Midas Touch ➸ Taekook

- Fifty-third -

The silence in the prison hallways was heavy, broken only by the clinking of soldiers' boots and the distant hum of security alarms. Logan unlocked one cell after another, using the electronic keycard he'd recovered to free the prisoners. With every door that opened, exhausted and wary mutants stepped out slowly, their eyes dulled by captivity.

Jungkook lingered at the back, keeping a vigilant watch on their surroundings. The sound of guards' footsteps grew more frequent, a clear sign that their intrusion had been detected.

"Logan," he growled. "We need to hurry."

Logan nodded as he opened one final cell. Inside, Hoseok and Auroro struggled to stand. Hoseok, bruised but still sharp-eyed, supported Auroro, whose pallid complexion was a stark contrast to her usual sunny aura.

"You came..." Hoseok murmured with a hint of relief, his legs trembling as he tried to stay upright. At this point, seeing Jungkook felt more like a relief than a surprise.

"No time for reunions," Logan said curtly, motioning for them to move. "Can you walk?"

"We don't have a choice," Hoseok replied through gritted teeth. "But we've got a problem."

Logan frowned as he helped them out. He hated that kind of phrase. Jungkook, further away, quickly joined them, cards ready in his hands.

"Where's Taehyung?" Jungkook demanded, his tone urgent.

Hoseok exchanged a hesitant glance with Auroro before answering.

"That's the problem. Taehyung, Namjoon, and Yoongi aren't here. They've been taken to the upper floor. That's where they keep the 'most dangerous' ones."

Jungkook's heart clenched. His jaw tightened as he struggled to maintain his composure.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go," he said sharply.

But Logan hesitated.

"I don't know," he interjected. "Our priority is getting these people out. Most of them are kids. We can't risk putting them in more danger."

Jungkook spun around to face him, his gaze blazing.

"You want us to leave them behind? To abandon them?"

"That's not what I said," Logan replied, his voice lower but just as firm. "But if we go up there and get caught, we lose everyone. We don't have the resources to handle that."

"I don't care!" Jungkook roared. "I'll go alone if I have to. I'm not leaving Taehyung here. Not when he's the only reason I came."

A heavy silence fell over them. Hoseok, visibly uncomfortable, intervened quietly.

"The upper floor is much more secure. The soldiers patrolling there are heavily armed. If you go, it won't just be a rescue mission. They're waiting for you."

That didn't seem to faze the Cajun. He was ready to do whatever it took for Taehyung. He refused to lose him again. Besides, this whole situation frustrated him enough that taking down a few soldiers would do him good. It might even relax him a little.

"Perfect," he said with a bitter smile, gripping his cards tighter. "I'm waiting for them, too."

Logan let out a deep sigh, sensing the young mutant's determination. He knew there was no convincing him otherwise.

"Fine. But if you go, that's your call. I'm getting the others out."

Jungkook nodded, his decision already made. He wasn't going to back down. Realizing they were wasting precious time, Logan turned to the others.