The next day couldn't come faster, the whole day Taehyung had been sitting at home in anxiety. his nervousness controlled him all day, he barely ate anything. He had only called Jimin to give him an update on the situation. But nothing could ease his nerves. nerves that got only heavier when he saw the car of his father pull up in the driveway, its headlights shining through his window.

It was time.

Taking his coat that went together with his designer suit gifted to him by his father he left the house and approached the car. he took first took a deep breath and stepped inside the car, almost immediately his father drove off and started talking.

"I am strongly against this whole thing, so I want you to listen to everything I say. And most importantly don't wander off alone without letting me know." mr. Kim said, sounding very commanding. "I don't want anything to happen to you, this place we are going to is very dangerous. questions will be asked, do not answer anything. I will make sure you won't be harmed.

"O-okay" taehyung was getting nervous because of the way his father spoke so seriously. But he wasn't going to question it. His father was definitely not lying, if he says this then it must indeed be dangerous. Dangerous or not, Taehyung had to go. He had to find Jungkook, even if it meant getting involved in his father's work, going against his father's rules.

-

The drive felt longer from the tension they felt. they haven't spoken much to each other, the whole drive was mostly in silence. So Taehyung was glad when they finally arrived and he could leave the suffocating tension in the car.

"Here, wear this," his father said, halting Taehyung by grabbing his shoulder. He handed his son an earpiece. "i want to be able to talk to you"

"ah.. right" taehyung took the earpiece and wore it. his father explained the three buttons that were on the side of the piece before they headed inside. Passing two guards that stood outside the warehouse. Their cold eyes made taehyung feel very unwanted here, which he most likely was. he didn't belong here, and it shows. Even if he dressed neatly in a suit like everyone else, everyone could see he did not belong here. His eyes were too nervous, his posture too closed in. He did not radiate any confidence like others here. About others.... taehyung was surprised there were not a lot of people here. he had expected a big crowd in here.

"Where is everyone?" he asked his father softly, walking closely by his side.

"This is a private gathering for only a few selected men in this work field. They are chosen by the head organisator, we are only allowed to enter with a handful of guards that will be left at the side." his father explained while they walked through the hall towards a set up wall that blocked out a gathering area with chairs and a stage that was covered by a red curtain, a single spotlight shining at the mic stand.

"What is going on here?"

"this is.... an auction..." his father said. his voice sounded guilty. And he was, he didn't want to tell taehyung this knowing he would be sad about it. but he also doesn't want to keep it a secret and let him find it out on his own. finding the truth by himself would only hurt more.

"A-auction??'' Taehyung said, feeling his heart sting at that. They can't be talking about Jungkook.... they shouldn't.

"Yes, now sit down and wait. don't draw too much attention" his father ordered and with a push on his shoulders he made the boy sit down where they waited for the event to start.

Which took an awful time, apparently they had been waiting for one last guest making them postpone the event by fifteen minutes. But once everyone took their assigned seat the doors closed and the lights turned on around the stage. A single man dressed in a light grey suit walked up on stage and took the spot behind the microphone, letting out a chuckle before he started talking.

"Welcome fellow villains" he said, making the people in front of him grin or nod in agreement. "I think you all know why we are here. I have again, a very special thing to show all of you. I bet you are all going to feel blown away by this"

Taehyung was disgusted by the amount of cockiness he had while talking. This man was so full of himself it was sickening. He really felt above everyone else, it was clear.

"I will present you the best thing you've ever seen, something that will make you want to empty your wallets for me, that will make you beg on your knees. hahaha" the man laughed and stepped aside before he continued talking. "Are you all getting excited! isn't this amazing... anyway, let's get on with it. Prepare your bids, i present you...." The man stepped aside, taking the microphone with him so the stage was clear. Once he stood aside the curtains were opened by two guards and the big reveal happened.

Taehyung felt it coming, but even if he had suspected this it still hurts to see... right there on stage was a rectangle shaped glass tank, and inside.... just as he feared, was Jungkook. floating in the way to tight space for him to be able to move properly. his tail had to bend to be able to fit.

"A real, living Siren. caught from the depths of the ocean." the man said excitedly and turned to the guests. "can you smell the money already? ca so see how much he can bring it for you, but do be careful... he bites" the an chuckled. but from the side he gave Jungkook a glare, a glare that didn't go unnoticed by the raven. Jungkook would hiss at the man if he was able to. But he could only frown at his direction. his mouth was covered by a steel mask making him unable to speak or even open his mouth. "Well then, the starting bid is twenty million! start your bids" the man moved back to the middle and looked at the guest who stayed silent for a good five seconds before the first bid was shouted.

