CHAPTER TWO – A WORLD OF SHADOWS

The city lights faded the deeper they walked into the East Side.

Jungkook stayed close behind Taehyung, his camera bouncing lightly against his chest with every step. He tried to keep his breathing steady, but the streets around them made it difficult—dark alleys, broken windows, and figures lurking in the shadows.

Everything here felt different from the bustling city he knew. This part of the city didn’t pretend to be glamorous. It was raw, dangerous… and alive.

Taehyung, on the other hand, moved as if he belonged here—because he did. His steps were relaxed, his posture loose, yet his sharp eyes missed nothing.

“You always walk this fast?” Jungkook finally asked, breaking the silence.

“You always talk this much?” Taehyung shot back without looking at him.

Jungkook frowned, muttering under his breath, “I was just asking…”

But Taehyung’s lips twitched slightly, almost like he was holding back a smile.

After a few more turns, Taehyung stopped in front of a run-down building. The walls were covered in layers of graffiti, and one of the windows was boarded up with mismatched wooden planks.

Jungkook stared at it, hesitant. “This is your… home?”

Taehyung smirked. “Welcome to the palace, pretty boy.”

He pushed the door open, and a wave of noise and warm air spilled out.

Inside the Hideout

The inside was a strange mix of chaos and comfort. Old couches were pushed against the walls, a poker game was in progress on a crate-turned-table, and loud music blared from a dusty speaker in the corner.

At least a dozen teenagers and young adults lounged around, most of them armed with knives or pistols tucked casually into their belts. The smell of smoke and cheap alcohol hung in the air.

The moment Taehyung stepped in, the atmosphere shifted.

“Boss’s back!” someone shouted, and all eyes turned to him.

A boy with bright red hair—slightly older than Jungkook—pushed through the crowd first. He grinned, leaning casually against a pillar.

“Hyung, you missed the fun,” the boy said. “We almost raided the Marquez stash—wait, who’s this?”

His eyes landed on Jungkook, curiosity flashing in them.

“He’s with me,” Taehyung said simply, moving past them.

The red-haired boy raised an eyebrow. “With you? Since when do you bring strangers here?”

“Since now,” Taehyung replied flatly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The room murmured, several gang members exchanging looks. Jungkook felt every eye on him, his grip tightening around his camera strap.

“Does he even know how to hold a gun?” someone snickered from the back.

“Maybe Taehyung’s keeping a pet now,” another voice mocked.

Jungkook flushed, but before he could speak, Taehyung shot them a sharp look—a single glare that silenced the room instantly.

Without another word, Taehyung motioned for Jungkook to follow him into a smaller room at the back.

The noise outside muffled as the door closed behind them. This room was quieter, dimly lit, with only a single table and two chairs.

Taehyung sat down, leaning back casually. “You can relax now. They won’t bite unless I tell them to.”

Jungkook sat across from him, still tense. “They don’t seem very happy to see me.”

“They’re just not used to me keeping… guests,” Taehyung said, his tone neutral.

Jungkook studied him for a moment. “You don’t trust people easily, do you?”

Taehyung’s gaze sharpened slightly, but he didn’t answer right away. Instead, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a small knife, and began spinning it lazily between his fingers.

“Trust gets you killed in this world,” Taehyung said finally. “But you… you’re different.”

Jungkook blinked. “Different how?”

Taehyung smirked faintly. “You’re either too stupid to be scared, or too stubborn to run. Maybe both.”

Despite the insult, Jungkook found himself smiling slightly.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The dim light flickered above, casting soft shadows across Taehyung’s face.

Finally, Taehyung stood, sliding the knife back into his pocket. “Get some rest. You’ll need it.”

“Wait,” Jungkook said quickly, leaning forward. “Are you going somewhere?”

Taehyung was already at the door. “Business. Don’t wander around, pretty boy—you won’t last five minutes without me.”

And with that, he disappeared, leaving Jungkook sitting alone in the quiet room.

