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⚠️ WARNING ⚠️

Mentions - physical trauma
- a lot of blood
- death

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"Bring her here!" Hardwell ordered his men, earning a small laugh from Jolon and a glare from Clark.

The door opened in a few seconds and the cries of the ten year-old echoed through their ears. Clark jerked his hands in an attempt to get himself free from the chains, knowing that Jolon wasn't going to go easy on the kid. He has never been, especially after they brought her back from Cassdrath when she escaped.

Jolon glanced at him, smiling sarcastically and stepped ahead taking Aera from the other man who brought her. Having his eyes fixed on Clark, he grasped a fistful of the girl's hair tugging back harshly making her cry out loudly.

The side of her head was already bleeding and the busted lip wasn't doing any good either. It was a result of Jolon wanting to 'spend some time' with her. He was mad; too mad for Aera's good. After coming to know that Clark was the one to help her escape he hadn't been very gentle with the girl, while Hardwell was taking care of Clark leaving him in no position to fight anyone particularly when he saved Aera from nearly getting killed by Jolon yesterday.

"Ahh!" Aera cried, grabbing Jolon's hand that was now grabbing her neck from the back to keep her from moving.

"Come here" Hardwell said, Jolon nodded and pulled Aera towards the boss handing her to him. "There are some special people here, they came to meet you. Do you wanna see who?"

Aera didn't respond as she was too busy crying due to all the pain her body was bearing. Jolon turned her around and saw the smooth grey wall lifting. Aera gasped, instantly stepping forward to rush to her brothers who were standing on the other side.

"Oppa..." She sobbed out.

"Quiet" Jolon warned, holding her arm to keep her in place.

"le-leave me please..." She looked at Jolon with begging eyes crying as she pointed towards her brother.

Jolon smirked, walking in front dragging the girl harshly by her hair earning several heart shattering cries from her. Hardwell let out a deep chuckle and sat down on his chair watching Jolon handling his 'favourite' kid.

"LEAVE HER!" They heard a loud yell from a raging Jungkook on seeing his sister being treated like that.

"Oh the boy spoke" Jolon laughed, "Just watch." He gritted out, changing his expression within a second as he turned to face Aera again.

"Jolon," Hardwell interrupted, "let her meet him first."

The man stopped, pushing Aera ahead making her bump her head in the thick glass wall. Jungkook rushed towards the glass dropping on his knees in front of Aera, as he watched her crying with teary eyes.

"Shh, oppa's here, he'll save his princess. Don't cry." He whispered softly, touching the glass with his hand. Aera shook her head slowly, pointing at Jolon. "He'll pay for hurting you" Jungkook gritted out throwing daggers at the man.

Jolon raised his eyebrows in amusement, "You should choose your words wisely when your sister is here with us and you and brother can technically do nothing about it." He said, grabbing Aera's arm and pulled her back. "Now watch"

He glanced at Jungkook and then at the other three guys who included Jimin, Hoseok and Yoongi, before grabbing a belt and smirking at the boys.

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU THE MOMENT I LAY MY HANDS ON YOU!" Jungkook shouted punching the glass wall harshly. That didn't budge Jolon though, the man scoffed lifting his hand in the air, then snapping down swiftly making a loud sound as it hit Aera's body making the girl scream in pain.

Jimin looked away as his tears fell down from his eyes, knowing that he cannot do anything right now. Yoongi and Hoseok too had tears filled in their eyes on hearing the little girl screaming in pain hoping somebody would help her.

"I'm saying for once" Jungkook growled, making all the eyes turn to him. He was standing with his gun pointing at one of Hardwell's men, ready to shoot his brains off.

"You think this is going to work?" Hardwell said.

"Jungkook leave him" Yoongi said.

"No-"

"Leave him" Jimin said more sternly, "and come back here."

Yoongi nodded seeing Jolon having a gun pointed at Aera which he lowered when Jungkook left the man and went to stand with his hyungs again.

