Third Person

One's trust gets broken when given to wrong people.

And strangers walk in to help build it up, just to break it once more.

"T-Taehyung-ah..." Jimin stuttered.

JImin knew he isn't angry. He couldn't feel resentment inside him. Others would just want to hit their friend with all their might after finding out they've been betrayed. But not him, because the only thing he felt at this point is pure anguish. He thought this person standing before him was a friend.

Jimin had a flashback of all the fun they had with Kim Taehyung. As if watching the scenes in front of a TV. Then a tear escaped from his eye, bringing him back to reality and saw the real event in front of him.

A smirking Kim Taehyung, siding with their biggest enemy.

Yoongi shifted his head to the side, where a speechless Da Hee has her eyes widened at her brother. His jaw clenched. He saw Da Hee close her eyes and lowered down her head in so much fear.

Why the hell is he doing this? He asked himself.

"Please... tell me this is a joke." Jangmi broke the deafening silence. Her voice and lips, shaking. "Kim Taehyung!"

"It's not." Taehyung answered coldly. The other three eyed him in disappointment. He reached something from his pocket. They all watched horrifyingly as Taehyung point the gun at his sister. Kim Da Hee.

"I'm killing you first."

"NO!"

Hara silently held Taehyung's wrist, stopping him from pulling the trigger. He frowned at her.

"It's too early yet." She cleared. "Let him do it."

Now, everyone's looking at Jeon Jungkook, who shot Yoongi a playful smirk which irritated him quickly. Without taking his eyes away from the older, he spoke.

"Let them in."

The three are now staring at the door except for Yoongi who battled glares with the gangster. He knows who's coming in anyway, just by the small giggles of a certain girl and the familiar, creepy whistling of a guy. It's Mason and Lilac. He doesn't need to see their faces to know who they are.

"Yoongi!" Mason greeted with this annoying grin plastered on his face. His eyes traveled to the familiar girl at the side. "Kim Jangmi."

Jangmi's eyes widened a bit as shivers went down her spine after seeing Mason face to face. Her tied body on a chair and his deadly glares directly at her is more than enough to bring back her trauma.

Out of a sudden Mason slapped Jangmi resulting into chaos. Da Hee shouted and the two guys tried to untie themselves. Lilac's evil laughter also echoed in the room.

Until Jeon Jungkook shot the gun upwards.

Mason froze on his place as Jungkook pointed the gun directly at him.

"The second time I use this gun will be for your head."

Mason stepped back in silence. Jangmi groaned for being unable to move away from the chair she was tied to.

"Wae...?"

Taehyung looked at her sister uttering with tears in her eyes.

"This is not you... r-right?"

He was caught off guard and suddenly wanted to just run away.

But then again, no.

This is the plan. He wanted to help. He called for it. Now he has to stick with it.

Even with everyone's lives' in danger.

"You." Lilac held Jangmi's chin and glared. "Again."

"Yes. It is me, Lilac." Jangmi mumbled bravely despite her swollen cheek. "...It will always be me."

That statement outraged Lilac. She knew that it has a different meaning. And she could never accept the fact that... it will always be her.

It will always be her in his heart.

"What the hell did you just say??"

"You guys," Taehyung roared in anger. "speak too loud."

"I don't think it is loud enough." Lilac answered. "But screaming is loud enough."

"Do not dare touch them." Yoongi's tone scared nobody but Da Hee and Jangmi. For the first time, they could see the real him, that tone which spits danger, his eyes who speaks death. The Min Yoongi who's used to confronting lunatics like Lilac.

The scene amazed Mason in some way. He was amazed to see a former friend whom he once knew as a well composed person turn into a pissed guy you definitely won't try to upset more.

He chuckled before butting in.

"Right from the start you had your feelings. Remember? When the only plan was to take advantage of her but instead you chose to feed and live with her! You ran with her you chose that girl over me. Over us!"

"I'd always choose somebody else over you." Yoongi carelessly snapped back. "Cause there will always be someone better... than you could ever be."

"Oh yeah? Then why the hell are you stuck in there?"

Yoongi eyed Taehyung before answering Mason.

"Cause you can't play fair."

He made sure that the younger gets his mind killed with guilt just by looking straight into his eyes.

Why were you acting like a real friend in the first place, Taehyung?

"D-Da Hee."

Everyone turned to Jangmi's direction who began crying for her friend's name. Jimin's eyes widened and Taehyung almost lost his character after seeing Lilac standing beside Da Hee as she hold a knife.

