Destiny Road

Prologue

I looked around at the dilapidated buildings, noticing that the only thing besides the house that appeared to be in decent shape was the barn. I guess that was a good thing, since the two horses watching me from afar would surely not be happy without a place to get out of the weather once the snow fell.

I opened the gate, stepping into the pasture and closing it securely behind me. I wasn't in the mood to be chasing horses right now. I walked closer to the barn, taking in the weathered paint, hoping that a new coat was all it needed. I slid the door opened, and it squeaked loudly, causing the horses to turn and trot farther away.

The barn was dry and dusty, old hay covering the floor, and a half gone bag of feed sitting against the wall , a small hole spilling the contents onto the floor, a mouse scampering away when it noticed me.

I looked up, squinting my eyes as I saw the shaft of sunlight coming in thru an opened window, tiny particles, visible only in the bright ray of light being cast across the barn, floating around like fairy dust.

There was a ladder leading up to a loft, and two stalls that hadn't been cleaned in God knows how long. I wondered when the horses had last been in the barn.

On another wall hung a couple bridles, below them two dusty saddles balanced on barrels. A pitchfork, shovel, and rake stood in the corner.

Next to the saddles was a small cabinet that stood opened, holding brushes, combs, a pick and several other horse grooming accessories.

Other than that, there wasn't much to see. The building wasn't falling down, and it seemed to be sturdy, unlike the other neglected buildings scattered around the pasture. I stepped out of the barn, closing the door behind me. I knew I needed to get rid of the old hay and feed, replace it with fresh, and I didn't want the horses getting into it before I had a chance to clean it out of there.

I looked towards what I believed was a chicken coop at one time, but it was crooked, the door hanging, and the chicken wire was coming off the frame of the outdoor enclosure. The few other buildings, which I assumed to be sheds, didn't look to be in any better shape, and may be better off being torn down. I sighed, wondering what I'd gotten myself into.

I'd bought this place sight unseen. The elderly owner had recently passed away, and his kids wanted nothing to do with the place, they couldn't even be bothered to come out and go thru his belongings, according to the realtor. They didn't want anything that was here. They just wanted to be done with it. So they put it up for sale, as is, everything included.

I was looking for solitude...peace and quiet, away from people, traffic, pollution, my friends. Not actually my friends, just their interests. I didn't want to be surrounded by vehicles and street signs, fast food places and shopping malls, crowds and chaos. They enjoyed it. I was tired of it.

I heard a sound, faint, but clear, and my eyes scanned the pasture, not sure where it was even coming from. Then I heard it again, at about the same time I felt something brush against my leg. I looked down, to see a small orange and white cat rubbing around my leg, meowing faintly. I smiled, squatting down to pet it, as it started to purr loudly.

"What other surprises am I in for?" I mumbled, scratching the cat behind the ears. It looked up at me, lifting its front paws off the ground to raise up and rub itself against my knee. "Guess I have to figure out what to call you, huh?"

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

My name is Taehyung, Kim Taehyung. I'm from South Korea, and I just bought a small farm in rural America... in an attempt to get away from the hustle and bustle of Seoul, and the aftermath of the rise and fall of my career.

I wasn't trying to hide, I just had had enough of the looks, the downcast eyes, the open curiosity. It wasn't like what happened was a secret. None of it.

We had everything, fame, fortune, ambition, each other. The 7 of us were inseparable. We were on top of the world, winning trophies, and making fans all over the world. It never got old, but we never really got used to it.

We were living a life most could only dream about, and most days, we spent wondering how we'd made it this far. I don't think any of us thought about when it would be over. But all good things have to come to an end.

It had been an unfortunate accident, but it had also been the demise of BTS. There was no saving it.

We'd all been celebrating a big win at an award ceremony. We went to a fancy restaurant and ordered a lot of food, and of course drinks.

I wasn't one to drink, not caring for the taste, or the effects. The rest of them enjoyed it. I had one shot, like I normally did when we'd celebrate. Then I enjoyed my soda and let the rest of them partake of the alcohol.

We had laughed, eaten and more than likely annoyed anyone within range of our overly exuberant conversation.

When they decided it was time to wind down, and head home, Jin and I became the designated drivers. I was always one, for obvious reasons. Namjoon didn't drive, and Jimin had come with me. The others always left their cars, returning for them the next day.

This evening, Hoseok decided to drive himself, claiming that he was fine, that he'd only had two drinks, and wanted to go to his sisters, which was in the opposite direction.

I offered to take him after dropping Jimin and Jungkook off, but he insisted he would be okay. He seemed fine. I didn't argue. I hadn't really paid much attention to how much everyone drank. It had never mattered before.

It should have mattered this time.

■■■

A.N: Any chapters containing mature content, or discussions of mature content will be marked with 🔞 after the chapter title.