6 Chapter 6 (2/2)
”Circus,” said Yoon.
”Bowling,” said Faith.
”Star raiders,” said Jimmy, again feeling relieved.
”Space invaders,” said TaeTae.
Tannie was still thinking, then got completely distracted when they all did a countdown. ”7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1! You're it! You're conquering your fear today!” He scratched his head and took out the piece of paper with his fear. Yoon took it from him.
”Wow, you're claustrophobic? We didn't know that.” Faith commented, as he looked while Yoon was holding his paper.
”You should've lied. I didn't write down my real fear, just in case.” Jimmy said.
”Me too,” said Joony.
”You cheaters!” Yoon cried out, though it didn't have any impact on any of them.
”What should we let him do?” Faith asked.
They all stepped out of the van and looked at the abandoned office building. The next thing that happened, Tannie was inside a small storage room that they found in the first office space they walked into. Faith closed the door with a thumb-twist knob or interior lockset that can only be opened from outside. ”We're just right outside and will be back in two minutes,” he said.
”You can do it, Tannie. You can conquer your fear.” TaeTae said.
”Just count 120, Tannie.” Joony called out as they quickly headed outside and towards the van.
Jimmy's face suddenly looked terrified as he checked on Jeon who was too pale and sweaty. ”Jeon!” They all gathered, panicking at the sight of Jeon's lifeless face. ”What's happening? He doesn't look good.” He took out a handkerchief to dry his clammy face, trying to hold back his tears. ”Jeon, I told you not to come with us, you stubborn little kid.”
Joony checked his neck and wrist for his pulse. ”Let's take him to the hospital.”
Jinny and the rest of them scurried inside and left, not realizing that they had left Tannie.
Jeon's case turned out to be a simple fever, but when TaeTae remembered they had left Tannie, an hour had already passed. They all realized they overreacted to Jeon's situation because they were all used to him being the strongest and playful one. Except for Jimmy who stayed with Jeon until his dad came, everyone went back to the abandoned office building. The minute they arrived, TaeTae called out his name from outside. ”Tannie, we're here!” They all scurried inside the office and opened the first office door on the left as they entered. ”Tannie?!” TaeTae called out.
”Why is he not responding?” Faith whispered; his eyes looked frightened.
TaeTae immediately turned the storage room's knob with a thumb twist and covered his mouth at Tannie's unconscious state. He placed his ears on his chest, relieved to feel that he was breathing. ”He's breathing,” he said. Everyone let out a heavy sigh. TaeTae and Faith painstakingly carried him all the way to Jinny's van, while Yoon and Joony swung the back door and held both sides for Tannie. When everyone was settled, Jinny drove the van as swift as he could. They were all silent, feeling guilty for what happened to Tannie and in their mind, they swore they wouldn't forgive themselves if something bad happened to him. When they got to the hospital, Jimmy and Mrs. Mendoza were outside waiting.
It was nine in the evening when the doctor relayed what they had all been dreading to hear; Tannie died of cardiac arrest that was caused by his sudden asthma attack. Mrs. Mendoza collapsed, and everyone else was in shock. A week later, Joony, Jinny, Yoon, Faith, Jimmy, TaeTae, and Jeon were found dead in a customized navy van outside the abandoned office building. The death was caused by carbon monoxide poisoning.