COFFEE BREAK | NCT.

- THIRTY -

COFFEE BREAK HEADQUARTERS.
10.30 A.M. GMT -

"i'm taking a coffee break." one of the men stood up, loosening his tie.

the other man's eyes widened. "the boss will kill you."

"maybe. but it was choking me. if there's one thing i can't understand about him, it's his strictness about all this formal attire. i hate showing up to work dressed for a funeral." the first man made a face as he reached forward to shut off the monitor.

"who doesn't?" his colleague turned his attention back to the screen, which was filled with flickering waves of static. "get me a coffee too."

"you're still going to watch that? it's just static."

"they're going to reappear any moment, leo."

the other's eyes narrowed. "i've said many times, we are not on a first-name basis, mr. kim."

"sorry, bad habit." hurriedly changing the subject, he mumbled, "bet you one of these kids will die during the journey." he glanced at his watch. "they always die in stage two."

"one? you're overestimating them too much, mr. kim. even two would be a compliment. but seeing their progress so far, i'll bet just two. they're quite an exceptional bunch this year."

"indeed." mr. kim slid a stack of coins towards him, a smirk on his lips.

the other man's lips twitched in what might have been approval. reaching into his pocket, he scattered his own pile of gold on the table.

"it's a bet."

.

SEOUL, KOREA.
5.30 P.M. KST -

[ 17 - YEAR OLD BOY REPORTED MISSING ]

SEOUL, KOREA - On the 15th of April, a 17-year old boy, Lee Taeyong, was reported as missing. His mother, who has chosen to remain anonymous, claimed that she filed a missing persons report after Lee did not return on the morning of the 15th, after going missing the evening before.
The last time Lee was sighted was at 6.30pm, when he returned to his room after dinner. At 7pm, his mother went up to his room, only to find it empty.
Mrs. Lee describes her son as shy and timid, and does not believe that he has run away from home. "It must be a kidnapping, although I do not understand how it was carried out," she told The Korea Times.
Lee was described as "troubled" by an anonymous classmate, who explained that he was often bullied by others due to his quiet personality.
Lee is 1.75m and has white hair. Should he be sighted, please dial the police hotline as they are making further investigations.

.

[ TAEYONG ]

MOM
Taeyong, where are you?

MOM
Please come back...

MOM
I miss you so much...

MOM
I remember just that evening you were
talking about going to a university in Seoul
so that you could take care of me...

MOM
Have you forgotten about the future we planned?

.

[ CALLING SEULGI...]

[ CALL NOT ANSWERED. LEAVE A VOICEMAIL? ]
[ YES | NO ]

MOM
"Well,"

MOM
"You did it."

MOM
"How many times have I caught you running away already?"

MOM
"Maybe you will learn your lesson once and for all this time."

MOM
"I hope you suffer the worst consequences possible for your sins."

MOM
"First you caused my baby's death, and now you run away?"

MOM
"Coward."

MOM
"Do you know what the neighbours are saying about us?"

MOM
"Of course not. You're just so selfish."

MOM
"All you do is bring bad luck on our family."

MOM
"I've changed the locks, so don't bother coming back here."

MOM
"Good riddance."

.

"so what you're saying is, she has anger management problems?"

"y-yes." mrs. park's hands trembled as she looked at the officer scribbling down notes.

"i... tried to keep her safe at home, but i guess it was too much for her. am i a bad mother?" she broke down in sobs, and the police officer patted her shoulder awkwardly.

"don't worry so much, mrs. park. i'm sure your daughter is safe and sound, she'll come back to you soon."

"that's the thing. i don't want her to come back. i suppose i am a terrible parent. i'm just so tired of dealing with her tantrums. she used to hit me, do you know that? and yell at me. i'm sick of it. it's been so peaceful without her the past few days," mrs. park sniffled.

"mrs. park!" the officer frowned, "why would you file a missing persons report then?"

"it was for my husband," she resumed her crying, "sooyoung was everything to him, but sadly he... didn't make it. it's been so hard since he left me, and my daughter just... made it even worse."

"surely you don't mean that." the officer looked stern now. "don't you want your daughter to return home."

"i'm sorry!" she gasped. "i know i should hope for that, that's what any mother would do, but i can't."

"your report makes five suspicious missing persons reports, all on the same day," the police officer informed her, "did your daughter know any of these kids?"

he handed her a list of four names.

"not that i know of," she pointed at the first name. "lee taeyong, wasn't that the kid in the news?"

"yes. the one from korea." he nodded. "thank you for your time. i shall inform you of any new developments."

"i'd rather you wouldn't." mrs. park rubbed her eyes and stood up to leave.

END OF PART II.