When the stars align

Lost or found

The warmth of the sun-kissed his face, and he turned to see San beside him, her smile as radiant as ever. She was dressed, her hair flowing freely as she looked at him with that familiar spark in her eyes.

"You're staring, Tae," San teased, her voice light and playful. "What? Do I have something on my face?"

Taehyung chuckled, shaking his head. "No. just... you look beautiful."

"I am happy," she said, bumping her shoulder against his. "Especially since you're here. It feels perfect."

They walked hand in hand along the path, their laughter echoing in the air as they talked about everything and nothing. San playfully punched his arm after one of his teasing remarks, and he feigned hurt, clutching his arm dramatically.

"That really hurt, you know," Taehyung said with a mock pout.

"Good," San quipped, sticking her tongue out. "Maybe it'll teach you not to mess with me."
Taehyung laughed, shaking his head. For a moment, everything felt right-perfect, even.

But then, the air shifted. The vibrant colors of the path dulled, the sun fading behind a veil of shadow. The laughter and warmth that surrounded them turned into a chilling hum, growing louder with each passing second.

Taehyung looked around in confusion. "San?" he called out, his voice trembling.
She was still there, but her smile had faded, replaced by a look of unease.

"Do you hear that?" she whispered, her grip on his hand tightening.

Before Taehyung could respond, a crowd of shadowy figures emerged around them, their voices rising in a chaotic discord. They surrounded the pair, their faces indistinct but their words sharp and cutting.

"She's a manipulator," one voice hissed.

"She trapped him," another sneered. "Made him fall for her to boost her own ego."

"Taehyung deserves better than someone like her."
"How could she do this to him? She's ruining his life."

Taehyung's heart pounded in his chest as the voices grew louder and more venomous. He turned to San, whose face was pale, her eyes wide with fear.
"Taehyung," she said, her voice shaking. "I didn't-"
"I know," he said quickly, stepping closer to her, shielding her from the faceless crowd. "I know, San. Don't listen to them."

But the voices wouldn't stop. They grew more aggressive, their words twisting and coiling around them like dark tendrils.
"She's just using you, Taehyung. Can't you see that?"
"You're nothing to her. Just a game."
"Run while you still can."

Taehyung clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as he tried to drown out the noise. "Stop it!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the air. "You don't know her! You don't know anything about us!"

The figures paused for a moment, their shadows flickering like flames.

"Do you?" one voice asked, cold and mocking. "Do you really know her? Or is this just what you want to believe?"

Taehyung's breath hitched, the doubt sinking into his chest like a stone. He turned back to San, who now looked small and fragile, her hands trembling as tears streaked down her face.

"San," he whispered, reaching for her.

But before he could touch her, she began to fade, her form dissolving into a swirl of light and shadow.

"Taehyung," she said softly, her voice barely audible over the noise. "I'm sorry."
"San!" he shouted, his hand reaching out desperately. "Don't go!"

"We are not meant..." she cried.