Candles have been put around the room, giving off yellowish light. Petals of roses were spread around the wooden floor. Another aesthetic decor as dark roséy curtains (that weren't there before) drawn close. An old radio resting on the counter, quiet, classical music with harmonious tones replacing a complete silence.

That was how Jeongguk was spending his bath together with V. They were sitting across each other in that tight, small tub, naked, and their water had a light pink color. Jeongguk wondered how much bath bubbles V really had.

But what he wondered about more, was how and why he was in that exact situation. He stared down at his reflection in the clear water, next to the white foam. Then, he looked up to psychopath, who was having his arms spread on each side of the bathtub, staring at a candle mysteriously with curiosity, judging by the tilt of his head, yet facially expressionless. An uneasy feeling was spreading in Jeongguk's stomach as he watched him.

The only good thing about the current situation, truthfully, was that he could wash his stinky self. After all, being tied up for several days, not knowing if he'll survive or not, has cost him a lot of nerves, sweat, and fear. He was unable to even use the restroom during that time, which forced him to get ... humiliated.

And now? Now he was sitting with this crazy person in one bathtub, sharing a calm bath. Yet Jeongguk was anything but calm.

At the spot, he flinched strongly when he saw the eyes of the other suddenly land at him, catching him in the act of staring. The corners of V's mouth were smirking up slowly, eyes closing half-liddedly in amusement.

"Am I beautiful?" he asked out of nowhere, startling Jeongguk again. Fuck, there was no way he would make him angry by a stupid choice of words. What if he said no? Would this crazy dude drown him after getting mad? Would he get punished? The only way to get out of there alive was to listen to him, get on his good side, and try to gain the stranger's trust. At least that was what Jeongguk found reasonably logical.

"Y-yeah" he stuttered, finding himself saying the truth, in a way. After all, he did think V had attractive lineaments, somewhere. Just a little. When he heard his answer, V kept his facial expression, as if he didn't hear him at all, didn't even react to it. He was just continuing to smile in a smirk at him, as if he was still waiting for an answer.

It made Jeongguk feel awkward, creeped out and unsafe. Was he still waiting for an answer? Should he repeat what he said? Should he ask what's wrong? Should he ignore? One thing was for sure- he was driving him crazy. Never knowing if it's safe to say something, or not. But he guessed that's how it truly feels like when you're sitting across of a sick psychopath that keeps humans in his basement, to torture and kill them off later on.

(Nervous) seconds passed, way too long ones, before he finally started reacting. He leaned back more, and exhaled deeply, closing his eyes. Yet, nothing. Nothing came out of his mouth, and it caused shivers to run down Jeongguk's spine. He didn't know what he was thinking. He craved to just get out of here, grab his clothes and run out. But he knew that, if he did that-

"You'd be dead meat." he suddenly finished Jeongguk's thoughts, causing his eyes to widen. What?

"I know what you're thinking. Don't even think about that." he said, and fuck- Jeongguk was losing his shit, completely flabbergasted. How did he know what he was thinking? Or was that purely coincidental right now? Was he tricking him? Or did he play with so many people that he can tell what they're actually thinking in which situation? More importantly, how many lives has he scared, killed, or fucked up mentally?

Jeongguk couldn't help but start shivering. The created atmosphere with all of the thoughtful decor of trying to make it easy, were completely contrasting with how Jeongguk felt. He didn't feel romantic, calm, or even safe. He felt as if this man in front of him was manipulating his thoughts, driving him crazy, and as if he could die any moment, perhaps even by the unpredictable strength in this man's hands when he'd choke him.

V opened one eye, to check why silence (besides the playing, quiet radio) occurred. And when he saw Jeongguk trembling, staring down into the water submissively, his eyes twitched.

"Are you scared?" he whispered, not knowing how each word he has said, was messing with the boy's mind entirely. All he wanted was to survive, and to get out of there. It was obvious that he was scared. But fuck, what do you tell a psychopath when he asks you that to gain his trust?

Again, Jeongguk's body twitched when he felt a hand grabbing his chin which directed him to look at the other. The latter met big, fearful Bambi eyes, shaking. V couldn't help himself but stay in that position a little while longer, and watch the pleasant sight. Oh, how he loved it when his victims had this expression. It was when he felt dominant enough, controlling enough, effectual enough.

"Don't be scared," he lied, smiling softly. "I'm not gonna hurt you when you obey. Remember?"

It didn't feel like a question to Jeongguk. Instead, he felt like he needed to remember. Thus, he nodded obediently multiple times, not truly realizing he was giving V exactly, but exactly what he wanted, and needed. Oh, Jeongguk was on his right way to become his favorite toy, that was for sure.

Slowly, the sadist was letting go of the boy's chin, patting his cheek twice, before 'sending' him off to lean back again to the tub. And so he did.

