⟨Juŋkøøkˈs pøʋ⟩

I almost couldn't comprehend it when Jimin hugged me and started sobbing. Literally, on the terrace of an abandoned building. But hearing his sobs made me feel so weirdly sad, I just had to hug him back.

His taking me to his home was my second surprise of the day. I didn't know why he invited me in. I denied at first, but he seemed to be pissed off for some reason, so I dared not deny it again.

It became quite clear that he had brought me to treat my wounds, only the physical ones, that is.

I don't think much. I let him do what he wants. After all, I'll have to wander about the streets the entire night anyways.

His mom was so nice, it felt almost unreal. Not gonna lie, but I felt a little jealous seeing how sweet his interactions with his mother were. They understand each other so well and support each other so much.

When he sits in front of me with the medicines, I feel tears overwhelm me all over again. His mom gasp as she sees my wounds, but Jimin doesn't look very surprised. I try to suppress my pain because I definitely don't want to piss him off more, but my eyes go wide when he pulls up the sleeve of my other arm.

Shit-

I yank his hand away and pull my sleeves down, terrified.

"Let me go home, please?"

My voice comes out fragile. He saw the burn from the hair curler. That was the last thing I wanted him to see. It looks nasty and horrifying but I was too afraid to ask for help at that time.

"What is wrong with you?!"

He yells. Great. I pissed him off more now.

"You think it's-"

"Jimin-"

His mother stands in between us which I'm grateful for because I certainly don't want to face him.

"-funny to live a life-"

"Jimin, your upsetting him-"

"-like this? To hurt yourself, thinking-"

"Jimin, listen-"

"-it'll get better-"

"Jimin!"

She yells at him, shaking him. He seems to finally snap out of his angry trance and looks at her.

"Get out."

She says in a stern tone, in contrast to the one she's used before.

"I'll talk to him. Get out and cool off."

Jimin follows the instructions and moves out. His mom closes the door and stands there for a while, before turning to me with a smile. She comes to me, kneeling down in front of me the same way Jimin did.

"Hey, there."

She says, her tone was soft again.

"What's your name?"

She asks me. I don't like this. I don't like the attention I'm receiving. I keep fumbling with the gem of my shirt. Thoughts fill up my head. I'm not ready for a talk bout this.

"I'm waiting."

Her eyes being only on me doesn't help either. It makes me feel so weak, utterly powerless. I have found myself in a situation I can't run away from, so I just have to give in.

"Jungkook."

She hums, her smile widening a bit.

"That's a lovely name."

Oh...

It was the exact thing Jimin told me when he heard my name for the first time. I find that a little funny.

"And how old are you?"

"Seventeen."

"Oh."

There was some surprise in her voice. I wasn't sure what she was gonna do with all this information, but I was pretty sure she wouldn't do anything involving me without my consent.

There was a slight pause before she dropped her gaze to my arms. There we go again.

"Do you know how this happened?"

Of course, I do!

I thought, but I did not say it as rudely as it sounded in my head. Rather, it came out as a single, one-word reply.

"Yes."

"So, can you tell me how this happened?"

I wanted to cry at that question. Why was it so hard for me to ask for help? Why am I so scared? Why am I such a wimp?

They definitely wouldn't believe me if I said it was an accident. They may believe me if I said I did it to myself.

But for how long am I going to shield Jihun?

I decided it was enough.

"Mother."

I say. She looks confused, which is obvious. She is so lovely to her son, that it might be unbelievable for her to hear that another mother treats her own son like trash.

"Mother does this to me."

It might have clicked her then because she looks like someone had knocked out all the air from her body.

"Your mother does this to you?"

Her voice was filled with concern, something I hadn't heard of. But it felt amazing. But keeping those thoughts aside, I nodded, approving her fear.

"Since when?"

"As long as my memories go."

She stares in silence for a while. The tears that appeared in my eyes had finally started to fall. I'm so tired.

So, so tired.

"Why did you not report it then?"

"I have no proof."

More silence followed. I figured out that there was no point in bushing around about it anymore. I dab at my eyes to wipe the tears and right after, arms surround me. It made me feel more overwhelmed. A hug from an elderly person is something I never thought I would need. More tears make their way out of my eyes. I'm tired of hiding.

