BLACKBIRD IN THE SWARM // Jenkook

Chapter 1: Off The Grid

JUNGKOOK POV


It's been three years of isolation for me. After the whole ceremony of taking down hunter I've been in hiding. The new target that everyone is looking for is me, especially the ELT (elite task force.) The people have seen what happens when one man takes over. It tears the world apart. My life was ruined by hunter and the last thing I remember was being taken by hand and dragged through the grass. Getting placed into a chair with a women saying everything is going to be okay. Everything went blank after that. I can't remember anything for the past few years. All I know is one thing. I was a mercenary named blackbird, and was ordered to kill anyone hunter asked for. I don't remember the killing but will be stuck with me forever are the names of the people I've killed. It still haunts me to this day. Anyway, where my whereabouts are is very secretive. Off the grid is where I've been living. The closest city that I live near is Neopal City, and it's a two hour drive from here. I'm in the forest in a cabin, sharing it with someone.

"Hey Timmy," I heard her yell.

"Yeah Denise," I replied.

"I'm going to Neopal City for a supply run, you need anything."

"Can you get a battery for the AC, it's broken," I replied.

"Alright, and the usual snack supply," she asked.

"Yep," then Denise left.

Denise, what a lovely lady. 40 years old, has kids she doesn't want to talk to. But is a people person. She found me when I was on the run and mistakenly took me as a trespasser. I told her I had no where to go and agreed to let me live here, just as long as I do some chores around here. Anyway, I was cleaning up a bit with the dishes and the wooden floor. Then I went outside to chop up some firewood for the fireplace. There's only a few times I've been in Neopal city. Architects were so intrigued by Hunter's design for a city with all the security. That influenced helped build Neopal City with its high tech buildings. And TV screens around the city with my face on it. Camera's would spot me if I'd take my hoodie off, even for a split second. It's suicide to go there.

A FEW HOURS LATER

Denise came back from the city with her supplies as I cooked something up for dinner.

"Took you a while," I said. "Where did you go the casino."

"N~No," she said.

As I looked at the supplies, I found the battery and took it out.

"Nice, I'll go set this thing up," I said.

"No have dinner first the set it up," Denise said.

"I've been dying in this heat, please let me set it up," I said.

"After dinner, okay. I don't want your filthy hands all over the food," Denise said.

After dinner, I finally had the opportunity to set up the battery. Once the machine worked, I felt as the cold air emulated in the house. Much after that I showered and went to sleep.

THE NEXT DAY

The next day when I woke up, I went to kitchen and saw a note on the table.

Out of town, go to the city for supplies

-Denise

Im curious to where she went, but I don't question her anymore. She can go to any sketchy place she want and leave unscathed. More concern is that I'm going back to the city. I did the usual procedure where I would tie my hair up and have a face mask over my face. Then a black hoodies to cover my face. Driving to the city, I made it to the usual place we get our supplies. The store is on the boundary line of Neopal City to the outskirts. It was noon when I got there. Entering the store I had Denise's ID in my pocket. When I say the security upgrades, it upgraded. There's a scanner when you go in, and if your ID is red and you have a wanted bounty on of the scanners ring and security arrest you. Anyway, I quickly made it to the cart and quickly grabbed the essentials, no talking to each other or wasting time. When I got out of the store and went back to my car I got on the freeway. Usually there would be no traffic in this area, but something was blocking it. Looking ahead I noticed a blockade. Police set up a station in the middle of the road and, scanning car weight and ID's. I'm screwed cause I'm using Denise'a ID.

"What's going on," I asked the officer half a mile from the blockade.

"Something came up on our radar, illegal immigrant smuggling out of the city," the officer said.

My heart was racing, I didn't want to get caught and be locked up at task force. It's worse than prison.

*gets to the station*

"License and ID please," the officer said.