Wolves and Bread (COMPLETED)

Epilogue

There is nothing to return to as the last hiding place has gone to the rapture. Instead we drive until the morning sun rises, savouring the silence and sense of being alive. Living, no longer merely surviving.

For now at least.

Inaudible words are exchanged between a husky and a deep faceless voice, but I know it are Namjoon and Yoongi who are trying to make amends. As I look through the window behind me I see the two blonde men whispering quietly to each other so as not to wake the three youngest members of the group, who are sitting shoulder to shoulder and are vast asleep. Hoseok leans against the side of the trunk, gazing at the scenery that passes by fast in a mix of dark green, yellow, and grey. He looks healthier than before. The agents probably took care of him just to make sure he would not die and deny them the pleasure of killing him themselves.

We come to a stop at a grand red steel bridge at the edge of a valley overlooking Seongsan mountain, the lush green soothing our minds as we await the morning. The sleepyheads awaken with a yawn and dazed eyes as the sunny hyung wakes them up, having a bit more trouble to bring Taehyung back from the realm of dreams. Eventually it is Jimin who manages to pull him from his vast slumber by tickling him, causing a boxy grin to appear on the young man's face as he joins us.

We leave the vehicle, glad to stretch our legs after endless hours of driving. It is admirable yet insane how determined Jin stayed throughout the ride to get as far as possible without taking breaks. If he is exhausted, if at all, it does not show on him.

Carefully to not slip and slide down the rocks, we try to get to a place with a good view beneath the metal structure, our shoes seeking good purchase on the slippery stone under our feet. Then we simply stand by side, arms wrapped around each other's shoulders like a family, watching the sunrise. Yoongi points to the horizon as the first rays of light cast the nature in a golden glow.

That is when we know. We are blessed to be living to see another day.

This is one of the most beautiful moments in life.

Mom would have loved to see this sight, the world awakening once again after the terrors of the night. Knowing she is no longer here makes me feel empty suddenly, unreal and ghostly. Unconsciously I shiver as I try to prevent a sob from escaping, but the boys on either side of me take notice nonetheless and all turn to face me with concerned looks in their similarly dark eyes.

'Scarlet, what's wrong?' Worriedly Jimin puts a hand on my shoulder. The reassuring gesture only makes matters worse as the tears start to stream down in a hot trickle over my cheek, the excessive blinking to hide them completely futile.

'Come here.' Jin steps away from his companions and pulls me against him in a big bear hug. Soon his arms are joined by six other pairs, creating a circle of comfort and brotherhood.

When they let me go, having cheered me up a wee bit, it is Jungkook who asks for a more in depth reason. 'Did something happen, Scarlet?'

In ragged breaths and broken words I recount the terrible event and the unlikely truth that has come to light. 'I am so sorry. It's my fault you had to go through this. If we hadn't met, then-'

Soft forceful thin lips on mine interrupt the waterfall of an apology I was about to start. Slender pianist's fingers cup my face, lovingly wiping away the tears. 'Shut up. Just shut up. I don't want to hear you talk like this, toffee princess. I don't want to think about it.'

Our first real kiss and Yoongi used it to comfort me. I would not have it any other way. It does not always have to be a romantic gesture. All it needs to be is a motion of love.

'We all don't want to think about that, Scarlet. You're precious to us,' Hoseok adds to his friend's words when the musical genius lets me go.

'The best person we've met,' Taehyung joins in as well, his smile sympathetic and square.