Jack-IN-The-Box
Summary: High School was a pain, but now it’s time for the next chapter… College. Except this time, what happens when packing up for the dorms, you come across an old childhood toy? Memories say inside the box held a friend—But what are you worried about, right? It’s in the past, a child’s imagination.
WRONG! Innocent eyes see farther toward the unknown… But sometimes, the unknown can see you too.
~Pairing: Jung Hoseok (BTS) | Yandere/J-Hope x f! Reader
~Genre: Yandere au, Imaginary/Monster au, Angst & Mystery
~Word Count: 3.7K
**Warnings: Hallucinations and slight blood.**
“Okay… This is the last of them,” You grunted, huffing to a complete stop and gently stacking packed boxes that held your things, inside the moving truck—Today was the day, you’d be finally moving out and heading off to college in the big city on your own.
A smile stretched across your face when remembering the exact date you’ve got accepted into the most elite Academy: HYBE University of Music & Arts. It was said for this school to be the best in the world, campuses spreading across Korea, Japan, and even America… A place known for their different departments and diversities. Somewhere to be proud on doing what you love, without judgement or someone telling you it’s a waste of space and time.
Honestly, it was an artist’s dream and fantasy to study there! Especially when the campus is private and only takes chances on ones who they believe have potential—It didn’t matter if they were in the music, art, dancing, or acting industry.
Walking inside the house, the need filling you to double check once more to make sure the bedroom was completely empty, and nothing was getting left behind. Sighing in content and sadness when seeing nothing but furniture, looking bare as a guest room.
Little sniffles were heard from behind, as if someone was softly crying that had you turning around to see an older women standing near the door with clear tears shining in her eyes. A single hand over her mouth in a sobbing moment while scanning the room that use to belong to one of her two children.
“Eomma… You promised not to cry,” You whined, eyes narrowing playfully in her general direction. Although there was no use trying, you knew this was a losing battle before it begun… Your mother waving off the comment with a light glare that didn’t have much edge to it.
“Oh hush, I’m allowed to cry! My baby is leaving me, and in a few years, Jihun will do the same,” She said, wiping her tears in a dramatic way that you couldn’t help the eye roll from escaping—Your little brother… Jihun L/N. While you’ll be leaving for college, he’ll be starting his sophomore year. The time passed so fast that it was starting to scare you… Especially when the days go faster the more your older.
“Well, there’s always a possibility Ji will decide never to leave and stay here forever,” You teased, a grin forming at your mom’s scrunched up expression. Sadness immediately fallin’, rather forming into something more horrified at the idea.
“Don’t even joke like that!” She shouted, only for her eyes to soften the longer she gazed upon your delicate features. The women entering further into the bedroom to place a single hand on your cheek with a proud smile, wanting to remember this moment before you leave for the city—Knowing there won’t be a time you visit until Christmas, or longer.
Although the peaceful atmosphere was cut short, your right hand resting on her own… Eyes instantly zooming in on a visible scar. A scar that could be seen at a certain angle from your inner wrist—The women who raised and gave birth to you, flinched from your proximity as her expression turned cold.
It was like she was in a trance of sorts the longer the stare, deep in her memories.
Honestly, you actually didn’t know how the scar came to be… Not being able to remember much past your fourteenth birthday, and it’s not like anyone would tell you. Though from your family’s glazed out expression whenever seeing the slightly pink and scared flash, you could tell it was something they must’ve blamed themselves for—The scar, however, didn’t bother you as much as it did for them; being shaped almost like an “H”.
You’d always joke around, saying it represented hope for the future. Yet, your mother would instantly shut seeing the smiles fade and disappear from your parent’s faces whenever mentioned—Now, even your cousins refused to spend time with you… The only ones that seemed to be left in the dark was Jihun and yourself.
“You’re father…” She trailed, and if the room wasn’t so eerily quiet… You wouldn’t have been able to hear from how faint the tone was. Your mom seemingly snapping out of it, forcing a bright smile and quickly stepping back outside the bedroom as if it brought a sort of trauma to her now. “You’re father and brother will be following you from behind so they can help unpack boxes when arriving at the campus—Don’t forget your last box sweetie!”
Last box? But you…
Glancing around the room with a frown, you froze seeing a box sticking out slightly from underneath the bed. Confusion settling in at the sight—You were sure all the boxes were packed and downstairs in the moving truck. In fact, it wasn’t there before... Was it?
Shaking your head to rid of the paranoid thoughts, you knelt down and tried pulling the box out from its hiding spot. Curses leaving your lips when having a difficult time—It was like the damn thing didn’t want to leave!
“Argh… You stupid box, stop being so stubborn!!” You growled, yelping seconds later when tumbling backward into the dresser with a groan. Not expecting the box to give little resistance, the force causing it to slide across the floor until coming to a complete stop.
