Save Me (Kim Namjoon X Readers)

Chapter 9

The witch held up a small handmade knife, a sharp rock wrapped by a rg on a sturdy twig. She inched the weapon closer to Namjoon's chest. He sat up and raised both hands in the air. "Please, I don't mean any trouble. I only wanted to rest here for the night." he said truthfully. For some reason, it wasn't fear that he felt, it was a comfort knowing that he wasn't the only one out here. And if he dies, at least someone will be there to witness it.

The witch scoffed, weapon still frightfully close to Namjoon's heart. "Lies. No one stumbles upon this place without actually looking for it." she exclaimed.

Namjoon's eyes widened a little bit. "Are you the River Witch?" The woman pulled the cloak closer to her body, as if him calling out her identity somehow makes her vulnerable. Nothing can hide her long raven hair that shines underneath the starlight. She resembled nothing of a witch, she was regal and beautiful.

"I knew you were lying." she said quietly, there was even a hint of sadness in her dull jade eyes.

"My apologies," Namjoon offered. "I really didn't mean to look for you. I was on my way to somewhere else but then my boat took me here."

She backed away and turned around. This time, Namjoon saw the lanterns around the hut and it was certainly not abandoned. "People always come looking for me when they want something. The world is filled with selfish deeds." Namjoon couldn't deny it, he was here for a reason, a selfish one. "What is it that you want, boy?" she asked. "Wait, don't answer. I can see it written all over your face."

It didn't take a witch to tell that Namjoon was suffering and hurting. "Is it bad?" he asked.

"No one should have to live with a broken heart." she said, staring at what Namjoon could only guess as her own heart. "So tell me, was it unrequited?"

Namjoon chuckled bitterly. "So much worse than that."

"Was there someone else in her heart?" the witch asked on. Namjoon wondered what's the point of the interrogation when she already knows everything.

"Yes, someone I can never compare to. Not that it matters, she won't ever see me again."

"You were running away, then. And you were hoping that I could take the memories of the girl away. Isn't that right?"

Namjoon nodded, but then felt stupid because her back was facing him. "I thought that's what I wanted. I don't want to remember her because I'll remember that I still love her and that she will never love me back." The truth was he didn't want to forget you, although it was painful, he couldn't imagine not being able to remember your smile again. "I'm sorry to have bothered you. I'll be on my way then."

"Where are you headed?" the woman asked.

"I am not sure. Maybe up north, to the mining village and start over." Namjoon shrugged. He was hoping the witch would have stabbed him so he wouldn't have to make any more decisions.

The woman was suddenly in front of Namjoon, he could smell the musk. "Let me see your face, young man."she demanded. On command, he lifted up his chin. She studied the features on his face. Then something in her jade eyes changed, they became clearer. "Where did you say you were from again?"

"The southern water town." Namjoon answered, his voice a little hoarse from nervousness.

"And what was your occupation?" she asked, her voice was ice cold right now. Something had changed and it meant she recognized something in Namjoon.

"I was a guard of some family. Nothing important." Her eyebrows furrowed. "Is there something wrong?" he asked. "I'll just be on my way."

"Not so fast." she said sternly. She stood tall and Namjoon didn't have the strength to run. "First you're gonna tell me why you lied about where you came from."

"What are you talking about?" Namjoon asked exasperatedly. "I'm from the southern water town."

"That might be what you think but I know for certain you were born in Silver Stone." she stated. This time, it was Namjoon's eyebrows that furrowed. Silver Stone, the fortified city of silver and drugs. He had never stepped foot outside the southern water town let alone be in a guarded city. "And you have came to spy on me!" she yelled. The knife was back and it was aiming at Namjoon neck. Slowly, he stood up in the hopes that his tall figure would scare her, but it didn't.

"I don't know what you are talking about. I am only a guard, I know nothing about spying. I didn't even know you existed." Namjoon argued. But the woman wasn't looking at him, she seemed to be stuck in some memories.

"I knew I should have hid myself better. I knew she would come after me." she said quietly.

"Who? Who is coming after you? Why are you hiding?" Namjoon asked. As he tried to console her, she pushed the knife towards him, barely missing his cheek.

"Enough with your lies. You know exactly who I'm talking about." she spat out. "Your mother had always been jealous of my abilities and she wanted them for herself. I knew eventually she would find me but I could never imagine her sending her own son to do this. What a wicked woman." She rambled on.

But Namjoon didn't hear the rest of it. He was caught up on one word in particular, mother. As far as he was concerned, he had no parents, which was why Lord Kim took him in in the first place. He always thought his parents had died of some unfortunate events. But this woman is saying they were very much alive and somehow knows about Namjoon.

"And now you're back to spy on me." the witch continued. "I should have killed you when I had the chance."

"Do you know my mother?" he asked, ignoring the fact that the woman had made a threat on his life. "Do you know where she is?"

"I don't know what you're doing but it's not working. Go back to Silver Stone now because I rip your head off." she growled.

"My mother is in Silver Stone? Alive?"

She scoffed, "Her Majesty will stay that way if you keep your mouth shut about my location."

Her Majesty, the phrase that should only be reserved for royalties. Namjoon for sure knew Empress Wei is not his mother, she was also not in Silver Stone. There was only one person in the world who fits the criteria.