Bandaids & Punches ✔️

14. Pushed Beyond Limit

Haneul stands frozen in his place, too shocked to comprehend the police officer's words. Dae Ho mirrors his expression too, and before they know it, the man is retrieving handcuffs from his pocket.

"...w-what?" Dae Ho moves backward, his feet staggering, but the police haul and press him against the car hood. The bag Haneul had given him falls from his grip, contents splaying on the ground.

'To better days! Happy Birthday Dae Dae'
—Haneul

The fallen card reads.

The policeman holds Dae Ho down by the neck. "You have the right to remain-"

"I didn't kill anyone!"

"—silent. Anything you say will-"

Dae Ho takes short breaths, his heart beating rapidly against his chest. He struggles and seethes, "you're having the wrong-"

"-be used against you in court. You have the right to an attorney." The handcuffs click around his wrist. They push him towards the backseat of their car, Dae Ho's protests of no use nor him trying to break free. He is hit by a baton and pushed inside forcibly.

The loud sound of the door closing brings Haneul back from his trance. He rushes to the officer and holds him by the arm. "What are you doing?"

"Let go," the man threatens, "or I'll do the same to you. We found his fingerprints on the weapon." He tears his arm away from the doctor's grip and drives off. Haneul runs back to his car and follows the other till they reach the police station.

When the officers pull Dae Ho out of the car, he doesn't protest nor does he say anything. His shoulders are slumped, head lowered, and hair falls over his defeated eyes. He walks obediently into the station, all fight in him lost.

Haneul parks his car, pockets his wallet and strides towards the place. He collides with another man on his way. "I'm sorry, I wasn't looking," he says and rushes inside without checking up on the man.

Dae Ho is sitting on a chair, still cuffed. He has his eyes glued to the officer's table, murmuring replies when he asks about his identity.

"Where were you on 28th August, around 9:00 P.M.?" The officer investigates, writing down notes in his book.

"...I-"

"He has the right to remain silent," Haneul voices from behind, sending the officer a dirty look.

"Are you his attorney?"

"No, I'm his friend."

"Then you can leave."

"I know this man, he'd never do something like that," Haneul argues with the officer until Dae Ho stands abruptly, the chair falling.

"Haneul, thank you for everything until now," he smiles at him, too artificial. "You should go home."

"What-"

"-I'll talk to you if this man isn't here," he addresses the officer with a stern tone.

"Dae Ho, what are you-" Two men pull Haneul by his arms when the detective signals them. "Wait-stop! What are- come on, don't do this!" He thrashes his limbs, trying to break free, but the hold on him is stronger. He is pushed outside, the door locking with a soft click.

"First of all, there is something you need to know," Dae Ho starts, he takes a deep breath. "The man outside has never been involved in anything. He knows nothing, so do not drag him into this mess."

The detective behind the desk nods, pushing his spectacles on his nose. "Then tell me what happened."

Haneul sulks, his lips turning into a deep frown and throwing profanities at the officers and Dae Ho. He leaves, but not before shouting "I'll be back".