Flash Fiction #1 Mindreading

Rainy / ThaFantasticFoursome

ThaFantasticFoursome

The low sound of feet shuffling across the tiled floor was only a faint background noise in the whirlwind of voices entering Taehyung's head. The male had his hands stuffed deep into his trouser pockets as he played with the ties of his mask that was printed with a lion motif. His eyes swept from the bank cashiers to the people waiting in front of him in the never-ending line.

He wasn't sure if this was really the best plan they could have come up with. Never before had they tried to pull off a heist this big, this dangerous and all of it was relying on Taehyung's ability to read minds. He had detested his so-called superpowers that he'd gotten at the mere age of seven. At first it was horrible, like a never ending migraine that pulsated through his brain and made every thought every person around him had hammer into his poor mind.

Then, when he got to controlling it, the fun could start. He knew who crushed on him, could figure out which exam question linked with which answer, courtesy of him sitting close to the smartest people in class. Life had really handed him easiness on a platter.

Unfortunately, even though Taehyung got the best grades, the best scholarship, was mainly the best people pleaser in existence, he didn't choose to go on the right path. Oh no, he left that path many many years ago.

It was much easier to use his powers for the darker path, the path that consisted of robbing people not only of their thoughts, but of their money and wealth instead. The feet shuffled forward yet again and Taehyung followed. From the corner of his eye he could see the security agent talking to his colleague and out of the other corner he watched Hoseok chat up to a lady, though his mind had far darker plans than his highly amused tone could muster.

Taehyung, be ready in five.

Taehyung nodded and watched Namjoon move up from behind him, hands stuffed into his pocket as well as he dug out a plain face mask and made himself unrecognizable. Namjoon already had the key to the backdoor, where he'd put a gun to a poor worker's head before shutting down the camera system.

Taehyung stepped forward again as the line shortened. Only three more minutes before the guns would make an appearance. Hopefully there wouldn't be casualties like the stunt they pulled off last year at a jewelry store.

Stop.

Taehyung froze at the one voice that penetrated his thoughts, pushing all the other voices aside.

Please stop this. Don't do this. Please.

Taehyung flinched, wondering who the hell this person was and what they were talking about.

I know you're going to rob his bank. I know your friends are planning on shooting the security guards, even more employees if necessary. Just please, don't kill anyone.

Taehyung turned around, wondering who was telling him all this. It couldn't possibly be someone like him, right?

I can read your mind, just like you can read other's. I don't work here but my mother does and I can not let you harm her. If you don't call off your operation, I'll call the police right this instant.

Taehyung snorted and glanced around, trying to find the boyish voice to match a face. He locked eyes with a boy in a big hoodie standing right beside the door. His eyes widened up to the point that he looked like a frightened deer caught in the headlights.

Oh you silly boy. Taehyung tilted his head. You really think the police scares us? We've done plenty of things like these. The police fear us more than we fear them.

He could see how the boy's legs trembled. I cannot let you go through with this plan. I know your names. Hoseok and Namjoon, right? And you are Taehyung? I can hear them all think. I can stop you.

Taehyung balled his fists.

Listen here brat, we've been planning this for over a year and some kid like you won't stop us.

The boy shook his head, eyes still trained on him though he looked like he was losing more hope by the second.

Please- just please don't hurt her.

Just get out of here before things get messy. Taehyung told him, heart softening for just how young the boy looked and how his teary eyes were glistening in the light. What's her name?

It was silent for a second and Taehyung didn't appreciate how the boy was wasting his time when the clock was ticking. He needed to know now before they ran out of time.

What's your mother's name?

Kim Sumi.

Taehyung nodded at the boy, hands getting out the mask that had been in there for more than an hour. I'll remember that.

Is this some sick trick? Are you going to kill her now because you know I know you? The boy seemed to be fumbling with something in his pocket and Taehyung realized it was probably a phone. How sad, that the boy couldn't even get his phone out at a time like this. He really pitied him.

No, I am going to spare her but in return I'd like you to do something.

The boy stopped fumbling and now glanced back up at the other who had put on his mask, the lion motif strongly contrasting against the all black outfit he had one. And what's that?

I'd like to know your name.

Taehyung shuffled forward again and noticed how the boy gulped. For a second Taehyung thought the boy would just charge towards him and try to tackle him but then his voice echoed in his head once more.

Jeon Jungkook.

Satisfied with the answer, Jungkook was allowed to leave the bank, and the second the glass doors shut behind him, one shot was fired. He didn't look back, wondering what the man wanted with his name.