---

We really snuck out.

I told the members that Leo wanted to go for a walk to get some fresh air, and relax a little from this horrible situation he's in, and that I was going with him to 'watch' him, just in case he does anything stupid out of grief. And they believed me.
So, when Leo was dressed and ready, I grabbed my back-pack, not even caring that I didn't even unpack my stuff yet, and dragged him out the dorm, before they had a chance to see how red and nervous he looked. After all, if anyone finds out we did this, we're not only going to be in serious trouble, but the whole country and every single Starlight will come after me looking for revenge if I cause VIXX to cancel one of their shows.
But Leo has to see his mother...she's at the hospital for god's sake!!!
So, we run out of the building, and take the stairs to the basement parking. Leo was leading of course. Because although this building was beautiful, modern and chic...I can't even begin to understand what side of it I'm looking at. Is the left or the right? Is it up or down? Whatever, Leo can worry about that...
The basement was wide and dark, with grey concrete walls going all the way from the floor to the ceiling. It kind of looked like a prison...or the bottom of the Colosseum. There were big, black vans lined along each side of the walls.
And lo and behold, a chaffeur was getting out of one right now! Maybe I am pretty lucky...
"Excuse me!" I scream to the muscular man, who just had his one foot out the driver's door.
"Yes?" He answered back with a deep, expression-less voice.
"Can you please drive us somewhere? ...I'm the fan who won the competition by the way, and I just want to go and....see my sick grandmother, that's it!!" I ask a little too excited that I found the perfect lie to take us to the hospital. I hoped my 'V.I.P.' status would get us somewhere.
"Your sick grandmother? Wait...are you Namja Chang?" he asks now with a bit of suprise in his voice.
"Yes..and you see they called me yesterday, and told me that my grandmother was taken in...and that see wanted to see me...so..." I say with the best sad and hurt voice I can manage. This was probably the best acting I've done in years...I hope he buys it.
While I'm sitting there trying to convince the chaffeur to drive us, Leo was just standing there, shocked at how I thought up all those lies in less than 3 seconds. Well...it's a talent, what can I say?
"Well...of course Mr. Chang. We wouldn't want you sewing us for not allowing you to see your sick grandma, now would we?" he adds in a joking tone.
I snap my fingers at him, and give him a 'a-ha' look. He gestures for us to get in the back of the van..wierd..I thought he would ask why Leo was coming along...but he didn't...I am lucky, I'm convinced.

---

We arrive at the hospital just as the sun was beginning to set. I told the chauffer to wait until we were done, and he obliged. Being a special guest really works doesn't it?
We went to the front desk and asked which room Leo's mother was in. Well Leo did, at least.
"Excuse me...can you tell me which room Ms. Jung Mee-Yon is in?" He asks the suprised nurse behind the desk. Her cheeks were starting to turn a slight pink. Was she a Starlight?
Wait...Mee-Yon? Huh...his mother..has the same name with my sister. Wow. Coincidences, huh? They either leave you breathless, or heartless...
"Yes. Right this way." The nurse said as she made her way out the dask area, and gestured for us to follow her down the white, empty corridor, that had doors and rooms on each of it's sides. Some closed, some open. Sick people, sleeping people, smiling people...crying people... I hope nothing happened to Leo's mother, because I don't want to have to witness him cry and punch the bed matress like these people...please let her be ok...please...
The nurse stopped in front of a white, closed door. She slowly opened it, never lifting up her head. I think it's because she was probably completely pink by now.
She opened it up completely for us, and then excused herself. It's probably because she couldn't take Leo's face anymore.
We stepped inside the room. And that's when it all went downhill.
Inside, Leo's mother was lying on a white, rough-looking hospital bed, covered with equally white blankets, pillows lying behind her head and an IV stuck in her arm. Her pretty long, black hair was draped over the pillows like a curtain. She looked peaceful, calm. Like a doll. She deserves her name too. She is very beautiful. Now I get were Leo gets his looks...he looks a lot like his mother...
Leo almost directly flung himself to the side of the bed, and held his sleeping mother's IV-connected hand and arm. He started of with sobs, which turned into cries, and eventually into full on mourning...I couldn't handle his grief...I started tearing up too. I crouched by his side, and patted his back, softening his cries slightly...only slightly though...you could still here his crying all the way out the corridor, but...still, they softened...
He burried his head into the rough white blanket, close to were his mother's hand lay, and stayed there for a while. His cries were muffled but still audible. Poor, suffering Leo...my heart just clenched everytime I heard a muffled, painful, sorowful cry, come out his voice box...I had to sit down, before I break apart too.
I sat on the armchair behind Leo, deciding to let him calm down on his own, because I don't think I was helping much...I decided to give him time.
His mother was in the hospital after all...and she didn't look that good either...
Oh, please let her be ok...
Please...

