"Promise? Promise."
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Next update after: 170 votes and 100 comments.

"Eat," the guard tells me, keeping the plate in front of me, on the tiny table.

My eyes are so heavy from all the crying and no sleep at all. It's the second night of my captivity and I haven't slept properly since I woke up almost twenty four hours ago.

I can't sleep. I can't keep my eyes closed for more than a few minutes because i don't know what will happen when I'll be unconscious again.

I need to be conscious. I know I can't do that for any more longer but I'll stay conscious until I can.

I look at the plate in front of me. Rice and some soup, I can't see clearly. My eyes are watery, it lacks focus. My body is sore from being sat in the same position for almost two days.

I've only stood up and walked out of this place when I needed to pee, like thrice only. I can't think clearly. I can't be stuck here and wait for them to do what they're actually planning.

I also can't sit here, looking at the door, waiting for someone to barge in and save me.

What if what Michael had told me is correct? What if Jungkook is actually unfazed? What if he's not looking for me and had just moved on with his life?

He might've thought that the gang is more important, right?

I wouldn't blame him. He needs that. His family needs that. I remember Jae Sung telling me how whole business of Jungkook's father is sitting on the throne that Jae Sung's money has made for them. Without that money, the business is down in drain.

But if he's unfazed, these people won't stop. They want to ruin Jungkook. If not me, they'll go after his family.

It breaks my heart to even think about what they'll do with Juri. She doesn't deserve this.

The guard comes up to me to untie my hands so that I can eat whatever he has kept in front of me.

They give me food and water, enough, to keep me alive. In these two days, I've ate three meals. Same rice and soup. I don't really care, for all I wish is to just starve myself to death than to wait for what will happen to me in coming few days.

But I don't want to give up altogether. I need to escape too. At least try. I need to use my brain and energy for that. So, I need food. Even if it's this same, tasteless food, I need it.

My hands are free and the guard stands next to me, keeping an eye on my every action.

I sniffle as my shaking hands reach for the spoon on the plate. My body aches with every little moment and I have to bite down on my lip to stop myself from groaning out.

When my muscles stretch a little, causing more pain than I can think, I finally reach the plate and the spoon on it. I pick it up and with all my energy, dip it into the bowl of rice in front of me.

Once the spoon is full with the rice, I bring it up to my mouth. Opening my mouth, I put it inside and chew on the rice grains.

I wince suddenly and cup my cheek which is swollen and bruised now. It's where Owen had slapped me. It still pains. Everything pains and I have this urge to just curl up in a bed and cry my heart out.

I can't do that, so instead I just silently cry as I eat this food which I can't even taste on my tongue.

Last night, they took me from that big hall to some other hall on the upper floor. This place is bigger than I thought it'd be.

This room is smaller than the previous one. There are few small windows around, enough for air circulation but still I feel hot. Maybe it's because I have fever. I can feel myself burning up, sweating and still shivering in this thin white cloth which is dirty by now.

In next few minutes, I concentrate on the food. I eat the plain bland rice with the spoon and then pick the soup bowl up to drink it up in one go.

Once I'm done, I'm given water and then the guard who was keenly looking at me eating ties my hands up again.

The dark room appears more dark now. There are no bright lights in here, I think it's because of the camouflage. The natural lighting is enough for the day but at night they use dim ones.

Now I'm sitting again, thinking about what I should do to get out? Maybe I can plan to run away when I go to pee? Or maybe there has to be some secret passage out from this place that I'd have to look for?

My mind feels heavy, constantly aching. I sniffle again as my eyes feel even heavier.

My body needs rest. It's hot from the coming fever, making my eyes droopier. There's only so much a person can avoid of sleep. And my body and brain constantly need it. I need to rest my eyes.

My stomach rolls like I'm going to puke but I gulp, resisting the urge.

I close my eyes to ease the pain behind my head. I'll just close my eyes for just a few minutes and then I'll wake up.

I can't be dozed off more than few minutes.

Just a few... minutes...

