The Book My Father Hid From Me
The Funeral
maid 1
Master Jungkook.... The ceremony is ready
Jungkook
.... I'll be there
The wind whispered through the Jeon household courtyard
Jungkook stood among villagers and soldiers, bowing before his father's coffin, draped in the family emblem
His father, General Jeon, had never returned from the northern campaign -- claimed by the storm and the weight of duty rather then the battlefield.
Jungkook
💭 I never imagined losing him like this.... alone.... with so many questions.
The ceremony ended. The villages began to leave quietly, their whispers fading with each step.
Jungkook
Fingers brushing the cool wood of the coffin, remembering the warmth of his father's hand
Jungkook
Slowly, He turned and walked back toward the house.
maid 1
Master jungkook, would you like some tea?
Jungkook
No.... I need to see his study.
maid 2
It's been locked for years
Jungkook walking down a dim hallway, sunlight through wooden lattice windows
The study smelled of old paper and candle wax. wooden shelves lining the walls, filled with books his father had cherished
One book stood out.... plain, Cloth-bound, heavier then it looked, tucked behind the others as if hiding.
Jungkook
Reaching that book
💭why is this here?
maid 2
That book... your father always said not to touch it.
Jungkook
I have to see. He pulled the book free.
Jungkook
you all may leave now
Jungkook
he opened the book. The first page bore a single sentence in his father's handwriting
???
If jungkook finds this, it's already too late
Jungkook
Dad.... what is it?
Jungkook
He flipped the pages. At first, blank. Relief almost came
until he noticed writing appearing in the book
???
you're standing where he collapsed.
Jungkook
his knees weakened.
whispers: That was impossible. No one else knew that.
???
I told him not to keep this here
Jungkook slammed the book shut.
Jungkook
"stop", he whispered to no one
Jungkook
he opened it again. the notes were back, fresh and uneven
???
You inherited his curiosity.
and his mistake
Jungkook
His throat burned.
my father is dead. You don't get to talk about him
The page stayed. then slowly ink appeared, as if the book had pulse.
jungkook stumbled back. No one could have written this.
he turned the page violently.
???
he was trying to protect you
he failed
Jungkook
tears blurred the words.
From what?
the answer appeared slowly, like writer was afraid of it too
the candles flickered. The air dropped cold. Jungkook's ears rang as though time itself had shifted
???
17/08/2039
This is where you die.
Jungkook
clunching the edge of the book.
This is not real
???
Your father saw this future.
He tried to erase it.
By leaving you this.
Jungkook
vision swam
No, I would remember.
Jungkook
pressed the book to his chest.
who?
everything around him slowly dispersing
???
I am sorry. You weren't meant to read this yet.
A future that remembers me
There was no falling. No light.
Just silence --- thick and endless
slowly stand up and started walking in one direction
Jungkook
After some time felt cold concrete pressed against his back and fainted
Jungkook
slowly come to his senses because of rain and look around him
Jungkook
Where am I ?
this....isn't home
Jungkook
This place..... feels unfamiliar.
Footsteps echoed behind him.
Jungkook
alarmed -- Who is there?
unknown
...... you're late.
A man stepped into the light -- eyes tired, expression hollow, like someone who had waited too long.
Taehyung
(soft laugh) you always ask that.
Taehyung
(looking at jungkook, suddenly say)
jungkook ----
do you know what year this is?
Jungkook
(Realized and shake his head)
that's impossible.
Taehyung
You say that every time.
Jungkook
Every...... time?
Taehyung
You weren't supposed to come this early.
Jungkook
come..... from where?
Taehyung
(quite for sometime)
From the past
Jungkook
I was in my father's study room.
There is a book ----
Taehyung
(interrupting) He really did leave it for you this time.
Jungkook
You knew my father?
Taehyung
This future isn't safe for you.
Jungkook
Then why am i here?
Taehyung
(voice breaking slightly)
Because you never listen.
Sirene wailed in the distance.
Taehyung
They can't see you --- not yet.
Taehyung
(turning away)
The ones who already know you died tonight.
Taehyung
follow me closely don't get lost here
The Ones who survived
Taehyung led jungkook through narrow streets, neon lights flickering above broken glass.
Jungkook observing everything around him
Jungkook
suddenly said
Everyone keep running like the world is ending.
Taehyung
we are reached
(slowly opened the door)
Taehyung
He came earlier then expected.
the room was dim but warm. Maps, wires, old screens covered with walls
Jungkook
💭This place feels..... lived in.
Yoongi
.... So this is the vision that made it.
Yoongi
what? He deserves honestly (😏tiredly)
unknown
(enter the room)
you scared him already.
Jungkook
..... do I know you too?
Jungkook
Everyone keep saying that.
Yoongi
Because every timeline ends with you standing right where you are now.
Jimin
..... and then you die.
Jungkook
(voice shaking)
and you just.... watched
Jimin
(Get close to jungkook)
we tried to save you.
Jimin
(whispers) We failed. Every time.
Jungkook
(looked taehyung)
You know this would happen.
Taehyung
I knew you'd come
Jungkook
That's not the same.
Something heavy pulled at jungkook's chest.
The book -- his father's book -- slipped from nowhere and landed on the table.
???
This is where they start lying to you.
???
If jungkook stays here past midnight---
???
this timeline collapses
Taehyung
(urgently) we don't have much time
Jimin
jungkook --- decide now.
Taehyung
(grabbing jungkook's wrist)
stay with me.....
Taehyung
or go back before I lose you again.
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