Sempiternal: • Savages • || BOOK 6#

4. Happy place

"I think it's starting to have a good effect." says Jin with his hands on his hips and a smile of triumph.

"How can you tell?" asks Taehyung, stunned by the sudden assumption. Jin points to the seat where Hongjoong and Seonghwa are lying.

Doing nothing but suffer.

"Because they want to die or feel like they're going to die. That means it's working!" he exclaims, with the playful, bright smile worthy of a commercial. Taehyung stretches his lips and feels his brow prickle.

I mean, yes, that's a sign that something is happening, but it doesn't mean it's good or what they're expecting exactly. If only it were that simple. Hongjoong twists in on himself from a spasm and ends up lying on top of Seonghwa. Jin beckons to Taehyung:

"They sure like each other."

Taehyung shakes his hands and head. He hesitates a lot. Because the regular drivers are in treatment and suffering from it, it's their turn to drive. A little karma unfortunately. Namjoon hasn't stopped checking the map since yesterday. Between intrigued and anxious about what it points out.

Despite being in English, the locations have transcriptions in Russian. Most likely to prevent the person who takes it from getting lost due to the lack of visual guidance in the directions, signs and other identifications on the buildings.

They resume the day's march and Jimin peeks out from behind Namjoon. He wants to know where they're going, not for a reason beyond eagerness and eagerness at how close they are to making it.

"Hey," Namjoon turns his head. "When we get there, we'll still be together right?" asks Jimin, leaning on the other's shoulder. Namjoon gives him an affectionate squeeze, takes his hand and kisses his palm.

"Yes, of course I do. There's nothing to stop him." assures Namjoon with confidence in his words for this time.

There is no reason why something this bad could happen and even if it were to happen at the administrative level, he is good at convincing in front of it. It will be a matter of knowing how to talk and the situation will be in his favor.

They stop the cars in front of a five-story building. It looks clean and even has a huge spray-painted sign: [CLEAN ZONE]. They all get out of the car they were riding in. Bam starts sniffing around. Jungkook whistles to bring him back after a few minutes of examination. The movement in its tail exposes that certainly, there is no risk nearby. Both human and with Yagtalja.

"Shall we go in?" asks Jin in a low voice, to Namjoon's right.

The leader turns around. The others keep stretching, grumbling and grimacing; their faces full of exhaustion and clear cumulative exhaustion guilt of this journey that has stretched for more than seven months. He bites his cheeks. Although there are many possible threats, he considers it a mistake on his part to force them to continue. They need some peace and time to breathe.

They are tense. There is much in the background that needs to be allowed to rest and heal: the Alphas' attack, Niuk's murder, Yagtalja suddenly appearing, the rest and urgency of caring for Hongjoong, having to hunt to keep themselves fed.

They are very exploited and nerve wrecked.

"We're going to rest for two weeks. Just rest."

"What? But-"

"Come inside, I'll explain inside."

They drag inside what they need. They're thankful it's a very well-equipped place. From large metal bars to lock the doors, sealed windows on the first two floors, even a note announcing it as a reclaimed space: