**Chapter 43: Descent into Darkness**

The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the sound of Taehyun's labored breathing. He lay on the couch, his body spent, his mind numb. The darkness that had closed in around him seemed to have a life of its own, a palpable presence that pressed in on him from all sides. As he drifted in and out of consciousness, he was vaguely aware of the world outside his apartment, muffled and distant. The ringing of his phone had stopped, but he knew it would start again, shrill and insistent, demanding his attention. But for now, he was alone, lost in his own private hell. As the hours ticked by, Taehyun's body began to stir, his muscles aching, his mouth dry. He tried to sit up, but a wave of nausea washed over him, forcing him back onto the couch. He lay there, his eyes closed, his chest heaving, as he struggled to calm his racing heart. The memories of the previous night's binge were hazy, but the pain and regret were all too real. The sound of his phone ringing again cut through the silence, and Taehyun groggily reached for it. He hesitated for a moment, his thumb hovering over the screen, before he finally answered it. The voice on the other end was familiar, but Taehyun couldn't quite place it. He mumbled a greeting, his voice hoarse from disuse. "Taehyun, it's Min-ji. I've been trying to reach you for hours. Where are you?" The concern in her voice was palpable, and Taehyun winced, feeling a pang of guilt. He hesitated, unsure of how to respond. He didn't want to talk to Min-ji, didn't want to face her concern and her criticism. But at the same time, he couldn't ignore her. "I'm...I'm fine," he stammered, trying to keep his voice steady. Min-ji's response was skeptical. "Taehyun, you're not fine. I can hear it in your voice. What's going on?" She paused, her voice softening. "I'm worried about you, Taehyun. You're scaring me." Taehyun's eyes drifted open, and he stared blankly at the ceiling. He knew he should tell Min-ji the truth, should confess his addiction and his despair. But he couldn't. He was too ashamed, too trapped in his own private hell. "I...I don't know, Min-ji," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just need some time, okay?" The line went silent, and Taehyun knew Min-ji was waiting for him to say something else. But he couldn't. He lay there, his phone still clutched in his hand, as the darkness closed in around him once again. He knew he was running out of time, that his addiction was a ticking time bomb, waiting to destroy him. And he was powerless to stop it. The phone call ended, and Taehyun was left alone once more. He lay on the couch, his mind racing, as he struggled to come to terms with his situation. He knew he needed help, but he didn't know where to turn. The darkness seemed to be closing in around him, and he was unsure if he could escape. As he drifted off into a fitful sleep, he knew that he had a long and difficult road ahead of him, one that he wasn't sure he was ready to face.