“

Your absence has not taught me how to be alone; it has merely shown me that when together we cast a single shadow on the wall.”

Chapter 15: Arrested

A piercing police siren echoed through the stillness of the night, jolting Jungkook awake. He groaned, running a hand through his disheveled hair, irritation flashing across his face. Beside him, Taehyung stirred, his eyes widening in alarm.

“Stay here,” Jungkook instructed firmly, his voice low but commanding. Without waiting for a response, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood. Taehyung hesitated, his worry evident, but he obeyed, sitting back down and clutching the blanket tightly as Jungkook descended the creaking wooden stairs.

When Jungkook opened the cabin door, he was met by a flood of flashlight beams and the sight of several police officers standing on his porch. The officer at the front stepped forward, holding a warrant in his gloved hand.

“Jeon Jungkook, you are under arrest for robbery and homicide,” the officer announced, his tone devoid of emotion.

Jungkook’s expression darkened, his sharp eyes narrowing as he reached for the warrant.

“Robbery at the Kim family’s villa,” the officer continued, “and homicide—the torture and murder of Yohan.”

“What?!” Taehyung’s voice rang out as he appeared behind Jungkook, his face pale with shock. “That’s not true! He didn’t do any of that! He was with me the entire time!”

The officer’s gaze shifted to Taehyung, his eyes cold and calculating. “He didn’t do it himself, but he orchestrated the plan. He’s the mastermind behind Yohan’s torture and death.”

Taehyung stumbled back slightly, his chest tightening. He turned to Jungkook, desperation filling his voice. “Jungkook, tell them they’re lying! Please, say something!”

Jungkook remained silent, his lips curving into a faint, almost unreadable smile.

“Jungkook! Please!” Taehyung’s voice cracked as he clung to Jungkook’s arm, his tears now streaming freely.

The officers moved in, their actions swift and methodical. One secured handcuffs around Jungkook’s wrists, while others stepped past them to search the cabin. Taehyung stood frozen, his tear-filled eyes fixed on Jungkook, who didn’t resist or say a word.

“Search the entire area,” the lead officer commanded, motioning for his team to spread out. He turned to Taehyung. “Mr. Kim, you’re safe now. Come with us.”

“No! I’m not going anywhere!” Taehyung shouted, his voice trembling.

An officer gently but firmly took hold of his arm, guiding him toward the waiting police car. Taehyung struggled, his mind racing with questions and fears, but his protests fell on deaf ears. Meanwhile, Jungkook’s phone and other belongings were confiscated as evidence before he was escorted into a separate vehicle.

---

Inside the dimly lit prison cell, Jungkook found himself face-to-face with Namjoon, Yoongi, Hoseok, and Jimin. The four of them were seated on the cold concrete floor, a deck of Uno cards spread out between them.

“Hey, bro!” Jimin greeted with a smirk, barely glancing up from his cards.

“What happened?” Jungkook asked, leaning against the bars, his voice void of emotion.

“We don’t know,” Namjoon replied, his tone casual as he placed a reverse card down. “The cops tailed us out of nowhere. Next thing we knew, we were here.”

“They said Yohan’s dead,” Jungkook muttered, his jaw tightening.

Jimin chuckled darkly, his gaze still on his hand of cards. “Weakling probably couldn’t handle the pain. Bet he gave out when we left him at the Kim villa.”

Jungkook’s fists clenched at his sides, but he remained silent.

“Where’s Jin?” he asked after a moment.

Namjoon’s lips curled into a smirk. “Lucky guy. The Kims didn’t press charges against him. They even bailed him out.”

“Yeah,” Hoseok added with a laugh, playing a +4 card. “Guess they didn’t think he was part of it. Talk about dodging a bullet.”

Yoongi leaned back against the wall, his sharp eyes studying Jungkook. “So, what’s the plan now?”

Jungkook exhaled deeply, his shoulders sagging slightly. “I didn’t think it would go this far.”

“You’ve got an ace up your sleeve, don’t you?” Yoongi asked, his tone probing. “Your rich dad could pull some strings.”

“I don’t need him,” Jungkook snapped, his voice laced with bitterness.

“Really?” Hoseok quipped, tossing down another card. “Because it’s not looking like you’ve got many other options.”

Jimin set his cards down, his expression uncharacteristically serious. “Swallow your pride, Jungkook. You’re his son. He’ll help if you ask.”

Namjoon nodded in agreement. “He’s right. Why live like this when you could have everything? You could’ve been a CEO instead of...this.”

Jungkook didn’t respond, his mind drifting back to memories he’d buried deep. The weight of his past pressed heavily on him, and before he could stop himself, tears began to fall. Hoseok noticed immediately, his playful demeanor softening.

“Hey,” Hoseok said gently, moving closer. “We didn’t mean to push you. Sorry if we went too far.”

---

Meanwhile, Taehyung stood in his family’s grand living room, his mother’s words cutting through the air like a blade.

“This was your plan, wasn’t it?!” he shouted, his voice shaking with anger and pain. “You set him up!”

His mother’s expression was cold, her eyes hard. “Blame me all you want, but that man you’re so desperate to protect robbed us blind! They found your belongings in his cabin, even your picture frame! And let’s not forget—they killed Yohan. Are you happy now?!”

Taehyung’s fists clenched, his entire body trembling. “Yes! He deserved it! He deserved to die!”

His mother’s lips curled into a sneer. “You’re going to America. You’ve disgraced this family enough. Therapy might fix whatever’s wrong with you, but until then, I don’t want to see your face again.”

Taehyung bit his lip, tears streaming down his face as her words echoed in his mind.

---

Back at the prison, Jin arrived wearing a mask to conceal his identity. The group’s faces lit up at the sight of him, except for Jungkook, who remained seated in the corner.

“Hyung!” the others called out, but Jin silenced them with a raised hand.

“I’m here for Jungkook,” he said firmly.

“What is it, hyung?” Jungkook asked, standing slowly.

Jin’s voice softened. “Jungkook, they’re not backing down. The Kims are determined to press charges. You need your father’s help. Let me talk to him for you.”

Jungkook didn’t respond, his gaze dropping to the floor.

“Think about the others,” Jin urged. “They’ll rot in here if this continues. The Kims won’t stop until they’ve buried all of you. Lower your pride. This is the only way.”

Jungkook’s shoulders sagged as he exhaled shakily. “Fine. Tell him.”

A small smile crossed Jin’s face. “Thank you. I’ll handle this. Take care of yourself, okay? Don’t worry—I’ll be back.”

He ruffled Jungkook’s hair before leaving the cell, his footsteps fading into the distance. The room fell silent, the weight of the situation settling heavily on them all.