"Unnie..." she weakly called. "Help."

Jangmi could not stand seeing their pathetic selves begging again for freedom.

The death of Jae eun still haunts me. I won't let another friend experience the same. But... eottoke? I couldn't even help myself.

Jangmi bit her lip, one memory began to present itself in her mind as to recall that heartbreaking incident.

--

"Jae Eun! Yah let me go! Jae Eun I don't wanna go with them without you! Jae Eun-ssi!" I protested and pulled my body away from these two people but they're just way too strong.

"Where will you bring her?! LET HER GO JUST TAKE ME–"

*gunshot*

"NO!"

--

Jangmi sighed.

No? Nothing changed after that word. I shouted no but... it still happened.

Words are the only way for us to express ourselves but without the rightful actions, does these words really count?

No.

The anger of her past had finally shown itself and all of a sudden she had the courage to act up for Da Hee.

"Get that knife away from her."

"Mwo?"

"You will never be smart enough Lilac but at least act like one."

"How dare you-"

"You can kill me but you will never gain anything from us!"

"SHUT UP!"

"AAAAHHH!" Da Hee screamed loudly. So loud that Lilac decided to swing her arm back and finally stab the girl. Jungkook and Taehyung ordered her to stop and attempted to get near them but Mason took Taehyung by the neck and threatened him with a knife.

"Da hee!"

Before anyone could take another chance, Jungkook did what he had to do.

He shot Lilac on the leg.

"Yah!"

"Do not move." One of Jungkook's bodyguards carefully ordered Mason. He could not move an inch now with a gun resting behind his head.

"Take that knife away." The guard ordered and just like that Mason let Taehyung go.

He stiffly turned his head towards Jungkook and pointed at him. "You. Why are you protecting her?!" He asked, referring to Da Hee.

"Shut your mouth." The guard spat.

"Let him go." Jungkook asked his bodyguard. He hesitated for a moment but the younger just nodded at him. Mason calmed down.

He could not understand why Lilac was shot by trying to hurt their own hostages, but he could not understand either why Jungkook allowed him to be set free from only one click of death. Even after he harmed Taehyung.

Mason, for the very first time, learned to hesitate his own beliefs towards their new boss. For the first time around, he actually stared at him with the question at the back of his mind...

Which side are you on?

🌸🔪🌸

The deafening sound of the police sirens distracted the crowd and the busy road of the city. It feels colder, but the police chief could feel the warmth of blood pressuring him from theorizing too many possible ways to solve the mystery they're currently chasing.

"Call Jangmi's mother. I've something to ask." The chief told his colleague. Once the other line has answered, he started asking questions.

[Y-Yes?]

"Ajumma. This is chief Taehoo. Is it okay if I ask you about something?"

The older took a while to answer. She's still a bit shocked from what happened and it is obvious by the sound of her heavy breaths and shaky voice.

[Yes. what is it?]

"How did you meet Min Yoongi and Park Jimin?"

[O-Oh. My daughter came home with them.]

"Did she tell you how they knew each other? Where and when?"

[She... she said Min Yoongi saved her from danger. She told me she was kidnapped.]

Yes I held her case when she went missing. But how did that guy save her when he himself could be a suspect?

And another thing, he is trying to chase Jangmi again. Saving her. What's happening?

"Ajumma, have she told you any details about them?"

He wanted to know if Jangmi told her parents something which could be a lie or truth. At the back of his mind he already has the answers he's waiting to hear. He's hoping that Jangmi's parents are aware about where Jimin and Yoongi came from. After all they are just two strangers living in somebody else's house.

[She told me that Yoongi saved her from danger then they met Jimin. He was badly hurt so they had to help him.]

Their lies were carefully made up. They got themselves ready for this moment. To lie in such a way that they only chose to leave blanks in some facts about them, but not make up a whole new story that could cause bigger conflicts.

[Waeyo?]

That response should have given him reassurance from his doubts against yoongi and jimin but instead he got caught up with a lot more questions.

"Kamsahamnida, ajumma. I have to go now."

[Find my daughter... jebal.]

"I will."

Chief Taehoo immediately hung up after that. His eyebrows furrowed, he held the wheel tightly and drove faster than earlier. The car's engine roared along with the deafening sound of the sirens and the police cars trailing him from behind did the same.

"We have to hurry. We have no idea who the suspects were."

"Jimin and Yoongi, right?" His colleague guessed. But he just stayed silent.

