Archive of Our Own

He was running his way very fast, trying to avoid being wet under the drizzling sky, and because he was too late. His arms are moving swiftly to tie his necktie and steady his black tuxedo. The hangover still ringing his head like a bell, he drank and cried himself to sleep last night. Why not when one of his best friends died and the other ran away?

Once he reached the right building, he ran the storeys up to enter the funeral. The funeral of Jungkook.

“Tae! Finally! What took you so long?!” Seokjin came hugging him. If anyone was the most affected from Jungkook’s death after his parents, it would be Taehyung. He was Jungkook’s flatmate for two years, he was like a smaller brother. And what hurts more, that Jimin was not here too. According to Hoseok, Jimin has left the city in grief of his boyfriend’s death.

“Sorry, woke up late…” Seokjin can see his gauntness, his puffy eyes, and smell how he reeked with alcohol. Taehyung must be having a hard time accepting it. The older came near to steady the messed up hair with a tender hand.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah...I guess…”

“His parents are in there, you should greet them.”

“Okay, thanks.” Taehyung patted his shoulder as he passed by him to walk to the inner room.

Roses of white surrounded the frame that held the dearly beloved passed away’s face, black ribbons resting on each corner.

“Uncle, aunt…” He bowed to them, coming closer after to shake their hands. “My deepest condolences…I’m so sorry…” The mother sniffled, then smiled warmly as the tough person Jungkook grew to be like.

“Thank you...we are sorry too, we know how you loved Jungkook…” He lolled his head to hide the glitter of tears, the husband reached to stroke his shoulder.

“You were a good friend, thank you for taking care of our Jungkook…”

“Apparently I wasn’t so good at it…”

“Don’t say that...what happened was an accident…” The woman came to hug the tall figure to her as he began sobbing.

“It’s alright…”

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The funeral was in Busan, Jungkook’s hometown, so they drove all the way from Seoul and rented an apartment together.

They were walking back to the complex lethargically, Seokjin, Namjoon, and Taehyung, feeling very negative and down from the horrid incident. Jungkook, their little brother, suddenly disappeared. Moreover, Jimin too.

“Where’s Hoseok hyung?” Taehyung asked with eyes looking at his feet.

“He was first to arrive to the funeral...and first to leave…”

“Must be drinking somewhere…” Namjoon mumbled. “I’m worried about him...Jimin was like a brother to him…”

“Let’s go find him.” Taehyung looked them in the eyes, Hoseok shouldn’t be left alone in such a situation. The latter two nodded.

They roamed everywhere, passing by parks and near neighborhoods. It has been an hour, and no hint where their friend was. Eventually, the older two got tired,

“This is useless, we cannot look throughout whole Busan, he might be anywhere!” Namjoon complained, and Seokjin nodded in approval beside him.

“He might be at the hotel…”

“You two go...I’ll keep looking.”

“But there is no use! He’ll come home when he feels sleepy!”

“It’s okay...I don’t feel like going to the hotel anyway…” He sprinted away before they can even stop him.

The night was so dark, the moon hiding behind selfish clouds. And silence stretched away. Only his light steps can be heard beside his harsh pants filling the distance. He was running, looking for Hoseok and emptying what’s suffocating his heart. Tears spilled along the way he was running.

Coming across a river, Taehyung stopped to inhale deeply the petrichor of the wet banks. Thoughts started invading his mind. How will he live now? Will he be able to forget this unbearable pain? He faced the dusk with a long sigh.

There was a sound, coming from the water, something sinking into it. When he looked on his side, not very far away sat Hoseok. Throwing his empty bottles to the water.

“Hoseok hyung!” He ran to him, the latter hurried to wipe his tears and stand, dusting his tuxido pants.

“Taehyung?”

“I’ve been looking all over for you! Why did you disappear like that?!”

“Sorry, I wanted to be alone…” Taehyung can smell the alcohol, but looks like Hoseok wasn’t fully drunk. He still doesn’t want to go back to the hotel, neither sit in this dark place.

“Let’s go eat, hm?” Taehyung flashed his comforting wide smile, Hoseok couldn’t even resist.

“Sure...why not?”

The night deepened, the fumes of the food being cooked in front of them in the food cart warmed them a bit. They’ve finished way more plates than they’ve expected, filling their stomachs to kick grief out of their chests. But no matter how they drink, they weren’t able to split away from the bitter reality.

“Hyung…” His tongue was heavy from his state of drunk, “Remember that day when we went to the sea with Jungkook?”

“I remember…” Hoseok confirmed with a small nod.

“He said he misses Busan...we promised to go together...we are now here but for his-” A sob broke his words, weeping with a palm on his mouth. Such an irony. Hoseok patted his shoulder once with force, couldn’t manage to measure his power with alcohol fussing his mind.

“Don’t cry! He can hear us! He will feel sad!”

“He is dead, he can’t…”

“Sure he can...dead people can hear everything.” Taehyung huffed after palming his face, started to feel the high.

“What about Jimin? Will he hear me when I call? Will he come back? This is not fair, this is not fair! We are sad too, he is so selfish-”

“Shut up! You don’t know anything!” Hoseok growled to force him shut, slamming the table with his cup. His chair was pushed backward noisily for him to stand, “I’m going home…” Taehyung could’ve sensed how off this was, but he was so drunk. What did Hoseok mean? The lad just continued drinking angrily.

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“Taehyung! Yah! Did you really sleep the night in here?!” It was Seokjin’s voice for sure, his eyes squinted in contact with the bright lights of morning.

“Come on, take him out of here, I need to go to sleep.” The owner of the cart spoke. He carried him to his near house when he couldn’t wake the boy neither leave him in the street.

“Thank you for calling, and sorry for the trouble.” The man had checked Taehyung’s phone emergency calls and dialed the first number, which was Seokjin’s. He was his number one savior in emergencies.

“No problem. It’s a pity to see such youth wasted in drinking, aigo.” The old man stood from his outer porch to enter his house after bowing his head to Seokjin.

“Taehyung-ah...come on, we have to go, do I really have to carry you?” Taehyung pinned his heavy head with both palms while steadying his back, it feels like it’ll fall off his shoulders. He groaned, failing to stand but saved by Seokjin’s strong arms. “Let’s get you home.”

“I don’t want to go home…”

“Why?”

“J...Jungkook isn’t there…” His first sob came as a hiccup, a single tear dripping down his cold red cheek. Seokjin sighed deeply, removing the plastered hair from the latter’s eyes.

“Taehyung-ah, I...I don’t know what to say to make you feel better, Jungkook was so close to you...but I’m sure he didn’t want you to be broken like this…”

“B-but...but I can’t...I can’t live, it happened so suddenly.”

“I know...it’s hard on us too, but we will get through this.”

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“Where is Hoseok hyung?”

“He already went to Seoul…” Seokjin answered while packing his bag.

“What?” Taehyung stopped folding his clothes, “Why didn’t he wait us?!”

“I dunno…” His frown only grew bigger, caught by Taehyung’s eyes.

“What’s wrong?!”

“It’s…” The older sighed, “He seemed...panicked...he had those anxious eyes…”

“Oh…” They both know what does that mean. Normally Hoseok is very optimistic, it’s hard to make him worried without hearing his cheers and encourages. Still, Hoseok is after all a human too, there are some big major problems that worries him. “What happened?!”

“I dunno, but I have my suspicions…”

“What are they?” For no reason, Taehyung found himself whispering.

“Jimin.”

“Huh?!”

“Maybe Jimin is back…” His eyes widened.

“I-is that true?!!”

“I said maybe. Anyway, let’s pack our things and follow him. Let’s hope everything is okay.” They both fidgeted on the sudden cellphone ringing. Seokjin slipped his gadget out and answered his call. “Yes, Namjoon?”

“The car is ready.” Came from the other side of the phone.

“Kay.”

The car drive was so quiet. Taehyung settled alone in the back near the right window. His hair flying with the gentle wind of summer, revealing eyes full with dismally and misery. How can he go back? To whom? Sighs never stop coming out from his mouth. The sun sat, radiating with a hue of orange. Night fell by the time they reached Seoul.

Namjoon drove to Taehyung’s apartment, previously shared with Jungkook. He climbed the stairs carrying his luggage, hearing the encouragements from Seokjin in the car. “You can do it!”

“Yeah...yeah...I can.” Mumbled unsurely to himself. Sighing loudly, he rustled his keys in the knob hole and opened the door. Eyeing the place, it looks like nothing happened, like Jungkook would come out of the shower right now and complain about Taehyung using the whole hot water. He can actually hear his deep voice, calling,

“Hyung.”

“Jung-!...” He turned around himself to look for him. It’s when he realized that no way Jungkook would be here, and it was a mere figment of his imagination. Yet, that long shape in the corner of the living room wasn’t. “Hi, Timothy…” He waved lazily. The “thing” grinned horridly.

Taehyung has this ability for a long time, he was called with many nicknames such as “an alien”, or “a weirdo”. But for real, Taehyung can see ghosts. And there are three spirits living in his apartment. He have told Jungkook that he made friends with them, but Jungkook thinks it’s Taehyung’s weird self acting up.

He slapped both his cheeks to shake himself up from depression. Waddling his way to the dark room with his heavy bag, he glanced a shadow in the dark. This was his creepiest friend, “K”. Taehyung believes it’s his initial letter, he refuses to tell his full name. Or at least he can’t. K has a flexure on the side of his head, maybe that’s the cause of his death, and Taehyung thinks that a part of his brain was damaged and he cannot talk anymore.

Actually, Taehyung was just plotting things. Ghosts cannot talk to the livings. And he keeps giving them names and make imaginary scenarios. Just to feel less weird.

This damn sleepless night won’t come to an end. He was flipping flopping on his squeaky mattress and hoping that his lids would feel heavy and fall asleep. Instead, he came to think of what he normally does when he has insomnia. He would ask Jungkook for help. Make late night meals, play video games, watch the T.V, Jungkook was always the obedient younger friend who listens to Taehyung’s selfish requests. His body flipped to the side so he can wipe his tears into the pillow. Inhaling deeply, he sucked in what’s left of his tears and left his bed to the kitchen for a warm cup of water.

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Darkness surrounded him. Stretching as far as his sight can caught. He swirled around himself in panic, where is he?! There was a faint sound, like breathing. He turned around to see two males, two well known faces.

“J-Jungkook! Jimin!” They had sad faces, worn bodies, barely able to stand. But seeing their faces made him drip merry tears. Once he took a step forward, Jungkook’s body spasmed, scaring Taehyung that he froze in place. He furrowed when Jungkook started shrinking. No, sinking. His legs were sinking down into the floor, like some kind of mud swallowing him slowly. Jungkook showed no resistance closing his eyes and lifting his chin to face up. “Jungkook!!” When he was going to move and help him, his feet refused to listen, looking down, his feet sank into the dark floor ankles deep. “No...Jimin! Save him!” His voice echoed loudly in this wide place. Jimin was just standing beside him, dull eyes watching Jungkook consumed by black. “Jimin!” Now he faced Taehyung with doe eyes, his head lolled as he closed them. Taehyung gasped on the sight of rivulet of blood rolling down from his eyelids, like tears. Jungkook’s head disappeared under the darkness.

“GAH!! Huh...huh…” He was soaking with cold sweat where he found himself lying on the couch near the kitchen. He palmed his face and wiped all the sweat. “Fuck…” He breathed out. Facing the clock on the wall, it was late at night. Taehyung hugged his knees in insecurment and sobbed. That nightmare just broke him more. Why did his brain even visualize such things? Jimin would never…

Sighing sharply, he walked to the window and open it for ventilation, then went to wash his face, greeted by his third buddy. Blue. Taehyung calls him like that since his face is colored blue. He had damped hair, purple lips, and red eyelids. Blue always sits between the bathtub and the sink while hugging his knees. It’s clear how Blue died.

Paying no attention to him, Taehyung washed and cooled his face. Now, he knows for sure that he cannot go back to sleep. And he cannot sit alone in here either. It’s just suffocating.

His jacket was thick, he felt hot after walking for only two minutes. But it’s the only one that has a hoodie to cover his greasy hair. It’s sure dangerous to roam in this late hour at night, but he couldn’t spend another second thinking about this misfortune. He cannot just easily forget. His brain won’t stop flashing memories on each familiar spot of the city. The park they used to hang out in, the restuarant that all of the group frequently visited, the small games shop he and Jungkook bought their video games from. Jungkook...how can he even move on?

He sighed reluctantly, caughting with the corner of his eyes a mini market. A teen boy sat on the chairs near the window and slurped his hot noodles. Taehyung so needs one right now, even though he feels hot. He stepped into the market, bowing his head to the old lady shopkeeper. Searching through shelves for his favorite ramyun flavor, his eyes fell on his friend Hoseok.

“Hyung!” The latter turned with a beer dozen in his hands.

“Taehyung? What are you doing here?”

“I was just passing by. What are YOU doing here?”

“I’m just...passing by?” Taehyung giggled briefly.

“You’ll drink all that by yourself?” pointing his chin to the beer cans. Hoseok moued and nodded,

“Yeah...I need something to…” Trailing off.

“To make you forget?” Hoseok took his time to respond with a quiet nod. He was a bit ashamed to use drinking as a way to escape bitter reality. But if he only knew a method to fix things with, he wouldn’t have gone this way. Taehyung offered then, “Want company?”

The dozen of beers was all consumed by the two, cans shattered everywhere around Hoseok’s apartment. Taehyung got tipsy first, he started huffing and rubbing his hazy eyes.

“Hyung...hurry.” Hoseok was making some ramyun while Taehyung drank the last two cans of alcohol. Hoseok came carrying the tray with the big bowl for two. Taehyung bucked immediately to handle his chopsticks and grabbed some noodles. Instantly swallowing it and groaning from the very hot noodles.

“Wait till it cools down a bit.”

“I’m so hungry can’t wait anymore.” He slurped some more, but it was too hot that he spat it back into the bowl.

“Yah! That’s gross! I’m not eating!” He grumped and handled the beers box only to find it empty. “You drank all the bottles too?! What are you even doing in my place?!” Taehyung faced him and grinned his shining boxy smile. Hoseok cannot reject that, a trick Jimin taught to Taehyung.

“I’m sorry~ Don’t be mad~” Acting cute.

“Ugh, fuck off…” The older leaned back and lift his legs to cross them on the table while Taehyung continued swallowing the noodles.

Their night was depressed and lazy, watching aired lame horror movies, like they used to do together. With Jungkook and Jimin. Taehyung steadied his back where he lied on the floor to face Hoseok back.

“Hyung?”

“Hm?”

“You never told me what happened to Jimin…” Hoseok’s face colored with panic, remained silent. “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing...I dunno about him...he...he just left.”

“But why? He loved Jungkook, why didn’t he come to the funeral?”

“I...i-it’s hard, you won’t understand…”

“Well, I understand what betrayal is…”

“What the hell are you saying?! Jimin didn’t betray anyone!”

“But even if he was very sad, he should've at least came to the funeral in respect for Jungkook…” Hoseok went silent as he cannot say anything about the truth. An ugly truth. He just sighed and stood.

“I’ll just go to sleep...aren’t you leaving?”

“Ummm...actually I’m...I can’t sleep alone in my apartment...and you have a spare bed…soooo…” Rolling his eyes, Hoseok sneered,

“Seriously? How old are you?”

“Please! I don’t wanna stay alone! Please?! Pretty please?!” He was rubbing both palms while talking with a lilt of a baby. Hoseok rolled his eyes again and palmed his face, it’ll take too much energy to kick him out, and he is so stressed and tired, so he’ll leave him be.

“Do whatever you want…”

“Yay! You are the best hyung!” Flashing his thumb before running to the bedroom.

The sight of the bedroom brought many memories. Jimin’s bed was very tidy and neat, unlike Jimin’s personality that was random and disorganized. Lazily, he settled on the bed. A sudden chill tingled his skin, blood rushing like it never did. He stood immediately and looked back toward the bed that he thought it was empty. Someone was sitting with his back on the wall, his face was buried between his knees. Taehyung squinted his eyes and studied his figure, he seems very familiar…

When he extended a hand to check, he jumped in place with Hoseok’s loud tone.

“Did you wash? There’s still some hot water.”

“Oh!” He sucked a deep breath to calm his startled heart, “N-no, I don’t need any…”

“What’s wrong?” Taehyung looked back at the bed to see that that person was gone. He knows well how these spirits are random. Although they are somehow bounded to their homes, they pop out and disappear as they please.

“Nothing.” He grinned and laid on the bed once again. Hoseok sighed deeply lying on his own bed, watching Taehyung occupying Jimin’s. He missed having someone here with him. In particular, Jimin.

“It’s been awhile since someone slept with me.” Taehyung moued, steadying his back again,

“You heard nothing from Jimin?”

“I…I didn’t…”

“Hmmm…”

“Let’s just sleep. Good night.”

“Yeah...G’night.”

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Sobs.

The boy heard the echo. His eyes slowly fluttering open.

Sobs.

It was dark; he can barely see what’s beyond his feet. Nonetheless, he followed the voice.

“I’m sorry...I’m sorry…” The owner of the voice kept apologizing again and again, his speech emerged with sobs. He lifts a hand to sense his way in the dark. It’s when his foot nudged something in the dark. A body. A dead body that belonged to his friend. Jungkook.

“Yah!” Taehyung’s body fritted as he was shifted from darkness to reality. Hoseok was standing behind him, coming out of the bathroom after brushing his teeth. “You woke up? What are you doing in the middle of the kitchen?”

“I...I thought I heard...never mind…” Taehyung was sleepwalking. He was sure of the identity of that voice. So thin with a soft lilt. It was Jimin for sure. Why does he keep dreaming about Jimin and Jungkook? Looks like he won’t be over them in a while.

The two had a peaceful breakfast. So quiet, the only thing that was heard was their utility clacking with plates. Taehyung was pensively munching his food, deeply thinking about his recent dreams. Hoseok too was in his world, dark secrets dwelling inside him painfully, and he is not sure if he can continue living like this. Both of them do.

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Days passed. Taehyung continued living with Hoseok for both needs it. They spoke so little with each other, depression was reeking all over the place.

Taehyung had to go shopping for necessary groceries from the near mini market. When he asked Hoseok to tag along, but he claimed that he wants to have a long nice bath.

Once he bought what he needs, Taehyung went back to the apartment. Climbing the stairs, he sensed a wave of extremely cold air, followed by a low cry. On his right near their neighbor’s door, there was a ghost. A ghost of a little girl, a teenager maybe, Taehyung cannot tell for she had her head between her knees while crying. He can see how her surrounding froze in sorrow. By now, Taehyung has some knowledge observing these lost spirits. The temperature gets as cold as their grief and sadness worth. Looks like this girl lost more than her life. The boy sighed and continued his way.

Loud voices shouted from behind the door just where Taehyung stood.

“HOW MANY DAYS WILL YOU KEEP ME AWAY FROM HIM?!! YOU ALWAYS POSTPONE MY VISIT!!” There was a brief silence, and Hoseok was back to scream louder. “WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN HIS STATE ISN’T STABLE?! IT’S YOUR JOB TO TAKE CARE OF HIM!! HELLO?! HELLO?!! FUCKING CUNT!!” There were sounds of crashing. Taehyung then hurried inside to see that he knocked the coffee table and what’s on it.

“H-hyung?! Are you okay?!” He let the grocery bags down on the kitchen counter and came to pick up the broken mess.

“Leave it be. I’ll clean it later…”

“It’s fine...i-is everything okay?” Hoseok only responded with a sigh and palmed his face with both palms. Soon, he kneeled beside Taehyung and gathered the pieces of the broken glass of a cup. “Are you hurt?”

“No…”

“W-who were you talking to?”

“You heard?” His eyes blown wide thinking that Taehyung discovered the secret.

“Who were you supposed to visit?”

“S-someone...a friend...you don’t know him…”

“uh-ha…”

“Thank you, I can do the rest.” He lightly patted his shoulder and pushed him to leave it. Instead Taehyung went to arrange the supplies he bought in the kitchen.

That night went silent. Nothing new. Taehyung watched how Hoseok kept his brows in a big knot. Whatever busying his mind, it’s not any friend, he must be so dear. Multiply, Taehyung tried to open his mouth and comfort his hyung, but what to say? He never knew how to comfort someone anyway. For this night, he just settled in his bed and forced himself to sleep. Hoseok did so too.

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It was noon when Seokjin and Namjoon paid a visit to their apartment. Taehyung was to welcome them, and what first attracted his mind were their mad faces.

“Where’s Hoseok?” Asked Seokjin.

“Uhh, he is not home yet…”

“When will he be back?” Another firm question from Seokjin.

“Few more minutes? Why? What happened?”

“We will talk when he comes…”

And so they waited…

Ding dong.

“I’ll get the door.” Taehyung hopped to open for Hoseok who was welcomed with angry expressions.

“Oh, didn’t expect you to visit.” He smiled wryly.

“Where were you?” Seokjin bluntly asked.

“I was in college of course.” Nervously answered. Namjoon had the reply now,

“Don’t lie Hoseok! I was there when your class finished!” In panic, Hoseok didn’t know what kind of excuse he should make. “Where were you?”

“I-I went to...visit a-a friend!”

“Then why did you lie about it?” Namjoon and Seokjin were cornering him like wolves hungry for explanations.

“I…” He trailed off. Seokjin’s voice came,

“Was that friend possibly...Jimin?”

“J-Jimin?! N-no! I-it was someone else! And why do you care where I go?! I’m free to do whatever I want!” He exploded.

“Relax, Hoseok! We are just worried about Jimin! If he ever reached out, he would call you first!” Seokjin brought a tender hand on his shoulder. “Hoseok, please...if you know where he is, please tell us.” Taking few moments, Hoseok answered,

“I…” They eyed him with anticipation. “ I don’t know where he is…” He pulled off to keep a straight face that convinced them.

“Okay…” Seokjin sighed.

“Then where the hell did he went?” Namjoon questioned, “Did he go back to his hometown?”

“Maybe, Hoseok you told me that you know his mother, can you try calling her?” Hoseok shifted in place nervously, Jimin’s family knows nothing about what happened, that their son turned crazy. He doesn’t want to be the one that brings them such news.

“I-I’ll do that later...can I go and rest? It’s been a stressful day to me.”

“Really? Do you wanna talk?” Seokjin reached to touch him tenderly again. But the latter rejected it.

“No, I don’t wanna talk…” Marched to his bedroom and closed the door.

All while, Taehyung was tensely and silently watching them, sighing the air trapped in his lungs once it was over. Why was he even tensed? Maybe because he senses that Hoseok is hiding something. All of them do. Seokjin and Namjoon sighed and shook their heads in anxiety, wishing for Taehyung a good evening before leaving.

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“Hoseok hyung! Stop drinking!”

“Fuck off Taehyung!”

“It has been a month! When will you forget?!” Hoseok stood where he was lounging on the couch. A hand patted on his chest, in particular, where his aching heart was.

“I can’t...I can’t...Tae, you don’t know how I feel right now! Forgetting isn’t a choice!”

“H-hyung…” A tear dropped on Hoseok’s face, grimacing with a harder sob. Taehyung wanted to hug him, to soothe his pain away, to pat him on the back and assure him about the better tomorrow. Yet, he didn’t. His hands hesitate every time he raises them.

The latter couldn’t just sit and weakly cry in front of Taehyung. He moved to the kitchen to throw the empty can in his hand then head to his bedroom. Taehyung didn’t hear anything after from him in that day.

Actually, even the next day, Hoseok left the house while he was asleep. Taehyung found himself leaving the house as well for a lazy depressed walk. Sitting alone in the house that all the misfortune happened might be the reason why they cannot get over it. Should they move? He doesn’t think that they can afford moving and the huge amount of work that comes after. Besides, what if Jimin returned? That might be a far possibility, but they need to stay, just in case. Sighs never stop slipping from between his lips.

All this thinking made him end up in a new neighborhood to him, he heard titters of little girls. The lad froze and swirled around himself to locate the source of the voices, eyes falling on three little girls. Soon, he notices their floating bodies, feet an inch away above the ground. They are ghosts. They keep giggling and pointing at him, disturbing the man.

“What do you want?” His body turned so that he is completely facing them and asked in annoyance. One of them giggled more and pointed at his messed up hair. “Oh! Does my hair look funny to you?” They nodded with wide grins. He then thought of amusing them more, fisting his hair and ruffling it out to become a disaster. “How about now?!” The three girls laughed even harder and he did along.

It’s been a long time. He cannot remember the first time he saw a ghost when he was a kid. But since then, his weird actions started showing up. It wasn’t weird at all, just him talking with ghosts -walls- all the time. He kept telling his family and friends, but no one believed, who would believe in such things? And so, he quitted trying to convince anyone. Maybe he is crazy, and maybe he is psychic. Who knows? But he knows one thing; he doesn’t give a damn thinking about this matter. His life is perfect as it is.

Just until this muddle happened.

Another sigh slipped from the boy as he came back home with dinner. When he entered the apartment, he was face to face with Hoseok. The latter was heading toward the door with diligent clothes.

“You’re going out?”

“Uh-ha…”

“But I brought dinner!”

“Don’t wait for me. See ya.” He left Taehyung standing by the entrance. He is so sick of being alone…

Nonetheless, he can’t blame Hoseok. Everybody knows how dear Jimin was to him. It must be really tough on him as much as it is on Taehyung.

He ate alone.

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Cries. He can hear wild sobs woke him up from his sleep. He rubbed drowsiness from his eyes and steadied his back. The sound was coming from the living room. He left the bedroom slowly and cautiously. It was familiar…

“H-hyung?” Hoseok had his head lolled between his palms while crying. Even Taehyung’s sound didn’t make him stop. “Hyung! What happened to you?!” He reeked with alcohol, nothing new, but his weeping was far to be just grieving.

“Tae...I let him down...I failed him…”

“Hoseok hyung...what are you talking about?!”

“*Sob*...He’s gone...he’s gone…” Taehyung sat beside him and patted a shoulder.

“Who?”

“*Sob*...*sob*...”

“Who, hyung? Who?!”

“I cannot! I cannot say anything! I promised!!” He exploded with more tears pouring down. Taehyung thought he was too drunk that he is babbling nonsenses, he held a hand to lift him up.

“Come on, let’s sleep. We will talk about this tomorrow…” Obediently, Hoseok let him navigate his uncontrollable body to lie on the cold bed, still crying. “Shhh, please calm down…”

“I failed him...I failed him…”

“It’s okay...we all keep failing people around us…” A silent tear dropped on Taehyung’s cheek. Hoseok looked so pitiful like this. And he really misses Jungkook so bad.

