Ineffable 𓇢𓆸 || Jakehoon

🍂 Chapter 63🍂

The evening light filters weakly through the cracks in the old building, casting long shadows that stretch across the floor. The place has always been a bit rundown, but tonight it feels even more like a forgotten corner of the world. I'm sitting in the far corner with Jungwon, trying to rest, trying to find a little peace in this chaos. It's the first time in a while we've been told to just sit and not help with anything-Sunghoon's insistence, no doubt. He's been keeping an eye on me, making sure I don't push myself too hard. And, I suppose, for once, I'm actually listening.

Jungwon's legs are stretched out, propped up against the wall, the same dull ache in his body that matches mine. Neither of us says much. It's pointless. We know we don't need words right now. The silence is loud enough.

A sudden knock on the door-shuffling footsteps, a weak cough-and the door creaks open. An old man steps inside, bent with age, his face lined with years of hardship. He looks worn, like he's been traveling for a long time, but there's a glimmer of desperation in his eyes.

"I'm sorry to bother you," he says, his voice cracked and fragile. "I've been on the road for days... is there any place I can stay, just for the night?" His voice quivers slightly as he speaks, and I can see the weariness in his posture.

Sunghoon looks at me for a brief moment. His gaze shifts between me and the old man, the tension in his shoulders showing that he's still too protective, still too cautious. But before anyone can object, I nod.

"Sure," I say, my voice weak but steady. "There's room." It's a little dusty, a little dirty, but we've all been getting used to that by now. It's not ideal, but it's something. We have to take care of each other, especially when we can. "We don't have much, but you can stay with us."

Jungwon doesn't say anything, but I can feel the slight tension in his shoulders, the way he's quietly watching the old man as he steps inside. There's something about the man's appearance that makes my instincts twitch, but I ignore it for now. The man needs a place to stay, and we have space. It's as simple as that.

The rest of the group is busy-moving around, setting up what little they can for tomorrow-but Jungwon and I stay where we are, giving the others room to work. The old man is settled in the corner where we've cleared a spot, trying to arrange himself comfortably on the floor.

"Here's fine," he says, his voice softer now as he settles down, looking around as though he hasn't had a real place to rest in a long time.

I give him a small smile, hoping it reassures him, but I can't help but feel the weight of exhaustion in my own body. The thought of resting, of just letting myself sink into the comfort of the spot beside Jungwon, almost feels impossible. There's still so much to do, and I'm too restless to sit still.

A few moments pass. I start to close my eyes, but then, suddenly, the old man shifts. I hear the rustle of fabric and the faint clinking sound of something hard against the floor. I glance up, confused, and see him pulling a large bag from under his coat-a tattered, worn leather bag that seems way too heavy for someone of his age. He opens it, and to my surprise, starts pulling out piles of clothes-colorful scarves, necklaces, jewelry, strange trinkets of all kinds, stuff I didn't even know you could still find.

And that's when I hear it.

The laughter.

Jungwon chuckles beside me, the sound light and almost disbelieving. "He asked for a place to stay," Jungwon says with a grin, his voice low enough for only me to hear, "and now he's selling stuff? What a guy." His tone is teasing, amused, but also with a touch of disbelief.

I can't help it-my lips curl into a small smile. It's funny. It's unexpected. But it's also kind of clever, in a way. This old man, asking for a place to stay, and then turning around and pulling out all these things to sell. It's like he's been using the shelter as his opportunity to make a quick deal. Maybe I should be offended, but I'm not. It's the world we live in now, isn't it? You take what you can get, and if you have to sell things just to survive, then you do it.

Jungwon shakes his head, still laughing softly. "I guess the world's full of surprises, huh?"

"Yeah," I reply, chuckling too, despite myself. It's the first time in a while I've actually felt a little lighter, the weight of everything lifting just a fraction. The old man keeps pulling things out of his bag, and the kids around us start to gather, eager to see what he has. Jewelry, bracelets, necklaces-things that probably haven't been seen in months or even years.

It's not much, but it's enough to get some people excited, and soon a small crowd has gathered. The young ones, the ones who aren't as used to surviving on their own, are all buzzing around the old man. They're bartering with him for whatever they can get, trading what little they have. Some have food, others offer favors in exchange.

"Look at them," Jungwon murmurs, still watching the scene unfold. "I never thought I'd see kids bartering for jewelry like this. Makes me wonder how many of them even know what they're trading for." He lets out a soft laugh, his eyes shifting to the small crowd of excited kids.

I lean back against the wall, trying to relax for a moment, letting my eyes drift over the scene. Despite everything, despite the chaos outside and the world that's been torn apart, there's something... almost normal about this. It's ridiculous, it's funny, and it's a little sad, but it's what they have now. A little moment of connection, of community, in a place that's otherwise fallen apart.

"It's a strange new world we're living in," I say quietly, turning my gaze back to Jungwon. "But maybe we can find moments like this... little things to laugh at."

Jungwon looks at me, his smile softening. "Yeah. Maybe we can."