His Darkest Desire ||Taekook||

chapter twelve (1/2)

Mina collapses onto the couch with a heavy sigh, drained from the day. All she wants is a warm shower and the comfort of her bed, but her thoughts drift to Taehyung. A familiar ache settles in her chest. Ever since he disappeared, her life has spiraled downward, and not a single day has passed without her worrying about him.

She lets out a deep sigh, tilting her head back to stare at the ceiling. The only silver lining today was that Yoongi had finally woken up from his blackout—even if he needed painkillers to ease the pounding in his head.

While Hoseok tried to get in touch with a doctor for Yoongi, she went to assess the damage caused by his enemy. The memory alone makes her blood boil. She sits up abruptly, her eyes locking onto the seat in front of her.

A vivid memory rushes back—the spot where she and Taehyung used to playfully fight over the remote. She can still see him laughing, holding it high above his head while she jumped on her tiptoes, shouting in frustration, never quite able to reach it. A soft smile tugs at her lips at the memory, but when her gaze returns to the seat, it's painfully empty.

How was she ever going to see him again? What if he was already gone? No—she shakes her head, forcing the thought away before it can settle. Just then, the sound of footsteps echoes from the hallway. Her parents walk in to find her slumped against the couch, one arm draped over her forehead, eyes fixed longingly on the empty seat across from her.

"Mina, you're home." Her mother's voice is soft, sweet like honey, gently pulling Mina from her reverie. She looks up, meeting her mother's gaze with a blank nod, too drained to offer more. Her eyes sting, tears threatening to spill, but she swallows hard and keeps her focus on the figures standing quietly in the doorway.

"Yeah, just went to check on Yoongi and Hoseok," Mina mutters. Her mother simply nods. It's only then that Mina really looks at them—both still dressed in their work attire. A frown tugs at her brows. The sun had long set, and the moonlight now filters softly through the curtains. Why were they only just getting home?

"Where are you going?" she asks, straightening up as curiosity sharpens her tone. Her parents rarely go out at night—always busy, always buried in work. It's unlike them to be dressed so formally after hours. What could possibly have them this suited up?

"We have some important business to take care of, but we'll be back by tomorrow morning," her father says calmly. Mina nods once, still puzzled by their unusual behavior. Something about it doesn't sit right, but she lets the subject slide. With a quiet sigh, she closes her eyes for a moment, trying to ease the weight pressing on her mind.

Lately, Mina's father had been unusually quiet—especially when it came to Taehyung. He hadn't said a word about what happened, not once. She can't help but wonder if he's starting to feel regret... though part of her doubts it. Maybe it's just wishful thinking. Her parents had always seemed detached, unconcerned. And yet, here she was—still the only one who truly cared, the only one losing sleep over Taehyung.

***

Taehyung's grip on the maid's wrist tightens as she struggles to keep up with his frantic pace. Breathless, he pushes forward, gasping for air. Seconds stretch into minutes, minutes into hours, as they race through the empty streets shrouded in darkness. The streetlights cast flickering shadows through the trees, painting the path ahead in eerie patterns. His eyes, glossy with tears, dart left and right, searching for a sign of where they are. Finally, he comes to a halt, chest heaving, and leans forward, hands resting on his knees.

Taehyung doesn't know where he's headed. Where could he possibly go? The last thing he remembered was being sold off to Jungkook. Running back to Hoseok's house would be reckless—he knows that much. There's only one place left, the one place he clings to with a flicker of hope, the only refuge he believes might keep him safe... at least for now.