Infortunium

Misfortune

(Part 2)

He wasn't wearing his suit jacket, she noticed, but since he was accustomed to wearing three-piece suits, it didn't make him look any less dressed up as usual.

Poopy took in a tense breath as she looked over his shoulder at the empty classroom and to each side before speaking.

- Could we speak inside? -

He raised an eyebrow, not moving aside.

- Does it have anything to do with psychology? I'm very busy at the moment and don't have time for–

- Yes, it's psychology. - She answered in hushed tones, feeling too rushed to care when he pursed his lips in dislike at being interrupted.

- I'm sure there are many more teachers who can and want to help you with it. I, as I said before, am too busy for anything else. - He tried to close the door.

But she slammed her hand against it and stopped him. She couldn't believe him. Widening her eyes in slight exasperation, she thought of how she never had to speak directly to him before and realized at the same time why no one else would want to.

- No, we only trust you with this. - She was in half a mind to move him aside herself. Just what must Lily-Anne be subjecting Jungkook to right now? She doesn't want to think of it.

- Who's we? - His voice dragged as if trying to anger her into leaving on purpose.

She huffed and stepped forward, pushing him aside forcefully and entering the classroom. She stopped then, not because Seokjin had grabbed her arm but because the classroom had not been completely vacant as she thought.

The librarian's assistant was there, the same friend Seokjin took once to the Hospital wing. He was seated on a chair before the teacher's desk, a notebook opened before him, a ballpoint pen at hand, a book opened in the middle of the table... It was as if the man who never tutored his own students out of class was giving private lessons to a nonstudent.

Now she understands why he didn't want her to see this.

Since the knowledge of the teachers was the property of Evanthe, only people who paid for this knowledge could have access to it, and this boy was what they called part of the "lesser staff", which are the ones whose work is to never be seen working, meaning that it was more than obvious that he couldn't pay for it and so he was in danger of not only being fired but also sued along with Seokjin. The difference was that Seokjin could pay his way out of it.

The boy stood up in fright, Seokjin closed the door, and she turned around right when she heard him locking it shut.

He grunted.

- Now we do need to talk. - He turned and looked at her. His usually cold eyes blazing with anger.

- If you help me, I won't say anything. - She promised at once, honestly frightened by his anger but trying to hold her own.

He scoffed.

- It's obvious you would say that, that's why I'm angry. What do you want? - He nearly spat the words at her. But didn't give her time to answer before rolling his eyes and sighing deeply. - I swear, if it's something stupid, I'll kick you out of this classroom, consequences be dammed. Well then, what are you waiting for? Speak. - He commanded as if speaking to a dog.

And she grimaced, offended and disgusted.

- Is that how you speak to women? I could even be your mother's age. -

It had indeed been some time since she's met a man who would treat a successful woman like this, so she felt like a student all over again; like a girl who was his guy friend's hug-pillow and had to make a name for herself in order to be treated like a person. Like a girl who will only be looked at as an equal by any male only after working twice as hard as them to prove it. It was a disgusting feeling indeed. And one that Seokjin will never understand.

As it was, he scoffed.

- If you were my mother's age, you would be, as they say, "six feet under". And we wouldn't even need to be having this conversation. But, since we are having it, might as well get comfortable. - He walked past her, stood up to the low, wooden stage, and sat on his wood and leather chair, crossing a knee over the other as he looked at her with bored eyes.

She was still processing what he just said to her as she neared him. It was as if he didn't even care about his mother's passing and jokes about it like it was nothing. How utterly disgusting. She was seriously debating whether they could indeed trust him at all with this; a person like him.

But he did endanger his career in this university by giving free lessons to this boy. This was a confusing man.

- I had the impression you were in a rush. - He said with exasperation again.

She grimaced openly at him.

- Yes, I am in a rush. Because I do care about more people than one. - She stepped closer as he sighed and rolled his eyes and stopped right in front of him, with the table in their midst. - There's a boy who seems to be suffering from severe trauma and I was hoping I could trust you with keeping it a secret just like I could keep this a secret as well. - She motioned down at the boy's notebook. A boy that was so silent behind her, he could've been invisible.

Seokjin pursed his lips and exhaled sharply through his nose.

- Why... do you think it is trauma? -

She felt a little bit better after his question. It seemed he accepted the bargain.

- Some minutes ago, this student brought Oliver to the hospital wing. He had punched him hard in the stomach but appears to have done it without wanting to. As if he'd blacked out. Oliver said it had been because he pushed the boy too hard with his questions and got triggered, but then when he realized what he'd done, it was as if he woke up. But Oliver also realized something else. Last Thursday night, there had been a moment when he got so scared, he ran off into the corridors and got lost and sick, and when he went back to the Professors'–

- Are we talking about Jungkook? -

His question stunned her. She gapped and opened her eyes wide. How did he guess? How had he known about this?

- Yes. How–How did you know? -

He looked past her to the one behind her and then down at his desk.