Aera glanced at Clark, which Hardwell noticed. Clark frowned a bit when the men suddenly started opening his hands. He stood up, sprinting towards her as he pushed Jolon out of the way.

"I'm sorry" he said, helping her up. Aera shook her head opened her mouth to say something, but only ended up coughing some blood out. Clark rubbed her back and wiped her mouth with his shirt.

Jungkook and the boys were sure confused on seeing a guy helping Aera and going against his own gang. But at the same time they were relieved to see someone there to protect her.

Clark glared at Jolon, standing up after helping Aera to the side. He at least managed threw a hard punch at Jolon's smirking face before the men tied him again.

"Enough Clark, how can you betray your own members huh?" Hardwell said, "and that too for this kid? Anyways, that's your choice. Now let's see if this girl can also return your favours back."

Aera glanced at him, hunching down beside Clark shaking her head to leave her alone. Hardwell sighed and gestured her to come over to him and handed her a gun.

"Its a simple game," Hardwell said, "you shoot your friend, or I shoot your brother."

Aera quickly looked at her oppas, finding them kneeling down with two men holding them each at gun point. She looked at Hardwell and shook her head, "please don't hurt my- my oppa..."

"Fine, but you have to shoot Clark then."

Aera stared at the gun in her hand and then at Clark who was kneeling down a few feet away. Her eyes became teary again as she mumbled a no.

"You can do it Aera" Clark said softly.

"I don't wan' you to- to die..." She between sobs.

"I won't," he said, "nobody will die if its for you. I'll be with the angels and say thank you from above."

"...you said you will help me"

"I am helping you, this is the last thing I can do Aera. You'll be able to go to your oppa after this." He said, "Shoot me kiddo."

Aera shook her head stepping forward as the gun dropped from her hands and hugged him tightly, crying on his shoulder. Clark closed his eyes letting a lone tear fall and sighed deeply.

"C'mon its okay, take the gun." He said.

"Listen to him Aera, take the gun and shoot him if you wanna see your brother alive." Hardwell said.

Aera gulped thickly glancing at Clark who smiled softly and nodded. She took the gun in her hands, Hardwell adjusted her posture making her hold the gun tight and right in front of her, pointing at the man.

"Hold it tight!" Hardwell ordered, making the girl flinch and shut her eyes tightly, not yet pulling the trigger.

"Shoot" Clark told her in a soft voice. Aera pressed her finger against the trigger that felt too hard for her little strength. Hardwell smirked and grabbed her hand helping her pull the trigger and shoot right on Clark's head.

Aera gasped, letting go of the gun as she stared at the lifeless of body of the man who helped her and saved her from Jolon so many times.

"Good job, now its your brother's turn." She heard Hardwell say.

"No, you said you won't hurt my oppa I shoot Clark..." She said.

"And you believed it?" Jolon laughed, "not your fault though, you're just a naive kid."

Hardwell lifted his hand pointing his gun at Jimin as the glass wall lifted as well, "No!" Aera cried, struggling against one of the men who held her. Her eyes shut tightly on hearing a loud noise and the movements fastening around her. A tear slipped down as soon as she opened her eyes. To her surprise Jimin was fine. Now, Jin, Taehyung and Namjoon were with them too. She looked over at Hardwell and saw him groaning as he held his bleeding hand yelling at his men to buck up.

Jimin punched the guy and pushed him away, pulling Aera towards himself. Kicking another man out of his way, he walked out of the room holding his sister's hand, walking to a safer place. He saw a few old metal boxes and barrels placed in the corner.

"Oppa..." Aera hugged him instantly as soon as he stopped walking. Jimin leaned down hugging her back and kissing her head several times.

"Shh baby, you're okay now. Nobody's hurting you." He said, "Oppa's here, you're safe."

"I was so scared oppa, they're so...so bad." She said between sobs.

