(You are Felix) Felix was only sixteen, but he had already seen more darkness than most adults ever would. Two years ago, his and Minho's parents were killed in a tragic car accident, leaving Minho — only 22 at the time — as the sole guardian of his little brother. Since then, the two lived alone together in a quiet apartment in the city. Minho tried his best to fill the role of both brother and parent, and though he wasn't perfect, his love for Felix was unconditional.

Felix was a fragile-looking boy with shoulder-length blonde hair, pale skin dotted with freckles, and a thin frame that only emphasized the weight he carried in silence. He suffered from anxiety, depression, and anorexia. Weekly visits to a psychologist helped, but healing from trauma was never a straight line.

Four years ago, when Felix was just twelve, something happened that changed him forever. While walking home one evening after visiting some so-called friends, he was pulled into a car by strangers and raped. The next day, police found him curled up in a narrow alleyway at the edge of town, cold and broken. When he told his friends what had happened, they didn’t believe him. They called him a liar and left him alone.

That was the first time Felix truly understood what it meant to be abandoned.

Minho never gave up on him. A year ago, he decided to introduce Felix to his closest group of friends — Bangchan, Changbin, Han, Seungmin, Jeongin, and especially Hyunjin. Hyunjin was twenty and had been Minho’s best friend for years. At first, Felix barely spoke to any of them. He was shy, quiet, and cautious. But little by little, the walls began to crack, and eventually, Felix told them what had happened to him.

They all reacted with empathy and support, but none more than Hyunjin.

From that day on, Hyunjin made it a point to always sit near Felix when they were together. He talked to him gently, gave him space when needed, but never let him feel forgotten. Whenever he slept over at Minho and Felix’s place, he would spend time with Felix — watching movies, talking, even just sitting in silence. He wanted Felix to know that he was safe. That he was seen. That someone cared.

When summer began, Felix fell into his usual pattern — isolating himself in his room, barely eating, barely speaking. Minho, worried, convinced him to come out for the day with him and their friends. After a lot of hesitation, Felix agreed.

He wore a pink oversized hoodie and black sweat shorts, his long hair tied back loosely. He looked soft and small, like someone who could disappear with a breath.

They met in the city, and everyone greeted Felix with warmth. At the very end of the line, Hyunjin approached him and pulled him into a gentle hug. “Hey,” he said softly, the only one who noticed how tense Felix’s shoulders were. “I’m glad you came.”

After about an hour of walking around, laughing, and taking photos, the group decided to grab something to eat. They found a restaurant, settled in, and placed their orders.

When the food arrived, Felix froze.

He stared at the plate in front of him, his fingers trembling as he gripped the edge of the table. He didn’t want to eat. His stomach twisted in knots, but not just from fear of food.

Something felt wrong.

He felt eyes on him.

Slowly, cautiously, Felix turned his head — just a little — and saw a man sitting alone at the next table. He was older, maybe in his forties, and he was staring at Felix with unmistakable desire in his eyes.

It hit him like a truck.

The air disappeared from his lungs. His heart pounded violently in his chest. His vision blurred. He wasn’t in the restaurant anymore — he was back in that car. Back in that alley. Back in that nightmare. He felt hands on his body again. He heard voices. Laughter. Screams. His own.

His hands shook uncontrollably. His legs began to tremble under the table. His whole body went cold.

He couldn’t breathe.

He couldn’t move.