The Midnight Paradise Effect

Silver Hill High School bell tolls at 6:00 like always and many students rush towards the front entrance.

“Why do we have to start so early?” Some female student whined while breaking a sweat running along with her friends.

“Hurry up!” Her friends urged.

They passed the gate and past Mi-ri. “It never hurts to be early girls!” She exclaimed while they bowed before catching their breaths.

Mi-ri sighed. “Jin is going to be late again like always.” She muttered.

“Not this time.” Mi-ri turned back astonished to see Jin behind her and past the gate already.

“What—how?!” She couldn't find her words right.

Jin chuckled at her loss of words. “Didn't expect that did ya?”

“Jin…” She noticed him wearing the eye patch she gifted him, her hand by instinct wanted to touch it but in a swift move he flinched away.

“Let’s head inside. I’ll walk you to class.” He urged intertwining arms with Mi-ri.

“Wait but the gate.”

“I’m sure Jae can handle it alone.” Jae turned back to Mi-ri and gave her a salute that he has it under control.

“Hurry people before I shut the gate on your face!” Jae warned causing people to sprint faster past him.

“Uh thanks Jae!” Mi-ri gave a small wave before being pulled roughly by Jin. “Ow! Take it easy. What's the rush?” Her eyebrows knitted together in suspicion of Jin’s character change. Don't tell me this is permanent.

“Sorry.” Jin apologized with a small chuckle walking her pace this time. “I just wanted to walk with you is all.”

She frowned. “You almost always do anyways, but answer me honestly why is today different? You feel…off. What's with you? Are you feeling okay? You shouldn't have come to school after that, incident the other night—ow!” Mi-ri quickly tried to pull her arm away from Jin’s now tensed lock on her.

“Oh! I’m sorry.” He immediately pulled away. “I didn't realize how tough I was.”

“Hmph…it’s alright Jin but where did this strength come from? You are usually soft and gentle.” Mi-ri continued walking while rubbing her now aching arm.

Jin caught up. “I’m sorry Mi-ri, I don't know where this is coming from. I mean, I feel like me but I’m not me.” He tried to explain but to his surprise Mi-ri pulled on his sleeve passing both their home rooms heading up staircases. “Wait Mi-ri we passed our classes. Where are you taking me?”

She roughly opened the door to the rooftop and pushed him out so she can close the door behind her to give them some privacy. “W-what has gotten into you?” Jin gave her an innocent doe-eyed expression, slightly curious about her next move.

Mi-ri ran up to him hugging onto his waist. “Jin,” she gulped while her eyes blinked several times trying to find a starting point on how to confess. She looked up into his curious eyes. “Jin I lo-”

“Well didn’t we interrupt a meaningful moment between Beauty and her Beast?” Nam-joon chuckled appearing with the rest of his crew. He held a beer can in his hand crushing it against his head.

Jin had a distasteful look on his face clearly pissed at Nam-joon’s unwelcomed presence. “What the hell are you doing up here?”

Nam-joon scoffed. “I’m a Silver Hill student too! I have rights!” He pointed towards his blazers emblem. “Hey sweetheart!” He waved and winked at Mi-ri finally giving her full acknowledgment.

Jin defensively pulled her behind him. “Mi-ri let’s go talk elsewhere since there is uninvited company lingering here.” Jin opens the rooftop door but a foot pushes it back slamming it shut. Jin glares at Jung-kook who only smirked back at him amusingly.

“Sorry my foot slipped.”

Jin sighed. “Nam-joon please tell your goons to fuck off.”

“Whoa!” Nam-joon chuckled amused of Jin’s language. “‘Please’ and ‘fuck’ in the same sentence, that's a Janus for you!” He pointed at Jin laughing. “I always knew you were a two-faced bastard—ever since we were kids.”

Jin chuckled in a dark tone making goosebumps appear on Mi-ri’s skin. He is different. She realized. “It's funny Nam-joon, you look like a dumbass but you are smart when it comes to people. For a moment, when we were kids, I thought you definitely had you father’s stupid looks and your mother's dim witted brain.”

