𝙨𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙤𝙪𝙡 / 𝙗𝙩𝙨

𝙭𝙭𝙞𝙞𝙞

The sound of gunfire sent a jolt of panic through Y/N's body. Every muscle burned as they pushed forward, desperation fueling their frantic pace. The scavengers were relentless, their shouts and gunshots growing louder, closer.

Seokjin's labored breathing echoed beside them, and Y/N could see the strain in Namjoon's face as he supported Seokjin, who was bleeding heavily now. His face had paled significantly, but he refused to let his legs give out completely.

"We need to stop!" Jungkook growled, looking between Namjoon and Yoongi. "He won't make it if we don't!"

Yoongi's jaw clenched, but he gave a sharp nod, his eyes darting to the forest ahead. "There—up ahead. We can hide behind that ridge!"

Namjoon adjusted Seokjin's weight, his voice filled with urgency. "Let's go!"

With Seokjin growing weaker by the second, they made a beeline for the ridge Yoongi had pointed out, their movements frantic. Hoseok, despite his injury, limped alongside Y/N, his face contorted in pain but his eyes determined.

As they reached the ridge, they dove behind a large outcrop of rocks, hidden from view. Y/N could hear the scavengers approaching, the crackle of leaves and twigs underfoot growing dangerously close. Everyone stayed deathly still, hearts pounding in unison as they caught their breath.

Seokjin slumped against the rock, gasping for air. His hand was pressed against his wound, but blood seeped through his fingers, staining the dirt beneath him.

"We need to stop the bleeding," Y/N whispered, quickly kneeling beside Seokjin. "Give me some fabric—anything we can use to bandage him."

Yoongi and Jungkook moved quickly, tearing strips from their shirts. Y/N applied pressure to the wound, their hands trembling as they wrapped the makeshift bandage around Seokjin's torso. His face was pale, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

"Stay with us, Seokjin," Y/N urged softly, their voice tight with fear. "We're going to get you through this."

Seokjin's eyes fluttered open, a weak smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You... you sound like Jimin," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Always... so worried."

The mention of Jimin hit Y/N like a punch to the gut, but they swallowed the lump in their throat, forcing a smile for Seokjin's sake. "Yeah, well... we still need you here. Don't even think about leaving us."

Namjoon knelt beside them, his eyes filled with guilt. "We have to keep moving once they pass," he murmured, his voice thick. "If we don't..."

Yoongi, who had been keeping watch, suddenly motioned for silence. The scavengers were dangerously close now, their voices barely muffled by the thick trees.

"You see anything?" one of them asked, his voice gruff.

"Nah," another replied. "But they couldn't have gone far. Spread out. They're probably hiding."

Y/N's heart raced, each breath feeling like a gamble, hoping they wouldn't be heard. The tension was unbearable as they huddled together, waiting for the scavengers to move past them.

Minutes felt like hours, but eventually, the footsteps began to fade, the scavengers moving farther into the forest in search of their prey.

Yoongi finally exhaled, his shoulders sagging in relief. "They're moving away."

"Thank god," Hoseok muttered, his face pale from both pain and fear.

But the relief was short-lived. Namjoon's face was a mix of frustration and sorrow as he looked down at Seokjin, who was fading fast. The bleeding had slowed, but the wound was severe, and Seokjin's breaths were becoming more shallow with each passing moment.

"We can't stay here," Namjoon said, his voice tight. "But we can't leave him behind."

Seokjin's eyes opened weakly, and he gave a faint shake of his head. "You... have to keep moving," he rasped, his voice barely a whisper. "Don't... don't let them catch you."

Jungkook's face twisted in anguish. "We're not leaving you, hyung."

Seokjin smiled weakly, reaching up to grasp Jungkook's hand. "You... have to," he whispered, his voice trembling. "I'm... not gonna make it."

"No!" Y/N protested, shaking their head furiously. "We can still get you out of here!"

Seokjin's grip tightened slightly, his gaze softening as he looked at them all. "I need you to survive," he whispered, his voice filled with a mix of pain and acceptance. "For Jimin... for Taehyung. Don't... waste your chance."

Tears filled Y/N's eyes as they looked down at Seokjin, their heart breaking. "Seokjin..."

But Seokjin only smiled, a faint, peaceful expression crossing his face. "It's okay," he murmured, his voice growing weaker. "I'm... ready."

Namjoon knelt beside him, his own eyes filled with tears, but he nodded, understanding what Seokjin was asking of them. "We'll survive," Namjoon promised, his voice steady despite the grief. "We'll do it for you."

Seokjin's eyes fluttered closed, his hand falling limp in Jungkook's grasp. The group was silent, the weight of the loss crashing down around them.

Y/N choked back a sob, their chest heaving with grief as they knelt beside Seokjin's body. "I'm so sorry..." they whispered, their voice trembling.

Yoongi placed a hand on Y/N's shoulder, his voice quiet but firm. "We need to go. Now."

With heavy hearts, they rose to their feet, gathering their supplies and saying their final goodbyes. There was no time for a burial—not yet. But they would carry Seokjin's memory with them, just as they carried Jimin's and Taehyung's.

As they moved through the forest, the sky darkening above them, Y/N couldn't shake the feeling that the weight of survival had never felt heavier. With only Namjoon, Yoongi, Jungkook, Hoseok, and themselves left, the journey ahead seemed more uncertain than ever.

But they had to keep going. For Seokjin. For Jimin. For Taehyung.

And for each other.