... And Other Ships

TaeJin: Pet Cemetery

no pets or members were harmed in the writing of this story

It starts as every other story like this starts; the stereotypical truck rumbling down the country road, going a good thirty miles above the speed limit. The engine roars as the young man driving it screams along to the rock music blasting from the radio, vibrating the entire truck with its intense bass and drums. Of course he isn't paying attention - no one lives on this road, save the young man who rarely ever goes into town. He roars past the cute two-story home for sale, its new inhabitants not having arrived quite yet, and continues down the road.

A car - a large Ford F-150, to be exact - pulls into the gravel drive of that two-story house some hours later. The engine is cut and two men get out, followed by a white Great Pyrenees puppy, and stand in the front yard to gaze at their new home. "Oh, Taehyungie!" the one with the wide shoulders - Kim Seokjin - says excitedly, turning to his boyfriend with a gigantic smile on his face. "We're finally home! I'm so excited!"

Taehyung smiles and hugs his older boyfriend tight, kissing his cheek. "I am, too. This will be good for us," he agrees, earning a hum. "And the firm can use your expertise, Tae." The younger man hums and pulls a key from his pocket. "Go start bringing everything in," he says, eyeing the puppy in his peripherals, "Snowball is about to wander." They part ways and Taehyung rushes to the edge of the street, scooping his beloved puppy from the road as a car speeds by.

"I'd keep that doggo on a leash, if I were you."

Taehyung looks up and across the street, eyes landing on the young man standing there at his mailbox. He has orange hair and a long face, clad in a long white shirt and black ripped jeans. He smiles a sad, heart-shaped smile at his new neighbor. "I lost my cat a few years ago. She got hit on this road. I buried her in the Pet Cemetery."

He nods to the trail a good hundred yards from Taehyung's house, disappearing off into the evergreens. "I could take you there tomorrow, if you wish. I'm Hoseok, by the way. Jung Hoseok." The other man nods, wiggling dog in his arms. "Kim Taehyung. I moved here with my boyfriend, Seokjin," he explains, earning a hum of acknowledgement. "Well, if you need anything, I'll be here. Nice meeting you," Hoseok replies, then moves back to his house.

-------

Jin awakens with a start, opening his eyes. It's the middle of the night; Taehyung was sound asleep next to him, Snowball asleep on the floor. He rubs his eyes, screaming at what he sees looming over him.

It's a boy no older than eighteen. His hair is slightly matted down in places, skin translucent and stiff. There's a deep cut across his throat, open and oozing blood down his white clothes. His once-brown eyes are now grey with death, his thick lips blue-black. His small fingers clutch at his shirt as he slowly parts his lips to speak.

"Come. I need to show you something."

In life, his voice was probably high and melodic. Now, it's scratchy and monotonous, sending a shiver up Jin's spine. He blinks, and the boy is gone.

"That was strange," he whispers as he lays back down, this time facing Taehyung's back.

"Don't make me tell you again, Kim Seokjin! Get up and follow me!"

The voice is filled with a fiery rage as the covers are yanked off of him abruptly.

"I will drag you out of my house myself! Be grateful I'm letting you stay!"

And then Jin is throwing on a jacket and shoes and rushing out of the house. The boy is standing in the front yard, arms crossed over his chest. "You're horrible at listening," he gripes, rolling his sunken eyes. "W-who are y-you?" Jin asks nervously, wringing his hands. "Park Jimin. I was murdered years ago in this house. Enough questions and follow me," comes the haughty reply as the boy makes his way towards the trail, Jin following soon after.