Red Eyes ➸ Taekook ✓

- Tenth -

Jungkook saw a shadow appear on the ground above him, coming drastically closer. He immediately raised his head and saw with horror that a stone from the church was falling right on him. His body was petrified. The whole thing lasted only a few seconds, but it seemed like an eternity before his eyes, and he couldn't get his feet off the ground.

"JUNGKOOK!"

A hand grabbed him by the arm and pulled him violently. He crashed into a chest, and they both fell. The stone fell and shattered with a deafening thunder, only a metre away from them. Taehyung clung tightly to Jungkook' clothes, refusing to let go. As for him, he was still trembling with fear in his arms. They lay huddled together like that for many seconds, their hearts pounding and their breaths short. Jungkook had almost died. In an instant, their lives could have been ruined. The idea terrified and stunned them. Jungkook had seen the few memories he had flash before his eyes. He could not suppress the tears that threatened to fall, and burst into tears.

"Jungkook? Jungkook, are you all right?" Taehyung worried, entering a state of uncontrollable panic.

Hoseok and Yeji rushed over to them.

"What the hell happened?!" They shouted in unison. "Are you okay?!"

They helped them up, Taehyung tenderly dried Jungkook' cheeks.

"Don't cry anymore..." He whispered to him. "It's all right now..."

He nodded with difficulty, still unable to speak a word, and wiped his eyes roughly. They all turned to the stone, shattered into a dozen pieces, and unconsciously looked for the place from which it had fallen. It was true that the facade was being renovated and that the whole thing was therefore weakened, but that such an incident has occurred...

"It's this way, sir!" Shouted an alert voice behind them.

They turned and saw a police officer running in their direction, accompanied by a young woman who seemed to be showing him the way. As he reached them, he stopped dead in his tracks and made sure everyone was all right.

"I was told that a stone had fallen!" He exclaimed. "Is anyone hurt?!"

Taehyung stepped forward.

"No, we're fine, Jin." He assured him.

The policeman looked at the young man and widened his eyes.

"Oh, Taehyung, I didn't recognize you in the heat of the moment."

"Do you know each other?" Yeji asked.

Jin straightened up and readjusted the collar of his shirt.

"Everyone's been to his parents' café at least once," he explained, "and it's true that I've been going there quite regularly for a year and a half now... Anyway, that's not the point!"

He walked around them and quickly inspected the stone.

"It's certainly an accident, but it's still the fault of the restoration company. Come with me to the station, so we can make a statement."

"Is that really necessary?" Questioned Jungkook, who was beginning to come to his senses.

"If you don't, my report will not have enough impact to be considered, and we could quickly face other accidents of this kind. It won't take long, I promise."

The four adults glanced at each other and, after a little consultation, agreed. They followed him to his service car, and the three friends naturally sat in the back, while Taehyung sat on the passenger side. Jin didn't get in until a few minutes later, giving some instructions to the second officer that was with him. When he finally got in, he immediately turned to the three in the back.

"I'm really sorry about what happened." He apologized. "Normally, our city is not that dangerous!"

"No worries, really." Hoseok reassured him.

Jungkook, who had been sitting in the middle, leaned forward a little.

"How do you know we're not from here?"

"Ahah, I'm a cop, I've already spotted everyone here! And it's mutual: the fact that you don't know me either speaks for yourselves."

He gave them a charming little smile.

"And then two such pretty boys, I would have remembered."

Taehyung tapped him on the shoulder.

"No, you don't hit on them, they're better than that." He scolded him.

Jin then turned to Yeji.

"You're beautiful too, you know..."

This time, Taehyung punched him in the ribs.

"Stop it, Mr. Worldwide Handsome! Hurry up and take us to the station, we wanted to go to the restaurant in the first place."

"Okay, okay!" Laughed Jin as he started the engine. "This is going to be fast, I swear!"

He raised his hands to the sky and laughed, drawing the other passengers into his laughter. The incident seemed far behind them, he had managed to lighten the atmosphere in just a few sentences.

***

They arrived at the police station about ten minutes later, and the car was never silent. Jin was quite a talker, and Jungkook's stomach hurt from laughing so hard. They entered quickly, the autumn breeze chilling their bones, and Jin quickly sat down to take their statement.

The door opened behind them again, and a man in his fifties in uniform entered.

"Welcome back, Commander!" Jin greeted.

Jungkook and Taehyung, sitting next to each other, turned to see the newcomer, and his eyes widened as they fell on the young man.

"Jungkook? Is that you? I'm not mistaken, am I, you're little Jungkook?" He asked, coming closer.

Jungkook immediately stood up to face him. He was a bit chubby and looked just as nice as Minho, so he felt really guilty for not remembering him.

"Um, yes... and you are?"

The commander rubbed his forehead.

"So, what they say is true, you have amnesia... It's a shame..."

Taehyung sat up in turn.

"He's the commandant Choi Jugo." He explained.

"And a very good friend of your parents!" Jugo added.

Jugo analysed him a little, smiling.

"You've grown into a beautiful man!" He remarked. "The first time I saw you, you were this big!"

He pointed to the size of an infant, and Jungkook laughed.

"Ah yes, the change must be quite impressive!"

"Yes, you're all growing up way too fast! It doesn't make me feel any younger!"

"Oh, no, that's for sure..." Jin sighed as he finished typing his report.

Jugo flicked him on the forehead.

"How do you talk to your superior? Anyway, I came back because Park called me. He told me child almost died, right?"

"Yeah, it was close, we were lucky." Jin confirmed.

Jugo sighed while running his hand over his face.

"I told them to be careful with these renovations, but the mayor still chose to hire a cheap company to save money. He'll hear me out!"

He turned to Jungkook and ruffled his hair.

"Fortunately, the worst was avoided, which is a good thing. Well, I'm going to go to the scene and see what's going on."

"Normally Jimin has already started investigating." Jin informed him.

"Good, I'll have less work to do. I like motivated young people."

He headed towards the exit, waving them off.

"See you, youngsters!"