"We'll find a way out. I promise, okay?"

I could only sob. I have lost faith in everything. Everything. I don't even know what she's talking about. If I can't figure a way out even though I'm the one experiencing it, how can she find a way out when she doesn't know a thing?

"I'll not let you drown."

She says. I hug her back, desperate for comfort. I want someone to help. Someone to drag me out of the hell hole.

But I'm already drowning.

"Please help me up."

It comes out as a whimper. I want others to take over the matter. I don't want to deal with this anymore. I don't want it. I don't want it.

"H-Help me."

I whisper and she pats my back. The fond touch made me melt into the hug even more. I fist her robe-like outfit, not wanting this moment to end.

"We will. Would you... perhaps like to stay here today?"

I do not think about it. It's cold outside and I have nowhere to go. I don't know if Jihun with come searching for me or if she's happy to have me gone. I instantly nod.

"Okay. But...you'll have to stay in the attic."

I nod at that too. I could stay absolutely anywhere. She pulls out of the hug, softly patting my head as she does so. She approaches the door and opens it. I can see Jimin sitting on the couch from here.

"We need to do something as soon as possible."

She says, and I can see the confusion on Jimin's face, but she chooses to ignore it as she continues.

"On second thought, take Jungkook to the attic."

She approaches me again and takes a blanket that was kept neatly folded and a pillow. She hands them to me while she says,

"Jimin will guide you."

Jimin appears from behind with an expression I fail to decipher. He takes the pillow and blanket from my hands and gestures for me to follow him.

The stairs to the attic creak with each step and it's dark, only till Jimin switches on the light and the attic lights up in a pale yellow colour. It had a huge rocking chair at one corner of the room and random boxes were scattered here and there. Jimin uses his feet to move them around, to make enough space for me to lie down.

He helps me lay the blanket and I lay down, but what I did not expect was for him to just plop himself beside me.

"Aren't you gonna go to sleep?"

"Later."

I watch as he scrolls through his phone. He looks distressed. He catches me staring and turns his phone off, tossing it aside. He doesn't question my stare and looks straight at the exposed bandaged arm.

"I'm sorry."

His sudden apology startled me, but I didn't say anything.

"I was too rude. I didn't try to understand you."

His eyes shift to my other arm, where the burn from the hair curler lies.

"I don't know what took over my mind, I just-I was rather hurt than angry. I was hurt that you do that to yourself. I-"

His voice cracks a little.

He thinks I do that to myself.

"It just triggered me."

There were tears in his eyes when he says it. He turns his face away and pats his eyes with his sleeves, before sniffling loudly and turning back to me.

"Can I tell you a secret?"

He gives me an unblinking stare. I don't know what kind of secret he is talking about, but he seems to be desperate to let his feelings out. He blurted out the unexpected words as soon as he got my approval.

"My dad hits my mom."

Oh...

There goes more revelation of mysteries I don't know the reaction to give to. That might have been the reason for his outburst earlier.

"I don't know, man. He's never laid a hand on me. He's even brought me everything I ever wanted or needed but he hits mom every chance he gets."

He continues.

"The main reason I'm telling you this is simply because I don't care what people think about him being my dad. He might try to be a good father, but he's a horrible husband and hence, a horrible father. I'm also telling you this because I certainly don't want my dad to know your existence in this house. After all, if he does, things may spiral down quickly."

He breaths out and suddenly, stands ups.

"Please don't come downstairs by yourself. I'll come to fetch you, after making sure Dad had gone to work. I'll also leave for college soon after so... I'll have mom look after you."

He glares at me.

"And you have no say in it."

He says and makes his way to the door but before stepping out, he turns his head around a little and smiles a bit.

"Good night."

Saying that he turns the light off and leaves the door slightly ajar. I'm happy he figured out that I don't like locked rooms. I think I could have a decent sleep for the first time in a while.

I did the dumbest thing. I forgot I had the chapter ready and started writing chapter 8. I thought I had already posted chapter 7 which is why I said the next chapter is not ready and I'll need more time to write. Kill me.