Jimin's feet halted as he took in some sharp inhales to try and regulate his messy breathing after the long-running he had withstood without even a proper destination.
After he and Veta had agreed to split ways in order to cover more places and potentially find Dana sooner, he felt like he had been walking blindfolded for he was utterly unaware of his ambient. This was the first time he had stepped foot in this village for even on those rare times he had sneakily passed by to visit Veta, he had had no need to get further inside the village for the Monastery was slightly more isolated by the entrance of the village and rested atop a small hill that could view the whole place as if it sat at the palm of one's hand.
"She should have given me some instructions at least. I can't even tell on which side of the village I am." He mumbled to himself slightly frustrated, right before he straightened his clothes a bit and started pacing down the earthly path that was guiding him further to civilisation as he could see plenty of buildings ahead. A civilisation that he would rather avoid for in villages it was known for people to know one another well hence anyone seeing him would perceive him as a stranger. Usually, at such places, people can't wait to gossip about events and he was definitely going to be the subject of the day if he was to meet even one of the villagers.
What choice did he have however other than go look further for Dana?
Jimin kept his head low as he quickened his steps down the narrow paths in between the houses until he reached a wider environment and a road that could be accessible for vehicles. On one side of the pavement, as the road went, there was a bigger building than the rest with a wide outer space that looked like a playground.
There was where Jimin took notice of the figure of a woman running away towards a narrow path and he instantly recognised her for she was wearing still the clothes that he had in the pictures of her departure on the port of the city.
He gave a quick look at his surrounding before speeding up to catch up to her and once close enough to her, Jimin sneaked from behind her and got her in his firm grip. His one hand, covered her mouth swiftly so she won't leave any unnecessary exclaims out of fear that his unexpected action may cause her.
"It's me...don't scream," Jimin whispered in Dana's ear softly then he reluctantly let go of her and she remained still, daring to utter nothing even after he had retrieved his hand from her mouth.
Jimin stepped before her to face her in wonder for no one would react so silently in such a moment yet once he made eye contact with her, his confusion came to an end for he witnessed her glassy orbs full of weld-up tears and her stare seemingly frozen at nothing.
"Dana...What's wrong?" Jimin questioned her as he held on to her forearms and gazed at her worryingly for his heart ached at the site of her looking so shocked and broken.
"He...he-" Was all she managed to utter before her voice broke and she lowered her head, shutting her eyes closed in an attempt to not break right then and there.
Jimin quickly brought her in his embrace and held her tightly, while she whimpered by the side of his neck in a try to choke down her sobs that were unwillingly escaping her throat.
"It's gonna be okay. It's gonna be okay I swear. Just trust me and come with me for now, okay?" Jimin tried to reason with her and take advantage of this moment that she was in a hazy mind and most likely experiencing a mental breakdown. It may not be right but he knew that he had to get her to safety first and everything else could be corrected afterwards.
He pulled her out of his embrace and whipped her tears then he pulled her scarf higher to cover her more while ignoring to make eye contact with her for her tears were still floating uncontrollably. Her hands were slightly trembling and he could hear the instability of her breaths as he passed his arm around her shoulder and started leading her away, towards the shelter of the woods.
---Change of set---
The fresh smell of food delighted Jungkook as he walked down the stairs with a smile, despite all the occurrences of yesterday night. The night was left behind and he had left with it his sadness to meet the morning sun with positivity.
Away from walls that were caging him within them, away from prisoners that would glare him down and try to kill him whenever they would find a chance, away from the terrible smell and the restless moments of existence. Now he was free again and despite everything that was something that he had to joy over.
"Good morning!" He beamed as he made his way towards the dining table where most of his dear family was waiting for him.
"My beautiful precious son, Good morning to you too." His mother walked up to him and cupped his face, gifting him a kiss on his forehead. "Did you sleep well, my dear?" She gazed upon him with eyes full of love that made him smile as he took hold of her hands in order to free himself from her grip of love that was slightly embarrassing him.
