Beneath the City ✔️

Morning

I shifted slightly beneath the scratchy blankets, and let my eyes adjust to the early morning light. On the mattress opposite mine, I could make out the shape of two people; probably Namjoon and Jin. I pushed myself to a seated position, then turned round, and saw Jimin, slumped across the table. I breathed a sigh of relief, I was worried he wouldn't be coming home. He must've been exhausted, he hadn't even taken off his rucksack yet.

I walked past Jimin, and around the creaky floorboards, stretching the stiffness from my limbs as I went. I opened the fridge, and scanned the empty shelf, taking a mental note to get more food. I pulled the last two pots of instant noodles from the cupboard. As i put the kettle on to boil, I heard someone stir behind me.

'Morning Jin' I said.

'Morning Y/n' he replied, walking over 'why noodles?' He asked.

'It's all that's left' I said. He tapped twice on the kettle, and steam began to billow out. I walked over to Where Namjoon lay, and began to wake him up, but he rolled over, mumbling something about jam. I swallowed. None of us had had jam in months, and todays meagre breakfast was barely enough for two, let alone four. A smile flickered across my face, as I considered letting him sleep through breakfast, but that'd be cruel. I wrenched the blanket from his grip then walked back towards Jimin, ignoring his protests.

I pushed a lock of his soft blonde hair from his face.

'Jiminie' I murmured shaking his shoulders gently, 'it's time to get up'. His eyelids flickered open. Jin walked over with the noodles.

'This is all we've got today, so no complaints' he stated. A collective groan rose from the three of us. Then my stomach joined in. Jimin and Jin tried to smother their laughter, while Namjoon began to howl with laughter. I flushed a shade of crimson , and Jimin and Jin gave in and began to laugh too.

'Looks like we need more food' said Namjoon between bouts of laughter.

After everyone had caught their breath, we began to eat, sharing a pot between two, myself with Jimin. We finished within two minutes. It was somewhat bland, but sauce was expensive, and even salt had been difficult to get hold of recently. Suddenly Jimin reached forward, and put his hand up to my face.

'Y/n, you've got some on your face' he said, wiping at the corner of my mouth.

'Thank you' I mumbled, trying hard not to turn red for the second time today.

Then Namjoon spoke up. 'Why were you back so late last night, Jimin?' he asked.

'I was being followed' he responded in a low voice. We all looked up. Jin opened his mouth to speak, but Jimin continued. 'It wasn't  the Night-guards either' I turned to face Namjoon, but he looked equally confused.

'Then who?' I questioned. We've been careful to keep a low profile recently, so nobody should be following him.

'I don't know, but he was tricky to lose, good in the Dome, which was busy, but I don't think he knew the area, I lost him in the Spiderweb.' I nodded. Losing him in the network of alleys and tunnels was a smart move.

'You weren't close by were you?' Namjoon asked.

'Not too far,' Jimin said 'but we should be careful.' Everyone nodded. We were all thinking the same thing. We needed jobs for food, careful wasn't a simple option.

'I'll head up alone then' They all turned to stare at me. 'It makes sense,' I proceeded, 'whoever it is knows what Jimin looks like, Joonie, your magic is too unstable, and Jin, everyone knows you, you're too friendly.' They weren't happy but after some deliberation, they agreed to let me go, on the condition I didn't go to the surface level, and got home before 4 in the afternoon.

I picked up my rucksack, with some basic potions I could sell, and emergency supplies, like bandages, and clotting tinctures. I pushed the trapdoor and it groaned open up onto the street. Just before I climbed the rickety ladder up, I felt a hand close around my wrist. I turned around, to see Jimin.

'Get back in one piece.'

Then he let go.