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"Hana," i hear my name being called in a soft yet dark, deep whisper.

My body feels so sore, it's sweating from how hot it is in here. I want to scream out at the growing pain but i stay shut.

My body is softly being shaken, continuously in attempt to wake me up. I moan out softly at the muscle pain but try to open my eyes. I see hazy, it feels like i was crying while i was passed out.

Even when i open my eyes, i see nothing but darkness with slight shine of moonlight inside the shaby warehouse.

"Hana, baby," i hear the familiar voice from my side, near my ear. The voice is so familiar that i didn't scream in danger. Instead i feel so relaxed that he's here.

I try to feel my hands and feet as i realise that i'm not tied anymore. I feel a hand caressing the back of my head in attempt to stop me from panicking which i am few seconds away from.

"Let's go, Hana. We need to leave, yeah?" the voice speaks again as i finally look to the direction of the sound.

Dark eyes which look soft now to see me in this state, stare at me. Black hair covers his forehead sticking to his skin because he's sweating too. I gulp to ease my burning throat due to dryness and also because i feel like crying.

Crying on the fact that he's here.

"Jungkook..," i whisper his name out and he softly nods at me.

His one hand which was caressing my hair now cups my sweaty and bloody cheek. Just the slightest of touch makes me hiss out in pain, i'm sure i'm bruised badly there. I see his eyes turning darker in anger. Most on them but some on himself too, i can tell it. He feels bad that he couldn't protect me.

Now that i'm kind of awake, i hear gunshots from outside. They are not very loud which means they're not from this floor. Where are the guards of this room?

The gunshots awaken a foul memory again as i shake in my place, tears start falling out of my eyes. Hot, big tears stream down my bruised cheeks.

"I'm so scared, Jungkook," i sob out, my voice almost inaudible.

"I'm here, my peach. Nothing with happen to you, i promise," he consols me, his hands try to get me to stand up.

I find it very difficult because of the soreness and also because of the crippling fear that someone will barge in. They'll kill me and him. I don't care much about me but I don't want Jungkook to die. All because of me. He shouldn't die.

"They'll kill you, Jungkook," i sob harder, fear multiplying because I know the things that might happen here. I don't want anything to happen to him.

When I'm standing finally after gaining my balance, I look into his eyes, my neck craned up to meet his dark eyes, to know that this isn't a dream. This is true, he's here. He's here for me.

Jungkook instantly hugs me tightly, almost squeezing the life out of me. I start crying full mode in his arms. He's wearing a bulletproof jacket, i think. He has leather gloves on his hands, his mouth is covered with a black mask. The whole clothing of his must look almost invisible in dark. I'm so relieved to see him here, yet i don't want him to be here. I'm terrified of the men here.

"Hush, baby. Nothing will happen to me," he sounds way too calm as i shake in his arms.

"We'll get out of here safely, ok?" he tells me like he's explaining to a baby.

The gunshots doesn't cool down outside as i start hearing even more of them. Jungkook isn't alone here. He's with a team for sure, i think they're fighting with Michael and his father's men downstairs. I don't know for how much time they'll be able to fight them until they arrive but i want to run away from here.

"Come with me, we'll escape from here," Jungkook explains to me as i dampen his shirt even more while nodding.

He kisses the top of my head as he grabs my one hand in his large one. I gulp due to my dry throat and Jungkook notices it. He fishes out a small bottle of water from his back pocket to give it to me after opening the cap.

I don't waste another second as i grab it and gulp the cool liquid down. My throat feels better and i almost start crying at how relieving it feels.

Once i'm done with it, Jungkook holds my hand again. I can only look into his eyes and they are really promising ones.

"Let's go?" he whispers and i nod.

With my hand tightly held in his, he starts walking with me through the back door of the room. As we're about to leave, my mind reminds me of something, or someone.

"Michael did this all. He did this to me, you," i say, my mind still feel the bitter betrayal.

"I know," he says and looks at me with the eyes that show even more hurt. If it's so heart breaking for me, it might've hurt him even more.

