Because of you

17.

Jinyoung

Time without Jackson was pure torture, it felt like the time we broke up, only worse. The hours passed so slowly, all of us simply waiting around helpless.

There was no news at all after the police raided and searched the girl's address, only to find it empty.

They found the car that the girls used to take Jackson, lying abandoned at her address too. The search for him became more urgent, the news spreading like wildfire, even worldwide, as the backseat of the car was stained with blood. We all feared the thought of him injured and bleeding out.

They tried searching the area and anything about the girl, coming up empty. Pictures of her face were everywhere, asking for information about her and wanted posters. No one came up with any information, it seemed like she disappeared into thin air, taking Jackson away with her.

My eye bags were dark, waking with a start each time I fell asleep. My sleep was plagued with the same nightmare, of Jackson getting dragged away while I chased after him.

I couldn't catch up to him no matter how quickly I ran, watching helplessly as he moved further and further away from me.

I would stretch my hands out, wanting him to grab it, his outstretched hands so close and yet so far. The distance between us becoming bigger and bigger till the darkness consumed him, Jini's face replacing the scene and smirking down at me.

It seemed like I had ran out of tears, reassuring everyone who called, everyone he knew, letting them know that we would inform them when we got news. I spent most of my time talking to his parents, convincing them and myself that he's okay, he's strong, that we would find him.

It was difficult, reassuring his parents when there was no clues at all, nothing that may lead us to him. There were articles everywhere, everyone spreading the news and yet there was nothing. How do I even begin to look for him?

The members took turns to watch me, wary about the way I was reacting. Everything just felt so surreal, we had only just gotten back together.

I even started questioning my own sanity, the days we spent together feeling more like a dream I made up.

I didn't want the others to worry about me and kept my strong front. The only crack in my armour being Jackson's jacket that I held onto the entire time. I hugged his jacket close to me whenever I felt weak, his smell being the only thing that kept me somewhat sane, sealing me up again.

~

"Kids. The cops called" our manager shouted from the living room. I dashed out of my room, not believing my ears, my eyes wide as I stared at him.

"Let's go" our manager beckoned. I threw on my jacket, my hands still wrapped in Jackson's jacket.

He might be cold, he might need it. I thought, dashing out after him. The members hurried out after us, all of us piling into the van before our manager spoke up.

"The cops received a call from someone. The person said that they had a crazy friend who took him. The cops have sent us the address and I told them that we'll meet them there" our manager explained while driving.

"Is he... okay?" I asked, my hands fisting his jacket sleeves.

"I don't know yet... they were trying to infiltrate the place. Please boys. Be careful and be prepared" our manager sighs.

The members glanced at each other before looking at me. All of us too afraid to ask what we should be prepared for. He's strong. I know he is.