Savior | Taekook

52. Survive

Third person pov:

The faint voices of two men arguing or rather begging each other dragged him out of unconsciousness. He opened his eyes, a soft whimper slipping past his lips as a dull ache throbbed through his head. Above him, harsh surgical lights burned into his vision, cold and unfamiliar. This wasn't a place he recognized.

He shut his eyes again, forcing his scattered thoughts to gather. Where had he been before everything went dark?

A servant had said Seokjin was looking for Jimin. Before leaving, Jimin had casually suggested he give Jungkook a hard time. He remembered waiting for Jungkook. Then the lights had gone out, plunging everything into a deep darkness.

He had switched on his phone's torch, the small beam trembling in his hand as he began counting numbers under his breath, each number a fragile attempt to steady himself. Then he heard the sound from the balcony.

"Hyung..." He called his voice barely holding together as he stepped off the bed, moving toward it.

But something felt wrong. There were shadows of more than one person behind the curtain. Instinct took over and he turned, running for the door.

But someone grabbed him from behind, forcing him down as he struggled wildly. A sharp sting followed, sedation creeping into his veins.

Through the blur, he saw the door burst open. Seeing Jimin, relief flared for a heartbeat before shattering. One of the men struck Jimin across the head. The last thing he saw before darkness swallowed him whole was Jimin fighting, desperate, reaching for him until another man lunged forward and drove a knife into him.

Jimin collapsed, yet even then, his hand stretched out, fingers trembling, still trying to reach him.

He gasped, dragging in a sharp breath as his eyes snapped open again.

This time he looked aroundHe was surrounded by several men in surgical attire, probably doctors. The room resembled an operating theatre, sterile and suffocating under glaring lights.

But none of them were looking at him. He followed their gaze.

An unfamiliar man stood nearby, his hand steady as he pressed a knife against his own throat.

Opposite him stood someone he did recognize.

Kim Minseok.

Fear slid down his spine at the sight of him, cold and immediate. He forced himself to stay still, to listen.

"I was told I could survive at least two years if we tried," the unfamiliar man said, his voice trembling yet resolute. "But I will end my life right now if you try to harm any of them." Pain laced every word he said, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Minseok was begging him not to.

Taehyung's breath hitched at the sight of Minseok pleading helplessly.

From the fragments of their argument, he came to a conclusion. The unfamiliar man was Kim Beom, the beloved son of Kim Minseok. He was caged and broken piece by piece all those years for Kim Beom—so his heart could be taken—who would rather die than take it.

Kim Beom's gaze flickered toward him,noticing Taehyung was awake. He motioned subtly. 'Run.'

Taking the clue, Taehyung shifted, trying to slip away, every movement careful and quiet.

But a hand clamped down on him. One of the doctors had noticed and he was caught.

At the same moment, two men lunged forward, restraining Kim Beom. The knife was wrenched from his grasp, clattering uselessly away.