Chapter 5: The Night Alone.
Jimin adjusted the collar of his shirt, blueprints and sketches tucked in his bag neatly.
Rose came from behind, a bag in her hand and stood beside him.
Both of them were looking at Jungkook who was lazily sprawled on the couch. Munching the chips Nia had given him...he passed them both a look -- head to tae then. Gave a thumbs up.
Jimin scowled as Rose folded her hands.
Jimin
"I am still against us going without you!" he stomped towards him, snatching the plate from Kook.
Rose
"You are injured Kook. And also...disturbed."
Kook stilled. Blinking. He didn't know they would notice.
Kim Jungkook
" I am fine. Just this place is not for me." he mumbled
Kim Jungkook
"I can't go with you guys. And we've already fixed today's appointment with the owner to postpone it now."
Rose
"He would understand Kook. You are injured."
Kim Jungkook
"But not you guys, and it's only for a few hours, I'll be fine Nia is with me too."
Jimin and Rose still didn't look convinced, Kook sighed.
Kim Jungkook
"I want to complete this as soon as possible" he mumbled, then looked up "I want to go back."
Rose's heart tightened at his look, there was something haunting in them.
Jimin
Jimin caught his hand in his, sitting beside him "We can leave now if you want, Kook."
Kim Jungkook
He shook his head "No. We've worked hard for this. I don't want it to go in vain."
Kim Jungkook
"And. I am not a kid, ok!" he finally pouted.
Rose
"Yet, you are awful at taking care of yourself," rose said. Voice soft.
Kook chuckled dryly, then finally waved them off.
Kim Jungkook
"I'll be fine."
The palace was quiet, hauntingly quiet. it's long corridors stretched out, curling in shadows and coldness. Jungkook moved slowly, his ankle yet to heal fully. He moved towards the kitchen -- Nia, brushing the dust from the stone floor like she always does.
He sits behind, on the dining table placed there. Nia pauses, turning towards him.
Nia.
"You need anything, sir?"
She nodded, moving swiftly to prepare one for him. Jungkook watched in silence -- her movement, swift, practiced, careful.
Kim Jungkook
"Nia," he said "How long have you been working here?"
Nia.
"Since I turned twenty sir, my mother used to work here before me."
Kim Jungkook
"Then...can I ask you something?"
She said nothing but continued moving -- preparing the tea and some snakes for him.
Kim Jungkook
"Does this palace feel...strange to you? Not just old. But like something moving?"
At that, she paused. Just a flicker. Her hands stopped mid-serving.
But then she continued. Placing a small plate of cookies and a cup of tea in front of him.
Nia.
"It remembers, that's all." she finally said,
Kim Jungkook
"Remembers?" he blinked.
Nia sat down in front of him with a sigh, her hands folding in her lap.
Nia.
"There are stories...but stories are just wind, aren't they? To make children scared."
A silence passed between them, kook looked down at the cup, touching.
Kim Jungkook
"You believe them?" he asked.
Nia.
"I believe what I see" she paused, the continued "You should too."
He nodded numbly as her word settled in.
Nia.
"Don't go wandering alone, okay?"
Kook seeped the tea. Nodding again.
She stood up and picked up her broom again, then she left.
The sun dipped entirely below the horizon. Chill of night and wind spread the entire blue moon palace.
Jungkook lay curled on his bed, alone. His ankle bandage but by now fine. He eyes were fixed on the ceiling. Sleep nowhere to be found.
He was alone, yet he didn't feel like he was.
Jungkook pulled the thin blanket tighter around his shoulder. Then he turned on the side and tried to sleep, clutching himself tightly.
But, the moment his eyes closed --
His body jerked, breath catching. He sat up, heart thumping loudly
Kim Jungkook
"Who's there!?"
But by now, Kook was sure...there was something or someone around him.
He rose, steadying himself on the edge of the bed. The hallway outside was empty.
Footsteps.
Kook turned, knocking a lap down.
Kim Jungkook
"Who is it!!" he screamed, frustrated.
A faint laugh. Then something scuttled quickly out of view -- low to the ground, too fast to be seen.
Kim Jungkook
Kook gasped pressing himself to the wall behind him" It's nothing" he muttered "It's just old...the wind.."
Then he heard it again -- this time, a giggle. High-pitched, like a child. Just around the corner.
Kook stepped into the corridor slowly.
A small child. Around ten, dressed in black robes. Kook froze... The boy turned and smiled at him -- too empty, too wide....and then a lamp cracked near him.
Jungkook stumbled back. Falling.
He blinked rapidly...finding the boy gone.
He stood up. Scrambling as he turned and ran, back to his room, slamming the door shut behind him, breathing hard. Clutching his chest.
He didn't know what he had seen -- but it hadn't been a dream.
Jungkook sat against the door, knees drawn to chest, lights flickering. The silence was even thicker, with shadows looming.
His phone buzzed suddenly, vibrating across the table beside his bed. He scrambled to it, heart leaping when he saw the name of the caller.
Kim Jungkook
"Taehyung" he whispered, barely.
Kim Taehyung
"Jungkook?" came his deep voice.
Kim Taehyung
"Hey, My life. What happened? Why do you sound like that?" he asked, noticing the tremble in Kook's voice.
Jungkook swallowed hard, curling his fingers into the sheets.
Kim Jungkook
"Yeah" he said quickly, eyes scanning the room. "I'm just tired, this place is a little...strange. Couldn't sleep." he mumbled.
An exhalation was heard over the phone,
Kim Jungkook
"It's just too big and...old." he chuckled low, with no light in it "And I am alone."
A beat of silence. As kook desperately tried only to hear his husband's heartbeat. Only to focus on him.
Kim Taehyung
"Go lie down properly," he ordered "Close your eyes. I'll stay on the call."
Jungkook smiled faintly, obeying as he lowered himself in the bed, under the blanket.
Kim Jungkook
"Will you talk?" he asked, voice fading.
Kim Taehyung
"About what?"
Kim Jungkook
"Anything" he murmured, eyes growing heavy "Just...you. Your voice."
And fear finally loosened its hold around Jungkook as his husband repeated his name again and again...until he fell asleep.
Author Deep
Thanks for reading dear readers!
Author Deep
Response as well! Don't just read and leave! 😕
Comments