If there's anything that hurts more than a lie, it's the truth that comes after it - the truth that turns your entire life into a cruel joke.
It feels like your whole world has fallen apart beyond repair.
That was exactly how Bitna felt for the first time in her life - unsure of what to believe anymore.
Her vision blurred; the world around her faded into a dizzy rush of color and noise. The only thing echoing in her mind were those dreadful words from earlier.
> "YOU ARE A MURDERER!"
"IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!"
"YOU KILLED YOUR MOTHER!!"
The words sliced through her chest like a blade.
"Please... go away! Stop saying those words!" she screamed, pressing her trembling hands over her ears. "I don't remember anything-stop calling me a murderer! PLEASE!"
Her cries tore through the air, desperate for someone-anyone-to tell her it wasn't true.
The rage and confusion growing in her heart were unbearable. Her heartbeat thundered louder than the honking cars around her. Every sound, every face, every shadow made her chest tighten.
There was no safe place for her anymore.
Her breathing quickened. The dizziness worsened. Her eyes fluttered shut as her knees gave way. The cold ground was the last thing she felt before darkness swallowed her whole.
And then-like a flicker of light in a storm-a pair of hands caught her, pulling her limp body against a warm chest.
---
"Hyung, I'm scared," Jungkook's voice cracked with emotion. "What if something's gone wrong? It's been two hours already, and there's still no sign of Bitna."
"Nothing will happen," Jimin said, though his tone trembled with uncertainty. "We'll find her, I promise. Just... stop worrying."
But neither of them believed his words.
Unable to sit still, Jungkook, Jimin and Ji Woon rushed out, ignoring everyone's calls.
"I can't help but worry," Jungkook muttered under his breath. "I have this feeling that this time... it's worse than before."
Yoongi froze, glancing sharply at the youngest. His jaw tightened as frustration welled up.
"Kook, please-not now, okay?"
Jungkook bit his lip, eyes glistening. "What? You all know it's true! Isn't that why we're here? Because we're all scared of what's coming!"
Yoongi turned with fire in his eyes, ready to scold him, but stopped when his phone rang. Taking a steady breath, he answered.
"Hel-"
He didn't get to finish. A panicked voice on the other end cut him off.
"Come home. Now. Bitna's back."
Yoongi's stomach dropped.
"Hyung, what is it?" Jimin asked.
"She's back," Yoongi replied, already breaking into a run. "But from the way Jin hyung sounded... something's wrong."
The others didn't hesitate. They followed without question. One thing was certain-all was not well.
---
*********
The air in the Kim household was heavy with silence. Every minute felt like an hour as they waited for the doctor to come out.
It had been thirty minutes since he went in, and still no sign of him.
"How did you find her, hyung?" Jungkook finally asked, his voice trembling.
"It was Chanyeol who brought her home," Jin said quietly.
All eyes turned to Chanyeol, sitting in the corner. He looked pale, still shaken.
"I was just taking a walk," he said slowly, "and then I saw her. She was about to fall, so I ran and caught her. If I hadn't been there..." His voice trailed off.
Jungkook stood and pulled him into a sudden hug, tears slipping down his cheeks. "Thank you," he whispered, voice breaking.
Yoongi and the others looked away, their hearts aching for the youngest. They knew he was trying so hard to be strong.
Jin clasped his hands tightly, remembering the moment Jungkook had once asked if he'd go to prison if anything ever happened to Bitna. Back then, he'd laughed it off. But now, that memory felt like a cruel warning.
Just then, the door opened. The doctor stepped out, removing his gloves and handing his kit to an assistant.
Namjoon was the first to speak. "Doctor, how is she?"
The doctor sighed, meeting each of their eyes. "Your sister is in a very critical state."
Hoseok frowned. "But physically, she's fine, isn't she?"
"Physically, yes," the doctor replied. "But mentally... she's not. It's as if she's shut herself off completely. I recommend calling a mental health specialist. And judging by the symptoms, this didn't start recently."
"What are you saying?" Taehyung asked, his voice cracking. "That our sister is... going crazy?"
"Crazy, you mean psycho?" Jimin asked defeated
"I fear so." The doctor bowed slightly before leaving.
The room fell silent. Only quiet sobs filled the space.
"What? How?"
The apparent question that ran through the boy's mind.
"I thought it wouldn't get this bad," Ji Woon murmured, resting his head against the wall.
"What do you mean?" Jimin asked, brows furrowed.
"I should have noticed earlier," Ji Woon whispered. "The signs were always there. Sometimes she'd cry nonstop for no reason. I thought it was just the trauma. Even that time she argued with Jungkook and went into a breakdown-I should've said something."
Yoongi's voice was low and tight. "Since when?"
"Since childhood," Ji Woon admitted. "No one else knew. I didn't even tell Mr. Park. I thought I could help her myself..."
Jungkook's eyes widened, guilt flooding through him. His chest ached as his mind screamed the same thought-it's my fault.
Without a word, he turned and ran out of the room.
"Jungkookie!" Jin called after him, but he was already gone.