"Twenty five!" a man from the group shouted, standing up.

"thirty!" a new man said and stood up as well, glaring at the other bidder. it didn't take long for more to join in, trying to overbid the other. This made the organisator grin in victory. He was right, this creature will give him so much money. He will be even more rich than he was before. He should start looking for more of him in the waters. if there was one siren, that means there are most likely more somewhere. This will be his gold mine.

"why are you not doing anything?" Taehyung whisper yelled at his father, tugging at his sleeve to get his full attention.

"shh, silence"

"no, do something. don't let them buy him, i want him back. or did you take me here just to watch th-"

"Let me do this. don't distract me" his father said and frowned at him. Immediately taehyung shut up and just watched this whole thing happening. So many bids went by his head untill his father finally did something. He stood up from his seat and called out his bid.

"sixty five million"

a few gasps were heard by the huge amount that was being said. A silence fell.

"Well well sir, you must be really interested in this fish. that's a good bid" the organisator said with a chuckle.

"seventy" the first bidder said, turning to mr. kim to give him a challenging look.

"eighty"

"you can't win this Mr. Kim, not this time" the man spoke and bid over again. frustrating mr. kim already, he did not plan to spend this much money. not on something like this, but he wants his son back. he cant lose taehyung over something that he can prevent. He wants taehyung to be happy.

"ninety" he said, making a big jump in numbers.

"ohh ohh, i sense some rivalry here, i am enjoying this. come come, bid more, I know you want to take this siren with you. show me what you have" the originator said, putting some more oil in the fire to keep the numbers growing.

Meanwhile Taehyung was having a hard time, he was so nervous, he wanted this to end well. He wants this to be over and take Jungkook home. He doesn't like this. So this is the kind of thing his father did? the things his father participates in?

He shook his head, that is something to think about another time. Right now he has to hope that everything will be okay. His eyes looked at the stage to Jungkook who shifted in the glass tank, but then... a wave of butterflies went through his body.

they locked eyes.

"Jungkook..." he whispered softly in surprise. He saw him... Taehyung smiled shortly and gave a nod. Jungkook's expression just saddened and he looked away. Taehyung didn't like this. He wanted to go over and pull him out of there, unlock the lock of the top and set him free. He wants to go to him and hug him... but he can't, this event and the stupid glass was keeping them separated. He had to listen to his father and stay put. attracting too much attention and possibly creating a scene might mess this whole thing up. He had to trust his father in this.

"hundred forty!" his father shouted. the other bidder frowned and crossed his arms sitting back down.

"oh ohh, sir sir, you are loaded with cash. And I see your opponent just sat down. its looking good for you" the organisator said and began to count down. "hundred forty million going once...... going twice..... goi-"

"Two hundred" the man had stood up again, turning heads in the crowd.

"fuck" his father said and slowly sat back down then the counting began.

"no, dad. no no, bid something!'' Taehyung said, shaking his father's arm. "do something. don't let him buy him!"

"I'm sorry... I can't go any higher...

"why not. plea-"

"because do not have that much left!" his father hissed at im and looked away crossing his arms. "i'm sorry"

"no no no" taehyung didn't like this. his heart broke at this. Hearing the word. 'sold'... everything went foggy after that. he only could blankly stare at Jungkook while people passed by his view. people leaving the hall and his father calling for his name.

He didn't listen. Taehyung stood up and ran to the stage once it was empty, getting himself up the wooden flooring he fell on his knees in front of the tank. Placing his hands against the glass. "Jungkook. im sorry, i'm so sorry" taehyung could see the nasty wound in Jungkook's side that was stitched up messily.

the siren was unable to reply. but his sad eyes said enough. Slowly he raised his hand through the water and placed it against Taehyung's left hand. Jungkook hates to see Taehyung cry... he wants to get out and hold him... but he can't. the humans won, they disabled him. He can't sing, he can't bite, he can't move, he was just a fish in a bowl. like a goldfish being held captive inside a small bowl of water, letting its life pass away. Just a thing to be sold and to look at for entertainment.

"Taehyung, what are you doing? get back here" his father shouted walking over. but taehyung wasn't going to move.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry we couldn't buy you. My father really tried. but... no let me go!" he squirmed around when his father grabbed his waist and pulled him away from Jungkook. "Let me go, I have to help him!"

"Shut your mouth right now, people are looking," his father said and dragged the crying taehyung out of the warehouse. A big truck backed up in front of the warehouse. "Get in the car" his father ordered and pushed him inside, locking the doors. 

--- 

thank you for reading, see you in the next chapter!

🌼🌼🌼