Page 235 of Scarbound

Her expression tightened. “I’ll call him now.”

Noeul’s knees suddenly buckled. Duri caught him. This time, Noeul flinched but didn’t pull away.

“Hyung?”

His head fell briefly against Duri’s shoulder.

Duri felt panic rise again. “Noeul hyung.”

“I’m tired.”

The words were barely audible.

Duri looked toward his room. “Can we take you somewhere to lie down?”

Noeul didn’t answer.

Duri lowered his voice. “My room is right there.”

Still nothing.

“You don’t have to decide. We can stay here.”

Noeul’s eyelids fluttered. “Bed.”

Duri nodded. “Okay.”

The room was quiet, lit only by the warm glow of a small lamp. Duri guided Noeul toward the bed. When they reached it, Noeul simply stood there. He seemed to have forgotten what came next.

“Hyung.”

Noeul stared at the mattress.

“You can lie down.”

No response.

Duri waited. Then: “Can I help?”

Noeul’s eyes shifted toward him.

Duri raised his hand slightly but didn’t touch him. “Just your arm.”

A long pause. Then Noeul nodded.

Duri touched him. Noeul flinched. His entire body tightened automatically.

Duri stopped. “Do you want me to let go?”

Noeul stared at the bed, then slowly shook his head.

Duri helped him sit. He pulled the blanket around him but did not rub his back or continue touching him. Noeul curled slightly onto his side. Duri sat on the floor beside the bed, close enough to be visible, far enough not to crowd him.

Ji-Woo appeared quietly at the doorway. “He’s coming.”

“Who?”

“Dr. Daniels. Mrs. Kang reached him. He’s on his way now.”