Rise Of The Fallen || KTH FF

Chapter 14: Should I?

The atmosphere in the room was heavy as everyone continued sifting through the sacks of evidence they had gathered. Eyes scanned over documents and papers with an intensity that bordered on desperation, hoping to find something—anything—that could lead them closer to Jeon Ha-joon.

You couldn't stop the gnawing unease in your chest—the overwhelming guilt that you were holding everyone back, slowing their progress. Every glance they exchanged felt like a silent judgment, as if they could sense the secret burning inside you. The photo in your jacket felt like a lead weight, pressing down on your conscience with each passing second.

"Um," you began, your voice barely more than a whisper, breaking the rustling quiet. All eyes snapped to you, the sudden shift in attention sending your pulse racing. Your fingers trembled as you reached into the inner pocket of your jacket, pulling out the small, worn photograph. The edges were frayed, as if it had been handled too many times, hidden for too long.

"I... I found a photo in the lab," you said hesitantly, feeling the weight of every word. Each one felt like a betrayal of the truth you were still keeping from them. Your hand shook as you held up the photograph, the image burned into your memory in a way that made your stomach churn.

Taehyung's gaze locked onto the picture instantly, his expression tightening as if he'd just found the missing piece to a long-unsolved puzzle. Jimin's brow furrowed as he straightened up from the table, his arms crossing defensively as suspicion flared in his eyes. Yoongi, standing closest to you, noticed the tremor in your hand. He subtly reached out, giving your hand a reassuring squeeze, mouthing, "Good job."

But even he didn't know the whole truth.

Lisa stepped forward, her eyes narrowing with focused curiosity as she took the photo from your trembling hand. "Is this really him?" she murmured, tilting the image under the dim light. Her voice carried a disbelief that sent a chill down your spine. "I've never seen a photo of Jeon Ha-joon before..."

"It matches some of the descriptions we've heard," Taehyung spoke, his tone even but laced with tension. His eyes were glued to the photo as if it could unlock all the answers they'd been searching for. "But it's strange... no one has had a solid image of him until now."

Jimin shifted, his gaze sharpening as he stared you down. "Where exactly did you find this?" His voice was calm, but the undertone was anything but. Doubt hung in the air, thick and heavy, as though he still couldn't fully trust you. "Why didn't you mention it before?"

You swallowed, feeling the weight of your guilt like a vice around your throat. "It was... in the lab," you replied softly, your voice barely audible. The lie—or rather, the omission—hung in the air like a dark cloud. You hated the way your voice wavered, exposing your unease. You hadn't told them everything, not yet. Not until you could figure out what this all meant.

Yoongi stood silently beside you, his fingers still lingering on yours for a brief moment before pulling away. He gave you a quiet, reassuring nod, but even his support couldn't quell the growing storm inside you. The truth of who the man in the photograph really was gnawed at you, but you couldn't bring yourself to reveal it. Not yet.

Lisa handed the photo to Jimin, who inspected it closely, his expression unreadable. The room fell into a thick, uneasy silence, everyone aware that this was a turning point—but also painfully aware of how little they still knew.

"For now, let's not jump to conclusions," Lisa finally said, breaking the silence with a voice that was meant to be calming but came off as strained. "We'll examine this further and see if it leads us anywhere."

Jimin handed the photograph back, his eyes still watching you closely, suspicion simmering beneath the surface. It was clear he didn't trust you—maybe he never would.

The others began to drift out of the room, leaving you standing there in the now-still space, the weight of your own secrets pressing harder against you. Taehyung lingered for a moment, his gaze softening as he caught your eye.

"I told you, you were brave," he said quietly, the corner of his lips twitching up into a small, almost proud smirk before he turned to leave. His presence, even fleeting, left you rooted in place, your heart pounding in your chest, face flushing as you processed the strange mix of emotions swirling within you.

But the heat from Taehyung's words quickly faded as you glanced at Jimin. He hadn't left. He stood near the doorway, his eyes dark and sharp, taking in every detail of your reaction. His jaw clenched slightly, a muscle ticking in his cheek. The resentment radiating from him was palpable, more intense than before, and it struck you like a punch to the gut.

Whatever tentative trust had been forming between you and Taehyung, Jimin saw it—and he hated it. He wasn't just suspicious of you. He resented you. And you knew it was only a matter of time before that tension came to a breaking point.