Survival Instinct // Namkook

chapter 7 - new plans

The sun was high in the sky when Jungkook and Namjoon finally finished their dinner of canned beans. The food, though meager, was filling and provided a brief respite from the unfortunate circumstances. The quiet of the abandoned building contrasted sharply with the storm's earlier chaos, offering a fleeting sense of calm. Jungkook and Namjoon sat on the floor, their backs against the cool, grimy walls, soaking in the sunlight that streamed through the cracked window. The warmth of the sun was a welcome comfort against the cold that had seeped into their bones.

Jungkook glanced around at the dilapidated walls and broken furniture of their temporary refuge. “We should think about finding a new place,” he suggested, his voice breaking the silence. “This building is secure for now, but we can’t stay here forever. It might be better to look for somewhere else.”

Namjoon’s eyes narrowed as he considered Jungkook’s proposal. “This place is secure enough for now. The building’s structure is solid, and we’ve set up well enough. Moving means risking exposure, and we don’t know what’s out there.”

Jungkook nodded, understanding the hesitation. “I get that. I guess you’re right. I’m just used to moving a lot—trying to avoid any confrontation. Staying in one place for too long isn’t always the best strategy.”

As if on cue, a distant noise reached their ears—a jumble of voices, muffled but unmistakable. Jungkook’s heart skipped a beat. The sound was coming from outside, and it was growing louder. Namjoon’s body tensed immediately, his eyes scanning the room with a new intensity.

“Someone’s out there,” Namjoon said, his voice low and urgent. He moved swiftly to the window, carefully peeking through the dirty glass.

Jungkook stood up, anxiety spiking. “What should we do?”

Namjoon’s expression was grave. “Staying here isn’t safe. There’s an armed group outside. We can’t risk being caught in the open. We need to move.”

Jungkook’s pulse quickened at the mention of armed individuals. “Armed!? Where should we go?” The idea of encountering firearms made him incredibly uncomfortable, though it was a common reality in their world.

Namjoon’s gaze shifted toward a metal hatch near the back of the building. “There’s a subway entrance nearby. It’s underground, which means it’s less likely to be noticed. We can use it to get out of sight and figure out our next move.”

Jungkook nodded, the urgency in Namjoon’s tone pushing him into action. “Let’s go then. We need to move quickly.” His whisper was tinged with panic.

Namjoon grabbed his backpack and motioned for Jungkook to follow. They moved quickly through the dimly lit corridors of the building, their fotsteps echoing softly. As they approached the subway entrance, Namjoon paused, listening intently for any signs of the approaching group.

The voices outside were still growing louder but hadn’t yet reached the building. Namjoon yanked open the metal hatch, revealing a dark, narrow staircase that descended into the subway.

Jungkook’s nerves were on edge, but he trusted Namjoon’s judgment. He followed him down the stairs, the darkness closing in around them. The air grew colder as they went deeper, the musty smell of the subway mixing with the faint scent of dampness. Without a flashlight, Jungkook had to navigate the stairs carefully to avoid tripping in the dark.

Suddenly, he stumbled, his foot catching on a loose step. He let out a short scream as he lost his balance and rolled down the remaining steps. "What are you-" crashing into Namjoon’s legs he too lost his footing and fell backward, catching himself with his hands. To his surprise, he found himself gripping something soft—possibly Jungkook’s thigh—or so he thought.