He stood in place. "Oh, well..."

We ran back to the museum when suddenly, a deafening bang echoed through the air, causing me to spin around in alarm. Fear gripped me as I worried about Hongjoong's safety.

And then, amidst the chaos, I couldn't believe my eyes. Right there, in the distance.  Was it just my imagination, or could I actually see San? A wicked smirk played across his face as he turned away, disappearing into the swirling black cloud.

This was scary as heck.

We stepped into the museum, still trying to catch our breath. The director's perplexed expression mirrored our own confusion. "What's going on?" He inquired, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"This was so crazy! Sir Hongjoong was in the midst of an epic clash with some other dude-" I quickly clapped my hand over Jongho's mouth, preventing him from revealing any more of the story.

"The fog will soon fade away, no need to worry guys" I reassured the crew, trying to instill a sense of calm. Jongho, however, seemed irritated and responded by sticking out his tongue, earning a disapproving glare from me.

"Dalhae is right guys, look outside" A crew member exclaimed, gesturing towards the window. Intrigued, I joined her, gazing outside at the unexpectedly clear sky with the sun timidly peeking through the clouds.

Suddenly, a searing sensation jolted through my shoulder, causing me to wince. Glancing down, I was transfixed by the radiant glow emanating from my birthmark. Does this mean Hongjoong is in danger?

Ever since the kiss, my birthmark had been glowing at random times. Just yesterday, our birthmarks were inexplicably synchronized, radiating an ethereal glow that left us both surprised. But I actually just feel confuse now. Why is this happening. And why was Hongjoong fighting that crackhead man?

After cleaning up our work at the museum, we got back to the mansion. I feel utterly tired. So much that my eyes are closing by themselves in the car. At least, Seonghwa is driving.

I washed up but couldn't even jump into bed as I heard knocks on my door. Seriously, a girl just wants to sleep.

"What is it again?" I flung open the door, only to find Seonghwa standing on the other side. "Deonghwa?" I teased him, a hint of mischief in my voice.

"Shh, there's something really strange I need to show you!" He grabbed my hand, pulling me away before I had a chance to respond.

We went up another flight of creaky stairs that lead to the attic of the mansion. His grip on my hand tightened as he continued to move with urgency. "I don't think we can be here" I voiced my concern, scanning the surroundings.

We cautiously entered the attic, its corners veiled in dense spider webs. Seonghwa appeared to possess a sense of direction amidst the eerie atmosphere. The dim light filtered through the cracks of the windows, casting shadows on the walls. The whole scene resembled something out of a horror movie. Oh heck no.

"You can stay back Dalhae, I'll come to you" What a hero.

I found a spot on the stairs to wait as he disappeared into the shadows. Soon enough, he emerged from the attic, clutching an ancient box in his hands, taking a seat beside me.

"I need my beauty sleep" I joked.

"I know, but you really need to see this" He insisted.

He carefully retrieved an aged frame from the box. "Don't be too shock when you see it" With a swift motion, he revealed the artwork. My breath caught in my throat.

It was a portrait of a woman, undeniably resembling me. Every feature, from the nose to the lips to the flowing hair, mirrored my own. An overwhelming sense of déjà vu washed over me. But, she can't be me?

"The director wanted me to go and retrieve batteries upstairs," He explained, his voice trailing off. "But I kind of got side tracked. I got lost and found this eery painting of.. you?"

I seized the painting, scrutinizing every minute detail. The resemblance was uncanny - the brown hair, the identical ears, even the shape of the lips.

I inhaled sharply, feeling the weight of revelation settling upon me. This is why. This make sense of it all. The intensity in his eyes, the yearning that consume him, it was for this woman.

I turned the painting around, hoping to uncover more clues. There, faintly written were the numbers '1652' followed by a smudged word that must have been her name -'Su'-.

I understand now why Hongjoong was so freaked out. I, too, would have been shaken to my core. Picture this: waking up to the sight of a woman who bears an uncanny resemblance to someone you once knew.

I couldn't help but feel a pang in my heart. Why couldn't Hongjoong have told me before I found out myself? "I'm going back to sleep" I muttered, making my way down the stairs. "Wait for me! It's scary here!" Seonghwa quickly put the box away and hurried after me.

"What are you thinking, Dalhae?" Seonghwa asked, his head tilted slightly as we made our way back to the room corridor.

"I'm thinking of getting a good night of sleep" I replied.

He nodded. "When I first saw that painting, I peed a little"

I chuckled. "Stupid"