Strip

September 20th, 6:35 P.M.

im big stupide dummi so the timeline doesn't add up correctly so just ignore all that and pretend it makes sense via the power of fanfiction uwu thank

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"July 6th, 2004. The Kim residence in Ilsan was broken into. Kim Hyukdo and his wife Yoonha were brutally murdered with various heavy objects, both bludgeoned to death in their bedroom while they were asleep. They had two sons, four year old Seojoon who was taken in by child services, and eventually put up for adoption when no immediate family was found capable of taking him in, and two year old Namjoon, who went missing that same night. There were no suspects, as everyone they had talked to that could even be remotely tied to the case was cleared with a solid alibi. No forensic evidence was left at the scene, and the case eventually went cold. Seojoon was later adopted, and Namjoon was never found." Jungkook read the police report, nervously glancing up at Yoongi when he was done.

"So someone kills the parents, leaves Seojoon but tries to kill Namjoon?" Changwoo frowned, reading over his own copy. "How could they feel threatened by a two year old? If anything, why wouldn't they kill the older son instead? A four year old can communicate better than a toddler."

"Namjoon is smart. Maybe he saw the killers face." Yoongi said, staring out the window. His voice held no emotion as he crossed his arms against his chest.

"Namjoon is definitely a remarkable man." Changwoo looked at him. "But this still makes no sense. Jungkook, dig up everything you can about the home invasion. I'll find out who the officers were who worked the case and recheck everyone's alibi's. A case this severe shouldn't have gone cold."

Jungkook nodded and quickly hurried back to his computer.

Changwoo stood up from his desk, walking to Yoongi's side. He placed a hand on the detective's shoulder.

"Have you told him?"

Yoongi shook his head. "He thinks everything just started going back to normal. Finding out about Seojoon and that he was adopted was enough of a shock. I can't drop this on him too, not when he's finally happy."

"We'll catch whoever is responsible for these atrocious crimes." Changwoo promised him. "Until then, why don't you go to the club and take Namjoon home after his shift ends. I don't want to scare him by putting him into protective custody, but I want someone to be with him at all times until this culprit is caught."

"They left him alive because they needed him." Yoongi murmured to himself, staring off at nothing.

"Pardon?"

"Seojoon. Whoever killed the Kim's only left Seojoon alive because they needed him for something. Everyone else was just in their way."

Changwoo frowned. "Why would they need a kid?"

"I don't know, but that must have been why he was kidnapped later. It has to be connected." Yoongi's eyes narrowed.

"They leave him alive because they need him, but don't kidnap him that night? Why wait until he was a teenager? It would be a lot easier to control a four year old." Changwoo sighed, cutting off his own questioning. "Look, it's getting late, go get Namjoon and then head home. I'll let you know as soon as Jungkook or I find something."

Yoongi grabbed his jacket and pulled out his phone, calling the boy.

It rang out to his voicemail.

Trying not to panic, Yoongi quickly dialed Max.

The manager answered after a few rings.

"Yoongi, what's up?"

The loud bass thumping in the background made it hard to hear the man.

"Where's Namjoon?" Yoongi threw his jacket into his car as he quickly slid into the drivers seat.

"Center stage, why?"

"I'm coming to pick him up."

"Whoa, what? Why? He's having a good time, and me the other guys are all watching out for him."

"It's none of your business. Just have him wait in his room with someone with him, I'll be there soon."

Max grumbled. "You never let him live."

"Just do it." Yoongi wasn't in the mood to argue, hanging up on the manager.

Never let him live? Max had it wrong; Yoongi was trying to keep Namjoon alive.

-

Namjoon finished his routine to loud applause and a shower of green bills.

With a radiant smile, he bowed, picking up the money as he bent over until the curtains closed, cutting him from view.

"Let me help." Max was at his side, scooping up the money.

They straightened up and Max handed his small pile over.

"Thanks. I should use the ATM soon to deposit this." Namjoon chuckled. "I forgot how much fun center stage is."

"Well sorry to end your fun, but Yoongi called." Max sighed. "He's on his way to come get you."

"What? Why?"

Max shrugged. "As if he would tell me anything, dude still wants me in jail."

Namjoon sighed, knowing it would have to be something important. "Well, tell Foxx she can take my place. I know she's been wanting it for ages now. I'll go get changed."

"I'll escort you." Max placed his hand on the boys waist, leading him back down the hallway to his dressing room.

He was about to follow Namjoon inside when the stripper stopped him.

"What?" Max blinked.

"I appreciate you guys all looking out for me, but I would like to get dressed in peace." Namjoon smiled.

"Modest all of a sudden?" Max chuckled.

"After everything, I would love some alone time, which is hard to get lately."

Max raised his hands in surrender and stepped back from the door.

Namjoon shut and locked it, not wanting anyone to come in while he was changing.

Humming to himself, he pulled off his short skirt and slipped into black jeans and a plain shirt instead. After consulting the weather on his phone, he yanked on a zip up hoodie as well.

As he was sliding his shoes back on, he pulled out his phone and saw a missed call from Yoongi.

"What's up, tsundere?" He asked with a smirk.

"Where are you?"

"My dressing room, why?"

"Are you alone?"

"Yeah, is that a crime?"

"Stay with somebody until I get there. I'm ten minutes out."

"Why don't you ever tell me things?" Namjoon huffed, standing up from the couch. He grabbed his bag as he talked, stuffing his phone charger in there. "Is something wrong?"

"The man who attacked you before is still out there. I don't want you to be alone until he's caught."

"He attacked me ages ago and I've been on my own countless times, why is it suddenly an emergency this time?" Namjoon narrowed his eyes.

"Ten minutes." Was all Yoongi said, hanging up.

Namjoon muttered to himself, annoyed with never having all the information. But he knew Yoongi would only demand this for a reason, so he grudgingly hefted his bag over his shoulder, pocketing his phone as he headed to the door.

The sound of his closet door sliding open made him freeze.

He whipped around, staring with shocked eyes as a man stepped out.

"Thanks for locking the door, kid." The man sneered, holding up a water bottle. "Now how about you come give your uncle a hug?"