It isn't a lie when one says that mirrors by the bed steal your soul. However, not in the way superstitious people intended. I've found that most of the cases of which involved murder all had one one thing in common- mirrors. Ironic, isn't it? Wouldn't the perpetrator feel disgusted upon gazing at themselves through the looking glass? See into their soul and cower in fear?
With these questions, I was able to make another conclusion. Cold-blooded murderers don't feel emotions akin to a human..., especially remorse, so, of course, they wouldn't be bothered by glass and a nice frame. This is why I must catch them, who is to stop these men without a soul?
My attention falls from the foggy window down to my lap. I flip through the fresh pages of the report slowly as warm air blows from the dashboard vents, stopping when I find the subject who I was looking for. Bang Si-Hyuk of the Sonyeondan Manor. His death was sudden and quick, with signs of strangulation and a foreign poison found in his bloodstream. It appears that whatever concoction the unsub gave Mr. Bang didn't work, thus forcing them to use another alternative.
I furrow my eyebrows and scan his profile. Why was he targeted? What was the purpose of killing this defenseless old man? Hell.. he hasn't been able to walk for the past three and a half months.
This crime was obviously personal, either a close colleague or someone within the home committed the act.
I turn a page and swiftly read the report of his relationships. Mr. Bang had several enemies, mainly as a result of his... poor decisions during the Korean War and his long list of affairs. Seven sons... all whom were present within the home the night he died... Who discovered him again?I pull out another folder from a bag that was settled by my feet and flipped to the fifth page. Bang Seokjin, the first son, is who discovered the deceased. Beneath his picture was a testimony written by the local authorities.
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I hummed and squinted my eyes, reading the note a police officer left. Innocent? We'll see about that.
"You find any more clues, rookie?" A voice called beside me. I settle the report onto my lap and turn towards my new boss- Detective Park Jeong-Sik. He raises his eyebrow and nods to the several documents I was looking at before returning his focus to the open road. I sigh and shake my head. "No, not really, sir." A frown begins to tug on my lips. For the last three hours I've been stuck in this old car, not once cracking a single clue. The older man hummed and fidgeted with the radio, scoffing when all that resonated from the speakers was static. "Peace of shit car." He grumbled.
My lips thin into a tight brown and shove the folders back into my bag to replace them with a map. I unfold the paper and analyze the roads and landmarks, quickly finding where we are. "It appears we must travel over a bridge to enter the village." I state, ignoring my boss' displeased attitude. He mumbled more curses beneath his breath, shooting me a glare. "I can't believe a twenty-five year old doesn't have a license. I don't get paid to be some taxi driver." He ranted, unrolling his window before reaching into the middle glove box to fish out some items.
When he pulled out a packet of cigarettes and a lighter I almost rolled my eyes. Within our short time together, Detective Park Jeong-Sik has managed to smoke two packs- causing a foul order to permeate the air. A grimace falls onto my face upon him lighting his cigarette and throwing the lighter back into the compartment. "Well, think about it like this, we can go over the case and history of the family before arriving.." I offered, forcing a smile.
He wasn't amused by my answer. Instead of answering, he leaned forward and switched on the windshield wipers. "Is that the bridge you were talking about?" The dark-haired man mumbled, hissing when ash fell onto the dashboard and his suit pants. I turn away from him and towards the road. Up ahead, through the cracks of thick mist, I can make out bits and pieces of a wooden structure. "Yeah it is. I would go slow if I were you-"
"Tch, like I would take driving advice from a woman." He remarked, cutting me off. I bite my tongue and nod. Hopefully he comes around later on..
Jeong-Sik drives along the bridge as if it was like any other road. A nervous pit begins to form in my stomach. The structure is old and outdated, having been built a year after the Korean War ended. The detective's car shakes. I suppress any urge to grab onto the safety bar. He's going too fast...I bite my lip as I look out the window. The wood is rotted, dead vines hang off the pillars like cobwebs in an attic. A shaky breath escapes my lips as I force my attention away from the foreboding river below us, its rapid streams are able to be seen even from such a high angle.
The minuets pass like hours, time nearly stopping when we reach the end of the bride.
An arrogant laugh echoes within the car when the tires met a dirt road. Every muscle in my body relaxed.
"Haha, see rookie Hwang? We made it." The older man stated, flicking his cigarette out the open window. I nod once more and chuckle. "Haha.. you were right the whole time..." He hums and eyes the map in my shaky hands. "Where are we now?"
"We should be entering now." I mumble, scanning the paper more closely. Jeong-Sik scoffs. "Really? I don't see any damn town- Shit!"
The car is suddenly stopped, launching me forward into the dashboard. I yelp when my head connects with the glass. The force wasn't strong enough to break the window and eject my body. I groan and rub my head as I slowly slip back into my seat, my hands holding my head. The detective grumbled and swiftly put the vehicle into park. Through a hazy vision, I lift my head up and see why he suddenly stopped.
Confusion etches along my face, my eyebrows scrunched forward.
In the foggy street there's people wearing traditional Korean clothing. On either side, individuals sold various items as others crossed the roads on horseback or on foot. A small selection of people wandered around with cattle. The more I looked, it appeared it wasn't just the citizens that were outdated. The houses were also built in a traditional style, any signs of electricity couldn't be seen. The town before us displayed a scene as if from a black and white movie.
"What the fuck..." Jeong-Sik muttered, putting a hand on my shoulder. "Are you okay, kid?" He asked, turning my head by my chin as he analyzed my upper body. I nod slowly, blinking multiple times to adjust my vision. An unconvinced hum resonates from deep within his throat; however, he lets go and turns his attention to the main road. "I'll get you checked up when we get there." He then put the car back into drive and slowly began to drive.
I take in the townsfolk and structures while we make our way to the police station, growing anxious when they would stop to stare. Have they even seen a car? Surely they must... especially the Bang family's vehicles.
It doesn't take that long to arrive to the station. It stood out like a sore thumb as it was the only building that's up to date.
