chapter 1

His mother and father weren’t supposed to fall in love. They weren’t supposed to find a mate in one another. They weren’t supposed to.

His father was already at the pound four years before she was even alive. Dhole’s are a rare hybrid to find, but people don’t often like wild dogs; only a niche group look for his kind. Mostly the bunnies, cats, or dogs were always leaving the crib almost as soon as they left the womb. He was there to see her come in swaddled by a purple blanket and be placed in the newborn room. There was a window that allowed for any adopters to take a look at the fresh ones if they didn’t want an older hybrid. She was special, a red fox hybrid, and just as rare as he was. She wasn’t all that different from him, not too far in the phylogenic tree from him. Once all the nurses made their rounds and left and no potential adopters were around, he made his way into the newborn room. He approached her crib and he reached out to stoke her cheek and wrap her up tighter. She latched onto his index finger and it was then that he knew she was someone he wanted to watch over and protect.

The pound was a cruel place; the hybrids didn’t have names but numbers. He was 049124 and she was 87532. He didn’t like referring to her as a number and gave her a name calling her Peanut, and when she was old enough she called him Jelly. The peanut butter and jelly sandwiches they always served for lunch was their inspiration. Despite the dietary needs of the hybrids, they feed them high carbs and low protein to keep them weak. She loved those sandwiches though and said peanut butter pairs perfectly with jelly. She figured since he calls her peanut she would call him jelly.

They played in the play room together when she was six and he was ten. Adopters could observe this room as well and choose from the older lot if they didn’t want a newborn. Even with the age gap they got along well because she always acted mature for her age and was usually the more reasonable one of the two. She was the brain and he was the brawn. No one ever picked them though, claiming that taking care of such a special species is so expensive and they want something cute not exotic. She would often get sad that no one was picking them up, but he would always hug her and sing her to sleep with one of the songs they heard from a movie that always played on the channel that never changed in the play room. She would instantly calm down in his embrace.

When they got older and she was seventeen and him twenty-one they were still at the pound, but it didn’t bother them because they had eachother. As time went by their platonic best friendship blossomed into a romantic relationship. They would sneak secret kisses and longing hugs when the nurses weren’t looking. It was after all forbidden for hybrids to be in a relationship at the pound, they were just stock meant to be sold. At night when all the lights were out, and the nurses were asleep at their station she would sneak into his room claiming she didn’t want to be alone. He would gladly let her slip into his bed. They would kiss and hold eachother, but the kisses grew more passionate and heated leading to tangled sheets.

She was three months along when they confirmed that she was indeed with a kit. She already knew when he leaned his head against her stomach and heard a second heartbeat. He promised to her that this was the happiest moment of his life besides the moment he met her. He kissed her and asked her to marry him. “Silly, we can’t get married.” He looked at her and stated clearly, “maybe not here, but I want you to be my wife.” Understanding him better she kissed him again and now called to him with a new name, my husband. They did their best to hide it, but her morning sickness didn’t go unnoticed by the staff. The staff was livid that she was carrying a child. They couldn’t legally take the child from her and sell it either, she wasn’t a breeding hybrid. They told her into the doctor’s office and she was scheduled for an abortion in a few days when the pills would come in the mail. She was panicking and begging the nurses not to make her give up her child. They even separated her from him isolating her in a room and him in a cage. She grew ill from stress and anxiety, especially the separation. Her normally rosy apple cheeks were now hollowing and dull from her normal radiance faded.

At night a few days after the separation, he was able to escape his cage after monitoring the guard’s patterns. He unlatched the carabiner that held the guard’s keys hooked onto one of his belt loops when he walked by the cage spewing slurs at him. He hid them under his pillow and waited for the guard to go to sleep to make his escape. He wasn’t a fox, but he shared genetics and learned a few things over the years being with you. She used to be able to sneak an extra sandwich from the trays and split it to share. He made it out quietly of his cage when the guard was asleep on a chair facing the tv lowly humming a sitcom. He snuck his way down the hallway when the nurses lingering finally rounded the corner and tuned into her scent and the two familiar heartbeats.