Both cried their hearts contents hoping that it’ll cure them. Hoseok fell asleep under the effect of liquor. The latter covered him with his duvet before moving to his own bed, lying down, and slowly drifted to slumber. Yet, shortly after he woke up.

…?

It’s pitch black. He isn’t awake; this is one of his dark dreams. He panicked a bit turning around himself. Will there be more terrifying scenes of his friends? But there was nothing…

“Where the fuck am I…?” He walked and walked, his vision caught nothing but black. After what seemed forever, a voice can be heard where he was heading.

Sobs. Sobs.

“W-who's there? Hoseok?”

Sobs. Sobs.

No, it’s not Hoseok. This soft lilt...could it be…

“Jimin?” The sobs only grew louder on the mention of his name. He can finally see something. Someone. Curling on the floor, head between knees. Taehyung approached closer, he can clearly identify that this is Jimin. Dark strands, petite shrugging shoulders, and his voice crying,

“Please...Please…”

“Jimin? Are you ok-!!” Taehyung trembled and retreated on the sight of two dark appendixes from the ground wiggling in air. Jimin turned to look at him, tears trailed on each cheek.

“Please…” He pleaded one more time before engulfed by the dark tails. They strangled his thin neck and his chest.

“J-Jimin!” More tears flowed out while grimacing in pain, yet showed no resistance. He started to sink into the ground. “No! JIMIN!” He couldn’t touch him when another appendix grew behind him and snacked his torso. There was no other choice but to watch Jimin mewling and slowly swallowed.

He woke up, hyperventilating and covered in sweat.

“Fuck…” Taehyung wiped the sweat with an arm. It didn’t feel like a dream at all. Jimin kept pleading...what for?

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“Hyung…” Hoseok kept sipping his hangover soup silently. The only sound he made was gentle blows to cool the soup. “Hyung. Tell me.” The older kept ignoring his questions. “Come on! Who were you talking about yesterday?” The spoon slammed into the table angrily.

“Will you shut up? My head hurts…”

“Seriously hyung? What are you hiding?!”

“...............”

“That person...it’s Jimin, right?” It took long for Hoseok to answer him.

“No…” Taehyung scowled and stood away from the table.

“You are hiding something! And I’ll find it out!”

“Taehyung! Just fucking drop it! It was a friend from college!

“I dreamed about Jimin…” Hoseok furrowed.

“So?”

“I dreamed more than enough to know that something wrong happened…”

“Oh, spare me from your psychic talk!” Running away in an excuse of anger. The bedroom door crashed shut.

Taehyung was more determinate now more than ever. He shall find out what happened to Jimin. But from where should he start? That call about visiting his friend...it may convey some of the truth. He needs Hoseok’s phone. But he has to move at night when his hyung is sleeping to be able to steal it.

For the meantime, he can do something else. Living more than a month with Hoseok, he needs clothes very badly. He remembers that he has some clothes left in his old apartment. And so, he wasted no time to go back.

“huhhhh…” That was the longest sigh he ever made. The sight of his old building brought so many great memories.

But it was rather sickening. To relive these memories again without whom he shared them with was devastating.

Climbing the stairs up to his old room, there was the old owner standing.

“There you are!” His voice wavering from his age.

“Hello, sir.” Bowing a respectful ninety degree.

“You suddenly disappeared, you and your friend! I came to check on you yesterday but no one answered the door.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, sir. Er...many complicated things happened…”

“Hm, whatever they are, may god be with you…” Taehyung was choked in tears. That man was so kind and doesn’t deserve this fate by that shadow behind him. It was big and ominous, but Taehyung lived long in parallel with the spirit world to know the identity of that black figure. It’s death. Yet eventually, humans die, it’s natural. And the owner’s time has come.

He patted Taehyung’s shoulder before leaving, stopping when heard the kid talking.

“Uncle, thank you for everything.” Bowing again.

“You are welcome, but, I did nothing!”

“Your kindness was enough.” The man chuckled, taking his leave. The lad watched the shadow floating and following the owner until they disappeared to the stairs.

Taehyung entered his apartment, greeted by Timothy, his tall friend. He smiled softly to him and walked to his bedroom. Another fact about ghosts is that they are emotionless. It doesn’t matter if he smiled for them or not, their only feelings is what is gripping and keeping them in this realm. Yet again, this is Taehyung’s genuine self.

The old scenes of his and Jungkook’s bed, the desk they play video games on, and the window they watch and gossip people from, all made him ditch air in a sad sigh. He really cannot forget.

Huffing all the depression in his lungs, he prepared a bag with his clothes from the closet, he came across two shirts he borrowed from Jungkook. It still has his smell. And he doesn’t mean as he love it, but that it reminds him of the old days where they would play-fight and wrestle on the floor. Like all boys do.

Good days…

He shook his head to get himself back to reality. He has a task to do, to uncover the secret. As long as it was Hoseok who kept the secret, it means that it’s for their own good. But no, he cannot accept Jimin’s selfish actions or whatever it was. He needs answers.

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Taehyung took his time wandering till night fell, it’s when he’ll make his next move.

And just as he planned, by the time he came home, Hoseok was sleeping. Stealthily, he sneaked into the bedroom to find the phone on the nightstand. He stole it, then ran out of the room successfully. And to his luck, Hoseok doesn’t have a password protecting his phone. He scrolled down the log list. There were two unknown numbers under the same date Hoseok talked about his friend’s visiting. One was received, and the other was dialed, and he went for the latter because it was more probable. He called it.

“Welcome to Seoul mental health care center, can I help you?” His brain dysfunctioned. Mental health center? Hoseok has mentally ill friends?! That cannot be Jimin, it must be the wrong number. “Hello? Sir?”

“Uhhh, yeah, sorry, wrong number.” Hanged up. Then it must be the other number. He checked behind his back, at the bedroom, before calling , and a hoarse voice answered.

“Yes, Hoseok-ssi? Didn’t I tell you to not call again? Jimin’s case is out of my hand.” what?! Jimin?! “Hello? Hoseok-ssi?”

“Hello, who’s this?”

“I’m the one who should ask this! Who are you?”

“I’m Hoseok’s friend! Please! What do you know about Jimin?!”

“You just said that cuz’ I mentioned the names! Now, return the phone to its owner!”

“I’m telling you! I’m living with him! Please tell me-”

“Taehyung? Who are you talking to?” Drowsy Hoseok surprised him, made him jump in place and turn toward him while obviously hiding the phone behind his back. “What do you have in there?”

“Nothing!” Hoseok squinted his eyes to threaten the younger to talk.

“Taehyung, what are you hiding?” He stepped very fast and suddenly that Taehyung didn’t see it, the phone was snatched from between his hands. “This…! This is my phone! Why do you have my phone?!”

“Uhhhh, Just bored, w-wanted to play some gam-” Before he can even finish his lie, Hoseok opened it to see the log screen, there was a call he is sure he didn’t make. Wide eyes shifted to the orange haired,

“Y-you! You spoke to him?!”

“What? Who?!” acted dumb.

“Don’t fucking play around! What did he tell you?!”

“Nothing!”

“TAEHYUNG!!”

“Alright! Alright! He talked about Jimin!” Anxiety colored the latter’s face as he rested a hand on his mouth, began walking circles.

“Fuck! Taehyung! That was fucking unbelievable…” Rubbed his nape to relief some of the anger. “It’s not your fucking right to touch my phone and invade my privacy!! That’s not why I let you live here!!” Taehyung cannot remain silent now that he knows something is wrong with Jimin.

“And it’s not your right too to hide the truth about Jimin! He is my friend too!!” Out of extreme anger, Hoseok approached to poke his shoulder while growling,

“It’s not my will to keep such a secret!!” It hurt Taehyung how he poked his long finger into his chest, rubbing it and replying.

“So you were hiding something! If it’s not your will then whose?! Jimin?!”

“Yes! So please stop asking!”

“Where’s he? Let me talk to him personally.”

“Taehyung I said stop asking!!” Hoseok left to his bedroom to avoid being asked anymore.

“Just tell me! I won’t say anything to anyone! I just wanna see him!” The older lied on his bed and covered himself wholly under the duvet. “Hyung! Please! Where’s he?!”

“.............”

“HYUNG!! Stop acting childishly! I’m his friend I won’t be mad or anything whatever that secret is! Where’s he?!” Steadying his back, Hoseok palmed his face before speaking,

“I...Taehyung I can’t…” Tears started spilling, “I just...he’s my dongsaeng I have to protect him...but it doesn’t matter now...I don’t know where he is…”

“What…? You don’t?! Then why fighting from the beginning?! Are you lying to me?!”

“No...I knew where he was, but...he...he suddenly-” A shaky sigh broke his speech and drove him to hide his face in his palms. Taehyung was paralyzed not knowing what to do or what happened, he tried to reach for the older’s hand to reveal his face and inquire more, but got surprised by rivulets of tears.

“H-hyung! Why are crying?! Okay! I’m sorry! I won’t ask again!” Nonetheless, the older kept crying for the rest of the night.

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The doorbell rang, the orange haired ran to welcome Seokjin in.

“Where is he?” Said immediately as he stepped in.

“In the bedroom…”

“Okay...you may go and sit with Namjoon in the near cafe.”

“Okay…please take care of him.”

“I always do.”

Taehyung left the two alone. Hoseok wept all day and honestly Taehyung couldn’t take it anymore and cried along. He had to call their expertise in such situations. Seokjin will know how to ease his pains.

For the mean time, he hanged out with Namjoon as the oldest asked him to do, the latter was stress-smoking.

“Thought you quitted…” Taehyung said while admiring the silent world outside the cafe window.

“With Seokjin? Not a fucking chance…” Taehyung breathed a chuckle, some of the smoke sneaked to his lungs, but that’s okay. He might need some as well, but seeing how Namjoon coughed roughly made him push that idea away. Seriously, he needs something better than a cup of coffee.

“Let’s go to a bar…” Namjoon smirked and stood immediately,

“Now we are talking!”

There was a near club Taehyung and Jungkook used to dance in, he lead Namjoon there. The bar counter was empty, very suitable for them. It’s still morning, normally customers start gathering at night. Taehyung waved a hand for the bartender who knows his most entertaining regular customer. He disappeared under the counter to prepare cups and Taehyung’s usual.

They sipped their liquors silently, just until Namjoon noticed how Taehyung was drown deeply in thoughts.

“What happened though? What is wrong with Hoseok?” Taehyung sighed before answering.

“He talked about Ji-...” He shut himself before exposing himself. Maybe Hoseok was acting selfish by keeping Jimin’s location a secret, but he promised to not tell a soul. “*cough* I-I mean he was drunk and talked about how h-he feels tired…”

“Tired? Tired of what?”

“Umm, like I said he was drunk...I didn’t understand his mumbling, maybe in college?”

“Hmm, maybe...did he ever talk about Jimin?”

“N-no...not at all, no matter how I ask him, there’s no answer…”

“He must be hiding something…” The older groaned after gulping his glass with one shot. His phone then rang as he received a call from Seokjin. “He’s calling, let’s go back.”

When they anticipated that Seokjin had convinced Hoseok to empty his heart, the oldest returned rather disappointed. Yet, at least he was able to calm and stop him from crying. It was hard, but yeah, Seokjin was the best for this task.

Taehyung thanked him for his help, and climbed the staircase to the right floor. As soon as he entered, he heard the loud sobs. What? I thought Seokjin calmed him a bit. He walked toward the source of the sound, ending in the kitchen. He gasped on the horrible sight of blood. It painted the floor horridly, kept crawling toward his feet. He calmed himself that it might be anything that has spelled on the floor, but Jimin’s body centering it made him realize it’s not a normal thing.

It was the first time he saw it.

Creepy, scary, pants shitting. Taehyung never saw such a fearsome figure. Not even after years of seeing ghosts. It was wholly black, like a shadow, tall and thin, and it stood right beside Jimin. His friend was crying between his knees like the last time he saw him in the dream, or whatever that was.

“Jimin!” He called. The boy faced up with tears glittering under the lights. And so did the shadow. It was faceless, but Taehyung knows that he was staring at him. Goosebumps climbed his skin all the way to his neck. His aura was something else, not like what he is used to feel around random superstitions. He fell backward when the monster roared wantonly at him. It was loud, fierce, and deafening that it hurt his head badly, ringing with what seemed like the sounds of thousands bells. He couldn’t keep his consciousness.

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“Tae?! Tae!! Wake up!”

“Wh-whu-?”

“Why are you sleeping on the floor?!”

“Ugh...my head…” Hoseok crouched beside him and stared at his eyes that squinted while focusing to remember. Taehyung straightened his back and massaged his right temple.

“Did you drink?”

“I...no...I was going to the kitchen when-...!!” He stood immediately away from the kitchen door and scanned what’s inside with hitched breaths.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” Life narrowed, his lungs lost function for seconds, it wasn’t easy to take the sight of this pool of blood. “Taehyung!” Warmth spread from where Hoseok had his palm pressed on his shoulder. It made him finally listen to the older, “What happened?!” Taehyung looked back at the kitchen floor that was pooling with blood,

“Y-you’re asking me?! Can’t you see this?!”

“See what?” Taehyung stepped away furthermore before speaking.

“The blood?!! And I-I saw Jimin! He was there!” Pointing toward the kitchen. For a reason Hoseok widened his eyes while staring at the kitchen, a horrible memory flashed before his eyes.

“J-Jimin?! What the fuck are you saying?! He cannot be here!”

“I’m serious! H-he was here! And there was blood!” The older frowned and covered his mouth with a hand. As if he...knows something. Taehyung suspected that he might acknowledge that what he saw was true. “Y-you saw him too?! When?!”

“No, I-I didn’t see him. I told you, I dunno where he is.”

“That’s not what I meant...did you see him here too? In the kitchen?”

“No! I didn’t see him since Jungkook’s death!” Shouted and shut Taehyung up. He didn’t stay to hear more of the younger’s hallucinations, headed to where he was going toward the door.

“W-where are you going?!”

“Beers.” The door was shut loudly.

That wasn’t a mere dream. This numbness his limbs feel is more than real. Hoseok knows a lot, and he is so going to find them out.

Hoseok wasn’t careful to Taehyung’s delight, he found his mobile like a christmas gift ready to be unwrapped. He doesn’t care about morals anymore, that scene of blood symbolized a horrifying secret, and he shall discover it. Taehyung wrote down the stranger’s number so he can freely investigate without Hoseok knowing.

Taehyung had that application where you write a phone number and it can show you how people named that number in their devices. He and Jungkook played a lot and pulled prank calls all the time with it. Why does everything has to remind him of Jungkook?

Locking the bathroom, he sat on the closed toilet and used the application on the stranger’s number.

‘Mr. Kim’

‘Detective Kim’

‘Mr. Detective’

“Detective…?! Why does Hoseok need a detective?! And he knows Jimin! He stood from his place and rushed to the bedroom to rustle his bag and change his clothes, then, like a bullet left the house.

Using his own phone, he called the number while sprinting in the morning streets.

“Yes?” The same hoarse voice answered.

“Hello? Detective Kim?”

“Yeah?”

“uhh, yeah, umm, sir, can you tell me where can I find you?”

“What? Who is this?”

“I-I heard how great of a detective you are and, uhhh, I want your help…”

“Is that so?” Taehyung gulped and prayed that he will fall for it. And he actually did. “I can’t help it I guess, I’m in Seoul’s police station, homicide department, you can ask about me.”

“Okay! I’m on my way!”

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“Can I help you sir?”

“Yeah, I’m looking for detective Kim from the homicide department…”

“Homicide is on the fourth floor.”

“Thank you.” His heart thudded loudly, vaguely he feels so anxious. What if it was something shocking that he cannot take it? Regret knowing it? Heart aching? After all, this detective works in the homicide! Whatever it is, he is here now in the department.

A worker came when he saw him standing with lost eyes,

“You need help?”

“Umm, d-detective Kim?”

“You’re here for him? The third office over there.” Pointing at the end of the corridor.

“Okay, thanks.” Slowly, step by step, he is finally going to know the truth. He was prepared mentally and emotionally. Just when he was few steps away from the door, he heard a groan behind him, a chest rumbling in anger like a wolf. He stood still, that sound wasn’t humanly, yet somehow familiar. Looking from above his shoulder, his eyes were blown wide. Is he seeing what he thinks he is?! His whole body turned to look at him and make sure it’s not an illusion and he is seeing Jungkook right now.

“J-Jungkook…” His face was pale, he’s supposed to be dead. Taehyung can feel the stinging cold, the glitterless eyes, the bloodless skin. He can see many signs indicating that Jungkook is a ghost now. But even though, you cannot believe how Taehyung was happy to see him. “Jungkook!” He ran to him, but Jungkook scrunched his face and made another growl as a threat. “Jungkook! It’s me Tae!” He stepped again, but a blow of harsh air made the hanged papers on the near notice board fly toward him. He shielded his face with both arms, and when he looked up again, Jungkook disappeared, no, he teleported to stand behind him. Puzzled, Taehyung turned around and begged, “Jungkook! Please! Why are you acting like this!” Almost cried. Another roar that sent a strong burst of air, his hair flew and revealed his forehead that had a big frown centering it. “Whu-...what’s wrong with you?!” His face was so angry, scary with the palpable blue veins on his cheeks. He gave no answer, evoking Taehyung to speak more, “I’m going to find what happened to Jimin!” Another low growl. “I’m doing it for you! He disappeared after your death! We need to find out what happened-” Wind pushed him to step back, much more furious. The boy realized something…

“You...you don’t want me to go there?” It was slow and small, but Jungkook sure nodded once. “Why? W-what if he needed help?! He is alone and-” He stopped talking when Jungkook shut him with a roar.

Taehyung couldn’t believe his aggressive attitude, his eyes teared up as he stepped backwardly.

“Sir? Are you okay?” He turned to the worker talking to him.

“Y-yes…” Wiping his tears swiftly and running away. He returned his way dragging dismally. Why was Jungkook blocking his way? Why doesn’t he want him to know what happened to Jimin? What does he have to do with him anyway?! When he craved to see his face one last time, he was welcomed with hostility by his best friend.

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Jungkook’s death, and Jimin’s disappearing. There must be a connection. If ghosts are trapped in the livings’ realm for a specific desire, it means that Jungkook’s death has to do with Jimin. Dead people supposed to be emotionless about everything but what’s bounding them here. This only evokes and tempts him to find out more. He has to meet that detective.

Lounging on the living room couch, Taehyung was thinking and trying to connect dots when he heard a weird stir from the bathroom. At first, he thought it was his hyung, but then remembered that Hoseok didn’t leave the bedroom. He stood, cautiously approached the bathroom. He handled the doorknob, and twisted it open, the door creaked slowly, his hand creeped to the light switch, and it stopped when he saw someone standing near the bathtub in the dark. He turned the light on quickly in horror only to see an empty bathroom.

“Huh..?” Walking in, he checked the inside of the bathtub, there were writings!

‘| | c | p’

Writings were in black. Taehyung questioned if that was real or not. What do these weird symbols mean?! Is it a...message? And if it was, who the hell wrote that message?! Jungkook?! Why would he? No, it cannot be him.

“You’re done?” He was startled and turned around very fast to meet Hoseok in the eyes.

“Fuck...don’t scare me like that!”

“I didn’t do anything, I need the bathroom and you had your head inside the bathtub for ages.” Taehyung exhaled to calm his panicked heart, then clasped Hoseok’s wrist to drag him in. He wanted to show him that what he sees of ghosts and visions aren’t lies. “Hey! Let me go!”

“Come and see!” He pointed toward floor of the bathtub, where the writings should be.

“What?” Hoseok uttered after scanning the insides.

“There! It’s a message!”

“What are you talking about? There’s nothing!”

“The symbols! Can’t you see them?! Someone is trying to communicate with us!” Hoseok’s expressions turned belittling, judging, then he crossed his arms on his chest.

“Again with your psychic talk? Just get out I need to do my business.”

“But it’s right here!”

“I don’t see anything!” Hoseok almost exploded, he is already on the verge. Taehyung was taken aback from the aggressive tone, and the fact that he is the only one who sees the writings. He glanced back at them to check more. Nope. Still there and real to him.

“Why can’t you see?” He mumbled lowly, almost to himself. Hoseok just shrugged and harshly pushed him out.

“Just get out!”

Taehyung stood there, bemused. Those writings were surely of a ghost since Hoseok wasn’t able to see it. That ghost who’s communicating with him cannot be a random spirit, it’s someone who’s bounded to him, someone dear. For now, he shall wait, it’ll try to contact him again if he guessed right.

Mornings became hard to bear with. His body programmed on walking to the toilet, forced to watch the message for a whole two minutes when he brushes his teeth. Then get to walk into the kitchen with red everywhere for a cup of water. He even gave up on making coffee long ago, it’s hard to stay long in there with the blinding viral red. Hoseok noticed how he doesn’t get in for food, and honestly, he was surprised that Taehyung knew where the incident happened. Even mentioning the blood, and Jimin, what if he really does see things? Hoseok’s thoughts ran wild for seconds, but then, prefered to deny them.

He was contacted two days later. Taehyung questioned why the long delay, but who knows why ghosts even do their weird actions? A weird force that held his hand in air while he was lounging on the couch late at night. He couldn’t move from the weird sensation of not moving his hand yet watching it move. It was bizarre, terrifying, nonetheless he stilled, watching till the end. His hand turned to a fist, except for the index finger, it was pointing at something, the kitchen. His hand then fell free.

Out of horror, he straightened his back and rubbed his hand to his chest. His breaths were shallow, kicked out with the force of his fast heartbeats. He decided to move, to accept the invitation. Each step was slower to the bloody kitchen, silent as if he was floating off the ground. A shivering hand pushed the door open, enough to snap his head in. and as soon as he did, a rotten smell reeked to his nose that he backed a little bit. Nonetheless, continued to slip in.

Dark. He sees none, but sure can smell, and hear. It’s the same sobs he always hears. They lead him further inside the kitchen, and somehow, the place felt different. Where he was supposed to slam into the fridge, there was nothing, like the kitchen grew wider. Or maybe he is not in the kitchen anymore. He saw a glimmer very far away from him, beckoning him over. And so he did, it made him feel at ease in this complete darkness. It multiplated, a pair of glimmers. Close enough, Taehyung was able to realize they’re eyes. Staring and piercing him. And just like stars, the horizon was filled with thousands of sets of eyes. Gazing and sending the shiver to the boy’s spine. He was to turn back, but that breathing sound behind him made him freeze, steam leaked around his neck. Thickly, he swallowed, trying to control his trembling body and shaking heart.

“Huh…” It breathed very near to his ear, Taehyung couldn’t hold still anymore and turned to push whoever was standing behind him. Like rustling with water, a figure was distorted by his strong arms and pooled on the ground, giving a chance for him to run toward the light.

Taehyung exited the kitchen to close the door quickly behind him. When he expected that something would chase him and break the door, it was rather quiet. It was deadly silent, but he kept anticipating a visit. Yet nothing happened. The door remained closed, and he would be crazy if he opened it again. He couldn’t even turn his back on it to go to the bedroom with Hoseok, just stepped backwardly till he reached the couch to sit on, hug his knees to his chest in insecurity. This night shall be long.

Taehyung thought he could handle it, that he can discover what happened. But all these sounds he hears are making him lose his sanity. Knocks, sobs, whispers, only getting louder day by day. He even cannot sit with his back away from a wall in fear of something sneaking up on him like the last time. Everyone can sense that there’s something wrong with him. The dark large circles around his eyes, the cheek bones sticking out, and the daydreaming. It seems like he cannot get his mind to focus on reality. His mind is so occupied with all the superstitions he sees. Especially the writing in the bathtub that have never been washed off. If he can only know what they mean. Out of obsession, he finds himself writing them on the newspaper, on the table, on the calendar, or on any piece of paper that crosses his hands. He was sketching them carefully when he was startled by the loud shout of Hoseok,

“Yah!” The orange haired snapped his head up very fast with a gasp, “What the hell is happening to you?!” Hoseok couldn’t keep it in him anymore. He settled beside him on the couch. “First Jimin...and now you...what is going on with my life?” Lolling his head till it settled between his palms.

“Jimin?” Taehyung scooped closer to him fastly, “You said Jimin?! What happened to him?” Hoseok furrowed in disturb,

“Why are you so obsessed about what happened to him?!”

“BECAUSE I FUCKING SAW HIM!” Along with his shout, Taehyung stood and retreated away.

“Stop! Just stop! This is no time for your stupid jokes!”

“I’m not joking!! JESUS! WHY WON’T YOU BELIEVE ME!”

“Because it’s fucking insane!! I’m sick of hearing about ghosts or whatsoever! They aren’t real!”

“Are you calling me insane then?!”

“I-...*sigh*” He threaded a hand through his hair. Both went silent to calm their stirred emotions. “Taehyung I...I just don’t want you to become like Jimin…”

“Huh? W-what are-”

“I can’t afford watching another friend fall!”

“What the hell are you-”

“If this is a joke please stop it right now!”

“HYUNG!” He shut him, “What happened to Jimin?!” Hoseok bit his bottom lip as the first tear dripped down. “Just tell me! I won’t be mad neither tell anyone!” Shaking his shoulders to wake him to his senses.

“J-Jimin had…” Hoseok trailed off momentarily. Taehyung leaned nearer in anticipation. “Jimin had lost his mind…”

“W-...What? What do you mean?”

“He turned crazy Tae…” Sob, “He was sent to a mental asylum…” The great shock froze Taehyung’s blood, he wanted to laugh, to believe it’s a joke, but not with Hoseok’s tears washing his cheeks.

“What…? How?! When?! Why?! Why didn’t you tell us?!”

“For fucks’ sake, what did you want me to say?! Jimin became insane and is now mentally treated?!”

“N-not like that! I-I mean...fuck…” Speechless he was, stunned and shocked. Who would have guessed the secret would be this...horrible. And the memory of the number of a mental health care he found in Hoseok’s phone was convenient and a strong evident. But then again, what does the detective has to do with Jimin? And what about Jungkook? Taehyung believed that he can finally inquire more, but the older was rather claiming he doesn’t know, or maybe hiding more secrets.“What about the detective, Hoseok?”

“It has nothing to do with this…”

“But he knows Jimin!”

“H-he met him once only…” Taehyung kneeled before him to meet his ducked head.

“Please! Stop hiding such secrets in you! We are here for you! And him!” A brief silence before Hoseok brings the bad news.

“There’s no use anyway...he’s long gone…”

“Gone?! Where?!”

“I don’t know…”

“Hyung!” Not so hard slapping his thighs.

