WINGS || Taehyung

#32.5 - Lurking Danger

Hoseok and Hijin appeared in a dust covered kitchen. Running through the door that was situated at the extreme end of the kitchen, they trudged down the steps of the basement and ran across it before climbing the snow and soil infused slope that led into a dense forest. Hoseok didn't bother waiting for the Banished male as he charged straight into the forest. Even if he could use his wings, he'd decided not to. And he prayed Hijin wouldn't question him.

You and the boys who were now scattered in small groups, were still running ad hiding occasionally away from three men that were following you.

'They're the Keepers.' Taehyung groaned as he leaned against the bark of the tree, both of you panting as you'd just run further away from one of them. You hoped that in the course of this escapade, you hadn't lost the track through which you were supposed to reach the safehouse. And that Namjoon and Yongi were somewhere close behind. Jin and Jimin stood behind another tree while Jungkook was with you and Taehyung.

'What?' Jungkook turned to Taehyung with an incredibly pissed look, 'What is that even supposed to mean?' You shook your head as you put a hand on Jungkook's shoulder, silently meaning you would explain everything when there was actually a time to speak.

'We need to keep moving, it's impossible to hide from these things.' You said, as you heard another rustling of dry leaves and snow somewhere close by. You held Taehyung's wrist and signaled to Jin and Jimin who were still craning their necks to see if anybody had followed them.

You swiftly navigated around the roots of the trees and the stray sticks and dry leaves lying around, so as to not make any noise. With Jungkook and Taehyung by your side and Jin and Jimin behind you, you ran towards a light which began to shine through a dense cluster of leaves. You sighed a shaky and heavy breath. A feeling of relief washed over your system. And it made you want to sit down and cry and cry and cry.

'Over there!' You pointed at the light and everybody began running faster. Just when you'd began thinking you'd all be able to make it, you felt a gust of wind and within seconds your eyes caught the sight of two people landing in front of you and the rest of the others. You'd thought too soon.

'Going somewhere?' One of them with silver hair asked, while the other smirked at you all.

Taehyung could literally hear all of your hearts beating at a rate where he thought it might not even be audible. He squeezed your hand slightly and pushed you behind him.

'Let's just keep it within those who have similar traits as you.' Taehyung growled softly and they chuckled triumphantly when one of them commented on how Hijin had taken his wing.

'You're right. Let us.' The black haired guy beside the other, snarled. He folded his wings in (because he's an idiot and stupidly assumed Taehyung was technically unskilled without his wings but, oh, was he wrong) and immediately lunged for Taehyung, making you scream in reflex.

Taehyung was fast, and jumped away from his grip before turning around swiftly and grabbing his neck and twisting it, producing a sickening crack. He let the guy's body fall limply on to the forest floor before turning around to face the blonde haired fellow.

He screamed an unpleasant profanity and stretched his hands to strangle Taehyung but Taehyung reacted quickly and grabbed both his hands in his grip before turning to you and the boys, the Keeper's hands turning veiny and purple at Taehyung's iron grip.

'You might want to look away.' He told all of you, and you felt Jungkook hold your head and pull you into his chest before he rested his cheek on you looking the other way while in covered Jimin's eyes and did the same right in time. You heard another two cracks sounding that chorused and heard the falling of two things before another loud thud.

'Let's go.' You heard Taehyung say and you cautiously opened your eyes as your head moved away from your brother's chest. They widened as you noticed two severed hands lying on the floor away from the body. Your own body bent over in reflex as your throat convulsed. You heaved twice before Jungkook pulled you up, 'Y/N!' and helped you walk away, your leg too wobbly to support your body weight.

You kept running, the sight of the severed hands still fresh in your mind. Finally, when you were still occupied with trying to get rid of the image out of your mind, the house came into sight.

'Look! It's the safehouse!' Jimin pointed to it. In another meter, you reached the house.

All of you stopped right outside the gate, all heads tilted to look at the condo that looked like it was just built. All of you looked at each other, not sure if you had to just walk in or perhaps do some procedure none of you were aware of.

'Do we just walk in?' Jin asked, as he spared a glance behind him.
You shook your head, 'I- I don't know...' You wished Namjoon and Yoongi would just appear miraculously but you knew something must have happened since Namjoon hadn't come in the time limit he said it was supposed to take. When he hadn't come, you guys lost another five minutes in an attempt to get Jin to leave from that point, as he insisted on waiting for Namjoon.

'Didn't he say that there was a Barrier?' Taehyung asked and you nodded.

'Usually, these Barriers are designed to keep people like me and other problematic people out.' He said and you felt your heart hit the floor.

'Are you- are you saying that you can't get in?' You almost raised your voice as your eyes widened.

'Not necessarily. I can get in if a human manages to get through. It's more like a permission-' He stopped his sentence abruptly that scared you.

Your hand flew to his, 'What?' You whispered and he brought a slender finger to his lips, as he motioned to all of you to stay shushed. All of you literally stopped breathing as you watched him strain his ears.

'No! It can't be!' He whispered sharply as he looked towards the forest with scared eyes. He looked at you with the same look and you felt like dropping dead than face that look, 'What did you hear?' Your voice came out severely shaky as you whispered to him.

'Chains.' Was all he said. You instantly understood what he meant. Even if you tried, you would yourself never be able to forget what the sound of chains meant.

You turned to Jungkook, who had a look which conveyed nothing at all but confusion and fear.

'You need to go in, try opening the gate.' You ushered him. He turned around hesitantly while you and Taehyung kept a watch, as Jungkook felt the gate. He reached for the lock and pulled it open. He gave the gate a light push and it creaked open. Jungkook took cautious steps and walked in until the steps of the condo.

He turned around and gave a thumbs up, telling you all was well. You pushed Jimin slightly at the small of his back and he too walked in. Once he was in, you made Jin walk in.

When it was your turn, you took Taehyung's hand and while you crossed through the gate, your grip on his hand tightened. You didn't dare let his hand go until you reached the steps. You looked behind you and saw he was still in one piece and smiling at you. You let out a huff of breath which flowed in the air as stray vapor in relief.

'The gate,' You remembered before running to it and closing it, pulling the lock back in place and latching it. You walked back to the others who were standing in front of the door.

'Is there any kind of key we need?' Jin asked and you shrugged your shoulders. You touched the knob of the door and felt it for a while before gripping it and turning it.

The door swung open and the lights switched on automatically inside the house. If it weren't for the danger that was still lurking around, all of you would've definitely stopped to stare at the condo's magnificent architecture. Taehyung shut the door and pressed an ear against the wood.

'Are we safe?' Jimin asked, turning to Taehyung. He stared at Jimin for a while before he stepped away from the door as he heard footsteps accompanied by another chorused with clanking of chains.

'I wouldn't say that.'