He knocked on her door calling softly to her, afraid of waking anyone. She bolted out of the corner of the room she’s curled herself into. She jiggled the door handle, but it wouldn’t give. “Calm down Peanut, I’m here. Give me a second.” He tried any of the keys and after seven unsuccessful attempts the door finally opened. She threw her arms around him, but before returning the embrace he shushed her looking around for anyone and said, “Let’s run away. Let’s get out of here! We can live happily together—the three of us.” Without any hesitation she agreed nodding so fast it translated as a blur of ears flopping up and down;” Anything is better than these white walls”. Even though they grew up here they shared no sentiment to these walls.

With nothing to their name, they snuck pass the front desk of sleeping nurses and made their way to the shelter’s kitchen. They pushed open the back door that lead to the delivery dock. The night was covered in a thick fog that grew more ominous culture with yellow flood lights. The door’s trigger alarm went off signaling someone opened the emergency exit door. Shocked with the noise they clasped eachothers hand and he cupped her face with his other, “Don’t look back! Keep running, run peanut!” She always listened to him and this time she took it to heart. Their feet carried them to the end of the parking lot and slipping through a few crooked bars. They were just wide enough to squeeze through the opening in the iron fence. She slipped after him protecting her belly from the rusted ends of the protruding bars.

On the dock behind them they heard, “They’re over there! Get ‘em boys!” The sound of hound hybrids barking and hitting the pavement in a sprint was enough incentive for them to pick up their pace. Stumbling over foliage they made their way into the dense tree line of the forest. The sound of barking and pound officers (sickly nicknamed poachers amongst the hybrids for their cruel nature) on their tail didn’t slow. Their lungs were burning, and she was slowing down. He reassured her, “Peanut, please, don’t give up now. Keep going for our kit.” Nodding in understanding she kept up with him maintaining the pace forward. The night sky didn’t help, but they followed the stars they could see through the breaks in the clouds. They came upon a river surrounded by walls of eroding cliffs that was at least a third of a mile (five hundred meters) wide. He looked at her and said, “Trust me on this.” He took her by the hand and jogged down the small decline and directly into the murky, cold water that was hip deep. He removed his shirt and hers and let it flow down the river. This would throw off their scent long enough and have them go a different direction than the poachers.

He looked around the cliffs and saw a little cave tucked away down the river. They made their way to the dark cave fighting against the currents pulling away the curtain of vines that covered the entrance. He pulled her close to him to minimize the effect of cold water and in comfort. “We’re going to be okay Peanut. We’re going to be okay.” He could hear both of their heartbeats racing and tugged themselves further into the water to their shoulders to dull the raging sounds. In his mind he kept apologizing to them both, he never wanted her to be in a situation like this; he would fight for his freedom, his little family’s freedom, if that’s what it took. The sound of barking got closer and eventually they heard footsteps above them and splashing from another group close by in the water. He covered her mouth roughly not being able to see in the dark with his hand to soften her whimpers of fear. He even put a hand over his own mouth to soften his harsh breathing. The hounds sniffed the air and lead them close to hidden cave in the water. The hound’s heads shot up and they started barking and running down the river where they let their shirts drift away to. The sound of splashing and thrashing in the water drifted farther and the sounds above stopped. They waited a few minutes and even a while longer after the sound of the officers and hounds disappeared. He embraced her tightly and repeated, “I love you so much.” She whispered it back in between the chattering of her teeth. The moon was high in the sky by the time they made it past the veil of vines in the cave back to the river. They made it past the river and wandered into a small town miles out. The population was only about a hundred people overall, so the chances of running into someone was scarce.

An abandon home in poor condition stood out at the end of the trees clearing. It held a grim aura with the very wood that was its foundation falling off the home’s walls evident from water damage. It was enough to assume this place was empty. They looked at eachother knowingly, at this point they just wanted to rest and proceeded with caution. He broke open the bloated, water damaged front door and stepped inside to the musky smelling living room. He found covered furniture and random knickknacks all haphazardly laying around. Everything seemed untouched for decades with the outdated antiques. The dust quantity was thick, so he covered his mouth with his hand and proceeded forward. He told her to wait by in the living room while he checked the rest of the house. He lowered himself with his ears flat against him using his Dhole’s ability to creep silently. What seemed to be a master bedroom had a slightly tattered mattress on the floor and the other rooms had boxes of old clothing. He called for her and gave her a change of clothes to get out of their wet ones. They pulled off the sheets covering the furniture in the living room and propped a lingering chair under the bedroom door to prevent anyone from coming in. They beat the dust out of the mattress the best they could and laid down together. They made pillows out of extra clothing adjusting themselves as close together as possible. They fell asleep purring and holding each other tight. He kissed her forehead reassuring her that they made it and all would be okay.

