Chapter Text
Lee Heeseung was a simple man.
He worked six days a week, Monday through Saturday. He did his best at his job. He earned enough to provide for himself and his two dogs, both Pomerians.
He woke up early, jogged most days and made sure to be on time for work.
His coworkers liked him fine. His boss didn't have complaints about him most days. He visited his parents every once a week and saw one of his friends every fortnight or so.
He ate healthy, dressed well and lived in a comfortable house.
There was little that was missing from his life.
☆
Riverfield. That was the name of a small town about a 10-minute drive away from Heeseung's house.
Heeseung walked most days he did go there and that took about 20 minutes and another 10 minutes for contemplation.
Most of the time, he went there on Sundays, so as not to disrupt his routine.
And often, he'd be just in time for the carnival that took place there.
☆
The outskirts of Riverfield were wild. Tall grass and trees taller still.
Green spread across the vast expanses of land, littered with tiny yellow flowers. The air always smelled of wet earth and over time, that had become his favorite smell.
It was another Sunday. Fall had come already, and winter was just around the corner, too.
The wet on top of the blades of grass seeped into Heeseung's pants and, ultimately, his socks as he walked across the land.
A red gate about as tall as his waist awaited on the other side of the grass, and beyond that lay the carnival.
The rusty rides looked almost solemn in the light of the already setting sun.
Heeseung was alone that day. Not that he had ever interacted with anyone before. That only meant he was early.
The grass buzzed with life and very, very soft sounds of 80's music fell upon Heeseung's ears.
☆
As was routine, Heeseung walked over to the pirate ship ride.
The once-brown metal of the ride had rusted to a dark red. It was attached to a wooden platform with tall, tall pillars. A thick layer of dust covered the wood.
Heeseung stopped in front of the five rusted steps that led to the platform. Mind blank, he stared at the first.
Hands reaching out for the railing, he shifted his weight onto the steps.
One step and then another.
The piece of metal under his feet on the third step gave away. His hold on the railings tightened. Fourth step and then the fifth.
Finally, the sixth and he stood on the platform. Two more steps and his next would land him on the ship.
Clearing his throat, he settled into the seat, buckling the belt around his waist.
A second passed.
With a jolt and a loud creaking sound from the rusted metal, the ride started swaying.
To and forth. To and forth.
Slowly at first, then faster and faster. Until he didn't have to lower his gaze to see the ground beneath the ship.
The machine creaked in the background.
Lee Heeseung sat still, waiting.
☆
He sat crouched in an open field. The wind blew cold in his face, ruffling his hair.
The cold of the wind seeped into his body through his black shorts.
He turned to his side, catching sight of the pink and white flowers beside him.
He picked them up and inspected them closely. Seven petals on each one.
Flowers in hand, he got off the ground. Black cardigan fluttering in the wind, Lee Heeseung began walking across the grass.
And as he walked, he waited and waited.
Waited for the next one.