Chau's POV
"Chau?" I heard a familiar voice call me.

However, it was odd; the voice sounded like I was at the end of a tunnel, and whoever was calling me was at the other end. Their voice bounced off the walls, distortion messing up their gentle tone. The lighting around me was dim, like I was in some sort of interrogation room, a single light bulb hanging by an electric cord right above my head. It was strange, seeing the cord disappear into the darkness on top of me. What was even more perplexing was that it followed me around whenever I moved around. The light followed me around like a friendly firefly, giving off a soft and warm glow. I don't know what took over me, but I reached up to cup the light in my palms. The lightbulb formed into a small orb in my hands, warming up my cold skin.

Looking around, I can't seem to remember what happened to me in the past few hours. I do recall sitting at the bonfire with my friends, and prior to that, Jungkook being soft with me like a little bunny. The last thing I remember of the bonfire was taking a walk and being dragged into the tree line. Even if I tried to remember it, my head would start pounding like the little drummer boy hitting his instrument. Why can't I remember?

"This is odd," a female voice spoke up this time. "She moved, but she isn't responsive..."

Responsive? What are they talking about? Am... Am I asleep? I don't think I fell asleep, I was wide awake before. I couldn't have passed out or fainted, that hasn't happened to me in years. This entire space around me feels real; the bricks creating this arched tunnel, they were gritty against my fingertips. The warmth from this firefly-like lamp floated my hand, I felt the heat and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't deny that it was an illusion. The tingles it sent up my hands, the beautiful soft glowing orange, it was real. The puddled under my feet weren't false, I felt the cold water soak into my shoes and socks, much like how the ocean did so back at the beach. The pitter patter of little raindrops echoed through the tunnel, reaching my ears abundantly.

I really was stuck in this tunnel.

"Jungkook, you need to rest," I heard that same female voice speak softly.
Jungkook? Is he here?
"I can't leave her Noona," he denied quietly. "I'm not leaving her side again."
He is here!
"Jungkook?!" I yelled through the dimly lit space, my voice bouncing off the walls.

I didn't get any answers from him, or anyone for that matter. I was the only inside this tunnel, but I know for sure I heard him. His voice was clear as day, I could pick apart the different pitches after he replied to that other voice. Jungkook was tired, he was straining to get his answer out and his tone was far deeper and raspy. Whatever was happening outside of this tunnel, it was reaching me.
"Jungkook!" I called again, slamming my hand onto the brick wall. "Jungkook! I can hear you!"
The light in my hand glowed brighter, lighting up a much larger space.
"Chau... Please wake up..." Jungkook begged.
I started to feel lightheaded, dropping down to my knees. The intensity of the light had grown far too bright for me to handle.

Wake up... WAKE UP...

...

"Chau?" Jungkook called, his voice even clearer than before. "Chau are you awake?"
I opened my eyes weakly, quickly adjusting to the dim lighting. However, the first thing I saw was Jungkook, looking at me with saddened eyes. Jungkook looked like he was about to cry and let all of his fears and sadness be washed away. He was clasping my hand tightly, letting the warmth from his palms heat my skin. I felt tired, no, exhausted. It was hard for me to even move a finger, much less move my head to look Jungkook in the eyes. I was asleep, but that dream felt so real like I was actually in that mysterious tunnel.
"Jung...kook..?" I tried to speak, but my voice was raspy and dry, resembling someone who hasn't had anything to drink in years.
"Chau..."

This came as unexpected, but Jungkook engulfed me in a tight hug, wrapping his built arms around my fatigued body. I was too weak to squirm in his grip and besides, he needed this hug right now. Jungkook was crying, but he cries silently. I felt his hot tears on my shoulder, through this ugly hospital gown I was wearing. This is the first time I have ever seen him cry, and the last thing I expected him to cry over... was me. He let his entire soul surface as he shed tear after tear, burying his face into the crook of my neck. I felt his heavy gasps and the heaving of his chest against my body, keeping my pressed against the hospital bed. I chose to keep still under him as he let his tears out, but I managed to weakly wrap my own arms around him.

