A speck of blood

A true judge of character

A bloodstained truth

It was much like an old movie with Hercule Poirot.
Tension, fear, doubt and one person that seemed to have the entire scenario in his pocket, ready to spill the beans.
The great entrance hall was kind of oozing of heat and anger.
The audacity! Who did he think he were?
So many thoughts flashing through in a millisecond. Doubts, yes.
Confusion, oh yes. And through that unspoken chaos going on in their minds while they tried staring the other to defeat, Yoongi caught Taehyungs eyes. He raised a questioning eyebrow.
Taehyung held his hand on Jimins arm, preventing him from rushing up and make an arrest.
Taehyung nodded .
Yoongi let go of Tanny.

- Well, speak up! Where are the rest of you? Two are missing!!

While making himself all strong and impressive, the strange man acted all absentminded, making Yoongi smile .
- Ok bro, enough of this. You passed the test, let's just wait for
Hoseoki to return and we'll talk this through, ok?
The man looked bewildered but looking down he noticed his mistake;
Tanny was happily licking his hand and he was equally happy rustling about in Tannys curly fur. Absentmindedly.
He looked up and his entire face broke up in little embarrassed pieces , a stupid smile shining against them all and mostly towards Tanny.
- Ahm, well, you got me there, didn't you? My bark is worse than
my bite. Hmmm, what's his name, he's adorable
- Tanny. Greet him properly and let's act adults here. We need to
wait for Hoseoki and Namjoon.

Traces of blood

- Hello everyone, you in here? I checked the shed, theres a hatch
and theres blood on it. Should we call the cops?
I never knew there was a hatch or a lid, and the blood...what?
Hoseok viewed the awkvard scene in front of him. His friends were all gathered in the kitchen, Seokjin had his apron on, Yoongi was tending to the barbeque outside, Jimin was setting the outdoor table and Taehyung, what the..
- Can someone please give me a hint? Please?
- The blood is mine. I cut myself this last time, I was in a hurry
and heard you coming to get the bikes.
- You! There are pictures in uncles bedroom, I just caught a
short glance, a young man, is that you?!!

- Its me. It's me ok? Thanks Taehyung, I'm grateful you fixed the
cut. And you too, Tanny.

Tanny wagged his tail and continued comforting the new friend.
- I'm Jeon Jungkook. Jeon Sihyuk is my grandfather. Or was. I
haven't heard from him in almost a year.
Hoseok stood motionless.
The others waited . Seokjin stood with a filet knife in hand.
Namjoon came sliding in with shrieking breaks in the yard.
After his talk with Hoseok he needed some air. Lots of it.

Entering the house he thought for a while he got the wrong address. Like a story by Tim Burton. Twisted.

- Did I miss anything? What's happening? Hoseok?

And so there was a thud .
Hoseok had fainted.

Who's the intruder anyway?

After Hoseoks collapse they started their usual commotion, wet towels, pillow under the head, glass of water, Tanny washing faces..
- You seem to have done this before.
- Shut up! You're not one of us, whoever you are!
Namjoon looked so fierce and Jungkook had no defence . He looked down and his shoulders fell.
- Easy hyung, he's ok.
- He shouldn't interfere, that's what. Hoseoki, bro, wake up!
Taehyung looked at Jimin and Jimin nodded. They knew what was eating Namjoon besides the sudden intrusion.

Hoseok woke up and gratefully emptied the glass of cold water , asking for another. Drinking it up, he glanced at the bandaged
man sitting in one of the armchairs. Grandson? Uncle ..Sihyuk?
This was insane and still, he was more sad than angry.

- Ok. Someone else longing for food? I'm at it, can I..?
- Want help hyung , Jimin at your service sir! Yoongi, you can
start the fire, right?
- It's hyung to you, Park!
And they all smiled .
Jungkook dared not look up. Funny. He thought he'd be the one on top of the situation. He was no such thing. He could feel the cold gaze of that Namjoon fellow.

- Jungkook? How did you get in?
- He probably broke in, who cares.
Namjoon wasn't in his best mood.
Hoseok turned to him and took his hand.
- We have nothing more going, calm down. It's ok. You hear?
Namjoon felt a blush spreading and the veins on his neck were strained. But he smiled.
- I'm sorry.
- I have keys. Grandpa gave me the extra set but never the key to
his study.
- How long have you been here?
- A day before you arrived. This time.
- Its impossible, I should have heard you!
- The shed. There's a hatch to a tunnel. When I was young, it
was a piece of cake with that tunnel but now...
- Leading to?
- Grandpas master bedroom. Funny thing is that he used it
himself if someone came uninvited.
Hoseok stared at his hands. They were shaking.
- Let's go upstairs and see those pictures.
Namjoon looked as though he wanted to come along. Hoseok just waved him off.
- Its ok, I need to do this you know. Go help Seokjin .
- He never let me help in the kitchen. I can set the tables though.
Taehyung, you're in charge of decorations.
- Yay!

Pictures

Silently they went upstairs. The silence was both comforting and menacing. It lasted for an eternity or maybe 20 seconds, 40?

- I'm going first . Ok?
- Ok.
It was obvious that someone had used the room, a bit messy . Hoseok cringed. He hated mess.
The room had a private bathroom. Of course.

- These on the wall are just the start. He's got albums too.

Hoseok didn't know what to say.
The pictures . A boy about 15. Uncle Leehyun. Fishing rods, the canoe, mountainsides, jigsaw puzzling, frying apples in the fireplace. Birthday party. Christmas. Year after year.

A boy that wasn't Hoseok. A young man that wasn't Hoseok.
A man that wasn't uncle Leehyun. Or was he? If not...
Then who?
Then why?
Why this charade? Why these lies?

Opening an album he looked at the faces of his grandparents in Gwangju. And he saw a very young Park Sohee, the twins grandmother. And a very young uncle Leehyun. No doubt.

- I can't handle this now, can you?
Jungkook shrugged.
- No. Come back later then. After you've eaten.
- We will eat all together. We are all trespassers or beloved
relatives. We are all friends or enemies. We don't know.
Let's eat. You're invited.