"Just… do it already." Jungkook's voice was barely above a whisper, the words escaping his lips like an afterthought. He focused on the floor, avoiding your eyes, adding, "Do what they asked you to do. Then leave me alone."
You stared at him, your mind racing in confusion. The situation felt surreal as if you were caught between two different realities. Yes, your first instinct was to inject the serum into his neck and then run for your life, but that instinct was fueled by the memory of a different Jungkook — the one who had pulled you into a heated kiss not so long ago.
You thought you recognized him. But the Jungkook sitting so close to you now felt like a stranger, shrouded in shadows. He resembled the scared boy, running away from reality, pining for warmth and help, and trembling like a lost child.
It was almost as if he had put up a barrier against the world, a detachment that left you feeling helpless. This version seemed resolute, hardened by circumstances beyond your understanding. You wanted to reach out to him, to show him that you still cared, but the distance between you two felt insurmountable.
The Jungkook standing before you slowly lowered his eyelids, a gesture that seemed almost deliberate as he prepared for you to fulfill your role. But before his eyes shut completely, you caught a glimpse of something profound in that brief moment—a fleeting look that pierced through the air between you.
You saw a vast ocean of emotions swirling within him in that instant. A deep sadness was reflected in his gaze, akin to a stormy sky heavy with unexpressed sorrow. A sense of loneliness wrapped around him like a shadow, as if he was trapped in a world brimming with people yet utterly isolated. And beneath it all, you detected a flicker of disappointment, an unspoken weight that hung heavily in the silence.
All of this pierced through you with a chilling clarity, and in that moment, you realized that you couldn't proceed. The depth of his emotions, raw and unsettling, left you unable to complete your task.
A sense of unease washed over you as you entered the scene before you. Something felt fundamentally wrong, as if the air around you had shifted into something thicker and more oppressive. You couldn't locate the malevolence in him that had sent chills racing down your spine that fateful day. It was a stark contrast to that time filled with a palpable terror that wrapped around your heart like a vice.
Now, however, everything was somehow different. Yes, his eyes were still a frosty shade, glinting with an unsettling intensity that could easily inspire fear. Yet, that predatory lust you had once sensed lurking beneath the surface was conspicuously absent. This version of Jungkook seemed disconnected, almost indifferent; he didn't welcome your presence, and the weight of his gaze felt more like a barrier than an invitation. There was no trace of the lecherous intentions you had dreaded. It was evident he wasn't seeking any sort of contact—physical or otherwise.
It left you with a swirling confusion that escalated your anxiety. You grappled with the unsettling question, "Who are you right now?" The air thickened with uncertainty as you stared into those cold eyes, searching for the truth beneath the mask he wore.
Jungkook's gaze settled on you with an unmistakable annoyance.
Why is everyone asking me the same damn thing? He mused internally, a hint of frustration flickering in his mind. The question echoed in his thoughts, relentless and repetitive, and he couldn't shake off the weariness that came with it. Was it too much to ask for a little variety in the inquiries thrown his way?
With an exasperated sigh, he chose silence, preferring to keep his feelings bottled up rather than engage in another predictable conversation. Instead, he let his eyes linger on you, seeking solace in your presence as he let the familiar irritation fade into the background.
He reluctantly pulled himself away from your side with a heavy sigh, the moment's weight hanging between you like a thick fog. He went to the far end of the cramped cell, where peeling paint and cold stone created an atmosphere of despair. Settling close to the wall, he folded his arms over his knees, his body language exuding defeat. Bowing his head and burying his face in his arms, he directed his gaze toward the worn floor, utterly consumed by his thoughts. It was as though he had cast a deliberate veil around himself, completely shutting you out as if you were merely a ghost in the room.
"It's essential to me. Please answer my question. Is this the first time you see me?" Soft yet tinged with exhaustion, your voice broke through the silence, carrying the weight of desperation. There was a fragile hope in your words, a plea that maybe, just maybe, he would break his silence.
Jungkook raised his head and gazed in your direction, his dark eyes meeting yours with an intensity that sent a shiver down your spine. You could see a mixture of confusion and curiosity etched across his features, a swirl of unspoken questions dancing in your mind. Still, no trace of fear lingered there anymore, not after realizing he was entirely someone else.
He took a deep breath, preparing to articulate the thoughts weighing heavily on him. "The second time…" he began, his voice low and edged with emotion. His gaze dropped momentarily as he bit down on his full bottom lip, a gesture that betrayed his inner turmoil before he forged ahead.
"The first time, I remember it was your first day here," he continued, his brow furrowing as he recalled that moment vividly. "Naeun came with you and introduced you as my new..." His voice trailed off, memories flooding back—how he had woken up, disoriented and...with that girl on top of him. Again, feeling powerless.