“I’m being honest! I don’t know! I went to visit him one day late at night, and he just...disappeared!” Taehyung’s frown only grew bigger, his mind blown and in complete disbelief. Hoseok’s loud sob shook him awake to sit beside him and rub a hand on his back. “It’s my fault that he ran away...I-I shouldn’t have let them take him…”

Though Hoseok explained a lot, Taehyung still puzzled about many things. Yet, somehow, his brain connected things.

“I saw him crying…!” Taehyung mumbled to himself, “Hyung! You said he ran away?!” After wiping his tears and sniffling, Hoseok answered,

“Yes...he wasn’t there...the orderlies swore that he wouldn’t be able to pass their security system, but he did…”

“Only if...he didn’t escape…”

“What?” Taehyung held that idea and stood, thinking deeply with a deep hum. “Hey, what do you mean?!” Taehyung didn’t answer in his session of thinking. “I’m talking to you! What do you mean?! If you know where he is please tell me!”

“I don’t yet hyung, but I shall find out soon…”

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Taehyung found himself carrying the task of finding Jimin. Deep in him he is sure that it has to do with a superstitious power. If Hoseok said that Taehyung started acting like Jimin, it means that Jimin was seeing things just like him. And that dark figure he saw before standing beside Jimin must be the reason of his disappearance.

He must consult someone on this matter.

The orange haired wore his clothes in a rush, tying his sport shoes, and setting off the house.

At a point of his life, Taehyung reached the state of suiciding from living around dead people. His parents, friends, relatives, all call him crazy and a psychic. Even his parents didn’t believe him and scolded him. Their cure was to lock him in a room and force him to study his ass off after receiving his poor grades report. Poor kid despised his room more than ever with the little girl sitting above his closet and staring at him with her dead eyes that are partially covered by her long hair. She held obvious hatred toward the world, and tried many times to hurt Taehyung.

“LEAVE ME ALONE!!” He’d scream and kick his legs in air in hope to push her away. But her transparent hands felt so real, painful when they tightened around his neck.

“Taehyung-ah?! What is happening?!” His mother freaks out every time she barges into the room after hearing his screams. She tries to hug him closely, to calm him, and he’d keep yelping. They fade to mewls, and eventually, thankfully, he settles silently between her arms. Crying was all what she can do, until she, all his other family members, had enough. That’s when they took him to a sorceress. Well known she was for purifying possessed patients, as his family think.

“He’s not possessed,” She stated, “He’s just special.” Then the old woman caressed Taehyung’s hair tenderly.

“So, you can’t help him?” His nervous father asked.

“Leave him here for ten days.”

“H-huh?!”

“Let him live with me here, and I assure you that I can heal him.” So confidently, the sorceress stated. The parents shared gazes at Taehyung and back at themselves, they want to help their child very badly, but hesitating if that was the right way to do so. The woman then smiled, like magic, peace fell upon their hearts. She looked so trustworthy and willing to do her best for their dear son.

And so, they silently stood to bow deeply for her. When Taehyung heard his mother, ”Please take good care of him.” He anxiously furrowed, tried to stand when the sorceress grabbed his wrist to forcefully sit him back.

“M-m-mom! W-what are you doing?! Leave me alone!”

“Taehyung-ah.” His mother softly called, “Don’t worry, just trust us and wait, please, and listen to her…” A small smile dragged her lips, her gentle words and smile were enough reassurance to him. He stopped struggling and sat back, still dropping tears silently, but submitted. His parents waved a goodbye while smiling, and they too dropped tears once they were outside the room and out of their son’s sight.

“My dear…” The sorceress called when the boy seemed to stare too long to the exit. He looked back from above his shoulder only to catch two yellow orbs staring at him.

“WAH!” The lad crawled away and covered his face like that would shield him. No matter how the woman called, he didn’t dare to open his eyes. Until he heard her talk,

“Go away! He’s not ready yet to see you!” Weird hisses replied, then a brief silence before the sorceress coming to speak. He can hear her long robe shuffling when she stood up, then stepping nearer and nearer. Taehyung squeezed his body to a ball, shutting her away. She placed a hand on his head making him flinch of the sudden contact. But her soothing hand threading his silky tufts beckoned him to relax and open his eyes. Her face was dark where she stood under the lights above, but he can definitely see that bright haimish smile.

“It’s okay, dear.” She said, “I promise that I’ll help you.”

“Uhh…what a corrupted life I have.” Taehyung sighed as he stood in front of the old building. Full of memories he can say, but not good ones. Well, maybe not all of them were bad. Because when he saw her after all those years, he couldn’t prevent himself from grinning widely. She was sitting on the outside porch, closing her eyes to intimidate like she used to. Taehyung can tell that she gained weight, and more wrinkles appeared on her face. But he can definitely recognize her. “Ahjumma…” Audibly called.

“Hm?” She opened her eyes to find her dear boy standing before her. At first, she couldn’t recognize him, for he was much taller now with a thin manly face. And then, he flashed his toothy smile. “Tae…hyung?! Is that you?”

“Yes.” He bowed, “How’ve you been?”

“This insensible rascal, is that all what you do after all this time?” She pulled herself to stand and walk with her cane toward him and hug him. Oh, how he missed this spiritual warmth. Like he’s hugging the universe and emerging into it. It’s bizarre, yet so sweet.

“I really missed you.”

“Well, can’t quite say I feel the same.”

“What does that mean?! You didn’t miss me?!”

“Why would I?! you gave me nothing but headache!” She retreated to whack his head and walk back to her house. For a second, Taehyung let his temper conquer and murmur a curse. But then, she turned to shout, “You’re not coming pipsqueak?!”

She hasn’t changed a bit. The woman has always whacked and cursed him more than babysitting him when he was a child. Yet he can feel all the love, the care, and the sincere attention. He followed her inside then.

The smell of the weird yet familiar musk reeked to his nostrils. It made him regain a lot of memories.

“Why smiling like a goofy?”

“Nothing, just missed this place.” Flashing a grin of a rectangular.

“I never expected you, out of all my costumers, to say this.”

“Ayyyee, am I just a costumer now?”

“Yes! You are!”

“Come on! Don’t deny it!” He jumped nearer and hugged her arm. “You love me too much!” She couldn’t possibly resist but to smile and ruffle the orange softs strands.

“Rascal…”

They settled on the short table for tea and chats. Taehyung narrating his funny dumb stories and the old woman laughing her heart content. He told her about ghosts he made friends with, weird ones he met with throughout his life, and about his friends and their crazy hilarious stories. It was nice to listen to his deep voice and his raspy laughs excitedly talking, but the sorceress knows he won’t visit for just titters and tea.

“That’s nice Tae…what about your school?” His eyes lolled to stare at the cup between his palms, the smile soon disappeared.

“I, umm, I quitted after…”

“After what?”

“Remember my flatmate I talked about?”

“Jungkook?”

“Yes…”

“And? What about him?”

“He…he died. There was a burglary at our friends’ apartment, and he was involved in the action…”

“Oh…I’m so sorry…my deepest condolences…”

“Thank you…”

“So? You started to see him? Like a ghost?”

“How did you know?”

“Tae, dear, as soon as I saw you on my door, I knew something has happened to you, it’s actually reeking, your anxiety.”

“*sigh*…a lot has happened and…I need your counsel.”

“What is it that bothers you?”

“It’s…” Taehyung sighed once more in frustration, “It’s a little confusing, but looks like someone is trying to reach me from the other world…”

“Reach you? Is it Jungkook?”

“No…” He answered firmly, “it’s his boyfriend…Jimin.” The woman frowned and leaned her elbows on the short table. Taehyung trailed on, “Jimin has disappeared after Jungkook’s death, only his roommate knows where he ran off to. But couples of days ago, he claimed that he doesn’t know where Jimin went, in fact, he says that he just…disappeared.”

“Disappeared?”

“Yes. I found out that before he does, he went crazy.” The woman’s frown grew bigger. “But ahjumma…I think Jimin didn’t go nuts…” There was a hint of pride that he discovered some of the truth when his eyebrows shrugged.

“So? What is it that you think?”

“Remember how everyone used to call me crazy?” The sorceress’ mouth fell ajar.

“You mean…that he sees ghosts?” Taehyung nodded strongly. “I keep dreaming about him, that he’s crying out for help…”

“Dreams can convey a lot of messages.”

“Yes, I remember you telling me this all the time, that’s why I never ignored them.”

“What did you dream about?”

“Most of the time I hear him crying…but there was something I always see beside him.”

“What is it?”

“I’m not sure. It was like a shadow, tall and thin, faceless.” The woman’s eyes suddenly gone wide staring behind his back. “It had long tails, and it was black.” The more he describes, the more life started to faint into darkness behind his back. Taehyung was clueless and continued speaking, “I get that feeling that that thing was who took Jimin…”

“Taehyung…” Tears pricked her eyes in horror, she can see true evil crawling toward the room on the mention of it.

“But what is that thing? That time when it saw me, I felt the threat.”

“Taehyung-ah…” She needed to shut him before the dark consumes the place, but she couldn’t find the strength to raise her voice. Taehyung continued,

“I thought ghosts can never harm us, but I really felt so scared from that shadow-“

“TAEHYUNG!” He fritted and stopped talking, tried to follow where her eyes were pinned behind his back, but she cupped both his cheeks to prevent him from turning around. “K-k-keep quiet…just for a bit.” Taehyung thickly gulped, how come he couldn’t feel it? This stinging cold atmosphere. He stared at the sorcerer’s scared eyes that were moving with something. Even if she let go of his face, he wouldn’t dare to look back with this eerie air. From this near, he can see her lips quivering.

Her facial expressions seemed to relax, and so her hands. She let go of him. Both took minutes to breathe heavily, “Taehyung…” She reached her shaking hand to his own. “What have you fell into?”

“Ahjumma…that feeling…what did you see?” She ducked her head between her palms. “Was it the shadow-“

“Shh! Don’t you ever mention it!”

“Why?!”

“It seems that he doesn’t like to…”

“He?”

“Oh, Tae...”Her hand now moved to his shoulder. “Please, whatever messages that are showing up to you…” She inhaled to continue, “Just ignore them.”

“I-ignore? What?”

“Taehyung, you don’t know what you’re dealing with, it’s too dangerous!”

“But-! What if it was something important! What if Jimin needs-“

“Just ignore it!!” She lost her temper for a moment and shouted at his face. He leant backwards in startle, and she brought herself to calm down and palm her face. “I’m sorry…Taehyung-ah, please understand, this is far more dangerous to deal with, even for me. Your friend is long gone…”

“W-what?...what do you mean?!”

“Taehyung, what you saw wasn’t any spirit...it was a devil.”

“D-devil?!....oh no…” Taehyung frowned ducking his head while covering his mouth. He never met a devil before, so that’s how they look like. So bloodcurdling. And if even a strong sorceress like her turned pale in its presence, how come Taehyung can defy it? Nonetheless, he cannot just keep quiet, he needs to know what happened to Jimin! Because...what if he needed help?

“I...I can’t.”

“Taehyung-”

“I’m sorry, but I cannot keep quiet! What if Jimin was in trouble! I keep seeing him crying over and over! I’m his friend!” She stared at his shining with determination and truely caring eyes, she can’t extinguish that sparkle even after he felt how strong that evil spirit was. “Please! Tell me what to do! How can I save Jimin?!”

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The weather got colder, wind howling like it never did, was it really? Or that’s just the chill caused by the fear of what he’s going to do?

“Find the boundary.” Is what she told him. Something that’s connecting Jimin with the devil. “Be careful to not mention him, neither call his name, unless…” His feet stopped when he arrived to the asylum, brows knotted in anxiety. “Unless you’re going to destroy it.”

The asylum looked eerie, disturbing. And with all the screams he heard as soon as he entered the patients section, it made it more unpleasant. He sighed shakily while approaching the receptionist.

“Can I help you sir?”

“I-I would like to see someone…”

“A patient?” He nodded once, “Are you a relative?”

“A friend.”

“What’s the name?”

“Park...Park Jimin…”

“Park, Park, Park…” She muttered as she scrolled down the documents on her laptop. “There it is! Park Jimin! Room 53! But wait...wasn’t he released?”

“I’m not sure...I-I just came to pick something he forgot in his room!” And he dashed in before she can even stop him.

“Wait! Sir! You can’t go in! Security!”

He ran the narrow corridor, rooms filled with mentally ill people on each side of him. Was Jimin really kept in here? They were all grieving and accusing him for being selfish. That he abandoned Jungkook and never cared about them. Well, it was Taehyung who thought in such a way mostly. And he never regretted a thought before like he does now. How can he still claim to be his friend? He shall make things right from now on, starting from knowing what made that devil or whatsoever kidnap Jimin.

“Hold it right there!” The security started chasing after him. His feet stomped harder to increase his speed that the fat man didn’t have a chance to lay hands on him.

He took turns and turns, accidentally spotted by other security men and orderlies who chased after him.

“53, 53, 53…” He chanted for himself while looking for Jimin’s room. And it’s when he felt the same eerie feeling. It was leaking like a gas from the corridor on his right, and so, he followed. At the end of the path, there was Jimin’s room. He can identify it not by the number, but by the feelings dwelling in his guts. He flung the door open before any of the chasers stop him.

As soon as he glanced in the dim lighted room, he was met with a small silhouette curling on the bed. Time slowed down, blood rushed to his face, he can hear his heartbeats throbbing to his ears. Is that really…?

“J-Jimin…?” The figure moved, his buried between his knees head snapped up. Those small eyes, the unique plump lips, dark streamlined strands. It is Jimin. “Jimin!!”

“T-...Taehyung!” His unshed tears sparkled in contrast of the corridor lights. The lost boy attempted to stand off the bed, but he suddenly stopped and stared behind Taehyung. Couples of hands seized him and pulled him out.

“Got you!!”

“NO! WAIT! JIMIN IS IN THERE! JIMIN!” He kicked his legs in air, rustled his arms for freedom, nonetheless, three men overpowered him easily. They dragged him away from the room. He was a thread thin near to Jimin, but his weak body failed him to break free. He was kicked out of the asylum. “Ugh!” He fell on his palms with a strong push from the security.

“And never comeback! Or we will call the cops!” Taehyung stood again to cling and plea to the man,

“Please! My friend is still in there!! Jimin is in there!”

“Jimin was already released! How many times do we have to tell you!”

“Please! I-I just want to see his room for a second! I’ll do anything!!”

“What’s happening?” A woman came from the inside. She looked old, so thin and wrinkled.

“I’m sorry for the disturbance ma’am, but this boy here is making troubles.”

“I’m not! I’m just trying to see my friend!”

“We already told you! Jimin isn’t here!” The woman approached with wide eyes toward Taehyung.

“You know Park Jimin?!”

“Yes! He’s my best friend!” She scanned his face more few moments before nodding for the security and uttering,

“Leave him be… can we talk Mr....?” Extending a hand, she waited for an answer.

“Taehyung. Kim Taehyung.” The latter wasn’t sure of her sudden attitude, but shook her hand anyway.

“Mr. Kim, please follow me…” Her serious face beckoned him to do so, she seemed to know something crucial about his friend. But first, he had to go back to the room, if Jimin was really in there, he doesn’t need her at all.

“Can I first pass by Jimin’s room?” She showed a puzzled expression, but soon nodded, then accompanied him to room 53.

“Jimin!” The metal door slammed into the wall from his strong push. He turned the lights on to see better. There’ nothing, Jimin isn’t here. He scanned the room once more, praying that his eyes missed him the first time. But they didn’t, he is really not here.

“Jimin isn’t here.”

“Where’s he then?” His tone was slightly aggressive.

“I don’t know, you tell me!” Taehyung turned with disturbance palpable on his face.

“I don’t know where he is. I’m trying to find out…”

“And what did you find?” She was really getting on his nerves, not introducing herself neither how she knows Jimin. He barked out,

“Who are you anyway?!” She backed a little from the taller man, rubbing her hands to collect herself and left her chin high.

“I’m sorry, I should’ve done that before anything. Shall we go to my office and talk more?” She didn’t even wait for his answer, clacking her high heels as she walked away.

“Mr. Kim,” She spoke once they were inside an office in the asylum. “Would you like some tea?”

“I’d like if you tell me who you are and what happened to Jimin…” His mood was a bit disturbed after getting tugged and kicked by security when Jimin was so close to reach.

“I’m doctor Lee, the psychotherapist of this asylum. I, once, treated your friend, Jimin.”

“Treated? Jimin had nothing wrong to be treated for!” Jimin, he was forced to be in here, to be handled like he had a mental issue. Seeing ghosts and demons doesn’t mean you’re crazy. He can totally remember how broken he was when all his neighbourhood pointed fingers and called him crazy. Gossipped about his “mental illness.” His fingers curled to tight angry fists, his teeth lines gritted slightly. Actually, he was mostly angry at himself for not considering what kind of situation his friend was in before talking badly about him.

“I know…” The woman admitted her fault with a loll of the head.

“You knew? And you still kept him in here?! For that thing to take him?!” Her head snapped back up at his face.

“Thing? What-! Do you mean...Yoongi?!”

“Y-Yoongi? Who’s that?”

“I think you need to hear this before we speak any further…” She disappeared for minutes in the back door, meanwhile he scanned the office room. It was cozy, suited a woman in her age. The noticeable jasmine tea smell scented the room. Somehow, it feels just like the sorceress’ home.

Mrs. Lee returned with an audio recorder between her hands. The recorder was placed on the table before she gestured for Taehyung to take a seat. She pressed few buttons to rewind to the first minute of her therapy with Jimin. She pressed play,

“Hello Jimin!” His throat tightened when he heard her voice coming from the recorder, especially hearing his friend’s name. “You don’t like tea, so I assumed you may like coffee!” Taehyung smiled slightly on the memory of Jimin sipping his coffee. They would call him ‘coffeeholic’ because of his addiction. His face flashed before Taehyung’s eyes, how he misses him and their gatherings in his favorite cafe. “Go on! Take it!” Until now, Jimin didn’t speak at all. There was a long silence, some clicking of a cup with the desk can be heard, and then a sip. The psychiatric spoke once more, “Is it good?”

“Yes…” Taehyung covered his mouth and furrowed on the voice that he longed for.

“Do you drink it alone usually?”

“No, I share with my hyung-” Jimin stopped suddenly. Because Taehyung was only hearing their session, he thought at first there was something wrong and faced the woman,

“What’s wrong?” She said in the audio, and then he heard Jimin’s soft chuckle. It’s when he relaxed and leaned back.

“You’re good…” He said. Taehyung chuckled from his nose too.

“Who’s this hyung you share your best drink with?” Jimin inhaled audibly, Taehyung can totally guess who that hyung is. Hoseok...“Was it Yoongi?” Before Jimin even can answer, the woman threw a random guess. No answer from Jimin. It was frustrating that he cannot understand the whole situation, his frown wrinkled his forehead. “So? Was it Yoongi?” She repeated.

“How did you know this name?” Jimin’s voice was wavering, raspy. Like he was...crying? No, he cannot be crying. Then fear?

“What is this about?” Taehyung spoke as he reached to pause the tape. Why does he have to listen to this aching voice.

“Let me fast forward to the point.” She pressed the right button for a brief moment, skipping some facts no one knows about Jimin but Hoseok, yet. The truth about Jungkook’s death was right under his nose...

Pressing play again, the psychiatric’s voice came first,

“Where’s Yoongi?” No response from the latter. “You don’t know where he is?” Silence, again. “Are you afraid of him? Did he threaten you?” A small whimper that’s assimilated to a sob was all what Jimin produced. “Did he hurt you before?” Finally, Jimin’s answer came,

“Yes…” He sobbed out,

“Did he come here? Is that why you’re scared?”

“Yes…” His broken voice strangled Taehyung’s heart.

“We can help you, tell us how he looks like and we will make the police find him…”

“They can’t find him…” Taehyung furrowed and cocked his head to the side, “Yoongi is...different.”

“Different? How?”

“Yoongi is-” He stopped suddenly,

“Jimin? What’s wrong?”

“I-I want to leave!” His tone seemed shocked, but more like begging her. What came after was silence till the end of the tape. Taehyung can imagine what might have happened. The demon doesn’t like to be spoken of, Jimin’s sudden request of leaving meant one thing, the demon, Yoongi, was there.

Both who were in the room sighed deeply, then the woman spoke,

“This Yoongi...who’s he? Do you know him?”

“I do...a bit…”

“Really?! Then tell me! We might be able to save him!”

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to do so...thank you for everything.”

“So you know?! Please tell me! I can’t fail another person!”

“Another person?” She sat in front of him and rested her elbows on her knees.

“Jimin wasn’t Yoongi’s first victim. Before he came here, I had a similar case.” The news made Taehyung copy her gesture and lean forward with the biggest frown he ever made. The woman trailed on, “She wasn’t crazy like everyone thought, just like Jimin. And she claimed that Yoongi kept following her.”

“And?!”

“And...she disappeared…”

“Oh god…” Instinctively, his hand covered his mouth. Was that demon kidnapping people all the time?!

“There was something else Jimin said to me…”

“What was it?” His breath were hitching from all the things he encountered today.

“When I asked him about Yoongi and how to help him, he asked me in return if I…” She inhaled deeply, “If I believed in ghosts…”

“And...what was your reply?”

“My answer was that I don’t...and he said that in that case I cannot help him.” Taehyung heard enough to move and start acting. “Where are you going?!”

“I need to do some things.” He gave her his back where he headed toward the door.

“Then let me help you!”

“I just need one thing…” He turned to face her now, “Did Jimin mention anything about Yoongi like...some sort of an action that he did before Yoongi’s appearance?”

“No...he didn’t…” Her eyes were rolling where she was trying to remember anything that can help. “But Ahn did.”

“Ahn? Yoongi’s other victim?”

“Yes. She mentioned a necklace...whenever she wore that necklace, she sees Yoongi.”

“A necklace?” Somehow, Taehyung felt it was familiar. “Okay, I’ll look into it. Thank you so much.” He bowed quickly and left the place. The woman fell back in her chair and combed back her short greyish hair in frustration.

On his way out, Taehyung passed by Jimin’s cell. Vaguely, the door was so, so cold when he sensed it with a palm. It was unnatural, out of this world. It chilled his nerves and creeped the hell out of him. Nonetheless, he pushed the door open. There was...nothing.

He stepped in, rubbing both his hands on his arms when cold stung them. His first try to speak was a failure, as if his tongue was swollen to the thickest. He tried again to chant lowly, “J-Jimin-ah…” Walking further in, he spoke again, “Jimin I know you’re in here…” He was inside the room, far enough to give whatever was with him in the small space to close the door. “Hey!!” The dark made him freak out to run towards the door and bang it with his fists. “Open up! I’m still here! Goddammit! I said open the doo-!!”

Breathing.

A puff of air was released right near his neck. His guts twisted badly and his brain refused to listen and move his limbs to look back. This presence doesn’t belong to Jimin for sure. It seeks harm, hatred, and evil. Taehyung was shivering palpably, it chuckled behind his back.

“Hahaha.”

Taehyung gulped thickly on the sight of the black hand that rested on his shoulder. Long pointy fingers slightly digging in his flesh and made him mewl almost quietly.

“You…” Its voice was so deep and wanton, and felt like it was echoing in his head rather than hearing it. “Can see me, right?” Taehyung didn’t even think about an answer but about a way to escape from here. But all his thoughts shattered and were replaced with pain when the hand squeezed harder. It burned his skin that he can actually hear the sizzling. “I said, right?” The voice turned thicker and more scarier, Taehyung couldn’t keep quiet to not rage the beast. He nodded once with teeth clacking from the cold, and the fear. “How? Humans aren’t supposed to see the alternative world...unless, you were touched, just like now…”

“UGH!” The pain became unbearable, he had to jerk his shoulder hardly which caused him to fall on his palms. He cupped his injured shoulder while working his knees to crawl away. No steps were heard following him, but he knows that the demon was behind. The screeches and hisses that comes randomly out of nowhere became louder and louder each inch it comes closer to Taehyung. His ankle was captured, “NO! LEAVE ME ALONE!” Taehyung lied on his back and shielded himself with his arms, and it’s when he saw it for the second time. Big, giant black figure. Skinny but with broad fearsome shoulders. It was faceless like he remembers, yet gives the creep with the two empty white eyes. There were many tentacles wiggling out of his body, one of them was what gripped his ankle and pulled his body closer. Just then, the familiar shout stopped the demon,

“STOP!” It happened too fast, Jimin ran to hug Yoongi’s midriff. Before both disappear like smoke, Jimin connected his eyes with Taehyung, they were filled with tears and twinkled with life. Those eyes didn’t belong to a dead person. Jimin lowly uttered, “Run…” Right after, both spirits vanished.

Taehyung’s brain seemed to be paralyzed while he was staring at empty air. But after a firm shook of his head, Taehyung stood and fled like a maniac out of the building. It’s like his feet were programmed on nothing but running. Although they felt weak and shaking terribly, he didn’t stop to look back or even catch his breaths. They led him straight to where he’s currently living, Hoseok’s apartment. He climbed the stairs in a power and a speed he never knew he possessed, the chill of the crying ghost next door hit his bones, the girl with the black long hair covering her face sat on the ground just like before. Nonetheless, Taehyung didn’t bother to check her or question before rustling the door open and slipping in.

Taehyung was hyperventilating, his back was leaning on the front door as he slid down to sit. The veins in his head bumped with adrenaline and caused him a slight dizziness, seconds later when it refuted down, the lad yelped of the pain in his shoulder and reached his hand to it, as if he can rub the pain off.

“Fuck…” He cursed with a single tear that he couldn’t hold back. He thought that he was done for, dead. That demon, he can see why the old sorceress kept warning him to not get involved. Each time he recalls its face, his limbs would shiver in a heavy goosebumps. This time he was lucky, but he isn’t sure if that would ever happen again. Guess it’s time that he really should quit and live silently.

But… what about Jimin? Taehyung could swear that he glanced life in his eyes. Yet, even if that was true, how can he save him from that horrid monster?!

“Ugh! This damned pain…” He stood to head to the bathroom, maybe some cold water could calm his burned skin. His legs are still shaking from the aftermath, he had to lean on the walls to support his body. Passing by the bedroom, he can see Hoseok’s sleeping body under the duvet. Just how much does he know about this?

The cold water refreshed his face a bit, helped him to inhale better and washed off the cold sweat. He fingered his tee’s collar to check his injury. The boy gasped on the sight of a big black bruise. It represented the hand, long skinny fingers printed on his tanned skin. After all the attempts to calm himself, his body felt so fragile and all the shaking was back. His head fell heavily between his shoulders, sighing loudly and deeply. Conflicted and scared, he had no power left but to head to his bed and let his body fall into the bouncing cushion. Being very exhausted, he didn’t even last a minute before falling asleep.

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“Taehyung? Taehyung?”

