Arranged marriage

Chapter 8

The night wrapped around Y/N like a heavy cloak, stifling and thick with tension. Every sound in the forest felt magnified, the rustling leaves and distant animal calls mingling with the frantic beating of her heart. As she and Jin pressed deeper into the shadows, she could barely contain the swirling dread and confusion that consumed her.

"Why did we leave him?" Y/N asked, her voice barely above a whisper, laced with desperation. "We could have helped him!"

"Y/N," Jin replied gently, leading her to a small, overgrown hideaway behind a cluster of bushes. "We can't help him if we're caught. We need to stay hidden for now." He knelt down, peering into the darkness beyond the foliage as if searching for any sign of danger.

Y/N's stomach twisted at the thought of Jungkook fighting alone. The image of him grappling with the intruder replayed in her mind, his fierce determination etched into her memory. She felt helpless, torn between the urge to stay with Jin for safety and the instinct to run back to Jungkook.

"What if they hurt him?" she pressed, feeling tears prick at the corners of her eyes. "What if—"

"He's not weak, Y/N," Jin interrupted, looking up at her with an intensity that caught her off guard. "Jungkook is stronger than you realize. He's been through so much, and he's always come out on top. Trust him."

"But what if that time is different?" she replied, her voice breaking. "What if he needs me?"

Jin's expression softened as he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "If he needs you, he'll find a way to come back to you. Just hold on to that belief."

Y/N swallowed hard, the weight of uncertainty heavy in her chest. She wanted to believe him, to trust in Jungkook's strength. But the thought of being separated from him gnawed at her, a persistent ache that refused to fade.

Hours passed in silence, the night stretching on, and Y/N found herself restless. Every sound felt like an omen, each crack of a twig making her heart leap. She couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom that clung to her, pressing down like a physical weight.

Finally, just as she was about to voice her concerns again, the sound of hurried footsteps broke through the stillness. Her heart raced, and she instinctively reached for Jin's arm, fear coursing through her veins.

"Stay quiet," Jin warned, his voice barely above a whisper as he crouched low, peering through the bushes.

The footsteps grew louder, and a figure emerged from the shadows. Y/N's heart sank as she recognized the unmistakable silhouette—Jungkook. He stumbled into the clearing, his clothes disheveled, and a fresh cut marred his cheek, crimson staining the fabric of his shirt.

"Y/N!" Jungkook shouted, urgency lacing his voice as he looked around, searching for her. His eyes widened when they finally met hers, relief flooding his expression. "You're okay."

Without thinking, Y/N rushed toward him, relief and worry crashing over her like a tidal wave. "Jungkook, what happened? Are you hurt?" She reached for the wound on his cheek, the anger from earlier forgotten as concern took over.

Jungkook flinched at her touch, pulling away slightly. "I'm fine," he grunted, his tone sharper than she expected. "I told you to stay hidden. You shouldn't have come out."

"Are you serious? You think I would just sit there while you fought?" she shot back, a mix of frustration and relief bubbling within her. "I thought I lost you!"

"You should have thought about that before!" he snapped, his eyes darkening with frustration. "This isn't a game, Y/N. People get hurt. I can't have you putting yourself in danger for me."

"I don't care about the danger!" she replied fiercely, standing her ground. "I care about you! You can't just push me away every time things get tough!"

For a moment, they stood there, tension crackling between them like static electricity. Jungkook's expression softened ever so slightly, but the hardness remained in his eyes. "You don't know what you're asking for. I'm not someone you can just fix, Y/N."

The words hung heavy in the air, a bitter truth that cut deeper than any physical wound. She opened her mouth to argue, to tell him that she wasn't trying to fix him, that she just wanted to be there for him. But before she could speak, a distant rustling caught her attention, and panic flared anew.

"Jungkook, we need to go!" Y/N urged, glancing over her shoulder into the darkness. "They could find us any second!"

He hesitated, his gaze darting between her and the encroaching shadows. "We can't stay here. We need to get to a safer place," he finally agreed, his voice low and urgent.

As they moved quickly, Jin fell into step beside them. "What did you see?" he asked, keeping his voice steady, despite the palpable tension.

"I don't know. It was chaotic," Jungkook replied, his eyes scanning the surrounding trees. "There were more of them. They're looking for Y/N."

Y/N's heart raced at the realization. "Why are they after me?" she asked, her voice trembling. "What do they want?"

"I don't know," Jungkook admitted, his expression darkening. "But we need to keep moving. They'll come for you again."

As they hurried through the underbrush, the air felt charged with danger, and Y/N's heart pounded in her chest. The shadows seemed to stretch out, dark tendrils clawing at her as she ran. She glanced back at Jungkook, his jaw set and brows furrowed, a man torn between protecting her and the turmoil within himself.

The deeper they ventured into the forest, the more the shadows seemed to close in around them. Suddenly, a chilling howl echoed through the trees, sending shivers down Y/N's spine. She skidded to a halt, the fear rising like bile in her throat.

"What was that?" she gasped, looking between Jin and Jungkook.

"Keep moving!" Jungkook urged, urgency creeping into his tone. "We can't let them corner us!"

Just as they started to run again, the underbrush cracked ominously behind them, and Y/N's stomach dropped. She turned, feeling the weight of dread settle over her like a fog. From the darkness, a figure emerged, cloaked in shadows, and the sense of danger intensified.

"Jungkook!" Y/N screamed, panic surging through her as she realized they were not alone.

But before she could react, Jungkook stepped forward, his expression fierce. "Stay behind me!" he commanded, and Y/N's heart raced at the sight of his determination.

As the figure lunged, Jungkook moved with lightning speed, blocking Y/N from harm. A scuffle ensued, and Y/N's breath caught in her throat as she watched, fear clawing at her chest.

"Get out of here!" Jungkook shouted, his voice strained as he fought against the assailant.

But Y/N couldn't move. Her heart was pounding, a frantic rhythm of terror and helplessness as she witnessed the struggle. The darkness around them seemed to deepen, and the world narrowed to the struggle unfolding before her.

Suddenly, the figure broke free, lunging toward Y/N with a predatory grin. "You think you can run?" they sneered, but before Y/N could react, Jungkook tackled the figure once more, and they both tumbled to the ground in a tangle of limbs.

"Y/N, go!" Jungkook shouted, desperation coating his words. "Now!"

Tears stung Y/N's eyes as she fought against her instinct to help. "I can't leave you!" she cried out, the anguish twisting in her gut.

But Jungkook's eyes burned with intensity. "You have to! I'll hold them off. Just run!"

And as the darkness surged forward, Y/N's heart shattered at the thought of abandoning him. But as the shadows closed in around them, she realized there was no choice left. With a final glance at Jungkook, she turned and fled into the night, the sound of his voice echoing in her ears as she disappeared into the darkness, torn between fear and the hope that he would find a way back to her.

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