𝘗𝘺𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘊𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘩 | 𝘺.𝘫𝘸 𝘹 𝘬.𝘴𝘯

💌 46 - flame

Music pulsed through the warm night air, vibrating through the ground beneath Sunoo's feet. The backyard of Yeonjun's house was alive with laughter, drinks clinking, and bodies swaying under the glow of string lights.

Sunoo and Jungwon had just finished dancing, smiling as they walked toward the outdoor bar stand.

"I need to use the washroom," Jungwon said, glancing toward the house. "I'll be back in a sec."

Sunoo nodded. "I'll wait here."

Leaning against the bar stand, he let his gaze wander over the sea of guests, searching for familiar faces. The party was packed, and Yeonjun had clearly invited more people than expected. Just as he was about to pull out his phone, a presence loomed beside him.

"Hey there, pretty," a slurred voice said.

Sunoo turned, his stomach twisting at the sight of the man beside him.

He saw him talking to Yeonjun earlier so Sunoo assumed he was one of his friends.

Hyunwoo was his name, or something like that. He reeked of alcohol, his bleary eyes scanning Sunoo lazily.

"I—uh, I'm waiting for my friend," Sunoo said, stepping back slightly.

"Oh? Well in that case how about dancing with me while they're gone?~" His flirting, slurred as he leans towards Sunoo. He puts his arm around his shoulder.

"I'm okay..." Sunoo quickly shoves it off.

But Hyunwoo didn't care. He reached out, his fingers grazing Sunoo's arm. "C'mon, don't be shy," he slurred.

Sunoo tensed. "Sorry... I don't want to."

Hyunwoo only smirked, his grip tightening. Sunoo's heart pounded as he tried to push him away, but the man didn't budge. His hands roamed lower, and Sunoo's breath hitched in panic.

"Stop." Sunoo told him, bye Hyunwoo persisted.

"I said stop!" Sunoo snapped, shoving him, but Hyunwoo was too drunk to care. His hands fumbled at the hem of Sunoo's shirt, tugging.

He smashes his lips against Sunoo's.

In a shock of disgust, Sunoo tried to break out his grasp.

Then, a fist collided with his face.

Hyunwoo stumbled back, clutching his jaw, his eyes dazed from the impact. Sunoo turned to see Jay standing there, his face twisted with anger. Beside him, Jake clenched his fists, his jaw tight.

"The fuck do you think you're doing?" Jay growled, stepping forward.

Hyunwoo wiped at his bleeding lip and laughed. "Oh, so the little prince has bodyguards?"

And then, he swung.

Jay dodged just in time, countering with another punch to Hyunwoo's ribs.

Hyunwoo spits out blood. "You fucking bastard!"

The fight escalated quickly—Hyunwoo lunged at Jay, tackling him to the ground. People started gathering, gasps and shouts filling the air as fists flew.

"Jay!" Sunoo yelled, stepping forward, but Jake pulled him back.

"Stay out of it, you'll get hurt!" Jake warned, his eyes darting around nervously.

More guests circled around, watching the fight unfold. Yeonjun pushed through the crowd, his face contorted in frustration. "What the hell is going on?" he demanded.

Yeonjun reached down, trying to pull Hyunwoo off Jay, but in the struggle, Hyunwoo lost his balance. He stumbled back—his foot catching on the edge of the drink table.

Time seemed to slow.

The table collapsed under him, sending bottles and glasses shattering onto the ground. A waterfall of alcohol soaked his clothes, drenching him from head to toe. The entire party fell silent as Hyunwoo sat there, stunned.

Then, his expression twisted with fury.

"Yeonjun what the fuck man?!" He yelled, his voice shaking with rage as he scrambled to his feet, his gaze locked on back on Jay. He charged forward.

And then—

Flames.

It was like an explosion. Fire erupted from Hyunwoo's body, engulfing him in an instant. The alcohol-soaked fabric caught fire too fast, too violently. His screams pierced the air, raw and inhuman, as the flames devoured him.

People screamed, some running for water, others frozen in horror. Someone threw a blanket over him, but the fire only spread faster, spreading across the grass, the decorations—everything.

"CALL 911!" someone shouted.

Sunoo stood frozen, his ears ringing. His breath came in short gasps, his mind refusing to process what was happening. He felt Jungwon's hands on his shoulders, shaking him. "Sunoo, we have to go!"

"Wait! I need to get Jay and Jake!" Sunoo shouts, looking around in a panic trying to find his friends in the ash and fire.

"There's no time! It's too dangerous here!" Jungwon quickly pulls them out of the backyard to the front of the house where everyone else flee.

Sirens wailed in the distance. The flames continued to rage.

"Everyone stand clear! Evacuate the area immediately!"
Firefighters stormed in, dousing the fire with hoses.

They quickly hosed down Hyunwoo who was rolling on the ground. Seconds later, his body stopped moving.

Yeonjun watches from afar. He stood in shock, his hands trembling as he stared at the charred remains of his friend. The realization settled over the party like a suffocating blanket.

Hyunwoo was dead.