✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

As everyone gathers around the table, the air is thick with a quiet sense of curiosity. Jiwoo and Haru are out of sight, and Taehyung is sleeping soundly on the sofa. Y/N, however, remains completely absorbed in her work. The papers she had been scribbling on are now neatly packed away into her bag, and in their place, she holds a small wooden box. Her fingers move delicately over it, focused on something inside as if she's working on a project.

The others exchange glances, a mix of confusion and uncertainty written on their faces. They wonder about the box-what is it? What's inside? Where did she find it? It's a curiosity they share, but none of them know if it's appropriate to ask. The silence lingers for a moment, until Y/N, sensing their hesitation, decides to break it.

Without looking up, she teases, "You've all been standing there for a while. You planning to stare at me all morning, or are you going to sit and eat? I'm starving after these past days." Her voice carries the familiar sharpness, yet there's a playful edge to it, a reminder of her old self before the weight of the world had dulled her spark.

Jin and Hobi can't help but chuckle at her return to her teasing nature. It's a small relief for them, a sign that despite everything, Y/N is still, in her own way, herself.

Y/N sat at the table, her fingers lightly brushing the surface of the wooden box beside her, trying to suppress the growing irritation. She poked at her food, pretending to ignore the way the others' eyes kept drifting back to the mysterious object.

Suga leaned forward, his eyes fixed on the box. "You've been holding that thing like it's the Holy Grail. What's inside? A treasure map?"

Y/N kept her gaze fixed on her plate, stabbing at a piece of bread with unnecessary force. "Not your concern."

RM raised an eyebrow, his tone a little more insistent. "If it's something important, shouldn't we know? It's not like you're keeping us alive with your secret stash of goodies."

Y/N shot him a glance, her voice cool but sharp. "Maybe it's not about survival. Maybe I just want some peace and quiet."

Sehun, unable to resist the bait, smirked. "You haven't even opened it. You're just carrying it around like some weird little security blanket."

Y/N's jaw tightened, her frustration creeping to the surface. "I'm getting to it. Can you all just let me be?"

Hyungsik raised an eyebrow. "You've been staring at it for hours. What's stopping you?"

Jungkook chuckled, clearly enjoying the tension. "Yeah, maybe it's locked, or cursed. You know, like in those old horror flicks where the box unleashes all kinds of doom."

Y/N's eyes flicked toward him, her lips curling into a sarcastic smile. "Cursed, huh? Yeah, I'm really risking my life for a cursed box. Totally makes sense."

Minho leaned forward with a teasing grin. "Or maybe you're just trying to keep us from seeing what's inside. Got something to hide?"

Y/N's hand clenched around the edge of the box, her patience wearing thin. "Keep it up, Minho. You won't like what happens next."

Jin, who had been quietly eating his meal, suddenly spoke up, his voice cutting through the rising tension. "Alright, enough. Whatever's in that box, I don't care. Eat first."

Y/N's eyes snapped up to meet his, surprised by the sudden shift.

Jin's expression was firm. "Seriously, you've been obsessing over that thing all day. It's not going anywhere. You need food more than whatever mystery is in that box right now."

Y/N opened her mouth to protest, but Jin didn't give her a chance. "You're making yourself miserable. Just eat. We'll deal with the damn box later."

She let out a heavy sigh, her shoulders slumping in resignation. With a muttered, "Fine," she reluctantly set the box down, its mystery still nagging at her mind.

As she finally picked up her fork, Hobi, sitting across from her, leaned in with a grin. "You know, Jin's right. It can wait. Besides, if it's really that important, it'll still be there when you're done."

Jimin added with a teasing smile, "Yeah, just don't make it your dinner. That would be weird."

Sehun leaned in, his voice low and teasing. "Still think you can open it on your own?"

Y/N shot him a glare, but there was less fire behind it now. "I'll manage, Sehun. But thanks for the help."

Hyungsik leaned back in his chair, a small grin tugging at his lips. "At least eat something before you destroy the box with all that frustration. You've been looking at it like you're about to throw it out a window."

Y/N smirked faintly but didn't reply, just stabbing her food with a little more force than necessary.

The group exchanged glances, their curiosity still lingering, but they respected Y/N's decision to focus on her meal. As she ate, the box sat on the table, forgotten-for now-but the tension around it lingered in the air, unspoken but ever present.

