THE DARKEST HOPE

Chapter 42 Meeting Old Friends

Chapter 42

Meeting Old Friends

When Jungkook and Taehyung stepped out of the Kim Residence they walked into the clearest most transparent winter morning. The freezing air pinched painfully inside their nostrils as they hurriedly marched towards the outer door onto the crispy snow. The two walked in silence as pure determination was written on their faces. There wasn't anything more to say at this point, the cards were dealt. All that was left for them was to go through with what they'd already decided.

As they walked, Tae threw a quick glimpse towards Jungkook. The boy had himself wrapped tightly in the thick leather jacket that Tae gave him, the hood pulled low over his head. Jungkook's expression was serious and focused blankly at the tops of his shoes. But then he lifted his head and their eyes met. A small ghostly smile ran across Jungkook's face and Tae's heart jumped with excitement as he smiled briefly back.

What he planned to do, go out there and risk it all, his life his future, for something he believed in... He wasn't that certain that he could do it alone. Probably he was going to be weak of fearful, pathetic like most... But with Jungkookie next to him he felt determined, brave, invincible even. It all seemed easier and better when he was around. Like they had a real chance... A chance to survive, win the battle, change the world even... Tae shook his head and smiled bitterly, that was exactly the type of reasoning his father would call dumb bullshit.

He didn't tell his father that he was leaving. Why engage in another useless argument. Somebody was going to tell him anyway, after the fact. Tae's heart clenched at the thought. His father was old and his health wasn't that good. News like that... Tae sighed deeply, the load of uneasiness piling up on his shoulders. That had to be done. He would deal with the consequences later... If he lived long enough to face later...

The two men stepped outside the entrance gate just to bump into Max, the driver, comfortably leaning on the hood of the family car.

"Whatever you say, I'm not changing my mind!" Tae said quickly when he saw the man starting to open his mouth. "I've made my decision, so don't try to stop me."

"Well, Tae, I wasn't going to do anything like that. I've had it with trying to talk you out of stupidity." Max answered casually and laughed under his nose. "In fact, starting today, I've decided to quit my job..."

"What?" Taehyung was in shock. Max had been working for them for so many years, he practically thought that he was going to stay with them forever.

"Surprised you, huh?" Max grinned wider and opened the car door. "Come on. Boys, hop in."

Jungkook and Tae looked puzzled, eyes wide with surprise.

"Stop staring..." Max couldn't hold back his laughter. "I'm joining the defense of the outer part of town. Like you... I heard what you said last night and I think that you are right! So I am, coming with you... It's not only me also... Many are leaving the rich neighborhood since early in the morning. The guards tried to stop the first but changed their minds. You see, their orders were to prevent men from entering the perimeter and not going out, so there was no problem at the end."

"What...?" If Tae's eyes could widen more they did.

"Many people were affected by your words and they decided to act... Come, get in the car, or did you change your mind after that passionate speech last night?"

"No.. no..." Tae was struggling to recover his vocabulary. "We are coming..."

"Where to?" Max asked when all three of them were seated inside the car.