“Hmm…?” His eyes fluttered slowly open, Hoseok had his hand fondling his messed hair with worry in his eyes.

“Dude, where were you yesterday? You didn’t even call…”

“Oww,” He mewled, “Sorry, I was...busy.”

“Are you okay? You seem pale…” Taehyung rubbed his eyes then his temples from the slight headache, then his shoulder where the evil mark was.

“I’m alright…”

“You sure?”

“Yeah…”

“You care for some coffee? Let’s go buy some!” Nice distraction. Taehyung thought.

“Okay...I’ll go change.”

Straddling his legs, Taehyung had a hard time balancing himself and walk to the bathroom. Hoseok changed his clothes and waited for the latter by the door. Taehyung brushed his teeth and washed his face, he wanted to shower his hair too, but his aching shoulder won’t do any help. By his right, there was the bathtub, the symbols were there too. He studied them with his eyes, if he only knows what they mean.

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The atmosphere in the cafe was cozy and lovely. Few sips from his cup were enough to energize his simi dead body. Hoseok was playing on his phone, extending a tongue to hook it with the straw then sip his iced coffee. It looked funny because they’ve always assimilated him to a horse. Jimin was the one who started it. Jimin… he cannot forget about him, neither Yoongi the demon. He’s too scared to make another move. What if Yoongi hunted him again? He won’t survive another meeting. But Jimin...his teary eyes were clearly begging for dear life. Can he even be saved?

His train of thought were cut off by Hoseok speaking,

“So, what did you do yesterday?”

“Nothing really...roaming around.” Hoseok stared at his ruined face, his friend must be having it rough.

“Hey, you know you can talk to me if you’re having a hard time…” Taehyung smiled appreciatively,

“I’m really fine...thanks, hyung…” Hoseok wasn’t convinced by his half hearted smile, but didn’t want to push him.

“No problem...finish your drink so we can go on a walk…”

“Sure…” Since awhile, Taehyung was doodling on a tissue. He scribbled the vague symbols. Over and over trying to solve them. They might convey a message, and they might be meaningless. He placed the pen down and rested his head on his palm to watch the place. People were chatting and laughing. Unburdened like him. He wished to go back, to gather with all his friends once more. If he only knew that they would disappear like this, he would’ve appreciated each second they’ve spent together. His eyes lolled down as he sighed for the empteenth time. Staring at the tissue on the table, he noticed something about the writings. The pen he placed earlier was horizontally put above them. With a line cutting through, the symbols gave another appearance. No, they aren’t symbols, but letters!

Taehyung picked up his pen and draw a line cutting through,

‘| | C l P’

He began to spell the letters he can identify,

“H...E...L...P…!!!” Help?! Jimin?! Taehyung’s eyes went wide, all along, Jimin needed his help. His friend needs his help, and he did what? Tried to run away from all of it.

Taehyung pushed the chair backwardly when he stood, picking up his jacket and running out of the store so suddenly.

“Tae! W-wait up!”

Jimin was asking for help! All this time Jimin was suffering and waiting for him, but he was too much of an idiot to see it! He must save him, how did he allow a stupid demon to steer him away from his target?! He won’t abandon his friend! This is not who he is! He shall save him, and destroy the tyrant!

Jimin was able to contact him, that means there’s a chance to contact him too! He went to his only teacher of superstition to help him on this matter. The old woman sorceress.

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“Thank you so much for healing my son.”

“No need, it is my job anyway.” The elderly counted her money before slipping them in her long sleeve. Her customer stood and bowed respectfully before leaving. Taehyung bumped into her on his way in.

“Watch it!”

“Sorry ma’am!” The sorceress saw him and exclaimed,

“Taehyung-ah!” Taehyung apologized again to the customer, then entered to settle before the short table of the old woman.

“Ahjumma! I need your help!”

“What is it this time?”

“It’s my friend, Jimin! I need to save him! He is still alive! Yoongi didn’t fully take him away from-”

“Wait! Wait! Hold on! You said...Yoongi?! Is that his name?!”

“Yes! The demon-” She slapped a hand on his mouth to shut him up.

“I told you, you shouldn’t speak about him! He might be listening!”

“hmmmph!” He puffed under her palm,

“What?!” She removed her hand to let him speak,

“Okay! I won’t talk about him! But help me save my friend! I need a way to speak to him!”

“But, isn’t he with…”

“Yes! That’s why I have to save him fast!”

“You don’t understand! Once taken by a demon, it’s impossible to bring him back! Unless…” Taehyung stared deadly determined into her eyes. “You want to...kill it?!” Taehyung nodded once firmly. “Are you nuts?! Someone might get killed! One touch of him would get you doomed!”

“O-one touch?!” His hand crawled to cup his shoulder and squeeze down. Yoongi has already touched him, but here’s he, still alive. “I can do it, ahjumma! Trust me! Just teach me how!” She hummed with her arms intertwined above her chest, giving a deep thinking over the matter.

“I don’t know why I’m even thinking about it! I can’t let you throw yourself in such danger-” He suddenly bucked and held her hand,

“Please! I have to save him! Otherwise I can’t continue living with the guilt!” His capacious hand crowded hers strongly with a plea, “Please!!” She thought she was an apathetic person, but that’s definitely wrong. His flaring facial expressions bent her will.

“Fine...alright…” The wide grin almost ripped his face into halves, clasping her hands harder.

“Thank you!”

“I suppose you’ll need this then…” her hands were withdrawn so she would stand up and search her old wooden cabin. An old book was dropped in front of him, urging him to sneeze from the amount of floating dust. Flipping through debilitated pages, Taehyung scanned them thoroughly in anticipation.

“Are you going to teach me cool spells?! Or maybe awesome tools to suppress the demon?!” Excitedly asked, but the sorceress rather cocked a mocking eyebrow,

“Sweety, who taught you that?”

“Movies!”

“Movies aren’t real, Tae. But this demon is.”

“You mean...no cool spells?” She shook her head. Out of disappointment, Taehyung stuck his bottom lip out, “Then what?”

“This.” She flipped the book upside down so that the boy on the other side can read the content.

‘Conjuring demons have been forbidden since the dawn of time. Demons are the connection between the living, spiritual, and the sinister world. And by summoning them, the balance will be corrupted. If done wrong, evil can be free to consume the world of humans…’

Taehyung had to skip the boring speech to the way of destroying demons on the next page.

‘Conjuring and banning demons doesn’t need a specialist. Using the symbol and the name, one can kill the evil spirit.’

“Symbol? I-I already know his name, but the symbol?”

“Beside the names, each demon has a significant distinguishable symbol, they contain power to travel through all worlds, and the power to possess humans.”

“And I can destroy it by the symbol how exactly?”

“I’ll teach you what to do next, you bring me the symbol, and I’ll do the rest.”

“Really?! I don’t want to trouble you with-”

“Nonesens! I’ve always been your spiritual guider! And I’ll remain to be. Now, my dearest, be careful, and try to find out the symbol. But remember, do not let him sense you, neither touch you!”

“Okay. Thank you so much.” He stood, bowed a perfect ninety degree before heading to the door. Then he turned to ask another favor, “Oh! One more thing!”

“What is it?”

“How can I talk to Jimin?”

“That’s simple, you just have to find him. Find where his soul is bounded, and your ability should do the rest.”

“Where he’s bounded…” He whispered to himself, “Got it, I owe you a lot.” She smiled back with a gentle nod.

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The place where Jimin would be bounded to. Where could that be?

Taehyung jiggled his mind trying to figure this out on his walk back home. He found Jimin in the asylum last time, the last place he was seen before taken by Yoongi. And he saw him another time long before, in the kitchen, with Yoongi. He always appear with the demon, how can he talk to him at this rate?! Can he even do that? Doesn’t spirit can’t talk?

“Ugh! My head will explode if I kept thinking for another second!” Using his hands to ruffle his hair to a mess. At least, he was too immersed in his thoughts that he arrived home without knowing it. “Huh! This chill!” The crying ghost won’t leave, the whole corridor was coated with frost. He had to sprint pass her and enter the apartment.

And such a warm welcome he received.

“Taehyung?! Where have you been?!” The older angrily crossed arms and flared his nostrils in anger.

“I had something to do. Why?” The cold answer only fueled his rage more.

“You could’ve told me before ditching me alone!! Or at least text me!”

“Calm down! I’m sorry! I didn’t even bring my phone with me! It’s in here!”

“Argh! Forget it!” The taller stomped on the floor with each step toward the kitchen. Taehyung felt the guilt eating him, so he followed the older with timide steps.

Red!

By the entrance of the kitchen, Taehyung prevented his legs from taking any further step inside. He completely forgot about the blood carpenting the floor tiles. Just what on earth happened here?

“What now?!” Hoseok growled watching the latter standing absentmindedly.

“N-nothing…” As soon as he turned his body to walk to the bedroom, Hoseok called,

“Yah! Wanna share dinner?” His tone was an order more than an offer, Taehyung thought it’s best to do what he wants.

“Uhh...sure.”

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Talking over dinner to inquire about Jimin secretly was a great idea. Only if Hoseok cared to listen. The older munched his food silently and directed his eyes to the babbling news on the T.V. The atmosphere started to turn a little bit awkward.

Taehyung had to finish his dinner quickly so he can leave this trap. He pushed his chair backwardly with noises, thanking his hyung for the food lowly.

When his feet straddled the floor, his head span painfully, as if a sword cut through his brain.

“Nggh!”

“Taehyung?! Are you okay?!” His voice seemed ten times louder,

“M-my head…” His cells were squeezed to the extent of being smashed. Compressing his head wasn’t enough, he started pulling his hair and shutting his eyes from the blinding lights.

“Come! Sit here!” Hoseok guided him to sit back on the chair. “Where does it hurt? Shall we go to a hospital?”

“No...no need...j-just some rest will do…”

“Okay, lean on me.” Hoseok wrapped an arm around his neck to pull him to stand, then cautiously waddle to the bedroom. Taehyung winced when his aching shoulder stretched further than he can endure, hissing loudly. “Just few more steps. That’s it.”

As if he was a limp corpse, Taehyung fell on Jimin’s bed to hyperventilate. The headache got him so dizzy that he couldn’t keep his eyes open without feeling nauseated. He even feels so cold, so pained, so weak. He began whimpering and shivering, hugging himself and rolling on his side.

“Taehyung-ah...are you sick?” The only response he got was a deep raspy moan. But what made Hoseok panic for real was the skin that started to turn pale and redless, alas his lips took the color of blue “I-I’ll call for help!” The older ran out of the room for his phone, leaving the latter alone, shivering and struggling to keep his consciousness. He lasted few moments before drifting to darkness.

Darkness…? Where am I?

“Tae…”

Hm?

“Tae…”

Who’s there?

“Come find me…”

Jimin?! Is that you? Where?! Where can I find you?!

…………..

Jimin! Please! Tell me!

“Last place where we met…”

With a loud gasp, Taehyung woke up. His eyes blinded with the bright lights and the completely white environment. His arms instinctively covering his hurt eyes. There was a faint headache swirling in his skull, but that didn’t prevent him from sitting straight and scan where he was at.

Taehyung was lying on a white bed, floral yellow curtains covered the sun light. Is it sunset? And there was Hoseok sleeping on the couch.

“Hyun-Ouch!” When he tried to move off his bed, the IV needle attached to his forearm stopped him. “Whu-...” He picked the needle out and covered the blood flow with a tissue on the nightstand beside him.

That dream...it felt real. He can still feel Jimin’s voice bouncing in his ears’ canals. “The place where we last met…?” The pain in his head wasn’t helping him remembering, he stood and walked toward the sleeping older, “Hyung. Hyung! Wake up!”

“Uhhh, I wanna sleep mo-!! Tae! You’re okay?!” The taller stood and caressed every inch of the shorter.

“Calm down! I’m fine!”

“You sure?!” Hoseok palmed his forehead to check his temperature, “Oh, your fever went down.”

“I had a fever?”

“And a low pressure, short breathing, anemia, and did you ever tell me you have lungs asthma?”

“I don’t!”

“Well, you have now.”

“Really?!”

“What was that about?! What did you do before you come yesterday?!”

“I…” He thought once, twice, then trice about telling Hoseok about his plans, and it’s best to keep him out of them. “Nothing...I don’t know what caused this, I just felt a heavy headache after…” He trailed off with a concentrated frown to remember. Hoseok completed his sentence,

“After the dinner, remember?”

“Oh, yeah, yeah, I do now...maybe I just need a big rest.”

“I know, we both have been taking it a little bit rough on ourselves…” Taehyung nodded approvingly. “Come on,” The older patted his shoulder blade from behind, “Let’s get you out of here.”

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His whole body started to feel weaker each passing day. The deep breaths he thoughts that they were healing only causing his chest to hurt. And every physical task seems harder than they were. Like showering, he has to rest on the edge of the bathtub now and then. His shoulders are more sore than ever, his knees, and back too. It’s like he’s aging far too quickly.

Is it because of the burn? Yoongi’s mark? Is that what the sorceress meant by “one touch can bring your doom”? Is he doomed?

The orange haired sank deeper in the hot bathtub as the thought of death crossed his mind. If his body is only getting weaker and weaker, will he eventually die? He doesn’t want to yet...the spiritual world as he have seen isn’t relaxing as people thinks. There’s a lot of pain, a lot of misery, and so so cold.

His body shuddered in goose bumps, he had to hug his knees closer to stop shivering even though he is inside the hot water. Taehyung knows very well that he has to accept this fate sooner or later. Everyone is going to die, he was going to if Yoongi touched him or not. But he cannot give up before saving Jimin.

Holding that target, Taehyung dried himself and wore his warm clothes to leave the apartment.

“Where we last met...where we last met…” Taehyung chanted to himself with each step, recalling where could that place be. It’s been really long since he last saw him. He can recall Jungkook sneaking to meet Jimin while he was left alone to study for his college. Then it has to be before Jungkook’s confession. Wait, there was that time Jungkook asked for a romantic movie! He must have watched it with Jimin! He went to Jimin’s apartment because he cannot leave. But why can’t he?

“Ugh! Think Tae! Think!” He knuckled his own temple to evoke his brain to work harder.

Jungkook always sleep late because of texting Jimin. He’d titter like teenage girls and tell him how Jimin thinks his nose is pretty or how he has a nice body. And there was that time…

“Hyung! Where’s my red tee?!”

“How should I know?” Taehyung was lying on their living room couch. He had a horrible headache, the aftermath of drinking.

“It’s important! I need to go check on Jimin hyung!”

“Really?! Can you bring me some of Hoseok’s hangover soup? It’s the best!”

“I don’t have time-!...in fact! I might use that as an excuse!”

“Excuse for what?”

“To see Jimin! I don’t want to freak him out with my crush after the car accident…” Taehyung chuckled with dorky snores.

“That won’t happen, trust me. Jimin looooves you.”

“H-huh?!” Jungkook’s face turned deep red. “Really?! How did you know?!”

“Hoseok hyung told me.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?!”

“It wouldn’t be fun seeing you two dating easily.” Jungkook bit his lips and ran toward the lying body to kick him straight in the abdomen. “UGH!”

“You deserve that!”

“Jungkook…” Taehyung chuckled to himself remembering bashful Jungkook. Everyone thinks he’s ignorant and tough, but he’s just a small timid boy.

Taehyung suddenly stopped walking, he realized something. The car accident! He remembers now! Last time he saw Jimin was before his exams when they made a small party for his hospital release in their usual restaurant. But, a restaurant? Is it really where Jimin is waiting for him? Guess he has to go to find out.

It wasn’t fancy neither popular at all. They chose it specifically because of that. To save money, and eat quietly. Most of their parties and gathering were in it, Taehyung had to inhale deeply with all the memories washing over him after a single glance. He entered and settled on a table, a waiter came to welcome him,

“Welcome! Here’s your minue, call me when you are ready to order!”

“Thanks.”

Will Jimin really come here? It’s been an hour! He can’t put another bite in his mouth after bored-eating like a pig. He exhaled while smacking his lips like an angry duck. He felt how he was wasting his time, so he went for a restroom break before leaving with disappointment.

After finishing his business,Taehyung stood to wash his hand by the sink when he heard a weird rustle in a bathroom slot. Like someone was scratching the door?

“Hello? Is something wrong?” Steam left his lips when he spoke, it was cold. This chill...is it Jimin?! “Jimin?! Is that you?!” He knocked on the slot door, afterwards the door creaked open slowly. “Ji-” It was a man, scowling from his disturbance.

“You got the wrong person.”

“S-sorry…” He pushed him and went to wash his hands before leaving. Taehyung sighed and stroke his orange locks, his hand sliding to his nape for a slight squeeze. Just when he was leaving too, another slot door was open, Taehyung turned as a normal reaction without any expectations.

The toilet flushed water on its own, but then made gurgling sounds of clogging. The water flowed out and escaped to the floor, only that it wasn’t water at all. Black pooled on the floor, gooey and thick. It scared Taehyung that he was about to run for it, but swirling around himself, dark liquid surrounded him from everywhere. It crawled slowly to his feet, he has no way to run, and so, the liquid touched his feet.

Just.

“Oh...it’s not bad as I tho-WHOA!” The liquid swallowed Taehyung to the ground like it was a bottomless pool. Sinking deeper and deeper and unable to breath, Taehyung thought it was Yoongi dragging him to his death. Yet it wasn’t.

He kept falling till he made contact to a solid ground. The impact was so strong that he had to lay on the ground till he regained consciousness. “Shit, ugh…” His back, shoulders, head, all of his body hurt, throbbing in pain. The blur covering his sight cleared a bit, he can see water above him. “Huh?” Floating water, dark, ominous, and creepy. It feels like it’ll fall upon him any second. He steadied his back that cracked the moment it straightened, then stood to explore his surroundings. All black, extending to the far distance. His own steps echoed loudly, multiplying till it reached everywhere.

“Hello?! Anybody there?!” He heard nothing but his own echo. “Anyone?! Please!” Shiver clambered his skin, freezing him inside out. It was ten times colder than he feels around ghosts, his teeth clashed hard, frost pinching his limbs painfully.

Taehyung decided to walk and find his way out, hugging and rubbing his arms. “Hello!! Is there anyone?! Gosh! Freaking cold!” He whimpered shakily and rubbed his palms harder. A dread idea clicked to his mind. Will I freeze to death in here? His knees gave in and closed together before falling to the ground.

Weak, cold, and alone. Taehyung couldn’t bring his positive always cheerful soul to encourage himself. He can’t think at all amid the depression fogging his mind. Only then, he heard footsteps echoing. They are getting louder, closer. In defiant, he stood and looked everywhere for the source, afraid of whatever coming towards him.

From between the shades, he saw bare feet approaching him. Short fluffy toes, not a sign of danger. His eyes trailed up to the face appealing from behind the dusk.

“J-Jimin!” The latter smiled softly,

“Hello, Taehyung-ah…” He looked...different. His skin looked brighter, bloodless to be precise. And his hair lost color, nearly grey. But those facial features, oh, and his voice, he cannot mix them to another person.

“Oh my god! It is you!” He ran to him with tears welling up in his eyes. He wanted to hug that petite figure he longed for, but Jimin raised defending arms and stepped to the side. Taehyung lost his balance and stumbled, falling on his knees, and when he raised his head up, he was startled by Jimin kneeling to his face level. The fair beautiful face was blinding from this near he almost cried.

“You can’t touch me Tae…” Captured in disbelief, Taehyung couldn’t stop staring at his face, as if making sure this isn’t a dream. Jimin chuckled, “What’s wrong with that face?”

“I-I’m sorry…” Taehyung tittered, “It’s just...I’ve been looking for you for so long I can’t believe it…” Jimin smiled and sat on his hips, this is going to be a long talk for sure. “Jimin, I-I have too many questions! What happened to you?! Where are we?! And why did you dis-”

“Whoa! Slow down!” Jimin chuckled his soft addicting lilt.

“Sorry, again.”

“God, it’s so good to see you...see someone actually.”

“Wait…” Taehyung tried to touch him and test the waters, but another defiant gesture from Jimin stopped him. He lowered his hand back on his thigh. “Are you a…” He was too scared to finish his question, but what scared him more was the answer, “Ghost?”

“No, not yet at least.”

“Huh?!”

“Being here is sucking life out of me...I’m...I’m fading.”

“Fading?!” The silver haired nodded once slowly, tears glittering in his orbs. “Does that mean...you’re still alive?! Then what is this place?!”

“It’s the veil...the in between of the living world and the...dead.” Taehyung gulped thickly at how Jimin shivered from the last world. But still, Taehyung felt a bit relieved, that means…

“That means...you can still go back to our world?” Jimin rather moued with a loll of the head.

“I can travel here and there...but not any time I want, and not for long. And...no one can see me.” Taehyung unconsciously rubbed his freezing shoulders, Jimin noticed that and chuckled out,

“Is it too cold? I got used to it after being trapped for so long…”

“Is it that demon who is captivating you?” Jimin faced him with surprised eyes, and he jumped to shut his yap before the latter pronounced his name, “Yoon-hmph!”

“Shhh! You can’t say his name!” It was an unintentional mistake, Jimin removed his hands off Taehyung in horror and retreated back. His eyes scanning everywhere with quivering lips, “Oh no...I-I touched you…”

“What do you mean?”

“He can feel it! He’s coming! Quick! Leave!” Jimin stood and tried to flee away from Taehyung before they are discovered, but Taehyung seized his wrist.

“Not without you!” jerking his hand in his full power, Jimin shouted,

“You don’t understand! He’ll hurt both of us! Just leave!” Taehyung shouted in return,

“But how will I find you?!”

“When the right time comes, I’ll come to you.” They heard the screeching of near coming evil, Jimin had no choice but to push Taehyung very hard, enough to knock him to the floor.

In my a matter of a blink, he found himself in the restroom, surrounded by a group of people.

“Is he okay?’

“Someone call for help!”

“Sir, are you alright?” Taehyung couldn’t cope on the fear in his head from the still audible screeching, he pushed the men away and ran out of the restroom. His frozen legs failed him once that he knocked a table off on his way out, but didn’t stop at all. He took the nearby alley, and it was the baddest decision ever. The shadows followed him, crawling on the concrete walls as fast as he was running, they were about to corner him, but his speed was fueled by his fear. He got out of the alley before the shadows blocked the exit.

Going to Hoseok’s is wrong, Yoongi already knows the place, he needs somewhere Yoongi never visited. And so, he went to his old apartment. He ran up the stairs to the third floor in a speed of light, running to his apartment and hiding in it. It was surprising how luck was on his side to find the apartment door open. He stood few moments by the door, back pressed on it for securement.

He waited and waited, and nothing happened. Seems like Taehyung escaped. He released a relieved sigh, sliding down the door to rest his weak shaking legs.

“Phew…” He then smiled, he did it. He found Jimin. And now just needs to suppress Yoongi. Claiming air back to his lungs, Taehyung stood to head to the tempting cushions of the sofa. As soon as he laid down, he straightened his back again on the chill he felt. It was accompanied with breeze, carrying furious and wrath with it. In fear, his body flipped to fall on the floor clumsily. He was ready to run toward the exit, suspecting that Yoongi might have found him. But to his surprise, it was someone else.

“Jungkook…?!” The said ghost was standing in the inner hallway near the bedroom. He was mad, just like before. “What’s wrong now?! I didn’t get in your way!” Jungkook scrunched his nose in distaste, stepping closer to him. Taehyung can feel his anger, radiating and palpable to his eyes. “I don’t understand you! I’m just trying to save Jimin!” The ghost’s facial expressions calmed a bit, Taehyung took his chance to explain himself more, “A demon captured him! I can save him! I know how!” Jungkook’s head cocked to the side, questioning Taehyung’s honesty. “I’m not lying! I need to know Yoon-! Oh! I almost said his name! A-anyway! I need to find his symbol to destroy him and save Jimin!” The frown on Jungkook’s face was of worry when he lolled his head. The boy was so obvious that Taehyung easily read him, he was the only one who understood him well. Taehyung came closer to him as he spoke, “I know you’re worried about Jimin, that’s why you’re probably bounded here...but can I ask you one thing?” Jungkook snapped his head up, “Do you know this demon?” Taehyung was ready to scold him if he knew before his death and didn’t ask for his help, but Jungkook shook his head. “You don’t? You didn’t see him?” He shook his head in disagreement again, “Then...Jimin told you?” Another shake of the head, “Then how did you end up here?!” The wrath came out again, Jungkook breathed heavily like a beast. Taehyung can see hatred in his eyes, flaming up that he can see nothing but it. “Jungkook-ah...is it...revenge?” The more he stares at the latter’s eyes, the more he is sure about the answer. “But from who? The burglar that killed you?” Yet again, Jungkook shook his head, “Who is it then?” Jungkook raised a hand slowly, he was going to gesture a hint. Taehyung’s followed his slim digits too carefully that he was startled by the man standing near him.

“HUH!”

“Who are you?! What are you doing here?!” Taehyung patted his chest to calm his panicked heart, cursing under his quick breaths.

“You freaked me out!” Taehyung attacked.

“I’m sorry, I thought no one lived here, I came to check it...did you use to live here?”

“Yes. Me and my friend.” Speaking of him, Taehyung turned back to face him to find out that he was gone.

“Great! I’ve been trying to contact you, but none of the giving numbers were valid.” Taehyung looked at him with cocked eyebrows, waiting for him to explain. “Oh, I’m sorry, where are my manners? I’m the owner’s son. My father passed away last week, and I came to sell the place.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. My condolences.”

“Thank you. I was hoping you would remove all your belongings so I can start the auction.”

“Okay...I’ll do that today, I don’t have many left anyway…”

“Great! Thanks for the cooperation, the other residents were kind of mean.”

“Tell me about them.” He rolled his eyes.

“So, have a nice day!” The man left.

Few clothes, some utilities, and loads of useless junk. Taehyung carried what was important and went to his current residence. The bag was so heavy, Taehyung is sure he can carry more than that easily, did he miscalculated it? He is feeling like his arm would fall off any second, so he dropped the bag on the sidewalk. Hyperventilating, he stood still to palm his shoulder and rest a bit. His stamina was gone too soon, looks like he needs to rest.