---

As the rest of the group finished their duties for the day, the hall slowly quieted. The firelight flickered, casting long shadows across the room. Everyone moved slower now, their bodies settling into the much-needed calm of the evening.

The crackling fireplace was the only sound in the hushed space, but it seemed to mock the storm brewing inside Y/N. Her gaze remained fixed on the battered box, her posture rigid, almost unnaturally still. Sehun leaned against the wall, his eyes trained on Y/N, exchanging a worried glance with Suga.

"She hasn't moved since breakfast," Suga murmured, his voice low with concern. "And the way she's staring at that box... it's unsettling."

Sehun nodded, his eyes never leaving her. "I don't think she's even eaten. It's like she's... lost in some kind of trance."

Jin sighed, pushing away from the table. "She's obsessed. That box... it's like a siren's call, pulling her deeper."

RM's expression was grave as he addressed the group. "We can't ignore this. Something's wrong. This isn't just Y/N being Y/N."

Just then, Taehyung entered the room. His footsteps were soft but echoed in the stillness. He paused upon seeing Y/N, his eyes narrowing. "Is she okay?"

"She hasn't moved since morning," Hyungsik answered, his voice tinged with worry. "She's... fixated on whatever's inside that box."

Jiwoo and Haru entered together, the toddler resting comfortably in Jiwoo's arms. The moment Haru spotted Y/N, she toddled over, babbling excitedly, reaching for the older girl.

Jiwoo smiled warmly but didn't linger, walking toward the group as Haru moved closer to Y/N. The momentary calm was brief, as the child's light laughter echoed in the room-but it didn't last.

The silence shattered suddenly. A sharp crack rang out through the air, the sound of the box hitting the floor. All eyes snapped to Y/N, who stood now, her body tense, her gaze locked on something-perhaps nothing at all. Her face was blank, cold, and her breath came in shallow, rapid bursts, as though she were struggling to maintain control.

Her fists were clenched tightly at her sides, knuckles white. For a moment, the room seemed to freeze.

The box lay on the floor, tipped over and scratched, its edges scraped against the ground. It hadn't simply fallen-it had been thrown. The sound of its impact reverberated through the room, unsettling the group.

For several seconds, no one moved.

Sehun was the first to react. His face drained of color, his voice shaky as he called out, "Y/N...?" His tone trembled, fearful that any wrong move might shatter the fragile silence.

Minho's composure cracked, his jaw tightening as he stared at Y/N, his voice barely a whisper. "Is this really happening?"

Hyungsik's eyes widened with panic, his voice tight with dread. "What do we do?" he asked hoarsely, frozen with fear but unable to tear his gaze away from her.

RM stepped forward cautiously, his voice low and uncertain. "Y/N, please... say something," he pleaded, his tone thick with concern.

The room fell into an oppressive silence, heavier than it had ever been. No one dared move, terrified that any sudden motion might set something off-something worse. This wasn't just a breakdown. It was something deeper, something beyond their understanding, and it left them paralyzed.

Y/N stood at the center of the room, her breath ragged, chest heaving in uneven rhythm. The person they knew-the calm, composed Y/N-was gone. In her place stood someone cold, distant, and unrecognizable. Her gaze, vacant yet piercing, sent an electric charge through the room, making the air feel taut, ready to snap.

The silence was suffocating, each second stretching endlessly. Only Y/N's shallow, erratic breathing filled the space, louder than it should have been. Every instinct screamed at them to act, to move toward her-but fear rooted them to the spot.

Sehun finally broke the silence, his voice barely a whisper, trembling as he spoke her name. "Y/N... please." He took a cautious step forward, his hands shaking at his sides.

Jimin's voice followed, strained but gentle. "It's us, Y/N. We're here. Just look at us."

But Y/N's vacant stare did not shift. Her eyes glazed, unfocused, as if they saw through them rather than seeing them. She flinched at their words, her breathing quickening in response.

Jin extended his hand but froze. Y/N's eyes, cold and unfamiliar, flickered-there was something chilling in their depths. A darkness that seemed to seep into the air, suffocating everything it touched.

"Y/N?" Jungkook's voice cracked with alarm, his eyes darting to the weapon now gripped in her hand.

"Wait, stop!" Taehyung called out urgently, taking a step forward, only to halt as Y/N's body stiffened, her grip tightening on the dagger.

