Static Screams

C̶H̷A̴P̵T̵E̴R̷ ̵11 ̸ ̷-̴͚̈́ ̸͕̈́ | CH5 News |

A/N: Small filler chapter!

—

As Detective Kim stood backstage, he felt a firm hand on his shoulder. It was Commissioner Park, his expression a blend of determination and empathy.

"Jihoon," he said, his voice steady but warm, "I know how hard this has been for you. But you have the strength to calm the community. They're looking to you for reassurance. We all believe in you."

Kim met Park's gaze, feeling a flicker of confidence in the depths of his anxiety. The Commissioner continued, his tone encouraging. "Remember, you're not in this alone. We're all behind you, ready to support you. Speak from the heart; they need to hear that we're doing everything we can to protect them. There's no lying in that."

"Thank-you, Sir."

The surrounding room pulsed with anticipation, but Park's presence grounded him. Taking a deep breath, Kim felt the weight of responsibility shift slightly, replaced by a sense of purpose. With a final nod of gratitude to the Commissioner, he stepped forward, ready to address the gathered crowd, fuelled by the strength of their shared mission.

Detective Kim took a moment to gather his thoughts, reflecting on how hard this had been. There had been no follow-ups, no one stepping forward to help. A heavy sigh escaped his lips as nerves and butterflies churned in his chest. Approaching the podium for the press conference about the recent murders and disappearances near Cheonggyecheon River, he noticed the room packed with reporters, their faces tense with curiosity. Cameras flashed relentlessly, and whispers buzzed in the air. Jaehwa walked up and gave him a reassuring pat on the back.

"You've got this," Jaehwa encouraged.

"We will be right behind you," Lee added, nodding supportively. "You got this my friend."

Taking a deep breath, Detective Kim stepped up to the microphone. "Thank-you all for coming," he began. "I'm Detective Jihoon Kim, the lead investigator on the Cheonggyecheon River cases."

The room fell silent, all eyes on him as he spoke. "We have identified several victims in this investigation. The first was a man named Han Minjae. Soon after, we discovered a young couple, Gyeon Seonmi and Jeon Taewon in their twenties, at the same location. A few days later, we found three members of the Hyeon family, a mother and her two teenage children lifeless in their own home. The relatives of the victims are being supported."

He paused briefly, collecting himself for the next part. "Additionally, we are investigating the case of Lee Mina, a university student who is currently the only missing person linked to these incidents. As her body has not been found, we hold out hope that she may still be alive."

The flash of cameras intensified, and murmurs rippled through the room as reporters scribbled notes and exchanged hurried whispers. Detective Kim's heart thudded, but he pressed on, knowing how crucial this information was.

"We are working tirelessly," he continued, "around the clock to solve these cases and bring justice to the victims and their families. The safety of our community is our top priority, and we are utilizing all available resources to track down the individual/s responsible for these heinous acts. After that small summary, I am open for questions."

"Eunjin Choi, Channel 5 News," her slender hand shot up among the sea of reporters, the sharpness of her voice cutting through the tension in the room. "Detective Kim, do you have any leads on suspects?"

Detective Kim shook his head. "We don't have any suspects at this time, but we are pursuing various leads," he replied, his voice measured. "At this stage, we can't disclose specifics, as it may compromise the investigation. However, I can share that we're hopeful about the direction it's taking."