A/n: I advise listening to 'Two Of Us' by Louis Tomlinson while reading this chapter :)

~ The Day That They Took You, I Wish It Was Me Instead ~ 

* AUTHOR'S POV *

* Flashback to 22nd December, 2009 *

It was the day of first proper snow in Busan. 

The cold fluffy snow fell on the ground and melted away immediately. 

It just looked so pretty... 

A young middle-schooler walked down the familiar path to his home, enjoying the light snow which rested on his cheeks, making them red. 

He loved walking home from school everyday. 

Especially during this time...

When the roads were lit with fairy lights and people were busy doing their last bit of Christmas shopping. 

Sadly, they never celebrated Christmas. 

Or any other festival for that matter...

But perhaps, he could buy something for his Noona with the allowance he saved up...

As he took a turn from the main road, he reached a more subdued and quiet neighbourhood. 

He hated it here. 

Everything was so eerily quiet, that it gave him chills. 

And the people weren't friendly either. 

He took longer strides, increasing his pace. 

He didn't like staying out too long and the day was getting darker. 

As he neared his house, he felt as if something was not right. 

He cautiously edged closer, only to find the door slightly ajar. 

Had they forgotten to lock it? 

It wouldn't be the first time...

He slowly opened the door with a small push. 

The door opened with a creaking sound which echoed to through the entire house. 

A scene of devastation greeted him. 

Couch upturned, things askew, broken windows and many more. 

He entered the house with even greater caution before, never letting his guard down. 

He saw signs of blood splattered on the walls as well. 

Suddenly, he could hear the sound of sobs coming from the interior of the house. 

Then, it occurred to him. 

"Noona!", he shouted and ran into the kitchen. 

She had always hidden under the kitchen sink whenever something scared her...

And that was exactly where he found her. 

With a baseball bat in hand, ready to strike. 

He rushed to her and hugged her tightly, not letting go for several minutes. 

She sobbed in his arms and hugged him back. 

Both brother and sister were reluctant to let go of each other. 

They were each other's sheet anchors in this life...

"What happened Noona? Where's Eomma?", he asked as he helped her out of that cramped spot. 

"Eomma passed out while taking drugs. They gangsters burst into the house and beat up Appa and his friend. They took Appa, Kook...", she said as she wiped her tears. 

Although she was two years older than him, Jungkook still felt the need to protect her always. 

"Don't worry, Noona. We'll find Appa. Let's go to the police first.", he said and after waking up their mother, who had passed out, they both went downtown. 

As they reached the police station, he clasped his Noona's hand in his and marched inside. 

"Young man, what brings you here?", the Officer-In-Charge asked kindly. 

"We're here to lodge a complaint against the mafia gang Blood Riders.", Jungkook said. 

The Officer paused before writing down the complaint. 

"Blood Riders?", he asked with fear evident in his voice. 

"Yes. They've kidnapped our Appa. Please help us, sir.", he pleaded. 

Everyone, including the police, were afraid of those miscreants. 

Nobody messed with them...

"W-Well, we'll try.", he said with fear laced in his voice. 

"Thank you, sir.", both of them said and made their way home. 

The snow didn't seem so beautiful now...

Rather it showcased their bleak future ahead...

Suddenly, Jungkook's phone rang. 

He looked at the Caller ID and his mouth fell open. 

"Who is it, Kook?", his Noona asked. 

He showed her the Caller ID and she urged him to pick it up. 

"A-Appa...", Jungkook managed to speak after a few minutes of receiving the call. 

"Not your fucking fuck up of an Appa, m'boy.", a rustic voice spoke. 

"Who're you!? And what have you done to my Appa!?", Jungkook shouted into the phone. 

"Fucking respect, motherfucker! If you don't want your Appa to die, fulfil the deal.", the man said with a small disdainful chuckle. 

"W-What deal?", Jungkook asked in a perplexed tone. 

"Give us the drugs and we give you back your Appa.", the man said, the smirk noticeable in his voice. 

"I-I don't know anything about what you're talking about!", Jungkook said, feeling utterly clueless. 

"Your Appa will explain. Explain to your son, what you do, motherfucker!", the man said and put the call on speaker probably because Jungkook could hear his Appa forming incoherent sentences. 