Her hands trembled uncontrollably, her breath coming faster and shallower. Her unblinking gaze, though unfocused, shifted to the dagger. Her fingers twitched, torn between releasing the weapon or tightening her hold.

RM's jaw tightened as he stepped forward slowly, his voice steady but filled with quiet urgency. "Everyone, stay back," he commanded, though his own voice betrayed a trace of fear.

Her eyes darted between them, wild, unfocused-flashes of something dark flickering behind them. She took a hesitant step back, her body trembling, retreating further with each breath.

The room stood still, each of them caught in a tense, breathless standoff. No one dared move, and yet no one could look away. Every second felt like an eternity.

Then, they all saw it-the faintest flicker of recognition in Y/N's eyes. It was almost imperceptible at first, like a spark. Her chest heaved with a deep breath, the muscles in her body taut, like she was bracing for something. And then, it all unraveled.

Without warning, Y/N's grip on the dagger loosened, her hand going limp as she collapsed to the ground. The room seemed to freeze, the air heavy and thick, pressing down on them. Haru, still in Jiwoo's arms, whimpered in fright.

Sehun was the first to react, his voice a hoarse whisper as he rushed to her side. "Y/N?" He hovered over her, unsure whether to touch her. His heart hammered in his chest, the silence surrounding them unbearable.

Jin moved swiftly to help, his hands shaking but determined. They carefully carried her to the sofa, their movements frantic yet gentle.

Jiwoo was there immediately, her hands trembling as she checked Y/N's pulse. Her voice was small, nearly a whisper. "She's alive... It's faint, but it's there."

But the words didn't bring relief. Her pulse was weak and irregular, and Y/N's shallow breath only deepened the sense of dread in the room.

Suga knelt beside them, his eyes wide with confusion and fear. "What happened to her?" he muttered, glancing at the others. He wasn't afraid of Y/N-but the uncertainty of what was happening to her unsettled him.

"Is she going to be okay?" Hoseok asked quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. He clasped his hands together, as though holding himself steady.

Hyungsik, standing just behind the sofa, exchanged a glance with RM. He looked lost, his face clouded with uncertainty as he tried to process what had just happened.

RM, dazed, stared down at Y/N for a long moment. His mind raced to make sense of the events. He blinked slowly, shaking his head as if to clear the fog of his thoughts.

Then, his eyes moved, almost instinctively, towards the box. His gaze lingered on it for a moment, and he felt an unsettling chill run through him. There was a connection, something he couldn't quite put into words, but he knew it had something to do with the box.

Hyungsik noticed RM's sudden shift in focus, his eyes narrowing as he too turned his head to follow RM's gaze. His throat tightened. He didn't need to ask what RM was thinking. He was thinking the same thing. The box. Whatever was inside, it had to be tied to this-everything that had just unfolded.

"Do you think...?" Hyungsik started, his voice low, barely a whisper. He didn't even finish the thought, but the fear in his eyes was clear. There was something ominous about that box, something they hadn't yet understood, but it was at the center of this chaos.

The room seemed to grow colder as the group, one by one, shifted their focus to the box, a sense of dread creeping up their spines. The unease was thick in the air now, and it was clear to everyone-whatever was inside that box, it had set everything into motion.

A moment of silence passed, as everyone waited, hoping for answers but fearing what they might find.

---

The group sat scattered around the dimly lit room, tension thick in the air. Y/N lay unconscious on the sofa, her face pale, with Jiwoo perched anxiously beside her, Haru quietly playing with Jiwoo's scarf. On the floor, the mysterious box sat untouched, its carvings almost glowing in the firelight. The dagger, stained with a faint trace of her blood, still lay where it had fallen from her hand.

Hyungsik leaned back against the wall, his arms crossed, his brow furrowed in deep thought. "When did she even find that thing?" he asked, breaking the heavy silence.

"She didn't tell anyone," Jungkook said from his seat near the window, his voice low but concerned. "I only noticed it this morning at breakfast."

"Y/N's good at keeping secrets," Suga muttered, leaning against the far wall. "Too good, sometimes."

Jimin sighed, kneeling closer to the box, careful not to touch it. "Does anyone know where it came from? Was it on one of the scavenging runs?"

Hoseok shook his head, a worried frown etched on his face. "She didn't mention it to any of us. And you know how she usually gives me a heads-up when something's bothering her."

