𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭 [ j.jk × p.jm ]

06- mask

MASK

T

he atmosphere in the interrogation room shifted as the boy's neutral facial expression suddenly changed to one of sadness and guilt. The detective's piercing gaze seemed to weigh heavily on the boy as he struggled to form his response. The silence was thick, the tension almost palpable as everyone in the room waited for the boy's answer.

When the boy finally spoke, his voice was heavy with the weight of his emotions. "I... I ran away," he stammered, tears filling his eyes. The detective listened intently, his face an emotionless mask as he waited for the boy to continue.

"Why?" The detective's voice was low, a sense of urgency beneath the surface as he sought to get to the truth as quickly as possible. The boy lowered his gaze once again, his sobbing the only sound in the tense room as he struggled to process the weight of what he had just confessed to.

,,Because he...He was angry with me." As the boy stuttered out his response, the entire interrogation room hung on his every word. Psychologist Seokjin had a concerned look on his face, sensing that something was deeply wrong with the boy. He could see the trauma etched into his face and knew that there was more behind this story.

That's when he spoke up and interrupted Detective Jeon, who was clearly on the brink of pressing the boy for more information. "Detective Jeon, let me talk to him," he said in a calming voice, trying to ease the tension in the room.

Detective Jeon's frustration was evident as he shot the psychologist a dirty look. "We're getting closer to the truth," he hissed. "So don't jump in and mess it up."

The boy looked between the two men, his expression still riddled with guilt and sadness, clearly struggling to convey the depth of his feelings. Detective Jeon's laser-sharp gaze bore into him, and he shrank slightly under the pressure, clearly feeling the weight of what he had just confessed.

With a sharp, almost piercing gaze, Detective Jeon studied the suspect, scanning him with a keen eye, as if trying to see right through the surface to the depths of his very soul. His raised eyebrow, skeptical in nature, betrayed his doubts about the suspect's story. Still, his determination to get to the bottom of the case was evident in his demeanor, in the way he held himself, his focus never wavering.

The boy's face was red from crying, his cheeks wet with the vestiges of his tears, yet the detective's gaze seemed to ignore the signs of the boy's emotional turmoil, his sole concern lying with the truth and nothing more.

His patience growing thin, Detective Jeon pressed the boy, leaning in closer with a question that held the weight of the investigation in its very utterance. "Why was your uncle angry with you? What brought you to quarrel?" The detective's tone was sharp, his skepticism clear.

The boy's voice was barely above a whisper, but it was enough for everyone in the room to strain their ears, desperate to hear what he had to say. "He was drunk..." The tension grew even more in the room, as if the words themselves held the power of a thunderstorm.

Detective Jeon's breath was long, slow, and deliberate, as he absorbed the boy's words, his mind already racing with questions and theories. He wanted to know everything, leave no stone unturned, and he would not be satisfied with anything less than the truth. So, he asked another question, trying to pry it out of the boy, even if it was like pulling teeth.

"What time was it when the argument happened, and you ran away from the house?" His voice was soft but firm, the detective demanding an answer and willing to do whatever it took to get it.

"Midnight."

The atmosphere was tense, with everyone in the room seemingly holding their breath, waiting for the boy's next answer. Detective Jeon's expression was stoic, almost unreadable, but he continued to hold the boy's gaze with a sharp intensity that almost seemed to bore into the boy's very soul.

His question was simple, but the weight of it made it seem like a million questions rolled into one. "Did you go back to your uncle's house?" The boy shook his head in response, and for a moment, the tension in the room seemed to ease ever so slightly. The Detective's next question came quickly on the heels of the first, and it was clear that he was not about to let this case go unfinished.

"I want to know your alibi," he said, his voice laced with authority as he looked down at the boy from his elevated position. The boy hugged his shoulders, seemingly seeking comfort in the face of the detective's piercing gaze.

His answer was short and to the point, with a hint of resentment in his voice. "I ran away and had nowhere to go. In that, an officer from our town helped me. He took me to a hotel and gave me money to pay for a room."

The detective's long sigh was almost audible, as if the weight of the boy's words had finally gotten to even him. He paused for a moment, then went in for the final question, his expression unreadable.

"Can you tell us the identity of that policeman?"

The boy hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape. But eventually, he answered the detective. "Officer Min.. Min Yoongi."

"Park Jimin suffers from PTSD. His experiences have left him with triggers, such as loud noises and unexpected movements, that can cause him to feel as though he's reliving the trauma. He's also described panic attacks and flashbacks, which are typical symptoms of someone with PTSD. This is a serious condition, and it's essential that we understand it in order to accurately support him during the investigation process," the psychologist explained, their voice measured and calm. The Homicide Chief nodded, taking in the information, his face serious as he mulled over its implications.

Detective Jeon was also silent, his expression unreadable as he listened intently. The importance of understanding Park Jimin's mental health was clear to everyone present, and they knew that it would be crucial in ensuring that the investigation was conducted in the most sensitive and appropriate way possible.

After Psychologist Kim Seokjin's departure, the silence was nearly palpable in the room. Detective Jeon slowly approached his supervisor, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. He looked towards the one-way window that separated them from the room where Park Jimin sat, his gaze fixed on the boy with a degree of intensity. "I don't like that kid," he murmured, the skepticism evident in his voice.

His supervisor, recognizing the gravity of the situation, responded immediately. "Go and bring that officer in for questioning." The words were firm and quick, and they echoed throughout the room, leaving the atmosphere heavy with a sense of unease and uncertainty.

Jeon nodded curtly, and without another word, made his way towards the door, exiting the interrogation room and setting out to fulfill his boss's orders. The tension in the room remained, even after he was gone, a grim reminder of the gravity of the situation they were facing. The implications for the investigation were clear, and there was a sense of urgency in the air, as if they knew that time was of the essence in understanding what had led to this point.

/if you are already reading my story, I would appreciate the votes, Thank you :)