Mi-ri gasped because by this time Nam-joon had a tight white knuckled grip on Jin’s collar while pinning him with a loud bang onto the door. The other members were just as surprised between the slight revealment of their past.

Nam-joon had his teeth clenched with a furious burning sensation in his eyes. “Give me a good reason to not kill you this very instant.”

Jin smirked wickedly. “You wouldn't want the bloodshed to live on in a girl’s conscious for the rest of her life, would you?” They both turned to Mi-ri who seemed to tremble in her position focused on Jin’s sinister stare making her weaken in fear. I-I don't know who he is anymore. Has he lied to me the same way he has to Nam-joon? Please tell me it isn’t true! Mi-ri closed her eyes letting tears slip as she began to whimper.

Seeing Mi-ri like that immediately turned Nam-joon soft. He let go of Jin not caring about him anymore, every hint of anger has dispersed from Nam-joon as he instinctively walked up to Mi-ri pulling her into his embrace. He placed her head on his chest as he began to pet her hair. “I’m sorry for starting this Mi-ri, I didn't mean to scare or hurt you.” He spoke with soothing sincerity.

The members were appalled by Nam-joon’s sudden change from tough leader to a girl’s softie girlfriend.

Jin blinked several times finally realizing the current events. What did I do? Where did this me come from? Did I scare Mi-ri?

The door busted open throwing Jin to his knees and startling everyone else. Tae-hyung showed up waving beer in the air. “I brought more cold ones!” His eyes smiled before a look of confusion appeared on his face while he eyed BTS members, Nam-joon holding onto teary eyed Mi-ri, and a roughed up Jin on the floor. “What did I miss guys?!” He smiled like a dork.

Bam-mi contently kept up next to Chan-gyu while they both walked the sunny morning streets together in the heart of Seoul’s shopping district. She walked barefooted with basketball shorts on and a hoody, both stolen from Jin’s closet this morning.

Bam-mi glanced Chan-gyu’s way while he focused on the continuous sidewalk trying to get to his destination. Just like the good old days, well almost. She reminisced of the past. Except this time I can hold his hand. She slid her hand into his.

Chan-gyu felt a small warm soft hand interact with his. He pulled away and grabbed her by the wrist. “Don't do that. Get the idea out of your head.” Bam-mi only smiled while he pulled her into a woman's clothing shop. “Here we can find you proper intimates and decent clothing.” He pushed her ahead. “Choose what you want.” Bam-mi turned to see him sit on a sofa facing the dressing rooms. “Go on.” He urged. “I have to get to work after this so hurry!”

Bam-mi slowly retreated from his side eyeing things curiously before gaining confidence running around seeing what appeals to her.

Chan-gyu sighed exhausted rubbing his high cheekbone while surfing through his phone seeing several news articles demonstrating rising numbers of people going mad and civilians protesting for government answers but even they admit to not having a clue but are determined to find out. “Yeah right.” Chan-gyu scoffed.

Bam-mi sniffed towards the lingerie section picking up a beautifully laced bra curiously. “What a good choice!” A saleswoman startled her from behind. “Are you picking out something sexy to wear tonight for your boyfriend?” She whispered while Bam-mi only nodded with a tint of blush on her full cheeks. “Excellent! It is a two piece and I’ll even add a silk robe for free. Are you ready to check out?” Bam-mi only nodded. “Great come with me to the register.”

Chan-gyu looks up from his phone to see if Bam-mi was still running around but no sight of her in the woman’s clothing section or in lingerie section either. “Bam-mi?”

“That would be $49.95.”

Chan-gyu turned to the direction of the cash register seeing Bam-mi peek through the bag in her hands with a smile. “Bam-mi!” He marched up there and snatched the bag from her. “Why didn’t you go get me once you found some clothes? I’m the one with the money!”

“Oh, I didn’t know you came shopping with your handsome boyfriend.” The saleswoman blushed. Bam-mi just hugged onto his arm without her bright smile leaving her face.

