LADY SATANS

part 99

Fear and worry gleamed on his face. Had he ever felt fear and worry? Not in the past six years, not after Layla betrayed him. But even when he was worried for Layla, even when he was burned and tortured for that bitch, the worry was just in his brain. All he was thinking about was, what if I fail to save Layla? She was the only one left for him in this lone universe, the only one who saved him. He felt indebted to her unconditional love and support. But this time, THIS TIME, it was very different. He felt unlimited fear, his heart thumping. He knew his soul was at stake. His whole universe was in danger and only he could save it. Standing up, taking another deep breath, he exited his room, entering the lounge as every existence halted and looked at him with trust, as if his presence was the only thing that had kept all of them going. Gently nodding his head, he rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt. Only he was dressed in a suit. He had no time to equip himself with any kind of weapon. He had no plan at all this time; all he knew was that he would bow in front of the devil Adien and plead for the life of his universe. He would ask him to behead his entity but spare his soul. Little did he know that his universe without him would simply lose all of its colors, all of its beauty, all of its warmth, and become a chaotic black hole sucking in all the happiness of its existence and converting it into echoing screeches of pain. His lips slightly parted as the sun outside finally began to set. Breathing out all the air in his lungs, he finally took a deep breath as if ready and, giving all of them one final look—a look that carried the feeling of a goodbye—he exited his penthouse, his dear home. But was it a home without her?

Jumping in his black Lamborghini, he flew towards the warehouse as the location popped up on his screen. Soon after his departure, others in the lead with Suga left for Adien's place. The drive of 30 minutes turned into 15 as he almost teleported to the place where his soul was entrapped. The tires screeched as his body jerked forward due to the enormous impact of the sudden brakes, both of his hands clenching the steering wheel as he mindlessly stared at his reflection staring back at him on the speedometer. The sound of a sharp ringtone pierced through the damp sounds of his heartbeat as he came out of the trance. The name flashing: "JIMIN."

A sad smile crept on his dried lips. This was probably the last time he was seeing this name flashing on his phone. A black shadow appeared out of nowhere, as if summoned by his gloominess, dragging him into the past pleasant memories. The seven of them finding each other in the dark world of inhumanity and insanity and becoming each other's family. Jimin, Jungkook, and J-Hope making mischief and gossiping about it, giggling and laughing after every single mission and project of theirs. Jin being self-obsessed and making everyone laugh. The earthy smoke of the cigarettes intoxicating Suga's and his breaths as they both poured their emotions out under the moonlight. Namjoon being his unconditional support. The phone buzzing as the notification of a missed call broke his trance. Calling Jimin back, he asked, "What happened?"

Jimin: "Are you okay? Why weren't you picking up?"

His eyes, which had briefly shone with the few happy moments he had had with the boys, lost their gleam as he gasped. "Nothing! Why did you call?"

Jimin's slightly worried voice arose. "We are at the location!"

Taking a deep breath, he spoke in his deep bossy voice. "Ok! Inform everyone else too. Don't call me from now on. Report everything to Suga. For now, he is your leader, not me! Your calling me would only compromise our plan. Okay?"

Jimin's slightly disappointed voice emerged again through the speaker. "Understood! Taehyung! ...BE CAREFUL!"

Taehyung's eyes slightly shone with a few tears that gleamed in his eyes. As he nodded while staying completely quiet, being fully aware that he was not going to make it back, knowing that it was probably the last time he heard Jimin's worried voice, the call was hung up from Jimin's side.