And now, there was another one. Another girl, another wave of pain, washed over him. He couldn't help but glare in your direction, his gaze heavy with unresolved emotions.
Your lips parted slightly; confusion etched across your features as you tried to process the surreal situation unfolding before you. It all began on that fateful day when you first saw Jungkook; you were there with Naeun, blissfully unaware of the turmoil about to unfold.
Just before Jungkook took his dose, he was remarkably aware of the chaos surrounding him. You felt an inexplicable connection to him, a sense of déjà vu that echoed your past encounters. A mix of restlessness, curiosity, and an undeniable sense of intimidation assaulted you.
He was, somehow, quite intimidating. Every time his gaze settled on you, it felt like his eyes ignited a fire within. The intensity was palpable, almost overwhelming, as if he were piercing through your very being. It was more than just a gaze; it was a subtle dismantling, leaving you exposed and vulnerable.
There was a depth to his eyes that hinted at a keen intelligence, a profound awareness that drew you in. You recalled that a larger pupil size can indicate heightened fluid intelligence and an enhanced capacity for working memory. With every fleeting moment, you realized that the quicker his mind raced, the more his pupils expanded, reflecting thoughts and insights you could only begin to fathom.
This was a side of him you had never witnessed in his typical playboy demeanor, and it struck you with an unexpected force. The revelation was disarming, making you aware of a dimension of him that was anything but superficial.
And it hit you.
They were three different people.
The kind one.
The playboy.
And this Jungkook.
"I always believed that the true Jungkook was the one filled with warmth and kindness," you said sincerely, your voice steady despite the emotions swirling inside you. As you stood up, your gaze remained locked onto his, searching for some sign of acknowledgment. "Was I wrong about that?" You approached him deliberately, trying to bridge the distance that felt like an unspoken barrier between you.
Jungkook remained rooted in place, an island in a sea of uncertainty. Even when you halted just a foot away from him, he didn't flinch. Instead, he lifted his head, his eyes searching yours, but their expression was inscrutable—an enigmatic blend of confusion and contemplation that made your heart race.
"Can we... be friends?" Your voice softened, seemingly trying to break through his wall. "I genuinely want to help you," you added, hoping to convey the sincerity behind your intention.
"Just like that?" he responded, skepticism lacing his question as if he couldn't fathom such a straightforward invitation amid the complexity surrounding him.
"Yes," you replied, your brows knitted together in bewilderment. His reaction puzzled you; the simplicity of your offer seemed to disrupt something deeper within him. You stood there, determined yet vulnerable, waiting for him to absorb what you had just put forth.
Jungkook sighed heavily, the sound escaping his lips like a balloon slowly deflating. He could feel his patience fraying with every fleeting second, the tension in the air thickening around him. Suddenly, without warning, he rose to his feet, and in an instant, he maneuvered himself right up against you, pinning you between his solid body and the cool, unforgiving wall behind you.
His intense gaze locked onto yours, and he spoke with a mix of frustration and fervor. "Look here," he began, his voice low but commanding. "Yes, I'm a freak—call it weird, twisted, criminal, or whatever label you feel like slapping on me. But let me clarify: just because I'm unorthodox doesn't mean I'm foolish. Can you try to wrap that tiny but significant detail around that deliberately, sweetie?"
The heat radiating off him and the sincerity in his voice made your heartbeat quicken as you met his unwavering stare.
"Don't insult my intelligence," he said, his voice low and unwavering. "I know exactly what you're planning, and let me assure you, it won't work."
"You... what? What the heck are you talking about?" You stammered, bewildered by his confidence.
He leaned in closer, a knowing smirk playing on his lips as you pressed your own together, trying to mask your surprise. At that moment, you realized you had been caught off guard, unable to muster a response because, deep down, he was right.
"Don't you know?" he continued, his gaze piercing through you. "Everyone around here has their own agenda. You can't just waltz in with some naive approach like 'let's be friends' and expect me to fall for it. Spare me the pretense. Surely, you can't be that gullible." His eyes narrowed, darkening, which intensified your every feature, reading the emotions that flickered across your face. "And I have no doubt that you are not as naive as you pretend to be."
"What did they tell you? To try and gain my trust?" Jungkook's voice dripped with sarcasm as he leaned in closer, his hands pressed firmly against the wall on either side of you, effectively trapping you in place. The sharpness of his gaze was like ice, sending a shiver down your spine.
You inhaled slowly, feeling the weight of his presence. "Well, it will be too nuch on an effort on your part. All for nothing," he continued, his tone dismissive. "Why? Because I have nothing to say to you. How can I? When I don't know anything myself?" His words were laced with frustration and bitterness, and the intensity of his icy glare made your stomach twist uncomfortably.
