As the sun began to cloud itself between the dark angry clouds that were ready to burst any moment, both Jeongguk and Jimin slipped through the familiar path towards their hut. After Jeongguk had safely secured the USB and documents that were inside the suitcase he put it back and made their way back.

He made sure to send Hoseok a signal indicating he's done and by tomorrow , noon max they would be able to go back. As both continued to walk on the muddy path Jeongguk heard a soft whisper.

"F-fruit?" Jimin asked as he tugger at the man's shirt. On their way back, Jeongguk noticed Jimins habit of touching him and realized he did that to feel safe, so as Jimin had helped him in his mission he had allowed the younger to grab the edge of his shirt.

"No we need to reach back before it rains" Jeongguk explained, pointing towards the grey clouds masking the sky to which Jimin gave a cute nod to tell him he understood, not knowing what was awaiting them when they reach back.

On the other side the old women was sprawled out over the floor waiting for her impending death. She knew it was close as her body was failing to respond her and that was one of the main reason she had sent her boy away as she didn't wish for him to see her suffer.

As a mother she thought she failed, she wasn't able to provide her son with a safe environment, she wasn't able to concentrate on him as she was still living in denial, she wasn't able to tell him what the outside world is like, how people have different shades and how cruel the world actually is. But in her defense she had a valid reason, for her she thought both of them would one day die here since it's been years anyone step foot here.

Fortunately, her perspective changed when she found a man wondering around and took the opportunity to at least save her son and make him promise to take care of him, that's what she wants. Right now she was aware her time was very close and there were some stuff she wanted Jimin to take with him and when he will be able to read he'll know what happened. Besides her were placed two diaries, along with a small back pack that she never allowed Jimin to open and a note informing the man to take this with them.

As the sky changed it's colors and lightening greeted the silence, the old women felt her limbs go numb and her breathing starting to get irregular. And before she was able to cry out to see her son for the last time, the light faded away from her eyes as her body went still, completely motionless and soulless.

🗝️

"Get inside before we get wet!" Jeongguk scolded the small boy who was enjoying the small pitter patter of the rain and he had to drag the boy inside before he ends up getting sick. Jimin glared at the man before him for taking away his fun but still complied and went inside. There he saw his mother peacefully laying down with her eyes open.

"E-eomma f-fruit" Jimin called to her as he grabbed a random fruit from the basket making his way towards her. When he got no response from his mother he hesitantly leaned down and tried to shake her up.

"E-eomma? Up" Jimin started to panic as he violently shook her lifeless figure, hoping to wake her up. Tears started to Cascade down his cheeks when he saw no movement from his beloved mother. Jimin looked at Jeongguk who stood there trying to comprehend what was going on. Was the poison that dangerous that she couldn't even wait for a bit longer?

To confirm, Jeongguk hesitantly made his way forward and leaned down to inspect her eyes and indeed there was a white veil over her dead eyes that indicated the body has stopped pumping blood and is now lifeless. He had seen enough dead bodies to identify what one looks like and the one in front of him is dead.

Jeongguk saw the poor boy weep in front of his dead mother as he kissed over her face in hopes to wake her up but sadly that wasn't the case. Jeongguk doesn't know how or why, but seeing the scene before him made his heart ache badly for the boy. Loosing someone you love isn't easy and it pained him to see the boy trying his best to wake her up.

He knew for the time being it was necessary to calm him down or else they won't be able to leave successfully, so he decided to lie.

"Don't worry kid, she's sleeping" Jeongguk lied as he brought his hand forward, over her eyes and closed her lids. A silent prayer prayer leaving his lips for her souls peace.

"S-sleep?" Jimin asked as he wiped off his tears.

"Yes she is sleeping and tomorrow we both-" Jeongguk continued, pointing towards Jimin and himself, "- are going to leave this island"

Jimin gave him a small nod to tell him he understood but what about his mother? Jimin pointed towards his mother as if asking what about her.

"She will not join us... It's just you and me okay" Jeongguk replied giving him a small smile and leaned forward to wipe of the stray tears on his face, enjoying the soft silky touch of the moist skin beneath his palm.

Jimin wasn't able to comprehend what was happening but all he knew was that he was going to go with Jeongguk and stay with him without his eomma being there. Passing the discarded fruit towards Jeongguk, he motioned him to eat and went to lay next to his mother. His head resting over her arm as he cuddled next to her, kissing her face every once in a while with his one hand clutched around his mother's cold ones.

Jeongguk wasn't used to feelings, Especially pity and grief but when he observed the scene before him it pained him, how clueless the boy was but he made a promise to that women and he will do his best to live up to it, he owes her that much for helping him.

