The Last Seven - a BTS AU Story

Chapter 4 - Back Under Trees

Close to a dry and deserted plain was a small campsite on which a tent was erected. Inside it, a boy was pacing nervously, deep in thought. His black curls, which made his sultry eyes look much more handsome, were wet with nervous sweat. His fire had invited some aliens to his hideout, so he was deciding whether to escape or not. He was sure that aliens would attack his tent, but the thought of getting attacked on the way to escape made him stop and hesitate to leave. He only freed his mind from that topic when he slipped on a sheet of paper. Getting to his feet, the boy curiously picked it up. It looked like a missing poster, for it had his own photograph on it with the caption, 'Please find my best friend Kim Taehyung." His friend's handiwork made Taehyung smile. He had lived with his friends all his life until he was threatened with attacks from the aliens. Leaving his friends in a safe place, Taehyung departed, but it was of no use. The aliens found them anyway and killed them. Wiping his tears on his sleeve, Taehyung tried to focus on the present problem : where to escape next. Thanks to his part-time job as a sailor of a trade ship, Taehyung knew that there were other islands close by, but he didn't have the materials to make a raft. He couldn't swim either, and as the whole country was under control of aliens, he had no choice but to stay put.

A few hours later, Taehyung returned to his tent, armed with a load of firewood. To his horror, a gang of aliens were searching that area. One of them had seen him and alerted the others. Dropping his load, Taehyung turned around and ran.

He ran through plains and plateaus and grasslands, not daring to turn back or stop until he was covered sufficiently. After a long run, a forest came into view. Taehyung got relieved and increased his speed. On reaching the forest, Taehyung halted abruptly. He listened for a while to check if aliens were still on his tail, then climbed up a camphor tree and waited with bated breath. His pursuers soon arrived, but none of them could locate their prey. Dejected, they left. Taehyung cautiously got down from the tree and walked around the forest. This would do, he felt, he'll stay till he can get a better hideout. Taehyung turned to look at the sky for the first time. It was slowly darkening and the sun was setting. Taehyung lay down on the sand and was about to close his eyes when he caught sight of a message drawn on the sand. He bent closer : it read 'JJK'.