-EMPTY HALLWAYS-

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- FLASHBACK -

Jungkook steps outside his house and finds a man standing in his garden, clearly trying to remain hidden.

"Did you save the kids?" Jungkook inquires, his brow furrowing as he raises an eyebrow in the dim light.

"Yes, your grace," the man responds, his voice hushed. "We managed to keep them hidden from everyone's eyes. The children have been sent to an orphanage, although they sustained some burns."

Jungkook nods solemnly. "It's okay. What matters is that they're alive."

"I also heard there was a little girl in the family, but the parents refused to divulge any information about her, even under torture. They claim she's a witch, too."

"It's best if the girl isn't discovered," Jungkook says decisively. "Let it be."

"But what if the girl believes you killed her entire family, your grace?"

"Let her think that," Jungkook replies with a heavy sigh. "I killed her parents; I deserve her hatred."

The man continues, concern in his voice. "Suppose we get caught by the king or someone else. What should we do?"

Jungkook's expression remains resolute. "I'll handle it. I am my father's son, and I know his strategies. Don't worry; you won't be in trouble. You have my word."

───── ••• ─────

After conversing with the man and returning to his room, Jungkook sits down at his study table to write in his diary.

"Today, I killed a witch's family. Father, I don't know how I manage to carry on each day, but I continue, to survive. I'm haunted by the increasing weight of my crimes as an earl and in business. I have no one left. I am alone in this unforgiving world, without you, without my family.

For the past few days, I've been feeling uneasy without any discernible cause. Father, I hope you're at peace in heaven. I will safeguard your name, your estate, and your legacy. I will strive to be the son you would be proud of."

Jungkook sets down his pen and stands up. He heads to his bed, lying down and pulling the duvet over himself, his gaze fixed on the ceiling.

Minutes pass, and Jungkook sighs, rising from his bed to survey his dimly lit room, illuminated only by the moonlight streaming through the gently swaying curtains.

Jungkook returns to the center table in his room, picking up a water pitcher. He leans it over his glass, but just a single drop of water falls. Frowning, he places the pitcher back on the table and turns, exiting his room to find a servant who can bring him water.

"Lefleda? Plesanthia?" Jungkook calls out, but his own voice echoes back to him.

"Robert?" He even shouts his butler's name, yet silence persists throughout the mansion.

Jungkook's frown deepens. "Where are they?" he mutters, striding along the mansion's corridors.

As he proceeds, a woman suddenly appears before Jungkook in the blink of an eye, her expression blank. Shocked, Jungkook takes a step back, believing it was a hallucination. Yet, in the span of a second, she should have approached him gradually. Bewildered, he begins to say something, but before he can finish, the woman clutches his shoulders, her eyes turning crimson. Opening her mouth wide, veins bulge at the corners of her eyes. She bites into her palm, her teeth drenched in her own blood.

Jungkook's throat felt dry, and terror gripped him as the woman sank her fangs into his neck. He screamed, but his voice seemed to vanish into the void as his lifeblood was drained from him. Desperation coursed through him as he struggled futilely against the woman's unnatural strength, realizing she was far stronger than he was.

Suddenly, as if from nowhere, someone intervened, seizing the woman by her neck and forcibly tearing her away from Jungkook. The young man's screams filled the room, tears streaming down his face as he collapsed against the wall, hugging himself in sheer horror.

Jungkook looks at the person who saved him. The person still held the woman who wanted to drink more of Jungkook's blood. The woman didn't attack the man. Her focus was only on Jungkook.

The man in front of Jungkook unsheathes his sword slicing the woman's neck. The woman's head falls in front of Jungkook as blood splatters everywhere, from the man's face to Jungkook's whole self. Jungkook's screams increase as he sees the terrifying scene with his own eyes.

Turning towards Jungkook, the man's determined gaze locks onto his. "We don't have much time left," he states urgently, his grip firm as he seizes Jungkook's arm, pulling him away from the horrifying scene. The dimly lit corridor they now traverse is a stark contrast to the nightmare they've left behind, but Jungkook's racing heart and trembling limbs remind him that the danger is far from over.

- END OF FLASHBACK -

─────

"Hello! Is anyone home?" You inquire, checking your watch, realizing it's getting late, and you need to return to your dorm where Raya and Alita might be worrying about you.

Jungkook takes the pizza box and signals for everyone else to step away, indicating that he'll handle the situation alone. However, they all use their vampire speed to hide in their rooms while peeking through the slightly ajar doors to keep an eye on the situation.

You suddenly recognize Jungkook's face and exclaim, "You!" while pointing at him.

"Yes, señorita," Jungkook responds, trying not to smirk but failing. Your wide-eyed reaction surprises him, and you frown in response.

"Señorita?" Taehyung can't believe his ears and quietly expresses his disbelief to his hyungs in his room, though he knows they can hear him. All of their lights are off to avoid drawing attention to themselves.

"Shut up. Let him do whatever he does," Jin whispers from his own room.

"O-okay?" Taehyung responds hesitantly.

"What's happening downstairs?" Jimin whispers, aware that his hyungs can hear him from the upper floor. He hadn't cared about them much for the past few days, but now he's genuinely curious.

"No, we're not," Taehyung replies with irritation. "Now let us listen to this."

"Okay."

