The cold air seeped through the cracks in the walls of the warehouse, chilling the group to the bone as they huddled together for warmth. The night seemed to stretch endlessly, each passing minute weighing heavier on their exhausted bodies. But for Jin, the night felt even longer, every second carrying the burden of their fragile survival. His mind was a maze of worries, each one tugging at him with increasing urgency.

The warehouse was eerily quiet, the only sound coming from the distant waves crashing against the docks. It was a bitter reminder of how isolated they were, both from the world and from any sense of safety. The rusted metal beams overhead groaned occasionally, making it feel as though the entire structure could collapse at any moment. Despite the uneasy atmosphere, this place was the only shelter they had—for now.

Jin's gaze shifted toward the others, all of whom were doing their best to keep themselves calm. He could see the exhaustion etched into every face, the fear that lingered in their eyes even as they tried to push it down. Most of them were dozing fitfully, unable to fully relax even in the temporary safety of the warehouse. Jungkook, still the most fragile, was curled up next to Namjoon, his small body trembling even in sleep. His breaths came in shallow, uneven gasps, as though he were still fighting the fear that had consumed him in the basement.

Jin clenched his fists, the weight of responsibility pressing harder against him with every glance he stole at the younger children. He had always been the one they looked to for guidance, for protection, but now that role felt impossibly heavy. He was just a boy—barely thirteen—and yet, he carried the lives of eleven other children on his shoulders.

He walked over to the wooden crate where he had been sitting earlier, leaning against it as he rubbed his temples, trying to focus. He couldn't afford to let the exhaustion cloud his judgment. Not now. Not when they were still in danger.

"We're going to need food soon," he whispered, breaking the silence between him and Jisoo, who sat beside him, her arms crossed tightly against her chest.

Jisoo glanced over at him, the cold light from the warehouse's dim windows casting shadows across her face. Her expression was as steady as ever, but Jin could see the worry behind her eyes. She, too, carried the weight of leadership in her own way, always watching over the younger ones with the fierce protectiveness of an older sister.

"I know," she replied quietly, her voice barely above a whisper as she kept her gaze trained on the others. "They're getting weaker. But we can't just wander into the city blindly. We don't know what's waiting out there."

Jin nodded, rubbing the back of his neck as he let out a slow breath. "That's why we need to scout first. Yoongi and Jennie can move quietly, and they'll know what to look for. They're the best shot we have at finding something without drawing attention."

Jisoo considered his words for a moment, her lips pressed into a thin line. She knew Jin was right—Yoongi and Jennie had become experts at sneaking around during their captivity, their quiet nature and sharp instincts helping them avoid the worst punishments. But sending them out now, in the dead of night, in an unfamiliar city—it was risky. Too risky.

"We don't have much of a choice, do we?" Jisoo murmured, more to herself than to Jin. Her gaze flickered over to where Yoongi and Jennie sat, huddled near one of the windows, their eyes scanning the darkened docks beyond.

"No, we don't," Jin said softly, his tone laced with the unspoken fears that weighed on them both.

Across the room, Yoongi and Jennie sat crouched together, their eyes trained on the outside world. Yoongi's nickname, Suga, had never seemed more appropriate. His icy calm demeanor, honed from years of enduring hardships in silence, masked the constant calculations going on in his mind. Every sound, every flicker of movement was processed and analyzed for danger. He could feel the tension in the air, thick and oppressive, but he didn't show it. Jennie, quiet and observant as always, sat beside him, her small frame almost disappearing into the shadows.

"Kookie's getting weaker," Jennie whispered, her voice barely audible as she glanced at the youngest of the group, her gaze soft with worry. "We need to find something soon, or we won't be able to keep moving."

Yoongi nodded, his eyes flicking back to the window. He was already thinking ahead, considering their options. "We'll check the warehouses first. Some might have been left abandoned for a while. If we're lucky, we might find supplies. But we have to move fast."

They were both twelve, but their years in captivity had aged them in ways that weren't visible on the outside. They had learned the hard way how to survive in the shadows, to stay quiet and unnoticed, always on alert for the next blow or the next order from their captor.

---

In another corner of the warehouse, Namjoon sat with Hoseok, both 11 year old boys were trying to keep the younger ones calm. Namjoon, despite his own fear, was thinking as always—his mind a constant whirl of strategies, scenarios, and possibilities. He was the group's thinker, the one who always came up with plans when things seemed impossible. But now, even Namjoon was struggling. The warehouse felt exposed, and he knew they couldn't stay much longer. Sooner or later, their captor would realize they were missing, and this would be the first place he'd look.

"We can't stay here," Namjoon muttered under his breath, staring at the cracked concrete beneath his feet. "If he finds us..."

Beside him, Hoseok tried to maintain his usual optimism. Despite everything, J-Hope had always been their ray of light, the one who could bring a smile to their faces even in the worst of times. But tonight, the fear was harder to push aside. His voice was soft as he hummed to calm Kookie, who was still trembling in his sleep.

"We'll be okay," Hoseok whispered, offering Namjoon a reassuring glance. "We always are."

Namjoon smiled, but the worry in his eyes remained. He hoped Hoseok was right.

---

Jin stood up, his muscles aching from the tension and exhaustion. He walked over to where Yoongi and Jennie were crouched by the window, their quiet conversation stopping as he approached.

"Any sign of movement?" Jin asked, his voice low as he peered outside.

Yoongi shook his head. "Nothing yet. But we'll need to move soon. It's too open here. If anyone comes looking for us..."

Jin nodded, his heart sinking as the reality of their situation settled in. They had no supplies, no safe place to hide, and their captor could already be on their trail. But there was no room for panic. Not now. He took a deep breath and made the decision.

"We'll head further into the docks," Jin said, his voice firm. "See if we can find food or somewhere more secure. Yoongi, Jennie—scout ahead. Stay low and come back the moment you see anything suspicious."

Yoongi and Jennie exchanged a glance, both nodding as they slipped into the shadows, disappearing into the night. Jin watched them go, his heart heavy with the burden of responsibility. Every decision, every move they made felt like a risk—one wrong step could lead to disaster. But he couldn't afford to show fear. Not when the others were counting on him.

He turned back to the group, his eyes meeting Jisoo's as she stood beside him. She gave him a small, reassuring nod, her quiet strength a constant comfort to him.

"We're not safe yet," Jin whispered to her, his voice barely audible over the sound of the waves crashing against the docks. "But we will be."

Jisoo's eyes softened for a moment, her fierce determination giving way to something gentler. "We will," she echoed quietly. "Together."

And so, they waited, the cold of the night settling in around them as they prepared for whatever was to come next.

To be continued 

Word count : 1375

10 + votes 

10 + comments for unlocking chapter 4