Chan-gyu was clearly annoyed. “I am not her boy-” Bam-mi just hugged him tighter. “What did you get anyways?” He rummaged and revealed a laced bra and red panties. Chan-gyu’s face instantly blushed as he quickly threw the bag back onto the counter. “Miss we are NOT buying that thing. I’ll help her look.” He pulled on Bam-mi’s hand taking her to the clothing section. “Look here okay!” He pointed to the sexy lingerie section, “NOT over there!”

Bam-mi pouted but acknowledged it with a nod as her hand lifelessly looked through the lame clothes. I wanted something really-really special for Chan-gyu. She sighed picking up a small size denim jumpsuit. “Here.” Chan-gyu handed her a pack of regular white granny panties and another pack of plain sports bras. “I hope they fit. They are the smallest size.” He cleared his throat while she slowly took them in her free hand. “I’ll buy you more clothes tomorrow. For now I have to get to the Police Department early.”

Both went to check out. The saleswoman smiled and took care of it while Chan-gyu paid. Bam-mi took the opportunity to walk out of the store into Seoul’s busy streets full of shoppers and vendors. For now I have to get to the Police Department early. Bam-mi pouted. You’re not going anywhere early. You have to stay with me! She crossed her arms looking back at him in the mirror while he handled the bag in his hand ready to head out. Bam-mi smirked disappearing into the large crowds. Wanna get there early, well, you better come and find me quick!

“Thank you.” Chan-gyu began to walk out but noticed Bam-mi wasn’t out there waiting for him. “Bam-mi?” He looked around the department store easily since he is a tall man but no sight of her was found. He walked out into the street seeking Bam-mi through the crowd. “Damn it.” He cursed. Where could she have gone?

Bam-mi giggled seeing Chan-gyu in her eyesight constantly looking for her. You’re never gonna find me Chan-gyu! She skipped around and hid into an alleyway peeking to see if she caught sight of Chan-gyu again.

The sounds of loud coughing startled her into looking back to see a group of men taking some dosages of a strange pill. She stared at the pill wide eyed, mostly at it’s symbol. Where have I seen it? She tried to remember.

“Hey girl.” One of the guys called out to her making her step back against the wall. He confidently walked up to her. “Want to pop one?” His large hand pressed against the wall near her with the symbolized pill playing in his hand. Bam-mi only stared back at him with fear and shook her head away. “Don’t worry babe, it isn’t so bad once you’ve tried it.” He neared it towards Bam-mi’s mouth but she only tried to step back. His hand against the wall slid down to her mid-back pulling her closer to him. “Open up sweetheart!” His smile began to grow grotesquely wide and his eyes appeared to turn bloodshot in an instant second. Her hands pressed against his chest forcefully trying to push him away while with each second the pill came close to her lips. “Just one pill...is all you need!”
“Ah!” A strong hand pulled his arm backwards forcefully.

Bam-mi felt herself be freed and she quickly stepped back as far as she could seeing Chan-gyu defending her. “The lady doesn’t want it.” Chan-gyu pushed him to the wall. “Now, you are going to tell me where you got that pill you are holding.”

“I ain’t telling you nothing!” The guy took the pill and started laughing as the effects began to grow stronger. “You’ll never know!” He laughs. Chan-gyu pushed him towards the rest who began to show drastic changes as well. He stepped back. We need to get out of here. Bam-mi held onto Chan-gyu’s arm afraid of these normal human beings turning into monsters in a matter of seconds. She tugged on him urging to leave.

Chan-gyu suddenly remembered Jin’s damaged eye with that foggy symbol on it. Could it be? He turned to them seeing the symbol slowly beginning to form in their eyes. Bam-mi covered his eyes with her small hands as she pushed him away from the alley. Could it be...that Jin was almost going to turn into one of...those things? Bam-mi pulled on his hand while they ran through the streets and people whose talking soon began to turn into mute screams in Chan-gyu’s ears while his mind is in deep concern for Jin. Or could it possibly be that Jin has yet to become one of these monsters?

The school day progressed while Jin tapped his pen on his desk waiting for lecture to be over so he could jump out the window and head for the school walls. Jin was startled by the bell ring and just sat there while all class students chilled and the teacher left for coffee in the break room like always. He checked his phone for time, 10:23 a.m. Jin exhaled some air as he began to grow slightly nervous with each ticking second. I have to do this. I need to know. I have every right to know! He stood up from his desk and opened the window.