“Huff! Why does Hoseok hyung live in the highest floor?!” Taehyung complained after letting his bag fall to the floor. He sat on the staircase, dizzy and out of breaths. He needed couple of minutes before bringing himself to stand, only one floor to climb. Taehyung hissed from the chill. The ghost girl next door crying became a real pain in the ass. He stood by the body curling like a freezed ball on her knees. “Yah…” He called her, but didn’t flinch until he repeated louder. “Yah!” The pair of black eyes freaked the lad out, his throat tightened and his feet retreated a couple steps in defence. This darkness, it feels so familiar. Her aura didn’t show any threat, Taehyung can tell that she’s harmless. He squatted near her face, her orbs moving with him. He wanted to inspect her nearer, his hand dared to touch her cold cheek. As soon as he did, a face flashed before his eyes, an unknown one. So white and blinding, thin and bloodless. Like a snowflake, but not as pure. The screech started low at first, getting louder the longer he stared at him till it turned deafening. He withdrew his hands from her face to block his ears and fall backwardly on his hips. “What the fuck was that?!” Yoongi?! He can’t possibly mistake that feeling, the screeches, the darkness. It does belong to the same demon! “Y-you-!” The hand he pressed on the floor to steady himself touched something. He looked back at it to find a charm, a necklace charm. He cocked his head to the side inspecting it, he remembers this shape, the Pisces sign. “Huh? This…” He picked it up and flipped it between his long slim digits. He recall it clearly, Jimin wearing it after coming from the Maldives, saying it’d bring him up with his ideal type date. “This is...Jimin’s. Why do you have it?” He swayed the charm near her face, and she hissed covering her face, bearing her teeth and disappearing into the wall. She has entered the apartment she has always cried beside. She ran away from it? He looked at the charm again, it has a different color from Jimin’s. This one is pink, old and scratched that the wooden layer can be seen. On the other hand, Jimin’s was kind of a dark blue shade. But they look alike unbelievably. Did she visit the same shop in the Maldives?

“Wait...the Maldives…?” About that time, Jimin started acting weird, he remembers his random and absentmindedly actions. Hoseok once mentioned it too, that Jimin shouldn’t go on trips again and that they exhaust him. And it’s around that time that he got his Pisces necklace.

Taehyung stood and read the sign on the door. “Ahn Family”

Ahn? Ahn...Ahn?!

Psychiatric Lee mentioned a girl Yoongi had kidnapped too, Ahn. Is that her surname? Did she use to live her?! What a hell of a coincidence!

Realizations kept hitting Taehyung’s brain to the extent he paralyzed with a big ‘oh’ hanging his yap.

If she ran from this charm, does that mean this Pisces has to do with Yoongi?! Does that mean...this Pisces...is Yoongi’s…?!!

He can’t take early assumptions, he needs to make sure. His knock on the door were hesitant, timid. He waited and waited, then knocked again. No one’s home? Just when he gave his back to the door, it creaked open slowly. An old woman popped her head from behind.

“Who is it?” Her voice shivered out of her age.

“H-hello? Mrs. Ahn?”

“What is it young man?”

“G-good evening…” He wasn’t sure how to start this, but her kind smile was relaxing and encouraged him to talk. “Halmoni, how are you?” He bowed and prayed that she’d fall for his grin, like everyone else around him. And she did.

“Quite good, young man. How can I help you?”

“I, uhhh…”

“Yes?” Think Tae! Think!

“I-I live here next door, and thought maybe I should...say hi?” Such an idiot!

“Really? Wait, Jimin is that you?”

“Huh?”

“Have you became taller? Is that a new hair cut?” She squinted her eyes to study the boy’s features. She must be suffering a sight weakness.

“No, ma’am, I’m his friend, Kim Taehyung.”

“Oh, I thought Jimin and Hoseok lived next door.”

“They do! I mean did, I just started living here lately…”

“Hmm…” A husky voice called from inside.

“Dear, I smell burning!”

“Coming, honey! I’m making dinner, would you like to join?” She kindly offered, and Taehyung used this chance for a further investigation.

“I would love to!” She made space for him to slip inside and then locked the door.

“Make yourself comfortable, sweetie.” The house was old fashioned, but cozy, the smell of the delicious epic food reeked to his nose. He felt hungry when he wasn’t even thinking about it. There was a green couch occupied by an old man. Grey covered his head and the thin mustache under his nose. He handled his glasses to look closely,

“Who’s that, dear?”

“He’s from next door, I invited him for dinner.” Not very palpable, he made a small scowl. But once she mentioned that “He’s Jimin’s friend.” That twist of his lips was replaced with a smile.

“Really? Why didn’t you say sooner? Welcome! Any friend of Jimin is ours too!” Taehyung was shocked how much this couple knows and loves Jimin. He never mentioned them at all.

They shared a lovely dinner. Taehyung ate like there was no tomorrow and could eat his fingers after every bite. When he had his head digged in his bowl, the woman threw a question.

“By the way, isn’t the apartment too small for three men?”

“What?”

“You, Hoseok, and Jimin. Isn’t too crowded?”

“No, actually it’s just me and Hoseok hyung…”

“What about Jimin?” The man asked.

“Uhhh, he doesn’t live here anymore…”

“Why?!”

“I’ll tell you why if you answered a question of mine…” Taehyung offered, the married couple looked at each other then at him.

“What’s your question, boy?”

“Can you tell me about your daughter?” Both seemed shocked to hear about their daughter, facing each other in uncertainty and back at him.

“How did you know we have a daughter?” The man asked with a hint of threat. But the boy rather asked another question,

“Where’s she now? She isn’t here, is she?”

“What do you want from her?”

“Please, I need to know where she is!” The man lost his temper and stood to slap the table with his ample palm while shouting,

“I said, what do you want from my daughter?!”

“Sweetie! Calm down! Taehyung, if you’re not eating, just leave.” Even the woman scowled at him. Taehyung tried one last time,

“I need to know, because Jimin... Jimin might be with her!”

“What?! Just get fucking out of my house!”

“I’ll lead him out! Calm down, honey.” She placed a hand on his arm to command him to stand, Taehyung feeling the burn of the man’s glares, he obeyed her. She unlocked the door and gently pushed him out. And just before she locks it again, she popped her head out and whispered, “Is...is Jimin really with her? Is that why we don’t see him anymore?” Taehyung can see her obvious worries and care, he nodded firmly once. “Really? And do you know where is our daughter?”

“If I do I wouldn’t be here asking you.” she couldn’t just shut the door on his face, she pulled her wool jacket to cover herself properly when she felt so cold. She slipped out and closed the door behind her. With an anxious frown, the old woman spoke,

“Honestly, we don’t know where our daughter went either...it happened years ago, she was in a…” it was too hard for her to speak about her beloved child, her throat tightened and she couldn’t put her vocal tracts in function. But Taehyung can easily guess how things ended up for her.

“She went mad, right? You sent her to a mental asylum…” Shocked and grieved, her eyes went wide and a hand raised to cover her mouth.

“H-how did you know?!”

“Because that’s what happened to Jimin…”

“W-what…?” Her breathing quickened, Taehyung was afraid that he shocked her far too much, but he needs more confirmation. He took out the necklace charm and swayed it in front of her face.

“Do you know this?”

“This…” Her hand touched the wooden piece, “This is my daughter’s! Where did you get it?!”

“I don’t know how to explain it to you...you probably won’t believe me, but...I can see ghosts…” He spoke slowly and carefully, watching her confused expressions. “I saw your daughter, she always sit here near the door.” He pointed where he always spots her, right beside her right foot. The old woman stepped away unconsciously, soon scowled and glared at the boy. Now it was his turn to step away,

“You think this is funny? Is this a funny joke to you? You wanted to make fun of my girl like all stupid teenagers?! I had enough of you insensitive brats calling my daughter crazy and a psychic!”

“No! Ma’am! I’m telling the truth! I can see ghosts like she used to-”

“My daughter can’t see ghosts! She was mentally ill! And everyone made fun of her instead of showing support!” she sobbed, “ Now begone! Never come back!” and she entered the apartment before slamming her door shut.

“What was I thinking?...huh…” Taehyung couldn’t come to blame her, it must be hard what she went through. He flipped his wrist to look at the charm again, then walking to Hoseok’s apartment.

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Things only got worse for Taehyung. His body’s condition was getting worse and worse. It feels like he aged, but thankfully not in appearance. Hoseok suggested that he gets a massage or a muscles therapy, but that too requires a lot of moving. He prefers the easier choice, lounging on his couch with a bucket of ice cream. He eats and sleeps for the past two days, but never felt better.

“ugh...” he groaned while trying to stand, leaning his weight on the arm of the couch. He needed another bucket of ice cream, so he waddled to the kitchen heavily. All day, he was thinking about Jimin, about the girl Ahn, and about the demon Yoongi. Jimin promised him that he’ll show up, but when? He’s so sick of waiting.

After grabbing a new bucket, Taehyung settled on the couch again, and started devouring the toffee flavoured ice cream. He was too immersed in the movie and the sweetness that a couple of hours later, he surrendered to the drowsiness creeping his brain.

“Tae…” Heard a small chant, so soft like a flute.

“Tae.” It called again louder. But what awaked him was a gentle blow against his tufts.

“Hm?” He hummed while stretching his sore limbs, he was lying on the couch and resting his head on the small cushion pillow. When he faced up, he was met face to face with a big pearls white grin. He blinked over and over, couldn’t believe his eyes that caught Jimin’s face. “H-hyung?!”

“You still sleep cutely Taehyung-ah.” Taehyung flipped with the surprise and fell on the floor.

“Ouch!”

“Gosh are you okay?!”

“Ugh! W-what are you doing in here?!” Jimin crouched to his level.

“I told you, I’ll come to you when it’s the right time.” Taehyung steadied his back, stared at Jimin’s face with a small gap of the mouth. It’s like his friend isn’t a ghost. He’s here breathing and smiling like nothing ever happened. Oh how he misses their old days, where they eat, play, and hang out all the time.

He stared for so long that Jimin felt annoyed.

“Why are you staring like that?” He pouted.

“Sorry,” Taehyung chuckled while palming his eyes. “I just hate how things turned to…”

“I know…” When he lolled his head, Taehyung can see Jimin’s hair roots that was consumed by grey. He was about to touch him when he remembered Yoongi and withdrew his hand.

“Jimin...your hair's turning grey.” Concernedly remarked.

“Really?” Jimin sounded so surprised, reaching for his own hair to comb it unintentionally.

“You don’t know?” Looking into his eyes directly, he can also see some kind of a difference, Jimin’s pupils looks larger than normal. “Even your eyes...What does that demon do to you?”

“I...I can’t tell you…”

“Why not? Is it...horrible?” Jimin avoided his eyes.

“No...he doesn’t hurt me actually...but...I hate it in there...with him…” Taehyung nodded understandingly, though he’s still curious about what Yoongi did to him to make him change a lot.

“But...why is it you? What made him choose you?”

“It was...random?”

“What does that suppose to mean?” Jimin leaned back so he is sitting on his buttockes.

“It’s a necklace, something that bounded me to him.”

“A necklace?!” Taehyung stood in excitement of his geniousity and slipped out the pink replica. “I knew it! That charm of Pisces! It looked like this, right?!” As soon as Jimin got a sight of it, he bucked away and stood by the far wall. “W-what is-”

“WHY DO YOU HAVE THAT?!” Startled was Taehyung from his very loud shout.

“What’s wrong?!”

“THROW THAT AWAY! QUICKLY!”

“Calm down! Why are you yelling?!”

“He can feel it dumbhead! He’ll come for u-!” Jimin’s body shivered palpably that he trailed off his talk. He turned to look to the left, to something Taehyung cannot see behind the corner. His eyes were filled with horror and anxiety. Taehyung can see how his adam’s apple popped when he gulped thickly.

The chill froze the room, Taehyung rubbed his arms and curled his legs to warm himself. But he never looked away from Jimin. The latter looked at him slowly, shook his head and mouthed mutely,

“Hide…” His instincts urged him to move in a speed he didn’t know that he possessed to crawl backwardly and hide behind the couch.

The room grew colder, he blew hot air to his palms and rubbed them. But he stopped all movements on the screeches filling the place. Random voices and whispers were falling to his ears, this time he trembled not of cold but fear. He then heard Jimin talking,

“I-I’m sorry...I won’t leave again…”

Whispers.

“No one is here…” The loud screech scared the shit out of Taehyung and made him fidge in place. “I-I’m not lying!” Jimin’s voice wavered badly. The orange haired can hear and feel the horror, but his stupid brain needed more confirmation. He popped his head from behind the couch.

The figure of black was terrifying. So tall and slim, only his shoulders were broad. Jimin was so small beside him, so scared and shivering. This is the second time Taehyung put him in danger. Although, what he really wants was to help him.

The long arm reached for Jimin, pointy and bony digits touched his face. The hiding latter was watching tensely, can’t jump to the rescue neither watch silently anymore. His body swayed back and forth, go? Stay? Go! I can’t! I must stay! But…I can’t lose him too.

“Ugh!” Taehyung whimpered from the pain in his shoulder. It stung him suddenly and took him by surprise. He tugged his collar aside to check the scar Yoongi left, it was burning so bad. Very busy with his pain, Taehyung didn’t notice that he was so loud, and Yoongi was standing right behind him.

Taehyung shivered from head to toes on the great drop of temperature, and the extremely cold breaths against his scalp.

How did he end up in the same position?

“You again…” He can understand him, unlike when he was talking with Jimin. He didn’t even dare to move an inch with the shadow hovering above his head. “Are you the one who is trying to steal my human?” His teeth clashed from the vigorous trembling of his body. The black hand reached to his neck, a pointy finger scratched his skin, Yoongi was quite enjoying how the human feared him that he was toying with him. He laughed with a hoarse tone, “I love it when your kind tremble like this. Specially my human.” The black digit digged deeper and Taehyung found himself squirming away. He rolled on the floor due to his weak legs and started crawling toward Jimin who stood there with eyes full of tears.

His limbs suddenly spasmed, preventing him from moving further. Then the pain conquered.

“UUUGH!! UGH!!” He was wiggling on the floor while cupping his aching shoulder. His scar was burning like it never did, like hot metal melting on his skin. “UUGH!”

“TAEHYUNG!” Jimin ran toward him and kneeled, caressing everywhere to discover what is torturing him. Taehyung didn’t stop screaming neither kicking everywhere. Jimin noticed him rubbing his shoulder, he slapped his hand away to bunch his collar and see the scar himself. A gasp left his jaw open on the scar glowing red. The mark was absolutely a demon’s work, Yoongi was torturing him.

Jimin plead the demon, “Please! I beg you! Stop hurting him!” Nevertheless, Yoongi kept staring and reflecting pain upon him. “PLEASE! I’LL DO WHATEVER YOU WANT!”

“GUH!” Taehyung vomited blood, coughing roughly and trying to keep his lungs functioning. Jimin was crying, his arm was twisted and he has no choice but to shout,

“Stop! And I won’t run away again! I’ll be what you wanted…” Jimin submitted to him, and as soon as Yoongi heard him, the pain stopped.

Taehyung rolled on his side while inhaling desperately, whimpering and mewling. With a fogged vision, Taehyung watched how the shadow handled Jimin to stand, then drag him behind toward the kitchen. The door was closed, but the demon went through it. As Jimin disappeared into the door, he was eyeing Taehyung with tears flowing down.

He was gone, and Taehyung has passed out.

======

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Where am I?

“Ugh…” He can hear muffled sounds around him, even see blurred bodies moving. He can feel cold air hitting his nose and lips, steaming and wetting his face. His body was so heavy, numb and feels like dead.

“Taehyung-ah!” He heard. Turning his head to the right, he blinked severally to identify the face near him. “Taehyung! Are you okay? Can you hear me?” His voice became clear, and he know this lilt very well.

“Seokjin hyung…” He rasped.

“Oh my god! Finally you’re awake!”

“Taehyung! I was so worried!” The voice on his other side was thick and hoarse, he knows to whom it belongs. Namjoon.

“W-where am I?”

“You’re at the hospital.” Seokjin answered with a gentle pat on his chest. The oxygen mask on his face started irritating him, he reached to rip it off when a hand stopped him.

“Don’t, you need that on.” A third voice said. Standing behind Namjoon, there was Hoseok. Taehyung obeyed and let his hand down.

Now that he have his full consciousness, he can feel a deep pain in both his shoulder and chest. He groaned and rubbed his chest in hope to calm the stings.

“Why am I here?” Both younger ones looked at Seokjin to give him an explanation without freaking him out.

“You...you had a surgery.” Taehyung frowned. Seokjin continued explaining, “Hoseok found you on the ground with blood leaking out of your mouth...and when we moved you to a hospital, it appeared that you had a punctured lung…”

“What?”

“Taehyung,” Namjoon spoke, “What were you doing?! What’s going on with you?! Lungs don’t just pierce themselves! Did someone assault you?” Now he remembers, there was someone who assaulted, only that it wasn’t anyone, it was a demon. Taehyung coughed weakly, so that’s why he is pained when he breathe deeply.

“No…” after a second thought, shouldn’t he tell them about Yoongi? Maybe he can convince them. He can show them his evidence and reveal the truth about Jimin being sent to a mental health asylum. No! Am I crazy!? Yoongi will hunt them once he speak about him. He gulped thickly and tried to steady his back. “No one assaulted me.”

“Then what happened?”

“I don’t know...I just felt pain and...fainted.” All of them sighed and went silent. They can’t say he’s lying without proofs.

“Anyway,” Seokjin said cheerfully, “We’re glad that you’re okay.”

“Yeah. He’s right.” Namjoon approved, reaching to clasp his hand. “We’re glad.” He kept receiving touches and pats everywhere.

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The night arrived. Taehyung needed a couple more days under observation before the hospital releases him, and the visiting hours were over. The nurse came to accompany them out, only that Taehyung protested and begged,

“No! Please, don’t leave me alone.” He clinged on Namjoon’s sleeve.

“It’s okay,” The nurse reassured, “You won’t be alone, I’ll come check on you every now and then.”

“You don’t understand, I don’t want to be alone at all.” What if he showed up?

“Sir, our hospital is secured, there’s no need to worry.” She tried to tug his hand away from Namjoon’s sleeve, but he gripped for dear life. He looked into their eyes with sorrowful and teary ones.

“Please…” They couldn’t resist after the first drop of tears.

“Taehyung, please, don’t…” Seokjin came to his side and with tender hands, released his fingers off Namjoon and engulfed it between his two. Seokjin looked from above his shoulder to talk to the nurse. “Can’t one of us stay with him?” She hesitated, glanced at all of their begging faces.

“But none of you are his relative…”

“His family are in Daegu, you don’t expect them to come right now, do you?” Namjoon argued.

“Oh…”

“I can stay with him, I’m his flatmate.” Hoseok stepped in. She seemed to think deeply with downturned lips. Then finally announced,

“Okay, but we have to tell the director about this matter.”

“Sure, I’ll go with you.” Namjoon held Hoseok’s wrist to come closer and whisper in his ear,

“Are you sure? Don’t you have exams to study for? I can take your place if you w-”

“That’s fine Namjoon-ah, I wanna do this…” Hoseok glanced at Taehyung back who smiled the slightest in content and gratitude.

Hoseok was able to convince the director of the hospital to let him stay with his friend. But he conditioned that it’ll be one day only till his family come from Daegu. But Taehyung insisted to not do so. To not call his family. They’d freak out and might take him back to their hometown, which means they might get in his way of saving Jimin.

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Night deepened. Taehyung couldn’t close a lid with the umbra of a demon haunting his thoughts. Hoseok was already asleep on the couch on the opposite wall of the bed. Taehyung keeps fidgeting on each shadow passes his window and from under his door. He didn’t even allow Hoseok to turn off the nightstand lamp.

Taehyung sighed reluctantly, lying his back flatly on the bed with a groan of pain. Maybe he’ll fall asleep if he kept his head on the pillow. He can hear Hoseok snoring softly, flipping continuously on the narrow couch.

Jimin was once sent to the hospital, he can recall that. Yoongi must be the cause, just like what he did to him now. They were all oblivious about Jimin’s suffering, he was tortured by the merciless demon while they were busy with their lives to notice that.

Hoseok stopped snoring, he was breathing deeply and audibly. Taehyung shifted on his other side, he can see Hoseok’s back where he buried his face in the cushions of the couch. He noticed something strange. How come he can hear his breathing clearly if his face was dipped in the couch?

He steadied his back and just by the end of the bed, he was met with two giant white orbs in a black head staring at him. It was Yoongi with his expressionless face. Out of horror, Taehyung yelped and pulled his legs away. The shadow raised a hand and pressed it on the mattress. He was climbing the bed.

“No! D-don’t come near!” His long back was hunched were he was crawling on the mattress, his shoulders were broad that Taehyung feels so little. His face started splitting up to form a mouth, grinning devilishly and creeping to the boy more.

“Hahaha…” It chuckled hoarsely, no, wantonly, “I’ll find you, and I’ll kill you…” His face was now just above Taehyung’s feet. It was easy to hit him, but the lad didn’t find any strength to strike. It feels like his bones melted and got fragile, they might break if he used them, so does his arms that couldn’t hold him up anymore. His elbows buckled and he laid his back on the mattress. Trying to escape, he covered his face with the duvet and prayed hard, Please let it go away! Go away. Go away. Go away. Go away!!

“TAEHYUNG! WAKE UP!” The duvet was tugged off of him to reveal Hoseok. He has the biggest frown ever. “You were screaming in your dream!” Taehyung steadied his back very fast and groaned loudly from the pain in his chest. He scanned the room. No signs of Yoongi. Was it a dream?! Taehyung’s face was covered in cold sweat, his hyung reached out to wipe his temple. “You’re sweating heavily...Are you okay?” Not finding energy in talking, he just nodded with a long sigh.

Hoseok wasn’t convinced, he sat in opposite of him on the bed and held a hand dearly. Taehyung looked him in the eyes, then the latter started talking his worries, “Taehyung...I’m...I’m sorry.”

“Huh?”

“I’m sorry...I made the same mistake twice...first with Jimin, and now you…” Taehyung waited silently for him to compose himself to not cry, “I kept thinking to myself lately...maybe it’s my fault that Jimin has disappeared…”

“What…?”

“He asked for my help many times...but I ignored him...I thought he was insane! He needed me the most...and I called him crazy…” Hoseok sobbed. “I’m such a terrible friend...but now I won’t do that again!” He wiped his single tear swiftly then stared at Taehyung’s eyes as he spoke, “So, tell me what has happened to you! I’ll help you!” His words and feelings were sincere, Taehyung can feel it. He wanted to tell him everything, to empty his chest. That he saw Jimin and he is still alive. But what logic can he use to speak with a nonbeliever of superstitious?

Taehyung slipped his hand from between his two. Hoseok was dumbfounded by his action, staring very long at him. Taehyung smiled before uttering,

“I know how much you care about us, but blaming yourself for what happened to Jimin is wrong...I want to explain everything to you…” Hoseok leaned in anticipation. “But I can’t, it’s better for you not to know.”

“What the hell are you saying?!”

“You wouldn’t understand even if I explained it to you!”

“You didn’t even try before saying that!”

“Oh, I did hyung. Many times…” Hoseok squinted his eyes to remember,

“You mean...the messages or whatsoever?”

“Yes…” The older was going to mock like he always does, but stopped himself. He just stated that he’ll understand whatever that’s happening, so he’ll give him a chance before rejecting anything.

“Then tell me...I’ll listen for real now.”

“No.”

“Why?!”

“There’s no need anymore.”

“What the hell-” Taehyung cut him off.

“I’ll go back to the Taehyung you know, I promise, I just need a bit more time.”

“Fuck, Tae! This isn’t about me! I wanna help you!”

“I know...but there’s nothing you can do…” Hoseok sighed reluctantly, he is overwhelmed with rage and sadness and Taehyung's actions and words aren’t helping. Though he tried to remain calm and kept silence. He was going to stand and leave for a mind clearing walk, but Taehyung feeling a little bit of guilt, clasped his wrist to stop him. “Look...I bet you have many questions, but rather than can’t, I actually don’t know how to explain…”

“You can try…”

“If that would make you happy...okay.” Hoseok huffed and pulled his hand away,

“Jesus! It’s not about how I feel or what I want! I want to know if my bestfriend is in trouble so I can help!” How dedicated Hoseok was for his friends was so touching. Taehyung thinks he should tell him the truth, yet needs to be careful about what he says so Yoongi won’t appear.

“I’ll tell you then..but you have to listen to me till the end!” Slowly, Hoseok took a place on the bed again. “First of all...Jimin wasn’t crazy, what he was seeing was real.” Taehyung waited for any kind of a negative reaction from Hoseok to stop talking, since he showed none, Taehyung trailed on, “I can see that too. And no that doesn’t mean I’m crazy! I can see many things no one can since childhood. But lately, I discovered that what Jimin and I were seeing wasn’t harmless. It…” Taehyung hesitated to say it, but so far, Hoseok’s calm reactions encouraged him to talk, “It was a...demon.” Hoseok snorted with a quirked eyebrow.

“A demon. Wow…”

“You promised to listen till the end!”

“Okay, okay! I’m listening!”

“That demon is what took Jimin! I was trying to figure out how to save him! And now I know how!”

“How?” He inquired with crossed arms and a roll of the eyes. Hoseok was just coping with him.

“I need two things, its name, which I already know, and its symbol! And I found its symbol! But then it came to attack me, and that’s how you found me on the floor.” Hoseok couldn’t handle more of the nonsense, he stood and shook his head in refusal to believe.

“A demon?! Its name?! Its symbol?! Taehyung, I know how weird you are! But making such stories is just-”

“I’M NOT FUCKING MAKING IT UP!!” Taehyung exploded like he never did. Hoseok was extremely surprised to see him angry, his friend wasn’t the type to get mad, he never did actually. This was Hoseok’s first time to see him like this that he paralyzed. The latter can feel how he crossed the line and inhaled deeply, stretching his sore lung and groaning. “I’m sorry...just...just leave me alone.”

“No...I’m sorry too, I just can’t believe in...ghosts.”

“It’s not a ghost, it’s a demon…”

“Whatever, I can’t believe in supernatural stuff.”

“Fine, I don’t want you to, leave.”

“I said I’m sorry, Taehyung! I’m not making fun of you or any-”

“I said fine! Leave!” Hoseok swirled in a circle around himself while stroking his hair. He licked his dried lips before talking any further.

“Can you…” He slammed down on the chair beside the bed, “Can you describe it to me? Can you make me believe?” Sincere he was, and Taehyung can feel it.

“I want to...but I can’t…”

“Why?”

“I can’t put you in danger.”

“Nothing will happen to me.”

“Ugh!” Taehyung groaned and laid his back on the bed. “You’re annoying me. Just leave me to sleep.”

“Taehyung don’t be like this.”

“Good night.”

“Tae!”

“Good. Night!”

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The view outside his window was beautiful, peaceful. If he didn’t have a lot to think about. He’d definitely enjoy it. But that’s not the time of admirirng a view, he was lucky again and got away from another attack of Yoongi, yet, Jimin paid the price. He recalls very well, Jimin’s last words.

