Survival Instinct // Namkook

chapter 18 - it's him?

Jungkook followed Namjoon silently, the occasional scream guiding their steps. The air was thick with tension - cool but heavy with the scent of dust and debris from the earthquake. His heart pounded in his chest, every sound around them setting him on edge, but Namjoon seemed calm, methodical as always. Jungkook stayed close, his mind racing with the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

When they finally neared the source of the screams, they stopped, crouching low behind the remnants of a collapsed wall. Jungkook peeked around the corner, his eyes widening in disbelief at the scene before them.

Jungkook's heart raced as he crouched back down behind the debris again, his mind a whirl of fear and uncertainty. It was the man from before!-the one who had robbed them at gunpoint. He was lying on the ground, his leg pinned beneath a heavy slab of concrete and debris from the half-demolished building.

The sight of the man who had previously held a gun to his head, trapped beneath the rubble, triggered a whirlwind of emotions. The screams he had heard were now explained, and with the sight of his struggling form, a mix of anger, guilt, and a deep-seated anxiety coursed through him.

He peaked around the corner again. The man was struggling, his face contorted in pain as he called out for help, unaware of their presence yet.
Jungkook's mind reeled. Of all the people, it had to be him? The same guy who'd threatened to blow his head off just days ago now laying helpless before them, completely at their mercy.

Namjoon didn't waste any time. After scanning the surroundings to ensure they weren't walking into a trap, he straightened up, stepping out into the open. His gun was already in his hand, pointed directly at the man. Jungkook watched from behind, barely daring to breathe as Namjoon approached with that same cold, calculated demeanor he always wore.

Every creak of the rubble around them, every shuffle of Namjoon's boots on the debris, made Jungkook's skin crawl.

The man looked up, eyes widening in shock as he recognized them. For a moment, he seemed frozen, his gaze flicking between Namjoon's gun and his face. Then, in a flash, his expression shifted, a nervous laugh escaping his lips as he tried to play off the entire situation like it was some kind of misunderstanding.

"Oh, man... It's you guys," the man wheezed, forcing a grin. "Look, about what happened before-just a joke, yeah? You know how it is out here. Gotta survive, right?" He laughed again, though there was no humor in it, only desperation.

Jungkook's stomach churned as he watched the mans attempts to defuse the situation with humor. The man's forced laughter felt hollow and fake, a mask over genuine terror. Jungkook's pulse quickened with every strained breath he took, each desperate plea striking a chord of sympathy and fear.

What if his pleas were genuine? What if he was actually seeking help now?

"You've got to help me out, man," the man continued, shifting slightly under the weight of the concrete. His face twisted in pain again, but he tried to keep his tone light, as if they weren't holding all the power right now. "My leg... I'm stuck, alright? Just give me a hand, and we'll forget all about what happened. You've got my word. No more trouble."

Jungkook's thoughts collided with the harsh reality of their previous encounter. The man had been ruthless, and even if he was pleading for mercy now, there was no guarantee that he wouldn't turn on them again. The fear of betrayal was a cold knot in Jungkook's chest.

However there was a strange sense of satisfaction there aswell, seeing this guy who had once held him hostage now pleading for his life. But there was also doubt. What if this was some kind of trap? What if they helped him and he turned on them again?

Namjoon, however, didn't seem fazed. His eyes narrowed slightly, the only indication that he was even considering what the man was saying. Jungkook could see the cold calculation in his eyes as he weighed the options, his finger resting lightly on the trigger.

"J-Hope," the man said suddenly, his voice more earnest now. "That's my name. J-Hope. Look, I don't want to die here. I swear, I'll pay you back. I can help you, alright? Just get me out of this."

Jungkook's pulse quickened as he watched the interaction unfold. He wanted to speak, to say something, but the words caught in his throat. All he could do was wait, watching Namjoon's every move, wondering what he would decide.

J-Hope's eyes flickered with growing fear as Namjoon remained silent, his gun still trained on the man. The seconds stretched out, tension crackling in the air.

Namjoon finally spoke, his voice low and unyielding. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't leave you here. Watch you rot."

J-Hope swallowed hard, his hands trembling slightly as he raised them in a gesture of surrender. "I...I know this place. I can show you things, places to find food, supplies... I've survived out here longer than most. You need me."

Jungkook glanced at Namjoon, who still showed no sign of lowering his gun. His mind raced. Could they really trust this guy? Even if they did help him, what was stopping him from turning on them again once he was free?

Jungkook's heart thudded in his chest as he watched Namjoon deliberate, his cold, detached exterior giving nothing away. Whatever choice he made now could change everything.

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It's Hobi?? Omg...what should they do? Is Joonie gonna kill him? (⁠･⁠o⁠･⁠;⁠)