Are they really the ones guilty for this?

Yoongi

I promised myself not to let her get hurt.

Mason should let everyone go. I'm the one he wants to kill.

I have no idea why Taehyung ended up with them. Why did he decide to be with my enemy? Since when did he plan this? How could he allow his own sister to get tied on a chair with us? How did he talk to their boss just so we could end up in this bait?

Why did he betray us?

Mason gritted his teeth as he angrily approach his boss.

"Jeon Jungkook. Which side are you on?"

I frowned. Mwo?

"If you really are on our side, let me kill one of them."

"Woah." Jungkook chuckled. "You're getting good at this."

Their boss glanced at the bodyguards surrounding us and nodded at them once. Suddenly there was a chaos between Mason's group and Jungkook's bodyguards. But they were able to handcuff Esther and the others easily.

"Yo what the fuck?? I thought we're friends dude!"

"Don't touch me! Let me go! Mason, what's happening?"

I watched them getting held by their own allies. I could not understand a fucking thing but for sure, something else is happening in this room.

My head tilted to the side as I examine the way every guard keeps their attention towards Mason's gang. I turned to Lilac's direction and saw the guards behind her doing the same.

It doesn't make any sense.

Why keep an eye on your ally and not your hostage?

I slowly turned my head towards the front. Where Jeon Jungkook and Mason is standing. While Mason is full of anger and confusion, their boss gladly smirked at him.

It was the same smug glance I give whenever I crush someone I hate.

The same smug glance I give when I feel like I've won.

I looked at Taehyung. I was surprised after meeting eyes with him. He was already staring at me since earlier. I was caught off guard.

What the hell does that stare mean?

"What did you call me again?" Jungkook corrected Mason. He looked behind him and found his friends getting held. And it was satisfying to see his afraid expression, the moment when he was reminded that he was not the boss anymore.

"M-Mianhae... boss"

Hara silently walked towards Taehyung and showed him her phone. Then she approached Jungkook and tapped him on the shoulder. I saw how Jungkook's eyebrows raised. His features suddenly went calm. As if that tap is some kind of a sign.

"Mason, if I would give you a chance to hurt someone with your bare fist, will it be Park Jimin or Min Yoongi?"

I wasn't wrong. Now he is the jerk's friend again.

Mason got surprised. "Mwo?"

"You were doubting me as your ally. Of course it's my job to fix that. Oh, Kim Jangmi says she's available as well."

My eyes widened. My hands began to tremble and once again I'm trying my best to escape.

He can't hurt her. Choose me, jebal. Just choose me...

"I choose Jangmi then." He answered confidently.

"Andwae..."

I could not even talk properly. How will she survive? She can't.

Jungkook threw me a smirk and pointed the place where he is standing.

"Do everything here." He spoke while looking through my eyes. I gritted my teeth, he's doing this on purpose.

He wants me to see her dying.

"You heard him." Jungkook told the guard behind Jangmi. He immediately untied her and she glared at Mason as soon as she was set free.

How could she look so angry without any fear written on her face? This wasn't the same as the day I met her. She changed. A lot.

But still, that won't stop me from worrying.

All of them took steps backwards to give space for the two. Mason chuckled lightly as he move his shoulders in a circular motion as if getting ready for a fight.

"Are you dumb?" I glared at him. "Why choose someone who couldn't match you?"

"Because hurting her, means hurting you."

I was taken aback by his answer.

Jangmi slowly stood up. All our eyes are on her and I can clearly sense Da Hee crying again.

"Unnie..."

Jangmi stared at Jimin and the other just nodded at her. As if they knew something only they could understand. She turned to Mason with a smile on her lips.

How could she smile right now? Jangmi, what happened? A moment ago you were traumatized...

Everyone else felt uncomfortable with that smile as well. It was unlikely for her to react in such way but... what is in her mind?

She walked towards Mason in a fast pace and I couldn't prevent myself to panic. "Kim Jangmi andwae—"

Mason swung his fist towards her but she was able to lean backwards and slide going behind Mason. She faced his back and without another thought he kicked him hard.

I frowned. What did I just see?

Mason stood up and turned around. He scoffed, then pointed at her while traveling his eyes around the room as if talking to us. "This child perplexes me."

Yeah... since when did Jangmi learned defending herself? Was that just luck?

Mason attacked Jangmi once more but she easily hit his chest, ducked to the ground and kicked his feet causing him to stumble down for the second time. She stood up flawlessly after the collision, composing herself back while waiting.

