Darkside

7

"Is it okay if I take you to my home?"

-

You stand there, in the cold, eyes widened in alarm.

Though you do trust him to some extent, you're not sure if you can go that far with him, alone, especially in his house. You didn't know much about this man, other than his name and that he was kind enough to save a girl from being kidnapped.

Jimin watches you, his eyes going from bright to dull and worried as he takes in your expression. He knows you don't trust him, but he still wishes that you could at least give him a chance.

And that's what you find the most strange. Why would this random stranger that you barely know, vice versa, want to help you? Why would he trust you enough to take you to his home? It was very strange and that's what made you fear.

"Why are you helping me?" You accidentally blurt out. Wanting to smack yourself, you curl your hand into a fist. You can't believe you actually said that out loud because now, he knows for sure what you're thinking.

Jimin sighs for what seems like the millionth time tonight. But his eyes are soft, not hard, and his expression is gentle, and not frustrated. Almost resembling what a person would look like when they were trying to explain the simplest concept to a child.

"Because..." He pauses, gathering his thoughts and trying to think of the best way to lay it out. "I know how hard what you're going through is, and I just don't want you to be alone..." He hesitates, scared of telling you too much. His voice goes down lower and even softer, and you could barely hear the next words he mumbled. "...I wanted to stop this from happening, but it didn't work."

"What?" You say on impulse. Jimin shakes his head. "Never mind. Are you going to come with me, or would you like to stay here and freeze for a while longer?"

You note his slight attitude change, but it's not directed at you. From the frantic looks he keeps shooting around when his eyes dart over the seemingly empty streets, you know he's worried about something.

Something that happens on these streets during the late hours of the night.

You would be much safer, you realize, alone with him in his home than on these dark, mysterious streets alone, trying not to get lost and find your home. After all, what happened last time wasn't exactly long ago, and you knew that wasn't the worst that could happen.

"Okay, okay." You huff, "I'll go with you. But don't try anything," You warn him, jabbing a finger in his face. "I know how to do karate."

Jimin snorts. "If the karate couldn't help you last time that night, how do you assume you'd take me down?"

You cross your arms, trying to seem intimidating though even you were doubtful of your own skills. "Don't test me."

Jimin laughs, his eyes crinkling into crescent moons as he smiles. "Alright. Let's go now." He takes a step to you, grabbing you on the arm before tugging at you to leave. You comply and start walking, but you find it hard to catch up to his pace.

Though the man isn't tall, his legs sure are long, and he's speed walking. He's in a rush to exit the premises, and you know that, but it still doesn't stop you from being annoyed that you have to walk so fast that you're almost running at his side.

He strides down the streets, still clutching onto your arm, looking around occasionally. When he sees that the coast is clear, he continues walking on, half dragging you along with him. Taking multiple turns and twists in the road, you soon find yourself more confused and lost than ever.