Chapter 6:  The Shadow Returns

The morning light filtered through the blinds, casting a pale glow on the room. Taehyung stirred his head throbbing, his memories of the night fragmented and hazy. He remembered Jungkook's comforting presence, his soothing voice, and the feeling of safety that had enveloped him. He remembered the fear, the tears, the overwhelming sense of vulnerability. He remembered the man in the store, the chilling glint in his eyes, the unspoken threat that lingered in the air.

He looked around the room, his gaze settling on Jungkook, who was still asleep, his face peaceful, his breathing even. He felt a pang of guilt, a sense of gratitude, a wave of memories that threatened to drown him. He had been so consumed by his fear, his paranoia, that he had forgotten how much Jungkook meant to him. He had forgotten how much he loved him.

He reached out, his hand hovering over Jungkook's face, his fingers trembling with a mixture of fear and longing. He wanted to touch him, to feel his warmth, to reassure himself that he was real, that he was safe. But he hesitated, his hand withdrawing, his heart filled with a mixture of love and apprehension.

He knew that the man in the store was a threat, a danger that loomed over them both. He knew that Jungkook was hiding something, something dark and unsettling, something that could shatter their fragile peace. He knew that he had to find the truth; he had to protect Jungkook, and he had to make sure that the man in the store never hurt him again.

He got out of bed, his movements slow and deliberate, his mind racing with a mixture of fear and determination. He had to find out what Jungkook was hiding, he had to find out what the man in the store wanted, and he had to find out what was happening to them. He had to find the truth.

He went to the window, his gaze drawn to the street below. The rain had stopped, leaving the world bathed in a pale, ethereal light. He saw a figure standing across the street, his back to him, his face obscured by the shadows. He felt a shiver run down his spine, a cold wave of dread washing over him. He knew that figure, he recognized the chilling aura that surrounded him. It was the man in the store, the man who had kidnapped Jungkook, the man who was now watching them.

He turned, his heart pounding against his ribs. He had to warn Jungkook; he had to protect him, and he had to make sure that the man in the store never hurt him again. Maybe he had forgotten the fact that Jungkook was a literal psycho that made his life difficult, but Taehyung could ignore the fact that he still blamed himself for what happened to Jungkook, that he was the reason why Jungkook was like this.

“Hyung, what's wrong with you?” he flinched after hearing Jungkook's voice.

Jungkook, standing there with a messy hair bed, looking at him with a neutral face.

“J-Jungkook,” he stuttered with eyes widened.

“Why are you being like this again? Why are you being paranoid? Tell me!” Jungkook shook him to make him stop trembling.

“T-that man, h-he's here, the one who kidnapped you, he's watching us,” Taehyung nervously said with tears building in his eyes while his shaky hands pointed through the window where he saw the man.

Jungkook followed where he was pointing but he saw no one. He glanced back at Taehyung.

“What are you talking about? There's no one outside, have you taken enough sleep?” he sighed, running his finger through his hair.

When Taehyung looked back, there was indeed no man outside. He roamed his eyes around and no one else was there.

Did that man leave? Did he see them? That's why he left.

“You're not taking illegal drugs, aren't you?” Jungkook inquired, suspicious of his acts.

“Wuh-what? Of course not! I'm perfectly fine!” Taehyung defended himself; he was fine. “I'm sure I saw him, he must have left when he saw you appeared here. Trust me, Jungkook!” he sounded so desperate to make Jungkook believe in him.

The way Jungkook looked at him made him feel like Jungkook didn't believe him at all and was questioning his actions nowadays.

“You have no morning classes today; you better take this time to take a rest or whatever. It seemed like you were in need of rest.” Jungkook turned around but Taehyung grabbed his arm.

“I'm not lying, Jungkook, that man was here! Please trust me!” Taehyung shouted.

“So what if that man appears? Did you think he could do the same thing that happened in the past? Did you think I couldn't protect myself?” Jungkook said through his gritted teeth. “I'm not the kid you left in the past, Taehyung, so better get your shit together before I lost my sanity!” Jungkook yelled at him which made Taehyung frightened.

“I-I'm sorry, I'm just scared, I'm really sorry...” Taehyung apologized with tears falling from his eyes.

Jungkook grabbed his chin and made him look at him. His grip wasn't gentle but it wasn't harsh either.

“Listen, I don't care what the fuck that man was doing, it doesn't matter. I don't like seeing you being paranoid over him. Your attention should be focused solely on me, do you understand? If you ever mentioned that man again, I'll cut your tongue, am I clear?” Jungkook stated with a warning.

Taehyung nodded his head and bit his bottom lip to suppress his tears from coming out.

“Go back to bed and take a rest, I'll excuse you to your subjects for now. You're not in the right mind to attend any of your classes.” Jungkook told him and let him go.

“O-okay,” Taehyung just agreed to him and went to bed as Jungkook told him; after all, he couldn't disobey him.

He doesn't want to go on Jungkook's bad side for a moment. He was afraid to experience his wrath.