Chapter Text
It was pouring heavily, the eldest of the group upset of the unexpected weather change.
"Guys.....it's not looking good out..."
He received no answer as his members were too immersed in an intense game of uno with 10$ on the line.
"Yesss, I almost have it!! UNO!!" Hoseok said with excitement, throwing in a bunch of cards.
"Ugh shut up!!" Jungkook jumped in, irritated. He had already lost every round, competitiveness and hurt ego had him already on the edge.
Yoongi kept quiet and just threw in a +10 card, trying not to laugh when Jimin looked at him with expression full of pain and hopelessness.
"You can't do t- you don't- can't be serious..." He murmured with a pile of cards in his hands before he gave up and threw them on the ground.
The air was heavy with tension as Jungkook tried to figure out what card Hoseok could possibly have.
Taehyung threw in a basic card, already tired of these games.
Namjoon then threw in a basic green card so Jungkook followed suit. And so did Hoseok.
"Yes!"
"Ahh come on bro!!"
"Ugh again? This is boring." Jimin said out loud, the room erupting in pure chaos.
"Nah you just can't play well." Hoseok smiled.
"That's why you won every single game?? Doubt it. Cheater." Jungkook tsked. As Hoseok went to answer, Jin cut in.
"Okay that's enough. What's next on the board?" He said, finally sitting down next to his friends after obsessing over the weather.
"I don't know, we've already played every game Hoseok owns." Jimin pointed to the empty cupboard, nothing but dust hogging the shelves.
"Not every! Look!" Taehyung jumped in, noticing a box of sort. Hoseok hummed.
"I do...? Let's check it..." He said with a raised eyebrow, reaching for it curiously.
Everyone gathered around in a circle around him after he got it.
It wasn't a box. Instead it looked like a book. It's cover was a deep burgundy, decorated with silver edges and a skull in the middle, a bird one with beautiful pink amethyst eyes.
"What is this?" Yoongi looked at Hoseok who shrugged.
"No idea, I don't remember buying this."
"Well? Open it." Jungkook hurried and Hoseok followed through. To their surprise, it was empty.
Just as they were about to question it, a strong thunder struck outside, lighting up the dark outdoors with a loud bang.
"Well....lights out." Jin groaned, everyone swallowed in darkness as the power turned off.
"Quick, grab a candle!! On the table-" Hoseok pointed out, blinded by the light of Namjoon's phone.
Jin grabbed the candle and lit it up, going around the room lighting any other he could find.
"Okay so no more games I guess. This is a sign." Taehyung laughed.
"Thank god. Let's relax for a bit. I have some movies downloaded to my computer." Jin smiled and started searching as everyone started gathering on the couch.
Hoseok brought in some snacks in big metal bowls, passing them around.
"Finally." Yoongi said in satisfaction, wrapping himself into a blanket.
Jin played the movie, which Taehyung was incredibly disinterested in. He opened his phone, scrolling through social media.
That didn't last long as Jin snatched it from him, eyebrows furrowed. Taehyung was about to complain but just sighed, turning to snacks instead.
At least the popcorn was good.
Everyone was locked into the movie, munching carelessly. Taehyung just couldn't.
He scanned the room for something that would catch his eye, but instead landed on the empty book again.
It was strange.... he could've sworn it was on the ground. But now it sat right on the bedside table.
He already knew it was empty. But something about the book drew him in. It was screaming his name.
Taehyung looked away for a bit, trying to resist, but he couldn't ignore it for long. He gave in, opening the book once more.
This time, it wasn't empty. It was filled with strange, unreadable lettering. It almost looked Arabic. It gave off the scent of dust and deterioration, clouding his senses.
Because he couldn't read it, he closed it up and instead focused on the beautiful craftsmanship of the cover. It was obvious the gems were real as his fingers glided over them.
His eyes lit up with a hot pink flash, making him stunned for a moment.
"What the hell?" He tossed the book onto the floor, clearing his throat.
"Weird."