Little (Under Editing)

Chapter 27: The Nightmare Event

Chapter 27: The Nightmare Event

The room was silent, save for the faint hum of the night outside. Moonlight spilled through the window, casting soft, silvery patterns across the walls. Taehyung lay on the bed, his delicate features twisted in discomfort as he clutched the blanket tightly. His breaths were shallow, coming in uneven gasps.

Jungkook, sprawled on a mattress beside the bed, stirred lightly in his sleep. His head rested on a small pillow, and one arm was tucked under his head while the other draped over his torso. The soft creak of the bedframe pulled him out of his light slumber. His brows furrowed as his ears caught faint murmurs.

“Help… no… please,” Taehyung whimpered, his voice trembling and barely audible. His body squirmed beneath the covers, his legs kicking weakly as if trying to fend off an invisible threat. A sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead, and his lips quivered, forming silent words of desperation.

Jungkook blinked awake, rubbing his eyes groggily before glancing toward the bed. The sight of Taehyung thrashing lightly sent a jolt of worry through him. He sat up quickly, his heart pounding. “Taehyung?” he called softly, his voice laced with concern. When there was no response, he moved to his knees and leaned over the bed, his hand gently shaking Taehyung’s shoulder. “Taehyung, wake up. You’re having a bad dream.”

Taehyung’s expression grew more distressed, his face contorting as if he were reliving something unbearable. His breath hitched, and he let out a soft, pained cry. “No... stop… don’t hurt me…”

Jungkook’s chest tightened at the sound. He shook Taehyung a little more firmly this time. “Taehyung, wake up! It’s just a dream. You’re safe,” he urged, his tone soft but insistent.

Taehyung suddenly jolted upright, a sharp gasp escaping his lips as if he had been underwater and finally surfaced for air. His chest heaved, and his wide, tear-filled eyes darted around the room in panic. The tremor in his hands was unmistakable, and his entire body was shaking as though the nightmare still clung to him.

“Taehyung, it’s me. It’s Jungkook,” Jungkook said, keeping his voice low and steady. He placed a comforting hand on Taehyung’s shoulder, feeling the way it trembled beneath his touch. “You’re okay. It was just a dream. You're safe now.”

Taehyung’s frantic gaze landed on Jungkook, and something in the younger man’s calm presence anchored him. Tears welled up in his eyes and spilled over, trailing down his flushed cheeks. “J-Jungkook,” he stammered, his voice breaking as he reached out with trembling hands.

Without hesitation, Jungkook moved closer, pulling Taehyung into his arms. Taehyung buried his face in Jungkook’s chest, his sobs muffled against the soft fabric of Jungkook's shirt. “I was so scared,” he choked out between gasps, his fingers clutching Jungkook's shirt tightly, as if afraid he might disappear.

Jungkook’s arms encircled him protectively, one hand cradling the back of Taehyung’s head while the other rubbed soothing circles on his back. “I’m here,” Jungkook whispered, his voice steady despite the ache in his chest. “You’re safe now. No one can hurt you. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Taehyung’s cries grew louder, his body trembling uncontrollably as the fear and memories of the nightmare consumed him. Jungkook held him tighter, resting his chin atop Taehyung’s head. He pressed a soft kiss to Taehyung’s hair, his lips lingering there as if to reassure him. “Shh, it’s okay,” Jungkook murmured. “I’ve got you. I won’t let go.”

The room was filled with the sound of Taehyung’s broken sobs, and Jungkook stayed silent, letting him release the pent-up fear and anguish. He could feel the way Taehyung clung to him, his grip desperate, as if Jungkook was his lifeline. “Cry as much as you need to,” Jungkook said softly. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Minutes passed, and Taehyung’s sobs began to quiet, though his trembling persisted. Jungkook shifted slightly, adjusting their position so Taehyung could rest more comfortably against him. “Do you want to talk about it?” Jungkook asked gently, though he didn’t press when Taehyung shook his head against his chest.

Instead, Jungkook continued to hold him, his fingers threading through Taehyung’s damp hair in a soothing rhythm. “You’re safe here,” he repeated, his voice a quiet promise. “No one can hurt you as long as I’m here.”

Taehyung finally looked up, his tear-streaked face filled with a mix of fear and gratitude. His lips trembled as he tried to speak, but no words came out. Instead, he rested his head back against Jungkook’s chest, seeking the comfort of his steady heartbeat.

Jungkook tightened his embrace, his own heart aching at the vulnerability Taehyung displayed. “I’ll protect you, Taehyung,” he whispered, his voice filled with conviction. “I’ll always protect you.”

The room gradually fell into silence again, save for the occasional sniffle from Taehyung. Jungkook stayed awake, holding him close, determined to be the safe harbor Taehyung so desperately needed.

Jin wandered through the brightly lit aisles of the grocery store, the faint hum of fluorescent lights and the chatter of other shoppers filling the air. He methodically picked up items from the shelves, his thoughts occupied by Taehyung. He knew his younger brother had a habit of binge eating whenever he was stressed. While Jin didn’t entirely approve, he figured it was a small comfort that helped Taehyung cope.

Reaching for a box of snacks, Jin’s attention was drawn to the faint sound of a news report playing on the store’s television. He paid little mind to it at first, distracted by his mental checklist of items. But a certain phrase caught his ear, pulling his gaze toward the screen.

“...A dead body of an unidentified man was discovered floating in the river earlier today. Authorities have confirmed that the victim was murdered, as a gunshot wound was found on the body. Further examination revealed extensive facial damage, believed to have been caused by a heavy object, making identification difficult at this time.”

The screen displayed a grainy image of the scene—a stretch of the river cordoned off with police tape, officers milling about, and the indistinct outline of a covered body on the riverbank. The anchor continued speaking, but Jin could no longer hear the words clearly. His eyes locked on the brief glimpse of the body that had been shown, or more specifically, on the scar and tattoo visible on its exposed skin.

His breath hitched. The scar—a jagged line across the forearm—and the tattoo, a faded inked symbol near the wrist, were painfully familiar. His stomach churned, and a cold dread settled over him as recognition hit like a punch to the gut.

Jin’s hands trembled, the snack box slipping from his grip and falling to the floor with a muted thud. He stood frozen, his mind racing. The details flashed in his head: the unique scar his father had always carried, the tattoo he had once seen up close during a childhood memory he’d rather forget.

It couldn’t be… but deep down, Jin knew. He knew with certainty that the body in the river was their father.