Ineffable 𓇢𓆸 || Jakehoon

🍃 Chapter 33🍃

As we stepped out of the crumbling building that had been our temporary shelter, the air felt thick with tension, each sound amplified in the eerie stillness around us. Sunghoon walked beside me, his expression resolute, but I couldn't shake the worry gnawing at my insides.

We headed toward the marketplace, hoping to find some food. The streets were lined with abandoned stalls, remnants of a bustling life now silenced by the chaos. As we walked, my eyes darted around, constantly scanning for danger, but my focus kept returning to Sunghoon. The bandage on his chest was barely visible under his shirt, but I knew it was there, a reminder of yesterday's confrontation.

Suddenly, I spotted the old lady who had helped us the night before, her kind eyes peering from a shadowed doorway. "You two! Come here!" she called, waving us over.

"Do you have food?" I asked, hoping she had something to offer.

She nodded, her expression shifting from surprise to concern as she took in Sunghoon's pallor. "What happened to you, young man?"

Sunghoon straightened, trying to project strength. "I got shot by a North Korean soldier," he replied, his voice steady but lacking its usual vibrancy.

The old woman's face fell. "I didn't see it last night; it was too dark. Come here, let me take a look." She motioned for us to enter her small dwelling.

Inside, the air was warm and fragrant with herbs. Sunghoon stepped forward, allowing her to inspect his wound. "It's nothing," he insisted, but the strain in his voice betrayed him.

The lady rummaged through her supplies and pulled out a small vial of medicine. "This will help with the pain and prevent infection. You need to take care of this," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "You're too young to be carrying such burdens."

"Thank you," Sunghoon said, accepting the vial. He offered her a small smile, the corners of his mouth lifting despite the pain etched on his face.

After some conversation, we managed to get a few cans of food and some dried fruit. We thanked her profusely, the warmth of her kindness a brief reprieve from the harsh reality outside.

As we stepped back into the light, I turned to Sunghoon. "Are you okay?" I asked, unable to hide the concern in my voice.

"I'm fine," he replied, but I could see the weariness in his eyes, the way he shifted his weight slightly as if trying to ease the discomfort. "Just a bit sore."

"You're strong," I said, admiration tinging my voice. "But you don't have to pretend to be invincible. It's okay to lean on us."

He met my gaze, the determination still burning bright in his eyes. "I know. But we're all in this together, Jake. I can handle it. I just... don't want to hold you back."

I felt a wave of warmth at his words, even as my heart ached for him. "You're not a burden, Sunghoon. You're part of this team, and we need you healthy. Just promise me you'll let me know if it gets too much."

"Promise," he said softly, a small smile breaking through the pain.

We walked back, the food clutched tightly in our hands, but I couldn't shake the worry I felt. Sunghoon was strong, but strength didn't mean he had to face everything alone. Together, we'd find a way to navigate this chaos, one step at a time.