Ineffable 𓇢𓆸 || Jakehoon

🍃 Chapter 27🍃

We stepped out of the convenience store, adrenaline coursing through our veins. The night felt quiet, but an unsettling feeling lingered in the air. As we moved cautiously down the dimly lit street, I couldn't shake the thought that danger was close.

"Stay close," Heeseung whispered, his voice tense. "We don't know what's out there."

Suddenly, the sound of heavy boots echoed off the pavement. My heart sank as a group of North Korean soldiers appeared, rifles raised and ready.

"Run!" Sunghoon shouted, and instinct kicked in. We bolted down the street, but I could feel the fear gripping my chest.

"Jay, Heeseung hyung, take the back!" Sunghoon commanded, bravely stepping forward to confront the soldiers. "Get out of here! I'll hold them off!"

"Sunghoon, no!" I cried, panic surging through me. But before I could react, Jay and Heeseung hyung rushed in to help him.

Gunfire erupted, and chaos surrounded us. I felt frozen, my heart racing as I watched Sunghoon fight with everything he had to protect us. But then, a gunshot rang out, and I saw Sunghoon stagger, clutching his chest.

"Sunghoon!" I screamed, fear flooding my veins.

"Go! Get out of here!" he shouted, his voice strained but resolute.

"Jake hyung!" Jungwon pulled me away, urgency in his tone. "We have to go! Now!"

With tears streaming down my face, I turned and ran, each step feeling like a betrayal. The sounds of gunfire faded behind us, but my heart pounded louder with every second.

After what felt like an eternity, we found refuge in an abandoned building at the outskirts of Yangsan. It was filthy and overcrowded with other refugees, but we had no choice.

A kind old lady emerged from the crowd, worry etched on her face. "You need shelter? Come, I have a place for you."

We followed her inside, and my anxiety grew with every step. "Sunghoon..." I whispered, the dread clawing at my insides.

"Jake, we need to help him," Eunhee said gently, her eyes filled with concern. "Let's check his wound."

We gathered supplies as quickly as we could-bandages, antiseptic, and gauze. My mind raced, panic threatening to consume me. I needed to see Sunghoon.

When we found him lying on the ground, his breath shallow, I dropped to my knees beside him. "Sunghoon," I choked out, my heart breaking at the sight of him.

His face was pale, but he managed a weak smile. "I'm okay, Jake. Just a scratch."

"A scratch?" I exclaimed, tears spilling down my cheeks. "You're hurt! This is serious!"

"Jake," he said softly, his voice barely a whisper. "You have to stay strong. I'll be alright because you're here."

Just then, Jungwon came back, helping Jay and Heeseung hyung who were struggling to keep Sunghoon steady. They quickly got him to a corner of the building, where we could tend to his injury.

As Eunhee worked, applying pressure to the wound, I couldn't stop the sobs that escaped me. "I can't lose you. Not like this."

"Shh," Sunghoon murmured, his cold hand reaching up to cup my cheek. "I'm here, Jake. You're not losing me."

His touch grounded me, and I leaned into it, desperate for reassurance. "You're hurt. I can't handle this," I said through my tears.

"Just breathe," he whispered, his thumb brushing over my cheek. "Focus on me. I need you to believe I'll get through this."

I nodded, trying to steady my breathing as Eunhee continued to work on his wound. "You're going to be okay," I whispered, even though doubt gnawed at me.

Sunghoon's gaze held mine, filled with warmth despite the pain etched across his features. "I'll be alright because of you," he said, his voice a gentle balm in the midst of the chaos.

With each passing moment, I clung to his words, drawing strength from the connection we shared. Together, we would face whatever came next, even if the road ahead was uncertain and fraught with danger.