Lights blurred past the rain-streaked windows, neon smearing against the glass as their taxi drove by the lit buildings and lamp posts. His legs tremble, palms cold and clammy, as he pressed himself on the worn leather of the backseat. He hadn't realized he's been biting his fingernails — though it wouldn't matter now, it'd heal if he fails again, as if nothing happened.

As if nothing happened.

The young man took a deep breath out. He had tried many ways to escape this horror, but nothing seemed to help him become free.

Was this the third attempt?

Space began to feel cramped inside the taxi, even though it was just his thoughts bombarding him.

Fourth? No, fif—

"Jimin . . ." A tight voice broke him from his stupor.  There was no anger— never anger— just that aching concern that crushes Jimin's heart even more. That's just how Jeongguk is. Even though Jimin had dragged him out of the university building and pushed him inside a taxi with no explanation and so sudden, Jeongguk would always be patient when it comes to Jimin. " . . .what is going on?"

Jimin swallowed, his throat suddenly dry as Jeongguk queries. Jimin can't seem to bring himself to meet the latter's gaze as guilt continues to drown on him. Hence, Jimin turned his eyes to the taxi's dashboard instead.

And from the screen, the time hits 19:10.

Jimin has three minutes left.

"Jimin?" There is Jeongguk again, calling him softly.

Another light blurs past outside, flashing on them, but it could do nothing against the darkness that envelopes Jimin's mind. Blood. Crash. Death. Horrifying scenes kept playing inside Jimin's head.

He felt Jeongguk shift beside him, his hand reaching to hold his. Jeongguk is patient, but they both know that Jeongguk deserves to know this much.

Jeongguk asks again.

"I just left you sleeping in the library earlier, and now we're going to Daegu? Did something happen?" 

Yes.

Jimin squeezed his eyes shut. He prays, hoping that leaving Seoul will change a thing this time.

And it happens again and again.

When he opens his eyes, he finally looks at Jeongguk . His sweetest friend, Jeongguk. The boy he cherishes the most since childhood.

Jimin parted his lips, tears forming in his eyes.

"I'm sorry."

Then—

A blinding light. A deafening horn. It all happened so fast.

As the time hits 19:13.

Jimin wakes up, and it's 14:01 again.

And Jeongguk died for the fifth time.