𝐓𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐃 || 𝐊.𝐍𝐉

𝟹 | 𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐔𝐍 ☽

❖ ⋄ ⋄ ⋄ ⇢ ⋄ ✾ ⋄ ⇠ ⋄ ⋄ ⋄ ❖

"So what did they say?" Jimin asks, sitting down on the couch after I hang up the phone.

"They thanked me for calling and didn't ask for my name or address. I think they're trying to determine the time of deaths, to be honest. I'm pretty sure they're trying to cut the curfews again."

"Again?" Jimin stands with a pissed expression. "I already have to wake up early enough in the morning on the days I go to work. If I have to wake up any earlier, it'll still be dark outside, and I'm sure the beast will still be out by then."

"This is so fucked. I feel like I'm trapped." He sighs exhaustedly. He turns his head and looks at me. "How are you holding up?"

I shrug. "I don't know. It's not every day you see people living life only to find out they died soon after your encounter with them." I fold my arms over my chest a little uncomfortable from how close the killer was to me. "It could've been me. Those girls didn't deserve it-none of his victims did."

Jimin nods, agreeing with me. "At least you survived. I mean, it might be sick to think this way, but I'm glad it wasn't you who died. Just reading the description that the news report gave sounded like they weren't in one piece." I fight the urge not to gag.

"Okay, Jimin. I don't want to think about it anymore. Seriously, I feel sick." I lay down on the couch this time, resting my head against the armrest and bringing my knees up.

"I don't think you should go to classes tomorrow." He speaks up.

"And why not? I can't forget my responsibilities because of this. I'll take today to rest up and gather my thoughts, then I'll go tomorrow. Besides, I don't have classes on these days anyway." I hold my hand out, giving him his phone.

He takes it and slides it in his pants pocket. "Well, I guess that's good-"

A sudden knock comes to the door of the apartment. I raise my head, but Jimin stops me. "Lay back down, I'll see who it is,"

I lean up and watch him walk to the door and a sudden realization hits me out of the blue. I start thinking about the future.

While I don't technically see him in that way, I can't help to picture him opening the door for me if we ever got married and had children. The idea alone is farfetched, especially considering how he doesn't want children, but it's a peaceful thought.

He opens the door, then I see my next-door neighbor. She's older and lives alone, but I notice the papers in her hands.

"Oh, Jimin. I hope your mother is doing well. I'm stopping by and handing these out to protect everyone." She smiles at him.

I watch as Jimin's shoulders drop. "Ms. Asami, this is the second time you've done this. My mother has already politely asked you to stop handing out news clippings of the beast. Mother understands like everyone here how frightened you are, but Ms. Asami, you're starting to make the children here uncomfortable. You can't hand graphic newspapers to children and read aloud what the beast does to his victims. You're making these children feel unsafe to leave their own apartment. Besides, I'm sure everyone here doesn't want a reminder of what's been happening."

Jimin speaks respectfully but also with a tone that hopefully, his words can get through to her.

"My dear, this isn't about the attacks. This is an ofuda-otherwise known as a talisman. This is to protect everyone here at the apartments. I don't want anyone getting hurt by this monster. He took so many lives when I was young, and I hate to see it happen all over again. I'm just trying to help now whereas I couldn't do much back then. Here, take one for yourself, and here's one for Emiko." Then she leaves, but Jimin reminds her to ask everyone for permission before placing them on peoples doors.