Ineffable 𓇢𓆸 || Jakehoon

🍃 Chapter 44 🍃

The footsteps outside are getting louder now, closer. Panic grips me like a vice, and I can feel my heart thundering in my chest. I stay frozen for a moment, unsure of what to do. Then, Sunghoon slowly stands up, his movements cautious but determined. I follow him instinctively, not wanting to be left alone in the darkness. My breath is shallow, my pulse racing as I watch him move toward the small window in the corner of the room.

Sunghoon leans forward, peering through the cracked glass. His face tightens, and I see his jaw clench as he scans the area outside. I stand behind him, my hand trembling as I grip the back of his shirt.

Then, I feel him reach for my hand, his fingers gripping mine tightly. His eyes flicker over to mine, his gaze steady despite the fear that has risen between us. "It's them..." he says quietly, his voice low and tense.

I don't need to ask who. I know.

North Korean soldiers.

A cold shiver runs down my spine as I absorb the weight of his words. I can hear my heartbeat in my ears now, and I feel my breath catch in my throat. Fear claws at my chest, and for a moment, everything around me feels distant, muffled.

Before I can even respond, Sunghoon turns to face me, his hand gently cupping my face. His touch is warm, grounding, even as everything outside feels like it's spiraling out of control.

"Don't worry," he says softly, his voice steady but urgent. "I'm here, alright?"

But before he can say more, a gunshot rings out from outside, the sharp crack of it sending a jolt through my entire body. My heart stutters, and the grip on my hand tightens even more.

I can feel myself shaking, but I don't want to show it. Not now. Not in front of him. I press my face into his palm for a moment, drawing strength from the simple, reassuring contact.

But then, Sunghoon's expression shifts to one of immediate concern. "Quick! Guys, wake up! We need to leave!" His voice rings out in the dark room, shaking everyone awake with urgency.

The others stir, and within seconds, everyone is scrambling to gather their things. Niki, Sunoo, Heeseung hyung, and Eunhee, all moving quickly, packing water, food, medicine, and blankets into whatever bags they have. It's all a blur, but I don't think anyone is fully processing what's happening. We all just know we need to move-and fast.

Sunghoon grabs my hand, his grip firm, and pulls me toward the door. I nod, my pulse still racing, my mind scrambling to catch up with the situation. Outside, the night air is cold and heavy with the smell of burning, of something... dangerous. But there's no time to think about it.

Jay and Jungwon follow behind us, Heeseung hyung and Eunhee right behind them. Niki takes Sunoo's hand, and together, we form a tight line as we move through the building and out into the open. The chaos is overwhelming as families scramble to follow us, their faces filled with fear, confusion, and uncertainty. Some children are crying, others clinging to their parents, while the rest of us push forward, helping them move as quickly as we can.

The children are scattered, and we do our best to help. I feel a tug at my side, and when I look down, I see a little boy, no more than six or seven, looking up at me with wide, terrified eyes. He reaches up, his small hand grasping at my sleeve, and without a second thought, I lift him up into my arms. He immediately wraps his arms around my neck, pressing his face into my shoulder, shuddering with every step I take.

Sunghoon's carrying another child, a little girl who clings to his chest like she's afraid the world might swallow her whole. I glance at him briefly as we move, and I see the same determination in his eyes that's always been there-he won't stop until every one of us is safe.

As we keep moving, I hear the sounds of people crying, shouting for those who are lost, for the ones who didn't make it. It breaks my heart, but there's no time to grieve. We can't stop. We can't let ourselves be caught.

Sunghoon leads the way, his pace never faltering even though the terrain is difficult and the path isn't clear. We run for more than two hours, the darkness of the night pressing in on us from every side. The only light comes from the flashlights some of us carry, and the occasional flicker of light from the distant fires behind us. The woods grow denser, the air thick with the smell of pine and the fear that tightens my chest even more.

The little boy in my arms shifts, holding me tighter as the woods become darker and more foreboding. I glance over at Sunghoon, who's holding the other child close to his chest. Both kids are terrified, clinging to us like we're their only lifeline. I can feel the weight of the moment in every breath I take. We can't afford to slow down.

After what feels like an eternity, we finally reach a small clearing. Sunghoon stops and looks around, checking on everyone. His eyes quickly scan the group, taking in everyone's condition. He looks at me, his expression a mix of relief and exhaustion.

"Is everyone okay?" he asks, his voice hoarse, but there's a sense of calm in his tone.

We all nod, some of us breathing heavily, others still clutching onto our children for dear life. The kids are finally back with their parents, and it's a bittersweet moment. They return to the safety of their families, but I know deep down that the danger isn't over. It never truly is in times like this.

I see Sunghoon glance around at the group. Heeseung and Eunhee are sitting on a fallen log, catching their breath, while Niki and Sunoo are checking the supplies. The kids, now reunited with their parents, are still trembling, clinging to their loved ones.

"Alright," Sunghoon says, his voice steady, despite the exhaustion. "We'll stay here for the night. We need to rest. We don't know how much longer we can run, but for now, we need to catch our breath."

We all settle into the clearing, the woods surrounding us like a wall. The air is damp and cold, but it's better than the danger we left behind. The kids start to quiet down, their parents holding them close, whispering soft reassurances.

Jay walks over to Jungwon, who's sitting next to a large rock, his face pale. He places a hand on Jungwon's shoulder. "Hey, you okay?"

Jungwon looks up, blinking rapidly. "I'm fine... Just a little shaken."

Jay pulls him into a quiet hug, rubbing his back reassuringly. "We're all fine. We're together. We'll make it through."

I watch the scene unfold around me, feeling a moment of peace, though it's fleeting. We've made it through the first night-together. But I know this isn't over. Not by a long shot. The road ahead is still dangerous, but for now, we have each other. And that's all we can hold onto.

The little boy in my arms slowly drifts off to sleep, his breathing steady now. I watch him for a moment, my thoughts a mess of fear, hope, and uncertainty. But I hold on to the fact that we made it this far. And with Sunghoon and all of us together, maybe-just maybe-we'll make it through the rest.