chapter 5

"Open the door" Yoongi said.

Jimin looked from Yoongi to the door, then back to Yoongi.

"But... We were just inside. You told me to come out here." Jimin said.

"Yes. I did bring you outside, and now it is time for you to go inside."

"Why did yo-"

"Just open the door!" Yoongi spat.

He wasn't angry, but he didnt tell Jimin that. It was cruel to snap at the curious boy. Jimin only wanted to understand why Yoongi had brought him out here just to send him back in.

But it was easier for Yoongi to pretend to be angry at Jimin rather than to explain to him why the "projection" Jimin was about to witness could only be brought into this plane of existence safely if Jimin was not within range.

If Jimin had stayed inside the house. He'd have been sucked into a pit of darkness. His wekeaned soul from being in between life and death, would risk being devoured by the reaper, and Jimin would cease to exist.

Yoongi looked at Jimin. The boy was no longer crying, but his eyes still glistened with tears.

"Open the door, Jimin."

The boy nodded his head. Jimin grabbed the door handle, pushing the door open. Without thinking Jimin walked in.

_____

Walking into the silent house. Jimin could hear noise coming from the kitchen.

"...Home?" The voice from the kitchen spoke.

"Dad" Jimin whispered.

"He can't hear you" Yoongi spoke. The two boys of them standing in the archway leading into the kitchen.

"Jihyun, please. I-I" Jimins father spoke, rubbing a hand against his creased forehead.

It was obvious stress had been getting to the man. His once fairly tan skin was beginning to pale. For being 41 Mr. Park had looked quite young for his age, some people would even get shocked knowing he had two teenage boys. But now wrinkles and crows feet had made their mark.

Jimin wanted so badly to hug his father. To say sorry for hurting the man who'd helped bring him into this world. But no.. Jimin had taken himself out of that world, and thrown himself into a different world.

"I'm so sorry dad" Jimin whispered. Even if his father couldn't bear him, Jimin needed the words in his mind to be said aloud.

Mr. Park went silent for a moment. His eyes which had been on the table rose, lifring his gaze up to Jimins.

Jimins breathing halted. The boys mouth forming a subtle "o".

For a hair of a second the boy questioned if somehow, someway his father had heard him. As if he'd read his mind Yoongi repeated what he'd said a moment before.

"He cannot hear you Jimin"

And it was like a pin had dropped in Jimins mind. He noticed how his fathers eyes seemed to stare through Jimin. He was looking in his sons direction, but he didnt see him. For all he knew Mr. Park was alone. All alone.

"When are you coming home?" Mr Park asked. Tears brimming in his eyes.

Even knowing his father was speaking to Jihyun, having his gaze "on" Jimin made the boy weak, and Jimin didn't know which hurt more.

The thought of his father in tears asking his dead son when he'll be home. Or asking his last living immediate relative when he'd be home.

"Ji... Jihyun, please" Mr. Park cried "Come home".

The older man pulled the phone away from his ear. Looking at the screen to see the call had been ended.

Again. As if Yoongi had read his mind.the man answered the question burning in Jimins mind.

"Jihyun ran away. A few days after you..."

Jimin turned his head, locking eyes with the raven haired boy who was already looking at him. Jimin opened his mouth. The realization of just how dry and parched his throat was dawning on the boy.

Licking his lips and swallowing what little saliva he had left.

"How long?" Jimin asked.

Yoongi looked back at Mr. Park. Jimin followed suit.

Both boys watched as Mr. Park got up from his seat at the table.

Opening a cabinet and pulling out two bottles of soju. Mr Park set the first bottle down on the counter. Opening the other whilst looking out the window.

Jimin bit the inside of his cheek. That window overlooked the flowers that he'd fallen onto.

"He's been sober for six years" Jimin whispered. Though he highly doubted Yoongi cared.

Years ago, after a one too many unfortunate events. Mr. Park had turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism. The rough liquor quenching the parched hole in the mans being. Feeding the abyss that only grew deeper with each sip.

It changed him, the liquor turning the once soft, kind father and husband into a completely different person. A modern day Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

It was only when San had said she'd had enough. His wife of thirteen years have him an ultimatum. His alcholhol, or his family. And after that night. He'd strayed away from alcholhol.

And now... Six years later, with San no longer here...

Mr. Park tilted his head back, taking deep gulps of the powerful spirit, chugging until the bottle was empty.

Pulling the bottle away from his lips. Mr. Park let out a sigh, wiping away tears on his cheeks as a fresh batch fell from his eyes. The man turned his attention from the window outside to the fridge just a few feet away.

All the family pictures seeming to taunt him. Reminding him of beautiful wife San. The love of his life, the mother of his children.

Mr. Park grabbed the untouched bottle of soju. Bringing the beer to his lips as his eyes turned to a picture of Jimin and Jihyun. His poor boy Jimin, who'd suffered so much. Who's cries had fallen on deaf ears.

He'd been so wrapped up in his own emotions that he hadn't been a good parent in making sure his children were mourning properly.

Now... Jiminie was gone. His sweet little mochi, was dead. The only thing Mr. Park could hope now was that his eldest son was reunited with his mother. That they were happy, their identical smiles shining in whatever was beyond death.

And Jihyun, his baby boy. Mr. Park loved his boys equally, but as Jimin tended to link to his mother. Jihyun had linked to his father. Before Sans death, He and Jihyun had been inseparable, and then, after San had passed the two strayed apart in the time of their greaving.

After Jimins overdose... His relationship with Jihyun just, collapsed. The two began constantly arguing. Jihyun began staying out late, skipping school. After an argument regarding Jihyuns abscense at school he'd left. Packed a few things in his back pack.

Now three days later and Mr. Park was unsure when his son was coming home. If he chose to come home, and now... He was breaking his promise to San. That he'd never drink again.

Throwing aside the now empty bottle, Mr. Park grabbed another two out of the cuboard. Opening one as he made his way out of the kitchen, tears still falling down his face. The unsuspecting man walked right through his son.

Jimin stood frozen in place. Watching as his father made his way down the hall.

"Three weeks" Yoongi said.

Jimin watched his father disappear behind his study room door. The slam echoing throughout the empty house.

"What?" Jimin asked, not understanding what Yoongi had meant. Jimin turned his gaze to Yoongis, looking the man in his eyes.

"You asked 'how long has it been'. It has been three weeks since you've died. Now let's go.".

Without waiitng for a response Yoongi started for the door. Making it three steps before Jimin asked his next question.

"B-but wait! What about my father?" Jimin asked. Part of Jimin wanted to stay and keep an eye on his father, the other part of Jimin just felt the need to stay. It was comforting in a strange way to be in the presence of family.

Even if said family was oblivious of his presence.

"We're done here" Yoongi said, stopping at the door and turning around to face Jimin as he opened it.

"Your father isn't the only person who'll be affected by your suicide. Now do you want to see your brother is not?"

And with one last look back at the closed door of Mr. Parks study, Jimin followed Yoongi.

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