3 Red

"HOLY SHIT!" Yeah, trust Hobi to blow it out of proportion. "Hyung! Why do you have that?!"

I actually know very little about this red string but I have never really thought that it would happen to me. We have had an influx of news about them recently because of some lost mates who unfortunately were not able to create the First Touch before their life lines were depleted. All I know about it was that this whitish almost invisible string tied to our right ring finger was supposed to turn red when you lock eyes with your soulmate. Problem is, it doesn't start turning red right at the moment you meet. Sometimes it takes hours and as for me, I guess it waited overnight. Another bummer is that, we will start being each other's lifelines once we meet and we need to have our First Touch before this goddamn red string turns black or ha! We're both dead.

Ridiculous. Why? Why would whoever created the universe make us dependent on another person for our survival? Why?! And why did it have to be me?! Of all the freaking humans in this world, why do I need to become one of those leeches?!

"Hyung stay calm. Everything will be okay." Namjoon, always level-headed. No matter how clumsy or childish he acts on screen, he's so calm behind the cameras. That's why he's the leader and not Jin-hyung or Hobi or god forbid, me.

"Didn't you feel anything while it was turning red Hyung? Like maybe tingles or a warm sensation or maybe jolts like you're getting grounded?" Ofcourse, the ever curious maknae would ask. And as if on cue the 95 liners decided to look at me too, waiting for an answer. They have all managed to corner me in our room this morning when Jin-hyung decided to wake everyone up with his screaming about my red string.

"I didn't feel anything at all and honestly, I wouldn't have noticed it if Jin-hyung didn't squeal my ears off about it." He sheepishly tried to hide himself on Jungkook's back.

"So what will happen now?" The look on Taetae's face made me feel like I'm an alien in their midst. Though I'm sure he's picturing a lot of scenes from those dramas he watched. The kid only enjoys gaming and dramas.

"Well, according to what I've found in the net, your string will start turning black until you find your mate again and lock hands." Namjoon said matter of factly like I don't have a death mark on my hand.

"What happens if the string turns black though?" Really, Jimin? You just had to ask? Sometimes I feel like these kids live in a different world or they just don't really care much if it's not connected to their game or their drama.

"Uhm, well…" I know Joon didn't want to scare the kids, or anyone for that matter, but they all need to know what's at stake here.

"I will die. If I don't find her it's the end for me. And this red string decides to show up after we came from a fansign where there were more than a hundred ARMYs whom I've locked eyes with." All of their faces turned chalk white. I really should learn to control these outbursts.

"But Hyung, we have time. The longest time on record was around a year so you have ample time." Yeah, this is why he is the leader. Namjoon always found ways to placate the group. You should've seen him when Jimin was having a tough time. The way he cared for each and every one of us is just immeasurable. Always making sure we were okay when we all know he has his own demons to deal with.

"Oh no." And all of us turned to Tae who's nose is almost touching the screen of his phone. He suddenly put it down and left, making his way to their room. Jimin quickly grabbed the phone and upon reading what Tae found he just whispered "Hyung" then ran off to Tae. That could not mean anything good.

Hobi quickly grabbed the phone read what was on it and upon making a shocked face at me, lifted the phone up making sure it was out of my reach. He should've known better though, I may not be as tall as they are but I'm certainly built tougher and before he knew what hit him, he was already pinned on the sofa. Though I think I shouldn't have tried to find out what made them all look so glum. It really wasn't anything good.

"Yoongi-ah, this is exaggeration. This couldn't be true. A week? That's too short a time!" Jin-hyung was almost crying.

"Hyung we'll find a way to find her. Let me tell the team about this. We're here to help you." Although I know Namjoon only wanted to make me feel better, it didn't do the job this time. I can already feel myself getting sick. Like my stomach is being turned inside out. My chest is starting to constrict and I know I can't stay in this goddamn house. I need to bail.

I grab my hoodie and made for the door but Joon knows me too well. He knew I was going to run so he immediately blocked my way.

"Move over Joon."

"No Hyung. We need to talk about this as a group."

"I'll just take a walk. Call me when the van's here. I need to clear my mind."

"All the more that you should stay here. I know you're scared but escaping wouldn't solve anything."

"Can you just let me be? It's my life line anyway."

"Hyung, how can you be so selfish?" I instantly regret saying that as Namjoon's shaking voice reached my ears. "After all these years, do you still think of us as just groupmates? We're your brothers Hyung and brothers don't leave anyone in the dark. And here I was thinking you thought the same." I felt like my heart was being wrenched away from my chest as I watched him massage the bridge of his nose, his eyes closing, his head slowly shaking in disappointment. And my stupid brain, didn't give in to that. I just huffed and made my way to the door as I heard Jin-hyung call my name to which Joon just said "Let him go Hyung."