Survival Instinct // Namkook

chapter 24 - mistrust

Jungkook's mood had lightened considerably as he drove through the rugged landscape. It was a rare comfort to be behind the wheel again, and he reveled in the sensation of control and freedom. The road, though rough, was a welcome change from the oppressive silence of the urban decay they had left behind. The surrounding greenery was vibrant and refreshing, a stark contrast to the dusty, gray city they had been trapped in. He found solace in the sight of trees and the occasional wildflower pushing through the dirt.

The sun was beginning to dip toward the horizon, casting a warm, golden hue over the landscape. Jungkook’s spirits were lifted by the simple pleasure of driving through such a scenic route. He allowed himself a small, genuine smile as he navigated the uneven terrain, feeling the thrill of driving—a pastime he had once loved but had been denied for years.

But the engine’s sudden sputtering pulled him from his reverie. The smooth hum of the engine began to falter, replaced by a worrying rumble and uneven vibrations. Jungkook’s smile faded, replaced by a look of concern. He tried to keep the car steady, but the engine’s erratic behavior grew worse, and he realized he had no choice but to stop.

He eased the jeep to the side of the road, his hands gripping the wheel with a mixture of frustration and apprehension. The engine’s sputtering continued, and he glanced at Namjoon, who was watching with a guarded expression. In the back seat, J-Hope was silent, his bound hands gripping the edges of the seat with anxiety.

Jungkook turned off the engine and took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts. He knew this wasn’t ideal; the last thing they needed was another setback. He opened the door and stepped out, surveying the jeep with a mixture of dread and determination. The jeep had already proven itself to be a lifeline, and he wasn’t ready to lose it now.

He lifted the hood and peered inside, hoping to spot the problem. The engine’s internals were mostly foreign to him, but he was determined to try. The muffled sounds of the engine sputtering made it hard to focus. He fumbled with a few components, his hands growing more frustrated with each moment.

From the corner of his eye, he could see J-Hope shifting uneasily in the back seat, his fear palpable. Jungkook tried to ignore him, focusing instead on the mechanical issues in front of him. He heard Namjoon get out of the passenger seat and approach, the elder’s presence a stark reminder of the precariousness of their situation.

“Need any help?” Namjoon’s voice was calm, but there was an underlying edge of impatience. Jungkook looked up, his face smeared with grime from the engine.

“Yeah, I could use a hand,” Jungkook admitted, trying to keep his voice steady. He knew that getting the jeep running again was crucial, and any help was appreciated.

Namjoon approached the engine, his eyes scanning the components with a practiced gaze. “Let me see,” he said, his tone authoritative but not unkind. Jungkook stepped back, allowing Namjoon to take over.

As Namjoon inspected the engine, Jungkook’s mind raced with worries. He glanced at J-Hope, who was trying to remain inconspicuous in the back seat. The situation with their captive was an added stressor, and Jungkook couldn't help but feel the weight of their predicament pressing down on him.

Despite the challenges, Jungkook found a small sense of relief in the company he had. The green landscape and the act of driving, however interrupted, were still better than the desolation of the city. He hoped that with Namjoon’s help, they could get back on track quickly and continue their journey toward the next city.

For now, though, he watched as Namjoon worked on the engine, holding onto the hope that they would be able to overcome this latest obstacle and resume their path forward.

Jungkook’s frustration with the sputtering engine was momentarily overshadowed by a nagging suspicion about J-Hope. The way J-Hope had been acting—his jittery demeanor and constant glances over his shoulder—didn’t sit right with Jungkook. He wiped his hands on a rag and turned towards the back seat, where J-Hope was trying to avoid eye contact.

“Hey, J-Hope,” Jungkook began, his voice steady but probing. “You seem pretty nervous back there. Is there something you’re not telling us?”

J-Hope stiffened, his eyes darting nervously between Jungkook and Namjoon, who was busy with the engine. He swallowed hard, clearly caught off guard by the direct question. The shadows of the setting sun cast an uneasy light on his face, emphasizing the unease in his expression.

“N-no,” J-Hope stammered, trying to maintain a nonchalant demeanor. “I’m just... you know, it’s a lot to deal with. The earthquake, getting caught... I just didn’t expect any of this.”

Jungkook wasn’t convinced. He had seen J-Hope’s reaction when the jeep had broken down—his anxious shifting and the way he kept glancing around as if expecting trouble. Jungkook took a step closer to the back seat, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“You know,” Jungkook continued, “it’s hard to believe that you’re just nervous. Especially after how you tried to rob us and the way you’re acting now. Is there something you’re hiding? Something we should know about?”

J-Hope’s eyes widened, and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. His bravado seemed to be crumbling under the pressure of Jungkook’s scrutiny. He glanced at Namjoon, who was still preoccupied with the engine, and then back at Jungkook.

“It’s not like that,” J-Hope said, his voice shaky. “It’s just… I’ve got a bad feeling about this whole situation. I didn’t expect things to go down like this. I’m just trying to survive, you know?”

Jungkook wasn’t sure whether to believe him. J-Hope’s fear was genuine, but it was hard to tell if it was solely due to the circumstances or if he was hiding something more. Jungkook’s eyes searched J-Hope’s face, looking for any sign of deceit.

“Alright,” Jungkook said finally, his tone softening a bit. “Just… if there’s something else going on, it would be better if you told us now. We’re all trying to get through this, and honesty might help us work together better.”

J-Hope nodded slowly, his gaze dropping to the floor of the jeep. “I don’t have anything else to hide,” he said quietly. “I’m just scared, and I didn’t want to end up in a worse position. That’s all.”

Jungkook could see the fear in J-Hope’s eyes, but he wasn’t entirely convinced. He glanced back at Namjoon, who had finished examining the engine and was now standing nearby. Jungkook decided to keep a close watch on J-Hope and make sure that they weren’t being led into a trap.

As Namjoon finished up with the jeep and prepared to continue their journey, Jungkook couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to J-Hope’s story. He resolved to stay alert and make sure they stayed one step ahead, for their safety and for the uncertain road that lay ahead.