Breaking Apart

"Hyung!"

"GET AWAY FROM ME!"

Slam!

The door was harshly slammed, causing the frames hanging on the wall to shake violently and one to fall.

Jungkook stared at the door blankly for a while and listlessly walked over to pick the frame, he was stunned for a while after seeing the photo encased by the now broken frame.

It was their photo, all seven of them. This was their favorite, taken on the shore of a beach. It is one of their memorable trips as friends. Now they were only memories.

So much happened. It was vague and fleeting like a dream. The happiest times always felt the shortest and now all they have are contagious sufferings stemming and connecting each of them.

They were just a group of friends who wanted comfort from each other. Now, like a house of cards, everything they dreamed is crumbling apart. Like dominoes, one by one they experience each other's pain and bearing their burdens.

There were only two of them left from the previous seven. Now everything is irreversible. Missing or dead, either of them.

Raising his head up, as if trying to stop his tears, Jungkook inhaled sharply, instantly filling his lungs with air. He held his breath for a while with tightly closed eyes then let out a heavy sigh, easing the pain from his throat a little.

He looked down at the frame and broke it completely to get the picture, he then folded it and put it into his pocket.

Pondering, Jungkook got his jacket and wore it, it's already getting colder even though it's only August. He held the door handle, feeling its sharp coldness piercing his already trembling hand. He turned the handle and walked out.

---

Jungkook seemed to wander without direction but it was on purpose. He needed to find Namjoon immediately since he could get into fights, specially after that incident at his previous work.

A rude customer got pissed off and almost filed a case against him just because Namjoon was on a bad mood that day and the customer interpreted it as disrespect. Luckily, the guy didn't pursue the complaint but caused the loss of income source of Namjoon.

Clang!

On a random alley from the many ones that created a complex maze, Jungkook heard the sound of a can being thrown out, it rolled out the alley and he saw it from a distance. "Hm? Spray paint? Could it be.."

Ever since Namjoon left, Jungkook already had a cold prickling feeling just at the back of his head that made him unsettled. It was obviously different from the cold brought by the winds.

He ran, getting faster as he got nearer to the corner from where the can came from, his heart racing together with his steps.

"Huh? There is no one here." Jungkook panted and looked around but only found a lone canister cap. Still reeking of the paint smell.

"Uh I guess I was just nervous for nothing. Nothing bad would happen at Namjoon-hyung." Jungkook heaved a sigh of relief and shook his head lightly.

-------

After wandering for hours, Jungkook decided to head home since Namjoon should be back home now.

Even though he seemed angry earlier, he would still come back for home-cooked meals since they were cheaper and he didn't want to leave the youngest alone.

Whistling, he turned the handle of the apartment. It was kinda warm and stayed for a bit on his hands.

"The door is open, ah I should try to remind Hyung more not to leave the door open." He found Namjoon laying at the sofa who seemed sleeping and Jungkook just smiled as he wiped his hands to the nearest towel since his hands were wet from the frost.

Jungkook directly went to the kitchen to prepare ingredients for tonight's meal. As he was finishing them, he heard coughs from the living area.

"Hyung? Do you need something? How about I bring you a cup of water?" The food was already done and it was nice and warm, perfect for the weather.

"Ah, I'm fine. I'm just a little cold. Thank you Jungkook." Jungkook heard from the living area.

"Okay Hyung. I'll check the heater later if it works well." Too bad, I won't be able to fix it as good as Suga-hyung.. Jungkook laughed at his own thoughts and shook his head as he brought the dishes to the table.

After he finished setting the table up, he turned at Namjoon's direction and lightly tapped him to wake him up.

"Hyung, let's eat. Food is prepared."

"Hyung?" Jungkook leaned closer to see Namjoon's face. There was something wrong. It was pale.

The trembling went back again. Jungkook hastily reached his hand towards Namjoon's face to check his temperature.

No. Wait. Something's wrong.

Jungkook immediately removed the blanket covering Namjoon.

Namjoon.. He.. He was full of blood!

"HYUNG! NO!" Jungkook felt cold. But what he was holding seemed colder than ice.

"No.. Hyung, hyung. Get up, I cooked our meal." There was no answer. Not even a breath nor a heartbeat. The silence was sharp to the ears and almost destroyed Jungkook's sanity.

-------

The night seemed colder and the sky seemed darker. There were still stars but they were dim. No, it weren't the stars who were dim, it were the eyes of the youth sitting near a couch with his older brother.

He had Jungkook's jacket so he won't be cold anymore. Jungkook held the picture he unfurled from his pocket. It was paper, it should be light but it felt heavier than the skies. His heart was also the same.

The food on the table was already cold, like the night. Jungkook wiped the paint and blood from Namjoon's hands and got a hoodie before he went out.

As he closed the door, he stared at the handle again and finally realized something. The handle was bloodied. That's why it was warm.

Walking aimlessly, Jungkook arrived at the front of an old building. It was high, the view should be good from up there.

"I think fresh air would be good tonight."

He walked to the building. It was just straight ahead.

Suddenly he was caught in a stampede since a nearby car lost its breaks and was heading straight to the pedestrian.

Jungkook was already feeling weak, he got pushed and was even stepped on without knowing what's happening around him.

He pulled himself to get up but was already too late.