Bad Blood || K. Jongin

31| Reuinted

∘∘☥∘∘☥∘∘☥∘∘
(Lyra)

Blue and red lights flashed in my eyes.

The resistance members had strayed back to base camp, but some of us stayed. The ones who needed medical treatment were getting so. The police had come to take me back. Finally, after months of suffering and looking over my shoulders, I was going to be safe.

But a shadow of uncertainty hung over my head. My future with Jongin was cloudy, he was a criminal. He had done terrible things under the pressure of the Kkangpae. I may have forgiven him, and so have the others. But the law might not.

"It might be a long time until I see you again." I whispered against his chest, trying my best to remember every piece of him, every movement he made. The sound of his voice, anything. My side throbbed with pain, but I stretched this moment on for as long as I could. A part of me knew it would be awhile until I got to hold him like this.

"I know." He gently stroked my cheek with the back of his palm, as a squad car pulled up next to the ambulance. The officers gathered up Ana and Si Yeon, ushering them into the back seat. All of us were fully clothed now, and had basic medical treatment. But the EMT told me I might need surgery for a broken rib.

The police officer approached us cautiously, but with concern.

Jongin kissed me one last time, bidding me farewell. His eyes glistened with tears, but he was calm.

"Go see your family, go to the hospital. Sort things out. Ill be waiting for you when you're ready."

"No matter what happens, I'll fight for you."

THE NEXT DAY.

My heart races as I enter the police department. FBI agents and Korean personal flood past me, most of them with joyful expressions. After all, my discovery and the Kkangpae defeat is a blissful victory. A big change is going to take hold of this department and the lives of every day Seoul citizens. For the better.

As I'm lead deeper into the building, my eyes drift to a lone television, the headline catching my attention.

MISSING AMERICAN STUDENT FOUND ADMIST GANG RELATED CHAOS - SEX TRAFFICKING BUST

I still can't believe I was apart of something like this. Nobody ever thinks bad things can happen to them.

Though I am still shaken, my fear is overrun by the thought of seeing my family again.

And the next thing I see are their faces.

"Lyra-- my baby..." My mother runs across the police department's lobby and pulls me into her chest. "You're safe... you're alive... how? Oh baby, I thought I lost you forever." She strokes my hair, beginning to sob with happiness.

"Mother, I missed you so much--" I melt into her arms, returning her forceful yet desperate embrace.

Mark appears next to us, his smile worn with weeks worth of stress. "You're okay..." He seems to whisper in disbelief, wrapping his arms around us. He isn't crying, but the look in his eyes shows he's damn near it.

And my grandmother,  she waits for her turn. Grief is evident in her expression, but it's masked with relief. I can tell she's been worrying far too much, and she has probably been blaming herself.