What the fuck is she waiting for though? Is she confident enough to have a real fight with this gangster?

Mason stood up but this time, the smirk on his face is gone. I could tell that Jangmi did a great job making him furious which isn't good.

"Jangmi!" I shouted after Mason head locked her. She tried her best to get out of it but Mason was too strong. He laughed evilly as he watch her struggle.

He kicked Mason's leg and he groaned in pain but it wasn't enough to weaken him. He seemed too upset that Jangmi isn't how he expected her to be so he took it as a chance to punch her on the stomach.

Shit. I couldn't stand her getting hurt like this. What kind of a guy am I. Fuck Mason. He better get ready once I find a chance to break his bones. Even if his whole gang try to attack me at once I will make sure none of them would escape.

But for now... Kim Jangmi.

I want to believe that she could do it, that's what she showed a while ago it just have to be repeated.

Jangmi bit Mason's arm. He screamed and unwillingly threw his arm in the air and she finally escaped.

"Get back here you wench!"

She tried to run away but when Mason caught her again she slapped him on the face. Mason swung his fist towards her face and unfortunately she was unable to dodge that. My arms began to shake when I tried escaping again.

"Let me go! Fuck you Mason! Fuck you!!"

Jangmi kicked her crotch and luckily, he lost his balance. Just when she was about to step back, Lilac threw a knife to Mason and he took it. He crawled, slashing Jangmi's left leg.

"Ah!" She collapsed on the ground as well. I still couldn't get away from this chair.

"Come here." Mason grabbed her by the hair and pointed the knife on her neck. He looked at me.

"I ain't slashing her neck Yoongi. I want to stab it." He turned his head to Jungkook's direction and stood up along with Jangmi. "Don't stop me."

"I allowed you to do what you want given that you'll only use your bare hands. Of course I will stop you." Jungkook answered.

"Or you can just kill me." Mason insisted. "Since I'm still not certain that you're on my side. As long as I take this girl with me in hell, I'll be fine. Right Yoongi?"

He laughed again. That evil laugh that surrounded the whole room and poisoned our ears. I hate it. I've never wanted to cut someone's tongue so much except for this day.

While glaring at me, Mason tightened his grasp on Jangmi's hair and placed his lips near her ear. Even if Jangmi tried to move away, she couldn't because of the knife that's holding her back to her place.

"Any last words, sweetie?"

I will never forgive myself if something happens to the girl I love. Jangmi...

For a moment our eyes met and it almost took all my energy. She didn't look away even though everything already seem hopeless just by the way she stared.

I don't understand how she's done all this but if only I could tell her how proud I am right now. I saw how she fought him bravely, far from the girl I knew in Tennyson building. Far from the scared victim I held captive.

Mason, once he could hurt someone, he will. No exceptions. His hands have been stained with blood from numerous people.

And I don't want hers to count.

"Saranghae." I murmured as I stare at her deeply.

He can't kill her. He just can't.

"None?" Mason asked again. He smelled her hair and the back of her neck like a pervert. "You should voice out all your thoughts before dying, you know?"

Is he out of his mind? He's willing to die just for this??

"Yah if you want to kill me then kill me! Hurting her won't harm me. Are you dumb?"

No. Hurting her would only make me want to end my life. Hurting her is far much worse than stabbing me all over my body.

I let out a laugh in annoyance. "If you're brave then you should've picked me in the first place. Why act all tough now?"

Seeing him hold the life of someone I want to live with for the rest of my life weakens me. But I... I also have to act strong.

"I don't know." Mason answered carelessly. "It just feels right."

"Let her go." Taehyung finally spoke.

"Or else what? You're gonna shoot me?" Mason spat back. "Sure. But oh, you can't? Maybe I was wrong... maybe you guys are on my side after all."

Everyone fell silent. What the hell is this all about?

Mason looked around as he continued. "I'm not stupid."

Oh sure you are.

"Something is going on here."

He glanced at Jangmi and pulled her hair roughly. She gasped, it's as if she's starting to get scared of him again. The way her eyebrows curved as she close her eyes tightly.

The trauma. It's attacking her again.

My mind kept on telling me to go further and try hard to escape but my body wouldn't cooperate. How did I end up trembling in fear for someone else's safety?

You changed me, Jangmi.

And I just can't leave you now.

"Before we die, let's play a game, shall we?"

🌸🔪🌸