Chapter 3 - A Sticky Situation

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When Namjoon finally woke up, the two boys sat together, bodies close, huddling like two penguins in the arctic.

On days like this, it would have been impossible for Tae to go to work. If he was exposed to the cold for too long, he would get sick, so Namjoon stayed at the den to keep him company. The only time he left was to get food.

"Tae, I'm going to go and get something from the market to eat, okay?" The older man asked. "I shouldn't be longer than an hour. Huddle behind the wall and cover yourself in newspaper. Stay warm."

Taehyung nodded and wrapped himself up as instructed as Namjoon left.

Something had been eating away at him the whole night - and it hadn't been the cold.

Something was telling him to go the park again... Ordering him...

When he was sure that Namjoon was gone, he stood up, brushing the papers off himself and picking up his old, torn hoodie. Even though it was tattered, it would still be warmer if he put it on over his jumper.

He crept out of the den, tip-toeing towards the park.

When he got there, he ran to the bin, pulling out the newspaper that lay inside it, neatly folded like before.

Sure enough, the date was wrong, but this time, it was two days ahead.

Today was the 31st of December, and printed at the top in black ink, was 2nd January!

He looked down at the front page and tilted his head, reading it aloud to himself.

"Guilty until proven innocent - Young pickpocket caught at last." He murmured. On the front, there was a young boy - about 14 years old - being gripped by a man in his 30s. He read on: "Homeless boy, Jeon Jungkook, was arrested around midday in Ilsan park on New year's day. He was caught stealing wallets from innocent passers by, and when questioned, he said he was "simply trying to survive". Police are charging him today for theft and public crime.

 Police are charging him today for theft and public crime

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Tae folded up the paper and sighed. He had made up his mind.

If this happened on new year's day, the newspapers were real. If it didn't happen, the papers were fake, and this "Seokjin" was very suspicious indeed.

He folded the paper under his arm and began to walk home, shivering with every step.

However, when he arrived at the den, Namjoon was already there, looking furious.

"Where have you been?" He asked quietly, anger lining his tone. "Did you go to work? You could have gotten sick! Or died! What would I do then Taehyung?!"

Tae recoiled, scampering into the corner and burying himself under newspaper.

"I didn't work, Hyungnim..." He squeaked. "I went for a walk! Honest I did!"

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