Hostage | 전정국

One

Every shop and person he passed seemed to blend together as he sprinted through the station. Incoherent swears left his mouth between breaths, the backpack slinging from his shoulder seeming to weigh nothing. His eyes, young and sharp, focused on only one thing: the train platform straight ahead. It was so close and he still had three minutes. I can make it.

But he didn't. His ticket was being waved in the air, clutched tightly by his fingers. He could only watch in dismay as the doors closed, the employees going inside just as the head of the locomotive let out a warning siren. It began moving slowly at first, slower than him, which only made him run faster. He had above average physical endurance and to the surprise of many, could do almost anything.

Except make it on the train. The long vehicle began moving at inhuman speeds, zipping out of the station and covering up the strangled noise of despair that he made. He slowed for a minute, only staring at the now black tunnel that gave no insight into the desperately needed train that had left two minutes early.

Beside him in the information booth, an old man cackled. It drew his attention—but just barely. However, the geezer only turned back to the pamphlets in the front. The only thing that made him turn around again was the sound of knees hitting the concrete harshly. He turned to see the young man on the ground with his hands clasped together, eyes wide and pleading.

"Please, sir," he begged. "Is there any way that you can make it come back? Or—or get me on another train to Busan right now? Please. I need to be there in exactly two hours and forty-five minutes!"

The older only stared down at him with disdain, arms crossed over his chest. The old-timer seemed to have no tolerance for groveling, but he was desperate.

"I'll do anything!" he continued, shuffling closer to the man as he heard feet hitting the ground. He ignored it as he knew it was just his friend catching up. "I'll babysit your grandchildren! Or—or collect women's underwear for you! I'll even—" he paused, taking a deep breath. "I'll even buy you some adult diapers. Just please!"

The older scowled, smacking the young man harshly on the head. "Get up, boy!"

"Jungkook," the newcomer panted, doubled over with his hands on his knees. "How can you run so fast?"

Jungkook whimpered at the aggressive blow to his head before rising to his feet. "It's because I have longer legs, hyung," he mumbled.

"Hey!" the older boy shouted fiercely.

The youngest only ignored him and looked at the old man once again. "Is there any way for me to get on another train right now?"

"The next train to Busan leaves in two hours," he responded dryly, stepping all the way into the booth and shutting the half-door. "You may purchase another ticket at the front desk back the way you came."

"But I already have—"

"No refunds or transfers!" he shouted before closing the window.

Jungkook only sighed, eyes drawn to the dip in the concrete that was dark and inviting. For a moment, he seriously considered throwing himself onto the tracks. Lips slightly pouty to compliment his downcast face, he stuffed the old ticket in his pocket and pulled out his phone before tapping sloppily on the screen.

"What are you doing?" the shorter one asked curiously, peeking his head between the younger's phone and neck.

"Calling Haemin." Jungkook pushed him out of the way before pressing the phone to his ear.

He was met with an exasperated voice on the other line. "What is it, Jungkook?"

"Babe!" he beamed. "I'm so glad you answered this time."