Jungkook's right hand man had been Michael. It's hard to believe how greed for power and jealousy made him do this.

On the other hand it has always been human nature. The second best always wants to be first. This internal hatred and jealousy had led to world wars, it doesn't stop there. It just grows bigger.

Jungkook doesn't speak anything anymore as he walks, practically runs with me to the exit of the room. I'm hearing louder gunshots, even more than before. I think Michael and Owen has arrived here.

A chill runs down my spine as i tightly clutch Jungkook's leather clad hand in my sweaty one. Once we are out of the room, i see stairs down the hallway in moonlit darkness. When i look down them, i see nothing but black haze. The moonlight here helps a little but not much as the warehouse isn't open. Long walls doesn't help much.

Yet Jungkook knows how to cross these. Once we are near the stairs, Jungkook turns towards me. His large body towers mine as i look up at his eyes.

My heart beat is so loud, i almost feel numb. My eyes are still moist, i might start crying again in fear.

Jungkook turns his back towards me as he gets on his knees. I look down at him in confusion.

"Get on my back. We need to be fast on these stairs," he tells me.

I don't waste any of ours time as i cling myself to his back. I wrap my arms around his neck and legs around his waist.

The thin white night gown that i'm wearing rides up till my upper thighs but i don't care about my skin showing as i just want to leave this place with him safely.

In no more than few seconds, Jungkook stands up like there's no weight on his back. I cling so close to his body, there isn't even thin passage of air between us.

Jungkook starts descending down the stairs and he is fast on his feet. I hide my face near his neck as i try to hold him as close to me. Tears in my eyes threaten to fall as not so positive scenarios enter my brain.

What if we get caught? They would love to see Jungkook here. I don't want him to be tortured and killed. What will happen to me?

My lips wobble at the thought that i shouldn't be thinking. Jungkook is here with me. He is a mastermind. If he can safely sneak in, he can safely sneak out too.

I just want us to reach the escape passage as soon as possible so that we can sneak out and just run away. Far from here, to any place he wants to take me to. I don't care if we live underneath the ground. I just want to leave this place with him. Safe and sound.

In a minute or two of countless running down of stair steps, we're finally where Jungkook was supposed to take me.

I look up from his shoulder and i see light. It's a flashlight. I stiffen behind Jungkook in fear that we are caught in this dark dark place but then relief flows through me as i see who's standing there.

Matthew, the new guy in their gang, is there with same attire as Jungkook's. He's holding a torch in his one hand and a big heavy gun in second one. Next to him stands Theo, if I remember correctly. I've seen him multiple times in Jungkook's gang but I've met him in the party, I remember.

Once we reach them, Jungkook helps me to get off his back. It takes me few seconds to regain my balance as i feel tiny stones under my bare feet.

I don't care about it. All i know is we are together and we are near our escape. We'll be out of here soon.

Jungkook takes his mask off as he uses his arm to wipe the sweat off his face. I look at his face. I feel like it's been ages since i saw him yet it had only been no more than two days.

I guess it's this moment. I thought i would die but he's here with me. We'll leave soon.

"Where are we escaping from?" I ask, impatient.

"Down there," Jungkook points at the wall where it is attached to the ground and we see an opening there. It looks small but it is enough for us to pass through it.

"From this passing, you'll be crawling for a few minutes till you'll reach the dead end. As we are in basement, you'll have to climb up from there to be on the floor above. Once you reach above, you'll be out of the warehouse where two of our guards will be waiting for you both. From there, you'll leave with them," Theo explains and I nod but then i realise that he is talking about just just me, and Matthew I suppose because he's standing right next to the opening.

What about him and Jungkook?

"Ok, let's go," Matthew says and gets ready to leave but i don't.

"You are not coming with us?" i ask, looking at Jungkook and then Theo.

"No, Michael and his mother fucking father is here and it's perfect time to end this," Jungkook tells me and i look at him disbelief, shaking my head.

"No," i shake my head, "No, you're leaving with us."

