Blood Bank

A w a k e n i n g - 14

He remembered the fear that coursed through him as his adrenaline brought him as far as it could. He nearly stumbled from the tree roots peeking out of the dirt but quickly regained his balance.

He can't get caught.

He took a sharp turn at the two way and hid behind a large tree. His clothes at this point were torn and dirty but he didn't care. Once the footsteps were far, he released the breath he was holding.

He noticed the lake in the darkness and approached it. As it was a cloudy night, he couldn't see his reflection all too well. He couldn't help as the tears began to spill.

He lost everything.

It was his fault.

The clouds parted, letting the full moon illuminate his surroundings. He stared at his reflection. He really did look like a monster. A cold breeze blew and behind him a figure appeared.

"I found you."

Jungkook shot up in his seat. His pale skin was covered in a thin layer of sweat as his ears began to ring. He clutched his head in his hand as he tried to control his breathing. It had been the same nightmare with the faceless figure behind him.

"Are you okay?" Aera asked. She approached him with a weak smile on her face. He knew she had been crying by how the tip of her nose turned red.

"Yeah, just a nightmare I couldn't remember." Jungkook answered. He ran a hand through his hair and leaned back in his chair. "Have you eaten?

"Yeah." Aera mumbled. She fiddled with her fingers, a mannerism he observed when she trues to lie.

"Liar, you didn't eat yet." Jungkook scolded. "I know you're sad right now but please don't let it affect your health."

A week had passed ever since Aera had received the package. The girl was still in shock and grief over the incident despite knowing of her parents' demise. Namjoon and Jin were on the hunt on who could have sent that package.

"Here." Jungkook said. Aera snapped out of her thoughts and looked up. Jungkook placed a bowl of ramyeon before her before serving himself. "I still haven't eaten too."

There was silence between the two. Jungkook wasn't used to seeing her like this and wanted her to smile, but he couldn't help but feel guilty.

"I'm sorry." Jungkook apologized. "It's my fault we couldn't save them." Aera looked at him and saw the pout on his face.

"Jungkook, it isn't your fault. They were killed before we met." Aera admitted. "I still remember it clearly."

The two finished up their meal and did the dishes. As they finished up, Aera realized something.

"You're getting better at cooking and doing human things." Aera commended.

"I practice in hopes I can live here again." Jungkook mumbled under his breath. "Aera I know this isn't the time to ask but... are you still willing to give the date a try?" A pink shade swept across his cheeks as he pretended to reach for something in the cabinets.

"Of course I am. This Saturday 10AM." Aera answered. "You need to practice things like that too."

Before Jungkook could say another word, Aera was out of he kitchen. He couldn't comprehend why her voice sounded a bit disappointed. Moments later, Hoseok walked in holding some groceries.

"You ate already? I was just about to cook for dinner." Hoseok asked.

"Yeah, I ate with Aera." Jungkook chirped. Hoseok narrowed his eyes before putting the groceries away.

"Jungkook do you have feelings for Aera?" Hoseok asked. He didn't know whether or not he wanted to hear a yes or no from him. Either way, any of the choices would hurt his best friend.

"How do you know if you have feelings for someone?" Jungkook asked. He had read about it in the books Aera would recommend to him.

"Well, you feel different when you're around her and you can only think about her." Hoseok answered.

"I feel really happy when I'm with her. I just want to keep her in my pocket and make her happy." Jungkook explained. "I want to do anything and everything for her and keep her happy." Hoseok couldn't help but smile at his innocence. How could a Nightwalker, let alone a wanted one, not know so much about the world. "My heart beats so fast when I'm near her I think it might explode."

A shattering sound echoed in the kitchen as Hoseok grabbed Jungkook by his shoulders. The younger's eyes were wide with fear while Hoseok observed him.

"Repeat what you just said." Hoseok commanded. Jungkook swallowed and let out a shaky breath.

"M-My heart beats so fast when I'm near her I think it might explode." The nervous boy stammered. Hoseok put his ear on the left side of Jungkook's chest and heard it.

A heartbeat that shouldn't exist.

"Um, are we ruining a moment here?" Namjoon asked. His sudden question caused the two to push each other away.

"Shut up." Hoseok snapped. He proceeded to clean the glass cup that shattered when he had let go of it. "You guys are back so early."

"We talked to the post office and they said that there was no address of the sender. Not even his name." Namjoon sighed. Jin decided to help with the cooking while Namjoon took a seat beside Jungkook.

"Namjoon, what do you do when you take a girl out on a date?" Jungkook whispered. Namjoon nearly choked on the air as he looked at Jungkook with wide eyes.

"You? The shy boy? A date?" Namjoon questioned. Jungkook gestured for him to tone it down, but the two other men in the room heard it.

"Congratulations Jungkook!" Jin chirped. "When's the date? And with who?"

"I can't tell you who but it's this Saturday." Jungkook mumbled.

"Oh, so it's a Christmas date? What a shame I was excited to celebrate Christmas with you." Namjoon commented. "Maybe I can help you plan your date. You're still not that familiar with this area right?"

"Really? Thank you!" Jungkook bowed his head, hitting it on the table in the process.

Everyone else began talking about possible places for his date but something felt off. Namjoon felt something deep inside something bad was going to happen. He held onto the locket of his necklace, trying to shake off the heavy feeling.

"Are you okay?" Hoseok asked. Namjoon shrugged and joined the conversation once more.

It couldn't be that bad can it?

Jin distance himself from the conversation and focused on cooking. Hoseok noticed this and slipped away too.

"What's up?" Hoseok mumbled.

"I've been wondering but why were there adoption papers in Aera's file?" Jin asked.

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