Martyr | Yoonmin [1] (unedited)

chapter 28

Taehyung slowly walked down the hallway, his body heavy from training. He groaned from his sore muscles, rubbing the back of his neck. It was another long day, and it was not over yet for him. One of his sources discovered the location of the last few martyrs. This one he needed to capture alive, but first, he needed to check on Jimin.

He opened the door to the security guard, who snorted awake as he walked in. The guard shuffled and greeted him with a salute. "Good evening, sir,"

"Show me Jimin's live footage," He ordered, and the guard quickly did as he was told. One of the television screens changed to show Jimin sitting on the floor. He had left him about two hours ago. "Okay, he's fine, and now show me last night's footage."

The guard took about thirty seconds to find the footage and played it once he found it. Taehyung made a motion for the guard to speed up the footage. The first hour was Jimin sitting and crying on the floor. The next hour showed Jimin, still in the same spot, who looked like he had passed out with his head hanging low. Then, a few seconds later, the sped-up footage showed Jimin jerking awake and then slowly crawling into his bed.

"He's okay," Taehyung confirmed to himself, and he turned to leave when Jimin woke up screaming. Taehyung could see from his expression that Jimin was terrified as he looked around the room frantically. "Is there audio?"

"No, sir," The guard answered, gaping dumbly at the screen.

Taehyung leaned in and watched as Jimin pressed his back against the wall and curled into a ball. The boy continuing to sob. "Mmmm," Taehyung hummed in disappointment. "He remembers more than he should."

-

Jimin winced in pain. His bandaged arm was coupled with new bruises, and he was sore everywhere. He was exhausted. His body was exhausted after a long morning of training. Now he sat in the rec room with Taehyung. He's picking at his lunch, frowning at his plate. "Quit pouting," Taehyung huffed, but Jimin continued to stay silent. "I said I was sorry."

It had been four days since the incident with the knife, and they were developing a routine. First, Jimin would wake with the usual knock from the nurse, and then he'd have a small breakfast. The next few hours would consist of combat training. Lunch would be at 12, and then they would continue training until supper. Taehyung would dine with him each time it was time to eat, and he would leave when after dinner.

The morning hadn't been particularly good for Jimin. Taehyung thought it would be a good idea to practice with a wooden staff. A transitional step into weapon fighting, he insisted before spending the next hour whacking Jimin. It was confirmed that he needed more practice.

Taehyung's phone beeped, and he stood up, leaving the room to answer the call. Jimin stared glumly at his lunch.

He wasn't all that hungry anyway. He got up from his seat and tiptoed over toward the door. He peeked out into the hall. Taehyung was speaking quietly into his phone and facing away. He didn't see Jimin sneak back to his room.

Jimin made it without getting caught, and he grabbed the opened envelope that was left on the table. He plopped down on his bed and unfolded the paper that was inside. The very first thing written on the paper was Welcome, Jimin.

He had hoped it would be something different, but all along, it was just a letter from Felix. It went on to explain what his future plans were for him. Felix hoped Jimin would learn to control his powers before he returned from a business trip. I know you can be strong.

Jimin glared at the words.

He scoffed at the letter. What made him so special? He couldn't control his power, nor has he really used them. So why did Felix want him here? Why was he kept here as a prisoner?

"Hey," came Taehyung's voice from the doorway. Jimin threw the letter on the floor. He propped himself on his elbows and noticed the odd expression on the other boy. He looked sad, or maybe he was just tired like he was. "Finish your lunch. Come on."

Jimin sighed heavily, and Taehyung waited for him to go ahead before they went back to the rec room. Jimin continued to poke at his food. "I'm not hungry."

"Go on, Jimin," Taehyung groaned softly. "Eat."

"When can I go home?" Jimin muttered, ignoring Taehyung's order completely.

"Aren't we over this?" Taehyung sighed heavily. "Later."

"I want to see my friends," Jimin contended, putting down his chopsticks sharply on the table. Taehyung closed his eyes and set his jaw. "I don't want to be here anymore."

"Felix said-" he started.

"I want to go home!" Jimin raised his voice, trying his best to keep his voice steady.

"You don't have a choice," Taehyung shot back, causing Jimin to bang his fists on the table. Taehyung opened his eyes and waited for something to happen. "No one has a choice."

Jimin's eyes watered, and his lips trembled. "I just don't know why you're doing this or why Felix is keeping me here. I don't want these powers – I never asked for them."

Taehyung continued to stare at him. He blinked slowly and ground his teeth in annoyance. He knows what he has to do. He hoped it didn't have to come down to it – he told Felix he'd be able to do it without altering Jimin's memories. "There are others like us," Taehyung admitted. "they left the facility, and my orders are to search for them. Unlike us, Felix needs them to start trials for phase two."

"What is phase two?" Jimin questioned.

"Integration," Taehyung answered. "In Felix's eyes, if we can have one power and survive, then why not have more? But I think that might take years before that happens."

"How the hell does that work?" Jimin bitterly laughed at the idea.

"How is it possible that we have powers now," Taehyung said softly. "they accomplished the impossible. They can do it again."

A tear escaped down Jimin's cheek slowly and lingered. "It's not right," He muttered. "We're just fucking lab rats."

This confirmed Taehyung's suspicions. He couldn't afford to lose Jimin because he was afraid of Felix. Felix needed Jimin.

--

Jimin screamed, jerking upwards to a sitting position. Then, he saw a tall figure in the corner of his eye, and he yelled out again when he saw Taehyung standing across the room. "What the fuck you creep!" He shouted at the boy.

"Shut up," Taehyung muttered. Jimin's heart was pounding in his chest, and he was breathing heavily.

"What are you doing here?" Jimin shouted.

"What are you dreaming about that's giving you nightmares?"

"None of your fucking business," Jimin spat. "Get out!"

"I'm going to have to do something that I really don't want to do," Taehyung beseeched. "and it's tricky."

Jimin just stared at him with his mouth twisted in disgust.

"Look, like you, I'm still learning about my powers," Taehyung confessed bitterly. "But if you tell me what you are remembering, then I can take it away."

"How are you so sure about what you're saying?" Jimin accused.

"Because I dream too," Taehyung scowled. "and I have to forget."

"I just want to go home," Jimin cried softly, burying his face in his hands. "Please let me go home."

Taehyung stayed still for a long moment, just watching Jimin quietly. Finally, he walked over and sat on the edge of the boy's bed, and Jimin gasped up to the sudden shift of weight. "I can take away all the bad memories," Taehyung offered, unsure why he would do this for Jimin. His eyes changed to electric blue. "You don't have to be scared anymore."