- I talked to him Friday. He was at Taehyung's. - He frowned down at his desk as if remembering something and she, eagerly, sat down on the boy's previous chair.

- Exactly, Taehyung allowed him to stay the night but, before that, Oliver called me and asked me to check on him to see if he was ok. He wasn't, he was severely shaken. Not a second after waking up, he sprung up, trying to run at the door. But then Oliver comes today and tells me not only about the punch but that Jungkook couldn't remember me being there at all. Not only that, he couldn't remember that night at all. And when he tried to remind him that it was me who was there, he got shaken again. - She stopped then to let him process it.

Seokjin rested his elbow on the arm of his chair and pressed the knuckle of his index against his lips. Thinking hard.

Then he shook his head slowly.

- I'll have to talk to him directly to see exactly what it is. From what you're telling me, I could say that he has dissociative amnesia but, for all I know, he could've been faking all of it. - She felt a tremendous letdown, having hoped he would have immediate answers to this like a doctor to an injury. But still, he sighed and stood. - Well, you can leave now. I will talk to him but don't expect any immediate results. Any therapist knows the worst kind of patient is the one who doesn't want the treatment. -

She took a deep breath and stood as well, finding comfort in the fact that Seokjin owed him and therefore wouldn't give this information to anyone else as well as feeling confident that she had done everything she could. Now Jungkook would be in expert hands.

4:30 pm

Seokjin wouldn't breathe a sigh of comfort until she was out of this classroom. As it was, he held his breath tensely all the while he walked her to the door, opened it, and saw her walking off towards the hospital wing. Only then did he close the door and let his breathing out, resting his forehead against it.

Inwardly, he damned himself for his foolishness.

If only he would've gone to the library like always and not asked Namjoon to get here instead. If only he wouldn't have been too preoccupied with losing any of his students' essays as he graded them, he would've taken them with him, but no, he had to ask him to come. Stupid.

He felt a hand gently pressing between his shoulder blades, right where his heart lay. Right in the middle. And he let out a deep sigh, letting all the tension go.

Taking a deep breath, he straightened up from the door and, straightening his vest, he turned around to face him, composed. But Namjoon was looking up at him with that look Seokjin had told him he never wanted to see. The look of guilt.

Sighing, Seokjin averted his eyes to look over Namjoon's head.

- What have I told you about looking like a wounded pup? - Immediately, Namjoon shook his shoulders and stood straighter. Seokjin looked down at him. - Being guilty and looking guilty are two different things, and you will never look guilty even if you are. Did I make myself clear again? - Namjoon nodded. Though his neck was still tense and he didn't speak, he was doing a very good effort of looking straight into his eyes. But Seokjin softened his stare by a fraction when he told him, - You are not guilty of anything but trying to be a ghost. I would say that I couldn't believe you just let her take your seat, but then again, I can. - Then, he made an uncharacteristic and tensed shrug, trying to imitate Namjoon's casual ones.

Finally, the latter lost a chuckle, and Seokjin felt a bit more satisfied.

- Do you have nothing to say for yourself? Or are you a cub unable to speak? - He prodded him.

Namjoon rolled his eyes as he smiled, folding his hands anxiously before him.

- I can speak for myself. - He murmured, looking at the floor.

- To what? The floor? Because I heard nothing coming for you all the while she was here. Tell me why when you finally had the chance to prove your strength to me, you stood silent. And lift your head when you speak to me. -

Namjoon did, looking exasperated.

- I am a shy and nervous man learning about confidence, ok? And she scared me. And you too. And the conversation. - He rolled his eyes exasperated and lifted his hands to cover them. - I couldn't sleep last night, alright? - And when he fell silent again, a stillness came with it.

As if he was terribly afraid of something.

Seokjin frowned at this.

- Why don't I know what's frightening you? - It was unusual, to say the least.

Namjoon sighed and lowered his hands, rubbing them together as he thought with his lip between his teeth.

- It's... about Jungkook. - He finally muttered. But still, Seokjin didn't know what he spoke about.

And also,

- That bloody name again. - He turned around and walked off to his desk with a groan. - That boy simply can't give it a rest, can he? When I met him, I immediately knew he was too good a liar for him to be alright and then, obviously, he started slipping, letting his little girlfriend see something that frightened her so much that she came to me about it. To me, can you believe it? Of all the rotten luck, I get a magnet for trouble. - In a fury, he organized his desk, piling the papers and closing the books. - I was aghast when that doctor came. It was so easy to put two and two together. Everyone knows she's friends with Oliver and then Oliver just happens to be Taehyung's neighbor. It was just a matter of time before that pup made a mistake. Of course, Oliver would try to talk to Jungkook about it and he wouldn't be able to lie correctly to that kind old man which would make him seem suspicious. Obviously, Oliver would insist that he answer, and obviously, Jungkook would snap. -

With a snap, he closed his briefcase and grabbed it, along with his jacket and coat. Then, knowing Namjoon was following with his stuff in hand, he turned to the door. He was so infuriated that he couldn't even walk slowly.