---

The doctor noticed that someone was in Ms. Jung's room, after about 2 hours of sobbing from Leo, and me trying to comfort him, but epically failing at it.
He was suprised to see that it was her son there. They (Jellyfish CEO) probably told him already that Leo 'wouldn't be able to come and visit because of professional reasons'. Yeah, right...what crap..
"Well, Mr. Jung...you have no need to be so worried. Your mother is absolutely fine. She fainted because she was over-worked and exhaughsted, that's all. All she need's is some rest, and she'll be back on her feet...in fact, if you'd like to take her home now...I wouldn't keep you. Now, if you'll excuse me..." the doctor said before leaving the room with a caring smile.
She's fine? Really? We can take her home? Wow...well, Leo's gonna be ecstatic.
And I was right. The second the doctor left, his tear-marked face and neck, that only moments ago spelled nothing but grief, pain and hopelessness...were now alive with joy, comfort, and just plain happiness.
He slammed into me with a hug, from his over-joy, like we were friends for years, or something...forgetting that we met only a couple hours ago. He was just so happy and grateful, that he probably didn't even care...he was just so overjoyed, that the joy spread to me too...and I hugged him just as tight back.
"Thank you! Thank You! Thank You!" he kept repeating, again and again.
"It's ok...my pleasure...Now,let's get her home ok? You heard what the doctor said, eh?" I reassured and beamed at him.
The fact that I brought so much joy to someone, just made me feel so happy. I didn't do anything really...
He excitedly nodded...and then let go of me, and walked over to his sleeping mother. He crouched down, like he did minutes ago when he was crying, and held her hand. But this time, he wasn't crying because he didn't have hope...but because he had hope. Tears of happiness and relief, were travelling down his features now.
"Mum...mum, wake up...it's me Leo..." He whispered in that cute, mousy voice, that I've grown to actually really like listening to. Even though I've known him for maybe 3-5 hours, I've been through more with him in these last couple of hours, than I've been with my friends for the past couple of YEARS! Sis was right....Idols do suffer a lot more than normal people sometimes...
Mrs. Jung slowly started to flutter her eyelids, and eventually she opened them, to reveal 2 gorgeous hazelnut-colored irises.
"Leo...? W-why are you here...? I thought they said you weren't going to come." Mrs. Jung asks,her pretty profile starting to taint with unsettleness and confusion.
They told her that he wasn't coming? Those bastards...
"Well, that doesn't matter now mum...what matters is that you're well and healthy....now let's get you home so that you can get some rest, ok?" Leo, said his voice full of, love, relief and slight...frustration.
They betrayed him after all. His own company. I would be pissed to, if my mother was lying in a hospital bed, and some jerks wouldn't allow me to go and see her, for 'professional reasons'. Yeah, as if my mother's LIFE, is less important than some stupid performances...retards.
Mrs. Jung moves her other arm and puts her soft palm, on Leo's right cheek, and she begins to stroke it, comforting her son...like any mother would do.
I miss my mum now...
Her eyes suddenly move from comforting Leo, to glaring at me. So she finally noticed me, huh?
"Leo...who's your...friend?" She asks in a typical worried , mother-like tone.
I waste no time introducing myself. Leo's been through too much in one day...I gotta support him. I can introduce myself.
"I'm Namja Chang maa'm. But please, call me Red. It's a pleasure to meet you." I walk over and confidently introduce myself, like I'm some kind of royalty, while gently shaking her out-streched hand.
Her face goes from suspicious, to delighted. I made a good first impression. I'm good at those. I think...
"Well...it's nice to meet you too, young man. You make good friends Leo, dear. I'm impressed." She turns and grins at the now shy, Leo.
"Mum...!" he groans.
She just chuckles, and playfully punches him on the shoulder. She's nice, and funny, like any typical loving mum...I like her.
"Now. Which one of you boys will help me get up and out of here?" She asks with a snicky grin.
"I WILL!!" Leo straightened up and said, with me in unison. We both looked at each other like idiots. And then burst out laughing...like idiots.
"I didn't doubt it for a moment..." Mrs. Jung smirked at us, before laughing along.
When we finally calmed down, we helped her get up and dressed, and then carefully, escorted her out the hospital doors, and into the comfort of the big, black van.
The chauffeur looked a bit bewildered, when he saw a woman entering the van with us. So, I had to 'explain', basically lie, that she was my 'sick grandmother' and that we had to drop her off home.
Mrs. Jung just laughed at my sneakiness, but played along. She's a really cool mum. If my mum caught me lying, she would saw my ear, and half my head off.
The chauffeur was a little amazed that my grandmother was so young, but didn't question any further...he didn't even flinch when Leo, instead of me, started giving him directions to MY 'grandmother's' house.
I think he just didn't bother with the wierdness anymore. His brain must've gotten tired of trying to figure it out...he just gave up.