“Jin what are you doing?” Some female students called out.

“Is he ditching school right now?”

“He’s going to get in serious trouble.”

Jin smiled. “I’ll be back in the afternoon.” hoping out onto the tree. Many students turned to the windows to see him out.

“We’ll cover for you! Don’t worry man!” Some of the guys called out.

Jin waved back before running to the school walls.

Mi-ri tapped a finger on her school lunch contemplating on something. Should I share? Did Jin even bring lunch this time? Is he going to go the cafeteria? Should I ask him now? Well we are on break right. She stood up from her desk walking out of her classroom.

“Did you hear Jin Choi just ditched today?”

“Really! What is up with him wearing an eyepatch to school today? He looks weird.”

“I think he looks cool. Then again I always thought he was cute.” The two girls walked by with their conversation entering Mi-ri’s ears.

“What?!” Mi-ri startled them both. “Where did he go?” She demanded for the girls to tell her.

One of them only shrugged. “We don’t know. I thought you two were friends, you always hang out together. If anyone should know it would be you.”

The other one tugged on her girlfriend’s shoulder. “They aren’t probably that close anymore. I heard Jin made her cry this morning on the rooftop.” Both girls decided to gossip in front of Mi-ri while she only angrily pushed them aside to head out to the walls. Hopefully I’m not too late! Jin don’t do anything stupid!

“Jin! JIN!” Mi-ri called out to the tree on the other side of the wall hoping he could answer, but it seems that he was long gone. “Hmph!” Mi-ri headed towards the gate with her own lock down key. I don’t care. I need to see Jin, I need to go stop him from doing anything stupid!

Without noticing she passed Nam-joon he caught her with his long arm on her waist. “Whoa where are you headed girly?” He questioned while she only tried to tug away.

“I’m going to look for Jin--let go!” She snapped back at him to his surprise but he still didn’t let her go.

“No! You are not going anywhere near that bastard!”

She stopped struggling and turned to him furiously. “Who the hell do you think you are telling me who I can and cannot see?! I can see Jin whenever the FUCK I WANT! AND I WANT TO SEE HIM NOW!” Her explosive attitude caught Nam-joon off guard but still to no avail would he let her go.

“You are really going to go after that monster? The one you saw earlier this morning! The monster that made you cry?!”

“JIN IS NOT A MONSTER!” Mi-ri pulled away and slapped Nam-joon instinctively.

She realized what she has done and tears began to fall down her cheeks. “Nam-joon, I-I’m so sorry I didn’t me-” He roughly pulled her into a kiss while Mi-ri was shocked with wide eyes but managed to push him away and slap him on the same cheek. “Stay away from me!” Her voice quivered as she ran to the gate opening it running as fast as she could outside.

Nam-joon only chuckled bitterly rubbing the end of his mouth where her nail slightly split his lip. “I always knew you were my tough cookie.” He smiled, proud almost.

Jin walked out of the bus and headed into the Hongdae District walking into the almost desolate party street. A few low-key hookers stood in shaded areas near their massage parlors taking a smoke. Jin gulped trying to avoid eye contact while they glared at the Silver Hill highschooler. He looked for the right street leading him to Red Destination.

“Here it is.” He murmured. Remember, get as much information as possible. He exhaled before opening the door to the main entrance.

The bouncer inside stopped him. “State your business?” Jin revealed the printed ticket. He nodded giving him access beyond the curtains. “It’s the last door on the left.” He informed.

Jin only nodded. “Thanks.” He walked in the dark club with only dim red light bulbs all around. He eyed the stage seeing a bra-less Korean woman stripping herself of her panties in front of the old man that sat down on a table with a clear boner in between his legs. Jin turned away trying to focus. This place is disturbing. He got a disgusted shiver down his spine.

