"Tell us everything, TaeTae", Hoseok said gently, sitting down in the protection of a palm oasis close to the beach, the red sun highlighting their forms and contrasting the dark shadows thrown in front of his frames once the light hit them. Taehyung was sitting in front of them, fiddling with his fingers.

He couldn't believe the story himself from how absurd it sounded but it sadly was his reality and he really hoped that his friends wouldn't think that he was crazy or has gone insane. There was a sudden reflection on Jin's finger which he noticed confused and once he glanced at his friend's hand, his eyes widened.

"You did it! You finally tied the knot?", he exclaimed, more surprised than actually upset once he caught the regretful eyes of his friends. "Yes, we did. We couldn't wait anymore and after everything that happened... we just wanted some happiness. We have lost you and it was a horrible year, Tae, we nearly broke apart", Hoseok said, regret lacing thickly over his voice.

"You should've been there, as my man of honor. No one can replace you but we wanted to hold you in your hearts so we did it. We did it for you", Hoseok choked out, reaching out for Taehyung's hand to which the younger replied with a smile. "I understand. And I'm not mad, you deserve the entire world and deserve to be happy. Congratulations", Taehyung smiled lovingly at his best friends since he knew how much that meant to them, he knew how much they loved each other.

And Taehyung could never be mad because they were in love.

"I'd love to hear more about it but I'm not sure how much time we have", Taehyung said, glancing around again. "But one last thing. How did you end up here? It doesn't add up to me", the little raven said confused, tilting his head to the side which struck his friends' hearts. He was always doing this cute little movement whenever he was confused and it just showed him that this was really their TaeTae they have missed so bad.

"It's really you... we went on Honeymoon. My parents surprised me with a cruise and you know how they get when they get rejected", Jin now spoke up, caressing Hoseok's hand in his. "But you have this phobia?", Taehyung said, upset because Seokjin's parents were really loving actually but it wasn't their highest ability to listen to anyone next to themselves.

"Thalassophobia, yes. You know them, as if they would care. So we decided to accept the cruise even though we knew y-you...", Jin shuddered, inhaling and exhaling shakily before getting himself back together, smiling weakly at Taehyung who looked guiltily at them. "I'm so sorry that you suffered", he whispered, that was what he has been fearing the most.

That his friends were suffering because of him. "No! Don't apologize!", Hoseok immediately butted in panicked. "We never really liked the ocean but we thought we should accept our fears and turn them into something beautiful and accepted the cruise. It was really peaceful but then, out of the sudden, a storm happened and our ship crashed", Hoseok said and Taehyung gasped.

He didn't know about the exact plot of Jungkook's storm so it was shocking to him that everything sounded just like how his cruise vacation has occurred. Even until the storm, everything was the same. "The ship sunk and we managed to get into the water. I lost touch to Jin before seeing the island so I swam towards it in the hope to reach it and find Jinnie again", Hoseok continued and Taehyung's blood froze.

Everything was the same, as if it was just a repetition, a circle. The entire meaning crashed onto Taehyung and stole his breath. How many times did this happen before? How many people have had the same fate as they did?

"I found Jinnie with this weird guy, Jungkook. He looked innocent but something was strange. He was all alone on this island yet he-"

"Couldn't manage to leave?", Taehyung whispered, the same thoughts he first had while encountering the blond and waves of shock rushed over him. This was just a repetition of his own landing on the island with just the difference, that his own group was dead and the main actors were the newly landed survivors.

"Yes!", Hoseok said, confused on how Taehyung could know what he was trying to say. "How do you know?", he asked and Taehyung took a deep breath. It was now time for the final reveal. "Promise me to not run away. What I'm going to say will sound crazy to you but please listen", Taehyung begged them and after his friends nodded confused, he started.

"I know about it, because I went through the exact same thing. My ship crashed and I landed on this island, together with a few others. I've made a friend, Jimin on the ship and later on Namjoon. Both of them... are dead. I'm so glad you're suspicious of him, to not fall for his acts because this is exactly what he wants. This island is like a venus fly trap", Taehyung said, waving towards their peaceful surroundings.

"He first got the trust of my group while I believed there was something strange about him. I simply asked questions about his origin but the group- was starting to behave weirdly. They announced him leader and I was left alone", Taehyung said and Hoseok seemed to understand. "The same happens to our group too! They aren't really listening to us because Jungkook always acts so charming. But truth to be told, no one can be this nice", Jin said and scrunched his nose.

Taehyung smiled, happy that his friends couldn't be fooled by the scenery and Jungkook. He was proud to know that his friends have strong wills.

"Namjoon was like you. He believed me. So we wanted to e-expose him a-and... he was the first victim", Taehyung said, voice wavering while thinking of his friend. Namjoon, his friend who was the only one to believe him was dead. "Jungkook is not who he says to be. He killed Namjoon with his bare hands and threw him to the sharks. He's a sea monster and he kills every survivor coming to this island", Taehyung then dropped the bomb.

"He told my group to build a float and separated me from them. Once they got onto the float, the sharks attacked them. They're under Jungkook's control and once he gets into the water, he transforms into his true form", Taehyung said but was interrupted by Jin.

"Wait wait- you're saying he's not human? Are you sure Tae, because this sounds absolutely insane!"

"I know", Taehyung cried out, panicked because he felt them slipping away. "I know it does but it's the truth. The island is somehow alive. It gave Jungkook his powers and in return, it demands sacrifices in form of the survivors. Jungkook kills everyone suspicious of his plan and he will kill you too if we don't stop him!", Taehyung said.

There was a moment of silence, Hoseok and Jin looking at each other. "Please believe me", Taehyung whispered.

Hoseok sighed before looking at Taehyung. "Your eyes always twitch to the side when you're lying. They're not doing it right now. It sounds insane but you're our friend, Tae", Hoseok smiled and the next words sounded like heaven to Taehyung.

"We believe you."

~

AHHH they believe him yay!

Ela_koo