Namjoon’s phone buzzed in his pocket, and he answered it quickly.

“Joon! I’m in the ambulance,” Hoseok’s voice was strained, carrying a weight of fear Namjoon had never heard from him before. “Jungkook was hit by a bullet. His condition is unstable. We’re on the way to the hospital. I need you to come there. They need you—Jimin and Jungkook both.”

Namjoon felt his heart plummet, a cold wave of dread washing over him. “I’m on my way. I’ll call Jin—”

“I already did,” Hoseok interrupted, his voice tight. “He’s on the way to the hospital. And Namjoon... stay strong. Please. Jungkook... he’ll survive. I know he will. Just stay strong and get to the hospital.”

“Yeah,” Namjoon managed to choke out, his hand trembling as he grabbed his car keys. “I’m coming now.” He rushed out of his workplace, his mind racing.

When Namjoon arrived at the hospital, his breath was ragged, and his chest felt tight with anxiety. He spotted Jin pacing up and down the hallway, his eyes red and swollen from crying, his breath coming in uneven gasps. The moment Jin saw Namjoon, he broke into a run, and Namjoon caught him, pulling him into a tight embrace.

“Jin,” Namjoon whispered, holding Jin as tightly as he could, trying to offer the comfort and strength they both desperately needed. “I’m here. I’m right here.”

“My baby... he’s in there, Joon,” Jin’s voice cracked, the pain of seeing Jungkook in such a state evident in every word. “He’s been shot. What if—”

“Jungkook is stronger than anyone knows,” Namjoon interrupted, trying to convince himself as much as Jin. “He’s going to make it through this. He’ll make it out of here alive.”

“He’d better,” Jin whispered, his tears soaking into Namjoon’s shirt. “He... he has to.”

Hoseok approached them, still dressed in his SWAT uniform, his face etched with exhaustion and worry. He cleared his throat softly, hesitant to interrupt the moment. “Thank you, Hobi,” Jin managed, his voice breaking with emotion. “Thank you for saving my boys.”

Hoseok nodded, “I did what I could,” he replied, his voice low. “But Jungkook... he’s strong. He’ll fight through this.”

Namjoon looked around, his mind frantic. “Where... where is Jimin?”

“He’s with Yoongi,” Hoseok answered. “He had a severe panic attack after Jungkook was taken away. Yoongi’s with him, calming him down. They’re on their way here as we speak. They’ll be here soon.”

Jin’s breath hitched, his hand tightening around Namjoon’s arm. “My poor Jimin,” he murmured, his voice thick with sorrow. He couldn’t even begin to imagine the terror Jimin must have felt, watching Jungkook bleed and feeling so helpless. The tears that had stopped briefly started to flow again, unchecked. “Lord, save my baby,” Jin whispered, his voice filled with a desperate plea.

Namjoon held Jin closer, his own tears threatening to spill over. All they could do now was wait, and the waiting was unbearable.

15 August 2024
To be continued...