Ineffable 𓇢𓆸 || Jakehoon

🍂 Chapter 72 🍂

Jake’s POV

The soft glow of dawn cracks through the trees as I wake up, the damp chill of the morning air settling into my bones. I’ve barely slept—who can, with everything that’s been going on? But as I blink the sleep out of my eyes, I realize something. For the first time in a long while, I don’t feel as heavy. I don’t know if it’s because of last night, the picture we took, or just the quiet calm of the camp, but something inside me feels... a little lighter. Maybe Sunghoon’s words were starting to sink in after all.

The camp is starting to stir. The South Korean soldiers are moving around, packing their gear. I can hear the low hum of conversation, the shuffle of boots on the ground. The others are already awake, gathering their things.

I sit up slowly, rubbing my eyes and brushing the dirt off my cardigan. It’s a little worse for wear, the sleeves torn at the edges from all the running. But it’s mine. It’s been my constant companion, just like the others.

I glance over at Sunghoon, who’s already awake, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. He doesn’t look tired, not in the way I feel—he always seems to carry this quiet strength, like he’s ready for whatever comes next.

"Good morning," I say, my voice still a little rough from sleep.

He looks over at me, his face softening when he sees me awake. “Morning. How’d you sleep?”

I shrug, trying to smile. "Better than usual. I think I’m just getting used to it."

Sunghoon doesn’t respond right away. Instead, he reaches into his bag and pulls out a small water bottle, handing it to me. "Drink. You need to stay hydrated if we’re moving today."

I take the bottle, grateful for the gesture, and drink deeply, feeling the cool water wash away some of the exhaustion. The camp is quieter now, everyone packing up in preparation to leave. We’re moving again. The soldiers had already told us yesterday that we wouldn’t be staying here much longer. The North Koreans are advancing faster, and there’s no time to waste.

The South Korean soldiers have arranged for us to move to another safe camp, but it’s a three-day journey. They said it’s farther inland, a place that’s less likely to be targeted. I hope that’s true.

I look over at the soldiers as they gather, exchanging final words with us before we leave. The gratitude in their eyes is evident. They’ve been kind to us, offering food, shelter, and a safe space for a night.

“Thank you,” Sunghoon says as he approaches the commanding officer, his voice steady, but there’s something in his eyes that says more than just words. “For everything.”

The officer nods, a brief smile crossing his face. “Stay safe. The road ahead is dangerous. Keep moving quickly, and don’t stop unless it’s necessary. There’s a safer camp up ahead, but it’s a long way. You’ll be better off keeping pace.”

“We will,” Sunghoon says firmly. “Thank you again for your help.”

The soldiers gather around us, a few of them giving nods of encouragement as they check their gear. The camp is packed up within moments, and the stillness of the night seems to fade quickly. The urgency is palpable, and we all know there’s no time to waste.

As we begin moving, I glance over at the others. Jungwon, Jay, Sunoo, Niki, Heeseung hyung, and Eunhee—all of them are here, walking beside us, moving at a brisk pace. There’s no room for hesitation. The weight of the situation is on all our shoulders, but we don’t talk about it much. It’s unspoken, this shared understanding that we have to keep moving, no matter what.

Three Days on the Road

The first day is rough. The terrain is unforgiving, the path winding through thick woods and uneven ground. We move in silence, the only sound the crunch of boots on dirt and the distant crack of gunfire in the air. The war feels like it’s getting closer, every day bringing the front lines nearer. The constant boom of explosions echoes in the distance, and it’s impossible to ignore.

I feel Sunghoon’s presence beside me, his hand brushing against mine every now and then, a quiet reassurance. But even he doesn’t say much. We’re all too focused on just getting through the day.

By the time night falls, we’ve covered a fair distance, but it’s clear that the road ahead won’t be easy. We set up camp as quickly as possible, careful to stay out of sight. The forest is dense, and we’ve found a small clearing to rest in, but it’s not as safe as we’d like. The sound of distant gunfire still lingers in the air, and every crack of a twig feels like it could be the end of our journey.

As we sit around the fire, eating what little food we’ve managed to carry, the mood is quieter than usual. Everyone’s lost in their own thoughts. Niki tries to make a joke, but it doesn’t land. Even he seems to realize the gravity of the situation.

“I wish I could just sleep through all this,” Jungwon says, looking at the fire. “I mean, it’s not even safe to close your eyes anymore.”

Jay snorts. "Yeah, like we’re just gonna wake up in the middle of a warzone and say, ‘Oh, no big deal.’"

Niki sighs dramatically. “Can’t you at least pretend to be a little more positive? Someone’s gotta lift the spirits.”

“Lift spirits?” Sunghoon says quietly, his voice rough from exhaustion. “I think we just need to get through the night. We can lift spirits once we’re safe.”

I nod, grateful for his practicality. Everyone’s tired. But no one says anything else. The night passes quietly, with only the occasional sound of soldiers moving in the distance. We don’t dare speak too loudly. The world feels like it’s on edge, and we’re all just trying to hold on.

Day Two

The second day is much the same. We move quickly, only stopping for brief breaks, trying to conserve what little energy we have left. The terrain is even harder than the first day. We climb over hills, trudge through marshy areas, and make our way through dense underbrush. The air feels thick with tension, the sky overcast, heavy with the threat of rain.

Every so often, Sunghoon pulls me closer, making sure I stay in his line of sight. His hand occasionally brushes mine, and I take comfort in the small touch. It’s quiet, but it’s enough to remind me that we’re still in this together.

Around midday, we hear the unmistakable sound of gunfire, a sharp burst that echoes through the trees. We freeze, instinctively crouching low to the ground.

“Stay down,” Sunghoon whispers urgently, his voice low but firm.

We don’t move for what feels like an eternity. The noise fades eventually, but we don’t dare take any chances. We push forward quickly, the safety of the camp we’re heading to all the more urgent now.

Day Three

By the third day, we’re exhausted. Everyone’s barely speaking, focused only on the road ahead. The constant booms of artillery feel like they’re closing in, but we keep moving forward, driven by the hope that this camp will be a safe haven, a brief respite from everything.

Around midday, we finally hear the sound of rushing water in the distance, and when we break through the trees, we see it. The safe camp. It’s nestled in a valley, hidden by thick foliage and the sharp cliffs on all sides. We’re finally here.

The South Korean soldiers greet us with quiet nods, but we know they’ve been just as stressed as we have.

“We made it,” Sunghoon says under his breath, turning to look at me. I can see the relief in his eyes, though it’s still shadowed by the knowledge that the war isn’t over.

“We did,” I reply softly, feeling the weight of the last three days lift off my shoulders. "We made it."

For now, anyway.