- If what that Doctor said was true, then that boy has gone thru severe trauma, so obviously, he would crumble at any sign of kindness, whether it is that he immediately mistrusts it or trusts it wholeheartedly and then suffers crushing disappointment when the kindness doesn't continue, and the circle never ends. -

They walked out, he locked the door, and then kept on walking. Fuming and speaking only to Namjoon even if he was only ranting out loud.

- Trauma. Trauma. I can't believe I got to help a boy in such a mess. I've seen studies with people who suffer from all kinds of dissociation and have met a handful of patients with them in my career and let me tell you, treating that makes a far greater mess than the way it was made. Figuratively, you have to dig out six feet of dirt before getting to a cuffing, then there's a whole nother journey before getting the key, and then there's the dissection of the body inside, trying to find the reason for its death, and finally the acceptance of its death and the way it was killed. You have to help the patient realize there's something wrong before even trying to start the process. It gets longer than a year of three-hour-long sessions that leave the patient too defenseless to work properly; I do not have the time nor the patience to do it and I do have the work ethic not to leave anyone unable to do their own work. Also, the whole point of being a ruddy teacher was so I wouldn't have to give therapy. - Trying as hard as he could to stop another groan, he opened the glass doors to the library and stepped aside so Namjoon could enter.

It was a moment before they spoke again in which they went straight to one of the secret doors and took the hidden stairs downwards. The massiveness of the rows on rows of books in this stone room was enough to let Seokjin let out the groan he'd been holding, and he went straight to one of the wooden tables to the side ( their table, fill with Namjoon's books to one side) to leave his things over it and lean against it while rubbing his index and thumb over his eyes, elbow against the other arm around his chest.

Just the thought of the materials he would need to help the boy was stressful enough.

He heard Namjoon leaving his things next to his and let out a sigh.

- Why should I help him? - Seokjin asked the pair of them. - What's he ever done to me but given me collateral damage since he came into Evanthe? Please, give me a good reason. All I can think about is that cub Taehyung messing things up by keeping Jungkook wrapped up in a blanket full of comfortable lies and my immediate thought is to separate them, but then what? Jungkook would hate me if I even mention it to him, and then what? How would I help someone who doesn't believe or trust a word I say, it's just–... A mess. I can't help that guy. I don't even know how. -

- ...yes, you do. - Namjoon muttered, confused.

Seokjin lowered his hand and folded it over his chest as well.

- No, I don't. A Psychologist's job is to help you better understand your own feelings so you can go on with your daily work undisturbed, but when things get so serious emotionally that it affects the brain physically, then it turns into a Psychiatrist's job. I'm not a certified psychiatrist, if Jungkook needs to be prescribed any medication, I won't be able to give permission for him to get it and lord knows which psychiatrist wouldn't want a closer look into an addled brain like his so we can't really trust them, do we? - He huffed and grimaced. - Psychiatrists are known for their uncanny "wonder" of the human brain and how any change in hormones could change a person's mood. They look at humans as if they're frogs to dissect. So it'll be either me... or me. -

He finished, more stressed than before, and thought of how easier everything would be for him if he simply denied helping this boy.

He huffed again, arms tightly folded over his chest.

- Now tell me what he did that scared you so much. That way I can hate him outright. - And he closed his eyes, waiting for both Namjoon to speak and for his growing headache to go away.

It took some seconds for Namjoon to answer in which Seokjin could hear him grabbing one of the books and opening it softly.

But once he spoke, he took him by surprise.

- What Jungkook did that scares me so much... was to anger the wrong goddess. -

5:00 pm

Seokjin frowned, slowly and deeply. Then opened his eyes and gently turned his head to look at Namjoon, utterly confused.

But he saw him looking at him with meaning in his eyes, and one of the old books he found hidden in a wall held by his hands. And slowly, unwillingly, he understood.

- You have to be fucking kidding me. - He shook his head in disbelief. But he knew Namjoon would never lie nor joke about those books, even before the latter shook his head at him. - Namjoon, according to that myth, he would be responsible for all the misfortune in the world. - Namjoon nodded, agonizingly. And Seokjin opened his mouth, utterly bewildered. - It... makes sense. He is a magnet for trouble after all. And I got involved the moment his friend came to me about him. I'm a target for misfortune now, just like Oliver who's now in the hospital wing. And you are too. - He pushed away from the table and neared him, honestly frightened as he reached up a hand and rested it on his shoulder. - We can't get more involved. We'll have to distance ourselves from him. -

But Namjoon shook his head and let go of the book to place both hands over his on his shoulder.

