collateral damage 🔞 - COMPLETE

•sixty-eight•

~~~~~Jimin

Have you ever watched helplessly while a car accident happened? The way things move in slow motion, and every second feels like a minute... The way metal screeches as it bends and twists, and glass shatters into small pieces flying everywhere... The unknown phenomena where noise is muted until it's over and the only thing left to hear is hissing... Have you felt the fear of seeing the bloody passengers, or even death?

Haerin sat in her seat at the table, hands clenched tightly on her skirt. The television played a scene that I wasn't prepared for, and still feel that somehow it was all fake. Jeongguk leans forward, his arm outstretched to touch her back, but doesn't reach her in time. On the television, the girl that is my best friend has her head slammed onto a bar, but she comes up with a knife...

The courtroom is like a car crash when the video shows the small girl at the defendant's table stabbing a man repeatedly... My mouth is hanging open in a silent scream as tears run down my cheeks. I want to look away, but I'm frozen trying to understand what is happening. People around me all look the same, and the 'after crash hissing' comes from Haerin herself. When time catches up, and sound is restored, Haerin's loud screams are all any of us hear...

~~~~~Jeongguk

When Haerin begins to scream, I lean forward to try and touch her. Her move is fast though, and she jumps from her chair only to promptly fall to her knees and begin wailing loudly. Her constant crying and mumbled 'I'm sorry' is all anyone can hear. I don't wait, and hop over the wall to get to her, ignoring the yells of the court security, her lawyer, and Dr. Kang. I kneel beside her and bring her into my arms and begin rocking her back and forth. I whisper that it is ok, even though it isn't, and repeat to her over and over how much I love her.

Before long, strong arms pull me from her, and I'm physically moved towards the door. No no no no no!!! They can't take me out!!!

"Wait!! Please don't take him!! Don't you see??!?"

Dr. Kang is standing now, and shouting at the judge. He holds his hand out to stop the guards, but they keep a strong hold on me.

"Dr. Kang?"

The judge is waiting, and the doctor is watching Haerin closely. She smiles and moves forward before addressing him. When she's next to a whimpering Haerin, she finally speaks up.

"Your honor... Please don't take Jungkook-ssi out. For the sake of this girl, I beg you to not do it. Did you not see how his mere presence calmed her drastically?"

"But Dr. Kang, her comfort is not my concern. She is on trial for murder Doctor."

"Her defense has not been presented yet your honor. And I humbly request until it has been, you allow Jeon Jungkook to remain. His being here for her will help. Please your honor."

"Fine... But Mr. Jeon... You need to remain in your seat! If you do something like that again, I will remove you from the court, and hold you in contempt. Do you understand?"

I nod, and the men holding me release my arms. I bow to the judge, and take a chance...

"Your honor? Could I please help her back to her seat?"

"Yes Mr. Jeon. Be quick."

Bowing again, I make my way fast to Haerin. She's only whimpering, and trembling now. I kneel at her side, and hug her.

"haerin... baby it's ok... you need to go back to the chair baby..."

Her eyes meet mine, and I see her terror, but I force a smile.