“Stop! And I won’t run away again! I’ll be what you wanted…”

Jimin surrendered himself, he needs to be saved before he changes wholly. Living amid darkness had changed his look, and if he stayed in there any longer he might not be able to get back.

Two days in the hospital weren’t of a great help. He thought he can meditate, but his pains never faded. The doctors look nervous in his room, his case must be confusing. But Taehyung doesn’t need medication, he just wants to get the fuck out and help his friend. It’s when he asked the nurse to bring his discharging papers. He took full responsibility of any side effects.

His friends tried to convince him to stay, or at least call his family. But he refuses firmly.

“I’m okay, I swear.”

“But you can’t even move without groaning!” said Seokjin.

“It’s just a little pain.”

“How about you come with me and Seokjin, we can take care of you. Two is better than one.”

“No, I’ll just stay in a hotel.” Hoseok stood and protested.

“Why? You can stay with me!”

“No, I caused enough trouble…” Seokjin cupped his face while Namjoon held his hand.

“Taehyung you’re not causing any troubles…” The oldest stated lowly. He sighed before murmuring, “Jimin...Jungkook...then you...what the hell happened to us?”

Silence stretched.

Taehyung got his wish. With the little money he had, he rented a cramped room in a rundown hotel. As long as he won’t hurt anyone, he’s okay with this place. Hoseok, Seokjin, and Namjoon, have helped him move his not so many belongings. Due to his surgery, he couldn’t lend a hand that much, they actually ordered him to stay still.

“Would you like some juice? I can run to the near market and bring you som-”

“We are good! Since when you act formal like this Taehyung!”

“Sorry, I just wanted to help.”

“You want to help us?” Namjoon asked, “Then lay still!”

“Calm down Namjoon!” Hoseok laughed out carrying the last box. “That was the last one! Shall we unpack?” Taehyung looked in his eyes, after the talk they had days ago, Hoseok changed. Not a change to another person, but rather acting as if nothing ever happened. Acting like a stress free Hoseok. Smiling and laughing, Taehyung doesn’t know if that makes him feel better or worse. That he won’t try to involve himself in something dangerous, or that he decided not to care anymore.

In both cases, Taehyung prefers to leave it that way.

“Let’s order chicken!” Namjoon suggested.

“I feel more like pizza.” Hoseok argued. But Seokjin, realizing that they’re in the hostility of Taehyung, politely offered.

“We will eat what Taehyung feels like.” The said boy was caught off guard while he was thinking on his couch.

“Umm, anything really…”

“Come on! I bet you’re hungry after the bad food in the hospital!”

“Uhh, umm, pizza, I guess?”

“Pizza, it is then!”

Their dinner was lovely. So intimate. They shared laughs and memories. Taehyung misses the old days more than ever. And he bets they feel the same. Even the food tasted one hundred times better with company.

“That nurse almost pierced me with her stares! But who’s to blame? I know how fabulous I look!” Seokjin claimed with a sassy shake of the head.

“Such a humble man!” Namjoon remarked, sending the other two laughing out loud.

“How about in your past life,” Taehyung said between giggles. “What do you think you were Seokjin hyung?”

“That’s so obvious!” The oldest brushed his hair backwardly while exclaiming, “A flower.” They cracked up while fetching anything to throw at him.

Taehyung noticed their empty bottles, he straddled his elbows to sit then stand.

“I’ll get more beers.” And he walked to the cramped kitchen. He was giggling within himself on their last talk while opening the fridge and taking some cold beers out.

He couldn’t see his friends’ faces when he came out, they were sitting on the floor and giving him their backs.

“Here.” He handed one to Seokjin from above his shoulder. But the latter reacted strangely by clasping his wrist. “Hyung? What’s-...!!” Seokjin turned his head slowly, Taehyung gasped silently and if he wasn’t gripped, he would have jumped away. Seconds ago, it was Seokjin, but now…

He is faceless.

His face was completely empty, and when Taehyung looked at Namjoon and Hoseok, they had their faces wiped too. Taehyung yelped and stumbled backwardly, he crawled with his palms till his back hit the wall. They had no eyes, but he can feel them glare at him, staring as if they’re going to pierce through his soul. Seokjin cocked his head to the side slowly, Namjoon did too, but he continued to crane his neck till it snapped. His face was nearly upside down.

“Guys...stop this…” He covered his eyes when his vision blurred with tears. “Please! Stop!”

“Taehyung? Taehyung!” Taehyung removed his palms only to find himself facing the ceiling. He looked at the left to see Hoseok patting his shoulder. A normal looking Hoseok. “You were sleep talking…” Taehyung’s eyes glittered with unshed tears, he reached to wipe them and steady his back with a loud groan. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, it was...just a dream…”

“Do you want me to fetch you some water?” Taehyung lolled his heavy head after nodding slowly. The older leaned on the cushion of the couch to stand and head to the kitchen.

“What time is it, hyung?” Taehyung asked, palming his eyes.

“.......”

“Hyung? Did you hear me?” His voice was a little bit higher. Yet, Hoseok didn’t reply. Taehyung sighed and stood to check on him. “Hyung! Why aren’t you-...” By the kitchen’s threshold, Taehyung froze till his fingers and toes. Hoseok was lying on the floor limply.

He was cut in halves.

Blood carpenting the floor under him. So do his intestines. Taehyung fell on his knees when he glanced over Hoseok’s dead face. His eyes were gone, leaving two black empty sockets.

“UUUUUUUUUGGGHH!”

“Taehyun! Taehyung wake up! You’re dreaming!!” Taehyung kicked his legs in air and punched Hoseok who came to calm him in the abdomen. “Ugh!! Wake up!”

“H-hyung?!” When he opened his eyes, tears flowed immediately. And he sobbed more once he saw Hoseok fine, alive, in front of him. Was that a dream too? Is he dreaming now? He abraded a finger along Hoseok’s cheeks till his jaw to make sure it’s not a nightmare embedded in another. “Hyung…” He sobbed out.

“Taehyung-ah calm down, it’s gonna be alright…” The older soothed a hand in his sweat dampened locks, skimming his terrorized face with a frown. “Let’s get you to bed, hm?” But Taehyung steadied his back in fear to scan the apartment for another hint of evil.

“W-where are Seokjin hyung and Namjoon hyung?”

“You fell asleep after dinner, so they went home.” Taehyung breathed a relieve, so far, he is sure this is reality. Nothing was out of order. “So?” The orange haired turned to face him, “Do you wanna go to your bed?”

“I’m good in here…”

“As you wish…” Then he lied down where he had a mattress beneath him, taking out his phone to check on his messages. Taehyung noticed the hanged clock that showed a very late hour of the night.

“Aren’t you going home?”

“Someone has to watch over you.”

“You don’t have to, hyung.”

“Don’t worry, I want to do this.”

“I can take care of myself, please, leave.” Taehyung can’t afford seeing his dreams coming true. That’s why he got a flat for himself, to keep others from danger.

“You just got out of a surgery, for god’s sake!”

“But I’m okay!” Hoseok straightened his back and threw a hand angrily in the air.

“You were just screaming while asleep! Like it or not, I’m staying!” And he angrily flipped on his side to end the discussion. Taehyung moued in distress. Now how should he convince Hoseok to stay away if he wanted to continue living?

But truth to be told, he doesn’t want to be left alone. One night might can't possibly harm him.

“Do as you wish…” He mumbled lowly. Then lied back.

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The same dream kept repeating itself. In which Taehyung finds himself running for his dear life. Yoongi all horrid and big, hissing in his ears threats and promises of his doom. He’d wake up every night with a twisted stomach and damped in cold sweat skin.

He changed. A lot. And by that, it means to the worst. His face looks bloodless and bony. His black sockets swallowed his heavy eyes, very puffed from the sleepless nights and crying. And with his weak lungs, he feels suffocated all day long. Coughing roughly like a middle aged heavy smoker man. Even with Hoseok by his side, that didn’t help him at all.

And when the situation became unbearable, Taehyung knew that he needs to take the next step he was supposed to perform long time ago. He has the name of the devil and the symbol.

Taehyung is going to take it down.

He prepared himself to leave the flat. Wearing his thick winter jacket and a beanie to hide his greasy hair. Hoseok has left to his apartment to study for coming up exams, Taehyung thought of passing by him to look for the symbol he lost before all of this. And he’s going to be careful to not touch it.

The weather was cold, extremely cold that steam gathered in front of Taehyung’s mouth. He rubbed his naked hands to seek warmth as he walked lethargically toward his friend’s. Breathing became harder, each inhale freezes his already fatigued lungs. But thankfully, the distance wasn’t that long.

He climbed the stairs slowly. It was the hardest task ever. His lungs crunches with each harsh exhale causing great pain. He had to sit on the last stair to take his breaths and rest. Then, toward the right apartment, he crossed roads with the other devil’s victim. She was crying between her knees like always. He wanted to comfort her, hug her or pat her head. But he couldn’t, Yoongi’s horrid face roams his mind. What if he showed up once he touched her?

And so, he left her alone.

His fist curled to knock the door. Hoseok opened it on the second time he knocked.

“Taehyung?! What are you doing here?”

“Hey, hyung. Can I come in?”

“Y-yeah! Sure!” The older retrograded to the side to make a space for his guest. Taehyung walked unsteadily, his body sways left and right before slumping into the armchair. He sighed loudly with a comfortable hum. Hoseok went to the kitchen for a serving for his friend. He knows how much Taehyung loves brownies, so he fetched the last couples in the box with a cup of coffee.

While Hoseok was busy, Taehyung scanned the place with his eyes silently. This flat, it gives him the creep. This is where Jungkook was found dead, this is where he saw Yoongi the first time, and this is where he last saw Jimin before he got tortured by the devil.

Jungkook...how he misses him.

Thinking about him, he never asked about his death accident. It would hurt to know, but he can’t get anymore heartaches than he already carry in his chest.

When Hoseok came with the tray of dessert, he leaned his elbows on his knees to get closer.

“I got brownies for you!” Hoseok chirped while handing him the cup of black coffee. Hoseok sipped from his own cup and handled one of the brownies. Taehyung skimmed over his movements while thinking, he must know about Jungkook, he’s the one who reported about the robbery.

“You’re not going to eat?” Hoseok cut his thoughts.

“Oh, yeah, I will…” He picked one and munched it.

“Well? How do you find it? I bought these from the near store for cheap!”

“They’re tasty hyung, thanks.” He ended his statement with a smile.

“Here, help yourself.” Hoseok has pushed the plate toward him on the coffee table.

They kept silence while eating. Hoseok looking through the window pensively, as for Taehyung, he was thinking how to bring his mind up. But what’s better than being straightforward?

Taehyung cleared his throat before chanting, “Hyung?”

“Yes?” He shifted his eyes from the window to his.

“I, uhh, I want to ask you something…” Placing his cup down on the table, Hoseok leaned forward.

“Umm, sure, what is it?”

“Can you tell me about Jungkook? Did you...see him...on the day he died?” Although Hoseok wasn’t drinking from his coffee, he choked and coughed slightly, widened his eyes and stuttered,

“W-what makes you think about that now?!”

“I actually wanted to ask you for awhile...so? Did you see him?”

“Jesus christ Taehyung!” Angrily he stood and swirled around the armchair before leaning on it and lolling his head. He was under stress and depression, he just got over it but Taehyung made him recall the pool of red that was on his kitchen floor. And how he had to clean it with his own hands. They smelled like copper for days and drove Hoseok insane. And yet to remember is Jimin. How he turned crazy to talk to walls and speak of ghosts.

Taehyung had to remind him how corrupted his life became lately.

“Hyung? Are you okay?” Taehyung can see how harsh his breaths became.

“I’m fine…” The older felt suffocated, drown in lies. He wants to speak of the truth, to reveal it and ease his conscious. The truth cannot be kept forever, it won’t harm anyone if he spoke. Specially now that Jimin is gone.

“Hyung, you look pale. Let me get you a glass of water…”

“No need, sit down Taehyung. I wanna tell you something…”

“O-okay...what is it?” Hoseok inhaled deeply, anxiously tapping his fingers on the armchair’s head.

“I-I…” He inhaled again and moved to sit where he was before. “Look, before I say anything, I want you to stay calm.” His exclamation wasn’t indicating good from the start. Taehyung furrowed silently and straightened his back to lean on the cushion of the armchair. Hoseok took his change of gesture that he made himself ready. “Okay, so, I-I wanted to tell you guys long time ago...but I couldn’t...and now, since you know about Jimin…” He said his last sentence eyeing the floor.

“Go on then…”

“Alright…” He sucked air to his nervous organs, “Didn’t you ask yourself why was Jimin sent to that mental asylum in the first place?”

“Because...he said mad things?” Taehyung answered uncertainly, that’s probably not the right answer.

“Yes, he said some weird shit. The shadow was all what he spoke about.” Taehyung knows exactly what shadow Jimin meant. “But I would never send Jimin anywhere even if he was completely nuts...it is the police who did this…”

“P-police?! What do they have to do with this?!”

“Because of…” Hoseok hesitated, he begun questioning if what he’s doing is the right thing or not. But there’s no turning back. “Because of Jungkook’s death…” When Taehyung blinked, his frown only grew bigger. “Taehyung...there was no burglary...no thief barged in the place and killed him…”

“Then who-...possibly...is it…?!” Taehyung’s eyes were blown to the largest, he stood unconsciously, and started swirling around himself when Hoseok didn’t deny his thoughts. “Jimin?!” He half shouted. “It can’t be him!! Why would he kill Jungkook?! You’re the one who’s saying weird shit!!”

“Taehyung! I told you to remain calm till the end!”

“Remain calm?! How come when you’re accusing our friend?!”

“I’m not accusing him! This is the truth! You can find it in Jungkook’s murder case file!” Taehyung dropped on the armchair, shaking his head in disbelief. Of all people, Jimin killed Jungkook?! His mind was running a thousand miles per second. How?! Why?! That cannot be true! “It can’t be true...it can’t be true! I don’t believe you!”

“I didn’t believe it too at first...but I saw it...I saw him…” Hoseok was shaking, closed his eyes when he felt the tears pricking them. The whole scene was printed behind his eyelids. “J-Jimin was...on the floor...hugging Jungkook after…” He sighed loudly, shakily, “After he stabbed him with a knife…” This time, Hoseok couldn’t hold his tears back, sobbed between his palms, “It was all bloody...I can still remember how Jimin was crying out : it’s not my fault, it’s not my fault!” His voice was a bit cracked, he was choked with his own tears. Taehyung was crying too. Silently. His tears were of shock. The boy stood and walked toward the front door, then exited the apartment.

Screams. His head was filled with screams.

JIMIN?! BUT WHY?! FUCKING WHY?!

These questioned repeated themselves in his head over and over. He was walking lifelessly with rivulets of tears washing his face. Hiccups escapes his lips now and then. The great pain drove him to fasten his steps so that he was jogging.

This can’t be the truth. This can’t be the truth! Jimin would never do that to Jungkook. He loved him! He freaking loved him!!

“He loved him…” Taehyung murmured to himself. He stopped to catch his breaths. He was in a random street, facing the sky and blinking too much to dry the tears. A hand reached to wipe his cheeks.

Taehyung finally started to calm, though, he didn’t stop walking. His fatigued legs barely carried him on the crowded street. There were people staring at him where he was panting and watching the sky with dull eyes. He cared less, his brain was traveling the past faster than his quick heartbeats.

What can possibly make Jimin commit the crime? Anger? Jimin wouldn’t hurt a fly if he got angry. But it seems that I didn’t know him for real.

So that’s why that detective knew him…

Taehyung stopped walking when he remembered something. When he went to the homicide section in the police station, Jungkook stood between him and...knowing the truth?

Jungkook didn’t want me to know. But why?! Are there...other secrets? Hoseok didn’t say everything! But I won’t go back to him. I’ll hear it from Jimin personally.

He determined internally and sat off running again. This time, toward the sorcerer’s house.

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When he entered the specific house, he found his superstitious teacher reading one of her antique big books. She was immersed in reading that she didn’t notice him till he spoke,

“Hello.”

“Oh, Taehyung-ah!” She beamed and removed her reading round glasses. He stepped inside slowly, and she frowned when she could see how sick he looked. “Taehyung, what’s wrong?!” Although she had weak knees, she pulled herself to stand and walk toward him. “Are you okay?”

“I’m okay...I came to ask you a favor.”

“Name it.”

“I wanna try and talk with Jimin.” She was taken aback to ask,

“Is it your friend that was taken by…”

“Yes. I found the symbol and the name, but I want to speak to him first. Can you do that for me?” She stared at his eyes deeply. She saw pain, conflict, anger? Her years of experience allowed her to read his brain in an instance, and as soon as she cupped his cheek she was able to tell that he was touched by evil. Retreated in fear, she blew her eyes widely.

“Y-you! You’ve been touched?!” Unintentionally, he lift a hand to caress his shoulder. Noticing that, she jolted to bunch his collar and see it for herself.

“Oh dear lord!” She covered her mouth and nearly cried skimming the black bruise. “Taehyung...this can’t be...when?! How?! I told you! I told you to stay away! To ignore it!” Her fists banged softly on his chest as a scold. But he gripped her wrists and let them down.

“Calm down! I’m okay! Just let me talk to Jimin!”

“In this state?! No, no, no, I can’t do that!” She turned her back on him.

“Please! I have to know the truth!” He followed her where she tried to avoid him.

“I can’t send you with this weak body of yours!”

“I can take it! Just tell me how! And I’ll do the rest!”

“To travel through the veil as a human needs a great amount of power! You don’t have anything that attaches you to that side-...unless…” She furrowed when she turned back to face him. There were other possibilities, that mark was useful after all.

“Unless what?”

“Unless that evil mark can help you.”

“Huh? How?”

“Come, sit.” She gestured for him to settle in opposite of her on the short table. And then, she explained how the demon’s touch can make some sort of a portal between the human’s body and the other side, for a demon sucks the power of the body each passing day. The energy is transported through a spiritual port, and that’s what will help Taehyung teleport to the alternative world.

“Hmm..” Taehyung hummed after hearing her idea. “Then, I can go there myself and speak with Jimin?”

“Yes, but I’m not sure about the circumstances.”

“That doesn’t matter. Let’s do this.”

“Is it that important what you want to say to him that you’re risking your life?”

“Yes. To me.” His glares ended the discussion. She was forced to stand and bring her tools.

The scented candles smelled very weird. They are already causing his body to relax, his brain to elevate. She held his palms and asked him to breath deeply. Unconsciously, his eyes fell closed, his body relaxing in a strange way.

“That’s it, just keep breathing deeply. I’m making a clear pathway for you now.” Taehyung can feel heat under his hands where the sorcerer had drawn the circle of spirit. It distracted him and his breathing was disorganized. “Taehyung,” Her voice was so orotund and calming, “Focus. Breathe, and let the force pull you.” He took a big breath to even his chest. He can actually feel it. The force. Was he imagining since she told him?

“Ugh...” No, it’s for real, he feels his guts squeezed upwardly, like gravity was reversed to the sky.

“Focus! Let it draw you. Stay calm.” Breathing became hard with his lungs crunched, he started hunching his back like that can reduce the effect of the gravity. “Breath, sweetie. More. Deeper.” Her voice seemed more distant, far away. He furrowed, but she warned him before he opens his eyes to check. “Do not open your eyes! Just straighten your back and breath deeper.”

“I can’t...i-it hurts.”

“It’s normal to feel pain. Bear with it and breath.”

“Stop telling me to breath.” He lost his temper under the pressure.

“I said calm down! You can’t ruin this! We are already on the final stage. There’s no turning back.” He exhaled shakily in worry. Following her instruction of breathing.

A couple of minutes later, he felt even stranger. He felt suffocated and dizzy. He wanted to open his eyes so badly.

“I wanna open my eyes.”

“Don’t. Not until I tell you.”

“Why? What’s so important about closing them?”

“Can’t you feel it? Taehyung you’re not with me anymore.”

“W-what? But I can hear and feel you…”

“That’s your body. Your soul is teleporting. Opening your eyes means that you’ll see what’s between worlds, and it’s something far more complicated for a human brain to understand. You’ll only turn insane.” The boy felt so scared, he was actually terrified that he shut his eyes tight. “Relax, relax.” He listened to her and took his deepest breath ever. “That’s it. Almost there.”

It was bizarre. He can hear things whispering to him. Screeches mixed with a buzz. He can feel his fingers and toes going cold and numb. He tried his best to stay calm, but he was creeped out when the whispers got louder. His hands were shivering terribly, but he found warmth and secure on the tight grip of the sorcerer. And suddenly, everything went in a deafening silence, and he felt nothing at all.

“You’re there. Open your eyes.”

He opened his eyes slowly and carefully. But it felt like he didn’t, it was completely dark, there was nothing but darkness extending as far as his eyes can catch. There was no sun or any source of light, but vaguely Taehyung can see his hands and feet clearly. He walked slowly and cautiously.

“Where am I? It’s too dark…” Although he spoke ever so lowly, his voice echoed loudly. “Ahjumma! Can you hear me?!” Right then, another voice echoed beside his.

“Who’s there?”

Taehyung’s head snapped on every direction looking for the source of the voice. The voice was soft, unthreatening, and of a female.

“S-show yourself…”

“I’m right here.” He gasped and whirled around himself where he heard the sound right beside his ear. There was nothing, but he sure can feel another presence. Terrified, he ran aimlessly and dwelled into the darkness. His steps were unsteady that he lost his balance and fell.

“Ugh...fuck.” He rubbed his nose and pulled himself to sit on his calves. It’s when he looked back to see that his tripping wasn’t because of his clumsiness, but that he stepped on a body. “W-what is-!” The body missed a half, Taehyung can see the guts that were rotten. The body belonged to a man, his one eye rolled to look at the boy before grunting out.

“Help...me…”

“UGHH!” The orange haired stood immediately and ran away from it. Things kept appearing to him, a crying woman was lying on her stomach while exclaiming out loud, “It was my fault. I admit it. Just let me out!” Her weeps were loud and sent the creep to his bones. On his left, he can see a group of people. They stood side by side in a disorganized circle. All of their heads looked at the stranger, and he never felt such fear hitting his spine in such force seeing their ripped off jaws. He closed his eyes and hit his tired legs to work faster.

“I wanna leave.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’ll rip the flesh off your bones!”

“I’m innocent!”

“You shall pay.”

Each soul was chanting his and her last wishes and regrets. Their voices bounced in his head like they were inside of him.

“Shut up! Shut up! Stay away from me!” Taehyung closed his ears while running, he couldn’t stop a tear that escaped his eye. He then sensed something crushing under his feet, when he looked down, he jumped wide steps like a maniac to avoid stepping on the scattered bones. Backwardly, he hopped away and lost his balance again to fall on his back. Only that he didn’t fall on a concrete floor like he expected, it was water. His body submerged into what feels like liquid. He can’t see it, the whole environment was black, but he surely couldn’t breathe. Soon after, he was able to breathe when he fell out of the other side of the water to normal ground. The water that was forced into his lungs streamed out of his nose and trachea painfully. He coughed and wheezed with a limp body on the floor.

This reminded him of the time he met Jimin in the restaurant's bathroom. And it was definitely as cold, maybe even more. His teeth would clack and his limbs trembled vigorously while the steam formed in front of his lips.

Taehyung wanted to cry, there was nothing there but darkness. His mind was confused and his body hurts like this place was the real world. Curling upon himself, Taehyung wiped his tears and rubbed his arms to seek warmth. There weren’t sounds anymore, and he used this chance to catch his breaths. From above his shoulders, Taehyung scanned the area, and he saw a small figure kneeling on the ground.

In defiant, Taehyung’s body jerked on his own and he stood straight. That person looks familiar, and staring up close, Taehyung had an idea of who that might be. To test his suspicions, he called.

“Jimin.” He didn’t mean for his voice to come out as trembling and broken as it did. The latter snapped his head up and looked back very quickly in startle. He stood and turned around, and Taehyung couldn’t keep his mouth closed. If the last time Taehyung saw Jimin and noticed a slight difference, Jimin now looked like a complete stranger. The first thing he noticed was his left eye that was wholly black as if nothing was there. His skin was very pale, apparent. Not only his skin lost color, but his hair too, it was white like an aged man.

He cleared his throat and approached him. “It is you, Jimin. Right?” He wanted to make sure that he didn’t mistake him for another soul. Jimin smiled widely, only briefly. He shook his head and the smile disappeared completely when he seemed to realize something.

“You’re not supposed to be here.” It was a bit raspy, but definitely Jimin’s voice. Taehyung gulped thickly,

“Jimin, I came to ask you something.” Jimin turned around and hid his face. “Hey, look at me.”

“Please, Taehyung. Go away.”

“I’m not going till you tell me the truth.” He walked forward few steps, near enough to Jimin for him to squat and cover his face. That sent fire to the latter’s chest. “Fucking look at me!”

“I can’t show you what I became…” Taehyung knelt right behind him, he actually thinks it’s better not to see his face, he’s not sure if he can bear looking at his face knowing some of the truth. He raised his hand, he wanted to touch him, but stopped when he imagined Yoongi appearing.

“What happened to you? Or I should rather ask what did he do to you?”

“I...I-it’s the effect of living here…you should leave before he comes…”

“I’ll. Just answer my question.” Jimin furrowed and looked at him from above his shoulder. Inhaling deeply, Taehyung tried to compose his stirred emotions before asking, “The day Jungkook died…” Jimin turned around with wide eyes, filled with shock and anxiety. There was a hint of honesty in what Hoseok said in the pair of demonic eyes. He’s already igniting. “Were you with him?”

“I-I…”

“Were you?” Jimin’s eyes were drowning in unshed tears.

“Yes…” He whispered. Taehyung tightened his fist with rage piling up in his chest.

“Then you probably know what I’ll ask you next…” Jimin had to bite his lips to stop a whimper, and he prefered to admit first,

“Hoseok told you, didn’t he?”

“Did you kill Jungkook?” Taehyung completely ignored his question and cut to the case.

“I-I’m not sure a-about what you know, b-but I had no choi-”

“DID YOU KILL HIM?!” He shouted sending Jimin fritting and trembling like a weak leaf. Jimin was choked with great regrets and pain, he closed his lids which made his tears spill.

“I’m sorry…” As soon as Jimin muttered his apology, Taehyung’s flames exploded that he had to stand and stomp his feet on the ground.

“FUCK!!” He shouted to air. “WHY DID YOU DO IT?! OUT OF ALL PEOPLE, YOU STABBED JUNGKOOK?! THE MOST INNOCENT BOY I HAD EVER KNOWN!” His veins were palpable on his neck when his voice conquered the distance. Jimin straddled his arms and stood too with wobbly legs.

