**Chapter 14: Descent into Shadows**

The haze of smoke swirled around Taehyun, a perpetual mist that clung to his skin and clothes, a constant reminder of his surrender to his demons. As he lay on the couch, surrounded by the detritus of his addiction, he felt like he was disappearing, fragmenting into a million pieces that would never be whole again. The words Yeonjun had spoken echoed in his mind, a haunting refrain that cut through the fog of his addiction: "You're scaring me, Tae. You're not yourself anymore." Taehyun's gaze drifted to the window, where the sunlight struggled to penetrate the grime and condensation. He hadn't opened the curtains in weeks, hadn't let the outside world in. The thought of facing it, of facing himself, was too overwhelming. He turned back to the couch, his eyes scanning the scattered packets and cans, the discarded remnants of his life. The stench of stale smoke and sweat hung heavy in the air, a noxious cloud that clung to everything. As he lay there, lost in the morass of his addiction, Taehyun heard a knock at the door. It was soft, hesitant, as if the person on the other side wasn't sure if they should be there. For a moment, Taehyun considered ignoring it, letting the world outside recede further into the distance. But something about the knock resonated, a spark of recognition that he couldn't quite explain. He struggled to sit up, his body heavy with lethargy, and made his way to the door. As he opened it, he was surprised to see Beomgyu standing in the hallway, a look of concern etched on his face. "Tae, I've been trying to reach you for weeks," Beomgyu said, his voice soft. "Yeonjun's been going crazy with worry. Can I come in?" Taehyun hesitated, unsure if he was ready to face the world, or even a small part of it. But Beomgyu's kind eyes and gentle tone put him at ease, and he stepped aside, allowing his friend to enter. The room was a mess, a testament to Taehyun's downward spiral. Beomgyu took it in with a quiet gasp, his eyes lingering on the scattered trash and the cloud of smoke that still hung in the air. "Tae, what happened?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Taehyun shrugged, feeling a wave of shame wash over him. He didn't know how to explain, didn't know how to put into words the crushing weight of his anxiety, the suffocating grip of his addiction. Beomgyu moved through the room, picking up empty cans and packets, putting them into a neat pile. "You need help, Tae," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "You can't do this alone." Taehyun felt a pang of resistance, a reflexive pushback against the idea of seeking help. But Beomgyu's words struck a chord, a chord that resonated deep within him. Maybe, just maybe, he didn't have to do this alone. Maybe he could find a way out of the darkness, back into the light. As Beomgyu worked to clean up the room, Taehyun felt a glimmer of hope, a spark that flickered to life in the depths of his soul. It was a small spark, but it was enough to give him the courage to take the next step, to reach out and let Beomgyu help him find his way back to himself. For the first time in weeks, Taehyun felt like he might just make it through the night, might just find a way to escape the shadows that had consumed him.