- SeokJin?
NamJoon did not notice anything, not even a sound. Even after entering the bunker and walking to the kitchen, he did not see anyone. Suspicious of everything, he put his bag down, and went to the child's room. When he arrived near the door, he closed his eyes, and was able to perceive the sound of someone breathing steadily. He then entered and looked at the room. It was easy to guess that little Jin was hiding under his blanket. Was he sleeping? Focusing all his attention on the sound in the bedroom, he thought for himself that he was not sleeping since the rhythm of his heart was a bit too fast, yet he wasn't afraid either since it was too slow for that. NamJoon turned his back to the bed and failed to see SeokJin coming to hit him with a pillow from behind.
It was already the second time he was fooled like this. It was completely stupid, but he really didn't see it coming, and it irritated him. Yet, he just let out a tired sigh and looked at the young boy. The child was agitated, not knowing what to do after hitting someone, and then he hid his small face behind his frail hands.
- S-sorry... I-I thought it was someone else... I-I'm really sorry...
NamJoon remained silent, inviting the little boy to sit on the bed and doing the same. A gentle smile spread on his lips as the child sat on the bed, a little hesitant.
- Well at least we can say that you know how to protect yourself, Jin.
The young boy blushed, then crossed his arms on his chest while avoiding NamJoon's gaze. Even though he did not wanted to accept any compliment coming from the adult near him his heart still fluttered with pride. NamJoon snickered, sensing Jin's restlessness. They had met for less than a day and Jin already got used to being around NamJoon.
However, he knew nothing about NamJoon, be it his true nature or how dangerous he was, everything was beyond knowledge for Jin. How could anyone stay unfazed by this innocence, the boy was being too pure for reality.
Stopping his train of thoughts, NamJoon went to the kitchen to take back his bag, and then came back to show it to the young boy whose curiosity had been picked.
- I brought you some clothes and new blankets. Come.
Jin's eyes opened wide, surprised by NamJoon's kindness. Even though he was already used to being around him, they still met not so long ago. He opened the bag with happiness written all over his face and looked with extreme carefulness the content. Nothing was to Jin's liking, not even a tee-shirt nor some pants, it was his size either. NamJoon would have to grow some seamstress's talent to make something wearable out of all those things. At the very least, the content of the bag still meant that Jin would be able to change clothes.
- ... Thank you, Jin said with his face hidden behind the shirt he was holding in his hands
NamJoon couldn't help but smile a little while watching Jin's shyness. He still did not know why helping Jin in his survival game made him happy, but he had been wondering for so long that it became close to useless...
NamJoon put his elbows on his knees while his head rested on his hands, his eyes darkened for a bit. Maybe was it time to have a serious talk.
- Tell me, Jin. Do you know what's happening outside?
Jin kept on looking the clothes he had been generously given. He perfectly heard the question he was asked, but it seemed like he deliberately decided to elude it. Slowly, the sense of fear grew inside of Jin, becoming noticeable. After a few long minutes of silence, Jin's thin pinkish lips parted, letting a very small voice escape.
- ... Dad told me there were some hideous creatures around, looking like us, but not really like us. He forbade me to go outside... Not before I'm sixteen years old.
- Hm. It was understandable, NamJoon decided to keep talking; do you know where your parents are?
Jin shook his head and his eyes suddenly expressed all the sadness of the world while his heartbeat grew heavy. It was painful, so painful for the young boy, but also for NamJoon. It wasn't a habit for NamJoon to empathize with the cattle... Except Jin wasn't just a bag of meat as the other humans NamJoon had seen. Jin was unique... It was Jin, a full-fledged mystery.
NamJoon was about to put his hands on the young boy's shoulders, yet he suddenly hesitated as if a realisation flashed in his head. Strangely, he didn't dare to touch him. He didn't dare for this one simple reason: he was afraid to give in to temptation. NamJoon wasn't confident in his control over his instincts that screamed to him to search for flesh and blood. He was wary of his own self and forced himself to stay still. In the mean time, the child kept looking at the clothes.
Jin clearly lied about his parents if his tears were proof of anything. He definitely knew what happened to them.
- Are you also hiding from the monsters?
Jin's small childish voice broke the silence. NamJoon remained silent for a while as if he was thinking even though the answer was obvious.
- I'm avoiding them as much as I can.
He said, yet he was part of them.
Lying for the sake of the kid's survival it was the only way to not frighten him. Jin nodded his head without asking for further explanation. He didn't seem like the difficult type nor did he seem overly curious from the start.
- You never told me your name.
