chapter 6

Stepping out, Jimin had to shield his eyes from the bright light outside. The blinding light reminding the boy of the ones from hospitals, Jimin had no choice but to close his eyes, blindly following Yoongi.

"What the hell" Jimin muttered to himself.

"Quiet" Yooni scolded in his monotone voice. "We're almost there".

After all he'd been through. One would think Jimin would be used to strange things in this, this, "afterlife". As odd a word as it was in the boys mind. But still Jimin couldn't help but be confused.

The sun was never this bright, in fact. The trees lining the sidewalk ensured the sun rays never hit the ground this hard. Instead encompassing the ground in a light shade, just enough light to keep plants healthy, but protected enough that the sun wasn't getting in anyone's eyes.

And the smell- it was.. Awful. Jimin knew somewhere in the back of his mind he knew what the smell was, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

It was a rotten, smelling of rotten eggs and road-kill. The vile stench overtaking Jimins senses causing the boy to become light-headed.

If his eyes weren't already closed Jimin had no doubt he'd need to shut them, through his eyes he could feel the room spinning.

Each step felt like the boy was walking through a river of caramel while the earth spinned 180° before changing directions.

Jimin flinched feeling a cold hand grasp his arm. Long slim fingers digging into his forearm.

"Next time you could just ask for help" Yoongi spoke.

Jimin snorted. "Like I'd ask you for help"

Both males were surprised at Jimins response.

Yoongi hadn't expected the boy to say anything. He'd almost begun to expect the boy to burst into tears again, it seemed that was all Jimin knew how to do.

Jimin, was shocked at his sudden boost of braver, the words had just came tumbled out of his mouth. He didn't mean to speak them aloud.

Not one to let another have the last word, Yoongi spoke. "Well then I guess I'll just leave you to help yourself" letting go it took a hair of a second for Jimin to clutch onto the man.

Blindly grabbing at anything he could, Jimin was able to grip Yoongis shoulder. "No! Please help me"

"Then watch your mouth"

Eyes still shut Jimin was blind to the fact that Yoongi had a small smile on his face, it was wrong, and he really shouldn't feel this way. But Jimin made Yoongi smile. It was odd the effect the teenager had on him.

Stripping his face of emotion, Yoongi went back to his blank state.

"You know you can open your eyes now, don't you?"

As the two stopped walking. Jimin hesitently opened his right eye, just enough to peek out.

The piercing bright light had been replaced.

A now softer sunlight surrounding them. Opening both of his eyes, Jimin wished he'd just kept them shut.

"Where.." He began, a question he wouldn't finish.

"Taehyung" Jimin whispered.

"Why, why are we here?" Jimin asked.

It was like asking what two + two was, Jimin knew the answer.

"I think we both know why. Jimin."

The two stood outside the big white house. Its grey roof looming. Pointing up into the sky making an already small Jimin, feel like an ant in the human world.

Tae's house had always been Jimins home away from home. The two boys had been best friends since grade school, spending almost every day together for the past nine years.

Jimin knew this house as if it were his own, because it was his own. Every nook, cranny, the tiny small hole in the wall hidden in the basement where younger versions of the boys made a secret hideout. And now, looking to window left of the front door, there was the living room, and past the living room, was Jimin's best friends room.

"Let's go, kid" Yoongi said.

The raven-haired man didn't walk. He stood by Jimin, waiting for the boy to make his first move. It was strange really, the more time the two spent together, the more the two beams accustomed to one another.

For Jimin, maybe it was shock, but he'd gone from just wanting to cry and not trust Yoongi, To being more open. Though he still felt he could cry, Jimin refused to let the tears fall, and while he still didn't nessecarily like his company. Jimin in a sense trusted Yoongi, and was now more willing to speak with him.

As for Yoongi. He could feel his cold persona fading, and it disgusted him. Maybe it was guilt, yeah, guilt. It was the only explanation as to why he no longer wanted to call the boy vulgar names. Instead he found himself caring for Jimin, wanting to help the boy.

If only he wasn't going to be the one to hurt him even more.

Though they were standing on the path leading up to the front door, the front door being just a few feet away. Jimin didn't want to stepfoot iside Taehyungs house. Walking into his own home and seeing his father in the state of sadness he was gave Jimin a sense of claustrophobia.

He hasn't realizes it at first. But now standing in front of his best friends house, Jimin already felt the four walled structure closing in on him. Swallowing him whole like a small piece of candy.

It was also easier for the boy to go back into how own home. Reasons being, he hasn't known what he was getting himself into. When Yoongi told Jimin to go inside, he had no idea he'd see his father drunk. Not just off the liquor that he's once sworn off of, but also off the drunkenness of sadness. Pools of depression coating the man Jimin had looked up too for all his life.

Now.. He knew what demon lay inside Taehyungs house. That demon being Taehyung himself, In his own pool of grief.

With that in mind, Jimin made his first step towards the white house. Then a second, third fourth. Yoongi followed, the two stepping in sync. though it didn't last long. Where Yoongi went to step straight ahead, Jimin stepped to the right. Causing the two to crash into each other and fall to the ground.

"Shit!" Yoongi growled.

