บท 9: Free

"Today's your day. Free to go," said the guard as he handed me my stuff and opened the gate.

As soon as I stepped out the breeze hit me and it felt so good. I looked over and I saw Jimin hyung waiting for me. He waved and smiled. I walked over to him.

"Ah, Kookie, you're finally coming home," said Jimin hugging me.

"Yeah, I'm a free man," I replied, I was actually quite ecstatic at the fact that I was finally released from that hell hole. "Just one question hyung."

Jimin turned his head in my direction. "Yeah?"

"What kind of statement did BigHit release after my arrest?" I asked.

"Well, they said that it was a misunderstanding, you weren't responsible for any of the deaths that you were blamed for and that they were working on your release," replied Jimin. "In fact the fans were all so supportive, they seriously started a movement, and when they heard that you were being released they wanted to come see you but they were asked not to."

I nodded. "Huh."

We headed over to Jimin's car and got in. As soon as we got back to BigHit the other members attacked me with hugs.

"We're all glad you're finally back," said Namjoon with a smile.

"So how was prison?" Asked Yoongi.

"Well it wasn't the Four Seasons but it didn't suck." I shrugged.

"Were you actually responsible for those deaths?" Asked Taehyung.

Jimin looked over at him shook his head. "Why'd you have to ask that question? Do you not believe your own bandmate and friend?"

"It's fine. No hyung, I wasn't. I swear," I replied innocently. Oddly enough he seemed to believe me, because I swear he can spot bullshit from a mile away. "Well now that we've got all that out of the way, I'm hungry, how about we think about what to eat," I suggested.

"I was thinking lamb skewers," said Yoongi.

"Oh hyung, I knew there was a reason why I missed you." I smiled at him.

We all headed out to the restaurant and got dishes and dishes of food. I was eating as if my life depended on it. I haven't eaten food as good as this for the last 6 months. When we finished we all headed home.

"So why'd it take you 3 months to get me a lawyer?" I asked as Jimin was about to drop me at my apartment.

"It was difficult finding someone who would take your case. They were either too afraid or didn't believe the innocence plead. But then I finally found one. But the wait was worth it, you were finally released," replied Jimin as we pulled up in front of my building.

"Yeah. Sure. Wait, before I head up, how's Hansel?" I asked curious.

"He was a great dog and loyal. I'm so sorry Jungkook," said Jimin.

"What?! What happened?" I asked in shock.

"He was already getting old, but he wouldn't stop until he found you. He kept getting out even when I closed everything off he kept finding ways out. I would find him everyday in front of your apartment building, he'd just sit there and wait for you, he wouldn't eat or sleep. Every time I brought him back he'd just run away again, it was a never ending chain. When I eventually caught up to him one day I found him in his usual spot, he was lying down I thought he was just sleeping," tears started piling in his eyes now. "He didn't wake up."

I stared into my brother's tear filled eyes and felt something warm in my eyes and a lump in my throat. I started to cry too. His words played back in my head, "He didn't wake up, He was a great dog..." After 19 years, the day had finally come and I wasn't there.

"W-W-Where d-did you bury him?" I could barely say the words.

"Next to mom and dad. So you'd be able to visit him anytime you wanted," said Jimin.

"Thanks hyung." I got out of his car and went up to my apartment. When I got in I dropped my stuff on the floor and kicked my shoes off and sat on my couch and sobbed. I mourned my dead dog. I couldn't believe it, he was actually gone. I ended up crying myself to sleep.

*ring* *ring* *ring*

The next morning I was woken up by my phone ringing. My vision was blurry and my eyes were red and puffy from all the crying the night before. I picked it up.

"Yeah?" I yawned.

"Hey, we need you to come in. We're recording today," said our manager.

"Recording?" I asked.

"Yeah, it's a only a couple of songs, just the Japanese versions," he replied.

"Oh, yeah I'm on my way," I said as I hung up.

I decided to take a quick shower and then headed out. When I arrived the others were already there.

"What's with the sunglasses?" Asked Taehyung.

"It's because I'm here," said Hoseok with a giant smile.

The others chuckled.

"Yeah that's right, Hoseok hyung is the embodiment of the sun, he's so bright that I need these to protect my eyes," I replied with a light unamused chuckle.

"Are you okay?" Whispered Jimin as we went into the recording studio.

"Oh yeah. I'm fine," I replied trying not to sound as fake as possible.

"Okay," said Jimin, I could tell he knew I was lying, but honestly I didn't care, in fact I didn't care much about anything anymore. Hansel was the only thing that was keeping me stable and happy and now he's gone. As we were recording Spring Day all I could think about was what Jimin hyung had told me, it seemed fitting, think about depressing subjects while singing a depressing song.

After we finished our recording session they didn't need us anymore so we were free for the rest of the day. I went back to my apartment and laid on my couch the rest of the day. Cold and alone. I felt the way I did 10 years ago when my parents were murdered. I know I have Jimin but I still felt alone and unloved. I lost 6 months of my life and Hansel loses his life for my stupidity, no not my stupidity, my uncle's ignorance and hatred for me. This is all his fault. I hope he knows I'm coming for him.