Terra Altera |ksj + knj| (eng)

Chapter 2

Jin walked out of the ship and looked around. Sunlight caressed his face but it wasn't as warm as it had been a few hours ago.

Namjoon walked over to him, his basket full of berries. It was their routine - Jin helped him in the morning either with preparing a meal or repairing Namjoon's tent or clothing or just in general, if there needed to be something done, he would be working before lunch. After a small break with food, they both walked to the ship, which Jin was repairing and Namjoon went to pick up mushrooms, berries and plants. And after they came back, they ate a part of the fruit and nuts the taller picked and then usually went to sleep or just sat outside, listening to the quiet waves of the sea afar.

From what the latter saw, he assumed Namjoon was a shaman as well as some sort of a doctor. He used herbs and flowers to make potions to heal wounds and sickness, which fascinated Jin. He had no ideas what those plants are because he had never seen them before, not even on Earth. There were some that were familiar but he couldn't put a name on it.

It had been two months already since Jin had met Namjoon. He learned a few important words but the knowledge of the language for long conversations was missing, so they were mostly quiet. They didn't mind, however, as the silence was comfortable.

Another thing he learned was that nakedness was not something the giants didn't like. It was completely normal for Namjoon to change his clothing right in front of Jin, who went red and covered his eyes. The latter didn't even bother to turn around, so Jin had seen stuff. All of the stuff.

Jin closed the door and they both walked to their tent. They walked alongside a beach, the sound of waves was filling the silence. Jin looked at the strawberries, which were the size of his hand and smirked. He was still fascinated by how big everything (and everyone) was. He still felt like Alice in Wonderland, just so small.

The most beautiful were the sunsets. They reminded him of home, of Earth also because they were exactly like the ones from his memories. He directed his eyes towards it and smiled, taking the scenery in.

Namjoon tapped his shoulder and the latter turned. The taller pointed towards a log, where they sometimes sat and today would be no different. Namjoon placed the basket with the picked berries between them and they began to eat.

Jin took the big strawberry and while the taller ate it in two bites, the latter ate slower as his mouth was way smaller. But apart from the size, the taste was the same; sometimes sweet, sometimes sour and they contained a little bit of water. He looked at the giant, who was sitting next to him and eating as well.

The term gentle giant was created for him. If he wanted, he could punch Jin and he would be probably dead in a second. But he took his under his wings, gave him clothing, fed him, let him sleep in his bed and just generally was kind to him. He never seemed to mind that Jin was there, he was smiling all the time at him, treating him like an equal, as if he was a guest.

But Jin didn't mind his presence either, quite the opposite of that. Their shared moments brought some soft of peace into his soul. He didn't feel that lonely, that small and weak on this big planet with huge creatures on it.

And although they shared no words, they formed a bond. He didn't understand the connection between them but you don't have to understand something to feel it. And Jin did.

Soon, too soon the sky went dark. Jin had just finished his huge strawberry when he widened his eyes and goosebumps rose on his skin.

What the fuck was that?!

He looked at Namjoon, who after hearing some sort of howling, got up and grabbed the basket. His relaxed nature was gone and as he grabbed his hand, Jin realised the seriousness of the situation.

If Namjoon is scared of that, I should be terrified.

He held his hand and began to walk quickly, which made Jin run. The shorter was constantly looking around, afraid, holding onto Namjoon's hand. He heard the howl even louder. It was close. Very close.

His heartbeat was fast. Namjoon started running and so was Jin. The taller held his hand stronger.

When they heard it for the third time, Namjoon picked the latter up. He held him close, his feet moving quickly. Jin closed his eyes, praying. In the bush next to them, they heard heavy footsteps, loud breathing.

It was way closer than Jin hoped.

Namjoon got even faster, pushing himself. They saw the lights of the village but there were still too far. Way too far. Jin closed his eyes. He listened to Namjoon's breathing, trying to distract himself. But the leaves were crunching nearby. The heavy footsteps were louder. Faster. Deadlier.

He squeezed Namjoon's t-shirt. He saw a pair of red eyes next to them and froze. They wouldn't make it, the beast was too close.

He closed his eyes, expecting the worst.

Ten.

Namjoon sped up a little more. He focused on the way ahead of them. He heard the animal getting closer. And closer-

Nine.

Eight.

Namjoon's legs started to get sore. His mind started to get dark. His arms started to ache. But he didn't give up. The race was not over yet.

Seven.

Six.

The animal growled. It showed off their teeth. It ran to get its prey. No one wanted to starve to death.

Five.

Jin heard the beast's heavy breathing getting louder.

Four.

Namjoon ran. Jin kept his eyes closed. The animal followed them.

Three.

They would not make it. They would not make it. They would not make it.

Two.

Namjoon pushed himself more. Jin prayed. He squeezed his eyes shut.

One...