Got my claws in you

Chapter 43- panics and pain

(Y/N) POV:

Panic makes me quicken my pace, rushing after Min-Junie who still thinks that this is a game, a chase that he giggles and wriggles away, slipping out of my grip as he moves towards the edge of the road.

"Min-Junie wait! Don't go near the road!" I yell, but he rushes forward, head turning to shoot me a grin.

My heart twists and lurches with panic, stuttering when I spot his feet step off the curb.

The sight of the car approaching Min-Junie's oblivious giggly body sends panic to flood my body, jolting me into action, instincts screaming to protect as I rush forward, legs quickly crossing the distance as I hurry onto the road, running to him and twisting to shield him.

The blaring honk cuts through the air, my body tensing as I wrap my arms around him, curling to hide his body from the car that speeds forward. My legs jitter with adrenaline, wanting nothing more than to run but in that split second, my body and mind pushed me to protect, to shield the same bear cub who'd once flinched from me.

There's a guttural growl that rips through the air, melding with the blaring sound of the car horn and I hear a cry of my name.

My eyes clench shut, teeth gritted in that moment, bracing and tensing for the inevitable collision, but having no regrets as I cradle Min-Junie to me, knowing that if he was okay then it was fine. My body presses to his, holding his fear-stiffened body, his scent sharp and tart with fear and distress, the realisation slamming into him that this is very much not a game.

The screeching of brakes is loud and grating on my ears, flickering and folding and trying to curve away from the sound, tail flicking up and down at the danger and threat.

But the impact never comes.

Not in the way I expect.

Whoever's driving the car jerks and twists it away, the front tail of the car curving and slamming against my side, body thrown to the side, Min-Junie cradled in my arms as I hit the road, hands going to protect his head, my own slamming down, the world spinning and hovering in and out of focus, a groan punched out of my lungs.

There's the sound the brakes screeching and thudding footsteps, rushing forward, ears curling up as I clench my eyes shut, waiting for the world to reorientate itself.

"(Y/N).... (Y/N)...oh my god!" and then the sound of static, ears buzzing.

"10-52. Get me an ambulance right now next to the intersection to the centre, I'm sending my coordinates." Comes a harried urgent voice, a snapped growl as orders are barked out, steeped with authority.

I try to open my eyes, a pained whimper slipping out in response to the way Min-Junie trembles and burrows close, a muffled sob slipping out his throat.

I try to move, instincts restless to soothe him and tend to him, body trying to straighten up when a hand gently nudges me back, keeps me stable and coaxes me to remain still.

"Don't move (Y/N), just stay lying still, you shouldn't move when you've been in an accident. We're getting an ambulance. (Y/N) I'm so, so sorry." The voice whispers, soothing and soft and gentle; calming, the smell of burnt caramel making my head pound.

"Why sorry? Hobi you didn't do anything." I manage to get out, head turning slightly and wincing when the road drags at my skin.

The smell of cloying damp earth, heavy and clogged with rain and the scent of decaying leaves filters through too, joins the burnt caramel as a hand flits nervously across me.

"Joon...Joon you're here." I breathe, eyes blinking open, the sight of their faces hovering in and out of my vision, wincing when I turn my head slightly, a hand immediately coming to still my movement, carefully cradling the side of my face as Hobi stops me, biting down on his lip, fangs gnawing at it.