---

Mrs. Jung's house looked like a cute little cottage, with red brick walls and a pretty pine-wood door. It also had a pretty garden with flowers, trees, even vegetables. The roof was also a classic cottage-style roof. It looked really, really adorable. I could live in that house. It was built a couple of kilometers outside of Seoul, so she was basically in the country-side. With pretty fields, and other cute little houses. It must be so peaceful in the summer...all quiet and warm with the sun shining down on you, while you drink your cocktail out on the little table and chairs, placed just in front of the garden...must be heaven.
Leo gets out of the van with his mother, while I decide to stay inside and not get in the way, of their probably, very teary and heart-felt goodbye...I mean, who knows how long it's been since they've seen each other? Days, Months...Years? I better not stand behind all that drama, like an idiot waiting there for some sort of attention...no, I'd much rather stay in the car.
And I was right. Their goodbye was full of tears, hugs, back rubs and loving words. Leo was worried that there was something seriously wrong with her, and he's probably so relieved now, that he doesn't want to let her go, just in case something happens again. He's going to be even more worried now...he's going to miss her even more...
After 17 minutes of all that heart-break, Leo finally says an actual goodbye, and then walks down the garden steps, and then while wiping his tears, he gets back in the van. He's sniffing, and looking at his hands that are shaking in his lap, his head lowered.
I feel so guilty for so many unknown reasons...I think it's the fact that I witnessed so much grief and pain, coming from one person, all in one day...I want to comfort him. He's had enough pain today....
I reach out, and calm his shaking hands. He looks up, and his tear-filled eyes, meet my calm ones...and that gives him some sort of relief. I can feel it. His hands aren't trembling as much now...

