It didn't stay with only doubt, Taehyung soon discovered. They've been on the island for around a week now, filled with new discoveries and actions. The group has been quite successful in taking over the dangerous jungle, finding supplies to build their float so they could leave. But this week, Jungkook announced they should rest to gain back their powers for a successful leave.

All of them of course listened to him.

So they stopped working on the float, relaxing in the sun and staying on the beach most of the time. A few of them went hunting while the rest of the group stayed on the beach and allowed themselves to enjoy the tropical weather and some even commented this could've been the perfect holiday.

Taehyung wanted to agree with them, shyly approaching the group again who welcomed him with a few suspicious looks but stayed silent otherwise. The little raven has been craving for human contact so much that he threw his subconsciousness over board and sat down to Jimin's side. The silver haired male has been quite distant to Taehyung but the social contact was low so he didn't mind the friend's presence close to him while he was sunbathing.

"Hey, where's Jungkook?", Taehyung asked curiously when he looked around and couldn't spot the male anywhere. Jimin snickered. He was turned on his stomach and lifted his head and opened one eye to stare at Taehyung accusingly. "Why, so you can question him again?", he spat out.

It surprised Taehyung to be accused like that, showing his surprise to Jimin in wide eyes and parted lips. "N-no, I was just w-wondering", he stuttered out but Jimin clicked his tongue, rolling on his back. "Yeah, just wondering. Y'know, unlike you, he's really trying to help and assists us with his knowledge while you're just swimming with your fucking dolphins and do nothing to help the group!", Jimin hissed at Taehyung, his eyes fiery and showing nothing but disgust and hatred.

Taehyung bit his tongue, not daring to say that he has found a fountain for himself and more food supplies than he could eat, knowing how to hunt himself and how to make fire, his survival kit helping immensely also his knowledge about surviving in different types of natural surroundings. He just didn't want to be close to this weird island boy.

"You don't have to snap at me because of this, Jimin", Taehyung replied softly while Jimin just huffed and rolled his eyes. Taehyung has gotten to know Jimin as a friendly and kind male but this attitude was something new to him. If he was honest to himself, it scared him.

This island seemed to pull all the bad characteristics out of the people.

"Whatever. You'll get what you deserve. If it wasn't for Jungkook, we would've pushed you away already but he says we should be understanding. He says you hit your head badly so you become moody. Which is okay, we're stranded that's fucking insane. But we have to work together and we don't need an outsider questioning our leader", Jimin said. Taehyung notice the usage of different pronouns 'we' and 'you'.

It showed him clearly that he wasn't part of the group and all because he believed there was more behind Jungkook's kind acting. "He's your leader already, so you simply follow him without questions? Do you even hear yourself? Jimin! You can't allow someone else to think for you!", Taehyung protested, tried to reason Jimin but the silver haired male showed no care in the world.

"It's much easier to trust someone, y'know. This is about trust and we trust that Jungkook knows what he's doing since he's here longer than all of us. You should trust him too, he's really nice and he even seems fond of you, unlike all of your rudeness", Jimin replied back plainly and it again shocked Taehyung to the core. Because Jimin just gave up his own mind for the lead of a stranger, in the simple belief he was the savior Jimin couldn't be.

This was so sick and twisted that it made Taehyung stumble away, finding his way into the jungle and throwing up near a bush. He was trembling, his entire body on fire while he bent over and emptied his stomach onto the moss. Hot tears burned his eyes and he had to close them, press the lids together while he was panting.

"This is so wrong... why is no one seeing it? Why does no one see that he doesn't eat with us, that he disappears only to show up in the middle of the night?", Taehyung said to himself while coughing before he took out the small bottle of water. The bottle has been a gift by heaven, found in the depths of his kit, the last remaining thing of civilization.

"Why are they so blind to all the scary thing surrounding him?", he mumbled, feeling despair rising in his chest. It was horrible that they all closed their eyes and that none of them believed him. Taehyung felt like he was talking to walls and it gave him anxiety on how dazed they already appeared, all listening to Jungkook.

Taehyung had the scary feeling that was exactly what Jungkook wanted.

"I've seen what you're talking about", a sudden voice said behind him and Taehyung whipped around just when Namjoon moved into his sight, the whiteness of his bandaged arm first falling into focused while Taehyung stared at him surprised. "Y-you... believe me?", Taehyung asked carefully, hoping it wasn't a joke.

He hated that they were already calling him crazy.

Namjoon nodded, purple hair falling into his forehead while he stepped over a few branches to get closer to the petite raven who fumbled with his little bag securely wrapped around his thin waist. "I do. I've seen him sneaking away in the middle of the night. He has also never eaten in our presence, only stared hungrily at us while we were eating. I first believed he's just not used to eating under others but it got kinda creepy and I feel uncomfortable around him", Namjoon explained and Taehyung exhaled relieved.

"I know right! Something about him gives me goosebumps, it's scary", Taehyung eagerly replied, relieved to finally find someone who was feeling the same about the suspicious blonde. Namjoon laughed silently. "But this stays in between us, okay? I don't think it'll be wise to anger them further", the purple haired man said and Taehyung immediately nodded.

"I understand. It's enough already that they hate me and want me gone", the little raven nodded. Namjoon shot him a look of pity. "Hey, I don't hate you. I understand you, this guy has been here for who knows how long and he could be whatever. Even a cannibal, I don't know... the way he acts is lulling, I feel dizzy talking to him which is not a good sign. So I'm on your side, Taehyung-ah", Namjoon smiled and Taehyung smiled hopefully back at him.

"Thank you, Namjoon. I appreciate it."

And Taehyung meant him. Because he had finally someone by his side who shared the same doubts as him.

~

Namjoon's believing Tae! What do you think? Are Tae's doubts comprehensible?

Ela_koo