The next morning, they heard the front door creaking open and chattering echo from the living room down the empty hallway. He shot up from his sleep and shook her awake. His ears were searching out the sounds to identify if it may be the poachers. She rubbed her eyes and then sat up hearing the noise from the front. He made his way to the living room with a broken off piece of wood from the house and she grappled to the back of his shirt behind him. They were ready to run again if needed. Once they caught an equally shocked elderly couple standing amongst the furniture in the living room, they tensed and he lifted the wood plank. He had the post in the air ready to swing, but stopped seeing the elderly couple raise their hands up in surrender. He lowered it slightly protectively across his chest with both hands ready, not trusting them completely and started to growl at them. The couple lowered their raised hands slightly and the elderly woman announced, “dear, we’re not here to hurt you. We heard noises coming from here last night and wanted to check on it in the daylight. Honey, please tell them.” She turned to the old man and he nodded and continued, “please, we won’t hurt you. Put down the plank boy. Are you both okay?” Unsure of the couple he exchanged looks with his wife, but because he couldn’t sense any aggression from them he let it rest at his side. “Better” the older woman exclaimed. “I don’t know where you two are from, but it’s for sure not from the likes of around here. Come over to our house, its right next door about a hundred yards away, and get warmed up and fill your bellies.” With a growl in appreciation from her stomach she stepped away from behind him and the older woman gasped, “Oh, well the three of you are more than welcome to come over.” She held onto jelly’s forearm and nodded indicating she trusted them.

The old couple was so nice. They offered them a bath, food and a place to stay for the meanwhile. Their daughter, whom married a golden retriever hybrid, both joined them later greeting the couple. She was also pregnant and expecting soon.

Peanut and Jelly stayed at their home for a while, but Peanut went back to the abandon house and started renovating. They couldn’t afford to buy a brand-new home, but they were going to be resourceful. The daughter’s husband even joined and helped him clean up the house. It was crowded with everyone in the house and he didn’t want to keep mooching off the kind family. They were able to sell some of the odds and ends in the house and repair some of the furniture for use. They built a picket fence around the lot and in a few months the house was as good as new with the modern renovations. The blacken and dark brown wood was now replaced with fresh wood that was painted white. While the husbands were out fixing the home, the elderly woman taught her how to cook, clean and even sew. She became the mother she never had. She even gained a sister and brother figure with the other young couple. The ever so kind family helped them get anything they needed for the new house.

Six months later her water broke, and the baby was coming. He didn’t know what to do with his wife hunched over in pain, so he called over the elderly woman and the daughter, who also had given birth recently, to come help. They ran over and went to work as soon as they saw her on the floor. Labor was eight hours long, but it gave them a healthy red fox. The boy cried after he came out but hushed when he was placed on his mother’s chest skin to skin. He leaned down and cooed at his son, “Hey little man. Welcome to the world!” His son’s small hand latched onto his and held onto his dad’s finger. He smiled the biggest grin and shed tear, he’s definitely his mother’s child. The elderly woman cooed out, “What will you name him?” She looked up and said, “Jelly, can we name him Taehyung? I really like that name.” He smiled and placed a kiss on her sweaty forehead and said “Of course, Peanut.”

Four years later

His mom was hanging up the bed sheets on the clothing line in the backyard and filtered the warm Summer light scattering random prints on the grass. Taehyung ran through the drying sheets giggling at the top of his lungs. His mom scolded him saying he’s going to pull down the sheets and she’ll have to wash them again. He changed his direction of motion and started chasing the bugs around the yard. There was a frog that always frequented his yard from the nearby river bank. He started imitating the frog and even ribbiting causing his mom to laugh at his antics. He turned and gave his mom a boxy smile. Taehyung’s father even found a job not too long after he was born. There was another resident about ten minutes away that owned acres of land that he used as a farm. His father discovered he had a green thumb and even planted a small garden in their own yard. They took to the town’s culture and community with ease, everyone was accepting of hybrids. It was almost like a sanctuary and the town took to them just as easily. They even got discounts at the local farmers market now.

