Their Guardian (a story based off of the trilogy theory)

Chapter 4: Shallow Water

In Na hardly got any sleep that night, and as soon as she thought it a respectable time she left her quiet apartment with a new game plan. She was going to visit Jimin first then make the trip across town to the motel Suga was staying at, then V, and J-Hope. The plan was simple, but these boys were proving to be harder to handle than In Na had thought.

It was just before nine when In Na arrived at Jimin's place, and as she approached his door she was worried she was showing up too early. Swallowing her nerves she knocked on the door and waited for an answer.

At first she thought there was nothing but as she stood there she was sure there was the sound of sloshing water. She knocked again, louder this time, maybe he was in the shower.

Still no reply.

Leaning towards the door In Na listened and definitely heard water being splashed about. A fear rose up in the back of her mind as she stood there with a racing heart. She tried the doorknob, but it was locked which only made her even more unnerved.

Reaching into her backpack In Na pulled out two pieces of hooked metal sticks as she murmured, "I hate using these."

Checking that no one was around In Na knelt down in front of the door and set to work picking the lock. In Na wasn't proud of her lock picking skill, but it did come in handy with how often she and Jin locked themselves outside of their apartments. It was also one of the reasons she met Jin in the first place, when she snuck into their hangout in a rundown part of the city years ago.

Now it wasn't all fun and games as In Na fumbled to get the door open to Jimin's place. When she heard the click In Na almost cried out in victory as she shoved the door open. Jumping to her feet she ran inside barely sparing a glance around when there was no water in the main room. She ran to the back of the apartment, towards the sound of running water.

"Jimin!" she called.

Throwing open the bathroom door she found the boy in an overflowing bathtub, fully clothed and slipping below the surface. Panic filled her as she ran across the white tiled room, splashing water everywhere with every step.

"Jimin, no!" she shrieked.

She reached into the tub and pulled his head above the water. She did her best to keep him upright as she fought to turn the faucet off. Once the water stopped flowing In Na began slapping at the unconscious boy's face trying to rouse him.

"Jimin? No, no. You can't do this," she rambled.

She checked to see if he was breathing but there was nothing.

"Wake up! Wake up!" she cried.

The small girl wrapped her arms around the younger boy, dragged him from the tub and laid him on the floor. He was freezing too she noted as she checked for a pulse which, thankfully, was there.

"Jimin please wake up," she said as she slapped at his face again.

In Na was starting to get desperate and was trying to remember how to do CPR, but just as she began leaning over to start Jimin gasped. In Na jumped back startled while Jimin coughed and spat up water.

"Jimin? Oh my, are you awake? Jimin?" she questioned.

As he coughed Jimin sat up and rubbed at his face, brushing his hair out of his eyes.

"Noona?" he said hoarsely.

"Yeah, it's me," she nodded.

"I'm cold," he said.

He sounded like he was just waking up from a nap and couldn't remember where he was.

In Na helped Jimin to his feet and they stumbled their way out of the bathroom and into his bedroom.

"Change first, I'll go make you some tea," she informed.

Like a child Jimin nodded and did as he was told.

When In Na returned he was curled up in bed staring out the window. He was shivering from head-to-toe, In Na could tell from the way the blankets trembled.

"Jimin, tea," she said.

Rolling over he sat up and said, "Thank you noona."

She handed over the mug and watched him carefully take a sip. The drink shook in his hands as he glanced up at In Na, who was fighting the urge to break down again.

"Noona you're soaking wet," he commented.

"That's not important right now. Are you okay?" she said.

"You'll get sick if you stay like that though," he said.

"Don't worry about me. Jimin are you alright?" she said firmly.

"Jin-hyung is gonna be mad when he finds out," he said.

Taking a breath In Na rubbed at her forehead trying to remain calm. Lowering her hand she nodded at Jimin.

"I'll go change in a minute then, but first answer me. Are you okay?" she said.

"I'm just cold," he answered.

"Okay. Stay there and drink your tea. I'll be right back," she nodded.

In Na retrieved her backpack from the hall along with the lock picks she had dropped upon her break in. As she reentered the apartment In Na was thankful for how prepared she had packed, yet at the same time she wished she didn't have to be. Once she was changed she returned to Jimin's room where he was staring out the window again.

"Hey," she said softly.

Jimin looked towards her, but said nothing.

"When you're feeling warmer we should head to the hospital," she suggested.

"Why?" he asked.

"Jimin you know why," she stated.

He bit his lower lip as he looked like he was thinking about something. A dark shadow flashed across his face that made In Na nervous about how difficult getting him to the hospital was going to be. Maybe calling for an ambulance would be easier.

"Understood noona," he finally said.

Releasing the breath she didn't realize she was holding In Na said, "Let me know when you're up to walking, until then I'll clean up the bathroom."

"I'm sorry," he nearly whispered.

In Na's heart throbbed for the boy. He looked defeated as he gazed back out the window. It was like looking at a broken child who had no place left to go, and all In Na wanted to do was comfort him but she didn't know how to. She was barely keeping herself together how was she suppose to help all the boys? Jin was asking for a miracle out of her.

"No I'm sorry," In Na said. "I should have visited sooner. I'm sorry."

"Was it really noona's fault?" he suddenly inquired.

In Na's breath hitched as she stared at the boy who couldn't tear his gaze from the bright outside world.

Lowering her head she replied, "It was. I know."

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