- I was meant to find those books. I was meant to know so I could help. - Seokjin began to shake his head, but Namjoon cut him off. - For five hundred years those books have never been found, what are the odds that I would after far more intelligent people have stepped into this university before me? The moment I was in the know, it was entrusted to me to help him. Help them. And I tried to, last night. I met Jungkook as he tried to cross the library. I tried to stop him from meeting Taehyung because they were about to let Darkness know exactly where they were. But I failed. I couldn't put my foot down, I couldn't be strong, I'm sorry. But he told me something. He told me E.V.Is were here in Evanthe. He told me one of them would be in the woods, so I went. And I found him. But even after telling him, even after telling the others and them going to stop Jungkook, I knew when the thunder started that their persuasion hadn't worked. -

- Everything that's been happening since this morning, the mistakes, the stumbling, the confusion, I wouldn't even be surprised if a soccer player would suddenly twist their ankle; it's all because Darkness can sense them here now more than ever. According to these books, Darkness draws strength from the Cursed Ones' misfortune and Lamashtu draws strength from him; the only reason why she's still locked up is that the E.V.Is were made to liberate people from misfortune. In other words, if the E.V.Is keep Jungkook and Taehyung out of Darkness' way, he can't draw strength from their pain and so he can't attack largely like he's trying to do right now. (And I say "trying" because I don't think this is his full power in the least). So we have to help Jungkook and Taehyugn keep out of harm's way or else Darkness will get stronger and everyone here would be in far greater danger. -

He was passionate about his beliefs. He was a far braver man inside than he realizes. He never stuttered, never hesitated, never looked away from Seokjin's eyes even as his fear increased. And now he waited with bated breath for him to be as brave and agree.

But Seojkin has lived long enough to know that bravery was how martyrs died. And he was no martyr.

- Joon. - He started shaking his head, and Namjoon's shoulders began to fall. - If what you're saying is true, we'll have to run away from here sooner or later so misfortune won't catch us. -

Namjoon looked up at him as if he couldn't believe what he heard; as if he'd trusted his love would be enough for him to change who he was and agree with such foolishness. As if Seokjin would do something like that on a whim; as if it hadn't taken him a whole year of making sure the coast was clear for him to finally talk to Namjoon. He was a cautious man who puts his safety first.

Seokjin lifted his other hand and held both his upper arms tightly and meaningfully, looking at him as he said clearly,

- You are not going to get involved, you hear me? Right now, Jungkook's the son of the headmaster, and I'm sure such a powerful man will come at nothing to make it seem as though his family was perfect, including silencing people. I shudder to think what you could get yourself into, so, please... Please don't get involved. -

It was the fact that he had pleaded which proved his worries were much deeper than he let see. And it was this that made Namjoon's eyebrows pull up in the middle before he closed his eyes and fell right into his chest to hug him tightly.

Seokjin sighed then as he hugged him back, relieved to think that nothing will happen to them as long as they stay away from that other pair.

But this hug was not in agreement.

Namjoon had hugged him with a sorrowful heart. Apologizing. Because he could not avoid fate, not even for his own safety.

After a couple of minutes, something unexpected happened. The main trap door leading down from beneath the Librarian's desk opened with a loud squeaky sound from the tall ceiling.

At once, they jumped aside and looked up.

- Jony, are you here? - The librarian spoke as loudly as her gentle voice could muster.

Namjoon frowned.

- Yes, I'm here. What is it? - He bellowed back.

And she fumbled a little with her words before saying,

- Could you come up here, please? -

She sounded nervous.

5:10 pm

At once, Namjoon started running towards the spiraling staircase in the middle of the huge room and Seokjin followed behind him, taking his suit jacket and putting it on as he went. It took some time to run up the long staircase, but the closer they got, the louder the voices upstairs got.

- Just... give him one moment, please. He'll be here soon. -

She sounded scared.

Namjoon jumped up the last steps and right on the inside of the circular desk, next to her. Then, immediately, he noticed that the people who were talking to her were two of the receptionists from the main entrance, Mary Jhonson and Emillie Almond. And they looked just as frightened as Kacie.

- What is it? What's wrong? - Worried, he stepped in, closer to the two women at the other side of the desk just as he heard Seokjin stepping closer behind him.

Their eyes flickered to him and away again before Mary answered.

- We're just... a bit shaken. The sight of so many officers entering Evanthe at a run was just... I couldn't take the tension. I've never felt anything like this in all my time working here. I was hoping you could stay with us for a while. -

- Yes, I'm also shaken by it. - Emillie shook her dark blond head with a hand over her chest. - And it was just the two of us there. And they had dogs and guns and... - She trailed away, breathing heavily.

But Namjoon's heart had missed a beat. His lungs receiving hardly any air, he asked,

- The police are in Evanthe? -

The three women looked at him with wide eyes and Kacie placed a gentle hand on his upper arm.

- Have you been downstairs all this time? -

But he merely frowned at her because he, in fact, had just entered.

- Jony, - He turned his head to look at Mary. - The chief inspector arrived at four to talk urgently with the headmaster. And then we were told by the headmistress that a student in the university had been helping the criminals in the capital with a computer, so they were here to catch him. It was just some minutes ago that they called in reinforcements and they all ran off to–... Well... it looked like they were going towards the Students' living area. -

Just then, Emillie -who was looking over at the west exit from the library- gasped and put a hand over her mouth.

