Who you used to be - [p.jm]

48. "You chose your fate, boy."

You slendered through the hallways with Taehyung behind you. Both of you were weary, gripping your weapons firmly as you passed through the tight tunnel.

"This passage wasn't on the map", he commented silently. That meant that even Jimin hadn't known about this tunnel's existence.

Your eyes slowly began burning as the lenses strained your eyesight. As helpful as they were, they were somewhat of a compromise when it came to efficiency. Wearing them for too long damaged the eyes. You tried to ignore it.

The passage narrowed even further and lead you to a few tight staircases. Luckily, a few torches had been lit on the walls to illuminate the narrow, dangerous steps that lead into the abyss.

"Seems like someone already passed through here not too long ago", you noted, examining the torches. The flames burned brightly.

"Let me go first", Taehyung muttered, nodding towards the stairs.

You wanted to object, but he'd already pushed himself past you and was taking the first few steps down, down, down into the darkness. Sighing, you followed, taking it upon yourself to watch your backs as you descended.

"You know, I really want to make things good again with Jimin", Taehyung muttered. "I didn't mean to undermine him earlier on the roof, but I just wanted to protect you."

"I can protect myself", you sneered. "Seems like Jimin also needs to learn that lesson."

You couldn't see the expression Taehyung was making in front of you, but he then continued: "I hope I'll get the chance to properly apologize after this, for everything."

"Now isn't the time for that, Tae", you muttered. "Think about that when we get out of here alive."

In silence, both of you stepped down the stairs into what seemed like a never-ending pit of black and cold. Even though it was very silent, you were almost sure that you could hear shouts, footsteps and gunfire everywhere around you, only present as a silent echo in the passage.

"We must be close to the lower floors", you whispered, noting the slight reek of mold.

You couldn't help but imagine everyone struggling for their lives, fighting to the very end despite being greatly outnumbered. Not knowing what was going on drove you insane, especially when it came to Jimin. You had promised yourself to trust him and everyone and you were aware that they were all very skilled fighters, but you couldn't shake the feeling of worry. Even though you had been trained not to feel, not to fear or care, it had never been possible, not with Bangtan. Exhaling sharply, you pushed those feelings aside and hurried along behind Taehyung. Your group also had an important task to complete and everyone relied on you to do it as quickly as possible. You couldn't spend time worrying.

Taehyung suddenly halted and you nearly collided with his muscular back.

"What is it?", you inquired, peering over his shoulder. But the question had answered itself when you saw a wall in front of you through the greenish light of the night lenses.

"Dead end", he muttered. It was more of a question.

However, as his fingertips grazed along the cold surface of the wall, something in it seemed to shift and move with his touch.

"Tapestry", you breathed.

Carefully, Taehyung examined the wall futher and detached the fixed edges of the tapestry so it could fall freely and seem like a curtain more than a wall. He silently dared to peer through it at the side. You could see more darkness lurking behind it since the power had been cut.

"A hallway", he described silently. "Two guards, both armed. Can't tell if there are more scattered in the hall."

You put your gun away and pulled out the daggers from the straps on your legs. If you wanted to get out alive, they would have to be executed silently and quickly, without attracting attention. Taehyung throught the same and prepared himself as well.