22 Call a Truce Pt.3 (1/2)

With discoloured rags as his disguise, Taehyung hummed to himself cheerfully as he trudged towards the main city with a skip in his step. At last, he thought to himself, freedom away from that stupid guard. He grinned as he approached the familiar sounds of creaking, wooden wheels and merchants shouting. The low-key buzzing of the busy market streets caressed his eardrums causing his grin to spread even more.

He sighed contentedly, this is what life is about.

Taehyung whistled as he ambled through the bustling market streets, stealthily eyeing up the vibrant fruit that was on display. Which one should I get today? he asked himself. He glanced at the market stalls and spotted the familiar orange fruit that he had targeted last time: juicy persimmons. Taehyung debated whether he should steal them again today. It has been a while since I stole them last... he thought. He shrugged as he made up his mind to execute his plan.

With cat-like reflexes, Taehyung covertly approached the fruit stall from the side, using the huddle of scruffy customers as his shield. While the vendor was occupied with tending to her customers, Taehyung sneakily reached his scrawny hand out to the nearest persimmon. He could almost taste the delicate sweetness when suddenly, someone's hand intercepted his.

Startled, Taehyung glanced up.

”Did you not learn anything from last time?” he heard a steely voice ask.

Taehyung's eyes widened when he saw who it was. ”Gyuri?”

Gyuri glared at him as she inconspicuously tugged his hand away from the fruit and pulled him to the side. ”I can't believe you!” she spat. ”What are you doing trying to steal again?”

”That is none of your business” he snapped. Taehyung snatched his hand away from her grasp. ”And what are you doing here anyway? Why did you follow me?”

”I had no choice” she replied. ”The guard found out almost immediately that you went missing so I had to sneak out.”

”You managed to sneak out without being spotted?” Taehyung was amazed. ”How?”

Gyuri smirked. ”I have my ways.” But then her serious demeanour returned, ”But that's beside the point. If I knew you were gonna steal again I wouldn't have helped you.”

Taehyung rolled his eyes.

”Don't you know that stealing is bad?”

”I do not need you to lecture me” he sneered. Taehyung started walking away and Gyuri ran after him.

”What are you gonna do now?” she questioned him. ”You better not try to steal again. While I'm with you, I won't allow it.”

Taehyung halted in his step, allowing Gyuri to catch up. ”Look,” he said while frowning. ”Just return home if you are going to reprimand me. I have business to attend to.”

Taehyung raced ahead and Gyuri trailed behind him. For a few minutes, they walked in silence. Taehyung walked briskly, ignoring Gyuri, who was eyeing him like a hawk. After a while, he eventually turned to her and shouted, ”Why are you still following me? Go away already!”

”I won't” she simply answered, which infuriated him more.

”Fine” he scowled. ”At least I can explain to them why I came empty-handed today.”

Gyuri looked at him quizzically, ”They?”

Taehyung marched ahead with renewed irritation. The pair strolled in silence as they meandered through the bustling market streets until they eventually reached the less attractive side of town.

Gyuri surveyed her surroundings warily. Taehyung had led them to a desolate street that was dark and eerie and reminded her so badly of the ghetto streets in her neighbourhood. Immediately, she was on guard. She glimpsed at Taehyung, who was a few steps ahead of her, who didn't appear bothered by the imminent danger they might be in. Shadows danced on the walls as they continued to venture deeper into unknown territory, all the while making Gyuri jumpy from the growing anticipation that something bad might happen.

”L-let's turn back...” Gyuri whispered as she suddenly heard the screeching of a cat which startled her.

Taehyung smirked. ”Why? Are you scared?”

She frowned at him, ”N-no. I-I'm just worried about you. What if those thugs find you again? We were lucky that Master Namjoon came last time.”

”Those ruffians will not dare to attack again” Taehyung reassured her. ”They now know who we are.”

At this, Gyuri eyed him curiously.

Taehyung stopped walking as they exited the desolate street. ”We are here” he murmured. He scanned the field of rich, green grass and spotting two profiles in the distance, he smiled. Energetically, Taehyung raced ahead.

”Hey! Wait up!”

But Taehyung didn't. He ran with vigour while calling out to the two people on the horizon. ”Chun Chun! Gulnar!”

The two profiles turned their heads around at the sound of Taehyung's voice and Gyuri soon discovered that they were two small children. The children gave toothy grins at the sight of Taehyung approaching them.

”Papa!” the young boy exclaimed with outstretched arms. Taehyung kneeled to the ground as the little boy hugged him.