When his father came home from work they would all come outside and lay on the low platform bed (pyung sang) and nibble on fruit for dessert. His mother was peeling apples and his dad laid on his back with his hands behind his head. Taehyung set his head on his dad’s abs and imitated his position. After years of working hard labor his dad became muscular and even could carry Taehyung on one of his arms. They would watch the stars while a low hum from the portable radio would play. His dad told him stories of the stars, how they were fireflies that sacrificed themselves to become big lights to guide people at night. They’re the guardians of the night. Taehyung so excited about his dad’s story shot up from his spot and went to run in the yard stirring up the resting fireflies on the blades of grass. They filled up the patio flying erratically around, over and under. Taehyung’s dad sat up smiling at his son, when Taehyung brought his hands clasped to his parents back on the platform. On his knees he sat in front of his parents and opened his hands, “Look dad, a guardian!” He laughed and ruffled his son’s hair and brought him in to sit on his lap to observe the light show together. He kissed his son’s forehead and said, “I love you Tae.” He turned to his wife and placed a gentle kiss on her lips and finished his statement, “I love you, forever and always.” She smiled and scooted closer leaning her head on his shoulder and Taehyung leaned into his dad’s chest. Nights like these were always– perfect.

Taehyung’s mom was in the kitchen and Taehyung was sitting outside with Hoseok flicking pebbles to see who could get them the farthest. Hoseok’s mom was best friends with his mom and asked her to baby sit her son while she ran some errands. They’ve always been close and since they were born only months a part they felt like real brothers. One of the pebbles Taehyung flicked landed on the frog that always hung out in his yard. “Froggy, I’m sorry. No, don’t leave, I didn’t mean to hit you!” Taehyung ran after the frog who slipped through the white picket fence that surrounded the property. “Froggy!”, Taehyung called after the escaping frog. Without thinking he unlatched the gate and ran after his little buddy. Hoseok looked back inside to see Tae’s mom busy prepping for lunch, leaving him with no choice to follow Taehyung and bring him back. He didn’t like the frog that much after all, he was kind of willing to let it go.

Hoseok ran after Taehyung catching up with him soon enough to the shore of the river bank where the frog actually lived. Taehyung went into the water trying to fish Froggy out to apologize, but stood back up empty handed. He started to sob, “I didn’t mean it Froggy!” They heard some crunching of twigs and leaves and both turned around. In shock Taehyung stopped sobbing immediately.

You and your big brother would often spend the Summer running around trying to find something to do after your morning chores were done. Your grandpa always told you two to be back by sunset and not go off too far. You were a tomboy, not entirely your choice but as four-year-old kid it worked. Your choppy bowl cut your grandmother cut for you, and hand me downs from your older brother solidified the masculine vibe about you. Your choppy bowl haircut was because your grandma couldn’t hold the bowl still. It kept sliding and she kept cutting not realizing the uneven lines resulting in a lopsided choppy haircut. You didn’t mind though, only when the other kids in the neighborhood called you a boy. Your brother taught you enough defense on how to beat them up, you put it to use on them. Although he didn’t teach you to respond to violence with violence, these boys wouldn’t leave you alone. Your brother was seven and was told to look after you when you both wander. He was the kind of big brother you could always rely on and would be the first in action when it came to you. You came from a poor household that always lived pay check to pay check. Your parents were always gone working multiple jobs just to keep everyone feed. Your grandparents were too old and sick to go out and gets jobs, so they stayed back and raised you both. This is why you and your brother were outside on this hot Summer day, you couldn’t afford toys or an air conditioner so outside it is. You decided to hangout by the river bank and set your feet in the cool water. The trees always provided a nice shade and the river boulders were great seats.