Rubbing your head and glaring in the direction of the cardboard box—You’ve noticed that it was pretty worn out to begin with, surprised filling you that it even managed to hold together in the first place. Although it was the pictures that caught your attention the most.
The box was practically covered in detailed drawings of chalk and crayon, some colorful and others just straight up… Unnerving.
Especially one that was a sloppy picture of a tiny figure, nothing but black with what appeared to be bunny ears on top of its head. Something about the drawing gave you chills—This definitely wasn’t one of your recently packed boxes.
Biting your lip and standing up, you picked up the box to head downstairs, dropping it on the coffee table before going to fetch a pair of scissors in one of the junk drawers. Immediately cutting the flaps open that was practically covered in duct tape… You didn’t know what to expect inside, but anticipation and excitement built up anyways. Only for those emotions to flatline when peering inside to see nothing but old junk.
A single hand reaching for a black worn-out bear with bunny ears that appeared to have a skeleton design for a body, an eye was missing and instead having an “X” marking stitch where the other white button should’ve been—Actually it was pretty cute, not scary then you would’ve thought for a toddler.
“Y/N! Get your lazy ass outside, appa is waiting and… What’s that? Aren’t you a little too old for stuffed animals?” Jihun shouted throughout the house, stopping mid-sentence seeing the bear/bunny still in your hand. Raising a single eyebrow and smirk breaking through, not bothering to conceal his laughter as you rolled your eyes.
“Shut up, this was the only thing left in my room that I found. Looks like old toys… Funnily enough, I can’t remember playing with any of these,” You said, putting the teddy down, nose scrunched up when reaching to pull out a dry-erase board and throwing it to the side with disinterest—Most of the toys contained dried up markers or clay, but Jihun did take interest in a rubric cube while rummaging through the box.
“Hey, weren’t you like… I don’t know, obsessed with this growing up?” Jihun said, lifting out and showing a steel tinplate box that was white/black with a bunch of doodles that appeared to look like someone wrote on it with permanent marker.
“Yeah… I mean, I think so?” You whispered, not realizing how you pulled—yanked—the object out of your brother’s hands. Observing the toy in a trance state, unconsciously shaking it but only hearing slight thumping and gears banging together.
A Jack-In-the-Box… You couldn’t remember anything from your childhood past, but there was this foggy piece of a memory surfacing. Little flashes of a younger version carrying the toy everywhere: Grandparent’s house, vacation, sleepovers, even something ridiculous as putting it outside the bathroom door for the box to “guard” you.
It didn’t matter where or how weird you appeared; the toy never once left your side… Until it did.
“If I remember correctly, you were convinced there was a boy living in there. Even gave him a name, I think it was Hopie, Hope? Or maybe it was Jay…” Jihun trailed, shrugging and snickering at the time his older sister acted more childish than he was whenever it concerned her imaginary friend. “Whatever it was, you’d talk to it all the time and would even stuff sandwiches inside. I’m surprised its clean from how much food you shared with the damn toy.”
“Hmm, none of that rings a bell,” You said, lips pursing to try and process this new piece of information. Fingers tracing along the box until finally reaching the handle that has yet to be turned—A single key barely playin’ before a glass shattered across the floor echoed throughout the room. The startling and loud sound causing you to accidently drop the toy with a clank, two jumping in fright.
There, your mother stood, glass surrounding her shoe covered feet… Facial expression twisted funny, almost fearful? It was such an odd reaction, especially when she refused to say nothing and preferred to stand like a statue. Blank eyes not once taking off the Jack-In-the-Box, almost like your mom was waiting for something to happen as it laid there.
Preparing for an action that was impossible for it to take by itself.
“Eomma…?”
“W-Where… Where did you get that?” It was faint, but there was more emotion inside than you’ve ever heard. Your mother practically trembling from head to toe.
“Uh, from this box… It seems to mostly have childhood toys and a few coloring books,” You explained, shaking the box that still held a few things inside. Jihun and you shifting nervously, voice low and calm to not startle her any further. Cautiously watching your mother curse underneath her breath, in fact, you could’ve sworn hearing that she said something about having thrown it away a long time ago?
“Y-You’re not,” She trailed, taking a deep breath in to steady her beating heart, “You’re not keeping it are you?”
“No, I wasn’t planning on it—I was actually considering donating and throwing some of these items away. Though this bear is cute, I might keep this,” You said, humming in thought at the skeleton bunny/bear… You never could resist stuffed animals, even being an adult. Though a scoff ringing through the air had you glaring, throwing anything your hands could grab toward the culprit… Grinning in satisfaction when hearing Jihun hiss.