"Could you baby him any more than this? Woman, you will spoil the boy." His father left a peal of laughter as he talked, then urged Jungkook to join him at the table and seat at the empty chair that was by his left side.
"I am afraid it is too late for you to have such a fear dear uncle. For he is already spoiled." Taehyung commented with teasing intentions as he took a sip from his fresh orange juice. seated by the side of Namjoon.
Everyone started laughing at his words but Jungkook just smiled as he made his way to that chair and faced Namjoon who was right opposite him. Seated at the right side of his father. Exactly where Jungkook always remembered him being.
"What happened to your neck? " Namjoon's wonder escaped his lips almost instantly after he took notice of the Band-Aid placed at the side of his neck.
"Oh, nothing. Just a mosquito bite." Jungkook's hand immediately found its way to his neck as he uttered a lie for under that band-aid laid a small cut made by the knife of Serenity. And as if fate always wants to play with liars, his eyes met Taehyung instantly after he spoke those words, knowing that he knew that Jungkook was laying.
"Yeah, mosquitos have been quite vicious last night." Instead of revealing anything, however, Taehyung swiftly backed him up while continuing to enjoy some more of his juice.
"Why is the food not here yet? Where is the maid at?" Mr Jeon looked around the room in waiting once again, for originally they had said that they were waiting for Jungkook's arrival to serve but now he was there, so there was no further reason to delay.
"I will go take a look." Namjoon offered and stood up from his chair, in order to make his way to the kitchen, leaving behind him the joyful atmosphere of the morning table that had not been so for some years now.
It was certainly a positive thing, yet for some reason, Namjoon could not allow himself to be completely happy for his emotions had yet to settle much less his thoughts. Jungkook was free now and that meant that now more than ever Dana's family will try to avenge her and end his life. A scenario he had to prevent no matter what but it was also one that he had yet to find a way to do effectively or everlastingly.
It would be nice if he like the rest could pretend that they had their worries behind him now but he was just too aware to full himself. Now they were in danger more than ever. And the silence in the in-between was sure nerve-wracking for him.
"Oh my, you won't believe what I just heard in the bakery." Just as he reached the kitchen door, he heard one of the maids of the house speak with urgency in her voice and because of his already alert state, that had been all it had taken for him to freeze instantly in place.
"What? Anything serious?" The other maid's curiosity showed in her orbs as she leaned closer to the older maid that had just gotten back from shopping for fresh bread.
"Right before the big party for Sir Jungkook, someone saw him climbing over the wall of the monastery. They say he was sneaking into Sister Veta's room!" She spilt her gossip with a zest, making Namjoon's eyes grow wide upon hearing the expectancy of that information.
"No way. Don't tell me they-" The other maid cover her mouth, pretending to be ashamed of where her mind had gotten to.
"I always knew that those two had something between them. I mean, a seminarian male and female a novitiate living in the same Monastir for that long? No one could convince me that they didn't meet each other's physical needs, at least once."
"Shush! What are you saying? Sister Veta is not like that. She is set on the path of God." The young maid defended, finding it improper for such things to be considered for someone like sister Veta.
"Oh come on. She has not given her vows yet. As you said she is on the road to God but she is human too, she can still stray."
"How about you keep the paths of others out of your mouth and focus on doing your job? We are waiting for the table to be set." Namjoon found himself unable to hold back his anger as he stepped in and disturbed their shameless gossiping, bringing the two maids in an embarrassing state as they both apologised and hurried on with their duties, him casting some longing stern stares at the oldest before he turned around and walked away from the kitchen.
Their words however had accompanied him till the table where he sat again on his chair and his gaze found its way once more to Jungkook's neck.
He didn't know why, a taste of bitterness filled his tongue as he lifted his eyes to meet Jungkook's and he for some unknown to him reason, broke eye contact with him, in a suspicious way.
A way that made Namjoon start thinking that his younger brother, was certainly hiding something from him.
---To be continued...
(I think I am getting back my pace on writing bit by bit. I am happy :)