The Most Beautiful Moments In Life

Chapter 3: Save Me

May 23, Year 22

Taehyung had a day off for once, and he was ready to start looking for clues. His dreams had familiar locations in them, like cities he'd seen, billboards he recalled. Before he left Namjoon's container this morning, they'd agreed to try and find the location he'd seen in several of his dreams.

In many of his dreams, the world simply ended. It was almost like a switch was flipped, and the light of the world just turned off. All that was left was Seokjin. Taehyung was most disturbed by those dreams. Was the world going to end? And why was Seokjin the only thing left? He hadn't a clue. But what he did know was that he needed to figure things out before his dream became true.

Before the world ended in his dreams, Taehyung was always standing on a rooftop overlooking a river. By the river was always a billboard for coffee on it. Namjoon decided that maybe the two of them could start their search by looking for that location. Maybe it wasn't real, but they both wanted to find out for certain.

Taehyung returned home about an hour ago. He was pleasantly surprised to see that his father was not home. He did notice that Father left quite a few chores for him to complete. Dishes were piled up in the sink, empty bottles were scattered across the ground, and expired food was strewn across the table. Taehyung scrunched his nose at the smell. His father must've been going through it last night. Taehyung was relieved that he decided not to stay here last night. It was clear that Father would have taken his anger out on his sister and him if they'd been there.

Taehyung got to work. First he picked up the stray bottles and organized them on the table. He'd take them to the recycling bin later. Then he bagged up the leftovers and expired food and put it in the corner. Taehyung took a look at the dishes and sighed. He didn't like doing the dishes. Grumbling, he got to work.

At least he had something to look forward to tonight. Taehyung smiled as he remembered Namjoon's words from the night before.

"I believe you Taehyung."

Those words made him feel like all the pain he'd suffered alone was worth it. He finally felt like someone was looking out for him. Namjoon was his best friend, and Taehyung couldn't figure out how he'd gotten so lucky.

The door slammed open, and Taehyung jumped in response. He dropped the dish he was washing and it shattered at his feet. His father who'd just entered took one look at Taehyung and advanced on him. Hands gripped Taehyung by the shoulders and slammed him harshly against the wall. Taehyung coughed when the air was forced from his lungs.

"I'm sorry!" Taehyung yelped, not even sure what he should be sorry for yet. He'd learned that saying sorry first usually softened the blow a little. His father pulled Taehyung forward before pushing him back into the wall again. Taehyung's head knocked against the drywall with a thunk.

"Sorry? You don't even know what sorry is yet," Father growled. Taehyung gulped. He was so happy that Namjoon believed him that he'd completely forgotten that Father still hadn't punished him for fighting back the other day.

"Wait wait," Taehyung pleaded as his father raised a fist. His father paused for a second, so Taehyung knew he had to act quickly if he wanted to avoid the beating.

"It was wrong of me to talk back. I'll do better, I'll be a better son," he tried, desperate for an escape. His father lowered his fist slowly and smiled. Taehyung couldn't tell yet if that was a good or bad thing.

"You'll be a better son?" He asked. Taehyung nodded slowly, struggling to keep himself from hyperventilating. Father grabbed a handful of Taehyung's hair and pulled his head back so he was flush with the wall.

"You've never been a good son. Never. What makes you think I believe you?" He tested.

"I-I don't know," Taehyung stammered.