Martyr | Yoonmin [1] (unedited)

chapter 19

Taehyung stared back at his reflection.

He stood in front of the mirror wearing only a towel around his waist. He stared at the scars that were all over his chest. The worst was on his back. Pain and torture imprinted on his body that he couldn't remember. And he knew it was because of Felix.

It was funny how certain things triggered the brain to remember. The fog unveiling. When Namjoon had called him Tae, something in Taehyung's mind snapped open. Fragments piercing through and it was overwhelming.

His phone rang and exactly on schedule. He grabbed the earpiece from the counter and answered the call. "Yes?"

"I see that you were successful once again," Taehyung's stomach churned, he could picture the body of the fox-faced girl. Another body he's sent back to Felix – terminated.

"Only a few left," Taehyung replied. He roamed into his large bedroom, walking toward his walk-in closet. "I'm already tracking the Host again and I've found some possible leads."

"Not the Host," Taehyung stopped what he was doing. "Hoseok has been spotted in the city again, I want you to find his location. I know he has Jungkook."

Taehyung's body became rigid. "Understood."

--

He was dying. The isolation was literally going to kill him. Jungkook fell back into his foam bed, groaning in annoyance. Hoseok had left again. He refused to tell Jungkook where he was going and so, Jungkook was forced to stay behind.

"I have to go somewhere," He muttered to himself and stood up. He missed the bookstore. At least he had somewhere to fulfill his time and escape from reality in a book. But that was ruined by Taehyung.

He was on a mission. He was going to find a new place.

He scribbled on a random paper he found in Hoseok's stuff and wrote that he'd be back in a few hours. And so, he left. He left the abandoned house, their new hiding spot, and stepped into the street. This place they moved to was near the city and much easier to go around.

He walked through the crowded streets, choosing random routes and letting his mind free. The air was refreshing, and the noises were welcoming. He found himself in front of a trinket shop, the window of quirky items catching his attention. He wished Hoseok left him some money.

He kicked at the air and started walking again. Jungkook thought about his only friend and how he rushed out in the early morning. Something had alarmed Hoseok and Jungkook stirred awake at the sight of him leaving. Hoseok was throwing things in his backpack and he was red in the face. He ordered Jungkook to stay and left without another word.

Obviously, Jungkook couldn't go back to bed. Soon enough it was the afternoon and Hoseok was still not back. Now, he wasn't sure what time it was now, but the sun was lower in the sky. If Hoseok was back, he was back. He was gone so often, it was like Jungkook didn't exist. And so, if Hoseok didn't care what Jungkook did, Jungkook felt that he shouldn't either.

He had no way of contacting Hoseok so what was he supposed to do with his time? He continued walking with no idea where to go or where he was going. He looked back at his path, unsure of where he came from, but who cared? He didn't. He'd get lost in the crowd and the city lights and he'd be content.

Time went by, Jungkook continued his path without care. When he turned around the corner, he stopped short. The view was incredible. A pink forest with thousands of blossoms filling the entire park in pink. The park was crowded with tourists and locals, children running around the water fountain. He wished again that Hoseok had left him money, at least petty change so he could join in throwing change into the water fountain.

Simple moments like that he couldn't enjoy because of their lifestyle.

He walked toward the park and found a bench near the water fountain. He sat down and watched as a child grasped a coin in his tiny hand and ran over to the water fountain. His parents smiling as they watched him throw the coin into the water. The child ran excitedly back toward his parents and jumped into his mother's arms. Jungkook continued to watch the family walk away, smiling and laughing.

Jungkook felt empty.

This family had a life he wished he had. The only family he has is Hoseok and even then, he was alone all the time. Unwanted.

"Do you ever wonder if you had a family?" The voice felt like a dagger to Jungkook. His entire body went cold. "Let's walk."

Jungkook's body followed the order. His entire body under control by his voice was a frightening feeling. No one looked at them, unaware of their existence as Jungkook was literally imprisoned by the older boy beside him. He felt his hand graze beside him as they made their way through the park. He clenched his jaw and he couldn't stop his eyes from watering.

"Stop," he said and Jungkook did. Jungkook finally looked at him. His hair was different, it was now brown. Taehyung looked like a different person. His grey hair gone and his brown hair making him looking younger and innocent. "Please stop crying."

It wasn't an order but Jungkook still wiped at his face. "How the hell do you know where to find me?"

Taehyung sighed. "Hoseok should be careful who he meets."

Jungkook frowned, unsure what that meant. "What do you want?"

They were almost on the other side of the park now, Taehyung walked over to another bench. "Come sit," Jungkook didn't feel the obligation to do so, he stood there instead. "Please."

Jungkook was unnerved. Why was Taehyung acting so differently? Even if his entire being told him to run, Jungkook sat down beside him. They sat in silence for what felt like forever. Jungkook wasn't sure how to feel about this or how to feel about the newly brown-haired boy.

"I jus-," Taehyung stopped himself. Jungkook has never seen him act like this before. "I needed you to see me."

"What?"

"This, me," Taehyung admitted, his voice quiet and calm. "I might not be me for a long time after this. He knows when I start to remember."

Jungkook couldn't say anything.

"I'm a bounty hunter for Felix and he uses my powers against me," Taehyung explained further. "And when I'm not me, I'm the Taehyung you know."

"Why are you telling me this?"

Taehyung said nothing. His memories playing over and over in his mind, the facility where they all lived since they were children before Felix erased their memories. Seven boys who were once a family. And one special boy who he would hold hands with in secret. Taehyung looked down at his watch and shook his head. He looked at Jungkook one last time.

"You will walk home, go back to Hoseok and forget about seeing me."

--

"How do you expect me to trust you?" Hoseok fumed. "You stayed."

"Because we were friends before," Namjoon said faintly. "I only stayed to keep them safe. You of all people should know."

"If anyone knows about Jungkook's location, they will kill him." Hoseok hissed. "Just by you being here puts us in risk."

"That's why I'm here," Namjoon pleaded. Still in the clothes of the night before with Taehyung, he looked beat and defeated. "I need you to take him. He's in danger and I can't keep him safe if he stays with me."

Hoseok stared at his old friend. "When?"

"You'll know when I give you the sign."

--

alright let's pick up the pace, I feel like it's a bit too slow