THE ETERNAL DARKNESS | VKOOK

𝟏𝟒) 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆

The forest was still, the air heavy with the scent of pine and damp earth. The towering trees loomed above, their thick canopies blocking out much of the fading sunlight. A sense of foreboding hung in the atmosphere, making the shadows seem darker, the silence deeper.

As the students busied themselves with setting up camp, the principal's voice broke through the quiet, commanding their attention. "Students, listen up," he began, his tone firm and serious. "I want to remind you all to stay close to the camp. This forest is vast, and it's easy to lose your way. If anyone strays too far, it could be difficult, if not impossible, to find you again. And one more thing-stay away from the castle. It's off-limits. No one is to go near it under any circumstances."

The mention of the castle sent a chill down Jungkook's spine. He could barely breathe as the memories of that place came rushing back, unbidden and unwanted. He had spent a terrifying night there once, a night he could never forget. The fear, the cold, the darkness-it was all too vivid in his mind. The castle was a place of nightmares, and the thought of it being so close made his stomach twist with dread.

Jungkook's gaze dropped to the ground as the principal's words lingered in the air. He wanted to forget that night to push the memories back into the darkest corners of his mind where they belonged. But now, being here, so close to that cursed place, the memories clawed their way to the surface, refusing to be buried.

The other students seemed unfazed, more concerned with their excitement over the trip than with the principal's warning. But Jungkook couldn't shake the fear that had settled over him like a heavy blanket. The castle was out there, hidden somewhere in the vastness of the forest, and he knew better than anyone that it was a place where darkness dwelled, a place where he had barely escaped with his life.

As the students dispersed to finish setting up, Jungkook stood frozen in place, his mind a swirl of fear and unease. The forest felt too quiet, too still, as if it was holding its breath, waiting for something. And in the distance, though he couldn't see it, he knew the castle was there, watching, waiting.

"Hey, Jungkook, come join us!" called out a classmate, Mi-kyung, a cheerful girl with a warm smile.

Jungkook was startled from his thoughts, but he quickly composed himself. "It's okay, you guys can play," he said, trying to mask his discomfort.

"No, come here and enjoy with us," Mi-kyung insisted, her voice filled with genuine friendliness. "You're like a friend."

The word "friend" struck a chord deep within Jungkook. It was the first time someone had referred to him in such a way, and the unexpected warmth of it made his heart flutter. For a moment, he felt a surge of hope and a sense of belonging.

With a shy smile spreading across his face, Jungkook stood up and made his way over to the group. As he joined them around the campfire, the laughter and camaraderie seemed a little less distant, and for the first time that evening, he allowed himself to feel a part of something.

Jungkook didn't realize it at first, but as he spent more time with the group, he began to feel a genuine sense of comfort. Their laughter was infectious, and the silly jokes and impromptu dances soon had him clapping along with a small, genuine smile on his face. He found himself caught up in the moment, enjoying the carefree atmosphere and the camaraderie of his classmates.

The warmth of their laughter and the shared joy around the campfire made Jungkook look surprisingly adorable, his previous anxieties melting away as he allowed himself to be part of the group. For the first time, he felt a true connection with those around him, savouring the rare, joyful sense of belonging that came with it.

The night grew deeper, and the students began to wind down from their earlier exuberance. Some started drifting off to their tents, while others remained by the fire, chatting quietly or gazing up at the star-filled sky. Jungkook found himself sitting comfortably among his classmates, feeling more at ease than he had in a long time.