Save Me (Kim Namjoon X Readers)

Chapter 27

Cold, wet, dark, mixed with a growing stench of decay. Sunlight was trapped outside the concrete and iron barricades, but little bursts could be seen through the tiniest window possible. Your eyes slowly opened, feeling the cold pavement against your skin. Your throat was ridiculously dry and your stomach growled as soon as you sat up. A light pouding echoed in your head. Panicked, you glance around and felt a little better knowing that Namjoon wasn't in this dungeon with you. But your heart dropped when you realized Lady Park was laying right beside you on the ground. The masked men must have found her hiding and captured alongside you and tossed in this cell.

You could really tell time in this place, you imagined that it's been a couple of days since you had been taken from Lord Jung's house. Namjoon couldn't have been far, you could still feel him near, but your body was light. Maybe he found his mother and she lifted the curse for him. It would be a blessing. He wouldn't need you anymore and you would no longer be a burden to him. However, that still wouldn't explain why you are in this cell. Lady Park stirred, she looked just as confused as you are.

"Lady Song," she cheered weakly, "I'm so glad you're okay."

"It is all my fault that you're in this mess." you cried. "You would have been married by now and living the life you deserve."

She shook her head and pulled you into an embrace. "No, do not say that. I chose to fight the assailant instead of calling out for help. So really, it is my own fault that I am here. But I don't mind, maybe the marriage is what I deserve, but it is not the life I yearn for."

When she pulled back, she had a sorrow smile, as if she had already accepted her fate. If you had met her a few months ago, you wouldn't understand why she couldn't just marry rich and live happily. Now, you have something to fight for, the person you yearn for. "If, no, when we get out of here, I will beg Empress Wei to nullify your wedding to Lord Jung. I am sure the two of them will understand and will only want the best for you."

"I appreciate your sentiment, Lady Song, but what's done has been done."

You bit your lips, "You cannot give up on the one you love. You cannot turn you back because the odds are not in your favor. You have to reach out and hold onto that hope, no matter how small or painful it is. I made the mistake of not telling him how I feel when I had the chance, you've told me this before, but please do not follow my example."

Her eyes twinkled, "Let's promise ourselves that when we get out of here, we will do what our heart desires." she proclaimed. You nodded, but the moment was interrupted by irons clanking against the floor. It came from the shadow of the corner. Instinctively, you stood up and anchored your body in front of Lady Park to protect her.

"Who's there?" you called out, your voice breaking in the process but you stood strong. Something moved, rather someone. Stepping closer, you focused your eye and the sunlight was able to reach that spot. You saw a mess of a hair, ragged clothing, bloodstains cheeks, and dulled jade eyes. "You're the river witch, aren't you?" you whispered.

"Congratulations." she said boredly, "Do you want a prize or something?"

"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be with your sister and helping Namjoon?"

"My sister would kill me if I lift his curse." she chuckled ominously.

"What is that supposed to mean?" you asked. "Didn't she bring you back here for that purpose?"

"Of course not. She brought me back because she wanted to have me under her control." she answered.

Confused, you pressed on. "Then what about Namjoon? Is she going to break the curse herself?"

The witch laughed soundlessly, it was a horrible sound. Lady Park shivered. "That woman is incapable of love. She only brought him back to consolidate her powers. My poor nephew is as good as dead. And you shouldn't have any hope of getting out of here, my sister will kill you the first chance she gets."

Your heart stopped. Out of frustration and sadness. Even though it would be painful for Namjoon to leave you in the end, he would at least have been happy with his mother. But that was a lie Madam Li made up. Anger rose through your body. You approached the woman crouching down to meet her dead eyes. "I will get out of here, and I will save him."

"How? You don't have any power?" she retorted.

"I don't need magic, I have something else."

"What?"

"Something you wouldn't understand." you snapped. A woman who would curse her own nephew wasn't capable of understanding.

The witch laid back and scoffed, "My dear, I have loved before, and I paid for it with my lover's life. I don't know what my sister will tell you, but her husband and I loved each other. We were planning to escape Silver Stone with Namjoon. But she caught up, and killed him in front of my eyes. No magic could reverse time or bring him back. I had no choice but to send Namjoon away to save his life."

"He was miserable." you cried. And you were part of the reason why.

"But he was free, safe from her twisted mind. And he met you, didn't he?"

"I am not sure if that's a good thing or not anymore." you whispered, looking down at your feet. Just then, your chest felt tight and invisible stabs come right at your heart. You stumbled back, Lady Park managed to catch you in time.

"Lady Song, are you okay?" she asked with concern.

You couldn't hear her, your thoughts went straight to him. "Namjoon is in trouble, I have to get out of here." you announced. Looking at the barricades, there was no way you could kick them down. The witch was as good as useless right now with the irons constraints. There was one last option, and it was not the most pleasant. You glanced over at Lady Park nervously.

She nodded, "I'll follow you." Then you looked at the witch, who was shaking her head vigorously.

"I am not going down the sewer. Do you know what's down there?" she yelled.

"I'm not giving you an option right now." you growled. "You will come with me and help me save him."

"And why would I? The witch challenged.

You stepped closer and pulled her up by the collar. The witch hadn't expected to see such a spark in your eyes. "Because if Namjoon dies, you will not live to see the sunrise."