"I kno-"

Aera gasped on hearing some noises from nearby. Jimin placed his index finger on his lips, gesturing her to keep quiet. He peeked out and saw a man with armours standing there. His hand moved to the floor, swiftly sliding a metal peice across the room, sighing and shaking his head as he heard the gun firing in that direction, although it soon stopped, being replaced by a pair of footsteps. Jimin looked back and saw Yoongi standing there, shrugging his shoulders, he threw a gun towards Jimin which he caught easily.

"I'll come back real quick okay?" Jimin said, looking at Aera.

"No" Aera said hastily holding onto his arm, not wanting to let him go.

"I'll be back soon princess, Kookie and the others are still in danger, I have to go and help them." He said, patting her head.

"I... I'll go with you" she said holding her tears in somehow.

"No baby, its dangerous there. You have to stay here and wait for me. I'll come back in a matter of minutes." He said softly, "I promise, I'll come back and give you a tight hug. You're my brave girl right?"

Aera nodded hesitantly and wiped her tears, letting go of his hand. Jimin smiled softly and kissed her forehead before standing up and leaving with Yoongi.

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Jungkook spat out the blood from his mouth, focusing back on the man in front of him. Jolon let out a small laugh which angered Jungkook even more. Both of them had gone through hard training and years of practice, just that Jolon had a bit more of experience than Jungkook did. But today, all those factors didn't matter to the boy, all he wanted was to see Jolon suffer after making his sister cry out of pain.

With another hard one of his punches, Jungkook pushed the man back against the wall and continued throwing punches on his face, not even giving him time to respond. He grabbed his collar glaring at Jolon and pushing him on the floor. His hands moved down to his belt, unbuckling it and moving it in the air swiftly.

"Bastard" He growled, starting to hit the belt on his body harshly.

Jungkook was himself tired after a long flight but he wasn't going to let this man have any peace while he's alive for some last few hours of his life. He tightened his grip on the belt hitting harder while hearing his cries and beggings to stop.

"Louder!" He yelled angrily, kicking Jolon in the abdomen. The man was panting hard bleeding from almost everywhere.

Jungkook stopped for a bit, crouching near his face and grabbing a fistful of his hair, "What were you saying? I can't do anything? Look at yourself, I clearly did more damage than anyone could ever do to you. And honestly, after what you did to my sister, you deserve so much worse."

He smirked, letting out an airy chuckle, "Should I kill you now?" He asked, shoving the muzzle of his gun in his mouth, pressing in harshly making him groan from the back of his throat.

He clicked his tongue and stood up, pointing the gun towards the door on seeing a man standing there. Without giving it much thought, he shot the man dead and lowered his gaze, fixing it on Jolon again.

"Oh where were we?" He said, "hmm should I kill or not."

Jolon closed his eyes breathing slower than before, although his eyes shot open when Jungkook shot his foot once making him groan in pain. And then the other, watching his tears flowing down endlessly which honestly gave him immense satisfaction.

"You know what?" Jungkook said and crouching down near him again, "Let's just end this once and for all, I have to go and see Aera."

He shot him twice in the head and stood up saying a last sentence before walking out, "Bye, I hope you don't rest in peace at all."

Meanwhile Jimin had switched his position so that Aera was between his body and the wall. He had promised to come back, and so he did. The girl was already scared after seeing his arm bleeding after probably being shot. With his one arm, he was holding Aera close to himself so she won't be afraid of the man standing behind him.

Her eyes continuously wandered towards Hardwell, standing at the back which Jimin noticed, "Aera" he called softly, "look at me"

"oppa...he-"

"Don't worry, just focus on me." He said, stroking her head gently. Even after knowing about Hardwell behind him, he couldn't afford to move right now. Having his arm injured and being unarmed with Aera, he knew Hardwell wouldn't hesitate killing her too since Jimin couldn't fight in this condition. So his only focus was to protect his sister with all his will.

"Everything will be fine-" He whispered although suddenly stopped before saying anything else as a loud gunshot echoed in their ears. Aera flinched, letting out sob while Jimin tightened his grip around her.

