Zero Encounters

Lost and Found

       Captain Lee sped down the streets of Seoul and onto the Hangeng bridge. He rushed to the district Minhyun and Jisung had reported a suspicious figure showing up to one of Hwesung's past victim's home. His heart pounded at every red light, hands tightening around the steering wheel as he wished he had the siren in his car. He parked swiftly on the side of the hill and raced up the apartment stairs to see the two reimprimanding someone dressed in all black. The front door to the victim's unit was wide opened and Kangho pulled the parties away. He looked into the apartment to see a young man standing there, holding a cane in his hand for support, staring at them with a shock.

"Donggeun." The man said and Kangho looked at the face of who he held by the shoulders.

"Minhyun standby. Everyone else, inside." Captain Lee ordered and they closed the door behind him. He gestured for everyone to sit around the dining table in the kitchen and rubbed the side of his head. He was relieved, but masked that with his disappointment at his two subordinates. He watched Dongguen bring glasses over and intently stared at the water being poured. He needed to calm his heart before saying the next crucial things in mind.

"I'm sorry, Captain Lee." Jisung bowed his head, "We didn't see Donggeun leave the apartment." He explained what had led them to call him in a hurry.

Minhyun had just returned from the convenience store when he noticed a figure in all black holding a hammer, walking down the street in front of him. He slowly tailed the man and called Jisung to keep watch. Jisung noticed the two from the roof top he survielled from and raced downstairs. He got out of the building just in time to see Minhyun chasing after the person to the apartment they were watching over. Their alarm bells went off and the two sprinted up the stairs. Minhyun tackled the suspect who retaliated by swinging his arm about. Jisung dodged the hammer swings swiftly and subdued him while Minhyun pulled the cap off their suspects head to reveal a young, frightened boy.

"No, Sir. I'm sorry for causing a misunderstanding." The boy gestured to his all black attire. "I thought I heard something from outside and didn't listen to my brother."

"That's alright, Donggeun." The Captain patted the boy's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "You just wanted to protect him, but rest assured, we're here and will have units patrolling at all times." He turned to Dowon. "Are you certain you both would like to stay here? The Bureau can help move you to a safe house in the mean time."

"No, thank you." Dowon said adamantly. He clenched his fist from under the table and they could feel the anger exuding from him. "This was our mother's place. Where she waited for me. Where we found out she was having Donggeun. Where she would eventually get sick from the stress of it all and when she took her last breath. I'm not going to let that bastard take this place away from us. He took my name and my childhood."

"We understand that, but we don't want to risk putting either of you in danger. Donggeun is still underage and legally, you're his guardian. Would you want that for your brother?" Captain Lee reasoned, "We've already respected your decision to not contact your relatives to look after him for the time being, but in the case your fath- Hwesung is involved with the case, we may need you to testify along with the other victims and that will be a lot to shoulder alone."

Jisung swallowed hard and tried to ease the tension by speaking softly. "We're not telling you to run. We just want to keep you both safe as some convicts would try to locate their family after their release. It's just precautionary measures." Dowon slammed his hand on the table.

"Then you should've kept that monster in there to rot. I don't want to deal with him or anything in relation ever again." He said with tears in his eyes and stood from the table. He limped to his room and slammed the door behind him. He slid against the door and held his head in his hands, stifling his cry. Captain Lee stared at the cane hung on the back of the chair with slight regret from how his words came out. He remembered Dowon's hospital report and the permanent damage Hwesung had caused to his leg. There was no telling what Zero would do if she were to ever find out. He was treading between a very fine line with all he had on his plate.