For the first time since he’d arrived, Jungkook felt the full weight of where he was. This was a world built on survival—a world Taehyung ruled with sharp eyes and bloodstained hands.

But Jungkook wasn’t going to leave. Not now. Not until he learned the truth behind White Eden.

The room felt too quiet once Taehyung left.

Jungkook sat for a long time, staring at the scratched table in front of him. He could still hear the muffled laughter and arguments from the other gang members outside.

He should have felt relieved to be away from their stares, but instead, his chest felt tight.

He hated feeling useless.

After what felt like hours, Jungkook finally stood and paced the small room. Taehyung had told him to stay put, but the curiosity gnawed at him.

What kind of “business” did Taehyung have? Did it have something to do with White Eden?

And more importantly… would Taehyung even tell him if it did?

Jungkook bit his lip, glancing at the door.

Just a quick look, he told himself. I won’t go far.

And with that, he slipped out.

The Streets at Night

The hideout was even more intimidating from the outside at night. Shadows stretched long across the cracked pavement, and the faint hum of distant sirens echoed through the streets.

Jungkook walked carefully, his camera swinging lightly at his side. His heart pounded with every step, but his determination pushed him forward.

Then he heard it—shouting from a nearby alley.

Jungkook froze.

“…Boss said to take him alive!” a voice hissed.

Curiosity got the better of him. Jungkook crept closer, peeking around the corner.

His blood went cold.

The Ambush

Taehyung stood in the middle of the alley, surrounded by five men. His usual calm expression was there, but Jungkook could see the tension in his stance.

The men were clearly from a rival gang, their weapons glinting under the flickering streetlight.

One lunged forward with a knife. Taehyung dodged easily, his movements sharp and precise. He slammed his elbow into the man’s ribs, sending him crashing to the ground.

But there were too many.

As Taehyung fought off another attacker, two men circled behind him, one raising a gun.

Jungkook’s heart raced.

Without thinking, he stepped forward. “Taehyung!”

The moment he shouted, everything froze for a split second—just long enough for one of the attackers to notice him.

“Grab the kid!” the man barked.

Before Jungkook could react, strong arms grabbed him from behind, twisting his wrist and knocking the camera from his hands.

“Let go of me!” Jungkook struggled, but the man only tightened his grip.

Taehyung’s eyes widened for a brief second, the first hint of panic Jungkook had ever seen in him.

The Rescue

In the next instant, Taehyung moved like lightning.

He ducked under a swing, grabbed a metal pipe from the ground, and slammed it into the man holding Jungkook. The man dropped instantly, groaning in pain.

Taehyung grabbed Jungkook’s wrist and yanked him close, his grip almost bruising.

“What the hell are you doing here?!” Taehyung snapped, his voice sharp with anger—but there was something else in his eyes. Something closer to fear.

“I—I just wanted to see—” Jungkook stammered.

“Shut up and stay behind me,” Taehyung growled, stepping in front of him.

The remaining attackers charged, but Taehyung was faster. He swung the metal pipe with deadly precision, knocking two men out cold before they could get close.

The last one tried to run, but Taehyung caught him by the collar and slammed him against the wall.

“Who sent you?” Taehyung demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

The man struggled, eyes wide with terror. “It—it was Marquez! He said to bring you in alive!”

Taehyung’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening. Then he shoved the man to the ground, letting him scramble away.

Aftermath

The alley fell silent except for Taehyung’s steady breathing.

Jungkook stood frozen, his heart still racing. Taehyung finally turned to him, his expression unreadable.

“Do you have a death wish?” Taehyung asked, his tone flat, but his grip on Jungkook’s wrist hadn’t loosened yet.

“I just… I wanted to help,” Jungkook said quietly.

Taehyung’s eyes softened—just for a second, so fast Jungkook almost missed it.

“Don’t ever do that again,” Taehyung said, his voice quieter this time. “If something happens to you… it’ll be a problem.”

Jungkook blinked. “A… problem?”