Static Screams

C̶H̶A̵P̷T̸E̴R̴ 9// ̶- | Investigation continues |

A/N: Chapters will begin to get longer from now on as we get to CHAPTER 10+ :)

Detective Jaehwa's eyes were bloodshot from staring at hours of footage. The shopping area near Cheonggyecheon River was a labyrinth of faces and finding Mina among them felt like searching for a needle in a haystack. 

Kim had managed to get a description and details from Mina's friends:

'A small slim frame (around 5"2), short light brown hair, brown eyes, wearing a denim jacket, a white dress, boots, and had a backpack'. No contact with family, living with Haeri Min, her best friend.

She could feel Commissioner Park's stare burn into her through the blinds, but out of the corner of her eye she saw him.

"What do you want?" she glanced up to see Lee's pearly whites and charming smile.

"Commissioner Park has assigned me to help you."

As Jaehwa scrolled through yet another hour of footage, Detective Lee sat down on the edge of her desk. He looked every bit professional: tailored navy suit, crisp white shirt, and a slender black tie. His badge was clipped to his belt.

His jet-black hair was neatly styled with a slight wave that framed his forehead perfectly. His face, more youthful yet serious featured high cheekbones and deep-set eyes that conveyed both intelligence and intensity.

"Are we looking for the student?" he asked, his tone casual but his eyes intent.

"Yes," Jaehwa replied, feeling the weight of the Commissioner's scrutiny even though he wasn't physically present. Ever since Mina disappeared, the pressure had been immense. No body had been found and they were all holding onto the hope that she was still alive. Finding Mina might lead them to the perpetrator.

"It's painful. Look how busy it is."

Lee leaned closer, his gaze fixed on the screen. Jaehwa described Mina again: 'small frame, light brown hair, brown eyes, denim jacket, white dress, boots, and a backpack.' Together, they scrutinized the footage, scanning every frame for the slightest hint of her.

"There," Lee pointed. "Isn't that her?"

Jaehwa's heart quickened. They saw Mina walking down the street, her backpack bouncing slightly with each step. She turned at the corner of a bar crowded with others and disappeared out of frame.

"Is there CCTV at the back of the bar?" Lee asked, his voice steady despite the rising tension.

"We'll have to check," Jaehwa replied, already noting down the next steps.

"It doesn't make sense," she muttered, frustration boiling over as she hit the desk with her palm. "If it was the perpetrator we're looking for, where is the body? Or if they took her, why didn't anybody see?"

Lee ran a hand through his hair. "It's possible they were careful, or they have a way of moving unnoticed. But there's something about that alley. We need to get our hands on any footage from the back of the bar and canvass the area for witnesses."

Jaehwa nodded, determination hardening. "Let's hope the cameras back there are working. We need every clue we can get."

As they stood to leave, Jaehwa couldn't shake the image of Mina turning the corner. Something about it felt off, but she couldn't put her finger on it.

Detective Jaehwa shut down her computer and grabbed her coat. Detective Lee stood up from her desk, adjusting his tailored suit. They made their way out of the precinct, stepping into the cool evening air. The city lights flickered, casting a neon glow on the streets as they walked briskly towards the Cheonggyecheon River.