Deeper, Yeah I think I'm going deeper
I keep losing my focus
No, just let go of me
Let my own feet carry me, I'll go in myself
In the deepest depth, I saw myself.

- Black Swan
(BTS)

V grabbed Jimin by the throat and pinned him against the wall. The snake tattoo beneath Taehyung's ear glinted menacingly in the dim light. Jimin saw it but didn't fight back or try to defend himself. His gaze remained soft as he continued, "When Minjoon found out you were part of Dark Nebula, he manipulated you with a story that would hit your soft spot. And guess what? He succeeded. He's using you, Tae. He wants you to kill Jungkook so he can then kill you. Minjoon knows you're the only one who can match Jungkook's strength, and you are also his weak point. Jungkook will think twice before killing you. All of us would hesitate before hurting you, Tae. Minjoon has chosen the perfect way to strike at us."

Taehyung seethed, "That's your point of view. Jungkook thinks otherwise! He wouldn't waste a single second before killing me."

Jimin's voice was calm but firm, "See how toxic you've become? Think back. Were you like this before? You were such a sweet, innocent boy, Taehyung!"

Taehyung tightened his grip, his eyes red with anger, his breath shaky, his hands trembling.

"YOU HAVE BEEN DRUGGED!" Jimin gasped in realization. "Taehyung, open your eyes! Doh Minjoon has been drugging you! You know very well what Minjoon is capable of! You saw what he did to Jungkook! He was almost dead that day!"

Taehyung's grip loosened, his eyes softened, and his words caught in his throat.

"I miss you, Tae. I miss our happy times."

Taehyung stepped back, lowering his gaze to the ground. "I-I don't know what to do... You-you are lying, Jimin... I will not believe you."

"Think it over. Only you can find out the truth. We are your well-wishers. Don't destroy your life by being someone's pawn... The next time we meet, it might not be so friendly. Goodbye, Kim Taehyung. Act before it's too late." With those words, Jimin left the place, leaving his friend behind. 

Taehyung's head hung low, and his fists clenched. A single tear rolled down his cheek. "This world is a lie! My existence is a lie. Now I don't know whom to trust anymore... The pieces of my life puzzle are getting lost one by one until I am left with nothing..."

He stood there, feeling the weight of Jimin's words. The cold night air did little to cool the firestorm of emotions raging inside him. He replayed the conversation in his mind, the doubts Jimin had sown starting to take root. Could Jimin be telling the truth? Was Minjoon drugging him? The realization was terrifying, but the possibility was undeniable. Taehyung's world was crumbling, and he had to find the strength to piece it back together before it was too late.

🍁🍁🍁

Jungkook was in his office, scrolling through his laptop. He was reviewing the financial details of his business. Dark Nebula had earned a significant profit this month. The fake spy he had spared had returned the stolen money. Jungkook felt a rare moment of satisfaction as he looked at the progress. Suddenly, Namjoon entered with a serious expression and handed him a cell phone.

Jungkook furrowed his eyebrows. "Who is it?"

"The person won't reveal their identity. They want to talk to you." Namjoon insisted.

Jungkook pressed the phone to his ear. "Hello?" The older watched him with anticipation. The events occurring lately weren't in their favor. "Yes, this is JK." Jungkook's expression turned serious, and his tone grew heavy.

"I'll be there by 1 PM," he said through gritted teeth before ending the call.

Namjoon took back the cell phone. "Who was it?"

"It's the casino manager. He said someone came asking about our gang. I want you to check it out today. I will be leaving at 1pm."

"Okay." Namjoon left the room without pressing for more details, as he had other matters to attend to.

🍁🍁🍁

Jungkook arrived at the designated location, his mind racing with thoughts. The road was deserted, and the air was thick with tension. He parked his car and scanned the area, looking for any signs of an ambush. He was cautious but confident, knowing that he had prepared for any eventuality. He had lied to Namjoon about the call, it was V who spoke with him that moment.

As he stepped out of the car, his phone buzzed with a message. It was the address V had promised to meet. Jungkook followed the directions, his senses on high alert. The place was eerily quiet, amplifying the sound of his footsteps.

It was a lakeside setting, serene and isolated. The warm, golden sunrays bathed the area, casting a gentle glow over the landscape. A soft breeze rustled through the green grass, creating a tranquil atmosphere. Standing by the water in a black suit was V, his back turned as he admired the natural beauty around him.

Jungkook cleared his throat to catch his attention.He spoke first, his voice steady but cautious. "I'm here. What's so important that you had to call me like this?"

V took a deep breath, his eyes flickering with a mix of determination and desperation. "I needed to talk to you, face to face. No tricks, no weapons. Just the truth."

Jungkook's gaze hardened, but he nodded. "Alright, I'm listening. Make it quick."

He hesitated before speaking. "Jungkook... I, I am sorry," Taehyung began, his voice trembling. Jungkook questionably raised his eyebrows as the oldet continued, "I'm sorry for trying to kill you. I hated you and broke your trust. You were the one who loved me the most, but I did the opposite." He looked down in guilt.

"If you're trying to trick me again, it won't work," Jungkook replied warily.

V began to explain, revealing the manipulations and lies he had discovered. As he spoke, Jungkook listened intently, weighing each word and watching for any sign of deception. The tension between them was palpable, but beneath it all was a shared history that neither could ignore.

"So, what do you want me to do?" Jungkook asked.

"I want you to forgive me. We... we can be friends once more..."

Jungkook interrupted him, cutting to the heart of the matter. "You were the one who willingly joined their gang. Tell me, did he drug you at that time?"

"But he told lies about my family!" Taehyung exclaimed, his voice rising with emotion.

"I still can't find any reason for you to go against me. I had nothing to do with your family. My target is only Minjoon." Jungkook's words hung in the air, heavy with truth. Taehyung struggled to respond, knowing deep down that what Jungkook said was true.

Taehyung's eyes flickered with a mix of guilt and regret. He looked down at the ground, unable to meet Jungkook's steady gaze. "I... I was confused. Minjoon manipulated me. He made me believe that you were my enemy, that you were the one standing in the way of my revenge."

Jungkook's expression softened slightly, though his guard remained up. "And now you realize he was using you? That he was the true enemy all along?"

Taehyung nodded slowly. "Yes. I see that now. I was blinded by anger and hate. I let Minjoon's lies cloud my judgment. But I want to make things right. I want to be by your side again, to fight with you, not against you."

Jungkook took a deep breath, considering Taehyung's words. "It's not that simple, Taehyung. Trust isn't something you can just ask for and expect to receive. It has to be earned."

"I understand," Taehyung replied earnestly. "I'll do whatever it takes to prove myself to you, to earn back your trust. I promise I won't help Minjoon anymore. From now on, everything he does will be his own responsibility."

Jungkook was about to say something when a sudden explosion of gunfire shattered the tranquility of the lakeside. Birds scattered in panic, their wings beating against the air as they fled the scene. The once calm water of the lake now danced with violent ripples.

In the chaos, Taehyung's eyes widened in horror as he saw blood seeping through Jungkook's black blazer. His heart pounded in his chest as he rushed to thr younger's side. The Dark Nebula's leader, usually composed and confident, now looked vulnerable and wounded, his face contorted in agony as he struggled to stay on his feet.

So V betrayed him! What did you expect??

Army life now feels like normal. Are you sure? Every thursday and
Run Jin every tuesday.
💜💜💜
My weekly serotonin boost.