The rest snapped their heads to look and saw out the windows to the corridor... officers pulling students forwards. It looked as if it had been going on for a while but they only now noticed thanks to Emillie. Some with their hands handcuffed behind them and others with noticeable injuries. It looked like all of the students were being taken somewhere, but there was no way of knowing where they were being taken. Maybe to one of the Auditoriums, Namjoon thought.

- What is going on? - Kacy gasped, stepping closer to Namjoon.

The "criminals" in the capital were E.V.Is.

The ones helping them must've been the three he met last night.

If the police needed reinforcements, it means they got away. And if they got away... wouldn't that mean Jungkook and Taehyung were now completely defenseless against Darkness?

No, that can't be. They surely left someone behind, at least one of them.

...So Namjoon has to get in contact with him and help him in any way he can.

5:20 pm

- I don't know. - Mary shook her head and placed a hand over her chest.

- You mean... - Namjoon muttered, making the ladies look up at him. - All of this started happening at four o'clock? - They nodded.

Would Jungkook still be in the hospital wing with Oliver?

But wouldn't this outburst of bad luck be happening because Darkness was being fed?

Could that then mean that Jungkook was in danger right now?

Just then, from either side of the library's walls, they could see through the glass, men in uniforms running towards the entrance or other corridors before finally a number of them walked into the library. Emillie gasped and took out a handkerchief from her uniform vest to cover her mouth with it right before four or five of them ran up to them.

But before they came any closer, Namjoon walked out of the desk by a small door on the side and motioned the ladies to get in. His heart was in his throat, but he was decisive and as ready as he could be to meet his fate. Just one last look told him that Seokjin had casually stepped up to stand protectively in front of the three women, and he took a deep breath.

- Officer, may I help you with anything? - He spoke surely and directly even if he couldn't feel the tips of his shaking fingers.

- Are you a student? - The one who approached him first asked. A strong and tall, dark-skinned man. All the while other officers were stepping up to the other floors.

- No, I work here at the library. And the ones going up there to the encyclopedias will have a hard time if they don't make sure of where they're going. - He grimaced a bit as he saw them entering the shelves on the second floor. Then looked up to the third. - Ugh... you should've asked me first before your men entered as they came. Half of the people who entered the attic will go missing for an hour or two, make sure they know that. -

The officer in charge who'd been listening to this, frowned deeply as he looked up and around as well, skeptically.

- How will they go missing for an hour or two? - He asked, slowly.

And Namjoon's grimace deepened.

- Well... this place's sort of haunted, to tell you the truth. -

Right on queue, men started shouting the name of another, wondering where they'd gone.

Namjoon sighed.

- I better go find them. - He told the officer, pointing upstairs with a shrug. - That's why hardly any students go to the other floors; or even come to the library for that matter. - He sighed.

But the officer took a step towards him with a frown.

- No, I'm going to need you to show me what's down there. -

- Jerry! Jerry, where are you! -

- I'm literally right here! Just follow my voice! -

- I... I don't know where I am! -

- Jerry! Dave! Where are you! -

- Sir! Sir! - An officer holding the belt in his too-large trousers came running towards the pair of them. - We've lost half the man in this place, sir. -

The officer in charge looked at Namjoon with a heavily confused frown, and the latter shrugged back at him as if to tell him "told you so".

- The room downstairs is part of an underground set of tunnels and rooms that are mainly used by the cleaners and other workers like myself and I can assure you that no one can get in through any of the hidden doors on the upper levels without a card like this one. - From his back pocket he took out a card half the size of a credit card and twice as thick. - All the doors that are only for the staff have the same mechanism as the doors of the Professors' living area. If anybody tries to force them open, an alarm will go off. Shall we go rescue your men from the shelves? - As he asked, he pocketed the card and then clapped his numb hands, ready to work.

The officer gave him an appraising look, his eyes going up and down once before he finally nodded in approval. But still wearing a frown, as if it was edged on his forehead permanently.

- Very well then. You'll tell me where each door is once we... finish here. -

- Travis! Can you hear me? -

- ... -

- Travis!!! -

The officer tried very hard not to roll his eyes as he stepped aside for Namjoon to pass.

Namjoon grimaced a little and turned to look at Seokjin, hating the thought of going all by himself and being the leader of a "rescue" party. But Seokjin looked at him seriously, lifted his chin, and turned around to motion the ladies to get downstairs with him for the moment.

Swallowing heavily, Namjoon lifted his chin just like Seokjin had shown him and turned around confidently. Then, he marched on with the officer behind him.

5:30 pm

- Can I ask you... - Namjoon started, falling back a bit to march beside the Officer. - Where was the criminal seen last? I might be able to help you with ideas. -

This last wasn't true, but the officer nodded again, approvingly.