You and your brother made your way off the dirt road and walked down the hill to the emerald river bank. You told your brother you’d race him to see who gets there first but of course he wins with his longer legs. Your shorter legs and shoes that had holes in them often slowed you down. You huffed when you arrived a second later at the bank, but you both turned to your side to catch sight of a boy digging into the river and then crying. You approached the pair and up front asked, “What’s wrong? Are you guys hurt? Did you lose something?” Taehyung shook his head and said through his sobs, “Froggy. He ran away and I hurt him on accident. I really didn’t mean to.” You and your brother honestly only caught parts of it since he was a blubbering mess so Hoseok interpreted for you both. Oh’s flowed afterwards, finally understanding and your brother was first to offer help in searching for Froggy. This helped ease Taehyung’s sadness and you went to pat his head only then taking in his ears and tail and then ears and tail on Hoseok. “Who are you guys by the way?” Hoseok stood up from his place among the river bed and said, “I’m Hoseok but call me Hobi, I live right over there. I’m a dog hybrid.” He stated when he was noticed your staring. Taehyung then spoke, “I’m Taehyung but call me Tae, and I live right there. I’m a fox hybrid.” You smiled and then introduced yourself, “I’m Y/N call me Y/N, and I’m human. That’s my older brother, he’s human too.” Laughing at how silly you guys sounded you kept searching for Froggy.

A larger rustling sounded through brush and Taehyung’s mother came in the clearing. “There you are! Why did you guys run off, I was so scared!” She sighed in relief and went to check on the two boys and then looked to you guys. “Oh, hello, I didn’t know you made some friends Tae and Hobi.” You and your brother waved hello and introduced yourselves. “Well, would your new friends like to come play in the yard where I can watch you guys. I made some sandwiches, enough for everyone.” She was petting Taehyung’s ears and patting Hoseok’s head in question. You answered happily, “Yes! Please, can we?” His mother nodded and escorted you four back to the house forgetting Froggy’s apology.

An afternoon with sandwiches and playing yard games they could think of became a daily routine. You and your brother made it over to his house or Hoseok’s house to play after morning chores. The one time your parents let you and your brother sleep over at Taehyung’s with Hoseok too, you all laid out on the low platform outside not wanting to go to sleep just yet. His mother was nice enough to give them candies she got from the local market. They were all nibbling on their treats when Taehyung interrupted, “Do you guys know the legend of the stars?” Everyone turned to him, but no one had a clue to what he was talking about. Taking the silence as his cue he continued, “my dad told me that the stars in the sky are actually fireflies. They stay far, far away so that they can shine a big enough light to protect us at night. He calls them the Guardians.” Hanging on every word he said they turned to the sky again taking in the Guardians, “wow”, only came out of Hoseok’s mouth. Taehyung sat up and put his arms up in the sky, “You guys are like my fireflies, my best friends!” All giggling at his statement, your brother shot up and with his fist in the air, “we are the Guardians!” Everyone joined him afterwards in chant and went to run around the yard waking the resting fireflies. You all were running around the yard, but a single firefly landed on your nose and Taehyung looked at you and blushed, “my firefly.”

A year went by and it was already Summer again. In the fall you, Taehyung and Hoseok were supposed to go start school together. Nothing much changed from your everyday routines. You guys would always wander to eachothers house. Your brother went out shopping with your grandma to carry the groceries for her. You were with you grandpa at the house finishing your chores. Haphazardly finishing everything, excited to spend another day on a new adventure, you yelled to your grandpa goodbye as you were already out the door. Today was hot so you wanted to go down to the river bank again and soak away the heat. Your grandpa laughed as you were trying to run out the door with your shoes half on, he called after you to be home before dark. That day you did spend it by the river bank with Taehyung and Hoseok. You even got to test out the new hammock that Tae’s dad hung up. Your big brother came later after helping your grandma put away the groceries. You all played till sundown where orange, pink and lavender shadows covered the floor. They all parted with Hoseok going back home, Taehyung going up the hill and you and your brother down the dirt road a few minutes from home.

Earlier that day Taehyung’s dad went to work with a lunch bag in hand from his wife. He kissed her goodbye and even came back for seconds before finally walking away. She went back inside to make breakfast for her and Taehyung, who was still sleeping. He clocked in with his boss and went into the field with other workers. He was pulling weeds out of the pepper plants and fertilizing them after. The plants tower high to his waist. After hours of working nearing time to go back home, he sees a van and black and white car pull up to the front of the of the produce sorting building. Four men got out of the vehicles, two in police outfits and the other two in khaki outfits. He recognized the outfits, it’s the same one from the pound. His eyes widened, he hasn’t heard from or seen them in five years. He was so sure he lost them long ago; that enough time has passed for his family to be safe. He ran and ducked below the plant line he ran into the neighboring apple tree orchard. He hid behind the trees to make sure he was concealed.

