Bound by Fate

Chapter 20: The Darkness Within

Despite Namjoon's request to stay inside while he visited the village, Jin couldn't help but feel the need to go out. The household was running low on supplies, and besides, a quick trip to the market wouldn't hurt. Jin reassured himself that it would be fine. It wasn't as if they were wandering far from home.

After a bit of convincing, Jin decided to take Jungkook with him. The young boy seemed excited by the prospect of going out again, especially after so many days of staying within the confines of the house. His eyes sparkled as they walked through the sunlit paths toward the village, the greenery around them gradually giving way to the bustle of the marketplace.

The market was alive with activity—vendors calling out their wares, children running around, and the rich aromas of food stalls filling the air. Jungkook's face lit up with wonder as he looked around, his eyes darting from stall to stall, taking in the variety of fruits, vegetables, spices, and crafts on display.

"Stay close to me," Jin gently reminded him as they navigated through the crowd.

Jungkook nodded, gripping the hem of Jin's sleeve to ensure he wouldn't get lost. The young boy, though strong in power, felt small in this vast world, and staying by Jin's side gave him a sense of security. They stopped at a few stalls, picking up fresh vegetables and some herbs that Jin needed for dinner. As they continued walking, Jungkook's attention was drawn to a stall selling sweets. His eyes lingered on the colorful pastries displayed neatly in rows.

"Do you want some?" Jin asked, noticing Jungkook's gaze.

Jungkook hesitated for a moment, but the soft growl of his stomach betrayed his desire. Jin chuckled and nodded to the vendor, purchasing a small box of sweets. Jungkook's face lit up in a grateful smile as Jin handed him one of the pastries.

"Thank you," he said softly, biting into the treat and savoring the taste. For a moment, he was just a child again, enjoying a simple joy.

As they continued through the market, Jungkook stayed close to Jin, basking in the warmth of his presence. But as they moved through the crowd, Jin felt something unsettling. A familiar feeling of discomfort began to creep into his chest. He brushed it off at first, thinking it was just the noise and the press of people around him. But as they neared the edge of the market, the feeling grew stronger.

Jin's steps slowed, and his heart began to race. His breath hitched in his throat as memories he had long buried started to surface—memories of fear, of being chased, of being powerless. He tried to shake it off, but the anxiety continued to build, making his hands tremble.

"Jin?" Jungkook's voice pulled him back, his innocent gaze filled with concern.

Before Jin could respond, he felt a sudden, cold touch on his back. Panic seized him. His body froze, and a shudder ran through him, the world around him blurring as fear gripped his heart.

It was a simple act—a passerby brushing against him in the crowd. But for Jin, it was a trigger. His past fears, the trauma he thought he had buried, came rushing back all at once. His hands trembled violently, his knees felt weak, and he couldn't move. He felt trapped, vulnerable, and terrified.

Jungkook, sensing the shift in Jin's energy, immediately stepped closer, his own heart pounding with concern. "Jin, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice tinged with panic. But as Jungkook's worry for Jin grew, so did something darker inside him.

The warmth that had been keeping Jungkook's soul calm began to fade, replaced by a cold, suffocating darkness. His eyes flickered with an unfamiliar intensity, and the energy within him stirred. It was subtle at first, but it quickly built up, growing stronger and more dangerous.