Part 2

The rain had started hours ago soft at first, just a whisper against the roof, like it was trying to warn them gently.

But now, it was roaring.

Pouring.

Like the sky itself was panicking.

Inside the cozy living room, Taehyung sat on the carpet, building towers with toy blocks, occasionally looking toward the front door.

Uncle Jeon said hell bring me chocolates again, he mumbled to himself, hugging the crumpled wrapper from today.

His mother chuckled from the kitchen as she set a cup of tea on the table.

That uncle spoils you too much, she said, drying her hands.

Because Taetae is cute, he replied with a proud little pout.

But then

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Three loud knocks slammed against the door.

She flinched, her heart stopping for a moment. Taehyung dropped his toy block and stared at the door with wide eyes.

momma...? he whispered.

She approached the door cautiously.

Who is it ?

The door flew open.

Kim Daeho her husband rushed in, soaked, blood smeared on his sleeve, eyes wild like a man who had outrun death itself.

lock it! Lock the goddamn door!

She obeyed immediately, bolting the lock.

What happened?!

They're coming. They followed me. The case... The one I refiled under a new name. They know. They warned me. I saw a body in the parking lot. Their message was clear.

Oh god... she whispered, covering her mouth. What do we do?! Taehyung

He grabbed her arms, his hands shaking.

Take Taehyung and run. Don't stop. Don't look back. I'll distract them

NO! she cried. You're coming too!

We don't have TIME! he barked. Go! Take the back door and

CRACK!

The door shattered.

Splinters of wood exploded into the room as three masked men barged inside like demons, each holding weapons one had a crowbar, one a knife, and the last... a gun.

Everything happened so fast.

Taehyung screamed as he was pulled behind the sofa by his mother.

His father charged forward.

A flash of silver.

A cry of pain.

Blood sprayed across the wooden floor.

DAEHO! she screamed.

He stumbled back, clutching his stomach the knife buried deep. He fell to his knees, coughing, bleeding, still glaring at them like a soldier.

RUN! he yelled with blood in his throat. TAKE HIM!

She grabbed Taehyung and ran, her breath catching as tears blurred her vision. Taehyung kept crying:

Where's Appa? Where's Appa?!

We'll find him later, baby please hold tight!

They pushed through the kitchen and out the back door into the rain. The woods were thick behind the mansion, but she didn't care she just kept running.

Her feet bled.

Her arms ached.

But she didn't stop.

They reached a small clearing near the river far enough for a moment to breathe.

She collapsed on her knees and pulled Taehyung into her arms.

Taetae... Listen to mumma, baby, she whispered through tears. You need to go now.

No! I don't want to! he cried, shaking his head, sobbing. I want to stay with you! I want Appa!

You can't, she choked. You can't stay here. You must run. Promise me... Promise me you'll be strong. You'll stay safe. No matter what.

I_I promise, but

Remember this, she said, holding his cheeks. Mumma and Appa love you so much. More than the stars. Even if we're not with you... our love is. Always.

She kissed his wet cheeks over and over, crying, shaking.

And then

Footsteps. Voices.

They were close.

RUN, TAEHYUNG!

He stared at her, trembling, then ran into the woods.

She turned to face the sound and the man grabbed her by the hair, slamming her against the stone shed behind her.

You shouldn't have run, sweetheart.

YOU MONSTER! she screamed, spitting blood.

He'll be next, the man said darkly. That little brat?

DON'T YOU TOUCH HIM! she roared.

But she couldn't stop them. Not with her head spinning, blood trailing from her scalp.

.

.

.

Taehyung was running, stumbling, lungs screaming for air.

His tiny legs carried him deeper into the forest, until

He stopped.

A cliff.

A deep drop into a rocky riverbed.

Behind him, footsteps.

He turned.

A man stood there, grinning tall, dark, soaked in blood.

P-please don't hurt me... Taehyung cried. I didn't do anything...

The man laughed cruelly.

Of course, I won't hurt you, he said. I'll just let you go.

He walked over slowly, grabbed Taehyung by the collar

And pushed.

The wind screamed as Taehyung's body was flung from the cliff, falling falling falling

His scream disappeared into the night.

.

.

.

Back at the mansion, two of the men poured kerosene over the carpets and walls.

Burn it all,one said. No evidence. No family. No trail.

The flames lit fast swallowing curtains, furniture, photos, life.

The fire roared like a beast, consuming the home that once held love, laughter, and a little boy with chocolate on his lips.

.

.

That night, a boy fell.

A family vanished.

And the world moved on like nothing had happened.

But fate hadn't finished with Kim Taehyung.

No.

It was only just beginning.

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Thank you for reading 💫

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