It was true. NamJoon only locked him in the bunker to be sure about his safety and left Jin alone with his alpaca plush. He didn't really talk with the kid before that. Moreover the young boy fell asleep in NamJoon's arms earlier so he couldn't tell him his name.
The man crouched in front of the kid whose naked knees were covered with scratches. Those scratches were evidences of the never ending loneliness Jin had felt alone in the bunker, making him have nightmares and forcing him to walk around the bunker disoriented to the point of falling.
- NamJoon, call me NamJoon.
Jin nodded his head to express his understanding, and a big smile full of joy brightened his features. NamJoon's heart pounded harder for a bit, the young kid made him feel so calm and at ease, as if every problem disappeared from the world.
- How did you eat? I mean, all this time you had to feed yourself by your own, how did you do?
- Mommy and daddy had some food stocks here and there. They told me to help myself, but to be careful not to eat too much.
A young child of seven years old already capable to take care of his own survival, it was astonishing, nearly impossible. It was quite unusual for a human to give birth to a baby in this kind of apocalyptical situation, and even more to be able to raise the child correctly, so having a child as clever as Jin was unique. Well, most of the children born since the apparition of the trackers had been captured and raised as cattle. Then, when they reached the age, they were just slaughtered and ended up in the plate of Mankind's worst nightmare.
NamJoon shook his head to chase his thoughts. He didn't want this kind of future for Jin, his mind and heart were screaming to help the kid. His protective side had overtaken his all being, suppressing his murderous and savage intents to the deepest part of his mind. It was quite unusual, and even though he did not show it... NamJoon was quite unsettled by his own behaviour.
- You'll stay with me here, won't you NamJoon? Jin asked while waving his small hand in front of NamJoon's face while the other one was on his knees.
- I won't be able to stay with you all day long, sorry.
- But... Why? Jin asked, pouting a bit with an expression that would have made more than one heart waver.
It was really hard for a child to stay here alone, even a tracker like NamJoon could imagine it easily. But, explaining the reason that kept him from staying with Jin? It was a too sensitive subject. NamJoon was facing a situation he had never faced before, and with a human child no less. Well, life really wasn't taking it easy on him.
- To protect you from the outside, he finally answered to the kid.
- But if we stay here together, nothing will happen to us...
- We still need someone to make the small monsters from the outside disappear.
Well, not that small, and I especially am one of them.
Jin was pouting, saddened and ready to cry, but he hold back his tears.
- I'll keep your father's promise. When you'll grow up, I'll teach you how to protect yourself, and then you'll be able to go out when you'll reach your sixteenth birthday.
Or not.
A promise, as long as there's no trace of it, were no more than words thrown on a whim for NamJoon... Until the young boy hold his pinkie out for the tracker to take.
- It's a pinkie promise then! He said sniffling.
- Hm? NamJoon answered, sceptical.
- Promise me to come back every night...
- Eh... I can't promise that much, unless he wanted to be caught by all his colleagues, but I'll come as often as I can.
- Why can't I come with you? Jin put his small hands on NamJoon's knees while the adult stood up to avoid the child's gaze.
- Because it's how life goes.
- It isn't an answer. Daddy and mommy were like you too. Daddy and mommy never told me why I could go out, the kid said, raising his voice a bit while feeling wronged.
- And they were right to keep the reason for themselves. Anyway, listening what the adults say is a must.
- ... Yeah, but as soon as I reach sixteenth birthday, I'll go out of this bunker with you. You have to promise me.
NamJoon hesitated. Even though the child has been left alone and had to take care of himself on his own, he still had a lot to learn before facing reality and he needed help.
- Come on NamJoooon.
Jin insisted, offering his pinkie again to the young man. NamJoon imitated him and their fingers intertwined as the tracker's heart was submerged with a strange feeling. He was unable to say if it was a good or a bad thing, he never felt such a thing before and no words in his vocabulary could describe it. He just stared blankly as their thumbs touched as to seal the deal.
- Pinky, pinky bow-bell, whoever tells a lie will sink down to the bad place and never rise again! The young boy sang, then smiled wide.
You're already there, in that bad place, Jin. You're innocence though is a treasure to keep.
SeokJin was young, and NamJoon couldn't explain with simple words destined to children. Even though Jin had no choice but to face reality, NamJoon felt like the child was miles away from realizing how bad everything was. It didn't seem to perturb the young boy in the less who thought he was ready to face anything that would come his way. Who knew what destiny would bring their way.
Still, Jin won't have to face destiny on his own now. He'll be protected from his biggest nightmares by a creature that could be worse than any of those nightmares: NamJoon will be there for him.
TO BE CONTINUED;
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