🗝️

The whole night Jeongguk wasn't able to get a blink of sleep, it wasn't because of excitement, he was actually worrying about there escape plan. Even thou his team mates assured him that no one would suspect a thing but they were literally on the edge. The plan wasn't that simple, on their way back from the so called meeting, Hoseok would fake a fault in their ship that would show an emergency stop in the island. And from there Jeongguk would sneak back inside.

Not to forget he has to take the cute boy who's snuggling next to his dead mother and of course the bags. Earlier he had spotted a note along with two diaries and a bag. The note was written for him when he gets back.

Mr. Jeon

I know I'll be gone before you come back with my son. Don't be surprised by my sudden death, as much as I wished to delay it I can't hold it much longer. The reason I sent you even after knowing the approaching weather was because I did not wish my son to witness my death.

I won't care if you leave my body behind but please do keep your promise. I only wish for my son to be protected and loved, something I wasn't able to do and failed as a mother. Keep your promise and make sure he remains safe and if it's not much to ask teach him how to read. I wish one day he would be able to read and write like any normal guy his age would and live normally, he may have forgotten how to pronounce some words but he understands everything you've said.

I know I'm asking too much from you but keep him with you. That's all I want from you in exchange for telling you about that suitcase. And before I forget please take these belongings with you especially the ones besides me and give it to him when he's able to read. Tell him it was my decision and that I love him and I'll be looking after him from above.

After reading the letter he stacked it safely between the documents he was carrying and prepared the bag including everything he could grab along.

🗝️

It took Jeongguk quite an effort to drag both Jimin and his bag towards the front where his ship is going to arrive. However they remained between the trees to hide themselves in case someone spots them. Jimin was sitting patiently next to his stuff with one hand around his mother's necklace that Jeongguk took off her while they bid their goodbyes and the other was busy eating a juicy peach he grabbed before getting dragged by the strong man.

Jeongguks body stiffened when he saw his ship approaching and he couldn't help but smile at the trick hoseok pulled to make it seem like it needed to stop. However he remained in the bushes till other men come to him so they could join them. He was so glad to see his members standing there and found it hard to control his excitement. After all his mission was successful.

A bunch of men made their way towards them giving Jeongguk a small nod as a greeting and looked suspiciously at the small boy who was busy eating. The moment Jimin looked up he was surprised to see more men. Jeongguk had motioned him to keep quite and get in between his men so they could sneak towards the ship.

At first Jimin was confused at why they had to duck their heads and go squished between all these men but chose to ignore it for the time being.
However before they left Jeongguk addressed to one of his men.

"Keep walking straight and you'll find a small river... Follow that and you'll see a cave. I removed all the leaves and bushes so it's visible. There's a body of an old women that I need you to bring along"

After giving his order he took Jimins small hand and lead them secretly towards his ship. Once they had made their way inside they were greeted by a smiling Hoseok who halted once he saw Jimin looking confused just like he was.

"I think I remember I only let you go...who's the kid?" Hoseok asked once Jeongguk took out the documents and USB, handing over to him.

"I found him here... You're research wasn't that deep. His mother was also here but sadly she's passed away and I promised her to take care of her son in exchange for her help" Jeongguk explained and once again grabbed Jimins hand giving him a small smile to assure him everything is okay. Once seeing his soft smile, Jimin calmed down a bit and followed Jeongguk who was leading him towards his room.

"Oh... How long was he there?" Hoseok asked sympathetically. He has gone around on many mission where he was forced to stay hidden in Forest but that wasn't for years.

"It's been many years man. But both of them were able to survive. Now he's in my care so make sure nothing happens to him and he can't talk. I'll explain this to you later but first I need to sleep on a comfortable bed"

"What about a bath?" Hoseok joked thou his eyes were still observing Jimin who had a look of pure astonishment over his baby face as he admired his new surrounding. Everything was so new and different for him.

"Fuck off, I'll take one once we get back. I need to fucking sleep and so does he" Jeongguk said and lead them inside his cabin as he addressed to Jimin.

"Sleep?" He asked Jimin who gave him a small nod followed by a cute yawn that confirmed his tiredness. Hoseok excused himself telling him that he'll wake them up when dinner is done.
Jeongguk carefully brought Jimin towards his bed that was large enough for 4 people to sleep in.

"Go sleep there" Jeongguk told him and got inside himself. Jimin soon joined him, copying what he did and laid his head on the soft pillow. This was so relaxing for the younger who was used to sleeping on the hard ground but now he felt as if he was on a soft cloud and immediately drifted off to sleep. Jeongguk soon followed him ignoring the dirt on his body.

A/N

Eid Mubarak to all Muslims who are celebrating Eid ♥️♥️♥️