DEEP TROUBLE [KTH]

~18~

The boy slowly sits up and looks around, curious brown eyes examining the different scenery. "Friend house?" He asks.

"Yes. This is our friend's house." She says with a smile. "Come on, let's get you inside so you can get some rest." She adds offering her hand, the boy taking it with a sleepy smile.

"Watch your step Tae, let's take it slow. One step at a time."

The boy feels a little more energized now that he rested, the soft morning breeze carrying the salty scent of the ocean, which is enough to indicate that there is water nearby. That in itself makes the boy feel more at peace.

"You must be Taehyung." An unfamiliar voice says as he steps into the house, the boy nodding in response before he respectfully bows. "I'm Jimin. Nice to meet you."

"N-nice to meet you." He replies in a quiet, almost inaudible tone.

"Make yourself at home and feel free to explore." He says gesturing to the house. "I'll be in the living room if you need anything."

"T-thank you." He says, taking the girl's hand as he heads towards where he guesses the rooms are.

As they walk down the hallway leading to multiple rooms, one of the, catches EunHae's attention. The door is slightly ajar but it's mostly dark inside, however, EunHae can tell that this is not her friend's room.

Something about that room makes her feel uneasy but she is soon broken out of her thoughts when the boy finds their things in the room next to it.

"Why don't you get some rest." EunHae suggests. "I'm going to head back to the living room."

"Okay." The boys says, a yawn soon escaping his lips as he lays down.

Forcing a small smile, EunHae leaves the room, the uneasy feeling returning as she walks by the same door.

Just as EunHae is about to open the door of the mysterious room, her friend's voice calls her to the living room.

"EunHae, I made some food in case you guys are hungry." He says, her heart almost jumping out of her rib age at the sound of his voice.

"Uh, thanks. I'll be right there." She says, her heart pounding loudly as she sits in the living room, an awkward silence filling the air as the three of them sit there, casting glances t each other until someone finally speaks up.

"So what brings you here?" Jimin asks breaking the silence. "I wasn't expecting your visit until a few months. Not that I mind the earlier visit."

In the back of their mind, EunHae and Namjoon both know that it's risky to tell too many people about the boy, however Jimin is an exception. They know its safe to trust their friend.

"Yeah, about that." Namjoon starts. "There's something we need to tell you."

Jimin listens closely as his friends tell the story, nodding every once in a while as they speak, but much much to their surprise, he doesn't seem too fazed by their explanation.

"That's odd." Jimin says looking at the boy who had rejoined them sometime as they told the story. "They usually stay in cities near water so they can go back whenever they need to."

For a few seconds, the air is still as his words sink in, the pair frowning at their friend's comment.

"Wait, what? What did you say?"

"Right." Jimin says setting his mug on the table. "I guess now would be a good time to explain."

To Jimin, his friend's story is not that surprising at all, given that in the area there have been reports of strange things happening. So when his friend told him that it was an emergency and that he would give him the details in person, Jimin was quick to catch on to the situation.

"I see." Namjoon says leaning back on the couch.

"Do people believe the stories?" EunHae asks.

"Not really. They mostly dismiss them or pass them as stories told by drunk men."

The friends again fall silent as they think, Jimin observing the boy as he explores the house.

"Where did you say you found him again?"

Namjoon and EunHae exchange a glance with pursed lips before letting out a sigh. Then they proceed to explain the situation and how they came across the boy.

"Sounds like you are in deep trouble." Jimin says with an amused smile.

"Do you think he'll be safe here?"

"Yes. I'm guessing they still haven't found his whereabouts given that they haven't come after him. But I don't think they'll suspect him coming all the here on his own."

"Let's just hope he is able to recuperate fully before they find him."

As they talk, Namjoon and EunHae fall silent as they hear the sound of a door open, their eyes wide with panic as they follow the noise.

"I thought you said there wasn't anyone else here." Namjoon says raising a brow, jaw slightly clenched as another boy enters the house, stopping when he sees the guests.

EunHae's stomach drops as she makes eye contact with boy, the door from earlier coming back to mind. So Jimin wasn't alone after all. Now, fear slowly creeps in as realization hits her.

Jimin can be trusted, that much is sure. But who is this new person, and just how much did he hear?

"Who is he?"

Hi lovelies. Who do you think this new person is? Thank you for reading. Hope you enjoyed.
How are you doing? I hope you are all doing well and have a purple day!
~Van
(2020.12.27)