√ mask on | lee haechan

35

You were held at the police station for a night to further the investigation. Curling up at the corner of the cell, you wrapped yourself in a blanket.

You had changed into the hoodie Jisung gave since the night was cold at the cell. Looking around, some of the police officers were busy typing their report, expecting a call, had some late-night snacks and two people were dozing off in front of their laptop.

You glanced at the wall clock, 3 a.m. and you were still not sleepy, given that you were not in a comfortable place. Leaning your head against the wall, you recalled earlier events.

"How long had you been helping your dad?" Detective Nam asked, eyes maintained on you.

"12," You answered nonchalantly.

You saw him frowning, "And did you even try to report it to the police?" He was so strict that you wanted to dig his eyes out for staring at you like he wanted to murder you at that moment.

"I was a kid, what do you expect I know what I was doing?" You glared at him back, though you know you have to be patient so the police will have sympathy for you. But not by the way you were treated now.

"When did you stop?" Detective Nam seemed to be reading his script only, not even listening to your story and giving you attention to what he didn't want to know.

"I ran away from home last year with J-" You halted, no, you were not going to sell Jisung's name here. Detective Nam looked up at you, sensing something was wrong, he raised a brow. "With?"

"Some money," You quickly covered up.

Luckily, Detective Han showed up next to you, offering a cup. "Want some coffee?"

"Woohyun hyung, you don't have to be that strict. This girl isn't even 20 yet. I'll take over," And so, Detective Nam walked away.

"Sorry, he was probably stressed out about his son," Detective Han smiled at you, 'Finally a nice detective'

"Yoojin, so Haechan told me you were involved in domestic abuse. For how long?" He started asking you questions. You once again heaved a sigh. You didn't want to touch this topic, it's tiring and brought so much pain.

"I-, can we skip this?" You mumbled.

Detective Han reached your hand, stroking it comfortingly. "Yoojin, we have to do this, so he deserves what he did to you and your brother. Please?" He assured you with a smile.

"Detective, isn't what he is charged with right now is heavy enough? He is still my dad." Your response kept the detective quiet for a while and he was dead confused.

"You don't want him to get punished for what he did to you and Jisung? Yoojin, this is not the time to be generous. What if one day when he's released from the jail, he'll hunt you? Or worse, Jisung."

At the concern of Jisung's life, you bit your lips. You were not going to risk Jisung's life again.

Swallowing a big lump in our throat, you nodded, proceeding to give the detective more information.

"He did. We were almost like his punching bag whenever he came home drunk or if he's not satisfied." Your eyes fixated on your lap and Detective Han sensed you were still not ready to open up.

"Ah, look at the time. Yoojin, will you stay here for the night. We also need to take a picture as evidence."

"E-evidence?"

The detective nodded, a smile never faded off his face. "Haechan told me you still have the bruises on you, and with that evidence, we'll punish him with what he deserves."

Having the urge to scream at Haechan, you gnawed on your lips. Why did he have to tell everything?

"We'll get to this case early in the morning and I promise, we'll finish up very soon so you can go home and be with Jisung again," Once again, his eyes twinkled as he smiled.

You ended up dozing off in the cell since you were tired hanging out with Jisung earlier.

At least, Detective Han hinted that you'll not be charged with any fault since you were abused and only did what was told just to get away from your abusive father.

Haechan's POV

"Jisung, why don't you just go to sleep?" Jisung seemed to snap out of his thoughts as he flinched when I called him.

"Hyung," His voice sounded sorrowful. I hummed, sitting next to him on the sofa. "Noona is amazing," I just nodded at what he said, agreeing and listening to him attentively.

"How did she even think to spend time with me before she surrenders herself to the police station? Is she not afraid of anything?" Jisung had his head in his palms.

"I am sure for one, that she's afraid of your future, Jisung. She did what she can to protect you," I tried to calm him down but then I heard him sobbing.

"That's- that's the problem, I was supposed to do it now that I am matured enough." He cried. Automatically, my hand reached his back, stroking his back softly.

"Don't worry Jisung, I'll get her back to us. Besides, Detective Han is someone I know and I've asked him to take care of Yoojin while she's there. " Jisung eyes lit up, "Really? Thank you hyung!"

He clung his arms around my shoulder, normally I would push him away but not this time, this little boy needs someone right now.

I hope she's back faster too, I miss her too.

3rd POV

Police Station, 7 am

You woke up by Detective Han's soft taps on your shoulder. "Yoojin, wash up your face, we'll start the investigation fast,"

You were seated in a room with two female officers as they took pictures of your swollen back and stomach carefully. "Did you get this treated?" One of them asked and you just nodded.

Treating it at the hospital would cost you much, you didn't even have money to do so and when you were living with your mother, you had never thought about the bruises much as the pain was numb already.

When you walked back to Detective Han's table, you saw your father at another detective's table with two other big built police guarding him.

He shifted his head to look at you but, his eyes weren't piercing into yours anymore, like he usually did.

Quickly, you looked away before you could feel pity and guilt towards him.

"So, let's end this fast," Detective Han cracked his knuckles and was ready to type in your details as you carefully spilled what had been going on in your life.

Detective Han was so friendly that you almost spilled everything like best friends would do but you made sure to avoid Jisung in your topic. You didn't want Jisung's name to be in the police's report.

"Do you want me to send you home?" Detective Han asked, stretching his limbs as he walked you to the front building. "No, it's okay. I'll just take a cab. Thank you for your hard work." You bowed to him.

You wanted to stop by a cafe to buy some breakfast for Jisung and Haechan.

As you were walking away from the police station, you received a message. Your hands trembled noticing what was going on.

From: Bitchy Pudu

FUck! Yoojin, I'm so sorry. I think Jisung ran away last night to get you.

Another notification came in.

From: Lee Taeyong

I guess we have your favorite here, want to pick him up? Alone, of course

You felt a rush of fear wash over you and your heart hammering against your ribcage, they have Jisung.

edited.