“It wasn’t my fault!” He weakly defended, “Yoongi made me do it!”

“And you listened to him?!”

“No! It’s not like th-”

“Fuck it! I don’t want to hear you talking anymore!” Taehyung faced the other side and started walking away.

“Where are you going?!” No reply from Taehyung. “Hey!!” Jimin watched him getting far, and he was so sick of people giving him their backs. “YEAH! JUST FUCK OFF! WHY SHOULD YOU CARE WHEN NONE OF YOU DID BEFORE!” Taehyung stopped walking hearing his broken voice. The now silver haired boy sniffled and continued emptying his stuffed heart. “I needed your help! All of you! And you kept acting like I was okay! None of you came to ask me if I’m going through a hard time! Not even Jungkook!!” Taehyung turned around and threatened him with gritted teeth,

“Do not say his name!”

“You think I feel okay after he’s gone?! I too lost my beloved boyfriend! But no! It has to be all about how YOU feel!” Taehyung came to open his mouth and speak, but nothing formed on his tongue when Jimin’s voice broke and wheezed on his last word. Tears wouldn’t stop spilling from his eyes, they only made Taehyung want to mimic them.

After he felt it was too much, Jimin palmed his eyes to wipe the flows, he swirled himself around to face away. Taehyung had to say something, seeing his friend this pained reflected pain upon him too even when he’s angry at him.

“Jimin, look I’m-”

“Just leave…”

“I won’t say I’m sorry, but I can understand if you explained what happened.” Jimin snorted,

“I won’t. You don’t care about me anyway, and you wouldn’t understand.”

“Goddammit! I care about you! That’s why I’m here!”

“No,” Jimin shook his head while facing Taehyung, “You just wanted to know the truth. To find an excuse to let me rot in here,” The boy let his head lol heavily between his shoulders. “The only one who really cares about me was Yoongi.” Taehyung stepped backwardly with eyes trapped in disbelief. Jimin trailed on “He helped me when I was hurt, when I was in danger.”

“You! You freaking said his name!” Before looking away from him, Jimin threw his last words,

“Then you better leave before he comes.”

“No...Jimin! I won’t leave you!”

“You were just leaving, remember?” Jimin sat on the floor and hugged his knees, giving his back to the latter.

“Jimi-!” He can hear the screeches filling the place, getting louder and louder the more he focuses his ears. His knees started trembling in fear and prevented him from walking to his friend. He was frustrated, to stay with his friend, or flea for his life.

He was out of his panic seizure with the voice calling him.

“Taehyung.” It was the sorcerer's voice. “Taehyung, can you hear me?”

“Ahjumma!”

“You have to leave now. It’s coming. Follow the light.” Facing around, Taehyung can see a glimpse of light twinkling in the horizon of black. He was going to run, but couldn’t move an inch.

“Jimin…” Looking back at him then at the salvation, Taehyung stood still in between. “I…” He was scared, hell scared, but his heart couldn’t come to leave him.

“Taehyung! Hurry up!” The screeches terrified him greatly. Under the pressure, Taehyung depended on his survival instincts that ordered him to leave.

He ran to the exit with all his might. And before he emerges to the light, he heard Jimin’s last salutation.

“Goodbye, Kim Taehyung.”

“HUH!!” The orange haired gasped loudly when he was transported to the realm of the living.

“Shh, calm down, you’re okay.” The sorcerer was in front of him on the same table. The transporting was so much to handle on his weak body, he began patting his chest with pathetic gasps to regain air. Soon, they became punches. “Taehyung! Easy! Calm down, calm down.” She crawled around the table rubbed his back with circular movements. She noticed his cold sweat dripping profusely. “Oh my god, Taehyung…”

“I-I...can’t bre-...” He wheezes with each word, his damaged lungs refuses to function back. His vision blurred and turned dark, his body couldn’t carry him anymore and he fell on his side with a loud thud.

“Taehyung!” Between her arms, she lift him to hug him to her chest. “Wake up! Taehyung! Please! Wake up!” But he wouldn’t no matter how she shakes him or caress his hair. She let his heavy and bigger body down, then started palming his chest, pressing down very hard. “Don’t die on me!” She pronounced with each push. Tears welled up in her eyes, and just when she thought there was no use, the boy gasped the loudest. He inhaled harshly, loudly, and eagerly. He saw death, saw darkness enveloping him. And he weeped immediately, for the first idea he thought about was how Jungkook saw the exact same thing before he passed away.

Until he calmed down, the kind sorcerer kept holding him tightly and closely.

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“You have to eat.”

“I don’t feel like it.”

“Please, Taehyung. Just a small bite.”

“Ahjumma, please leave me alone.” He flipped on his other side where he was lounging on the porch.

“Okay, don’t eat. But at least can you come inside? It’s too cold.”

“I’d rather feel the pinch of cold than heartaches.” She sighed and stepped outside, then she sat beside him. Her hand moved instinctively to rub his shoulder silently.

Taehyung was broken. He’s sick, pained, and miserable. His friend killed his best friend, and now he was kidnapped by a demon. Judging from his aches, Taehyung isn’t sure how much he still has to live…

“I’ll bring you a blanket.” The woman stood and groaned from her old knees, waddling toward the house for moments to come out with a thick layered blanket. She gently laid it above the lad, and settled back behind him to pat his shoulder lovingly. “Sweetie,” She spoke after a while. “I know how much it hurts. But you have to pull it together and make a choice.”

“How do you know? You weren’t there, you didn’t see how he became and what he said to me.”

“It’s true that I wasn’t there. Yet I was connected to your soul. I heard and saw what you did.”

“Oh.”

“But you must know, you have little time.” He faced up where she was looking at him. He was questioning what she meant with a frown. “You saw how demonic your friend became. He’s near to turn to a demon himself, and when that happens, you’ll lose him for real.” Taehyung sighed and rest his head back on the solid wooden porch. He was so depressed, and the aches only made the suffer bigger. He dropped a tear, whimpering a hot puff that made the steam form in front of his lips. The tranquilizing touches on his shoulder and her voice allowed him to let it out, “It’s going to be okay.”

He sobbed the whole night.

The next two days were nothing but conflict and misery. Taehyung wants to rescue Jimin, to end his suffer. But, his body can never survive another trip to the alternative realm. He has a tough choice between continue living for a couple of months peacefully, or die helping his friend. Either ways, he won’t live. He doesn’t want to live anyway full of guilt and sorrow.

Thinking back of what Jimin said, does he even wants to be rescued? Jimin declared that he wants to stay with Yoongi. Taehyung moved to sit on his buttockes and tangled his legs amid thinking. He shook his head and rubbed his face with his palms. Jimin wouldn’t accept such a fate. To become a demon. He must has lost hope, he surrendered himself to evil. I have to save him, but I’m not sure that I can in my current state…

Taehyung lift his head when he heard the light thuds of footsteps on the wooden floor. The sorcerer came from her small kitchen with a tray of tea. She wore a smile, setting beside him on her calves.

“I brought you some hot tea. It’ll warm you up.”

“Thanks.” Even talking was difficult with his fatigued lungs.

“What were you thinking about?” She asked while pouring the tea.

“Like you don’t know.”

“So it is about Jimin.” Taehyung sighed and ruffled his hair in frustration, tugging his locks slightly to relieve the hint of a headache. “You should stop thinking and take actions.”

“What do you want me to do?! I can’t save him! I’m too weak...” She moued and placed the hot pot back on the tray. Inhaling deeply, she crawled nearer to the boy and cupped his cheek with her wrinkled hands. She can see his eyes glittering with hanged tears from this close.

“My boy, have some tea to relax you.” She offered the cup with both hands, putting hin in place of not being able to refuse it.

He blowed gently to cool it. Once he took the first sip, the old woman spoke.

“My dearest. Humankind was born for a purpose. To become, or to achieve. But...mankind eventually die not doing any. And it’s the worst fate ever. To die with regrets.” Taehyung sighed inaudibly, staring at the steam floating off his cup. “Just keep one thing in mind, never hesitate in doing what you think is right.” And with that, she stood and carried her tray with her.

Taehyung had placed the cup beside him before lying on his back flatly. Deeply thinking about what the sorcerer told him. He massaged his temples then squeezed his eyes. A good nap might help relieve his headache.

Thud.

“Hm?” Taehyung craned his neck to look outside the door frame to find out what made the noise. “Ahjumma?”

…………..

“Ahjumma is that you?” Anxiety evoked him to stand and check. He walked cautiously and as quiet as he could, resting his palm on the wooden frame of the door and scan the corridor outside the living room. It was dark, Taehyung shivered recalling the veil. He can even remember how cold it was. Nonetheless, that didn’t stop him from dwelling further in and look for the old woman. His heart accelerated, his breaths hitched, and his legs hesitated in the slightest of steps.

He came across the kitchen, and it was pitch black inside. His hand patted on the wall till he found the switch. Gulping thickly, he turned the lights on with held breaths. The kitchen was clear, and he let his guards down. It’s when he heard from the back and jumped in startle,

“Taehyung?”

“JESUS FUCK-!” He turned around and closed his eyes to calm his heart when he saw it was the sorcerer.

“Taehyung-ah you can’t curse and mention Jesus at the same time.” She scuffed and came closer to pat his shoulder, helping him relax.

“I’m sorry. You sacred me shit…”

“I’m sorry too, then. I didn’t mean to scare you. Why were you even scared?”

“I heard a weird sound, and when I called you, you didn’t reply…”

“Oh, my bad, I was laying your sheets to sleep on. Nothing to be afraid of.”

“I’m not afraid!”

“Sweetie, you’re shaking like a wet cat.” She mocked while staggering away. He only rolled his eyes and followed her. He definitely needs sleep after this jumpscare.

The mattress was so warm. Taehyung dug his face into the coziness. He felt a bit better, he can inhale deeply without groaning in pain. It feels so comfortable that he rolled himself in his duvet and soon fell asleep.

Knock. Thud.

“Hm…” Taehyung flipped on his right from the noises.

Thud. Bump.

“Hm?” The boy lift his head from above his pillow cracking one sleepy eye open. He scanned the dark room. He focused so hard to be able to see in the dark. He had to straighten his back and look for the source of the noise. “Ahjumma, what are you doing now?” There was a silhouette near the closet, Taehyung thought it was the old woman.

But it’s not.

“A-ahjumma?” He asked ever so lowly, his throat tightened in fear, he rubbed his shoulders to reduce the freezing atmosphere. Wait...cold?!

Taehyung, full of panic, stood and non hesitantly ran out of the room. And not only the room, but out of the house when he heard the ghastly voice.

“Found you.”

“Fuckfuckfuckfuck!” The boy ran with all his might, thinking about nothingnothing but getting as far as he can from the screeches. The streets were empty in this late hour of the night, he won’t find help anywhere in this dark. He panted while trying to cope with his long pajama pants. His biggest mistake was that he looked back. The figure of black was crawling on all four like a wanton ravenous animal, chasing Taehyung at an inhumane speed. Taehyung’s unsteady legs caused him to fall on the rough asphalt and scratch his palms and right cheek. He didn’t take time to even recover to rise on his feet and run.

A car drove near them. Taehyung stopped and swayed his hands for it to stop.

“HELP! PLEASE STOP! HELP ME!” Nonetheless the car didn’t flatter in speed, and with the loud horn signaling for him to step away, he jumped off the road. The car passed him, he looked at it driving away and saw the road behind empty. Yoongi disappeared. He took this chance to gasp for air, but swirling around himself looking for him. A tear ran down his injured cheek making him wince in pain and wipe it.

“Looking for me?”

The chill that climbed Taehyung’s spine was breaking. His back arched and his hips bucked that he fell forward and away from the devil standing behind him. Taehyung wanted to crawl, but the heavy limb that stomped on his back stopped him.

“UGH!”

“Where do you think you’re going, human?”

“No...please…” The boy mewled lowly and wept, he lost hope to survive and move his body, or rather his body lost function with the heavy shiver of fear. Where the demon was stepping, frost spread and froze Taehyung’s skin that it burns and stings badly.

“I’ll show you what happens when you dance with a devil.” The lad can feel how the body above him shifted, like it was going to do something. The most cruel scenarios flashed to his brain. Stabbed with his thick tentacles, ripped to pieces, or burned with the fire of hell. But then, that limb was lift off his back.

“YOU FOOL!” Taehyung turned on the loud and extremely terrifying voice. The demon was shouting at someone, and to Taehyung’s great surprise, it was none other than his old friend. A tall muscled man with dark brown hair stood between him and the demon.

“J-Jungkook!” He was flaring his fists and was able to punch the shadow. Jungkook’s body seemed to glow, and each move of his fists made blinding flashes. It was a scene that can only be seen in movies, Taehyung couldn’t believe his own eyes. Jungkook was strong even in a state of a ghost.

The black tentacles attacked Jungkook, and he blocked each strike, then it was his turn to attack back. Taehyung watched tensely how the ghost was able to push the big figure back with his fists.

“You insect! You dare to defy me?” One of his large tentacles snapped around Jungkook and was directed to his ribs. Jungkook too busy blocking other appendixes, he was stabbed forcefully.

“JUNGKOOK!” Taehyung stood from his place, but that’s all what his feet were able to do. He was too scared to approach them. But that didn’t affect Jungkook, he circled his arms around that tentacle and whirled around himself that he pulled Yoongi on the other end along in air. Then he let go of it to let the demon fly and hit a wall of the near houses. Yoongi literally splashed like water on the concrete wall. And that gave the time for Jungkook to clasp Taehyung’s wrist and run for it. His other hand covered the wound on his side.

The two fasstly found the way back to the sorcerer's house. Taehyung didn’t question Jungkook, his power, neither how he can actually touch him. Once they were inside the house, Taehyung closed the door behind him quickly. He then ran to the old wardrobe of the sorcerer to handle yellow spells and evil repellent on doors and windows. He then collapsed on the floor and hyperventilated with a hand massaging his aching chest. His eyes slowly scanned the room to find Jungkook standing still. His body straightened itself and ran on its own to hug the dark haired dearly. He wanted to cry, but he sniffled his tears back. How he missed him.

“Y-you…” He parted their bodies to look at his eyes, “You saved me...How did you…?” Taehyung didn’t finish his question and lolled his head when he knew he won’t be answered. But to his astonishment, he heard the familiar longed for sound.

“I’m glad I made it in time.” Taehyung’s eyes held shock along with tears.

“Y-You TALKED?! How can you?! You’re a ghost!” His eyes grew wider if that was possible on the crazy assumption. “You’re alive?!”

“No.”

“Th-then...how come you can speak when you’re a ghost?”

“Because I trust you. I let you hear me.” Jungkook was talking without the slightest of emotions.

“You’re saying you didn’t trust me before?!” The orange haired scuffed.

“Yes.” His simple answer made Taehyung overreact and shout.

“Yes?! I’m your fucking best friend! Flatmate!” Jungkook frowned and blinked confusedly.

“I...don’t remember you…”

“What?”

“I don’t remember anything at all.” That can be possible. Bounded spirits are chained to the world of living for a certain memory or a regret. The others might be long forgotten. It hurt him greatly, that all of those years were forgotten, he might turnt the same and all of their shared memories will be lost in the folds of time.

“Then...what do you remember? What brought you here?”

“Two things. Jimin and that monster.”

“Jimin?! Why him? Because he...killed you?”

“No. It wasn’t him who killed me.” The wrath was palpable on his features as he continued, “It was that monster.”

“Yoon-! I-I mean that demon?!” Jimin’s voice echoed in his head. It wasn’t my fault! Yoongi made me do it! So he wasn’t lying. “But...the police said it was him…” Jungkook walked till he was standing near to him.

“Let me show you then.” His index finger was raised in air, closer and closer, it was connected to Taehyung’s forehead who showed no defensive reactions against his touch.

Taehyung gasped when light suddenly blinded his sight. He felt a numb he recalls he had when he traveled to the veil. His eyes were forced to close themselves when the light was painfully bright.

He can feel it from behind his lids, how the light refuted and it was safe to open them, yet very slowly.

“Huh?” He was standing in a kitchen, Hoseok’s kitchen to be precise. He heard a stir behind him, turning to find Jimin giving him his back, busy with what looks like making tea. Taehyung was going to call him when he noticed a bundle of black coming out of the wall. It got bigger and bigger, soon formed to the well-known body of Yoongi. Faceless as ever, it creeped toward Jimin.

“Jimin! Be careful!” But Jimin continued doing what he was doing. “Jimin!” He can’t hear me? Yoongi extended his thin long arms and hugged Jimin’s small figure. The latter didn’t even flinch, like he didn’t know.

Right then, Jungkook entered, with a concerned tone spoke,

“Hyung, are you okay?” He had that knot between his brows that always manipulated Taehyung’s heart. Jimin suddenly and with force, slammed the tea can on the marble counter with a growl.

“Why won’t you just FUCK OFF!!” Taehyung stepped back from his loud tone and looked at Jungkook who pathetically argued him.

“Hyung! Please talk to me! What’s happening to you?!” And when he stepped inside the kitchen and nearer to him, Jimin’s face was colored with fear. Taehyung’s frown grew bigger when he saw what was really going on. Yoongi’s hands covered Jimin’s eyes from the back, and the said boy had a knife in his hands.

“No...no...s-stay away…” Jimin gripped on the sharp tool harder with trembling fingers.

“Whoa! Hyung! Put that down!” Jungkook raised defiant arms, nonetheless kept marching forward. It seems that he wanted to strip Jimin down from the weapon.

“STAY AWAY FROM ME!” Jimin shouted. And Jungkook was steps away from the edge of the knife…

Taehyung gasped unintentionally when he saw the scene personally. Jimin has stabbed Jungkook right above his abdomen. Between Jungkook’s groans, Taehyung swears that he heard the demon’s laughs.

Like smoke, the shadow disappeared into air. Once the black covering Jimin’s eyes was gone, the lad gasped loudly looking at his boyfriend’s pained face with blood leaking from his mouth and down at his bloody hands.

“J-Jimin…” Jungkook used his last breath to call his name.

“Oh my god...J-J-Jungkook! No!” Jimin’s body fell along with Jungkook on the floor. He kneeled and steadied Jungkook’s back with his arms. “No, no, no, no, wake up please…” He pleaded with shocked tears trickling down. Taehyung couldn’t hold back his own tears after seeing Jimin hugging Jungkook and sobbing out loud. “NO! NO! JUNGKOOK DON’T LEAVE ME!”

Time stopped on that moment. Like Taehyung was watching a clip, and the frame was getting further and further, till it was swallowed by black. When he blinked to let some tears hanged on his lashes down, he was back to the original world. Jungkook’s face was right in front of him.

“J-Jungkook…”

“Now you know. It wasn’t Jimin’s fault. But the monster’s.”

“I-I…” A sob broke from between his lips and prevented him from talking for minutes. But he wiped his tears and asked, “I-is that why you didn’t let me visit the detective that day? To protect Jimin?” Jungkook nodded calmly.

“Interesting.” Both turned to the abrupt voice talking beside the door.

“A-ahjumma!”

“Is that him? Jimin’s lover?” Jungkook looked at her with confusion and defiant at the same time.

“She can see me.” He stated to Taehyung.

“And hear you as well. Jungkook.” The said lad built his guard, and when Taehyung saw that, he introduced her and assured him.

“Don’t worry, she’s my friend, she taught me how to communicate with spirits.” Jungkook didn’t speak, but his body relaxed a bit. “Ahjumma!” Taehyung ran to her and held her hands, “We have to save Jimin! He was wronged!”

“But Taehyung-ah, we can’t, your body-”

“Please!” He shook their hands firmly, “Remember when you told me about one’s purpose?! This is it for me!” She stared with uncertain eyes. So he begged more. “Please! I don’t want to die with regrets!” The pair of determined eyes were strong to resist. Even if it’s going to be hard and painful, Taehyung has to fulfil his mission of life.

She nodded silently.

The indian red paint scribbled the table. The old woman was using her slim fingers to draw the spell. Taehyung was helping her lightening up musky candles. His eyes couldn’t tear off of Jungkook who stared at him blankly. He couldn’t resist but reach to touch his cheeks with the tip of his fingers. Jungkook only blinked.

“I still can’t believe you’re here.” He faced the sorcerer to ask, “Why is he different?” He heard her gentle titter.

“Indeed, he is different. His power is stronger.”

“Why?”

“Love.” She finally connected her eyes with his wide ones. Then they both looked at the said spirit. “His power is fueled by love. Unlike other spirits that’s fueled by sadness and regret. And even a demon can’t fight against it.”

“So that’s why…” He smiled looking at Jungkook. He didn’t know that his love for Jimin was this strong. Without him, he’d be long dead, and Jimin long forgotten.

“Everything is ready.” Said the sorcerer before extending her arms for Taehyung. When his eyes trailed Jungkook and he skimmed him the same way, he came forward and hold his hands. But the woman’s voice came to part their hands. “No, sweetie. You can’t join.”

“Why? I want to help Jimin too.” He spoke rather emotionlessly.

“You can’t travel to the veil. Once you go there you’ll be trapped forever. You don’t have a strong bound to bring you here like Taehyung who has a living body.” Jungkook lolled his head, yet in that still poker face.

“Don’t worry, Kook.” Taehyung said to make Jungkook lift his head at him. “I’ll bring Jimin back.” He flashed his boxy smile, and finally Jungkook returned the reaction by smiling back.

The three of them sat on the short table where the symbols were drawn. The big candle centered the table above the drawings in addition of the symbol of Pisces. After a deep inhale, she instructed Taehyung to do the same drill of breathing the scent of the holy candles. He forgot how this process was mind disturbing and nauseating. But being experienced, he swallowed all what crawled his gullet and breathed deeper. Second by second, he is splitting from reality.

“Taehyung, don’t be afraid at all once you meet him.” He listened to her voice carefully. “Using my spill circle, I’ll assist you.” He can feel like his body was floating. “To kill the demon, all what you have to do is to break the symbol and call his name, and I’ll do the rest.” Her sound was so distant, he knows that he has arrived, but waited for her command.

“Open your eyes.”

Taehyung inhaled nervously before batting his eyelids open.

This darkness is sickening. But I need to find him.

Taehyung skimmed the darkness at first, he saw a small pink object on the ground. It was the symbol of the demon. he was thinking of what the sorcerer said last, he’ll be safe as long as he has the symbol. Picking it up and hiding it in his pocket, he wandered the space of black. His steps echoed loudly where he was running fast. His locks flying with each jog and each turn of his head to find his friend. As he was expecting and to his disliking, the lost spirits appeared along his way. There were weeping women and crying children. Regretful men and twisted criminals. He can see a man holding a knife, he had a long beard. Grabbing it, he placed the knife near it, and cut it. But he didn’t stop the knife there, he continued to cut his throat till his nape, his head rolled off his shoulders. Taehyung panicked, but he didn’t allow himself to be distracted. He bit his lips and directed his sight forward as he ran faster. He also glanced a little girl with hair till her feet, she was glaring at the lad with empty black eyes while chanting,

“Daddy is a meanie. Daddy is a meanie” Then blood streamed out of her sockets.

This time, Taehyung was really creeped out. His legs tangled in an unsteady pace and fell upon his face.

“Guh!” Collecting himself, he immediately stood and took off running again.

It felt like forever. He searched everywhere in this pitch black world and couldn’t find Jimin. His sweat rolled down his temples and nose bridge while calling out,

“JIMIN! WHERE ARE YOU?!” Dodging souls and pools of bloods, the orange haired feels so tired and fatigued. When he saw nothing but black in the distance, he let his weak knees give in to the ground and catch his breaths. His chest would hurt with each inhale, but that didn’t stop him from raising and continue searching. “Where could he-...hm?” His feet stopped when he catched a laying body on sight. A silver hair, short limbs, petite figure. Cautiously, he advanced towards the vague body, only to discover it was Jimin. “Jimin!”

Taehyung kneeled by his side, with a hand circling Jimin’s shoulders, he lift him up. “Jimin! Wake up!” Jimin’s body was limp, like it was…

"Oh, no, no, please...” Taehyung pressed an ear on his chest, he can’t hear anything. No breaths, neither a pulse. “Oh my god...no! No! Jimin hyung! Wake up!” The boy let his body lay flatly and place both palms on his chest to press down. Again and again. “Jimin! Please! Don’t die!” When he saw it’s not working, Taehyung joined his hands in one big fist, lifting it above his head, then crashing it down as hard as he can on Jimin’s chest. “I won’t let you die!” Another strong punch made Jimin’s body jerk and cough roughly. “Jimin!” The said boy rolled on his side and kept coughing harshly. His body trembled as he vomited all over the ground. Taehyung was worriedly rubbing his back, and he gasped audibly when he saw what was leaving Jimin’s mouth. Black liquid forced itself past his lips, and when Jimin opened his eyes, the same fluid streamed down his cheeks. “Jimin! Are you okay?!”

When Jimin opened his mouth in an attempt to speak, he vomited again all over his chest, some even stained Taehyung’s thigh. If the floor wasn’t black, the puddle Jimin made can be seen. Taehyung patted his back very hard, almost slapping, to help him get rid of the vague substance. “What has he done to you?” The silver haired panted and coughed harshly. Calming down, he faced Taehyung who held him closely. His eyes were wholly black now, Taehyung furrowed and squinted his eyelids looking at them. Can he see him with those dark orbs?

“T-Taehyung…” His voice wavered, his weak hands reached up and the latter grabbed it.

“Are you okay?” Jimin didn’t answer his question but rather asked another,

“W-what are you d-doing here?...I-I thought you-”

“I came back for you!” Taehyung squeezed on his small hand. “I’m sorry that I left you! I was confused and scared...but I would never leave you!”

“Tae…” His black eyes welled with tears, black when they left his sockets.

“Let’s get you out of here.” He carried the limp thin body in bridal style. He was lighter than Taehyung thought, and that only made him feel bad.

Taehyung didn’t even take any step before hearing the distinctive screeches accompanied yet with a foreign voice.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

His body reacted to swirl around and buck back a little. When he expected to find a gigantic shadow and a ghastly voice, he saw the opposite. A man that’s fairer than snow, limbs slimmer than twigs, and eyes darker than dusk. His voice was calm and deep, alluring if Taehyung met him in other situations.

“Put him down.”

“Who are you?” Jimin’s head tilted to the side at him and lowly chanted.

“Y-Yoongi…”

“What?” Is that...Yoongi? But he’s so different! Could this be...his true form?

“I said, put him down.”

“No. He’s not yours.” Taehyung took a step backward that made Yoongi act up.

