Blood Bank

A w a k e n i n g - 9

Aera watched her reflection ripple with every step she took. Namjoon walked lazily by her side. It was a Saturday and Aera had a couple of club activities. Namjoon decided to wait for her to finish up and drop her home to ensure her safety. Clingy as it may sound, he wanted to keep his promise to her father and to himself.

"I should have painted the puddles in my painting." Aera mumbled. She kicked the puddle, frustrated. She felt a pat on her head and looked up.

"I'll be home late tonight so don't wait up okay?" Namjoon said. "There was another report from a witness."

"You're really invested in this case." Aera commented.

"You seem a little upset. Miss me taking care of you?" Namjoon joked. Aera rolled her eyes as the latter began to chuckle.

"It's a little more peaceful now that less things are breaking." Aera teased. She grinned and picked up her pace, leaving a glaring Namjoon behind. She walked up to the front door and waited for her best friend.

"It's not my fault I keep breaking things! I-I don't even know why it's like that." Namjoon pouted. He fished the key out of his pocket and gave it to Aera.

"You looked like a sad puppy for a moment." Aera teased. She tiptoed to pinch Namjoon's cheeks.

"Enough my cheeks might stretch." Namjoon said. "I'll have Hoseok come check on you as always okay? And when something goes wrong—"

"Call you when Hoseok can't handle it?" Aera continued. She had been hearing this line often it wasn't hard to memorize. "I have you on speed dial don't worry. Take care!" The girl turned and unlocked the door.

"Doll Face I..." Namjoon's stern voice alarmed her. She turned around, hand still on the knob. Namjoon stayed silent as he stared at her. He let out a sigh before turning. "I'll see you later."

With that, he disappeared down the street.

Aera shrugged it off and walked in. Her eyes grew wide at the site of her home.

The couch had been flipped over all the way towards the dining table. The carpet hung on the staircase railing. There were wet footprints everywhere. What alarmed the girl was the burning smell.

She carefully maneuvered herself towards the kitchen. She slammed the door open to what she thought were the remnants of a tornado.

The stovetop had some unidentified burned thing stuck to it, the cabinets were open with some of the contents spilled everywhere, the floor was wet, and plates decorated the floor. In the middle of this stood the mysterious boy.

"I-I can explain." He stuttered out. He got to his feet, slightly stumbling at the slippery floor.

"What did you do to my house?" Aera asked.

"I-I tried to—" A loud grumbling was heard, and the boy sheepishly looked away. "I'm sorry."

"You tried to cook?" Aera asked. He nodded and the girl couldn't help but sigh. Well, there was no way she could cook with the kitchen in this state. "Take a seat, I'll order some food."

The boy complied and silently took a seat. Aera ordered some pizza before beginning to clean up the kitchen at the least.

"I've been waiting for you to wake up." Aera started. "Mind telling me who you are? I'm Kim Aera."

"My name is Jungkook." He answered. "I... don't remember anything up until you woke me up. I didn't know where I was or what was happening."

"Woke you up?" Aera questioned. She struggled to carry a pail of water, but Jungkook immediately came to her aid.