Eira resumed walking aimlessly, her weary steps echoing along the empty streets. The cold air bit at her skin, reminding her that there was still no place she could truly return to. Her phone had long since died, robbing her of the chance to contact Maria for help. She hadn't even noticed how far she'd wandered until she arrived in Songpa-gu, part of the Gangnam area. Her eyes fell upon a small convenience store illuminated by the neon glow of its signs. With a sigh, she pushed open the door and walked inside. Moments later, she emerged clutching a can of beer and a small pack of biscuits.
"I think I'm already getting addicted to beer," she muttered, the bitter tang of her voice mingling with the chill in the air.
Eira continued her journey down the deserted road, the quietness around her amplified by the isolation of the path. There were no houses in sight, only the muted shadows of trees and distant street lamps casting pools of pale light on the ground. The silence seemed almost palpable, broken only by the soft scuffing of her feet against the pavement. Eventually, fatigue caught up to her. She sank down on the cold concrete, resting her back against the rough wall of an old, abandoned structure. The beer in her hand was already half-finished, and she washed down the last of the biscuit crumbs before taking another long swig. The world around her blurred and wavered, the chill seeping through her clothes. She exhaled, a cloud of breath dissipating into the frigid air, and then everything went black as she succumbed to exhaustion.
*******
"A splendid performance, everyone! We should always keep up the good work and give our best on stage every single time," said Dawn also known as Jeong Hyunseok, his eyes bright with enthusiasm. His stage name was well-known among fans, but to his bandmates, he was simply their dependable leader. Standing there with his sky-blue hair slightly tousled and dressed in whimsical pajamas, he looked both authoritative and comical.
"Hyung, why are you wearing your pajamas?" Rex asked, still decked out in his all-black suit from their latest stage performance of their new album, All Night. His hair, damp and clinging to his forehead, was a testament to his energetic performance, during which he'd poured a full bottle of water on himself for dramatic effect.
"You're one to talk," Sage interjected dryly. "You're literally still in your stage clothes." Sage leaned back, arms folded, his sharp eyes glinting with humor.
"But I'm not the only one," Rex shot back, glancing at Sonic, who was still wearing his performance attire. Sonic, known for his perpetual state of unpreparedness, merely shrugged. He was famous among the group for his forgetful nature. Once, after they had moved into a new apartment, he had stepped out to run an errand and returned only after calling someone to guide him back.
"Sonic hyung is an exception," Kyu remarked, his tone laced with amusement.
The entire car erupted in laughter, the sound mingling with the rhythmic hum of the engine.
"Okay, everyone, quiet down," Dawn instructed, his voice cutting through the chaos. A hush fell over the group, but the stillness didn't last. In the backseat, Riku, Ace, and Kyu were muffling their snickers, their mirth barely contained. Known collectively as the "stubborn youngest," the trio had a reputation for their playful antics and refusal to back down. Their laughter rippled through the car again, setting everyone off.
"Ah, Dawn hyung, I need to buy some beer and snacks for tonight's after-party," Infinity piped up, breaking through the noise. The mere mention of food and drinks turned heads and prompted approving nods from the rest of the group.
"Sure, get some hangover drinks as well. None of you ever look presentable in the morning," Dawn advised, a wry smile curving his lips.
At the next junction, the car slowed to a halt, and Infinity stepped out. He shivered slightly as the cool night air rushed over him. The nearby convenience store was brightly lit, its glass doors fogged over from the warm air inside. He pushed open the door, the familiar jingle of the bell greeting him. Inside, he quickly gathered an assortment of beer cans, snacks, and hangover remedies, his arms straining under the weight of his impromptu haul.
"Aish, those fools should have come with me," he muttered under his breath as he made his way back onto the street, his hands full and muscles burning. The streetlights above flickered, casting their wan glow on the quiet road. It was nearly 1 a.m., and the lamps illuminated the path ahead like solitary sentinels. The temperature had plunged, and his breath emerged in quick puffs as he exhaled.
As Infinity trudged down the road, he noticed a figure slumped on the ground not far ahead. The sight made him pause. A woman sat with her back against the wall, a can of beer clasped loosely in her fingers, and two suitcases flanking her sides. Her feet were bare, pale against the darkness, and her body was still as the night itself. Alarm prickled through him as he realized how thin and soaked she looked—still damp from the earlier drizzle.
"Hello? Hello, ma'am, are you okay?" Infinity called out, raising his voice above the silence. He dropped the bags of snacks and drinks, hurrying to her side. Her skin was cold to the touch, and he could feel the shiver running through her frame. She was unconscious, her breathing shallow, and her cheeks were flushed with a feverish hue. He cursed under his breath, fumbling for his phone and dialing a familiar number.
"Kane, Jayce, Dax—I need help, right now," he said, urgency making his voice crackle. The concern in his voice was enough to make them listen, though Dax, ever skeptical, chimed in.
"Infinity, this better not be one of your schemes to make us haul the stuff for you," Dax said, doubt coloring his tone.
"No, it's not," Infinity snapped back, exasperation and worry mingling in his voice.
The line fell silent for a moment, then Kane's deep, calm voice replied, "We're on our way. Just hold on."
Relief washed over Infinity as he ended the call, but it was fleeting. The woman shivered more violently, her body instinctively reacting to the dropping temperature. He shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders, squatting beside her while he waited for help. The night air seemed colder now, and he could almost hear the crackle of frost forming in the shadows.