In the name of love

020

The journey in the car was uncomfortably silent. Taewoo was at the wheel while Jeongyeon sat on the passenger side, her face crunched with worries about Dahyun and Sana. The rain showed no signs of stopping and it has been more than an hour with no news from both sides: the searching party and the royal couple. And what infuriated her most was that she wasn't allowed to join the search. Instead, she was ordered to return to the palace under the instruction of her father and His Majesty. But what she didn't know was that this was all made with good intentions. The King and Queen figured out it would be unsafe for Jeongyeon to be seen in the public for the time being, especially after witnessing the chaotic scene in the ballroom and not to the mention, the possible backlash the poor girl would receive in due time from the general public.

"Sunbae, please. Let me go and join the search! I can't possibly sit here and do nothing!" Jeongyeon pleaded, breaking the vexing silence.

"You know I can't and besides where are you going to look from?" Taewoo answered to the best he could while remaining focused on the road ahead in the midst of the heavy rain.

All of a sudden, a figure stumbled across the road. Taewoo reacted instantly, applying the brake pedal forcefully. Their car came to a screeching stop as their bodies lurched forward slightly, protected by the restrain of their seatbelts while the man fell on his butt, shocked by the near hit.

They immediately exited to check upon the fallen man. Upon closer inspection, they were surprised at the sight of his bloodied shirt and an apparent bruised face. The two stared at each other confusingly. They were pretty sure the car didn't hit him. As they drew nearer, the distinct stench of strong alcohol lingered closely. It was obvious the man was drunk and perhaps he has gotten into a fight somewhere.

"Are you ok, Mister? Do you need me to send you to a hospital?" Taewoo asked as he kneeled down, placing a hand on his shoulder.

The frightened man looked at the two well-dressed individuals. The thought that these people were looking for those two he encountered in the park immediately flashed across his mind. Before Taewoo could ask again, a faint cry of help caught their attention.

Jeongyeon's ears perked upon hearing the all-too-familiar voice and whispered, "Sana? it's Sana!"

Her thought instantly ran wild. The blood on the man's shirt.Who did it belong to? The disturbing intuition made her sprint toward the source.

The drunkard knew from that instant they were all connected. Afraid of getting into more trouble, he shoved Taewoo away with a rough push and scampered as fast as he could. Taewoo threw one last look at the man disappearing back view before heading into the park, hot behind the girl's trail.

________

Sana whispered hoarsely, her voice all worn out by her constant cries. The cold was biting into her bare skin and she shivered uncontrollably but she held onto him as tightly as she could.

"Sana!"

The voice seemed surreal. The voice grew louder and nearer. Sana blinked her eyes, shaking off her gradual weariness. She knew who it was. She mustered all her efforts and cried desperately.

"Here!"

"Over there!" Jeongyeon yelled for Taewoo's attention and dashed towards the source. A wave of relief washed over Jeongyeon when she finally found her missing friends. But something wasn't right.

"Sana! What happened?"

Jeongyeon knelt down and gasped sharply upon seeing the unconscious Dahyun.

"Help him! He's wounded and has a high fever" Sana mumbled, shaking with under the extreme cold.

Jeongyeon immediately held her hand to Dahyun's face and felt the burning hot temperature. By now, Taewoo has caught up with Jeongyeon and spotted them surrounding an unconscious prince.