Shadows Of The Maknae

Chapter 5: A Glimmer Of Hope

*One week later, Jimin's POV.*

Jimin was pacing back and forth in his room, his thoughts scrambled in a whirlwind of determination and nerves. He couldn't just stand by and Y/N be trapped in that basement all by herself, being isolated from everyone and afraid. It was time to confront Jungkook and fight for her to have her own room. He was determined to make that happen.

Taehyung sat at the edge of Jimin's bed in Jimin's room, watching his friend with concern.

"Tae, I can't keep pretending everything is fine. Y/N deserves better than that basement. She has shown nothing but good behavior towards us. Hasn't even tried to escape once. She needs her own room, some sense of normalcy."

"I agree Jimin. We can't let this go on. But you need to be strong when you talk to Jungkook. He won't make this decision lightly." Taehyung was trying to give his boyfriend some confidence but he could tell Jimin was nervous. He's usually quiet, paces (like he's doing on) and muttering to himself to help him calm himself down. Jimin eventually let out a sigh before stopping in his tracks to face Taehyung.

"I need to be firm but respectful. Y/N has been through enough of this. I won't let her suffer any longer." He said as he made his way towards the door.

"That's the spirit Jimin. I'm here for you and will support you in this. Just remember why you're doing this. For Y/N."

"For Y/N. Thanks Tae, I'll try not to back down."Jimin left his room with a new found determination.

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Jimin eventually made his way to Jungkook's study on the upper floor of their hideout. He whipped the sweat off of his hands on his sweater vest before knocking on the door to the study. Jungkook muttered a loud enough "come in" for Jimin to hear. When he opened the door, he felt the air was already thick with tension as he entered the room. Jungkook had his head down as he was working on some paperwork. When he finally looked up, he wasn't surprised about Jimin's presence.

"Jungkook... We need to talk." His statement being firm, he tried to remember the support that Taehyung had given him a few moments ago upon this confrontation.

"What is there to talk about Jimin?" Jungkook asked passively as he placed his pen down on the desk before leaning back in his grand looking, leather chair before folding his arms over his chest. Jimin took another deep breath before revealing what he had to say.

"It's about Y/N. She's been in that basement for way too long JK. She deserves a room of her own." Using Jungkook's nickname was a way of Jimin wanting to lighten up the mood. But that didn't seem to work as his expression hardened even more, wrinkles forming in between the crease of his eyebrows. He immediately then shook his head.

"You're getting attached Jimin. We can't afford to be sentimental in this business."

"This isn't about sentimentality Jungkook! It's about humanity. She's been through enough and keeping her locked away won't help her or us."

Jungkook's features remained stoic and cold. "No Jimin. She stays in the basement." Out of frustration, Jimin balled his fists by his sides, almost like a child not getting what they want. But this was different, Jimin was annoyed with Jungkook's words.

"But Jungkook... this is inhumane! She's scared and isolated down there. It's not right."

"This is the way it has to be Jimin. It's the only way to keep her safe and ensure she cooperates." Jimin huffed, his lips forming in a straight line before letting out a breath, trying to keep his composure, but it didn't help him in the slightest.

"There has to be another way Jungkook! We can't just keep treating her as a prisoner! She's innocent in all this!" He shouted. Now he was making visibly angry. He used both hands to lift himself off from his chair before leaning forward.