“Alright, then why don’t I take these old things out of your hands… Don’t wanna keep your father and the movers waiting more than they have, right?”
Frowning, you nodded while Jihun helped throw all the old toys back into the box… Along with the Jack-In-the-Box. The only thing that wasn’t inside was the stuffed animal that you planned to keep, although something inside was hesitant to hand over the old toys to your mother.
You didn’t know why—There was this pit in your gut, especially when seeing an unusual smile upon your mom’s face.
Something just felt… off.
Whatever the case was, you glanced one last time at the cardboard box that wasn’t properly closed anymore before finally releasing it as your mother beamed. The older women not wasting time to walk out the back door where a giant dumpster was waiting in the alleyway behind the neighborhood.
~
“What dormitory is yours?” Your father questioned, frowning at the multiple signs pointing in different directions. Although you were too busy aweing the large campus, doing a little happy dance after coming back from the main office with your ID badge, dorm key, and class schedule in your bag—Coming back to reality when hearing fingers snapping.
“Oh! Uh, I believe it’s this way… Between the PLEDIS and SOOP dormitories—Just look for a sign that says BigHit on it,” You muttered, trying to balance between holding your schedule and the map of the campus, roughly tugging suitcases along.
“Aha! This is it,” You cheered, stumbling toward the door and nearly dropping everything to open it.
Except… The door wouldn’t budge, no matter how many times you pulled and pushed against it.
You didn’t know how long you’ve been standing there, practically shaking the glass doors until a sudden cough grabbed your attention. Wincing to turn and see a tall figure pulling down his medical mask, the random male gently smiling and showing off his dimples.
A single hand reaching into his hoodie to unhook an ID badge from a keychain-styled necklace, swiping a boxed security system until a click was heard as the lightbulb blinked green. Your cheeks burned in embarrassment when seeing him hold open the door for you and everyone else to get inside before taking off down the halls until out of sight.
“You didn’t mention these dorms were not Co-ed,” Your father commented, breaking the silence with a grumpy tone. Jihun biting his tongue to keep himself together, trying not to full-blown laugh or else the boxes he was carrying would tumble down.
Huffing, you didn’t say a single word and instead choose to rush down the hall where an elevator was located—Your dorm number being on the top floor.
The halls were completely quiet, no one in sight… Either from it being late in the afternoon or because it was the last weekend before class officially begun. You didn’t know.
“Woah…”
“I don’t remember dorms being this nice.”
Your father and brother whistled when entering the dorm, even the movers seemed impressed at the modern styled dorm. Honestly, it looked more like a mini apartment than a dorm… A really expensive miniature apartment.
Shock clear on your face when glancing around—HYBE was definitely not playing around.
The first walk inside was through a small and narrow hall… Further up in the main room, the first thing you’ve noticed was a small kitchen on the right side. Imported with cabinets, a sink, miniature refrigerator/freezer, and a microwave—Although there wasn’t a stove/oven or even a bathroom… Needing to go somewhere in the dormitory building for that.
But it did have a small living room with two black sofas that were facing toward a flatscreen. Although what amazed you the most was the window view… Behind the living room, floor-to-ceiling windows showed a generous amount of the campus ground.
Now that you thought about it… You may have gotten a full-ride scholarship, but that only covered so much—How much was this dorm styled-apartment?! The possible price had you paling considerably.
There was no doubt, you needed a job. Thankfully you also requested a roommate first hand too, however from how empty and quiet it was, they haven’t arrived just yet—Humming, you instructed where to put all the boxes as your family and the movers finally bid their farewells.
The best thing about coming first before your roommate… You get to pick the best room first! Not wasting time to unpack your things and spread them out in the new bedroom.
By the time you were finished, it was already dark outside, and your stomach was grumbling for food—Sighing, you walked out the bedroom with an empty box only to shriek, tripping over something that had you falling against the floor with a groan.
Hisses escaping, glancing toward your feet only to freeze in fear… The Jack-In-the-Box toy was sitting there. In fact, it didn’t seem like tripping against the toy fazed it at all, standing upward perfectly and not thrown into a mess—What was this doing here? M-Maybe Jihun snuck it in your boxes to be a jerk… but that wouldn’t explain why it’s on the floor.
Nervous, you reached the counter and rummaged throughout the bag for your cellphone. Getting ready to lecture your brother, only for the number to immediately go to voicemail.
“O-Okay… It’s fine. You’re just overthinking this,” You whispered, trying to motivative yourself for positive thinking. Gently picking up the toy, fingers hesitantly touching the handle before turning it as the melody echoed throughout the dorm. The sound creeped into your heart, needing to constantly be looking around… Swearing to hear breathing every time the handle was turned.