"My friend is chopping wood outside. He'd need a little help. How about you go to him and make yourself useful? As a reward, I'll cook something nice for us," the raspy voice spoke, tilting his head as he stared at the unsure, trembling boy. "Will you do that?"

At first, confusion built up in Jeongguk's mind. After hesitating and thinking about it, a hopeful, secret spark was playing hide and seek in his mind. He nodded immediately afterwards. "O-of course. Where is he?"

"Near my house, a little bit deeper in the woods. He'd appreciate your help." V hummed, changing his stare to the candle again. That's when Jeongguk's heart started beating rapidly.

Was he truly that dumb? Was he really going to just... let him leave and 'go to his friend'? No way, right?

"Come on, hurry." V pressured, tilting his head down and glaring up with his small eyes. Seeing that, Jeongguk instantly grabbed a nearby towel to hide his private area when standing up, grabbing his clothes and running out of the bathroom, just so he didn't need to dress himself in front of the scary murderer.

After the door shut close, V stared at it for some more, as if fixating it. Then, he sank a little more into the rosey water, grinning to himself. What a pretty, obedient doll, he thought.

***

Meanwhile, a dressed up Jeongguk was standing in the living room, looking around and searching for something crucial he has forgotten all along.

His backpack.

His black, tiny backpack he has carried all the way to here. He remembers having stripped it off in the bathroom the first time he took one here, and has forgotten it there. On top of that, he didn't see it anywhere before. Fuck.

He didn't have that much in there, only a small blanket, phone, little money and headphones. It wasn't much indeed, yet he'd really need to check if his phone didn't run out of battery yet and call for help instantly. But since his bag is gone, his stuff must be gone, too. All taken in by that psycho. Goddamnit, he thought.

Still, his heart was racing at a rapid pace, being entirely aware of what he's going to do now. Free himself. As the desire to actively call for help got stronger, he quickly started to search around the first floor for any types of phones or something like that. His anxiety was rising when he didn't discover any.

Jeongguk didn't want to lose his chance of escaping simply because he couldn't find a cellphone. Oh no. That's why, he quickly gave that idea up, and rushed to the door, no fucks given anymore. Finally, he was doing what he has been craving to do all along.

Harshly, yet at the same time quietly has he placed his hand on the door knob after unlocking the four system lock he knew already, one by one. The hand was shaking, knowing too well of what was awaiting him behind it. His long awaiting freedom.

The intriguing thought has rushed the blood in his veins, causing him to finally act, and open the door. And when he did so, he was embraced by a cold, sharp wind blowing inside, yet at the same time, fresh, natural air he missed for days.

He took a quick inhale, closing his eyes as he felt all of his senses awaken at the transport of oxygen into his mind. It caused him to think more clearly, to feel more free. That moment was, absolutely, entirely priceless. The feeling of being free. No chains of captivity connected to him anymore.

And then, Jeongguk smiled for the first time properly in those few days and ran, adoring how he could do what he wanted to do. How he wasn't captured anymore. He ran and ran and ran, even making tiny jumps, appreciating everything around him due to the joy he felt.

He was slowly getting out of breath after a while, but Jeongguk didn't care. What he cared about was the daylight he was seeing, he was already seeing the end of the woods, the excitement got bigger, eyes more hopeful, legs faster—

Until, something grabbed his collar from behind, pulling him back to stop him from running, interrupting his joyful escape. Jeongguk's eyes widened, and momentarily, the reflective happiness in them disappeared.

As his head was shaking, the fear in his stomach blooming anew, slowly, he was looking back. Obviously, he was expecting V there. An angry, pissed V that was ready to murder him on the spot. And while he imagined that expression, body shaking, he froze.

That scary, two meters tall old man from back then with the chainsaw, now all cleaned up without a weapon, having clear features was standing there, holding him by the collar, big orbs staring down at him.

Jeongguk screamed out.

"NO!! DON'T HURT ME! LET ME GO!" he shouted out, feeling a wet substance rolling down his cheeks as his legs tried to free themselves, harshly retrying his alignment. "PLEASE, LEAVE ME ALONE, I WANNA-"

Suddenly, Jeongguk was grabbed by the arms tightly and turned to the giant.

"STOP SCREAM, HOOMAN!!" The giant screamed back angrily, his spit hitting gguk's face. With that, the boy froze, blinking twice and automatically stopping to resist. He looked down, and seeing it worked on the boy, he sighed.

"Bob not like scream." the mutant said, slumping down his shoulders, sounding way more softer than before. It startled Jeongguk to the point it made him speechless, jaw dropping a little. How could- How could that big guy that had a bloody chainsaw in his hands, such a terrific sight resembling one of a horror movie- now become all.. small and... soft?

