promise

Taehyung's small, trembling hand slipped into Jungkook's without resistance. His touch was cold, far too cold for a living boy, and Jungkook felt his chest tighten with anger and sorrow.

"What kind of monster could do this to someone?" he thought fiercely.

"Can you walk?" Jungkook asked gently.

Taehyung shook his head almost immediately, panic flashing in his eyes.

"My legs... they're too weak... please don't leave me," he whispered, voice cracking under the weight of fear.

Jungkook squeezed his hand firmly.

"I'm not leaving," he said. "I'll carry you."

Without another word, Jungkook slipped his arms under Taehyung's frail body, lifting him carefully. Taehyung gasped softly - more out of shock than pain - and clung to Jungkook's shoulder like a frightened child.

"So light," Jungkook thought grimly. "Too light. Like a ghost."

He made his way back toward the broken window, moving slowly to avoid jostling him too much.

As they reached the forest outside, a new fear clawed into Jungkook's mind -

"What if the general's men are still watching the area? What if they see us?"

He set his jaw firmly.

"No. I'll protect him. Even if it costs me everything."

The forest was thicker now, evening shadows stretching long and dark.

Branches scratched at Jungkook's arms and face as he forced his way through the brush, Taehyung silent in his hold, except for the occasional whimper when a sudden jolt hurt him.

"You're safe now," Jungkook kept whispering. "Just a little longer."

But luck was not on their side.

As they neared the path leading back toward the outer roads of Busan, voices rang out in the distance - angry, shouting.

Soldiers.

The general's men.

"Search the area!" a rough voice barked. "He can't have gotten far!"

Taehyung stiffened in Jungkook's arms, a choked sound of terror escaping him.

"Shh," Jungkook soothed quickly, ducking behind a large tree, heart racing.

"Think. Think."

He couldn't outrun trained soldiers carrying Taehyung. And Taehyung was too weak to hide on his own.

But he could outsmart them.

Moving quickly and silently, Jungkook left the main path and darted deeper into the forest - toward the old river that ran through the woods. He remembered the training from his royal tutors:

"Running water covers your trail."

Behind him, he could hear the soldiers shouting, boots stomping, weapons clashing against armor as they searched.

Jungkook tightened his grip on Taehyung and whispered against his ear:

"Hold on. I'm getting you out. No matter what."

They reached the riverbank, and Jungkook didn't hesitate - he waded into the freezing water, struggling to keep his footing and hold Taehyung above the surface.

The current pulled at him, but he pressed forward, teeth gritted against the cold.

On the other side, the woods thickened into rocky hills - and the borders of busan weren't far now.

Taehyung's fingers clung desperately to Jungkook's tunic, his body shivering violently.

But for the first time in five years, there was something new in Taehyung's eyes -

Hope.

A fragile, trembling hope, like a flame struggling against the wind.

And Jungkook swore to himself, as the night closed in around them,

"Even if the whole world comes after us - I'll protect you."

No matter what it costs.

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