Jungkook pulled away from me to my dismay but still kept his hands on my hips. He sat down on the edge of my bed, right beside me, his red and puffy eyes never leaving mine. Jungkook's hands moved up to cup my cheeks with shaky palms, and I unconsciously melted into his warm hands. His thumbs stroked my cheekbones, comforting intentions fuelling his actions. This was bunny Jungkook, not that puma from last week.

"Hi..." I whispered in a petite voice.
Jungkook frowned deeper, leaning forward and pressing his forehead against mine. His closed his eyes as if he was trying to find a meaning behind my two-letter greeting. A harsh sigh left his lips, brushing past my nose.
"That's all you have to say...?" he said slowly. "After you were almost raped and was unconscious for two days? Just hi?"
"R-Raped...?" I gulped and began to shake against his hands.
Jungkook gently tucked my head into his shoulder, letting me rest on him.
"Chau, I stopped him before he could do anything else," he reassured me.
His voice became soft, like one of those plush toys I had when I was a kid. Jungkook kept me warm as he comforted me as I tried to cope with the fact that I was almost raped. That's what must have happened while I was unconscious, but I wasn't sure whether to be thankful that Jungkook stopped him, or to be scared of further male contact. However, Jungkook touch wasn't cruel or controlling, it was like a father's cradling his child to soothe its crying. His hands on my cheeks were gentle and delicate, as if he was carrying a fragile glass figure of a ballerina, though I wouldn't call myself a ballerina. Jungkook spoke gently, never daring to raise his voice at me.

"You're still innocent, I promise you," he continued.
I nodded slowly, taking his words to heart.
"Can I have some water?" I asked quietly, tired of having a dry throat, much like the Sahara desert.
"Sure, of course," he spoke softly.
Jungkook got up, pulling away from me and headed towards the small table on the other side of the room. He flipped a glass from a plastic tray and lifted a glass pitcher, letting the water flow into the clear vessel. While he was doing so, I looked out the window, familiarizing myself with the sunshine of a new day. Jungkook had mentioned that I was out for two days, so it's Sunday today... Oh no, Minhyuk and Jaehee, they must be so worried about me. It's likely that they were informed about the bonfire accident, and it's more than likely that they're angry with me for not taking care like they told me to. Jiyeon and Yoojung probably heard about this too, I'm terrified that they're going to relocate me. I like it here, no, I love it here. I have friends here, real friends. They care about me and I care about them.

I don't want to leave.

"Hey," Jungkook snapped me out of my thoughts.
He quickly appeared at my bedside again, holding a glass of water in his hand.
"What's wrong?" he coaxed ever so gently.
"I-It's nothing..." I shook my head while staring down at my lap.
Jungkook suddenly cupped my cheek, making me look up at him. Sincere eyes looked back at me, trying to give me solace.
"I know we got off to a rough start, and things went further downhill after that first night," he breathed. "But I missed you, seriously, I did. I don't know if you feel the same, but I will be there for you if you need someone to talk to. Even if you call me at four am, I'll be there to talk to you if you need me."

I looked at him with bewildered eyes. Why did it seem like we've known each other for years, that I'm seriously moved by his words? My heart shook from his sweet and gentle tone, his delicate and loving actions made me swoon oddly.
"Why...? Why would you go that far?"
"I care about you Chau, I did from day one, even though I had a strange way of showing it. I hate seeing you get hurt because you don't deserve to feel pain or sadness," he answered. "I want to protect you."
I placed my hand on my chest, feeling my heartbeat begin to quicken, even faster than before. This only happens when I with Jungkook, which is odd and peculiar. I do feel safe with him, I do trust him with all of my being. Many times, he did protect me from Jongin and his odd henchmen, always keeping me safe from any threat. I was scared to admit this to myself, but my heart craved for Jungkook's warm touch and smooth voice. My heart swooned at the very mention of his name, every time I thought about him. Do I like him?

"What's wrong?" Jungkook asked.
"Why does my heart beat so fast when I'm around you?" I replied, looking up at him.

Jungkook suddenly smiled warmly, placing his hand over mine. He stayed silent for a few moments and it looked like he was feeling my heart crash against my chest. He looked happy, really happy like he had just learned he had won concert tickets to BigBang or something. I couldn't help but notice the bright blush across his cheeks, which was just as passionate as the look in his eyes. Jungkook looked like he had just met the love of his life.

"I feel exactly the same way, Chau."