---

When we finally arrived at Jellyfish Entertainment, Leo was asleep on my shoulder, while still holding my hands tightly and thankfully. I was also resting my head on his head, but gently, because I didn't want to wake him. That gave me a bit a cramp in my neck, but I tried to ignore it.
I look out the van's frosted windows, and what I saw made me forget all about cramps, hospitals and mothers.
The other members of VIXX were getting in another van. They were all dressed up, and they had their manager with them...where are they going?
Oh, no. I just thought of a reason. I nudge Leo awake, hoping my hunch is wrong.
"Eh....Leo? Do you have a...performance tonight?" I ask, hoping from the depths of my heart I'm wrong...
"...um...yes. We do. At Music Bank, I think...why?" he answers sleepily, and relaxed.
Oh crap. The other members would actually go to a show without him?? What kind of a group are you then? But...I don't think it's up to them...it's all this goddamn company's fault.
I hectically tell the chaffeur to stop, grab Leo by his arm, open the door like a mad man, and sprint down the road, all the way to the van, Usain Bolt-style. I actually forgot that I was dragging a sleepy Leo along with me. I was pretty much scraping the poor guy of his feet, and then throwing him into the van, making him even more petrified than he was before. I get in the van, and ask a very inportant question to the startled members.
"...have..h-have we made it in time?" I pant, barely able to gather my breath.
They just nod, completely stunned by the whole situation.
"B-But...where were you all this time? Our manager was actually gonna leave without you!" N, shouted at Leo, his voice cracking and his eyes full of tears.
I knew it. I knew it wasn't their choice to leave without Leo. It was all up to the manager (the company basically). They were probably crying and arguing about it before, because their eyes were all red and puffy.
Does everyone have to suffer in this industry? I'm not sure I'm excited about my sister becoming a singer anymore...
I answered for the scared and upset Leo. He was too shocked and stunned to even begin to form words to say.
"We'll explain later...now isn't a great time..now, where's that manager? Tell him that...Leo has arrived..." I seriously announce to N. He just bitterly and sadly nods, before turning to the guy who was sitting in the passenger's seat, and whispers something in his ear. The manager. He just turns around and gives us the thumbs up, relieved that he got here in time.
The whole time this is happening, Leo is just sitting there and staring at me, thankfully, gratefully and...like I'm some sort of hero, or something.
Well...today...I guess I was kind of like a hero.

---

We got to the studio just in time. The same atmosphere, sounds, smells and feelings like M! Countdown. I just remember how petrified and rediculously nervous I was that night. The way my heart beat up my chest and lungs before I got on stage...the way I had so much fun in the end...ah, memories. Now, I've been featured on so many shows, I don't even get so nervous anymore.
Leo gets dressed and make-uped just like the others, while the others get their make-up ad clothes freshened and fixed before they go on stage.
They stand at the side of the stage, ready, and waiting to step out, any second.
Finally, the stage director gestures for them to go, and they step up the stairs one by one and wave to the audience.
The last one to go on is Leo, and the second before he goes on, he turns around...and smiles at me. The whole day I've been with him, and I've never seen him genually smile at me...his smile is breath-taking. A smile like that would even melt a guy's heart.
Mine, for example.

---

They perform Voodoo Doll, [hyde], On and On, and of course their brand new song, Error. I love all those songs. And I know every single choreography to them. So, I couldn't help myself. I started dancing along with them. Me backstage, them on the stage. The passing staff just stopped what they were doing, and just watched me dance instead. Hell, even some Idols stopped and stared. And when the last song was done, I finally noticed I was being watched...why did our teacher have to teach us how to 'dance like no one's watching'?
I turned rosy-pink and shyly bowed, when they started clapping and whistling. I was embarrassed...but also a tiny bit proud. Proud, that I managed to make professional Idols, hairdressers, make-up artists, even choreographers, clap for me.
It was even worse when the members came out and looked wierded out, because they didn't know who they were clapping for...the next group was already on stage.
But when they spotted me, a wave of realization and laughter hit them. They laughed and started clapping along too...gee, thanks.
I just started to feel like I was burning, and feeling a little bit dizzy from the embarrassment, and that's when the guys called it a day. They came in and thanked the crowd, but then whisked me away from their sights.
I thanked them, but also playfully punched them, for not saving me earlier.
But what was about to happen, would make me wish we stayed in the building longer...a lot longer...

---

When we got out the studio, we thankfully, didn't get hit by a surge of crazy Starlights.
But we did get hit with something crazy.
This man, who I remember seeing leaning against the wall, when we arrived the studio, suddenly started to march toward us, taking big strides, each stride bringing him closer, and closer...
I don't like this...
He walked all the way to the van, till' he was just 2-3 meters away from where we all stood still, instead of getting in the van...well everyone else, instead of me and Leo.
There was something about him that made Leo tense up, and start trembling all over. His lips started quivering, and his eyes widened, not from fear...but from realization.
And what he said next, stopped my mind from racing.

