LONDON SEOUL (BTS)

XLVI

The steady rhythm of people scratching on paper with pen with episodic gaps as they changed to different words. At least it’s over. I had had enough of London this time around. I didn’t think father had left enough evidence for them to convict me, and I didn’t think I had a lot of time left to myself to begin with. I could just travel with Joon and maybe, Byul if she decides to tag along. Maybe sell the house. I would have enough money for a couple more years. 

I pulled my knees close to me. Could I have avoided this? Jungkook was still working, but it did not seem pertinent. The repetitiveness of his pen suggested some tedious work that he had left. He was thinking. Was he piecing all of these together? Had he figured out how he had been betrayed by people who he put the most faith on since he arrived in London?

“There you are!”

I looked up to see Taehyung struggling to stand up while trying to rest his hand on the table Jungkook was working on. 

“Where’s Jin?” Kook asked.

“You shouldn’t be walking right now,” I said.

“Shut up! Shut up!,” he said as he tried moving forward. Jungkook quickly came over to assist him. “Shut up!”

I remained silent as he struggled his way towards the grid. Fuck. I had hoped to avoid him at least for a couple more days. “You left. You left like nothing.” I hadn’t put my thoughts in order and I did not have any excuses. I did leave. I left taking all he had known for years, some of the best memories he had formed. “Gray, you left.”

Silence. Nothing moved, no one said a thing and it passed. Every moment passed no matter how difficult.

He let out a breath in despair. “Jimin isn’t in the palace.”

Jungkook looked up in attention as soon as he heard Jimin's name. I was really sure that he should be in the palace. Jimin was smart enough to get into the left wing basement prison where we could easily get him. I was really sure he could manipulate them into getting him imprisoned there. 

The fact that he isn't in the palace was really troubling. "The king?"

"Moonbyul has him. He is safe for now."  He was still struggling to keep himself up. He was gripping the bars with all his might. 

I nodded. Jungkook leaned on the prison bars, face contorted in concentration and worry. 

"Any sign of burnings?" Kook questioned. 

"It was dark, but Jin didn't smell anything." I sighed with relief. “Fuck,” he exclaimed she he slid down to sit on the floor.

Jungkook sat down as well, gently rubbing his back to comfort him.

“You alright?” I asked hesitantly.

“Yeah,” he said. “It’s just- It’s just looking at you triggers a dozen different memories all at once.”

I just backed away just to get out of the way. Guilt was overwhelming every other rational thought. I needed to solve where Jimin was first. I sat down on the awkwardly placed pull down bed. 

Jungkook coughed to get my attention. "Isn't there any other holding prison for the royal guards?"

I shook my head. "Have you checked the watch towers?" 

"No," Tae frowned.

"Vampires are usually imprisoned in watch towers and such. They wither more readily in them," I explained. We used to have prisoners in our attic when we used to be active. Father said vampires had reduced ability that way. Grandfather used to complain how they used to light candles, when they had enough people to guard candles. "Check the bright candle lit one first," I yelled as Tae quickly retrieved. 

He stumbled on his way to the door. Kook stood up to help him.

"Jin is outside," Tae waved back at Jungkook to indicate that he didn't need help.