The police and pound officers approached some line workers and asked where their boss was. They pointed towards an office door situated near one of the sorting machines. The police officers thanked them and carried on towards the office. The poachers snuck out to the fields to look for the hybrid they came for. One tall, bulky officer knocked on the door and while chewing gum obnoxiously, “Hey, old man. You in there? We have a warrant to search around for a hybrid.” Hearing the commotion, the old man who took his father under his wing and acted like a father to him answered the door. “I’m sorry officer, but I don’t have any hybrid labor on this farm. I don’t employee hybrids.”

His father has told the farmer before about how he ended up in this town and promised to keep his secret from anyone who ask. The cop stood up straighter and adjust his belt tucking in his shirt farther down his pants.” Look old man, I don’t want to do this the hard way but if you don’t tell me what I want you leave me with no choice.” The old man kept insisting, “I don’t have a hybrid employee. You’ve must’ve gotten a false call.” The cop sighed and spit out his gum on the carpeted floor. He closed the door behind him while the other officer waited outside and adjusted his button up sleeves to his elbows. Fear was in the old man’s eyes and he began to pace back until he hit his desk. The officer then turned around and threw a punch knocking the old man to the floor. He kicked him in the stomach once with a grunt and then crouched down to him. “You sure you want to test me buddy?” The old man kept his promise though.

The cop exhaled outwardly got back up and ran his hand through his now out of place gelled back hair. He turned around abruptly and violently kicked the old man again. The old man was spitting up blood and his eye was puffing and darkening with a blossoming bruise. The door suddenly opened with the two poachers and Taehyung’s father was thrown to the floor in front of the old man. His father’s hands were tied behind his back and a rope tight around his neck that was strapped back to one of the poacher’s wrist. They stepped on his tail and he let out a heavy yelp. The other officer was standing guard at the door, monitoring other employees who were looking worriedly at the door and shocked seeing their friend being dragged. The police officer chimed in, “Well, well, well, what do we have here? It seems like a hybrid was here after all!”, he says in a cynical voice. He came stand in front of his father and yanked his head back forcing the hybrid to make eye contact with the officer. Tae’s dad growls and snaps his jaw towards the hand within reach. The grip in his hair only gets tighter and he spits in Taehyung father’s face, “dirty mongrel, you hybrids are nothing but filth.” His father flinched away yelling in disgust. The officer let go of his hair and his dad eyes moved to the old man in front of him. He couldn’t take his eyes off the old man on the floor. The older man looked back to him with one eye only able to open and told him without any words “it’s okay.” The officer beat his father shouting slurs with every hit before calling in on his radio that they’ve caught the hybrid. They drug Taehyung’s father to his feet and tightened the rope around his neck. Before he was dragged out the office he spit out the blood in his mouth and said to the old man still on the floor, “tell my Peanuts that I love them very much.” He was then dragged out of the building and forced into the cage in the back of the van. He viciously snarled at them through the bars, but they prodded him with a shock rod. He curled back in pain and the poachers laughed at his misery. Both vehicles left as if nothing ever happened with their captive; everything was eeriely silent in the aftermath.

The old man used his desk to prop himself up knocking his name plate and pencil cup over and shuffled his way out of the room. He had blood on him and couldn’t see out of his right eye, but he had to fulfill a mission before he gave into the pain. Other employees were looking at him with wide eyes and one employee who was close to Taehyung’s father ran up to him and asked what happened. He didn’t respond to him about what happened inside his office but asked for him to drive him in his pickup to Taehyung’s father home. The guy didn’t want to waste any more time with questions he wasn’t going to get the answers to yet and hung the old man’s arm around his shoulder and helped him to the truck.

The drive was relatively short to the house. The old man knocked on the front door hard and continuously until it was opened. Jelly opened the door taking in what happened. Cupping the old man’s face in her hand she asked what happened, but he didn’t respond to that question instead said, “You need to go. You need to get far away from here.” Her eyes widened, and Taehyung appeared beside her leaving his drawing on the coffee table behind,” Mom?” She was frozen in place and kept repeating no like a mantra. Tears filled her eyes, but his dad’s coworker held her up and said, “You need to go. Now!” The old man took a second and told her the last words he said to him, “he told me to tell you that he loves both his peanuts very much.” Sobs started wreck through his mom, he was so confused, why would dad send his message through someone else. Why was he late to coming home?