“Put him down!” Abruptly, appendages of darkness extended from the ground and grabbed each hand of Taehyung. He was forced to let Jimin fall, but he didn’t reach the ground before being snatched by another appendage, circling his midriff and drag him to Yoongi’s side.

“No! Jimin! Let me go!” Struggling, Taehyung fought for freedom. He kicked his legs in air and jerked his fists to slip off the tentacles’ grip. Jimin was carried in air, the giant limb lowered him to Yoongi’s level who caressed his cheeks with the tip of his fingers.

“I don’t understand why you are trying to separate us.”

“Because he doesn’t want to be with you!”

“Why do you think that?”

“Can’t you see him crying?!” Jimin only sobbed silently.

“You’re the one who can’t see.” Yoongi approached Taehyung with mute steps, as if he wasn’t touching the ground with his bare feet. Taehyung tenses the closer he gets. “You can’t see how much I care about him. I’m taking him away from those filthy evil humans.”

“But that what he is, a human! You demons are the evil ones!” Yoongi chuckled and presses an index on Taehyung’s chest. “Ugh!!” His finger feeled like a cold needle piercing his flesh.

“No...demons aren’t as evil as humans. You’re the real threat to the world.” He took his finger off, but poked Taehyung harder sending waves of chill that drilled into his nerves agonizingly.

“UGH!”

“You looted off the planet like insects. You pollute and distort everything. You caused wars and invented weapons. Not adding diseases.” Another poke. “Don’t you compare us to your kind. At least demons don’t kill each other.”

Taehyung’s shoulder and chest hurt him extremely. His lungs crunching and suck little air that made him dizzy with the lack of oxygen. Yoongi, knowing that he was in control now, he let his tentacles loose a bit. Taehyung used what’s left of his working brain to use that chance and slip his hand into his pocket. Taehyung took out his win card.

It was Yoongi now who tensed seeing his own symbol. Before he can act anything, Taehyung placed the charm between his teeth and bit down. He made a little crack in it.

“What are you trying to do human?”

“Yoongi!” He said between his gritted teeth. “I know your name! And I’m going to break your symbol if you don’t let me go!”

“That’s not going to work-” Yoongi’s body spasmed slightly, he can see a red circle above them.

“I’m not doing this alone. Let us go, or you’ll disappear for good!” Taehyung never knew triumph was this sweet when he saw Yoongi backing and letting his appendages flick away from him and Jimin who fell on the ground with a thud. Now, Taehyung have the upper hand. Confidently, he clinched on the charm of Pisces and walked around Yoongi toward Jimin with his eyes pinned on the demon. He kneeled beside his injured friend and lift him up.

Once Jimin’s feet straddled the ground, nausea got the best of him and he vomited, bending his back as his stomach twisted painfully. Taehyung was busy watching over Jimin and wasted his chance. Yoongi, stealthily, controlled a tentacle to circle Taehyung’s neck from the back and drag him in air. The boy shrieked as he was lifted off the ground.

“T-Taehyung!” Jimin failed to stand and catch his ankle.

Taehyung’s throat was strangled, he was hardly breathing, and with this aching pressure, his eyes teared up and fogged his vision. But he can still see Yoongi walking to him.

“You thought you can beat me? Fool.” He bend down to pick the charm that fell off the boy’s hands. He got nearer, dangling the necklace from between his digits teasingly. Even when Taehyung was dying, eyes rolled to the back of his skull, and saliva trickled from his mouth, the demon evilly teased him. “And fools always die.” The grip on his neck tightened urging the boy to wheeze for air. He was done for, he is going to die this time. But that’s okay to him, at least, he won’t die with regrets.

But right then, he heard the angelic lilt speaking, protesting and pleading.

“No! Yoongi! Please! Don’t kill him! Please! I beg you!” Jimin’s voice for sure, it was raspy because of his sore throat. Few blinks allowed Taehyung to see how Jimin hugging Yoongi from the back, his short fingers dug in his chest. “Please...please...let him go...you have me…” He whimpered.

“What’s that? You’re crying over him?”

“I’m begging you!!” He fell on his knees, “Leave him be!” Yoongi looked down where Jimin was now hugging his thighs, firmly answering,

“I can’t. He’ll only come back again.” Jimin downturned his lips and glared at him. He stood and staggered far from him. Angry he was, and he couldn’t stand watching Yoongi control him anymore.

“Fine! Kill him! But I’ll never be yours!!” Yoongi faced him with wide open eyelids, fear reflected on his glassy black eyes when he saw Jimin biting his own wrist. He was dropping tears and clenching his jaws to break the skin and let blood flow out.

“What are you doing?” Jimin bit again trying to reach his arteries. “Stop it!”

“Not until you let him go.” Blood stained lips where he lift his head to talk. His blood trickled on the floor, Yoongi was weirdly shaken by his action and obliged to his demand. He flicked a wrist to let the tentacle release the boy’s neck. Taehyung fell on the floor and gasped for air, his blue skin started blooming red again with oxygen running in his system.

“There.” Yoongi uttered while walking forward to Jimin. “I let him go. Now stop.”

“No...I’ll not stay here any longer!” He used all his might and will to bite his sore wrist again. Blood squirted out and stained his face. Yoongi didn’t move but rather ordered his black tentacles to tie his hands and separate them apart. “Just let me die!” Jimin cried out with tears. “If you really care about me just...just kill me!!” Jimin was in rage, but that didn’t blind him from glancing something in the pair of black orbs. Yoongi, slowly, took steps towards Jimin, until he was face to face.

Taehyung was still on the ground, watching tensely how Yoongi cupped Jimin’s cheek, wiping some of the blood silently.

Jimin saw it for the first time. Yoongi’s affection. His eyes really glowed with love, Jimin couldn’t open his mouth to speak a thing, like his heart and brain were hypnotized. Only dripping more and more tears. And he sobbed out when he heard Yoongi saying,

“If what you really want is leaving...then be it. I’m releasing you.” Yoongi’s voice carried...misery? He neared his head to Jimin’s and connect their lips. Jimin didn’t feel the stinging cold dwelling in his cavern every time Yoongi kissed him, but rather warmth. His body was heating up, changing, or rather, going to its normal state. Yoongi was sucking his demonic effects.

The black covering his eyes disappeared, Jimin’s eyes were back to normal. His hair was waving and changing colors to pure black.

It seems that Yoongi loved him for real, but his demon mind made him take wrong choices.

Jimin’s arms were released, he fell and knelt on four, but pulled himself up again. “Take him and go.” Yoongi cocked his head toward Taehyung, Jimin listened to him far too quickly in fear he might be conning them. But he wasn’t.

There was a source of light twinkling behind Taehyung, it’s an exit. Jimin ran to his friend and helped him stand, then held his hands to pull him along. They were very cautious, walking backwardly to the light to not lose sight of the demon. Nonetheless, he didn’t move an inch, his eyes stared back at them.

“J-Jimin! Let’s go!”

“Yeah…” Taehyung was the one now dragging him toward the light. Jimin was watching Yoongi, standing still as if he was a statue. He looked sullen, and somehow, Jimin sympathized him.

He stopped running.

“Jimin! What are you doing?! We have to go!” The latter didn’t budge, pushing Taehyung’s hand off his wrist.

“I-I…”

“Jimin...What’s wrong?” Jimin looked at him, then back at Yoongi in uncertainty. But he made his mind very quickly and did what his heart felt was right.

“J-Just one second…” Jimin ran very fast to Yoongi. His bare feet tapping loudly on the semi glassy floor. When he was close to Yoongi, he opened his arms and hugged the slim figure. He heard Yoongi gasping above his head from the strong impact of his own body on his. Tightly, Jimin nuzzled his face and circled his arms around his chest. Murmuring lowly, “Thank you.” After a firm squeeze of his arms, Jimin parted away connecting his eyes with Yoongi who was smiling softly. Jimin grinned back with tears of guilt and happiness. He’s not sure why he even feel guilty and sad of leaving him alone.

Then he went back beside his human friend. One last wave of Jimin to Yoongi, and he jumped into the light with Taehyung.

In a matter of a blink, Taehyung can feel the sorcerer’s hands clasping his, and the warmth of the candle between them. He saw her grinning widely, chanting,

“Taehyung-ah...you did it.” Right then, he was hugged from the side tightly.

“I’m back...I can’t believe it...I’m free.” Jimin sobbed on his shoulder. “Thank you, Taehyung! Thank you!” Taehyung chuckled, letting go of the woman’s hand and thread his hands in the black locks.

“It was my duty. And I would never be able to do it on my own.” Jimin broke apart and bowed his head to the old woman.

“Thank you so much! I owe you two my life!” Said while wiping what’s left of his tears.

“There’s a third person who lend us a hand.” Taehyung stated with a smile, knowing that this news will shock Jimin to cry even harder.

“W-who...is it?”

“Look behind you.” When Jimin turned and saw the dark brown hair and firm features, his breath hitched and unintentionally stood with a palm covering his mouth.

“Hyung.” His low toned voice was bewitching as ever, Jimin couldn’t help but weep, and approach him slowly. His shivering hands reached to caress his cheek.

“J-Jungkook! Is that really you?!” He ran his hand all over his body as if to check this isn’t a dream.

“Yes, hyung. It’s me.”

“J-Jungkook!” He sobbed his name.

“B-but how?! Y-you-...” Jimin shook his head in disbelief, but he couldn’t wait any longer to feel the same tranquilizing warmth. He snaked his arms around his torso and nuzzled his sweet, sweet scent. Jungkook hugged him back with his thick biceps and nuzzling too but in his profuse hair. “I’m sorry…” Jimin whimpered, “I’m sorry for what I’ve done to you...I wanted to push you away from danger...but you refused to let go of me. Yet I’m thankful for that…” All of them heard his pitiful whimpers with frowns. “I didn’t want to be alone...I’m sorry I should’ve-”

“Enough.” Jungkook squeezed him under his arms, “I don’t care about what happened.” He lift his chin with his index and thumb, “We are here now. Together.” Their lips met in a brief yet passionate kiss. Jimin’s heart fluttered like a dove’s wings.

“But...I still don’t understand…”

“He is a ghost.” Taehyung explained, Jimin looked from above his shoulder at him. “But he couldn’t move on knowing you were in danger.”

“A-a ghost…” His tone was rather sad than shocked. Jungkook grinned and brushed his knuckles along his cheekbones, like he wasn’t hearing them, like he knows something else.

Taehyung can see how sullen Jimin’s expressions were, he tried to light up his mood.

“Jimin, you’re alive now, you’re free at last!” He was confidently smiling, so did Jimin happily, but the sorcerer disagreed them with an anxious moe.

“That’s right…” Jimin said jiggling his eyes between Jungkook and Taehyung. Missing the outside world, Jimin let go of Jungkook’s hold and hurried to the door. Taehyung stood in thrill and followed him.

Jimin stood in the middle of the street that was dimly lit with the street sleepy lamps. The breeze was refreshing and cold. It flew his hair gently, his eyes calmly fell closed when he inhaled deeply, he felt different.

Taehyung watched him from afar with an easy glad heart. He was so happy seeing Jimin turn around himself and embrace the world around him. The world he missed so much. Even the dusky night became appealing to him.

They were both immersed with the divine breeze and didn’t notice the man riding his bike to deliver newspapers to doors in the wee hours. Jimin was standing right in his way, and Taehyung noticed late to scream out for him,

“JIMIN! WATCH OUT!” Jimin turned around quickly, but his reaction wasn’t as quick. He held his arms up to defend his body and closed his eyes.

But...nothing happened.

He opened his eyes again to find himself standing like nothing happened. He inspected his body further more, and looked behind him to see the rider steering the bike normally. He was so confused and faced Taehyung for answers who had his jaw low.

Taehyung didn’t comprehend what was happening, how did the bike went straight through Jimin?! Did he step aside? Even Jimin looks so shocked.

“W-what…?”

“The bike Jimin...went through you…?”

“That’s because you don’t have a body.” They heard the sorcerer speaking beside the door of the house.

“What?” Jimin squinted his eyes at her, “What does that mean?! I have a body right here!”

“No, you’re just a soul now, a ghost just like Jungkook.”

“No...I don’t believe you…” He pinned his head with his palms when shock washed over him. “But I didn’t die! I’m still alive!” Jimin lost himself and shouted at her. Taehyung had to walk to him and pat him to calm.

“Calm down Jimin hyung.”

“I’m not dead...I’m not dead!” He sobbed.

“Let’s go inside.”

Jimin let his friend steer him inside, and when his watery eyes met Jungkook’s, the latter furrowed and came to embrace Jimin. He hugged him tightly to stop him from shivering uncontrollably.

“W-what’s wrong?”

“Jungkook...Jungkook I’m…” He parted to wipe the tears that blurred his vision.

“Jimin, please…” Taehyung couldn’t bear to see him cry anymore.

“I’m sorry,” Said Jimin with a scuff, “I actually felt it the moment I came here…but I refused to listen to my guts...”

“What do you mean?”

“I couldn’t feel the air, and the cold crawling under my skin…” Taehyung frowned and turned his head away. He worked so hard and barely survived to save Jimin, and it appeared that he’s actually dead. This isn’t about him anyway, Jimin is the one who’s suffering. “But…” Jimin cut his thoughts, “How did this happen? I don’t remember...dying…”

“You didn’t necessarily die,” The woman remarked with a sympathizing tone, “You lost your vessel, and that happens when you spend a lot of time in the veil…” Jimin ducked his head, sniffling his last tears.

“I really wanted to see everybody…” He smiled sadly remembering the ones he has missed. He snapped his head up toward Jungkook who held his hand and spoke,

“You don’t need them...you have me…”

“But...what are we gonna do?”

“Just come with me.”

“Where?”

“To the other side.” Jimin stared deep down his dark alluring eyes. He has nothing left in this world, he can’t even face the others after what he has done, specially Hoseok. And the sorcerer emphasized that,

“You have no connection to this world Jimin, it’s better to move on.” Jimin looked at her unsurely, then at Jungkook that nodded for him to agree on his offer. Jimin shook his head to collect his thoughts and speak,

“Jungkook...being with you is all I ever wanted...but…”

“But?” Jungkook said.

“B-but I saw the veil. It was an unpleasant place...where will we go...I’m afraid of what it would look like.” Jungkook chuckled and pecked his hair covered forehead.

“Do you trust me?”

“Of course.”

“Then come with me.” His confident determinate eyes were reassuring. He found himself dropping his tensed shoulders and inhale a calm breath.

“Okay…” He uttered in a hushed tone. “Okay…” He repeated, “Just...can I ask a favor? A last wish?”

“Name it.” Jungkook has been replying immediately and bluntly, like he knows what Jimin was going to say.

“I want to stay a bit longer...just for a day. Only one day.” Jungkook cupped his cheek, his skin was far more tempting and addicting than his self composure, then shook his head a refusal. The shorter guy’s eyes glittered with more tears,

“We have till dawn.”

“No please,” He faced Taehyung for a quick plea and begged him more, “There are somethings I need to do before...disappearing…”

“Oh, Jimin. It’s not my choice neither. I want what you want. But our deadline is dawn, or else…”

“You might get trapped?” The sorcerer guessed depending on her experience, and the lad nodded an approval. The latter between his arms sighed shakily and made his heart clench by all means of pain. His only way of comfort was to stroke his hair backwardly and off his forehead.

Taehyung couldn’t just watch silently, his positive cheerful soul casted light upon Jimin’s depression.

“Hey! We still have three hours! We can do something! What do you wanna do?!” At first, Jimin wasn’t sure if he was just forcing himself for him, but he recalls clearly that this nothing but Taehyung’s natural self. When Jimin is easily affected and absorbs any incident’s negativity, Taehyung was the complete opposite. He stands when Jimin sits, walk when Jimin crawl, run when Jimin walk, and fly when Jimin run. He’s always one step further of him on the road of happiness.

A smile dragged his lips ever so sightly. He decided to try acting like him for once.

“I...I want to see the city...for the last time…”

“In three hours?!” Taehyung expected other wishes and was taken aback, but he recovered quickly with a splendid idea. He snapped a finger with a loud Uh-ha!, clasping Jimin’s wrist and pulling him behind. “I know what to do! Follow me!” Jimin let him haul him to the inner part of the house, climbed two floors on the creaking staircase to the last floor, the roof.

“I used to come up here all the time! The view is so…” Jimin already inhaled deeply when they were exposed to a rustling wing and felt amazing before Taehyung can finish his statement. “...Breathtaking.”

“Wow…” The building was in an elevated area, a hill, therefore, Jimin has a clear view of the city’s night view. An ocean of light glittered in different hues and rays. As if earth was mimicking the sky’s stars. His locks were wildly flying, but that didn’t bother and stop him from watching with awe.

They approached where there was a small wall to prevent oneself from falling. Taehyung pressed his palms on the top of it and looked down the three storeys. Looking at his side, he smiled on his friend’s priceless face.

“Yah, close your mouth! A fly might live in there!” Jimin chuckled and shook his head while closing his eyes to shake the blinding lights that was printed behind his eyelids.

“I was surprised, it’s really beautiful…”

“So? Did I granted your wish?” Once more, he chuckled.

“Totally.”

Jimin moved to sit on the short wall, dangling his legs on the edge and not caring about the danger. Neither Taehyung. Watching the night sky and the radiant city, they said nothing for quite a while. It wasn’t needed, both were sure that they were thinking about the same thing.

They traveled their memories. Way back when everything was at peace. They’d gather for every occasion, even the smallest. They laugh and goof around like normal people. Their bound was far more to be called friendship, brotherhood can describe how they feel towards each other. Jimin lolled his head with the longest sigh, only when he heard Taehyung’s titter, he lazily lift it back up.

“Why laughing?”

“I just recalled something.” Out of excitement, he turned his body so he can face Jimin properly before narrating, “Remember that day when you woke up late for a final exam?”

“Which one?” Jimin said with nearly a scuff. He has many experiences to recall a specific one. Taehyung chuckled and spoke,

“When you took a math exam instead of calculus.” Jimin seemed to recall that immediately, he guffawed with a calp.

“Yeah, yeah! Deep down, I knew something was fucking wrong!”

“Didn’t you even try to think about the possibility that you’ve entered the wrong hall?!”

“I saw numbers and equations! Who can even tell the difference between them?!” Their laughs echoed loudly, filling the distance. They finished their laughs with content sighs. Jimin was watching the city with a wider beam while Taehyung was watching him instead. Jimin was a pure beautiful guy, he was so sad, terribly sad, knowing that these moments are their last.

On the other hand, Jimin was actually relieved knowing that these moments are their last. It’s such a bless to choose how his last minutes in life, to be with whom he loves. He has regrets of some small things and wishes to correct them, but that’s fine, at least he got this precious memory to cherish. Him, Taehyung, the city he loved, and lights instead of darkness. His hand crawled to the latter and squeezed it tightly.

“Taehyung-ah...I’m thankful...from the bottom of my heart.” Taehyung smiled sadly,

“Don’t mention it...I wish I noticed sooner...I could’ve saved you.”

“But you did…”

“Yeah, but I mean before you lose your body…” Jimin wishes that too, but what happened has happened, he cannot make him feel bad about it.

“That’s okay! I actually don’t think I will be able to live after all of this…” Still, Taehyung feels bad.

“I…” Taehyung stated, “Honestly...I should apologize.”

“Hm?”

“I...I felt...a bit angry...at you.” Jimin frowned, “When Jungkook died, Hoseok said that you disappeared. And I hated you for leaving in such a crucial time...I wanted to know the truth, where did you go. But…” He faced back at the roof entrance where Jungkook was standing, leaning on a wall and waiting for his beloved. Jimin followed suit to look back too at him, smiling the slightest because of his mesmerizing boyfriend even though he was just standing there doing nothing. “But he stopped me from knowing that you were the one who killed him.” Jimin’s smile was quickly substituted with a moue. Taehyung wanted to wipe that pout, so he patted his hand to make him snap back at him, “He really loves you that he didn’t want anyone to hate you. He protected you even though he was dead. While I hated and despised you. A true friend shouldn’t have suspected his friends’ loyalty instead of wasting days thinking about what’s true...I could’ve saved you.” Taehyung’s head fell heavy with same.

Right then, he heard Jimin’s soft chuckle, then felt the small tips of his finger touching his chin.

“Never took you for the negative guy. It doesn’t suits you anyway.”

“Jimin, this ain’t a joke! It was wrong to blame you! We knew you were having a bad time but none of us made a move! Only Jungkook did…”

“And I forgive you!” The orange haired snap his head up quickly, Jimin caught how his eyes glittered with tears. “It’s normal to feel in such a way...I mean, even I thought Yoongi was hurting me.”

“He wasn’t?”

“It’s true that he terrorized me, but most of the time, he...he took care of me. I get that feeling when I’m with him, his...love…” Taehyung was hell surprised. He thought Yoongi kidnaps humans for demons’ things. Did he really love Jimin? A human? “Maybe if I wasn’t rescued, things won’t be ugly as I assumed. But I really appreciate your help. I owe you a big time.”

“How many times are you going to thank me? I know I was great and all, but get ahold of yourself!” Taehyung was speaking like a sassy bitch you find in alleyways and belittling drunk men. Jimin sneered and let his fists loose on him. “Uh! Ouch! Stop it!” Said between giggles.

“Asshole…” Jimin spat after his last punch. Those giggles of Taehyung prevented him from holding his laughter back. Their atmosphere was intimate, dripping with friendliness and care. It drove Taehyung to wrap his arm around Jimin’s neck and tug him closer.

“I’m really glad that you’re here, and that you’ll have someone with you.” Throwing a glance at Jungkook.

“And I’m really glad that I saw you before it’s too late…I wish I could see the others too.”

“They never stopped thinking about you, you know. We fought a lot because of you with Hoseok who refused to tell the truth about you. We were really worried about you before any other thoughts.”

“I know…I’ve always known that I’m lucky to have great friends.” Jimin voice was almost brittle, but he composed himself and inhaled deeply.

They heard the chirps from the near trees, it’s when they knew their time was up.

The sun was rising; hues of blue lit the sky dimly. The city lights were going out gradually. Jungkook approached them and reached his hand for Jimin who didn’t hesitate to take it. Jimin stood too, facing Jungkook upwardly with a faint smile, then looked back at Taehyung.

“Say hi for me to them, will you?”

“Let’s go.” Jungkook dragged him toward the door hastily.

Taehyung was creeped out, this was happening too fast. He ran to them where they reached dow the stairs and yelled,

“Wait!” Both were startled and looked back to see a sullen Taehyung.

“Taehyung…” Jungkook let his hand go when Jimin pulled himself toward Taehyung. Jimin hugged the orange haired tightly. Taehyung hugged him back and grimaced terribly. The latter murmured in his ear,

“I’m gonna miss you.”

“And I’m gonna miss you too, little Jiminnie.” Jimin chuckled and whimpered at the same time. He can recall everyone calling him little Jiminnie and he’d make the biggest fuss about it. When he pulled away, he grabbed both of Taehyung hands and stared into his lashes rich eyes. “I won’t forget your favor. Please live happily.” Then, Jimin went back to Jungkook’s side, picking his lips between his for a short kiss then smiling.

“I’m ready.” Jungkook nodded once firmly, walking toward the front door and pulling Jimin behind him.

Seeing them leaving like that, Taehyung’s lips quivered trying to suck his tears. But he failed miserably. Jungkook opened the door, a divine light shined from behind it. That definitely wasn’t a morning sun. Taehyung realized when he saw it, it’s the last time he’d ever see them. So, he shouted his heart out,

“YOU GUYS!” Both turned at him, “I LOVE YOU! I’LL NEVER FORGET YOU! GOODBYE!” His hand waved high while his other hands wiped his tears.

Both ghosts grinned and waved silently. That moment, their smiles and fine faces with the light behind them, will be imprinted in his mind forever and engraved in his heart for eternity.

They stepped into the light and disappeared. So did the light after.

Taehyung can see the outside world from behind the door frame. They’re really gone. Forever.

His breath hitched, and his lungs crunched with his quick breaths. His heart accelerated too. What’s happening? He feels pain in his chest. Heartaches? His tears won’t stop spilling, and air stopped entered his body.

The boy coughed roughly, his back was bending with each cough till he was kneeling on four.

“Taehyung? Taehyung!! Pull yourself together!” The sorcerer was watching silently from the back, she panicked and came to pat his back and rub at times. But to no avail. Taehyung didn’t breathe for a while now, he fell on his side and watched the time slow down. He can hear his heart loud and slowing as well. His weak lungs must have gave up. No matter how the old woman tried to shake him to his senses, life was disappearing from his eyes. He exhaled shakily as his eyes fluttered closed with a grin.

Am I dying?

I don’t really care. I’ve no regrets…

“TAEHYUNG!!”

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Winter has passed and Spring was welcomed. The carpet of white was peeled and revealed the flowers fighting to grow again. The mild breeze made them dance and sang a psithurism with trees. The tall man stood in the middle of the graveyard that was in a great green meadow. His hair keep sticking up with the strong wind, but he brushes it back silently while staring the gravestone in front of him. He had placed a bouquet of flowers on it earlier, and was now traveling back the memories that are painful, yet pleasant.

“Hoseok!” He heard his friend calling him.

“You came, Namjoon.”

“Yeah, couldn’t visit him yesterday with Seokjin.” They fell into a brief silence to scan over the stone. “It happened so suddenly,” Namjoon said after a deep sigh, “The news of his death was quite unexpected…” Hoseok only sighed with a ducked head.

Few more minutes of prayers, then Namjoon elbowed Hoseok to attract his attention.

“Shall we leave? He’s waiting.” Hoseok took another full skim on the stone before answering,

“Yeah, let’s go.” They left.

The gravestone behind them belonged to a very dear friend, and the one beside it belonged to another yet precious one.

This is what was carved in them,

Jeon Jungkook

A beloved son, friend, and boyfriend.

And this is what was carved in the stone Hoseok and Namjoon stood before:

Park Jimin

A beloved son, friend, and boyfriend.

The car drove with the three in it. Seokjin was behind the wheels, whistling a song to fill the awkward silent atmosphere. They headed to a hospital, bought flowers from the shop next to it and used the elevator to climb to the third floor. Nurses were running everywhere with their daily work, the three men had to maneuver through them to the inner corridor.

“I think it’s this room.” Seokjin knocked on the door twice before twisting the knob open. Inside, a boy sat on the bed with a book between his hands. His orange hair tufts were fondled by the air coming through the opened window. He smiled very widely for them with a shape of rectangular as he exclaimed,

“Hyung!” All three smiled in gladness. Although they went through a lot, losing more than earning, but somehow, they feel relieved. They know that their friends were in a better place, and the third is safe and sound in front of them.

Hoseok came inside while greeting.

“Hello, Taehyung.”

-End-