"Uhm.. I see.." Jeongguk said awkwardly, eyeing the big guy. Bob nodded. "No scream. Yeh?" He said. The other noted that his voice was rather high-pitched, which kind of made him sound peaceful, in a way. It confused Jeongguk only more.

The giant named Bob kept on staring, until Jeongguk got the hint. "Y-yeah, no screaming-" he quickly said, and Bob smiled, yes, actually smiled genuinely, and let him go. "Good! Bob like you." he said, and patted his head as if they were friends. Again, he blinked.

"Where boy wanted run?" Bob nevertheless asked, tilting his head like a dog would when it doesn't understand something. Jeongguk started sweating.

"I-I wanted- to see light! It's... so dark in here- hahah..." he quickly made up, smiling awkwardly. After all, the friendly nature could just be a facade. He didn't want to end up getting killed just because he spilled his little secret.

"Ohh. I see. Bob understand." he spoke reassuringly. Then, a sudden idea flashed into the younger's mind. "Do you mind- do you mind if I... go to the light? There?" he asked, stuttering, as he pointed towards the daylight shining through the trees to them, an inviting, pleasuring sight.

But his hopes got crashed momentarily when Bob shook his head, the pointing finger sinking in disappointment. "Bob cannot let. Or else V mad." he muttered sadly, but then his blue eyes instantly shone up. "V said you help wood wood choppie choppie! Is real?" he asked excitedly like a child, a complete contrast to his looks.

Jeongguk's adam apple bobbed up and down. "Yeah- that's.. true.." he muttered, frowning. So V had this all planned out?

That's when it made Jeongguk realise. Even if he's not around, even if he's not watching directly, he cannot escape by himself. And that realisation was, mentally fucking him up the most. V didn't even need to explain that to him personally. He simply did that by showing him. It's his territory, and he cannot get out.

But Jeongguk was not going to give in so easily, despite his hopes being almost, strongly crushed. It only motivated him more.

Bob clapped his hands, being extremely motivated. "Bob happy! Bob like company. And animals. Bob like squirrels lots! pleathe follow Bob." he said, and then started walking deeper into the woods, trusting Jeongguk would do that.

"You know, Bob sorry for back then. Bob had to clean and looked scary.... Bob did not wanna scare!" he explained, as he continued walking.

Silence.

Bob blinked, and then slowly looked back, only to see the figure running away, into the daylight and out of the forest.

He stared.

On the other side, the boy was panting and soon, he ultimatively arrived, standing there, right in front of the road on the grass, where he lost track back then. Right there where he has decided to do that horrific mistake of running inside the forest. Taking deep breaths, he looked around, trying to quickly decide which way to run. He knew it was not over yet. Not when that giant most probably noticed his disappearance by now.

However, his hopes rose up when he saw a black car in the distance, driving his way. He smiled widely and raised his arms in a waving manner. "HERE!! RIGHT HERE!!" he screamed out, and wanted to step out onto the road more, when-

A big hand grabbed his mouth from behind, shutting him up immediately, and pulled him back with immense force inside, into the gloomy, dark woods.

After only one minute, the Bentley that Jeongguk saw at the horizon has made a stop at the spot where he disappeared. Out of it, a young man with red hair and glasses came, closing the car door with a thud. Step sounds occurred until the young detective was standing in front of the spooky dark place, looking into nothing but trees.

He frowned. "Didn't I... see something?" he thought out loud, trying to sense any presence nearby. Yet nothing. He cursed himself. Because while driving, he couldn't deny that he has peeked onto the opened map on the seat next to him, trying to locate his exact location shortly. And when he looked up, he swore he saw someone being dragged inside. But now, he was unsure. If he only focused on driving more, he thought, angry with himself.

After waiting a little, Jimin sighed.

"Maybe just an illusion after all. I need to keep going." he spoke out loud, and looked to the side, where the road continued. He noted that it was only around five minutes per car to the village of Red Hills. He couldn't just stop now, when he was so close to find answers.

Thus, he stepped back inside his car, and drove off, being certain he did the right thing.

Still, while driving, he felt this unexplainable, weird feeling in his stomach. An uncomfortable twist. But he shook it off.

"Eh," he sighed. "It's probably nothing."

***

Hi guys!

Finally an update! I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting, but it's finally here!

Finally, the old man is getting revealed! What do you think about 'Bob' ? ^^ A-and about the chapter? 👉🏻👈🏻 I sincerely hope it wasn't too boring...
I'm gonna try updating more regularly! I really missed writing...

Quick rant: Wattpad deleted my Vminkook book "Horny" and I am super salty about it... do you guys know what I could do to get it back? Is there any option? I'm so sad ):

Anyways thank you for reading!!

Love!
Mira. 🌸