He tugged at the hem of her skirt and that broke her sobs when she went to look him in the face. “Mom, what’s wrong?” She wiped her tears and spoke swiftly,” Tae, were going to go away on a trip for a while. We’ll meet dad at the meeting spot honey. We need to leave now.” She left Taehyung at the door with the two men and grabbed a suit case out of the closet to pack clothes and important things. She was able to finish packing in a few minutes and slipped from the frames next to their bed a family portrait and a photo of the four kids together into the suitcase. She came back to the front door leaving everything behind. She took Taehyung’s hand and her set of house keys off the key rack and closed the door behind her. She took the keys in case one day they get to return. She doubted it would ever happen, but just in case. The men asked her if she had anywhere to go and she nodded, “We’ve planned for a day like this.” She hugged both men and bid them goodbye and said to the old man, “Thanks dad, for everything.”

His mom walked with him to Hoseok’s house next door, but Hoseok wasn’t home running errands for his mom. When his mother knocked on the door, right away Hoseok’s mom answered. She looked at the baggage then back to her best friend’s and immediately she knew. She brought her in to a tight hug and started crying and then held Taehyung. She called for her husband and he came running to his wife. He took notice of the scene and became serious suddenly, “go call your relatives I’ll get the car ready.”

Shortly after they came to the town, before the kids were born, they told their story to the family and planned just in case the poachers find them. They always hoped it would never have to come down to this. Hoseok’s mom quietly pulled her to the side when Taehyung went inside, where her husband was, but she just got a shake of her head as a response and more tears. She brought her in to a tight embrace and comforting her the best way she could. Hoseok’s mom went inside and called her relatives. Her aunt, who lived in the city, was in on the plan and let them use an extra space in the house as a hide out. His mom thanked her a million times, but Taehyung was so lost watching everything. ”Mom, can I tell Y/N and her brother goodbye before we go?” His mom leaned down to him cupping his face, “Honey, we don’t have time for that, but I’m sure your friends will understand.” He just nodded, not completely understanding anything but he trusted his mom.

The three of them were in the car with Taehyung in the backseat and the luggage in the trunk. His mom had one last hug with Hoseok’s mom then his mom kissed her husband and said, “be safe, please.” They pulled out onto the dirt road and were gone. Taehyung looked out the backseat window to the night sky resting his head on the door. It was a very dark and starless night.

The distance from the small town to the city was about an hour and a half away. The highway was the fastest way to reach their destination, even though going through the side streets were safer. Taehyung curled up with Hoseok’s dad’s jacket and fell asleep somewhere within the first fifteen minutes. He was lulled to sleep by the humming of the car and exhausted from playing in the river bank all day. His mother was talking softly to Hoseok’s dad to kept distracted.

Before he knew it Hoseok’s dad was picking him up and cradling him in his arms out of the backseat. They parked a few streets away and arrived on a tucked away neighborhood that had houses sitting right next to eachother. It was deep in the inner streets off the main road. The houses he saw when he opened his eyes and looked around the slightly run-down area that had an outdated and old feeling to them. He snuggled further into Hoseok’s dad, not comfortable yet with his new environment. His mother behind him with the suitcase followed Hoseok’s dad into a gate and up stairs to the first-floor level of a house. The door opened to be greeted by Hoseok’s mom family. There was a mom, dad, daughter around the same age as Taehyung and a boy younger than Taehyung. His mom went through the formalities and was shown back out the front door to round the side of the house leading to stairs that declined to the semi-basement room. The metal door took a bit of force to open, but when inside it was half decent. It wasn’t dingy, but it didn’t feel like home either. It was a medium size room with an attached full bathroom. A full-size bed that used to be their daughters and had random sheets and pillow cases was set up taking up majority of the space. They were allowed to come up to the main house and use the kitchen. He laid Taehyung on the bed and told him to go back to sleep, “see you soon kiddo.” Taehyung only curled in to the blankets and fell asleep. His mother went to walk out with Hoseok’s dad and thanked him for everything. He told her not to thank him, “you’re family after all.” She brought him in for a hug and he got in his car and returned home with a heavy heart.

His mom came back into the room and laid next to him. She shushed her kit when he started whining and sang him a lullaby, the same one peanut used to, into deeper sleep. Tears rolled down from her eyes in silence as she finally got to sit with herself, “Where are you Peanut?”

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