I go in to hold Jungkook's hand but he steps back. I look up at him with big tear filled eyes. No way i'm leaving from here without him.

"Please, Hana, leave. I will be there soon, trust me with this," he says, his eyes pleading.

"No, there are so many men here. I can't leave without you, Jungkook," i plead, crying.

"I've been on missions, Hana. I have Theo, my whole team and Jae Sung is here to help me too. Don't worry about me, baby," he cups my cheeks as i hold his wrists tightly, i can't let him go.

There is this very uneasy feeling inside me and i am terrified of it. I don't want to lose him. I know the fear of almost losing him but now he's here with me, i can't go through something worse.

He might've gone through worse situations than these but here, right now, i feel like this is the worst possible situation ever.

"I promise you, i'll be there with you in few minutes," he tells me.

I keep on shaking my head as i cry harder, tightening my hold on his wrists. He can't go in there again. It feels like hell in there. Continuous shooting and endless screams.

"This is ridiculous," i sob, my voice louder as i refuse to take a step back.

"Hana, you've always been encouraging me. I finally have the moment to end this all, to avenge the betrayal that he has given. To avenge what he has done to you, not once but twice now. I want to end this for once and all. There is no place for betrayers in this gang. And I can't live a life with constant unease of putting you in danger like now," he explains but i don't stop crying.

I know Jungkook won't leave with me. He had made his mind. I can shorten this torture by leaving now and let Jungkook be done with it as soon as possible but at the same time i don't want to go.

I feel in despair as i want to scream out loud.

"I promise you, Hana, nothing will happen to us. Matthew is here to take you, you'll be safe out there and I'll be there with you soon. Trust me," Jungkook promises me again and i look at Theo who also nods at me.

I give out a broken sob but let go of Jungkook.

"Let's go," Matthew calls for me.

I look at Jungkook's face. He looks so serious yet there is fear in his eyes too. I can see this fire of revenge in those dark orbs and in no sense, he's going to let go of this opportunity.

The thought of this ending for once and all and then living a peaceful life ahead gives me a little confidence but there's this iota of voice in my head which is worried, so worried that i might just die at this moment.

"Go," Jungkook says and i gulp as i turn back, leaving the warmth of his body.

I look back at his face with my teary eyes and it feels like i would never see him again. I feel terrible about this but i have to leave. That's for the best. He'll be done soon and then we'll live far from this filthy world.

Seeing him right now, brings those certain words on the tip of my tongue. Last time, i couldn't say them to him and i regretted it. This time, i fear that i'll regret it again.

So i turn around to hug him again, tightly.

With tears in my eyes, i look up at his face.

I'm about to confess my feeling of love to him when the gunshots get more clear. Fuck, they're coming on the floor above and might come  down  here.

"We need to leave," Matthew says.

A tear slips down my eye as i hiccup, the words die in my throat again. Jungkook's eyes which were filled with rage before soften a bit now as he looks down at me, holding him.

He leans down to kiss me.

The kiss was brief though i wanted it to last forever. I sniffle and now i know that it's time to go.

"Now, go," he says.

I sigh out loud and then leave his body altogether. I don't look back at him again as i finally turn around and walk towards where Matthew is.

I am constantly crying as i try my best to not look back because if i do, i'll run back to him.

I reach where Matthew is. I don't even look up at him. I stand there, looking down at the passage.

I hate this but i have to accept it and keep faith in him.

I exhale sharply as tears fall down from my cheeks to the ground. The gunshots grow louder above me and i ball my hands into fists.

I get down on my knees and hands first. I look back at Jungkook one last time to see him looking at me. He nods at me and i move.

I crawl inside the meagre passage. It's so dark in here. Anyone claustrophobic would just hate being here. But when Matthew crawls behind me, he has a torch in his hand which Theo was carrying outside.

"Can you see, Hana?" he asks me and i hum, my voice heavy because of all the unease and crying.

I still have the urge to just turn around and be with him but i'm sure Jungkook wants me to be wise right now.