"D-Dad?" he quietly and weakly muttered.

Dad?

You mean...this un-shaved, dirty-looking man...is Leo's father? WHA-?! There has to be some mistake....there just has to be...
But when the man started to evily chuckle...I unfortunately realized that Leo indeed recognized this man, as his father...
"W-What are you doing here?" Leo asked stunned and utterly terrified of him. His voice was cracking so badly. He was seriously scared of his father.
Why?
"I-I thought they put you in prison after...a-after what you did to..mum..." He wimpers, tears starting to make their way down his distressed features.
'What he did to mum'? You mean...this bastard...beat up, his mum?!!
Now, that I was getting the picture, of how vile and disgusting this man is on the outside, and the inside, anger was starting to boil inside of me.
The man just chuckled like a lunatic.
"Well...you see Leo dear," he started, his voice all sweet, and sickengly evil, "I got out last month, but no one seemed to...care, or visit me, or even write me a letter...not even my own wife and son...so...I decided to visit on my own. I already payed a visit to your sweet, mother...and left her a little something to enjoy...a very expensive blend of food spices...that I made myself of course...so tell me, did the...hospital treat her well??!!" he asked, and then burst laughing like a complete psycho.
Wait...spices...his own blend...?
....he didn't...
He couldn't have...
But I think he's crazy enough to...I think he...
Poisoned Leo's mother...
His mother passed out because.....of the poison that was on the spices, not because of exhaughstion...that bastard...
I think Leo thought the same, because he dropped to his knees and screamed up at his father, his voice nothing but agony,
"WHY!!?? HOW COULD YOU!!!? WHAT KIND OF A FATHER ARE YOU!!?" he brushed away the waterfall of tears flowing down his eyes, and then said, with the same voice but not screaming this time, "You're not the man who raised me...the man who taught me how to fight for my dreams...the man who made me smile...you're not that man...now you're nothing but a monster! A monster that needs to be locked away, or better yet...KILLED!!" he screamed the last part, rage and grief filling his voice.
Leo...I didn't know he had such serious family problems...oh,Leo...
His knees gave up on him, and he just lied down on his side on the pavement, while covering his broken and now leaking-with-tears, face.
And to think that some hours ago, this very same face was smiling, and bright. Full of joy uncontained...well not anymore...thanks to this demon standing in front of us...
His father just laughed at him. Genually laughing. Enjoying every single bit of his tormenting, like it was a game of chess...where Leo lost his queen, and he lost his....humanity...
All the screaming and commosion, made the other members and the manager come out the van.
But instead of shouting at the psychopath, or calling the police,they just stood there.
Unmoving. With shock and terror covering their faces.
They're looking at something straight ahead. But I'm too busy trying desparetly to give some sort of comfort to Leo, that I don't bother to look at what they're staring at.
That is...until the manager whispers, " Don't...move..."
That's when I think something is seriously wrong.
And when I look up to where the beast is standing...I understand everything.

He's holding a gun....
And he's pointing it straight at Leo...
No...He wouldn't dare...
Not his own son...
His own blood...
"Goodbye...my son...it was nice to have made you..." he snickers.
He fingers are on the trigger.
Without even giving it a second thought, he pulls it...
"NO!!!" I wail, louder than I ever have before, and lunge my body in front of Leo's lying one.
I hear the gun shoot.

But I can't see where the bullet landed...
I can't really feel a lot either..
My left arm has gone completely numb...

I look down at my left shoulder, and see nothing but red...

Red...
Red..
Red...everywhere...
On me, on Leo, who's holding me up...
On the pavement I'm lying on...
Everywhere...
Red...
Have...I...
Been shot???

I'm too dizzy to figure out what's going on...
Someone is calling for help...
I think it's Leo....
I can't tell...
The screams are sounding distant...
Everything's turning blurry, and muddled...

The last thing I remember...
Is the color Red...

Before the color Black, drowned me...

Notes

Sorry guys, if I broke your heart again with this one~ x'(