"Um . . . Ok. What a coincidence it is, I had to do the delivery to your house, right?" You ask casually, glancing around outside.

"Nope. This ain't a coincidence. You and I both live near or in a forest, so yeah, it's common, we would bump into each other. This is a small area anyways. Not many pizza stores," Jungkook replies while massaging his neck and avoiding eye contact.

"Y-You're hair is tied today," you nervously point out.

"Yeah."

"What are they doing?" Taehyung asks, becoming increasingly irritated.

"What happened?" Yoongi inquires, growing frustrated with Taehyung's interruptions.

"They both are clearly interested in each other. Just find a room and smooch already," Taehyung whispers with an open mouth, scoffing.

"Shut up, Taehyung," Namjoon orders. "Let them first get to know each other, then they'll find a room and smooch." Namjoon responds with a playful tone.

Taehyung smirks.

"S—So, I'll go now," you say, turning around, your heart racing for no apparent reason. You want it to slow down and feel that the only way is to get out of there.

"No!" Jin's shout stops you in your tracks, catching you off guard.

You frown deeply.

"Hyung?!" Jungkook turns around and yells.

"You live with more people?" You ask, understanding that there are others listening to your conversation.

Your gaze lands on Hoseok, who was hiding but slowly emerges from his hiding place.

All of them come out, realizing they've been caught.

"What's happening?" You inquire, bewildered by the fact that they were all listening in secret.

"Señorita, you can go," Jungkook tells you and motions for you to leave.

"O—Okay?"

"No," Jin intervenes, pushing Jungkook aside.

"Can we please talk, miss?" Jin politely asks, raising his eyebrows.

At that moment, Jimin cautiously descends the stairs, looking down.

Your eyes meet Jimin's, and you both lock gazes for a moment before you turn back to Jin with a sweet smile and bow, saying, "Yes."

───── ☾ ─────

You all gather in the living room, where two separate sofas await. Jungkook is the only one standing since there isn't much space left to sit beside you. The other seven boys have conveniently spread out on one couch, claiming it as their own. Even if there were tiny gaps, Taehyung's outstretched arms make it seem like there's no room left.

Jungkook rolls his eyes at Taehyung's antics and sighs before catching your gaze. You kindly offer, "You can sit here," gesturing to the spot beside you. Jungkook gladly accepts and takes a seat.

You're well aware that these guys have something up their sleeves, especially Taehyung with his "I suddenly got fat" charade.

Jin gets straight to the point, addressing you, "So, I'll get to the point. Are there any jobs for three men?"

Taehyung, Jimin, and Jungkook all turn to Jin with wide eyes, their interest piqued.

Jimin jokingly raises his hand and chimes in, "I'll work as a stripper, Hyung. I've been procrastinating for the past 10 years, and I'm not in the mood for a job."

Jin rolls his eyes at Jimin's remark. Taehyung joins in, agreeing, "Me too."

You can't help but express your confusion, "T-Ten years?"

"Yeah, so he hasn't worked for ten years now," Jin explains and then berates the two of them, "Shut up, you two! Do you really think anyone will hire you as strippers?! No one is that dumb!"

Jin sighs and turns back to you, trying to regain his composure. "So, Miss, do you know of any jobs?"

"There are jobs in a cafe," you respond directly, deciding to get to the point.

"No! I don't want to work!" Jungkook vehemently protests, standing up.

Jin reminds Jungkook, "You can't work as a businessman again, Jungkook, or people will know..."

Jungkook reluctantly sits back down, pouting slightly. You're taken aback by his adorable expression and blush, looking down.

"Smooch already!" Taehyung blurts out, prompting Yoongi to smack his head.

Jungkook squints his eyes at Taehyung, knowing he's heard their conversation. Trying to cover up, he tells you, "It's nothing. He's a little... you know..." Jungkook circles his index finger near his temple to signal that Taehyung might need an asylum for being crazy.

You can't help but chuckle at their antics, even though you're still curious about their unusual living arrangement.

"You cheater, mother******," As Taehyung mutters under his breath, struggling to control his anger, his words remain inaudible to you but not to Jungkook, who avoids Taehyung's gaze and seems lost in thought, staring at you in a slightly dazed manner.

You pick up on the tension but don't fully grasp what's happening. Taehyung's quiet frustration doesn't go unnoticed by you, and you react with a somewhat sympathetic expression, responding with an understanding "Oh."

Meanwhile, Jimin tries to hide his laughter, biting his lip to stifle it, while Hoseok appears bewildered, attempting to hold back his amusement.

Jungkook's gaze remains locked on you, his eyes almost dreamy, before he snaps back to reality, realizing what he's doing. He stands up abruptly and apologizes for the inconvenience, declaring their decision not to take the job. Then he walks away, his departure drawing the attention of the other members.

Namjoon, however, decides to inquire about the job opportunity. He approaches you and exchanges phone numbers, showing genuine interest in the job you mentioned.

You announce your intention to leave, slipping your phone into your back pocket and heading towards the exit. As you walk away, Jimin continues to look at the door with a contemplative expression.

Hoseok turns to Jimin, curious, and asks, "What happened?"

Jimin, still deep in thought, replies with a simple "Nothing." He stands up, climbs the stairs, and retreats to his room, slamming the door shut behind him, leaving the others with unanswered questions.

──────

VOTE