Survival Instinct // Namkook

chapter 30 - a new threat

Jungkook, J-Hope, and Namjoon were all tossed into the back of a truck like bags of grain, the cold metal of the truck bed biting into their skin. The vehicle rattled as it moved through the dark forest, the roar of the engine and the rumbling under their bodies doing little to shake the growing sense of dread in the pit of Jungkook’s stomach. His wrists ached from the tight bindings, and every bump in the road made the pain worse.

Next to him, J-Hope was pale, eyes wide and frantic. Namjoon was still unconscious, his head lolling with the movement of the vehicle, a bruise already forming where he’d been struck. Jungkook felt helpless, fear gripping him tight. They had no idea where they were being taken or what awaited them.

Eventually, the truck slowed, then stopped. The rear doors were yanked open, and the masked figures roughly dragged them out. Namjoon’s limp body was hauled from the truck as if he weighed nothing, and before Jungkook could even find his footing, they were all pushed forward, herded like cattle into a large building.

Jungkook’s heart pounded in his chest as they were marched through the dimly lit corridors. The air inside was heavy, oppressive, and the walls around them were covered in graffiti, old posters, and grime. It looked like a hideout—a place that had seen its fair share of violence and struggle. Jungkook felt a sinking feeling. They were in the city now, wether that was good or bad, he couldn't decide yet.

As they were shoved into a large room, Namjoon finally stirred, groaning softly. His eyes fluttered open, dazed and disoriented, but before he could fully regain his senses, two of the masked men grabbed him by the arms and dragged him forward.

“Namjoon!” Jungkook shouted, trying to follow, but one of the guards slammed him back against the wall, his face a mask of cold indifference.

J-Hope stood frozen, his body stiff with fear as they watched Namjoon being hauled toward the front of the room where a figure sat on a makeshift throne—a man shrouded in darkness of the night, only his silhouette visible in the dim lighting.

“Who the hell are you?” the man’s voice was deep, commanding, and laced with menace.

Namjoon, still groggy, blinked as the guards forced him to kneel in front of the man. His head hung low, but slowly, recognition dawned on his face as he squinted up at the figure on the throne. A flicker of disbelief crossed his features.

“What...Yoongi?” Namjoon rasped, his voice weak from the blow to his head.

At the sound of that name, the figure shifted, leaning forward slightly. The light finally caught his face—a pale man with piercing eyes. His expression was unreadable, but there was a spark of surprise in his gaze as he looked down at Namjoon.

“You’re kidding me,” the man said, his voice low and dangerous, though a trace of something softer flickered there. “Namjoon?”

Jungkook, still pressed against the wall, watched the scene unfold in stunned silence. He had no idea what was happening, but it was clear that Namjoon knew this man—their captor, their enemy. But what did that mean for them?

Yoongi rose from his throne, stepping closer to Namjoon, his eyes narrowing as he studied him. “I never expected to see your face again, not here. And it's 'Suga' now, forget Yoongi.”

Namjoon, still on his knees, tried to clear the haze from his mind. He stared up at his old friend, confusion and recognition battling for dominance in his expression. “What is this about? ,” Namjoon said, his voice still hoarse but steadier now.

Suga tilted his head, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “This city is mine. It’s been mine for a while now. The world changed, Namjoon. We all had to adapt.”

Namjoon’s eyes flickered with understanding as the pieces clicked into place. “You run this city.”

Suga didn’t answer immediately, just stared down at him with that same cool, detached gaze. “Yeah, that's what I'm saying. And you... you’re the one who came into my territory with weapons. That’s a problem.”

Jungkook’s stomach churned. He could feel the tension in the room, the weight of the power imbalance pressing down on them. Namjoon’s recognition of this man—Suga, or whatever he called himself now—didn’t change the fact that they were at his mercy.

Suga’s eyes flicked to the side, landing on Jungkook and J-Hope. “Who are these two?”

Namjoon tensed, his gaze briefly darting toward Jungkook before returning to Suga. “They’re with me.”

Suga raised an eyebrow. “With you? I didn’t think you were the type to travel in a group.”

Namjoon’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing, his mind likely racing to figure out how to navigate the situation.

Suga stared at him for a moment longer, then let out a low chuckle. “You’re lucky I’m not in the mood to kill you tonight, Namjoon. But you know how this works here? You come into my city armed, you owe me.”

Namjoon’s expression hardened. “What are you talking about? What do you want?”

Suga’s smirk widened. “Everything you’ve got.” He turned to one of his men. “Search them.”

Jungkook’s pulse quickened as the masked figures stepped forward, starting to rummage through their belongings. Whatever food, supplies and weapons like knifes they’d scavenged —mostly from J-Hope's stash— were taken away in an instant.

When they were finished, Suga looked down at Namjoon, his eyes dark and calculating. “Now, I need a reason to let you walk out of here unharmed.”

Namjoon met his gaze, fearless. “You're the one owing me...,” he said quietly.

Suga’s expression shifted, his smirk fading slightly. There was a beat of silence, the air thick with tension, before Suga let out a soft, amused laugh. “Maybe,” he said, stepping closer, looking Namjoon in the eyes. “But you know how things are now. Trust is a luxury.”

Namjoon said nothing, his face unreadable.

Suga stared at him for a long moment, then finally sighed. “Fine. You get to go—for now. But don’t think this means we’re even. You still owe me.”

Jungkook felt a wave of relief wash over him, but it was short-lived. Suga was dangerous, and they were far from safe.

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An old friend?? Why is he so grumpy though? What happened?