Soon he walked through a hallway and went left like he was instructed. Last door, the last door. While his converse stepped on the now red carpeted floor he heard the sounds of moaning and headboards pounding on the walls of these, what he guesses, are sex rooms. He finally stopped near the last door on the left but felt his shoe step on something. Jin looked down to see a used condom on his shoe. “Ugh! Ew!” He quickly wiggled it off and pressed his back against the door terrified. This place is fucking disgusting!

The door opens with Jin almost falling inside. Good thing he has balance. “Where’s your ticket ese?” Jin was surprised to see a Hispanic tattooed man opening the door.

“I-uh-hm? What?” Jin was at a loss for words but the man snatched the ticket from Jin’s fingers.

“Hm. Checks out.” The man was waiting for Jin to fully step inside. “Boy get yo ass in here!” He pulled Jin inside.

“Awaiting a delivery?” A Korean male came up to Jin taking the ticket. “One bottle was it?” Jin only nodded. He disappeared behind a bead curtain.

Jin gulped. “Who makes it?” It was stupid but Jin attempted.

The Hispanic male pointed his gun at Jin. “Ask again and I will shoot you fool.” He only nodded and looked down at his converse. I can’t let this chance slip away. Jin tried to search the room for answers but it had it’s fair share of clutter that appeared useless.

“Catch!” Jin turned to the Korean guy but it only hit him on the eye patch. “Sorry.” He chuckled while Jin held it in his hands.

“Thanks.” He muttered.

“Did you get an embarrassing shiner or something?” The Korean dealer asked curiously. “Can I see?”

Jin slightly touched the eye patch. It doesn’t hurt like it did the first time. I wonder if I’m okay now? “If I show you and tell you would you tell me something about this?” He shook the bottle.

The Hispanic guy was getting a little defensive but the Korean guy waved a hand. “No it’s alright. Deal kid, but you go first.”

“Very well then.” Jin’s hand slightly rose to the back of his head to loosen the knot.

Mi-ri rushed through the streets reaching Jin and Chan-gyu’s apartment. She banged on the door. “Jin? Chan-gyu? Anybody?!” She rang the doorbell endlessly.

Bam-mi tugged on Chan-gyu and he looked up to see a frantic Mi-ri pounding at their door. “Mi-ri?” He called out confused.

Mi-ri gasped. “Chan-gyu, Bam-mi! Have you seen Jin?” She asked desperately worried.

“He’s not in school?!” Chan-gyu furrowed his brows beginning to grow angry and frustrated again.

“Please help me find out where he is! I fear he is going to do something very stupid!” Mi-ri urged as Chan-gyu pressed their digit code. The apartment door beeped access and Mi-ri immediately walked in without even bothering to take off her shoes. “Jin?” She opened his bedroom door with no sight of him. Where could he be?

The eye patch fell to the floor. Jin’s eyes were completely closed. “Let’s see it.” The Korean dealer urged.

Mi-ri turned to his desktop and quickly sat on the office chair turning it on. “What were you hiding from me Jin?” Both Chan-gyu and Bam-mi appeared at Jin’s door.

She entered on Jin’s profile and clicked to his history and noticed a strange site and clicked on it.

Purchase Order Details 1 Bottle : Midnight Paradise
Pick Up At 12:00 p.m. Location - Hongdae District, Red Destination.

“Midnight Paradise was the reason why my eye became…” Jin opened his eyes, “this.” Both men stare at it terrified. Jin’s eye was no longer a foggy symbol but a red and clear symbol.

“Ahh!” Both men begin to get on there knees in agonizing pain looking through his eyes. “It is burning into me!” They both exclaimed. “Kill me!” They pleaded. “It is unbearable!”

Jin closed his eyes feeling a strange sense overcome his own person. It was thirst. “Ah!” His other eye began to surge pain. “What’s happening to m-” Strange growls began to replace his words. “Ah!” His teeth began to grow sharper. MAKE IT STOP!

The Korean dealer’s eyes were completely bloodshot as he crawled to Jin’s feet. “It poisons me from the inside.” He breathed out. “Kill me!” He begged.

Jin growled. “With pleasure!” he revealed his dark eyes with the symbol engraved in both.
The walls of the room and the clutter were splattered with blood and screams. I am a monster.

Notes