"1...2...3..."

I ran away from Junghyun, scowering the forest to find a place to hide.

Running deeper into the woods, I spotted a huge tree rooted to the ground. Its branches spread far and wide, shading me from the sun's harsh glare.

I scurried behind it, smiling to myself. I was sure Junghyun wouldn't find me.

I looked back. He wasn't there.

"Found you!"

I whirled round. Junghyun stood there, grinning. Blood welled up in his mouth.

His guts were hanging out, spilling onto the ground.

I let out a scream.

"Ahhh!"

Jungkook woke up with a shock.

His breathing was ragged. Uneven.

"Bad dream?"

Jungkook whirled to the right. The woman was staring at him with curiosity.

"I..." the boy looked around. He was still in her room, but this time on her bed. He still wore the army uniform, but the camo jacket hung on a chair.

"Wh-what happened?" he rasped out. He sounded like he'd been screaming.

"You passed out on me. You've been sleeping for half a day now."

Jungkook felt his cheeks burning. "So we didn't..."

"No. You're the one who refused in the first place."

He turned his head to her. "Did I?" 

She nodded. Then a soft snort escaped her. "It's funny really. No man's ever entered the brothels and rejected for pleasure. Not to me anyway."

The woman was wearing a black dress now, showing off her generous curves. She looked glorious.

"I-I can see why they didn't reject you," Jungkook blurted out.

Silence engulfed the room. The boy, blushing, cursed himself for saying something so stupid.

"...Thank you, sir."

Jungkook scoffed. "Don't call me that. It makes me feel old."

The woman crossed her arms. "What should I call you then?"

The boy hesitated before saying,"Jungkook. My name is Jungkook."

"Jungkook," she parroted. She then said it slower, as if tasting the very syllables of his name.

"I see. Nice name."

He didn't know why he said it, but asked anyway,"Aren't you going to tell me yours?"

The woman gave him an incredulous look. "I've never had a... client asking my name."

Jungkook cocked his head. "Am I not allowed to?"

She hugged herself. "No... it's just that no one's ever asked me."

The boy didn't know what to say. He only stared at her, surprised.

Her sensual demeanour had faded. Right there, she looked vulnerable, like a young stag shivering in the forest surrounding them both.

"So I'm asking you now," he said. "What is your name?"

The woman gave Jungkook a long, hard look before she spoke. "Jia. Eun Jia."

Eun Jia. Her name felt like an answer to all his questions. A solution to all his problems.

A light at the end of the darkness.

"You have a pretty name, Jia," Jungkook said. "It suits you."

"Thank you," she said. It seemed taking compliments was not her thing. "Don't you have somewhere to be?"

Jungkook was about to retort when a sharp knock rapped on the door.

"Jia?! What's taking you so long?!"

The woman let out a soft curse. "Oh, no."

Jungkook glanced at the door, then back to her. "Who's she?"

Jia ignored his question, instead going to the door.

She opened it and was instantly bombarded with shouting.

"What's taking you so long?! Hasn't the boy left yet?! He hasn't paid enough to be here!"

"I'm sorry Boa, but actually it-"

"Enough with your excuses! Throw him out!"

And with that this Boa slammed the door in Jia's face.

Jungkook clicked his tongue. "And I thought I was miserable. Don't you all want men to come here often?"

Jia sighed heavily. "Money has clouded her mind for a while now."

She turned back to look at him. "And apparently you haven't paid enough."

Jungkook swung off the bed. He ruffled his dark brown hair to calm it down.

He grabbed his jacket from the chair and shrugged it on.

"Extremely satisfied with your services," he drawled as he came to the door. "Made me feel as if I mattered."

Jia clamped her lips together. "I think I've said enough thank yous for today."

"Then I'll say it." Jungkook fished out some gold coins and tossed it to her.

She caught them with two hands. Her gaping had Jungkook saying, "A thank you. For listening to my bullshit."

She was eyeing the coins as if they'd disappear.

But then her black eyes locked with his. "Will I see you again, Jungkook?"

The boy was taken aback. He opened the door before saying, "I think...I think you will."

He left, the woman staring after him as he went on his way.

He came past the entrance of the brothel. It was trashed, with only a man or two sitting on the counter having a drink.

The bartender glared at Jungkook from the counter.

She must be Boa then, he thought.

He found himself disliking her as he glared right back. He exited the brothel, oddly stunned.

It looked like late afternoon judging by the sun. The trees shaded most of the way, but the sun was unbeatable.

As Jungkook walked, his thoughts wondered to the woman in the brothel.

Eun Jia. She was a mysterious one. Looked like someone with many secrets. Secrets she's not willing to share.

We all have secrets. Little feelings we don't want to share.

What surprised him still was how he told Jia everything. What made him sad these days and what made him forever upset in the first place.

Maybe it was her looks. She was beyond Jungkook's standards. He was sure he didn't deserve someone who possessed such beauty.

Maybe it was her attitude. That sensual demeanour she put up at the start.

Or maybe she was the only one who wasted her hours to hear yourself speak about problems no one cares about.

Maybe she's the only one who listened when no one else did.

Nearly slamming into a tree snapped Jungkook out of his thoughts.

He backed a step, blinking.

The tree had a paper stapled on it.

What it had on gave Jungkook a shock.

It was his picture on the paper. The word WANTED was printed in bold.

-

Hey guys! Please do vote and give me your opinions. I'd really appreciate it :)