fortuitous odds

[20] lost in the mirror maze

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There wasn't anything to see, surrounded in a darkness that could be felt in every bone. Cold plastic dug into the side of Jungkook's face where he had collapsed against the corrugated metal of the van floor. A steady flow of dense gas breathed in with no way to fight. The only thing keeping him alive was the hand twisted in his that squeezed occasionally to remind him to stay alive. Seokjin hadn't spoken since they'd been taken, neither knowing where they were or how long it had been since they'd first passed out. Consciousness flickered in and out like a faulty electrical current, making the lack of memory even more disorienting.

Their only hope was the tracker. A bitter-sweet feeling to know they could be leading the rest of the boys into a trap. At least Hye would get the rest of the kids away; they could start anew.

Looking for a light in amongst the abyss was an impossible effort. Jungkook was too tired and on the edge of giving in. To distract himself he gently traced a heart into Seokjin's palm over and over for hours.

Just as he flickered out of emptiness once more, a creaking metal echoed inside the space. Even though he couldn't see, he could hear the sound of scraping as the doors opened. What are they going to do to us? I don't have the energy to fight anymore.

Both of them tensed in preparation for hostility. But it was a surprise when fingers latched onto the edge of their masks and began to pry them off. The first bit of light exploded affront his eyes, burning the pain that was felt deep in his bones even further. Silhouetted by the dust shielded sun was a man. The second he could adjust to the contrast Jungkook's whole body went rigid, choking up a gasp and squirming backwards. Seokjin felt his distress, pulling him into a weak hug.

"Please..." Begged the man in a whisper, not wanting to be detected by those close by. "I'm here to help." Jungkook shook his head as aggressively as he could, breaths getting caught in sharp hitches when he tried to stare into the haunting eyes of a man who should've brought him warmth. The person who had raised him for fifteen years, who would never let anyone lay a finger on him without some sort of fight.

That felt like a different person.

The one staring at him now was a coward and a liar. A villain made to be sweet so that the twist would be crueller and more fulfilling. Because that's what Elias was, right? A villain?

"Get away!" He screamed, lurching forward and feeling something begin to dribble from his mouth, barely making out the bloody mess that stained the metal.

"Jungkookie, please..." Arms wrapped protectively over Jungkook's torso, shadowing him away so that Seokjin could put himself between the Katharós man and his brother. Each force of energy brought Jungkook crumbling until he was waning consciousness, dry aching sobs all he could manage.

"I'm sorry, but I can't leave. I have to do this." Elias whispered, climbing forward with a knife in one hand and other grasping for the ropes that had tied the two together. It was an unfair fight, both so weak they couldn't even hold themselves up. It didn't stop the unintelligible protests, Jungkook kicking weakly against Elias' shins as he cut into the restraints. And just like that he was in his uncle's arms again, sobbing against his shoulder, blood pooling down his chin. He wanted to fight, but he couldn't anymore.

"Hate ... you," He managed to gasp out against the hold, feeling every muscle that was rescuing him go rigid, Elias' breaths pulled sharp and heavy.

"I know. But I can't let you go."

▪︎▪︎▪︎

It took three fully grown men to pin down the boy screaming and writhing to escape. One sat on his knees, two on an arm each. All whilst evacuation alarms blared around them. The urgency of the situation didn't matter to Taehyung, his mind resorting to the safety mechanism he had used his entire life; rage. Any sharp object in the room had been removed, protecting the Swan from his worst enemy.