Veil of Shadows

Chapter 9: Shadows of the Past

Taehyung waited for Jungkook, staring out into the dark city skyline from the large glass windows of the penthouse. The weight of everything he had learned today was pressing down on him, but his mind kept drifting back to Jungkook's words.

"I love you, Taetae."

It felt surreal. Jungkook—the cold, distant student who secretly ruled the shadows—had feelings for him. But as much as Taehyung wanted to process it, his body was too exhausted from the whirlwind of emotions. He lay back on the couch, his eyelids growing heavier with each passing second. Before he knew it, sleep had taken over.

But peace didn't follow. Instead, darkness consumed him.

The familiar sensation of fear began creeping in. Taehyung was back in his past—a memory he wished he could erase. The nightmare was vivid, every detail painfully clear.

He was in a dimly lit room. His younger self stood frozen as rough hands reached out toward him. His heart pounded with fear, his voice trembling as he begged.

Taehyung (in the nightmare, pleading): "Please… don’t touch me. Please."

The figure loomed closer, their hand brushing against his arm, and Taehyung's breathing quickened. He wanted to run, but his feet were glued to the floor. His heart raced, and every muscle in his body tensed. The hands were getting closer, and Taehyung could feel the darkness suffocating him.

He screamed, his voice desperate.

Taehyung (in the nightmare, crying): "No! Stop! Please, I beg you!"

Sweat beaded on his forehead as the nightmare took hold of him, pulling him deeper into the abyss. He thrashed on the couch, his breathing becoming erratic, and his body drenched in sweat.

In the real world, Taehyung’s face was twisted in anguish. His breath came in short gasps, and his body trembled as the nightmare clawed at his mind. He was on the verge of panic, trapped between the nightmare and reality.

Just then, the front door creaked open, and Jungkook entered the penthouse, his footsteps soft but purposeful. He had just returned from his work, his mafia demeanor still lingering as he closed the door behind him. His eyes quickly scanned the room, and when they landed on Taehyung, everything shifted.

Taehyung lay on the couch, his body drenched in sweat, his face contorted in fear. His breathing was rapid, shallow, and panicked. He was gripping the fabric of the couch tightly, his knuckles white, as if trying to fight off invisible demons.

Jungkook’s heart clenched at the sight.

Without thinking, he rushed over to Taehyung’s side, dropping to his knees beside the couch.

Jungkook (softly, concerned): "Taehyung? Taetae, wake up!"

He gently shook Taehyung’s shoulder, his voice laced with worry. But Taehyung didn’t respond. His body jerked, and he let out a soft, broken sob, still trapped in the nightmare.

Jungkook’s heart broke. He had never seen Taehyung like this before—so vulnerable, so terrified.

Jungkook (firmly, trying to wake him): "Taehyung! Wake up, please!"

Taehyung’s eyes snapped open, wide and filled with panic. He gasped for air, his chest heaving as he struggled to breathe. For a moment, he looked around the room, disoriented, as if he wasn’t sure where he was.

Then his eyes landed on Jungkook, and his body froze.

Taehyung (still panicking): "J-Jungkook?"

Jungkook’s hand was still on his shoulder, steady and reassuring.