Crimson Park

Chapter 33

"Y/N?" Jungkook's strained voice came through the phone. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I've got a car. Minho is gone."

"Where did he go?"

"I left him on the side of the road."

"Did he hurt you?"

"No. I'm fine. I promise."

"Thank God," he exhaled. "Tell me where you are, and I'll come and get you."

Hours later, you sat at the station. Your statement had been taken and you had spoken to Jungkook and Namjoon about possible whereabouts of Minho.

"I think it's best your family stay in hiding, Namjoon. Until you find him," you suggested.

"Agreed. I think it's best we put you in a safehouse as well. At least until after his trial is over. Then you can go wherever you want to go," replied Namjoon. "I'll make a call to get it set up."

"Absolutely not," said Jungkook. Namjoon looked back at him, confused by his insubordination. "You're not going to be involved this time."

The room went quiet as the two men stared each other down. You could see the guilt in Namjoon's eyes and the poison in Jungkook's. He still didn't trust him – or else, he hadn't forgiven him.

"I'll be taking care of it," Jungkook punctuated. "You find Minho before he finds you or your family."

When Namjoon left the room, you turned to Jungkook.

"Don't you think that was a bit harsh?"

"No," he replied instantly. "Do you need to grab anything before we go?"

"We're going now?"

"Yup."

"Umm, can I swing by my apartment?"

"Nope. Too dangerous."

"Uh, okay. I guess I don't have anything then."

"We'll buy what we need on the way."

You drove for hours, somewhere headed south. You weren't sure where exactly you were going and Jungkook wouldn't say. You stopped at a superstore and bought some cheap clothes and toiletries. It had been a while since you shopped at discount bins. Jungkook poked fun at you as you wrinkled your nose through the polyester-pretending-to-be-cotton blends of four dollar t-shirts. You hopped back in the car with some drive-thru burgers and a milkshake and headed even further south until finally you stopped at a cheap motel.

"This?" you raised your eyebrow at him.

"It's just for the night. We catch a ferry tomorrow."

"We're crossing oceans now?"

He laughed at your bemusement.

"No. Just going to one of the island communities. It's remote. Quiet. We can keep tabs on everyone who is supposed to be there and not be there. You can practise your chicken farming."

You pursed your lips. This is what your life had been reduced to. From Louboutin's and penthouses to four-dollar t-shirts and chickens.

The motel was small, cruddy, and had two double beds with floral comforters that more resembled something you'd sit on rather than something you'd sleep under. Jungkook was careful to check the room first, and close the blinds while he ushered you in.

"Why don't you take a shower. I'll keep watch while you do," he said as he splayed his sidearm out on the table by the window and began to pull it apart for cleaning. You peered into the bathroom and grimaced at the awful, water-stained sight. You could hear Jungkook chuckling to himself as he noticed.