jimin grunted in frustration, his breaths fogged as he hugged himself in the cold. he shivered under the cold temperature that pierced through his clothes and brushed against his pale skin.

JIMIN
"i swear. . ."

JIMIN
"all this for my little brother."

JIMIN
" . . . "

with a long groan, jimin looked up and saw the sky turning orange. it was going to be nighttime soon.

jimin shook his head, thinking of the strange call he got from his brother. he said he needed help but he couldn't understand. he only said that he was running from someone in the forest.

of course, jimin was worried. no matter how much of a jerk his brother was, he still loved him. so here he was, trekking the woods with nothing but a bottle of water and biscuits.

JIMIN
"i'd need to find shelter soon, there's no way i can last the night in this cold."

a flicker of hope. that's what jimin thought of the faraway lights. a house.

JIMIN
"thank god."

jimin stomped towards the house and breathed into his palms. his boots crunched against twigs as the house got closer, showing him a very neat and organized looking cottage. the sight of the wooden structure itself already made him feel warm.

what caught jimin's attention was the only item that was dirty and rusted, a nearly unhinged signboard above his head that said: --- ------- - local doll maker, always open.

jimin found it odd that the doll maker's name was seemingly scratched, no words replacing it. still, despite the ominous feeling groaning in his gut, the boy turned around and knocked on the door with no hesitation, intent on finding.

a silence, followed by soft footsteps. the door opened as jimin swallowed dryly.

he was strange, deep black trench coat hanging loose from his shoulders, top hat flattening his blonde hair, white gloves covering his hands, a long staff resting next to him.

???
". . . hello, boy. what brings you to my cottage during this lovely afternoon?"

JIMIN
"uhm . . ."

jimin stared at the doll maker with squinted eyes, doubting him. he felt a bit anxious at how the other was staring at him with his thick lips curled into a very eerie smile.

JIMIN
"hello, have you seen my little brother jungkook?"

the doll maker's smile faded for a moment before it came back bigger and brighter.

???
"ah, yes . . . the one with brown hair and big teeth, hm?"

jimin's eyes lit up instantly. finally, a possibility of finding his little brother jungkook.

JIMIN
"yes, yes that's him."

the doll maker nodded before tipping his hat.

???
"i see . . . young one came to me yesterday at around this time, was rambling about being chased by a madman. he said he needed a place to stay and hide."

JIMIN
"thank you so much for taking him in mister . . . "

SEOKJIN
"seokjin. and please, do not thank me, jimin. jungkook has told me all about his big brother and you fit his description perfectly, yes. still, i believe that the world can slowly be made into a better place with small acts of kindness."

JIMIN
"that's a wonderful belief."

SEOKJIN
"it is, thank you. come in, jungkook is inside."

jimin stepped inside with a smile, happy at the thought of seeing jungkook safe and sound. his figure disappeared into the dark doorway and screamed his brother's name.

seokjin, on the other hand, changed his sweet innocent smile into one that was mischievous and evil. turning around, the knife glinted in his pocket.

SEOKJIN
"don't worry, jimin. you'll join your brother soon."

END

-

explanations in the next chap!