- Second floor, first building, Students' living area. And there were two of them, but we think only one was a student. - He answered as they walked swiftly up the stairs to the encyclopedias.

Only one was a student... Does that mean two of them stayed while one was picked up by another?

- That's northwest of the university. - Namjoon muttered with a thoughtful frown. - And a long fall at that, if they jumped. But if they did jump... they could've gone on through the woods. Unfortunately, the fence is not as tall in the woods. -

His heart was beating so loud in his ears that he had to force himself to not slip through his body language or else they might think he knows something. Which he does. But he was simply so excited to know if they managed to run away that he could barely control his breathing.

Suddenly, right after he finished talking and they got to the second floor, the officer took him by the forearm and turned him around before letting go.

- How tall is it? - He demanded, looking angrier than before.

Namjoon staggered backward a bit.

- It's umm... I think... - He looked the officer up and down. - As tall as you, actually. -

The officer's eyes widened with rage and he tore off the radio on his hip.

- Concentrate on the north side of the woods! I repeat! Concentrate on the north side of the woods! The fence is low enough to jump it! -

A lot of shouting came from various other radios answering his call and he placed it by his hip again. Then he sighed heavily and looked back at Namjoon.

- Another thing you might want to tell me sooner? -

- Ummm.... - Namjoon looked down and thought hard, trying to remember everything. But then he remembered that this search would be completely fruitless anyway. - No, not really. There's nothing in the woods; not even lampposts. - He shrugged.

But the officer tilted his chin down a bit.

- Why is there nothing in those woods? Is that also haunted? - He asked with a faint scoff.

Namjoon shrugged.

- Actually, yeah. - The faint smile disappeared off the officer's face. - But not like here where the shelves play tricks on you. The wood is said to be haunted by the ghost of a student who died there ages ago. - He shrugged again.

This tale was, in fact, true. But not exactly right.

It is said that there's a ghost in the woods that keeps people from entering too far into it by scaring them into leaving, which is why older students tell the new ones to not get off the white trail. The evidence is that, whenever a new headmaster tried to expand the University north, a number of accidents on workers whenever they tried to do anything made the place out of bounds for construction. However, he doesn't think it's a ghost.

If what there was in the woods was a ghost, then it would only wander around lost, trying to find the body it so violently or unwillingly left behind, but a person would've had to die in the forest for there to be a ghost there and there are absolutely no records or even hints that anybody had ever died inside Evanthe. Therefore, what was in the forest must be a spirit. Since a spirit is a soul that has reached enlightenment and could've gone on but chose to stay behind to help as a messenger between realms and the white pavilion stays forever hidden somewhere inside the woods, then he came to the conclusion that this spirit guarded the woods because it was guarding the white pavilion.

By asking around to other workers, he's come to the realization that this spirit especially keeps away people with malicious intent which is why he'd been so scared of entering it the night before; he wasn't sure if his intentions will be taken to be good or not. He surely went inside to find the E.V.I so they could stop Jungkook and Taehyung before they made a mistake, however, would his intention be taken as stopping them from loving each other? Apparently, it wasn't, but still, he got scared.

So, as long as the officers don't have any ill intentions toward the woods or the white pavilion, they should be fine.

Namjoon went on helping the missing officers find their way back rather easily and all because he made sure to touch each shelf as he passed. As if that soft touch keeps them in place even though they never visibly move.

He found five men on the shelves looking all around in dizzying panic, all of whom screamed when their eyes landed on him. The effect of going missing within these shelves is rather terrifying indeed as if it had expanded and there's no way out, making the lights from the ceiling feel suffocating.

Namjoon wondered as he went on to the third floor on his own if the spirit would appear for the officers in the woods. He wonders if it would take their intentions as wicked if, objectively speaking, they were trying to catch the person responsible for the mayhem in the capital. And then he wondered if the spirit would know of the mayhem at all.

He took a very old book on accounting from one of the shelves closest to the door leading to the attic and went in as the officers looking at him muttered under their breaths.

This old book was actually hollow inside and in it was hidden another, much more important, book. It was one of the journals with the sketches made by one of the architects that designed Evanthe and this one carried the designs of the library. The only reason why Namjoon hadn't been able to keep it with his other books downstairs was that a nasty groan came from the walls and ceiling as if it was all going to break and fall. He figured, without thinking twice, that it was because the library felt robbed and so he took it back upstairs where he had found it hidden. And when he found that the creaking had stopped, he hollowed out a book no student would want to grab and further hid the journal inside to keep his mind at ease.

This he found to be the only way he can go on through the library without being tricked by it, but due to his work and the fact that the library didn't like it when the book entered one of the trap doors, he had to make do with only using it when entering the attic.

As it was, he found the other ten officers who went missing right there when he opened the door. They all turned to look at him and sighed with relief, telling him as they passed that they were seriously debating whether to try to get out from one of the windows once they thought the door might just never open nor break. And once Namjoon closed the door and saw them all walking down the stairs, he went to leave the book from where he took it.

