LOST STARS

Chapter 18

Taehyung ran straight for his house door. He was breathing very hard, but not only from the chase. There was a storm brewing within him. He opened the door and got in, waiting for the other boy. Behind him, Jungkook came, dragging his feet. His motions were in stark contrast to Taehyung's - no urgency, no anger, nothing.

Eyes wide and anxious he entered and as soon as he did, Taehyung shut the door loudly. The noise startled Jungkook, and his shoulders jumped and eyes closed shut. Taehyung did not spare him a beat, he quickly turned towards Jungkook and held his left arm. Taehyung's movements were loud, sharp, and urgent. Why? He kept asking with gestures, WHY??. He needed an explanation—something to make sense of this whirlwind they were caught in.

Jungkook's gaze stayed glued to Taehyung's hand. His eyes darted with every motion. He stood still, a very quiet and stoic statue. He maybe thought his presence would be more of an answer than the words. Taehyung's breaths were loud and staggered, and though he couldn't hear it himself, Jungkook could. "Why have you returned, Jungkook?" Taehyung gestured, this time with more patience and calmness.

Jungkook's demeanor was quite charming, Taehyung felt. With all the commotion and madness of the last two days, he was unfazed. Something so childlike that it felt formidable. Jungkook moved his head from side to side in a firm dislike for Taehyung's questions and aggression. His chest seemed to spin some answers, but they lost their way by the time he wanted to speak. With a few more head shakes and cheat heaving, Jungkook used all his effort and strength to communicate. "No home. No Home. Here," he finally managed to say, his hands mirrored the "here stay" part with sharpness.

In the dim lights, maybe because Taehyung forgot to switch on the lights, or maybe because he didn't want anyone to know he was home, Jungkook fumbled with the bag he brought with him. Maybe when Taehyung left him at Jeon Mansion, he went in to only get his bag. Maybe he planned to come back to Taehyung all along. This was something only Jungkook would know. He finally found what he was looking for.

A small red faux leather pocket diary, more like the telephone book, peeked as he brought it out. He extended it towards Taehyung, who was equally confused and intrigued. Pages fluttered as Jungkook went through them. He kept mumbling something and Taehyung was confused as he couldn't decipher it at all.

As soon as Jungkook found what he was looking for, a wave of pride and relief washed over his face. It suddenly felt as if he found a lifeline. As Taehyung picked the hints and looked at the page with a frown on his forehead, he understood what Jungkook was mumbling. "Hyung, Hoseok Hyung," He was saying "Hoseok Hyung" Taehyung mentally face-palmed himself. Not wasting any more time, Taehyung sprang into action.

With a very decisive motion, he tore the page, scribbled with blue ink was an address, home of Jung Hoseok, in a village not very far from Boseong. Sunghun used to travel there sometimes as a chauffeur for Jeon Estate and come back the same day. Thus, Taehyung knew it was a short-distance trip. He folded the paper with care and tucked it safely in his wallet. The red telephone book landed with a soft thud somewhere in the dining area of the house.

Taehyung looked at Jungkook with his trademark broad smile. He wanted to tell Jungkook that he understood what was needed and that he would take Jungkook safely there. There was no need for him to worry. He tried communicating it with a little touch on Jungkook's elbow and his smile. The miracle was - Jungkook understood. As he faintly returned Taehyung's smile, he understood it.

It was nearly 11 p.m., and the dark skies covered Boseong, but Taehyung couldn't afford to rest. There was a sense of urgency with which he moved. He grabbed some essentials and put them in a bag of his own. He knew Detective Seokjin would be back at his doorstep any moment again. The detective had seen Jungkook fleeing with Taehyung in the market. It was only a matter of time. Not wanting to tickle his luck anymore, he decided they needed to leave immediately.