The elder was laying on the ground. One knee slightly bent. Yoongis head was lifted up. Looking st the fallen boy on top of him.

Jimin had one of his legs intertwined with Yoongis, his groin against the older mans stomach.

It took Jimin a second to catch his thoughts and when he did, his eyes shot wide open quickly lifting himself up to get off of Yoongi just to crash back down again as his leg tried to free itself from the tangle of Yoongis own limb.

A gush of breath pushed out past Yoongis lips. Lips that were now squeezed tightly shut as pain coursed through his lower abdomen.

"I'm sorry!" Jimin hastily said. Lifting himself off of Yoongi once more, this time more careful not to get stuck.

"I'm so sorry!"

"Just, just get up dumbass"

Expecting Yoongi to be mad, Jimin made eye contact with his as he stood up. Instead of the blank stare, or sullen expression he expected. Jimin was met with a small smirk. The boy couldn't help but smile back.

What the hell was getting into Jimin? To Yoongi? Both boys thoughts were chaotic. Just a while ago they'd been in a screaming match, and now, here they were sharing a smile.

"Nerves" Jimin thought to himself. It was nerves, he was anxious and stressed at knowing he was about to see his best friend. That was all it was, nerves.. Right?

Picking himself up off the ground. Yoongi straightened his shirt from the mess it'd been put it when the two crashed into each other.

"Why did you change directions?" yoongi asked as he made eye contact with Jimin. The younger had been watching the elder dust his shirt off and not expecting Yoongi to look up at him, Jimin panicked and looked away.

It wasn't that Jimin was checking Yoongi out or anything, god knows that was the last thing on Jimins mind. It was jut reflex that'd caused the boy to look away. not that Jimin really people watched often, besides Jungjook but.. Well that was a different.

"I don't want to go inside" Jimin said. His voice wasn't strong, but it wasn't weak either.

"I just, I.." Jimin could feel tears brewing in his eyes. Like a pot of boiling water on the stove, Jimin felt like his tears were about to boil over. Turning to look at the house so Yoongi couldn't see his face.

Jimin took deep breaths. Blinking his eyes quickly to will away the tears.

"Too many memories I guess" Jimin shrugged. He hoped his emotions weren't too evident. Even though he'd been a blubbering mess all day, or.. night whatever time it was. Jimin had felt something change.

Seeing his father in such an emotional state changed Jimin.

He didn't want to just be a crybaby. He was here for a reason. He didn't really know what that reason was, but it was there. And it was time to be strong.

Yoongi knew the boy wasnt being truthful, he didn't push anything though. It wasn't his place, nodding his head. Yoongi cleared his throat realizing Jimin could see him as his back was still turned.

"Fair enough".

"To the side of the house, the fourth window is Taehyungs room. I'm guessing that's where he'll be" Jimin said as he began walking again.

Yoongi didn't know.

He wasn't some extraterrestrial being who knew of this world. He was simply a guide. Equipped with just enough information to answer any questions Jimin might have.

Anything beyond that, Yoongi had no idea what would happen. It was a guessing game for both boys to see if Tae was in his room.

Hell Yoongi didn't even know this was Taehyungs house!

Walking past the first three windows, Jimin didn't dare look in. He knew the first two were the living room. Where the two boys would play video games after school when they were younger.

Jimin thought of their first sleepover. Both boys having just begun a friendship.

Taehyung had, had the new Dungeons and Dragons video game and invited Jimin to play. The two boys had played it all day going far into the night. By the time Jimins mother came to pick him up he'd begged her to let him stay the night.

It was a Thursday, Mrs. Park had been hesitent in letting Jimin stay on a school night. But with both boys pleading and with Mr. Kim's approval. Jimin spent the night.

Jimin was so lost in his memeory that he didn't realize he'd walked past Taehyungs window until he felt a hand pull him back my his upper arm.

"Dumbass!"

Jimin came to his senses whipping around to see an irritated Yoongi.

"What the **** happened to you?" Yoongi asked letting go of Jimins arm.

"I, uh.. I just..." Jimin couldn't connect his words together, the only thing he seemed to be able to say were "I" "uh" "just" repeateldy.

"Whatever. Lets go" Yoongi said turning around. And walking the two feet to Tawhyungs window. He wasn't angry at Jimin, though it looked like it.

Now that they were close to the window. It seemed like the rancid smell Jimin had smelt minutes ago was stronger here. It was suffocating almost, like Jimins lungs were being marinated in whatever decay had concocted such a scent.

While Jimin stepped closer, Yoongi lifted the window open. The silent air between teh two being invades by the voice of Tae.

"- really does help." Tae said.

"Yeah, you're right man" Jimin felt his heart stop beating. That voice.

Rushing the last steps to peer into Taehyungs room. Jimins eyesight was twmporaily distorted as his eyes adjusted to the dark room. There was Taehyung laying on his bed, a joint in his hand.

Jimin watched his best friend take a drag from the drug, the smoke rings pouring out of Taehyungs mouth like drops of water out of a leaky faucet. Taehyung wasn't a druggie, in fact Jimi was shocked to see his best friend smoking. But what shocked Jimin more than anything were the boys sitting next to him.

Jihyun and Jungkook

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***