Before you disappear

Chapter 25

"I'm amazed that I didn't see this before."

The woman just stared at her phone, making Jungkook more impatient.

"What does it say?" he repeated, slightly irritated. "Tell me what it says about Jungkook."

"Big Hit stated an announcement two days ago. It says that Jungkook has been admitted to the hospital after collapsing backstage," she summarized. "They have postponed the tour dates for now, making sure that he's back to full health before they'll continue the tour."

"So, they're still in London."

She looked up at him. "How did you know?"

"Hm?" Jungkook raised his eyebrows, then realization hit him how weird it must be for him knowing about Jungkook when he supposedly had been unconscious since the concert. "Well, uhm..." He was searching for words, but seeing as there was no reasonable explanation, his hands reached to his forehead and a groan escaped him.

"What's wrong?" The woman instantly rose from her seat.

"Nothing," Jungkook said, but his voice sounded fragile. He blinked a few times and then felt the tears spill over his cheeks. What the-? Why was he so emotional all of a sudden?

"Oh, please don't cry! You know I hate it when people cry. I can't handle it," the woman said as she patted him on his arm. "Forget the question. Just forget it. It doesn't matter! All that matters right now is that you're getting well again. Here, take this."

Jungkook looked up at her as she handed him a handkerchief. He took it from her to dry his cheeks. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice hoarse with emotion. "I don't know why I'm getting so emotional all of a sudden."

"Don't worry about it." The woman waved dismissively. "I shouldn't have pushed you. I'm sorry. There can be a million reasons why you would know certain information. I've heard about people in a coma, hearing what's happening around them. Perhaps one of the nurses spoke about JK's condition while you were still unconscious."

Relief washed over Jungkook as the woman had made a valid point to answer her own question. But he also knew he had to be careful not to put himself in that position again. He needed to get himself discharged and then start the search for his own body.

As he looked up at the woman, he could tell from the way her hands were fidgeting she was still feeling bad about what happened. And that made him feel bad in return. "It's okay. I know you didn't mean to upset me, and I'm sorry if my tears made you feel bad. I didn't mean to do that. I mean, we're friends, right?"

"Best friends," the woman corrected him, and then smiled from ear to ear.

"Good. Because what I want to do next, only a best friend will understand."

The woman, or his friend as he corrected himself, frowned and sat back down. "I have the feeling you're going to say something that might sound really adventurous."

Jungkook chuckled. "It definitely might sound that way, but I hope you'll not think me insane after you hear what I have to say."

"You've said several things over the years where any other person would think you insane, but I haven't," she said, shrugging. "So, spill it."

Jungkook leaned forward. "First, I want you to help me get out of here. And second, I might need your help in finding out where Jungkook is."

His friend tilted her head. "Where Jungkook is? Do you really think it's wise to go searching for him right now? I mean, I know he's your bias and all-"

"I'm her bias?" Instantly, Jungkook placed a hand over his mouth. Why the heck did he have to say that out loud?

She looked at him. "Yes, he's your bias," she repeated. "Have you forgotten that? I mean, do I need to pull up that one picture on my phone you've been drooling over ever since you saw it?"

"Drooling? I'm pretty sure, I wasn't..."

His friend rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean." She scrolled through her phone. "It's the picture that made you JK-biased for life. Your words, not mine. You told me how you kept switching between Jin and JK, and this picture," she held up her phone, so Jungkook could see which picture she was referring to, "sealed the deal for you. That's what you told me."

Jungkook instantly recognized himself. The black clothes, the leather around his waist, the black wings on his back. He remembered how heavy the props were and how small the block was on which he had to stand, surrounded by water.

"Right," he said. "The Wings era."

"Indeed," she continued as she placed the phone back in her bag.

"A lot of fans love that photoshoot."

"Of course, because the guys all looked freakin' amazing as dark angels. But you told me there was another reason why you loved that shoot."

"What's that?"

"You don't remember?" she asked, but instantly corrected herself. "I guess those details might just be fuzzy. It'll come back. You said, you loved that picture because it gave you an idea for a story you wanted to write."

"Right!" Jungkook said, pretending to remember. "A story about dark angels. Yes."

That seemed to satisfy her. "But, about your plan?"

He raised his eyebrows, waiting for her to continue.

"I think the first part won't be too hard. Though I do think you need to call your sister first and talk things through. I don't want her to come at me for condoning this idea of yours and then have her haunt me because she thinks you're clearly not thinking straight."

"Fine, I'll call her." Jungkook waved dismissively, not wanting to think about what that actually entailed. "And the second part?"

"Well, the second part might be undoable. I mean, I think the guys have enough on their plate as it is and even if we find out where they are, I'm pretty sure the security is so tight, that nothing comes through."

"Let me worry about that," he said. "Let's first see if we can get the first part done, okay? How am I going to get discharged? What do I have to do?"

***

Author's note

Whoohoo! 30 more views since the posting of my last chapter! That's a LOT and I am grateful for you silent lurkers ;). Don't get mad at me; I'm just teasing you! 

Thank you  so much for checking this story out and - if you're feeling brave - let me know what you think!

I always love hearing feedback especially since that gives me fuel to continue AND improve!