Intertwined: Two fates | Book:-1 | Jikook | ✔

86 - When that time comes.

"Ruan!" Jungkook choked out in anger, hating that iron could not become steel.

Just what had Shadow's Boss fed him to make him so obedient like this? Or had he actually been brainwashed?!

Jungkook looked into those eyes that seemed to be dead inside, and his heart broke into pieces when he recalled the teenager that was brimming with hope and vitality.

"Ruan... please. Don't be like this, okay?" Jungkook begged. He tried to say something - anything. As long as Ruan stopped looking at him with such blank eyes, as long as he could see a glimpse of the old Ruan again. "No matter what has happened, Teacher will always be with you, so... you don't need to do something like this. You are not supposed to be here, together with that kind of person!"

Jungkook was trying to convince Ruan not to go down the path of no return. He was certain that Ruan did not want to do this either. He had seen the longing in Ruan's eyes when he looked at the youthful university students and knew that it could not be faked. He did not want the child to be dragged into the muddy waters.

The teenager still had a long and bright future ahead of him, and he should not ruin it just because of whatever Ha-Eun said or did to him!

Alas, who could have guessed that Ruan's expression would become even colder once he heard Jungkook's words?

"That kind of person'?" He echoed, his voice light and shaky. "Teacher, what kind of person are you talking about...?"

Jungkook was startled. He could sense that the teenager was not asking about Ha-Eun's identity as the mafia boss or how being involved with Ha-Eun meant that he would be dragged to the dark and dangerous underworld as well, but before he could think of what to say, a powerful roar suddenly reverberated from within the container and a large shadow lunged out at a breakneck speed.

"Watch out!!" A powerful force tackled Jungkook from the side, barely avoiding the huge motorcycle that was heading for him. His back crashed to the solid cement floor and the sudden movement caused intense dizziness to shoot up his head, the gun slipping away from his hand. He almost failed to discern that it was Jimin who had saved his life.

KJ braked sharply in front of him with the unconscious Jackson tied behind his back. He looked down at Jungkook from above with a taunting smirk, then deliberately spurred the accelerator harder so that the engine roared akin to an awakened beast, black smoke fuming out of the exhaust.

"The spectator has decided to get off the stage," he gave a playful salute to Jungkook, threw his head back and laughed merrily. "See you, Phantom! I hope you enjoy my gift! Of course..." a dangerous glint flashed through his bottomless eyes. "...if you manage to survive until then."

He shot Jungkook one last grin before releasing his feet off the ground. In a blink of an eye, the motorcycle zoomed a few meters away, leaving behind a storm of black smoke on its wake.

Jungkook's pupils dilated sharply and without even thinking, he grabbed Jimin beside him, frantic. "Jimin!"

Jimin immediately knew what Jungkook wanted him to do. He pressed his lips together and shook his head, "No, I can't leave you—"

"Please... I beg you!" Jungkook sought his eyes, almost frenzied as he pleaded for Jimin to give chase. "If we let them go, then we... we won't be able to track them down anytime soon! Jimin, you are a police officer! He is the citizen you ought to save!"

For one long moment that seemed to stretch into forever, Jimin stared at him with his intense gaze. He was really reluctant to leave Jungkook's side, but he knew that what Jungkook said was true. KJ had obviously come prepared. If they let him go just like this, then who knew when they would be able to find him again? By then, finding Jackson would also be an impossible task.