Court of Nightmares.

O8;

I couldn't believe my eyes. The badge gleamed under the dim hallway lights, and my heart pounded in my chest. Kim Namjoon, a police officer, right here in this mansion of horrors.

"You're a cop?" I whispered, barely able to contain my shock.

Namjoon gave me a reassuring smile, his grip on my hand firm but gentle. "Yes, I am. And you must be Jungkook."

I nodded, trying to keep my breathing steady. Was this my chance? Could I finally escape this nightmare?

"I've heard a lot about you," Namjoon continued, his eyes scanning my face with an intensity that made me shiver. "It seems you've had a rough time here."

"You could say that," I replied, my voice trembling. "Namjoon, please, you have to help me. I'm being held here against my will. Vante, he—"

"Jungkook," Namjoon interrupted, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "We can't talk here. There are ears everywhere. Follow me."

I hesitated, fear gripping my heart. But this was my best chance, maybe my only chance. I nodded, and Namjoon led me down the hallway, past several closed doors, until we reached a small, unoccupied office. He ushered me inside and closed the door behind us.

"Okay, we're alone now," he said, his tone serious. "Tell me everything."

I took a deep breath, the words spilling out in a rush. "Vante kidnapped me. He's kept me here for weeks. He's threatened me, hurt me. He even killed a girl right in front of me. Please, you have to get me out of here."

Namjoon's face was a mask of concern and determination. "Jungkook, I need you to stay calm. I'll do everything I can to help you. But we need a plan. Vante is dangerous, and he's got a lot of power."

I nodded, tears pricking my eyes. "Thank you, Namjoon. I don't know what to do."

"We'll figure it out," he promised. "But first, we need to gather evidence. Anything you can tell me, anything you can show me, will help. Do you have any proof of what Vante's done?"

"I-I don't know," I stammered. "He's very careful. But there might be something in his office, or maybe the dungeons where he keeps people."

Namjoon nodded thoughtfully. "Alright. We'll start with that. But for now, you need to act normal. Don't let him suspect anything. Can you do that?"

"I'll try," I whispered, my fear palpable.

"Good," Namjoon said, giving me a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "We'll get through this, Jungkook. I promise."

We left the office, and I felt a flicker of hope for the first time in weeks. As we walked back down the hallway, Namjoon kept a casual air, making it seem like we were just having a friendly chat. I tried to do the same, though my heart was racing.

When we reached the main hallway, I saw Vante standing at the other end, talking to August. My blood ran cold. Did he know? Had he seen us?

Namjoon gave me a subtle nod and a reassuring smile before walking over to Vante and August, leaving me to retreat to my room. As I walked away, I couldn't help but glance back, my eyes meeting Vante's for a split second. His gaze was piercing, but I forced myself to look away.

Back in my room, I sat on the edge of the bed, my mind racing. Namjoon was my lifeline, my one hope of escaping this hell. But I had to be careful. One wrong move, and Vante would know. I had to gather evidence, keep my head down, and trust Namjoon to do the rest.

Hours passed, and night fell. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about everything that had happened. For the first time in a long time, I felt a glimmer of hope.

But hope was a dangerous thing in this place.

I heard footsteps outside my door and held my breath, listening intently. The door creaked open, and I saw a shadowy figure step inside. My heart leapt into my throat until I recognized the silhouette.

"Namjoon?" I whispered, sitting up.

He nodded, closing the door behind him. "It's me. I brought something for you."

He handed me a small, discreet recording device. "Hide this somewhere in Vante's office. We need to get him talking, to capture his threats, his admissions. It's risky, but it's our best shot."

I took the device, my hands shaking. "I'll do it. Thank you."

Namjoon gave me a brief, tight-lipped smile. "Stay strong, Jungkook. We're going to get you out of here."

With that, he slipped out of the room, leaving me alone with the weight of what I had to do. I hid the device in my pocket and lay back down, my mind racing with plans and fears.

Tomorrow, I'd have to find a way to plant the recorder in Vante's office.

Tomorrow, I'd take the first step towards freedom.