"Properly, son of a bitch!", the man said and perhaps hit him as he gasped audibly on the phone. 

"Appa...", Jungkook trailed off, close to tears. 

"Jungkookie...this man will...tell you...of a...certain address. Go...pick up...the delivery...from there. It's... the only way...to save me. You...will do it, right?", his Appa said in short gasps. 

"I-I will, Appa! I will!", Jungkook said, his voice cracking slightly. 

What had his Appa been doing all this time...

"G-Good...boy...Appa loves...you and Jieun...very much...", was all he said before the gruff man spoke again. 

"The warehouse at 4th District, 8 pm. Collect the drugs from there and then meet us at Haeundae Beach. If you try alerting the police, you can kiss your chances of finding your Appa goodbye.", the man said before hanging up. 

Jungkook stared at his phone for a second or two before looking at his Noona. 

"What happened, Jungkook!? What did Appa say!?", Noona asked frantically. 

"Appa was involved in drug dealings, Noona.", he replied, his eyes moist. 

He had never anticipated...

That his Appa...

Would do this...

"D-Drugs!? With the Blood Riders!?", Noona said covering her mouth with her palm. 

He simply nodded, not being able to utter a single word. 

He looked at his watch. It was 6 pm now. 

It would take him around an hour to reach 4th District and then, another 20 minutes to reach the warehouse. 

He didn't want to do this...

His mind, body and soul screamed against the decision he was taking. 

But the irrational heart of his, had to accomplish this task. 

He knew that his Appa's faith rested in his hands. 

And now, it was only him who could save him. 

"N-Noona. Do you have a friend at whose place you can stay for the night?", Jungkook asked as he looked his sister in the eye. 

"Y-Yes. I think I can ask Jisoo to help me out.", she said. 

"Good. Then, I'll get going. Take mom with you and stay there until I come back.", Jungkook said as he looked at the night sky. 

"Mom? Why are you saying that instead of Eomma?", Jieun asked. 

"Because our parents have died for me today. I can't resort to calling them Eomma and Appa anymore. They are terms of great reverence in my eyes, and I don't want to demean it by calling our parents that. They don't deserve it.", Jungkook said with a fire in his eyes. 

"Kook! They are still our parents!", she said, horrified. 

"Parents who don't know a single thing about parenting! We've been left to fend for ourselves, Noona! They've forgotten their duty. So, I choose to forget Korean honorifics for them. I'm sorry.", he said before walking towards the main road to hail a cab, not waiting for a reply.  

"Where are you going!?", she asked as she ran after him. 

"4th District.", he said with a slight chill running down his spine. 

Jieun looked at him, shocked beyond anything. 

"HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND, KOOK! THAT'S A CRIMINAL INFESTED AREA!", she yelled at him as she grabbed his collar and shook him hard. 

"If I don't, they'll kill dad. I must go, Noona. Just go to Jisoo Noona's house with mom and stay there till I return with dad.", he said softly. 

Silence took over them as they both stared off into space, their minds filled with chaotic thoughts. 

"P-Please come back safe, Kook.", she said after an eternity and hugged her brother, for what probably felt like the last time to her. 

She was aware of the danger of the waters her brother was venturing into. 

But, she couldn't do anything to save him...

All she could do was pray to the Almighty...

Pray that he returned safely with their Appa...

"I will, Noona. I still have a lot of pranks to play on my dearest Noona.", he said as he kissed her forehead and since he was a head taller than her, it was easier. 

"P-Pabo! If you die, I'll never forgive you.", she said as she saw him get inside a cab. 

She wiped her tears, trying not to show how afraid she was. 

The cab drove off into the city, leaving behind in its wake, a trail of dust and smoke. 

She stared up at the sky, which was inky black, with no sign of stars. 

Even the moon had decided to hide behind the clouds, not showing light to the weary travellers of this mundane world. 

The snow fell thicker and steadier, muffling all sound around her and covering all footprints. 

She let out a sigh and vapours escaped from her pink lips, her nose red from standing in the cold for too long. 

She shoved her hands inside her trench coat and made way towards their demolished home. 

The night stretching out long and never ending in front of them...

A/n: I might've shed a tear or two while writing this chapter :')

- Logging off for now...

-💕Moonie💕