The Clan Part 1: Lost (Monsta X / Reader)

Chapter 11

Three days. That's how long it took before death claimed him in its merciless grasp.

He died in his sleep, swift and painless; his departure from this earth was peaceful. But Shownu didn't care. Painless or otherwise, it still ripped away the one person who played perhaps the largest role in Shownu's life, someone who could never be replaced; someone who left a huge, gaping hole in the poor boy's heart.

He felt at war with the world, with himself. He felt like the universe was purposely trying to ruin him and make him miserable. And it was working. In fact, it managed to tear him apart in such a way that it forced him to convince himself he will never truly heal.

After the incident with Hyungwon's father, it was Jooheon who explained what happened that night. He told Shownu how Minhyuk had set fire to the building in a vain attempt to try and teach the man a lesson. He told Shownu about how they had found Hyungwon and helped him. He told Shownu how Hyungwon's father beat his only son, his family. He told Shownu about how Minhyuk had demanded the doctor heal Shownu's grandfather as compensation for his wrongs.

And he told Shownu about the response that was given.

Throughout his grandfather's harrowing journey of sickness, Shownu never once gave up the hope that he could get better. But once he knew the cure couldn't even be obtained by the one man who should have possessed it, hope disappeared completely, only leaving behind doubt.

He gently pushed open the door to his small house, flinching when the door shut too loudly behind him. Dust could be seen peacefully hovering in the air and at one point it made him sneeze. His insides crawled uncomfortably.

It was probably the most distressing thing he'd ever done, letting go. But there was only so much he could do. So he eventually caved into the harsh reality that his grandfather was going to die. He forced himself to miserably watch as the last of his kin slowly used up the remainder of his strength. He sat by his grandfather's side until he took his final breath and became still forever.

The next day, the doctor came along with some officials to check up, probably because he felt bad for what he did--or more specifically didn't do. At first, Shownu refused to let them in. While he was busy grumbling at them to leave, it didn't take them long to figure out something was wrong... especially because of his swollen, wet face. It was obvious that he was crying and they knew exactly why. Due to his weakened state--he probably hadn't eaten much out of depression--they easily pushed through. They managed to remove the body against Shownu's wishes and left the boy as a crumpled, heartbroken mess.

He then left to stay with Jooheon after his friend suggested avoiding the mournful atmosphere. He was lured away after being told that it would help clear his head.

Shownu was finally back, entering the room where his grandfather once rested. It was empty, just like how Shownu felt. Empty except for the vacant medical cot stripped down to the last pure white sheet and the equipment in the corner that helped keep his grandfather alive for as long as he was. The only clothes his grandfather ever owned were folded into a neat pile and placed carefully on top of the bed.

Looking around with the pain of nostalgia clear in his eyes, Shownu saw the corner of something black just barely at the edge of his vision. Slowly, he turned around to get a better look and recognized the duffel bag--still stuffed with the stolen money that had been tossed aside some days earlier out of frustration. It had luckily landed right beside the door frame so that it would be hidden behind the door whenever it opened.

Needless to say, he didn't even get a chance to use the money he stole. He didn't even bother to count it. There was no point. Now, only the feelings of guilt and regret nagged at him, eating him up. He realized that he had been desperate and wasn't thinking clearly when he planned the robbery. He wished he could return it, but that would mean he would get caught. And getting caught would mean he would have to leave behind his other family.