A silence settled between you, heavy with tension. You didn't reply; instead, you simply met his stare,
though inside your mind, clarity was beginning to form. Deep down, you understood what needed to be done. The first step was to approach the other two, the ones you felt might be easier to talk to. Of course, tackling the situation with the playboy would be a challenge in itself; his carefree attitude could quickly turn any conversation into a game, and you had no idea where you'd end up in his playful web.
But it was a necessary risk. It was far more palatable to deal with him than to face this Jungkook directly. Jungkook's presence loomed over you like a dark cloud, exuding an intimidating air that left you feeling anxious and apprehensive. He had a way of commanding attention, his piercing gaze making you feel as if he could see straight through you. The thought of confronting him sent a shiver down your spine, making your heart race with uncertainty. You took a deep breath, steeling yourself for the challenge ahead, knowing that the other two were your best option for tackling the storm that lay within Jungkook.
You found yourself standing in front of the enigmatic figure of Jungkook, your mind racing with questions. You needed to uncover the truth about him — the real Jungkook. The one who had been whispered about in hushed tones and shadows. If he was indeed the one responsible for his family's murder, you wondered which of the personas before you was the true killer. For now, you decided to play it cool, offering him a smile that masked the turmoil swirling in your thoughts.
Jungkook blinked in surprise, his eyes widening at your unexpected warmth. He was no stranger to the strange glances people would throw his way, the blatant looks of disdain or fear that seemed to follow him. But here you were, smiling at him as if he were an ordinary boy rather than the subject of so much suspicion. It was a refreshing change, one that caught him off guard. You surely weren't the only one weird around here, he thought. Naeun was close behind.
As your smile grew wider, you leaned in slightly, gauging his reaction with a mix of curiosity and determination. "You owe me," you declared in a tone that was playful yet firm. The impact of your words seemed to resonate in the air between you, and you could see Jungkook's expression shift from surprise to confusion.
Without thinking, your fingers brushed against his cheek, a deliberate act that felt both bold and electric. You gently traced a finger along the line of his jaw, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath your touch. In that moment, your heart raced wildly, doing a triple flip in your chest as a mix of emotions surged within you. It was intimate, unexpected, and utterly disarming. You were caught in a web of intrigue, the weight of your actions hanging in the balance as you tried to decipher the boy in front of you.
"What? Why would I owe you something?" Jungkook questioned, his brows furrowing in confusion. The perplexity etched on his annoyingly gorgeous face was almost mesmerizing, drawing you in despite the situation.
"You really don't remember, do you?" you replied, a teasing smirk playing on your lips. "How can you forget how you shamelessly kissed me without my consent?" Your words hung in the air like an unexpected explosion, the weight of your revelation palpable.
In that instant, Jungkook's expression shifted dramatically—his initial blankness wiped away, replaced by a look that sent your heart racing. His eyes widened in disbelief, and you could see the realization dawning on him. A deep shade of pink crept onto his cheeks, a stark contrast against his flawless complexion, making him appear both vulnerable and undeniably charming.
His lips parted slightly, as if he were searching for the right words but found himself utterly speechless. The world around you seemed to fade away as you locked eyes with him, the tension between you crackling like electricity.
But you remained blissfully unaware of the rapid thumping of his heart, a sound that resonated with a mixture of excitement and longing. It was a sensation that surged within him for the very first time, an unfamiliar yet thrilling experience that he couldn't quite comprehend.
---
Unbeknownst to you, a pair of eyes was meticulously watching every movement you made within Jungkook's cell. The live feed displayed your interactions in vivid detail, capturing the intimacy of the moment and the subtle exchange of glances between you and him.
As he observed, a sharp pang of jealousy pierced through him like a bolt of lightning. He couldn't help but feel the intensity of emotions rising within him, especially as he witnessed you and Jungkook so close, lost in your own world.
It was a scene he thought he could handle, yet it was happening all over again. The bitter memories of that day flashed through his mind — the day he had stumbled upon Jungkook entangled with the love of his life in a moment of raw passion. Then, he had felt utterly helpless, paralyzed by the heartache of being a mere spectator. But this time, he vowed to himself that he wouldn't just sit back and watch. This time would be different.
This time, he was determined to fight back. He could feel the frailty of his heart, a constant reminder of its vulnerability. The weight of past experiences pressed heavily on his chest, leaving him acutely aware of the scars that had formed over time. The thought of enduring that kind of torment once more filled him with dread; the pain had been too overwhelming, too consuming. He refused to succumb to that agony again. Clenching his fists, he steeled himself for the battle ahead, understanding that this was not just a fight for survival, but a fight for his very spirit.
So, he will stop everything. Even if that meant to make Jungkook disappear or even kill him.