Twenty Four

Chapter Six

*Hope's POV*

My eyes fly open wide trying to find light.
But there's none.
I grab on to the armrests.

"Hold tight passengers. There has been technical difficulties causing the train to stop. Hang tight, we hope to solve this problem within an hour. Sorry for any inconvenience,"
The intercom speaks.

My breath becomes heavy.
Flashbacks return.
I cover my ears.

Where are you mommy?! Where are they Hobi? I'm scared Hobi.
I know Hope. Me too.
We sob in each other's arms.

I'm shook awake from the memories and I hear myself sobbing curling up in a ball in my chair. My hands pulling my hair even though it hurts my scalp.
"Hope!" Taehyung shakes me.
I pull away from him.
He's the last person I want to comfort me.
He stands up and starts to walk back to his seat.

Without hesitation my hand flies up and grabs his wrist tight.

At this point, I'm desperate. I can't do this anymore.

"....d-don't....g..g..go.." I manage to let out in between my sobs.

Taehyung looks at me, about to give an insult or walk away. But realization dawns his face. Her parents. They're the reason for this.
They abandoned Hoseok and Hope on the train.

He sighs and slumps down beside her.

As Hope sobs herself asleep. Taehyung remembers the day he brought Hoseok and Hope into their home when his family found them shivering.

Two hours later.
*Flick*
Light floods us as the train restarts.
My eyes flit open. This time to lights.
I take a deep breath in relief.
When I go to rub my eyes, I realize tears smear my face.

My scalp hurts and my palm is full of nail marks.

I look around my surroundings.
The train is empty and moving.
I turn to my right and I see a young man sleeping soundly beside me.
Taehyung.
Why is he sitting beside me?! I remember quite well that he was sitting in front of me.

Wait......

My brain flashback.

"....d-don't.....g..g..go..."

Oh my god.
I cover my eyes in embarrassment.
I asked that idiot to sit beside me.

"What? Why's your face red?" I hear a voice.
I turn towards the speaker.
He smirks.

"Shut up. Why don't you go back to your seat?" I say, avoiding his eyes.
"Gladly," he stands up and walks back to his original seat.

My mind whirls around, debating whether to thank him or give him my usual glare. I'm in mid-argument when the words slip out.

"Thank you anyways...." I say awkwardly.
He looks up and stares me down.
No "you're welcome" or "no problem." Just silence
That's fine by me.

Finally, we reach Seoul an hour later.
We take a cab to Seoul Hospital.
In the middle of the car ride, Taehyung receives a phone call.
His phone was on speaker. He didn't mind.

"What do you want now Kook?"
"What do I want? What's taking you guys so long? Did you two go on a date or something?"
"What the hell JUNGKOOK?!" We both call through the phone in unison.
Jungkook laughs.
Savage child.

"You're so dead Jungkook. By the way that joke was nowhere near funny," I add.
"As long as your brother's here I think I'm fine. It was funny to us just to get your reactions."
"Ok I don't care but we'll be there in ten. So cherish your last ten minutes of life."
With that, Taehyung hangs up.