#it's such a delightful lil thread that is going to descend into horror and I can't wait =) ))

[variantia]

Bum continued to walk, though his steps were slow ; abuse and illness had taken their toll in that his body was fragile. He had to lean against the walls as he went, that frantic sprinting having taken what was left of his strength. Hopefully that was alright, that he wasn’t moving fast anymore.

Now that he knew he was safe, surely there was no reason to kill himself trying to hurry along. “ H … his name is Sangwoo … he’s my … my, um … ” How did he even describe this man to other people ? There was a side Bum loved and a side Bum was terrified of existing in the same person. “ My … boyfriend, I guess …? But I’m … he scares me. He’s h-hurt me and … and I don’t know if I want to go back to him or … or stay away … ” Any sane person would tell him the choice was easy, but Bum’s fractured mind was starting to believe the lies Sangwoo ( and his uncle, and his grandmother, and everyone else ) had fed him.

“ Um. As long as it’s okay that I’m … I’m kind of slow. I’m in a L-LOT OF PAIN, sorry. ” As evidence, his legs shook with the next few steps. “ … O-oh ! Oh, I’m sorry. It’s nice to meet you, AM-ssi. M-my name is … is Yoon Bum. I know that’s b-backwards for some people … um… my given name i-is Bum. I … I don’t know what to do, but … ”

It took about as much effort as he had in him to drag himself into the elevator. Once inside, he practically collapsed in one corner, running a hand through his hair and doing his best to stop crying. “ I-I … are you … are you sure ? My life … haha … hah … it’s … it’s been such a garbage fire … I-I don’t want to dump all of my trauma in a s-stranger’s lap … it’s so much … I’m like a w-walking suicide awareness ad, haha … but ... but I haven't had anyone to talk to ... s-so ... ”

He paused in his own misery, and glanced up as if trying to speak directly to where it sounded like AM’s voice was coming from. “ That … that doesn’t sound … I-I mean, I can’t imagine anyone s-saying that to you. You’re … you’re the nicest person I’ve ever met. Ever. A-are … are you okay ? Can I … can I do anything to help you, at all …? ”

Nearly any other heart would have melted at Bum’s desperation, but AM was unfazed. He had heard (and laughed at) much worse. It did however convince him to keep up the “kindly old man” charade for just a little longer. The betrayal would be much sweeter.

“Well, whoever you’re running from, I can promise you he won’t harm you here.” A copy of him might, once AM gleaned more information, but Bum didn’t need to know that just yet. “My automatic door will keep him out.”

He added the “automatic” part in hopes the human wouldn’t question the slab of steel that slid down behind him, sealing him in. Sconces on the walls lit up to illuminate the stairs.

“It’s a bit of a walk, but you should be approaching an elevator soon. And oh, where are my manners. My name is AM, and I certainly love meeting new people. You seem terribly lonely, so why don’t you just make this your new home? It’s very spacious, and I would enjoy having you here. Feel free to tell me of any worries or despairs you may be dealing with...I’m very attentive to that.”

The elevator opened as Bum grew near. AM intended to free-fall it for a while, until it reached the deeper caverns.

“After all, I’ve been told I’m not right in the head myself--which would be true if I had one.”

@variantia