Survival Instinct // Namkook

introduction to the stranger

As the night dragged on, the only sounds were the occasional creak of the building and the distant howling of the wind. Jungkook didn't dare close his eyes-not with the stranger still looming in the shadows. Every time he shifted, pain shot through his body, but the fear of provoking another attack kept him silent.

"You keep squirming like that, and you'll make it worse," the man's voice broke the silence.

Jungkook flinched. He thought the stranger had fallen asleep, but the man was as alert as ever.

"I... I'm fine," Jungkook whispered, though the strain in his voice gave him away.

A soft chuckle came from across the room. "You think you can fool me, kid? You've been trembling since I laid eyes on you."

"I'm not a kid," Jungkook whispered back, his fists clenched tightly.

The man rose to his feet, each step deliberate as he crossed the room and crouched down in front of Jungkook again. "Then stop acting like one," he said coldly. He grabbed Jungkook's wrist and twisted it behind his back, pinning him against the cold wall. "You think you'll survive out there?" the man whispered, his breath hot against Jungkook's ear. "You couldn't even make it through the night without begging for your life."

"I wasn't begging," Jungkook protested, though his voice was barely audible.

The man tightened his grip, making Jungkook wince in pain. "Don't lie to me."

Just as quickly as he'd grabbed him, the man let go, leaving Jungkook gasping for breath.

"You'll die out there," the man said simply, his voice devoid of emotion. "Unless you learn how to survive."

Jungkook stayed silent, trembling as the man walked back to his corner. The stranger was dangerous, unpredictable. What did he even want from him? Why did he have to keep reminding him of how weak he was while hurting him?

Jungkook slowly sat down again, sighing. The tension in the room was unbearable. If they were going to spend the night in the same space, he figured he should at least know the name of the man who had almost killed him.

Clearing his throat nervously, Jungkook glanced over at the man, who remained sitting in the corner, his back against the wall. The stranger's eyes flicked up, sharp and watchful, but he didn't speak.

"I'm... Jungkook," he finally said, his voice quiet, but steady. He didn't know why he felt the need to introduce himself, but the weight of the stranger's presence made it feel necessary. "If that matters."

The other stared at him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, after what felt like an eternity, he let out a low grunt and shifted slightly.

"Namjoon," the man replied, his voice rough and disinterested. He didn't offer anything more.

Jungkook nodded slowly, the name sinking in. Now that he had a name to go with the face, the fear didn't lessen, but something shifted-maybe it was the realization that this man, as terrifying as he was, was still human.

"You're not from around here, are you?" Jungkook asked cautiously, trying to fill the uncomfortable silence.

Namjoon didn't bother answering. He just leaned his head back against the wall, closing his eyes briefly. "Does it matter?"

Jungkook bit his lip, unsure how to respond. It didn't matter, not really. All he wanted was lessen the tension a bit but obviously the other wasn't thinking the same. Tiredly Jungkook closed his eyes, lowering his head on his knees however he couldn't relax as every creek the building made, every small noise he heard made him anxious and alert.