The killer brought his hands to the hem of the mask and slowly teared it open, revealing the bitter truth inside. At the same time, two wings, as long as the vast universe, spurted out from the vertebrate. The wings were soft, but at the same time, intimidating and powerful. They were in the shade of deep black, an annotation for death and blood.

It subtly swayed along the air that blew, accentuating its inner beauty and ethereality. They were structured in such a way that it would provide protection to the killer during the toughest times.

It looked innocent and harmless but at the same time sharper than the strongest sword in the world.

The killer locked eyes with Jimin who widened his eyes in trepidation and complete shock.

A monolid and a double eyelid.

"Taehyung?" Jimin spat out, as a pang of pain shot through his injury. It seemed unbelievable that it was Taehyung standing in front of him with wings adorning the backbone.

But again, there were two Taehyungs. What was happening?

Why did the killer have wings?

Why was the killer similar to Taehyung?

Why was the killer wearing a mask?

The killer had a double eyelid and monolid. His chiseled jaw, straight nose, puckered and soft lips, made it undeniable that it was Taehyung.

A number of contradictions that were to be cogitated along with a thousand mysteries and unanswered questions ran through Jimin's head. His head was spinning, it's throbbing pain making Jimin hiss.

"What's happening?" Jimin asked, as if he were the only one who didn't know anything. Every one seemed frighteningly calm, and Jimin could not adhere to anyone's emotionless altercations.

"I'll explain everything to you, Jimin. Come with me," Taehyung said, with a remorseful smile etched on his face.

"How am I supposed to come?" Jimin spat out.

"Oh shoot, I forgot that you were bedridden," Taehyung let out a forced laugh.

But, it was not funny. Not at this time when everything seemed unfamiliar. When Jimin had finally thought that the unfamiliar shadow would be forgotten, it was back again, haunting him.

"Explain me everything," Jimin said, his voice as a mere whisper.

"From where should I begin?" Taehyung asked, coming closer to Jimin.

"Right from the start." Jimin said, looking at Jungkook and the killer through the peripheral vision.

The killer and Jungkook stood frozen in their spots, neither of them making eye contact with them. Everything was silent, and it was this silence that shook Jimin to the core. The killer didn't seem like he was there to kill anymore, instead that he was there for a purpose that needed to be fulfilled.

"When you were born, myself and Namjoon hyung were sent from heaven to you," Taehyung began, holding Jimin's hand.

"From heaven?" Jimin widened his eyes.

"Listen to me, Jimin," Taehyung's voice was stern.

"I was sent to protect you. I saw you as a baby trying to take your first steps. I saw you searching for your dreams that were long lost and forgotten. I saw you reach your first step of success. All this time, I was with you and guiding you," Taehyung said, reminiscing the cherishable memories.

"Wha-"

"Let me finish, Jimin." Taehyung cut Jimin off.

But, Jimin could not let him finish, for he could not believe anything that was happening here. He had been always thinking Taehyung to be the free and wild youngster, always deceived by the people due to his innocence.

Never in the world did he think that Taehyung would be his protector.

"I was sent to protect you for a reason. Namjoon hyung was another person who helped me. He helped me to protect you when you were at work. He knew everything about you," Taehyung said, with a tiny smile on his face.

Namjoon hyung? Jimin felt repelled at all the revelations that were made at the particular moment. None of these made sense to his mind, as they still yearned for coherent answers.

Namjoon hyung was there only to protect him. It meant all the tears shed were fake. All the smiles shared were only for his benefit.

But Jimin always saw Namjoon as a hyung, not as a protector.

Hyung!

You're like a father to me.

You know how much I love you right?

You are the best partner in the whole wide world.

Jimin convulsed into tears, as the they trickled down his eyes, making him vision filmy and making use of all the energy.

Every life was a lie.

Every clue was a cue.

Why couldn't he figure them out sooner?

"But why? Why were you sent to protect me?" Jimin questioned, almost choking on his tears.

"That's for you to find out, chim. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you this sooner." Taehyung looked at Jimin's eyes deeply.

Taehyung was his protector. He was not his roommate or friend anymore.

Namjoon hyung was his protector. He was not his hyung or partner anymore.

His life was a game. Not the frolicsome of destiny or fate.

The bitter truth was painful than ever, as it burned a deep hole in Jimin's heart, making it a permanent scar. The mental pain was more excruciating and tormenting than the pain his stiches were giving him. 

"What about Jungkook?" Jimin rasped out, still teary.

"Jungkook's not real, Jimin," Taehyung replied, pursing his lips.

"What are you talking about? He's in front of me and talking just fine? How is he not real?" Jimin cried out.

His heart was heavy and it felt as if a thousand needles were pricking him repeatedly. His own leash was choking him, and lurking him into the abyss of betrayal.

The web woven by trust was shattered into a million pieces, as Jimin's black mist strived for survival.
The blue and grey sky was back again, making his heart beat even slower.

"He died for you," Taehyung replied.

"What are you talking about?" Jimin let out a desperate cry. He wanted everything to be a dream rather than the reality.

"The day your heart monitor beeped a straight line, Jungkook went in search for the killer. But he never came back," Taehyung held Jimin's hand even more tighter.

"Then who is he? Isn't he Jungkook?" Jimin sobbed even more.

"No, Jimin. He is a hologram. Jungkook is a hologram."

********

All the memories are still beautiful.

********

A/N's note: Did you guys expect this?

Thanks for the 500 reads ;)
Enjoy the double update!