The attic was less "playful" than the encyclopedias. For one, the person who entered will stay locked inside for an hour or two, and for another, anyone who opens the door to look for them will not be able to see them until the door is closed with them inside and just as locked as the first one; just as well, the person inside can't see the other opening the door to check until the door was locked with the pair inside. It's almost as if the two people are in completely different rooms until they're in the same predicament with either the door open or closed. That's why, before he found this book, he left the duty of entering the attic for a day he knew he wouldn't be needed for an hour or two.

5:40 pm

- Very well then. - The officer in charge spoke directly at him when he reached him again, near the librarian's desk. - Tell us where the doors are. -

- And... if there are more haunted places... or corridors... - Another officer said tentatively but trying to keep his chin up. The others who nodded frantically also bore defiant frowns and tightened fists.

Namjoon looked down, trying not to chuckle, and went silently to the librarian's desk. He sat on it, lifted his legs to turn around, and entered the circle to take from one of the drawers a copy of the notebook the students get on entry. He opened it to a blueprint of Evanthe as the officer in charge stepped closer, then he took a pen and began making red dots where the Out of Bounds doors were located. Then, he gave the notebook a turn and looked up at the officer.

- The workers who have key-cards to open these doors are on a list the headmistress has, but I can tell you, the cleaners are not here right now. They only come Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays because a study proved students are less likely to be out in the corridors past eleven at night these days. So there's hardly any reason to disturb them. And, if the criminals did indeed leave through the forest, we can already assume they left the grounds. The doors are only inside the corridors and buildings, none go out to the gardens or the woods. -

- You put a dot where the students live. - The officer pointed as he looked up. - Where is it? -

- In the Arcade Room. It was once a Meeting Room, quite important, so the door was a way for servers to bring coffee and tea without opening the main doors which were said to remain locked until the meeting was over. It was an old custom. - He shrugged.

Other officers stepped closer to look over the shoulder of their boss.

- Will we have to get inside the hidden corridors? - One asked, sounding quite frightened.

But before their boss answered, Namjoon did.

- I highly, highly suggest you don't. It's a labyrinth down there for anyone who doesn't know where they're going and it guards many rooms with very valuable historical paintings and other things. Also, I... won't let you, really. - The officer in charge looked up with a frown. - Not without the cleaners helping you with guidance and the authorization of the headmistress. Down there's the most private of properties, that's why the doors work with cards, so our movements are monitored downstairs. Even the thresholds have radars or something to know how many people walk through each of them. -

- Ok, ok. - The officer stopped him with a wave of his hand. - I'll ask the headmistress if we have authorization. -

- But what about the cleaners? - Another voice asked from behind him.

- Wouldn't it be easier to check if the radars have sensed anyone sneaking around? - A different one suggested.

- Ok, ok, ok. - The officer in charge waved twice as if trying to get flies off him. - I'll go ask for these... radar things. In the meantime [...] -

5:50 pm

The officer turned around to keep talking and Namjoon sat down on the chair, feeling bored and trapped but determined to think of ways to get in contact with the last E.V.I. If he's with the students, then he would be trapped with the rest, wouldn't he? But, if Jungkook's in danger and not with the rest of the students, wouldn't he try to find Jungkook?

So, in order to find him, Namjoon must find Jungkook. But this thought doesn't really comfort him. If Jungkook's really in danger and he manages to find him, he'll be in danger as well because he doesn't know how to defend himself.

But what if... the one in danger is not Jungkook, but Taehyung?

He never thought of him as a possibility because his last talk with Seokjin left him thinking that only Jungkook was a magnet for misfortune when it is actually the pair of them.

But what if Jungkook was in danger and Taehyung knew he was? Then Darkness would be fed thoroughly and be able to make things way worse!

Namjoon decided then that he will have to go to the Professors' living area to search for Taehyung first. That way he'll be able to both assert which of the two was in danger and also to calm Taehyung down if his last theory was right, that way the misfortune wouldn't be as... awful, as it would've been if both of them were in constant agony.

And so he stood up.

He turned around and opened the trap door to jump down a few steps and look in the direction of his table. But Seokjin and the ladies were not there. Instead, once he looked around, he found them by the other side of the room, seated next to another table with Seokjin. All four of them looked up at him and stood up, then walked hurriedly towards the stairs when he waved at them to come. After a couple of minutes, they arrived beside him. The ladies tried to catch their breaths while Seokjin straightened his suit jacket, and Namjoon turned to the women.

- You go to your rooms and take Kacy with you, I'll tell the officer, alright? -

- Oh, thank God. - Emillie sighed with relief. But Kacy frowned.

- Are you sure? Will you be alright? -

- Yes, don't worry about me. - He told her with a tiny smile and turned to tell the officer. But he wasn't there anymore. So he neared the one standing guard giving his back to the librarian's desk. - Hey. -

The officer flinched away and turned with his hands up, ready to fight. Once he realized it was just Namjoon and not a ghost, he dropped them.

