a/n: as we get closer and closer to the turning point in the story, it becomes so much harder to write chapters as quickly and my writers block kicks in. So this chapter isn't great but nonetheless, it is important.
ALSO, NEW COVER! I hope you like it, it's not great but I tried!
I hope everyone is staying safe <3
[ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄 ]
Jungkook whined, the pain hitting him in waves, as he pulled himself into a seated position. Instantly I rushed to his aid, placing a pillow behind his head and a hand on his lower back in attempt to steady him.
"Hey don't move too much, the doctor said that you're probably a little bit concussed." I said, examining his glazed look.
He went to speak and I hastily hushed him, remembering that it wasn't night time and, without Jeno's help, our entire conversation would be recorded. I motioned for him to wait and walked to the door of the cell, typed in a quick code and stepped into the observation room. As suspected Jeno was the only one who remained behind.
"Hey, can you turn of the cameras?" I whispered. He didn't reply, just grunted in understanding. He was still annoyed for some unbeknown reason. I noted to remember to ask him later, after I'd helped Jungkook but for now, I left him to sulk in his own misery.
"Jeno turned off the cameras," I announced, strolling back over to Jungkook's bed and jumping up to join him on the mattress. Unlike before, when he would have kicked up a riot if someone came even a metre close to his belongings, this was now the norm. We were at a point in our 'friendship' where we could be comfortable around one another.
"I don't like him," he slurred, rubbing his head and eyes simultaneously.
"Why?" This was a surprise. I thought he would be eager to discuss how this whole situation came to pass but he wanted to sit and talk about his relationship with Jeno. Maybe he was more concussed then I first thought?
"He likes you," he mumbled, his eyes flitting to the ceiling as a blush covered his cheeks.
"Of course he likes me, we're friends."
Jungkook stared at me in exasperation. "Are all girls this blind?"
"Wait you think he likes me. As in he likes me?" I said, a rambunctious laugh threatening to arise. This was certainly unexpected; I hadn't expected the conversation to take such a sudden turn.
I bit my lip trying to diffuse the laughter but i couldn't help but let a little giggle escape. Jungkook didn't look very amused at my reaction.
"Why on earth would you think that?" I chuckled.
"Jimin hyung told me that a guy's intuition about affection is always right."
"Well 'Jimin' is severely incorrect because Jeno absolutely, definitely, certainly doesn't like me like that. We're friends." With Jungkook's glower, I held up my hands in surrender. "Let's say he does like me, which he doesn't," I said, mumbling the last part under my breath. "Why is that a reason to dislike him?"
Jungkook sniffled slightly and closed his eyes. "You do realise that you're not the first person they've tried to used in an attempt to get me to talk."
My jaw dropped as realisation hit me like a truck. Maybe I had been a little bit naive when I thought that I was the first trial run but, Jeno? He'd never even mentioned it and it almost stung. Although, it did make complete sense. He knew way too much about how the system of the laboratory worked to be just an ordinary soldier.
"I think he does like you but I'm scared that he will manipulate you. That's what they all do," he spat, his temper rising. He had a dark look on his face and I could tell that he wanted the conversation to end. Jeno must have done something to exploit him but I could tell that Jungkook was definitely not willing to disclose that information. It was obviously quite personal.
"Don't worry," I said, shifting so that we sat shoulder to shoulder. "I'll be careful. Plus we've got more important things to talk about starting with how you got into this situation."
I poked one of his bruises lightly in taunting and he swatted my hand away, his eyes bright. However, even my little attempt at humour couldn't distract him from the obvious worry plaguing his mind. He was prominently frowning and a crease had appeared in his forehead as his eyebrows knitted together. His telltale sign of anxiety had also appeared as his foot began to tap a nervous rhythm.
"They kept saying things. About you."
"Who?"
He paused for a moment before reaching up and rubbing the back of his neck, a nervous laugh falling from his lips. "The guards. They like to tease me but this time they were saying things about you."
"What did they say?"
"You don't want to know. I gave them what they deserved though." He shot me a cheeky grin and I hit him on the shoulder.
"You were hurt you doofus. No more fighting, okay?"
I wanted to wrap him into a hug but that probably would have been stepping over our boundaries one too many times. Still, Jungkook was the epitome of misunderstood and he didn't deserve to be treated so harshly. He had this rather harsh and defensive exterior but, on the inside, he was caring and loyal.
"They're threatening to sedate you and we can't have that; you'll never escape. We're going to have to be much more careful which means my nightly visits are going to be put on pause for a while." He looked a bit dejected but nodded anyway. It was going to be a lot of pressure on both him and me but we were going to get through it, I had faith. There was no way I was going to allow him to be drugged up like some kind of animal.
There was a moment of comforting silence before I stood up. "I'll see you later, I'll be back soon enough."
"Promise to that," He commanded, holding up his pinky finger. I laughed and repeated the action, sealing his promise with certainty. With one last downcast look, he gave a half-hearted wave.
I gazed at him, feeling mildly unsettled that I had to leave after what he had just suffered. I had flashbacks to when I was a child and when I had the slightest cold, my mum would swaddle me in a mountain of blankets and sit by my bedside all day. The fact that he didn't even have memories of a motherly figure anymore, other than the woman that abandoned him, made my heart bleed with pity. With a huff of sympathy, I left the room.
Jeno's eyes flicked up from the computer screen and he scoffed. "You done?"
I hadn't forgotten Jungkook's warning about Jeno so I didn't answer but nodded in response. I hastily gathered my belongings and left the room.
"Hey Hayeon! Wait up," he jogged to catch up to me and I shot him an accusing glare. "Woah, what have I done to deserve that look? You look like you want to lock my body in a box and throw it in the bottom of the ocean."
Typical. Once again, his mood had shifted. This boy couldn't decide if he was annoyed at me or if he wanted to be my best friend.
"You didn't tell me-"
I almost felt as if I could see Jungkook's critical look and I felt the words clog in my mouth, refusing to come out.
"What didn't I tell you?" He questioned, acting oblivious.
"Never mind."
"I'm sorry about what happened with Jungkook, will he be okay? At least when he's gone, you won't have to worry about him about him anymore."
I felt my stomach lurch as red flashed before my eyes, blaring a warning. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"You do realise that when we get Jungkook out of here, you'll never see him again?"
I felt the tension diffuse from my body. At first I fought Jeno was implying that Jungkook would be- No. Even Mediheal Laboratories wouldn't go that far.
In response to his question, I didn't even flinch. I wasn't blind. Of course I knew that eventually I would have to say my farewells to the boy I'd begun to grow close to. It was inevitable. I couldn't run away with him; I'd be throwing my whole life away. My everything.
I'd grown from this little girl who wanted to be a simple doctor to a scientist in one of the most prestigious laboratories in the world. It's an honour that most people couldn't even dream about. The mere fact that it was my life was mind boggling but also my greatest achievement. Even though I liked Jungkook, I couldn't live a life of a runaway unable to rest in one place. Plus, he probably wouldn't even want me trailing behind like a lost puppy; I'd be a liability.
The future was unknown but I knew that my passion for science would never change. Ever. Although, I would have to move departments if I stayed here; there was no way that I was staying anywhere near that she-devil aka Dr Choi.
"You don't have to worry about me Jeno," I sighed, rubbing my eyes in frustration. "Let's just focus on getting Jungkook out of here."
"About that, did you ask him for the secret code?"
"No, there's no point; he'd rather hang from the Eiffel Tower by his toes than tell you anything." That much was true. I liked to believe that Jungkook trusted me but, even then, he would never tell me something that important.
"So what do we do?"
"I've got a plan."