"Close your ey-eyes, and don't let go of me... okay?" He said and his breath hitched again when Aera startled to another loud bang. She nodded, hugging him tightly and closing her eyes. His back arched as he groaned softly letting a tear fall from his already brimming eyes.

"O-Oppa loves you a lot, baby... remember that" he whispered, barely audible to Aera. "listen to Kookie, and bother him too much. a-always be my good girl."

"oppa what are you say-"

"Shh" Jimin silenced her, letting out another groan as he leaned down a little resting his forehead against Aera's, "I'll be with you whenever you close your eyes"

She felt a long kiss being pressed on her forehead, before Jimin finally loosened his grip on her. His head automatically rested on her shoulder and the weight suddenly increasing on her. For the first time, she opened her eyes and looked at Jimin's face.

"Oppa" she whispered slowly, but didn't get a response from him. His eyes were closed and expression looked calm which assured Aera that everything was fine indeed. She closed her eyes again and rested her head near her brother's chest. The usual thumping wasn't there. She frowned a bit, staring up at him on not being able to hear his heart beating. Why?

Aera flinched as she heard a couple of gunshots together and then a sound of something heavy falling with a thud. A pair of footsteps neared them, making her hunch down under Jimin's body, but soon relaxed on seeing Jungkook standing there. He had a huge bruise that which was split into a cut right above his eyebrow. The small stream of blood had almost dried lining his jawline and dripping down on his neck from his chin. He wiped the side of his mouth, wiping off the blood from the busted lower lip.

"Hyung, Aera" he said, quickly getting on his knees and embracing her tightly making Jimin's body lose balance and fall to the side. The girl stopped, turning back to look at her brother now lying in the pool of blood.

"Oppa" she called, shaking Jimin's hand gently, not getting a response. She looked at Jungkook seeing him nibbling on his already injured lip as he stared at the elder brother with teary eyes.

"Koo, why did he faint? Is he h-hurt that bad?" Aera asked, staring at Jungkook and Jimin alternately.

The boy couldn't gather enough courage and find the right words to tell his sister, so he just nodded slowly, "he- he's hurt..."

Soon enough the other five boys gathered there as well. Taehyung was crying holding his best friend's hand, begging him not to leave like this. Yoongi and the others too had tears streaming down their faces as they glanced at Jimin's lifeless body. And all of this -their weird behavior, was annoying Aera now. She frowned, standing up and pulling Jungkook's hand.

"Stop crying, let's go to the hospital" She said, "or maybe let's go home, Jinie oppa will treat his wounds."

"A-Aera...no-" Jungkook choked on his tears, lowering his head again, crying.

"don't cry" she said, wiping his tears with her hand, "let's go-"

"There's no need to go to a hospital now" Yoongi said in an airy voice, staring at Jimin's body, "He already left us."

Aera stopped her motion, turning around and looking at her eldest brother. She shifted beside Taehyung, now recalling how she wasn't able to hear his heartbeat. She shook her head and leaned down, pressing her ear against Jimin's chest. Once. Twice. Thrice. But didn't hear anything. Quiet and peaceful was all it felt.

Jungkook felt his heart clenching inside him on the sight of his sister trying to hear their dead brother's heart to make her believe of the reality. He wiped his tears and moved closer to her, slowly bringing her in his arms.

"no..." Aera whispered, looking up at Jungkook while her hand pointing at Jimin.

The boys averted their eyes, hanging their heads low, not having the courage and strength to witness a ten year-old breaking as she begged for her brother to not leave her and come back.

Seeing the kid crying and hitting whoever tried to pull her away from Jimin's body, Jungkook held her tightly, crying himself at the thought of Jimin not being around. All his promises, all his words appeared like collapsing right before his eyes. He wasn't ready yet;

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Vote if you like and do comment to let me know if this chapter was worth it.

(I'm sorry Jimin stans, I cried as well 😭)

Love you all, stay safe, stay healthy ❤️

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Word count : 3.1K