The Other Side ❦ Jungkook

3 | Downward Spiral

For the last two weeks, Jungkook had stayed by her bedside, holding her hand and praying for her to wake up. The doctors had assured him that her injuries weren't as fatal as they looked, and that she needed time to heal. They also told him that she would wake up in her own time.

Was he supposed to feel relieved? Happy? He was the one who was steering the motorbike; he was the one who didn't pay attention to his surroundings. His carelessness had caused Sunhee's injuries. Even though it was the driver of the car who put Sunhee in hospital, Jungkook still had guilt that weighed on him like a ton of bricks.

Another thing that bothered him was the 'person' flickering in his peripheral vision. 

At first he acknowledged them as something he had conjured up to deal with the negative emotions he was feeling. But then as the days went on, the things the person were saying and their actions were so much like Sunhee's, that slowly he was becoming convinced that maybe that the person was actually real.

Then again, how could Sunhee be in two places at once? Was she having an out-of-body experience? Or did it mean that her soul was close to moving on, and she was here to say her final goodbyes. He wanted to find out so badly, but his mind was too frazzled, and he couldn't help but to lash out at the Astral Sunhee.

Deep down he knew that she was being her usual caring self by making sure he ate well and rested. He just as much didn't want to waste away in this hospital room waiting for Sunhee to show any signs of waking up. Despite that, he had no idea how to snap out of it, and he just wanted someone to help him. Who could be the one to help him?

☽

Jungkook must've fallen asleep because the next thing he knew he was opening his eyes to see his group members surrounding him and Sunhee.

"What are you guys doing here?" his voice had come out hoarse after not using it for a while.

He hadn't spoken to anyone since he shouted at Astral Sunhee that day. His members tried to come by the hospital when they had the time and had tried to get Jungkook to open up several times, only to fail. They wanted their old Kookie back and to see one of his famous bunny smiles, yet all they got was scowls and grunts.

"Kooks, come back to the dorm and rest," Namjoon placed a comforting hand on the youngest member's shoulder and pleaded with him. "It wouldn't do any good you getting sick and I'm sure Sunhee would want you to take care of yourself. You need to eat and sleep, you can't stay here like this."

"Yeah, he's right Kookie," Jin agreed with their leader, and he patted Jungkook on the back.

"Please come back." V pouted and side-hugged his friend.

"Jungkookie, if you won't listen to me at least listen to them. They know what's best for you and will take care of you." The Astral Sunhee appeared before him again and sank to her knees. She held her hands together in front of her practically begging him. "I promise I won't go anywhere. I'll still be right here when you come back. You need rest and to eat a proper meal."

"Stop talking!" he yelled. All the members took a step back and their jaws dropped. They had never heard him shout like that, or seen him so angry.

Although the one who was most shocked was Sunhee.

Sure they've had arguments before, but he had never shouted at her like that. Fresh tears welled up in her eyes and for a moment she saw Jungkook's expression change into one of regret. He abruptly stood up from the greying armchair, knocking it over and then he fled the room. His friends called after him and then chased him, only to lose sight of him when they made it to the hospital doors.

From the window of her hospital room, Sunhee peered down and watched as he ran away from the hospital. What was she going to do? Can she even leave the room?

She went to the door and was relieved to see that in their haste the members had left the door open. Sighing happily she skipped out of the room and made her way down the corridor. 

Soon she made it to the hospital doors and waited for someone to open them so she could leave. 

It didn't take long before someone entered and she could slip by. Then she started her search for Jungkook.

☽

As she searched her mind wandered back to the pictures she had seen back in that white room.

Everything had always been simple for the pair of them and they were happy. Now they were anything but; Jungkook taking the full brunt of it all. She had to wake up, she just had to. What if she never does? After she woke up, what if she forgot everything?

She was so scared and wanted this all to end. And for them to go back to how things were.

For a while the questions roamed around her mind, almost making her dizzy, and wouldn't let up until she came to a stop at a familiar part of town. Her and Jungkook had passed through the place several times to get to her house. It was as dark, damp and muggy as she remembered it.

Although, she wasn't sure why her feet had led her here and then she felt something twinge within her. Maybe it was instinctual, but she could sense that Jungkook was close by. How she was doing this made little sense to her, but she went along with it, anyway.

She followed her senses and came to a stop at an alleyway, sounds of heavy breathing greeting her as she entered it.

"Kookie, are you here?" she tentatively asked and gasped when she caught sight of him.

She immediately went over to him and knelt down in front of him. And she cursed whoever made it so that she couldn't touch him through the barrier. "What happened? Who did this to you?"

Jungkook laid his head back on the metal shutters behind him, wincing in pain at the slight movement. His lip was bleeding and the red liquid made a trail down past his jawline, dripping onto his shirt. A bruise was already forming on his cheek.

He let out a shaky laugh and smirked at the Astral Sunhee.

"It's none of your business. You're not really here anyway, right? So what's it matter? I caused this... All of this. I'm just getting what I deserve. This is my punishment." He laughed again and ran a hand through his hair. "Please go, Sunhee. I can't see you right now. You can't see me right now, not like this. It hurts too much." He clutched at his heart and lowered his head, avoiding her gaze.

"But..."

"I said go! I don't want you here!" He failed to keep his emotions in check and lashed out at her, once again.

"I'm sorry." he whispered as he watched her disappear.