ACATALEPSY I BTS AU

CHAPTER 8 - Whispers of Trust

**But now, let's rewind to about 3 hours ago...**

"Yo, kid, what are you doing out here?"

 Adam turned, blinking at the stranger's voice.

Jimin crouched down to Adam's level, studying him with a careful, almost tender curiosity. There was something familiar about the small face framed in the streetlight...then it clicked. Oh... it's her little brother, he thought, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips.

"I'm waiting for my sister," Adam said, trying to hide the rumble of his stomach with a tiny, embarrassed hand.

"But you're all alone? When's Y/N coming?" Jimin asked, the first real edge of concern in his voice.

"I don't know..." Adam's shoulders slumped. Jimin's chest tightened. He offered gently, "How about we grab something to eat while you wait?"

"Big sis says not to trust strangers", Adam pouted, but the stranger's warm smile and calm eyes softened him. He seems nice, Adam thought, nodding.

Jimin hoisted the schoolbag and the football rucksack over his shoulder....heavier than he expected for a primary schooler and they walked to his car. Damn, this bag's heavy. Middle school's going to be a workout, he muttered under his breath, more to himself than to Adam.

Inside the car, Jimin buckled Adam in and glanced back at the closed apartment block. A prick of worry nagged at him; he debated sending someone to check on you at Christie, but for now he kept it simple. "What's your name, little guy?" he asked, though he already knew it and forgot for a second in the softness of the moment.

"Adam," the boy answered, looking up.

"Nice to meet you Adam. I'm a friend of your sister's." A loud, embarrassed growl echoed from Adam's stomach and both men laughed.

"You're really hungry, huh?" Jimin said, easing the car into the street. "What do you want to eat, Adam?"

**Back to the present...** 

"Adam, what do you want for dinner?" you asked, slipping off your shoes as you stepped into the apartment.

"I'm not hungry," came his voice from the bedroom, clutching the strange box tightly in his small hands. Your brow furrowed, unease creeping in.

Adam never turned down food. Maybe he's upset with me for being so late... But your heart started pounding faster.

"I already had a yummy pizza," he added, a proud grin spreading across his face.

What? How? Where? Your breath hitched, worry flooding your chest like ice water. You hurried toward his bedside, panic rising.

"I went with Big Brother," Adam said, beaming from ear to ear.

Your voice cracked with sudden sharpness. "How many times have I told you not to talk to strangers? You accepted food from a random person???!?!" You narrowed your eyes, panic twisting inside you. Adam was usually so obedient this sudden change rattled you deeply.

"But Big Brother's really nice," Adam defended, his tone hopeful. "And he said he's your friend."

You crossed your arms, trying desperately to steady your racing heart. "What's this 'Big Brother's' name?"

Adam swallowed hard, shaking his head. You could tell he knew the name but he'd promised not to say it.

"Okay... then what does he look like? Can you at least tell me that?" you pressed, voice tighter now, fear gnawing at your calm.