Save Me || Book 1 ✅

Learn Your Place

"Kids, get them some water," A harsh male voice ran through the ice-cold room, causing Jimin to flinch. The voice seemed strangely familiar to him and yet was completely foreign as well. "If they refuse, just pour it down their throats. They're no good to us if they're dead."

"Yes, Seonsaengnim," Two youthful voices followed after, sending shivers down the boy's spine. The two, the voices belonged to, sounded like they were only in their mid-teens if not younger. How could they be a part of... Whatever this was?

A small pitter-patter of light footsteps travelled through the, what Jimin had concluded to be, metal floor, causing vibrations with every movement. Then, in a matter of a few seconds, he felt himself being pulled up into a sitting position by hands that seem to be even smaller than his.

It took every part of the small boy not to cry out as his sore body was forced to move, yet he still bit down hard on the cloth that was in his mouth. His teeth could have nearly shattered under the pressure but that was the least of his worries. His entire body was on fire, head pounding indicating he had hit the floor a fair few times since he was trapped; and he thought he was close to passing out when the cloth was gently removed from between his chapped lips.

Cool plastic pressed against his swollen lips, offering some relief, and his mouth opened without thinking, more than ready to receive the drink he had been craving for however long it had been.

 Had Jimin not been so caught up in downing the water, drinking as much as he possibly could before it was taken away again, he would have realised Taehyung had fallen quiet. Had he not been blindfolded, he would have seen a young boy helping his best friend, switching between a bottle of water and an oxygen mask. The man in charge had provided the medical help, the incessant wheezing sound testing his last nerve, but it was certain to come at a cost. 

Being so lost in simply savouring the water, Jimin practically whined when the bottle was pulled away, not being anywhere near rehydrated enough. 

"Please..." He found himself begging, shocked at the weak whisper that replaced his words.

"One moment, Sir," A young female voice came from in front of the boy and he fell forward once she moved away, hitting the ground harshly. "I'll get you some more." 

"No, Chaeyoung," The powerful voice came back, much closer this time, making Jimin cower back on his knees. "He's had enough." 

"Seonsaengnim, he's dehydrated. He needs more water," The girl spoke, sounding rather firm as she talked to the man in charge, but the fear in her voice was crystal clear. "If you had untied him, he wouldn't be in this state. You're making him ill."

"I said no, Chaeyoung," The man said, his voice lowered dangerously and Jimin could feel his glare even through the blackness blinding him. "Come on back now."

"Seonsaengnim," The girl said, sympathy in her voice which was followed by a pattern of careful footsteps. "My friend, Areum, had these seizures. You're putting him in danger, you should really..."

"Learn your place!" The man shouted, causing the room to fall silent as a heavy thud hit the floor. Jimin could hear little sniffles, making his heart sink. How the hell did he end up in this situation?  "Now, go and put that muzzle back on. The last thing I need is to hear Jimin screaming again." 

Screaming? Jimin thought. He had been screaming? When? 

All the hours had blended into one and Jimin couldn't remember anything past the last five minutes. His thoughts were so fuzzy, his mind cloudy. He felt dizzy with confusion and fear, loneliness and desperation.