This time In Na was ready for the crash, she saw the water fill the car, hear the dazed Jin try to get free. Her seatbelt was jammed trapping her to her seat as the car sank further and further into the river, while Jin managed to get free.
In Na choked on the water surrounding them as she pushed Jin's hands away from her seatbelt. That had been why he died in the first place. He spent too much time trying to get In Na free, and when he finally yanked the seatbelt apart he had run out of air and could only get In Na out of the car for the rescue crew to get her. Not this time, she was going to save Jin.
He looked at her as she pushed him towards his door, his window open giving him an easy escape. In Na had never seen Jin so scared before, it shook her heart, but she was ready to suffer the worse to succeed.
Jin reached for her belt again, but she stopped him and shook her head. Her hair swirled around her face as she mouthed the word, "Go," to him.
After several more attempts Jin finally left the car and In Na felt her heart slow with closure. Things had gone fuzzy while her limbs felt heavy and didn't want to move anymore. As she allowed herself to sink into her fate there was a knock on her window and an anxious Jin swimming outside.
Then In Na gasped for air and found herself lying in the irritatingly familiar white cube.
"Why am I here?" she demanded.
"Because you failed," the black hooded figure answered calmly.
"How?" In Na questioned as she got to her feet. She was completely dry despite the river she had just died in.
"Turns out he couldn't live without you. A week after your funeral he walked off a building," they explained.
"No Oppa," she breathed.
"What's next?" they inquired.
In Na thought for a while, running cause-and-effects in her mind until she had an answer.
"There won't be an accident," she stated.
"Oh, how are you going to make that not happen?" they challenged.
"I won't say yes. I-I won't date Jin," she replied.
"Good luck with that," they clapped.
In Na blinked and found herself at the hangout, a magazine in her lap and the echo of a soccer game happening somewhere behind her. It had been a while since In Na thought about that day, but it was exactly how she remembered it. Same worn jeans, same gray boots, same favorite blue heart sweater, same fun group of guys goofing around.
Setting the magazine aside In Na stood to leave. Back then she always felt like an intruder when the others were around at the hangout, at least at night she could pretend the place was hers. She was halfway to the door when someone called to her.
"Where are you going noona?" Jimin asked.
"Air," she lied just like back then.
Turning around she caught sight of J-Hope and Rap Monster shoving Jin in her direction as all the guys exchanged mischievous looks.
Flustered, Jin said, "I'll go too."
"You're in the middle of a game," In Na commented.
"I need a break," he said.
"But the teams," she pointed out.
"Suga sub in for me," Jin said.
"Huh? Me? Why? No," the boy complained.
Jungkook elbowed him and whispered something In Na never heard.
Groaning Suga said, "Fine."
Grinning at his friends Jin jogged the distance to where In Na patiently waited. Once they were together they left the hangout for a walk that was mostly made in silence. It was only a few weeks until graduation then Jin would go off to University, that stress, he had admitted once, was why he confessed so suddenly. Now as In Na was back in that moment, this time prepared for his words, she felt more sick to her stomach than when she accepted four years ago.
They were making their way over a small bridge when Jin stopped. In Na took a few extra steps before stopping too and turning to face him.
"Something wrong?" she asked.
"In Na-ya," he said with a red face.
Her heart picked up with the atmosphere despite knowing how it was going to end.
Swallowing nervously Jin continued, "In Na-ya I like you."
"Oh," she couldn't stop the same surprise from escaping her like the first time.
"Will you go out with me? I will give you my heart and a place to belong. You don't have to hide outside anymore," he declared.
The sincerity was clear, still, on his face as he waited for her answer. Every part of In Na wanted to say yes, it was like her pulse was chanting it.
Bowing her head she replied, "I can't accept your feelings. I'm sorry."
Jin stood frozen.
"I'm really sorry. I'll continue on by myself," she said.
With an aching heart In Na turned away from Jin and hurried off. She walked for a while, putting as much distance between her and him, until she stepped into the white room.
"What?" she questioned startled.
The hooded figure was sitting in the center of the room this time. "He didn't give up. I lost count but after like the tenth confession you caved. Thus you two date and he dies," they said.
"Then I won't accept the key," she stated.
"Already know where to go to next?" they snickered.
"Just do it," she hissed.
"Bye-bye."
They clapped.
•••
YOU ARE READING
Their Guardian (a story based off of the trilogy theory)
Fanfiction"Take care of them," his voice echoed in her mind. In Na sniffled as she wiped at her face. She had to stay strong, and not for herself. If Jungkook, the youngest looked like that, how were the others keeping it together? "Take care of them." •••• ...