The sweat has thickened its layer on my body. The dirt clings to my skin because of the sweat. My knees can feel tiny stones under it, probably scratching my skin but i'm not caring much of it. 

It's almost hard to breathe in here but i keep on counting my breathes in order to make it out alive of here. I can still hear loud gunshots from above me, making me flinch every now and then but i keep on crawling in attempt to reach the dead end.

"Are you ok, Hana?" Matthew asks me again, probably in an attempt to make me feel better. But again, all i could do is hum.

I have no heart to talk right now, because every time I think of what might be happening in there, bile rises to my throat as my brain gives out silent prayers for Jungkook's safety.

I think of everything that Owen threatened me with. Every little threat. It's better if the chapter is closed today because I know if they get out safe, they'll go for Jungkook's family next. His whole life will be sabotaged.

As we crawled for a minute or two, we finally reach the dead end. There's big, hard wall of dirt in front of us. Jungkook told us to climb up from here.

Matthew gives me the torch and i flash its light above me to see a passing. If i climb on Matthew's back then i can easily get out of here and then pull him up with me.

"You climb first," Matthew says like i planned in my head and i nod in dark.

Now that i'm under the passage, i can easily stand up. So i did, keeping space between my legs for Matthew to crawl between them.

When he's under me, i quickly step on his back for elevation. Once upon him, i can easily reach the surface. Cool air hits my sweaty face and i breathe in. It feels way too good to even breathe this.

I don't waste much time as i keep both my arms on the surface in an attempt to climb out. 

It's dark out here. I hear dry winter leaves crunching, this area is probably forest. But the cool air suddenly bites my skin and I shiver as I climb up, grunting.

Bright flash blinds my vision suddenly. I blink my eyes as I look up with raging heartbeat.

There are two bulky men here, in the same attire as Jungkook's. Are these the guards they told us about?

One of the guards come for me, holding my hand to get me out of the pit hole. I'm groaning as my muscles stretch and the soreness slips in.

Still I try my best to crawl up, panting.

I don't have to work to get Matthew out of the pit hole. The two guards with their bright torches help him out too.

Once he's out, he stands tall on his feet, shaking the dust of his clothes.

I'm breathing harshly as I look back at the warehouse. I can't see it very clearly through the tall trees but I can hear what's going on. There's lot noise of continuous gunshots, screams and shouts of men inside. There are men all around the dark warehouse.

My throat swells up again, thinking of Jungkook.

"Let's go, we can't stay here for long," Matthew says.

I look at him, squinting my eyes.

"No, let's wait here until Jungkook is done," I tell him.

I was brave enough to leave him in there but I'm not leaving from this place until I know Jungkook is safe and sound.

I might not help him much if he's in danger, I know, but I don't want to leave this place. I don't care if these three men stay here or not. They can leave. I'll just sit here, by some tree in the darkness, waiting for him until I know that he's out of that dark place.

"We can't stay here, Hana. It's not safe," Matthew tells me.

"I know, but I don't feel good. He might need you any time in there. You should be around to go in for help," I worry, looking towards the warehouse.

It's dark, completely dark. There are only the dim lights from inside that are visible. If there wasn't full moon tonight, this warehouse would've been hidden completely in these dense woods.

I can see men pouring into the building, some running away. None of them comes towards where we are. It's for better. We'll just sit here and then when they'll be back outside we'll leave.

"There are men for that. Only the first troope of men has gone in, two are outside, guarding and ready to walk in when necessary. Nothing bad will happen," he explains it to me.

"Are Michael and Owen inside?" I ask as I look towards the bloody scene unfold in front of me.

"Yes, they arrived right after we escaped through the tunnel," he tells me.

"How do you know?" I ask him, looking into his impatient eyes.

"We all have Bluetooth connections in our ears. We know everything that's happening inside and outside of the building. Jungkook is leading the men so he has been commanding right into these," he answers and shows me his ear.

Though I can't really see anything in the dark night but I can see a little light of the Bluetooth earphones that's twinkling slightly.

" That's why we know that nothing is abnormal in there. And that's also why we should leave," he again prompts.