Suddenly the door slammed open just as the Jack-In-the-Box popped, the two actions causing you to let out a blood curling scream and drop the toy.
“Holy shit, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to startle you,” A female voice said, worry and concern etched on her face as you stared at the popped open black/white doll with a mint-green jester hat—You felt foolish… Letting your brothers stories get to your head. What the hell did you expect?
“N-No… I’m sorry—You must be my roommate. Names Y/N,” You said, wiping sweaty hands against your hoodie before reaching out to shake her hand with a polite and tight smile. Unconsciously kicking the Jack-In-the-Box aside to hide among the empty cardboard boxes.
“Ji-eun!”
“Well, I’ll let you get started unpacking… I’m going to go throw these empty boxes away and get food. Do you want anything?” You asked, listening to the order while secretly placing the toy inside the old boxes without closing it properly. Gathering a bunch of boxes and snatching your bag from the counter, waving bye and leaving in a rush to throw the trash away.
“Y/N…”
Your breath hitched hearing an unfamiliar voice call out for you, slowly turning around to see no one in the hall—It was probably nothing… Yeah, nothing. Inhaling sharply, you resumed the walk toward the elevator. Speeding up once the lights started flicking, it felt like a horror film, but this was reality—Reality you were just overwhelmed about being in the big city, that had to be—
“Noona… Come out and play with me~”
This time, you didn’t hesitate to run… Reality or not.
“You wanna play tag? I’ll be it then~” Screams bounced off the walls feeling a tug on your ankle, tripping you in the process. Refusing to turn around, you scrambled up as the elevator felt like it was growing farther… The walls starting to twist and turn.
The only thing that was ringing—beside your beating heart and ragged breathing—was the familiar tune of the Jack-In-the-Box. You didn’t know how no one was hearing your pleas for help… Fear crippling your ability to do anything but run.
However as soon as you got closer toward the elevator, a sudden force gripped your shoulder causing you to cry out… Feeling nails dig deeper until your whole back felt like it was getting wet as red paint dripped to the floor beneath. While bite marks appeared near your inner wrists with scratches…
Only then were you literally thrown into the opening elevator. Vision blurry from the rough impact as you focused on the hallway… Eyes widening in fear seeing a dark silhouette practically glowing, the figure getting closer as each time the lights flickered—A thumping noise beating around, in fact, you didn’t think the figure was gaining closer steps.
It was more like the entire hallway was shrinking and coming forward.
“W-What do you want?!” You shrieked, a blood curdling cry coming out your mouth… Tucking yourself into a fetal position with tears streaming down. Feeling a forceful blow of wind, light breathing brushing against your neck as what felt like lips grazed your ear.
“You~”
“…hey…”
“…You… are?”
“Hey… Are you okay?”
Eyes snapped open feeling a soft touch shaking you, slowly looking up with a startled expression to see a kind face staring at you in concern—It was then you realized how many people were outside their own dorms with different types of expressions as you laid upon the floor outside the elevator.
Everything was back to normal… In fact, there was no evidence that what just happened was real.
Throwing your hoodie up to shield yourself from the many judgmental and worried faces, you jumped up and started running back to your dorm with tears. Not bothering with the cardboard boxes that laid there, only grabbing your bag.
Slamming open the dorm, you made sure to double lock it… Everything was quiet and dark, figuring your roommate must’ve gone to sleep since you didn’t know long you’ve been in the hallway. It all felt too much, practically barricading yourself into the bedroom and crawling into the bed to hide away, maybe forever.
And it wasn’t long before sleep welcomed you…
00:00 (Zero O’Clock)
…The closet slid open with a creak, the same familiar jingle echoing throughout the bedroom but not being able to reach your ears. As a tall figure stepped out with a dancers grace… Glowing eyes narrowing at the lump in the bed before a grin broke out—A grin that was more threatening than nice, something you’d fear instead of love.
The male wore nothing but black, his bunny/jester ears bouncing with every step as he silently crept closer. A single bloody hand reaching to pull down the covers until a known scar was visible, reaching into their pocket to pull out a small blade… Finishing off their work as you hissed in your sleep, blood dripping down your wrist.
Immediately leaning back when done with the completed word—Hoseok.
A sharp smiling breaking out, eyes darkening into a sinister and affectionate way. Hoseok leaning down to lick the extra blood trail, before kissing the wrist lightly.
“Welcome home, my sunshine… I’ve missed you.”
~~~~
Welcome to Jack-IN-The-Box!! I've been playing Yandere Simulator recently and got inspired with Jay. Hope you enjoy the new story... Maybe Part 2??
Likes, Comments, Reblogs, and Follows are appreciated if you enjoy the story. Its always exciting to know that you like my writing, and it gives me more motivation to continue!
See you all soon, Stay Golden! <3