THE ETERNAL DARKNESS | VKOOK

𝟐𝟖) 𝑨 𝒅𝒂𝒈𝒈𝒆𝒓'𝒔 𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆

Warning: This chapter contains intense emotional themes that may be disturbing to some readers. Proceed with caution.

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Jungkook was running, his feet pounding against the unfamiliar ground beneath him. He didn't dare look back, fear clawing at his chest as he pushed forward through the strange forest. The air was thick and humid, each breath he took feeling like a heavy weight pressing down on him.

The trees around him were unlike anything he had ever seen-massive, twisted things that loomed over him like giants. Their trunks were a deep, unnatural brown, gnarled and bent in ways that defied nature, as though they had been forced into these grotesque shapes by some unseen force. Above him, the sky was a haunting mix of purplish grey, swirling with dark clouds that seemed to mirror his inner turmoil.

His legs were trembling, but he couldn't stop. Sweat dripped down his forehead, mingling with the tears that had started to pool in his eyes. His breaths came in short, sharp gasps as he desperately tried to find an escape, but the forest seemed to go on forever, the strange trees twisting and closing in around him as though they were alive.

The oppressive silence of the place was broken only by the sound of his own ragged breathing and the pounding of his heart. He could feel the weight of something chasing him-something he couldn't see, but he could feel it, like a dark shadow always looming just behind him.

Suddenly, his foot snagged on something hard-an outstretched tree root. Before he could catch himself, he tumbled forward, his body hitting the damp earth with a thud. The impact knocked the breath out of him, and a sharp pain shot up his ankle.

"Fuck..." he hissed through gritted teeth, clutching his leg as he tried to push himself up. His vision swam, and the ground felt unsteady beneath him as panic surged.

But before he could stand, a voice sliced through the silence from behind him.

"Here's some water, little fighter... you must be tired from all the running."

The voice was low and calm, with an unsettling familiarity. Jungkook's body froze, his limbs going stiff as cold fear slithered down his spine. His breath caught in his throat, and his heart seemed to stop. Tears welled up in his eyes, blurring his vision, but he didn't dare wipe them away. His mouth went dry, and he could feel the hot trails of his tears rolling down his cheeks.

He didn't move. Couldn't. His entire body locked in place, trembling as he listened to the slow, deliberate footsteps approaching him from behind.

Jungkook scrambled to his feet, desperately trying to run again, but who was he kidding? He barely made it a step before an invisible force yanked him back to where he'd fallen. A strong arm snaked around his waist, pulling him into an unrelenting grip. The man behind him hugged him from the back, resting his chin on Jungkook's trembling shoulder.

"Morning jog, hmm? Impressive," Taehyung's voice was smooth, his tone teasing, but there was an edge to it that sent chills down Jungkook's spine.

Jungkook could only pant in response. His chest heaving as panic overtook him. But before he could process what was happening, Taehyung effortlessly lifted him off the ground, slinging him over his shoulder like he weighed nothing, like a sack of potatoes. Jungkook's breath hitched, and his world spun as he dangled helplessly in Taehyung's grip, his hands grasping at nothing.

"No... no, please... let go..." Jungkook cried, his voice choked with fear as he thrashed against Taehyung's unyielding grip. He punched at the man's back, but it felt like hitting stone-his efforts were futile against the strength that held him captive.

In the suffocating silence of the castle, Taehyung's voice cut through like a blade. "I want this place empty in the next minute." Without waiting for a response, he turned, dragging Jungkook behind him as he moved deeper into the shadowy hallways.