- Sorry. What is it? -

Namjoon pointed behind himself with a thumb.

- The ladies will leave for their rooms now. They'll leave through the corridors downstairs with the librarian's key card. And I'll leave with him, so–

- No, no, nonono. - The guard shook his head frantically and then laughed nervously, shaking his finger in front of him. - You can't leave me– I mean...! You can leave. We need you here... to... stay. - He was trying so hard to remain confident that Namjoon nearly took pity on him.

From what he's read, the weakest minds are the easiest to be corrupted by Darkness while the strongest ones will merely feel a bit more clumsy than usual, and the ones with evil thoughts will become stronger instead. In this case, it seemed this officer had a strong mind and had been convinced by Darkness that he was weak for the moment.

It was the same for Namjoon even though he was good at covering it up.

- I actually have business elsewhere. I have to talk to another teacher that I said I would meet at his apartment. So... Just... don't go upstairs and you guys will be fine, alright? There aren't any ghosts here. - He gave him a small but encouraging smile and the officer took a deep breath, looking around.

- Well then. If you must go, go. I think all the teachers have been told not to get out of their apartments already so just don't go out again after this. Stay over there until everything is cleared out. - He gave him a final, much more serious nod. And Namjoon returned it.

The pair of them turned back around and Namjoon walked over to Seokjin who'd just closed the trap door, having sent off the ladies.

- Open it again, we'll have to get your stuff. - He told him. But Seokjin merely turned around to look at him and walked over to the edge of the desk.

- Who do you think you're talking to? - He asked rhetorically as he took out from a drawer both his black-leather briefcase and his folded coat which he unfolded in one flick of his wrist.

Namjoon pursed his lips to hide a blushy smile.

- My most sincere apology, sir. I forgot you're always two steps ahead. -

Seokjin walked out of the circle-shaped desk and closed the little door behind him, his eyes looking loftily around.

- I suggest you don't forget it for a third time. - He started walking to the east exit of the library. - I'm sure you can still remember what happens when you upset me. -

Namjoon's heart began to race as he walked fast beside him.

- Of course. - He answered, breathlessly.

After a couple or more minutes, they reached the glass doors and walked out of the library. But Namjoon froze where he stood.

6:00 pm

His eyes widened, his breathing stopped, and he knew, by the side of his eye, that Seokjin had stopped some paces ahead of him.

The last E.V.I in Evanthe. The guy was carrying someone else in his arms, a guy with orange hair Namjoon had never seen and who looked terribly like he'd lost a lot of blood from a wound on his arm. He must be taking him to the hospital wing.

The only reason why Namjoon didn't approach him was that the guy never stopped walking forwards, not even when he locked eyes with him and his eyes widened in recognition. So, when the guy shook his head infinitesimally and then looked around at the officers nearby, Namjoon was grateful that his own legs had frozen over.

Once the guy had passed him as he marched on, Namjoon was able to let go of his breath and reunite with Seokjin who was frowning at him in question. But he shook his head just as faintly as the guy had done and the pair of them walked on, going in the same direction as the other pair but not the same location.

As they walked in silence a lot of steps behind the other two, Namjoon could hear the faint sound of silent sobs and soft laments coming from the injured guy, but he couldn't hear what he said nor what answer he received from the one carrying him. Namjoon merely hoped everything will be alright and that the E.V.I will try to get to Jungkook now that he will go to Taehyung.

As it was, right when Seokjin took out his key-card to open the black-glass doors, the E.V.I turned his head back. So Namjoon went in, feeling reassured that he knew (or assumed correctly) where he was going.

- Alright. - Seokjin sighed softly once they were inside and looked around at the emptiness of the place. - Before you try to come up with any stupid excuses to go to Taehyung, come with me first. We have to talk. -

A chill ran down Namjoon's back and he swallowed, his steps dragging guiltily as they went to the elevators.

Indeed, a man two steps ahead. How could Namjoon have ever thought he could lie to Seokjin about his plan of helping Jungkook and Taehyung? ¡That was why he said "don't forget it for a third time", he had indeed forgotten Seokjin could see right through him with that last hug! Namjoon would've kicked himself.

Not even the lengthiness the elevator took to get to the third floor could make him chuckle as it usually does whenever he gets to come here. Due to one floor being as tall as two, the time to get to the third floor was what it took to get to the sixth in any other building. The slowness of the numbers changing on the screen was what amused him, but now he was looking at the floor.

It wasn't that Seokjin believed the story nor did he disbelieve it entirely, he merely took it as a possibility and accepted that Namjoon took it as fact just like any other superhuman/other-worldly/fairy-tale he could find with evidence. So, if he thought Namjoon could even possibly be getting himself in danger, he'll try to protect him like he was trying to do right now.

It'll be some time until he's able to get to Taehyung, it seems.

But he will get to him.

6:10 pm

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🌼Thank you for reading Chapter 70 <3<3<3

Your devoted writer,

Ela Shadow Rose 🥀

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