Through Shadows and Time

Chapter 7: The Hidden Path

The map in Jungkook’s hand felt heavier than it should. His fingers trembled as he traced the route with his eyes, studying the landmarks marked along the edges. It wasn’t a place he recognized, but there was something familiar about it—something that tugged at him in ways he couldn’t explain.

He glanced around the empty alley, the weight of the moment settling in. He had to go. He couldn’t afford to waste any more time.

His mind raced as he started walking, following the path outlined on the map. The city around him was alive, but it felt distant, as if the world had narrowed down to just him and the search for her. The sun had begun to set, casting long shadows across the streets. The further he walked, the more isolated he felt.

The location on the map led him to a quiet part of the city, an area he hadn’t explored before. Old, crumbling buildings lined the streets, their windows dark and empty. It felt like a forgotten corner of the world, hidden away from everything else.

Jungkook’s heart began to race again as he approached a small, abandoned building at the end of the street. It was rundown, its door slightly ajar. The air was thick with silence, and for a moment, he hesitated. What am I doing?

But the pull was undeniable. He had to know. He had to see it through.

He pushed the door open, the creak of the hinges echoing in the stillness. Inside, the room was dimly lit by the glow of a single hanging light. Dust particles floated in the air, caught in the beams of light. There was an old wooden table in the center of the room, and beside it, a chair that seemed out of place—too pristine compared to the rest of the decay around it.

And there she was.

The woman stood by the table, her back to him, facing the dim light. Her hair, now a pale shade of silver, cascaded down her shoulders. Her figure seemed fragile, but there was a quiet strength about her.

Jungkook’s breath caught in his throat. She was real. She was standing right there.

Without turning around, she spoke, her voice low but steady. “I knew you’d come.”

Jungkook took a step forward, his heart thumping wildly in his chest. “I don’t understand. Who are you? Why are you doing this?”

She turned slowly, her eyes locking with his. Her gaze was intense, but there was a sadness in it—an unspoken history that seemed to stretch across time itself.

“I’m you,” she said softly, her voice almost a whisper.

Jungkook’s mind reeled. “What do you mean?”

Her eyes glimmered with something indescribable. “I’m the other you. The one you lost. The one you’ll always search for, in every universe, in every life. I’m your soulmate, Jungkook.”

He froze, his thoughts racing. Everything he’d experienced—the dreams, the messages, the pull—had been leading him here. But now, the weight of her words hit him like a tidal wave.

Soulmate?

She stepped closer, her gaze never leaving his. “We’re connected across worlds, across time. But each time, something goes wrong. We’re torn apart. And each time, you find me again.”

Jungkook’s chest tightened as he processed her words. This wasn’t just a chance meeting. This wasn’t just coincidence.

“This is bigger than both of us,” she continued, her voice barely audible. “But you’re close now. So close.”

He reached out instinctively, his fingers brushing hers. There was a spark of recognition, something ancient and familiar, a deep connection that made his heart ache.

The woman smiled, a sad, knowing smile. “But be careful, Jungkook. The more you uncover, the more you’ll lose.”

Before he could respond, the room suddenly seemed to fade around him, the edges blurring. The feeling of weightlessness overtook him as the world around him shifted.

“Remember,” her voice echoed, fading into the distance. “The truth comes at a price.”

And then, everything went black.