BCF: Wish Upon A Star (Namjin)

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NAMJOON STOPPED JIN.

"Wait, we need a plan." Jin regarded him incredulously, but before he could protest, Namjoon stopped him again. "We can't just march in. She could die."

"We give them the money," said Jin. "Then they'll give her back."

Namjoon shook his head. "We don't know that for sure. We have to prepare for the worst, not hope for the best."

Jin looked back at the warehouse. "All right." He took a hard swallow. "What's the plan?"

"I, go in. Alone." Jin opened his mouth to protest. Again, Namjoon beat him to it. "You call the police. And be ready when Yoona gets out. She'll need someone waiting in case I don't make it out."

"I'm not going to just sit in and wait without you."

"I'm not expecting you to," he said. "Once Yoona is safe and with the police, if I'm not out, come get me. Okay?"

"But—"

"I'm counting on it."

Jin bit his lip wearily. Namjoon shared an intense gaze with him, afraid if he wavered, Jin would discard his idea. Finally, he gave a reluctant nod. Namjoon nodded and walked inside.

Every hallway seemed to take longer and longer to walk through. Namjoon wasn't sure if that was just the fault of the structure or his own anxiety. More torturous, however, was the prolonged silence. Only he could hear his own footsteps, unfortunately, realizing he was cursed with a heavy set of feet. He could hear water dripping, perhaps from a bursted pipe. He was much too paranoid to use his phone flashlight, so he allowed the moonlight seeping in from the broken windows to guide him through the building. He continued for longer, taking deep breaths to calm his roaring heartbeat. He hadn't noticed how tight he was gripping the handle to the bag of cash until he felt the soreness in his fingers as a consequence of loosening hold on it. He switched to the other hand and continued looking around cautiously.

After sometime, he could hear faint whimpering, to which he lightly trudged over until it was clear that Yoona was right behind the door. He listened for any other voices, but could hear none. Although it was a gamble, he opened the door quietly, thankful that it didn't moan or squeak.

Yoona was in a chair in the middle of the room, gagged with a rag around her mouth, and her little body engulfed in ropes. Her terrified eyes flashed with brief relief.

As much as Namjoon wanted to run to her and wrap her in his arms, this was an obvious trap. He looked around, staying at the threshold of the doorway. A movement, so small and brief he was lucky to notice it, had came from the corner of his eye.

He held up his hands in surrender. "I came unarmed," he announced.

A man came out from the shadows. A man Namjoon had instantly recognized as Jin's prison guard friend, Officer Yoon. He cocked his gun and pointed it at Namjoon.

"Your daughter's been waiting so patiently for you, Namjoon," he said, smirking.

Namjoon shook the duffel bag in his hand lightly. "This is what you asked for, isn't it? Hand her over and it's all yours."

Namjoon scanned the room and noticed there were no other men in sight. He wasn't sure whether to be relieved or weary.

Officer Yoon looked unimpressed, much to Namjoon's dismay. "See I would've gladly accepted if you had just done what I asked."