Giving up on you

X

You didn't need another description, it was obviously Leo

- what ? ... - you breathed out

- he was here about 20 minutes ago.

- Which way did he take?

- I don't know...

"does this old man really not know anything?!" – you thought frustrated and just bowed and walked over to the next door and stared at it for a second before going back to the street looking on your phone for all nearby hospitals.

"At least I know Leo is looking for him as well, that might be a clue...no, I'm sure something must have happened to him... - your mind recalled the events at the ball - Sorry Leo but finding you is to find Hongbin"

The searching was harder than you thought as you weren't his relative, dialing telephone numbers and asking for directions took almost half of your day but still managed to find out he wasn't in a hospital and that made the pressure on your chest lighten up a little. After that you noticed you had not eaten since yesterday when your stomach growled loudly enough people passing next to you could hear it.

You entered a coffee shop and ordered a coffee and a cake to eat while searching for that town's accidents or news in the last months, but nothing seemed to point at your friend. He even wasn't in the missing people report.

Having run out of ideas you decided to take desperate method: swallow your pride and walk around showing a picture and asking people if they know him.

Of course it wasn't working until...

- uhm... he looks familiar...

Your mood suddenly brighten up as the dark skinned guy scanned the photo on your phone with a serious look.

- really?! – you asked way too loud making him look at you as if you were a weirdo.

- why are you looking for him? – he asked with disbelief.

- I'm his best friend but I haven't been able to contact him ... - and you gave all the explanation of how he suddenly vanished away and even showed pictures of you two together.

- ok, I believe you – he smiled and gestured to you to low down your voice.

- He is a coworker..well, "was"... he only attended for two weeks then he never came back to the restaurant, we were both waiters.

- So he didn't quit? – the pressure in your chest increased to a choking level.

- No, even when the boss tried to contact him he didn't answer the phone.

He must have noticed the worried face you tried to hide as he let out a sight.

- you know, I'm kind of free right now plus I kind of got to know him as well... so I'll help you look for him since you don't know this city.

You had your doubts at first but didn't have another option but to accept the help he was offering you.

- you can trust me. I'm Hakyeon. – he saluted you. And you reached out you hand to greet him back.

You entered his workplace: a fine restaurant full of elegant-looking people surrounded by the piano music playing. The waiters were wearing a black uniform stylized to make them look taller; you couldn't help to imagine Hongbin wearing them.

- This way – Hakyeon leaded you to a door on the back side, apparently the manager office.

There, you asked him (the manager) about Hongbin and his dad but it was useless.

--------

Leo followed Hyuk a few steps behind still cautious in case he resulted to be one of Hongbin's mom comrades but same as you he didn't have much of an option. When the younger boy drifted in a corner to an abandoned alley he thought it was a trap and stopped before entering the dark place scanning every movement the other made. Hyuk stood in front of an old-looking service door and turned to see Leo still on the street.

- Aren't you going to see your friend? - He asked in a polite yet demanding tone.

Leo hesitated a few seconds that the clever Hyuk noticed.

- It's fine... -he raised up his voice - you can trust me... - he looked around - well, I know this place and situation is suspicious - he smiled innocently and Leo lowered down his guard to start following him again.

Once he caught up with Hyuk he opened the door that was heavier than it looked making the rusty screws grind.

Their eyes narrowed instantly As soon as they entered the completely white hall brightly illuminated. Leo noticed there was nobody around.

- How did you know this place?- Leo asked Hyuk

- forgot to tell you. My dad is the prosecutor in charge of Hong bin's case and it was a coincidence we ended being neighbors - he replied as he kept walking to a door at the end of the hall. It was as those in the secured zones of a hospital and was in custody by a though looking man whom as soon as he saw Hyuk he relaxed his features but didn't open the door.

- Good evening, Kan! - Hyuk saluted in an informal way. - This guy here is an alleged witness of case 0154.

- As you know I'm going to need his ID, and finger print and you should fill this report - he handed a pair of sheets to him - and leave all metallic objects on that basket before you enter.

Hyuk did as dictated and wrote down the required information and then indicated with his hand to give his ID at Leo who immediately took it out of his wallet.

Leo then noticed the white recipient next to the door and started to loosen his belt and placed it along with his keys on it.

After that the guard opened the door with a loud mechanical din.

- I'll return your ID's when you leave - the man said eyeing Leo in the same way he would see a guilty person.

They passed the metal detector and took back his belongings. Hyuk led your friend around another bright hall.

- So tell me, do you know this girl Hongbin always talked about...

- Yeah

-I suppose she doesn't know the accident... -the phrase lingered in his lips.

- No she doesn't

- Then why haven't you call her to tell her about it

- Because - he remembered everything: his relationship with Hongbin and how it was part his fault that his family got destroyed - it might be too much to her. - He watched Hyuk from the corner of his eyes - why didn't you contact her first?

- Because Hongbin told me not to before he... - he suddenly stopped and lowered his gaze filled with pain - you know, he was barely conscious when they took him to the Hospital and as soon as they called me I rushed over there... - he gulped - his face was covered in blood but still managed to tell me to never tell her about it... before starting to convulse

Leo felt suffocated by regret just hearing that because as much as he knew Hongbin he might have felt he was going to die and didn't want her to suffer but to think he forgot about her.

He wanted her to give up on him.

Hyuk pointed to a door with the code 0154 on it.

Without waiting for Hyuk Leo rushed towards it with long steps but finally stopped when he grabbed the doorknob, hesitating as for he was about to see.

He took a deep breath and let it out in a loud sigh before rotating the knob.

The acute sound showing Hongbin's vital signs penetrated his ears as if every time he heard it was a clear accusation coming from him. But the fatal blow came when he focused on the boy on the bed: his hair was spread over the pillow; even with the oxygen mask he could notice his face was more angular. His skin under his lids had acquired a grayish tone and his forehead was wrapped by bandage.

Hyuk remained outside but still keeping an eye on him.

-I'm sorry, Hongbin - was all he could say.