"Well, it is bothering her," RM said sharply, standing near the fireplace, his arms crossed. "Enough that she's lying there, unconscious. That's not normal."

"Did she say why she needed it open so badly?" Jin asked, his voice calm but serious.

Jiwoo shook her head. "Not really. Just... that it was important. She wouldn't stop trying, even when I told her to take a break."

Taehyung's brows knitted together as he leaned forward, studying the box. "If it's that old and stubborn, maybe it's locked with something more... specific. Like a code or a key."

"Or it's a trap," Hyungsik said flatly. "Ever think of that? Something that stubborn might be holding something dangerous inside."

"It doesn't look dangerous," Jungkook said, his curiosity evident as he shifted closer to get a better view.

"You want to bet your life on that?" Hyungsik retorted, shooting him a sharp glance.

"Let's not jump to conclusions," Jin interjected. "We don't know anything about it yet. And until she wakes up, we can't ask her."

Sehun sighed, pacing near the sofa. "We don't have time to wait around for answers. What if this thing is the reason she collapsed in the first place? It's obviously connected."

"And what do you suggest, Sehun?" RM asked, his tone measured but tense. "Pry it open and hope for the best? That could make things worse."

"Or solve the problem," Sehun countered, but his voice lacked conviction.

Hobi raised his hands, trying to diffuse the tension. "Guys, this isn't helping. Arguing won't get us anywhere."

Jungkook's gaze flicked between the box and Y/N. "She wouldn't have been this desperate if it wasn't important. Maybe it's not dangerous. Maybe it's... a clue. Or something we've been looking for."

"Or something she's been looking for," Minho murmured, his eyes narrowing as he thought.

Hyungsik sighed and sat down heavily. "Fine. We wait. But if she doesn't wake up soon, we'll have to decide what to do."

The room fell into uneasy silence again. Suga glanced at Y/N, his expression unreadable. "Whatever's in that box, it better be worth all this."

The fire crackled softly as the group settled into a tense vigil, their eyes darting between Y/N, the box, and the dagger. Whatever answers the box held, it was clear they wouldn't come easily-and they wouldn't come without a cost.

---

The soft light of dawn filtered through the cracks in the walls, casting long shadows across the room. Y/N remained motionless on the sofa, her bruised body a silent testament to the waterfall incident. The fire had long died down, leaving the room eerily quiet. The dagger rested nearby, its presence heavy in the silence.

Sehun sat beside Y/N, eyes red from hours of worry, while Haru, finally asleep, lay curled up nearby, unaware of the tension.

Hyungsik stood by the window, arms crossed. "She's still out," he muttered, his voice low with concern.

Hobi shifted restlessly. "This isn't right. She should've woken up by now."

Suga leaned against the far wall, arms crossed. "She's been through too much, but this feels different. It's like... she's stuck."

The group fell silent, the room heavy with worry. Taehyung knelt beside Y/N, his voice tight. "If she doesn't wake soon, we'll have to act."

Jiwoo sniffled, holding back tears. "She's been pushing herself too hard... she won't listen."

Then, a soft rustle broke the silence. Y/N's hand twitched, then her fingers clenched. Her eyes slowly fluttered open, her breathing shallow, labored. For a moment, she just lay there, disoriented, before her eyes focused on the box across the room.

She didn't look at anyone. Her expression hardened as she shifted, struggling to sit up, wincing from the pain. Her gaze locked on the box, and without hesitation, she reached for it.

No words. No glance toward the group. Just a sharp focus on the box in her hands.

Minho moved to speak, but RM stopped him with a hand. Taehyung took a step forward, but Jiwoo held him back, her eyes pleading for silence.

Y/N stood, clutching the box tightly, then headed straight for the door. Without a word, she pushed it open and stepped outside into the morning light.

The group exchanged a quick, worried look, then followed her out, knowing they couldn't leave her to face whatever came next alone.

Y/N stepped outside, her eyes scanning the area with quiet intent. The group had followed her out, standing a little distance away at the entrance of the town hall. They waited in tense silence, unsure of what she would do next, but the uncertainty hung thick in the air.

Her gaze swept the ground, searching, until it landed on a medium-sized rock, not too big, but sturdy enough for her purposes. She moved toward it without hesitation, crouching to pick it up with a swift, practiced motion.

With the rock now in her hand, she turned back to the