I look at him and he has very promising eyes.

I nod, looking back at the warehouse. Jungkook will be back, he has to be. All his men are here, they'll help him in need. I shouldn't worry this much. Who knows I might end up being a bigger problem if we stay here.

I should trust him and go with whatever plan he has in mind.

I sigh and then take a step, actually limp, on the ground. The two guards with big guns and Matthew walk with me.

Carefully, we take steps away from the pit we came out of. We try our best to not make any sound especially because the leaves are dry and so are the branches underneath us, they make huge sound when we walk on them. So we stay slow and steady.

The gunshots don't slow down, in fact, they increase as we walk away from the warehouse. Every now and then, I look back in hope to see Jungkook running back towards us, all safe. He must come back, he has to.

But then what I have thought was my worst nightmare comes unfolding right in front of my eyes.

I hear a very loud explosion. It was loud enough to make me stop and shake on my feet. The ground underneath me shook with how hard it was.

My ears beep and all the gunfire around me suddenly become hazy.

"Fuck!" Matthew curses as he takes the the Bluetooth device out from his ear, so do the other two guards.

They heard the explosion right into their ear.

That's means Jungkook was near to the explosion.

Horror fills my body as I look back.

I see the warehouse completely caught on fire. Another smaller explosions follow right after but I don't flinch as I see the fire hug the huge warehouse with the surrounding area.

Long and wide flames of the burning fire looks like some scene from some horror movie as I watch the forest cover around the place catching the fire.

I don't hear anything clearly.

"Hello, Jungkook! Hello! " I hear Matthew shouting into his walkie talkie but he doesn't get any response.

All we can hear is constant stoic sound from the other side. There's no response at all.

"Fuck, ready the trooper two for the action," he says, himself baffled by what has suddenly happened. The two guards leave us as they ready to barge in with another troope.

It means that nothing is normal in there anymore.

No.

"Jungkook," I whisper his name as I walk back towards the warehouse.

"Hana, no!" Matthew grabs me.

"No, leave me! Jungkook is there, he's not dead. I need to go!" I shout back at him.

"Hana, you can't go in there. I can't put you in danger too," he console me.

But no I need to go there. I need to see him, I need to find him. I need to know he's alive.

"Jungkook!" I scream his name, my body starts shaking.

I don't know what I'm doing as I wiggle away from Matthew. I kick him to set me free.

I sob out, struggling as he holds my body against his. He's telling me that it's OK, it'll be OK. But he isn't telling me that nothing has happened to Jungkook.

It means something might've happened. He wasn't responding to the call. He was in there during the explosion. He's...

"Please no! Please! Let me go!" I shout back at him, hitting him at his chest as I look at the fire consuming everything around it.

Many men who managed to survive are running out and I need to go to find him.

To find the one I love.

Matthew doesn't say anything. He just holds me as he tries to drag me away from the spreading fire. I still struggle in his hold, screaming and crying, shouting Jungkook's name so that he hears me and comes here, right next to me. Where he should be, where he belongs.

"No, please," I sob harder, I can't lose him. I can't lose the only one I love with all my heart. I can't...

My stomach rolls and nausea builds in my throat. While struggling, I lean down as I puke on the forest ground.

It hurts.

My stomach, my body, everything hurts again. My throat hurts as I gag, still screaming.

Matthew talks about something but I don't listen to him. All my mind can think of is Jungkook. Every single thing about him.

Is this it? Is this how this ends?

My stomach constricts again as I puke again. The feeling owerpowering me.

I don't have the time to put myself together as big tears still stream down my face. For the loss and because of the increasing pain in my gut.

My eyes feel droopy and I crash against Matthew's body.

He slaps my cheek slightly while holding me up against his weight. He tries to shake me to get me out of my trance but I don't. My mind feels too heavy and so does my eyes.

My gaze becomes unclear as i look at the warehouse still caught on fire. Slowly, it becomes hazy too before it turns black and I lose my consciousness.

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Sigh.

~Aster🌸