In a Maze...

Chapter 14

The surveillance team had taken the complete responsibility to watch Jinyoung all day and night. The team member on duty would be seated in the cafe opposite Jinyoung's apartment and would follow Jinyoung when he came out.

Nothing unusual had been witnessed yet and it seemed Jinyoung had no idea that he was being watched. The cafe owner had complied with the police's request to use some space in front of the cafe, for the night-time surveillance.

There was no more need for Mark to go to Jinyoung and carry out his duty, which had been to keep his eyes on Jinyoung. It was all for the best but Mark felt something was amiss, probably because he had been so used to being with Jinyoung.

Two days passed quite alright, but on the third day, his phone rang with 'Jinyoung' on the screen. Mark answered the call and gave a tentative 'Hello'.

"Mark? Are you alright?" Jinyoung asked, "Why haven't you come to me these days? I was actually waiting for you yesterday."

"Don't wait for me, Jinyoung" Mark said, "I don't think I'll be able to come to you any soon."

"Why? Because you're busy?"

"Kind of. But the thing is that I'm no longer needed there. So, don't expect me to appear there any soon."

The other end went silent and Mark waited for a response. Somehow, he wondered how Jinyoung felt about this situation.

"You're no more needed here? What do you mean?"

"You don't need to know, Jinyoung. Maybe, you're already out of our suspect list. You don't need to mind me anymore."

"I knew a day like this would come sooner or later," there was a sharp intake of breath, "So, we just go back to our own lives. But I hope you'll stop by whenever it's convenient for you. I'll be happy to see you again."

Mark wished he could fulfill that wish even now, but his righteous mind was against this desire. He couldn't afford to be pulled into this net all over again.

"I'm sorry I can't promise you, Jinyoung. Maybe, someday."

"I see," Jinyoung said, his voice cracked, "Good luck in your investigations, by the way."

"Thanks," Mark paused for a moment, "You, too, live life to the fullest. You'll never know what's waiting for you ahead."

When the call was ended, Mark stared at his phone, soulessly. He wished he had never met Jinyoung.

Another day passed and on the fourth day, however, Mark came to the resolution that he would indulge himself a little more, maybe for the last time. He would go and see Jinyoung, if that would calm his mind, which had been restless these days. Just for a few hours and that would be done.

So he drove to Jinyoung's place in the evening, and then met the surveillance team member on duty. Joonho was quite younger then him and still a junior member in the team. He recognised Mark and paid him due respect.

"Are you on duty? To what time?" Mark inquired.

"From six to eleven, hyung. I just followed our subject from his company."

"He's back home, then? Anyway, Joonho, you can go back home now. I'll be with him till eleven. Whose duty at eleven?"

"Donghyun, hyung."

"Tell him to contact me when he arrives here."

When Joonho left, Mark continued his way to Jinyoung's apartment, imagining how Jinyoung would react to this unexpected visit.

At the second ring of the doorbell, the apartment door was opened by Jinyoung, who looked just having had a shower and dressed himself in a hurry.

"Hey," Mark muttered, stepping into the doorway. Jinyoung's eyes were a little bit shocked but more than that, they were brightening up.

"Long time no-"

Mark's sentence hang in the air, unfinished, when Jinyoung threw himself into Mark and hugged him, tight, with his face burying in Mark's shoulder.

"You said you wouldn't come to me any soon," Jinyoung uttered, "Thank you. Thank you for this."

Mark was hesitated to put his hands around Jinyoung but later his hands moved and patted Jinyoung's back.

Jinyoung detached himself from Mark after a few minutes, "I'm just so glad to see you."

Now that Mark could look at Jinyoung properly, he noticed the cheekbones a bit more prominent than usual and his frame, which seemed to have got quite thinner.

"Are you okay, Jinyoung? Haven't you been eating well? You look like you've lost weight."

"It's just that those sleepless nights have come back. Nothing unusual, anyway. And a bit lonely, too. All same old."

They seated themselves in the living-room, and Jinyoung asked, "Do you want a coffee?"

"No, don't bother," Mark sighed quietly, "Was it all because I stopped coming?"

"I was so used to talking to you and letting out my burdens that it was empty without you. But I understand that you've your own work and can't always keep me company."

Mark could feel the sincerity in those words or hoped that there was.

"I'm going to be here till eleven. We can at least now make up for lost time."

Jinyoung smiled, "Till eleven then. How have you been doing? The investigation going well?"

"Pretty much," said Mark, flatly. He did not understand how Jinyoung could sound nonchalant. "Have your nightmares come back?" Mark changed the subject; he wanted to forget this whole murder thing just for now.

"Sort of. I think there's no way to escape them. Things are always going dark in my life. There's always some kind of loss."

"Talk to me as you always did. If it makes you feel better."

It seemed like everything got back to normal and they were back to their old routine. And their conversation shifted to many more random things.