Known | Na Jaemin ff | Part 2 (HIATUS)

Chapter 27

Mina PoV

The two investigators texted me at 8 am sharp to let me know that they were already geared up and ready to head over to Yeseul's location. 

I had been up for hours the night before—too restless to even sleep as I worried about Yeseul's safety. 

"What if she's not there?" I asked. 

"If she's not there, we keep looking. And we'll keep looking until we find where she is and who's behind all of this." Jaemin said, setting down his cup of coffee.

Walking to my side, he pulled me into his embrace and gave me a tight squeeze. 

"We're going to find her, Mina. She'll be okay." He reassured in a soft voice. 

"I don't know. I just...these serial killers. These people are a lot smarter than we should assume. I know that Yerim had something to do with them. I heard them in the bathroom. I should know more." I said. 

"I know. I know. But we've tried to pry some stuff out of her and it hasn't worked." Jaemin said. 

I pulled away and held Jaemin at arm's length. "It hasn't worked because it's always been me or Jeno. You. You need to go." 

Jaemin stared at me like I was a maniac. "What?! No! You know that I don't want to! I can't! You know what's going to happen!"

"But Jae—"

"No 'but Jaemin'! I don't want to hear it! It wasn't you who was tortured for a week! It wasn't you who was beat on the head every time you woke up! It wasn't you, so shut the fuck up about me going to question her! I'M NOT GOING TO DO IT!" Jaemin shouted. 

I looked at him with shock. But I knew I was too selfish to ask Jaemin to do something like this. Why did I even try to ask? What the hell were you thinking? Jaemin's 100% right.

"I'm sorry." I said. "I shouldn't have put you in that position. I'll figure something out." 

Jaemin looked at me once more before storming out of our bedroom. 

I sighed and sat on the edge of my bed trying to come up with something. No one is cooperating. This isn't going to work. But I've got to get Yeseul out of there safely. What do I have to do to make this terror stop?  I thought. 

"I've got it!" I said. I rushed around the house to find my phone before finally grabbing it from the kitchen counter and dialing Mr. Chang's number. 

"Hello? Miss Lee?" Mr. Chang answered. 

"Yes! Hi. I've got a plan. It's a brilliant idea and it'll keep everyone safe from everyone." I exclaimed. 

"What is it?" Mr. Chang said. 

"I'll turn myself over to the Killer Babes. I'll exchange myself for Yeseul. After all, I'm the one Yerim wants." I said. 

"And what happens when you end up dead with your blood on my hands?" Mr. Chang reasoned, "Miss Lee, you can't do that. It can't and won't work. With you as our main witness and victim, I cannot possibly let you fall into danger. Have you talked about this with Mr. Na?" 

"Yeah, have you talked about it with me?" A gruff voice said behind me. 

I jumped in my place and told Mr. Chang I would talk to him later. I gulped and turned around nervously. 

"What do you think you're doing? Throwing yourself into danger? Why the hell would you do that to yourself?!" Jaemin yelled. 

"I was only trying to help!" I yelled back. "I can't have you talking to Yerim! And I'm not going to force you to do anything! If Yerim wants me, she can take me. Who cares anyways? At least Yeseul's life will be saved and everyone else can be happy! Then all the threats are gone." 

Jaemin stumbled back a few steps, with tears in his eyes. He let out a bitter laugh. "Hah, you really haven't changed after all these years." 

"Oh, shut up Na Jaemin. At least I'm being selfless and actually care about other people's concerns. Unlike you who just really couldn't help me." I replied, scoffing. 

"Oh really? I don't care? Really? So back then, I just didn't give a shit about your feelings and decisions? I RESPECTED YOU, LEE MINA! Don't fucking tell me that what I did was a stupid mistake and I could've prevented this mess. No. YOU are the one who doesn't give a fuck about other people. You think you're caring for other people? NO! You're only concerned about the emotions you think other people are experiencing. You're only concerned about yourself and what you think is right. But, all you do is hurt people! All you do is hurt me! Every. Single. Fucking. Day. It's just another painful complaint about me. Have you ever thought about how I might feel really feel? What my true thoughts are? Probably not. Maybe we shouldn't be together if all you do is hurt me." Jaemin said, tears slowly falling down his face. 

I scoffed. "Yeah? So you can go back to Yerim? Go ahead. GO AHEAD! Why would I care? After all, I just don't care for other people. I just care about myself right? Nothing I've done was for others. Everything I've done was for my own good and for leverage against others."

"Maybe I will." Jaemin said, his voice shaking. 

"Fine then! PACK YOUR BAGS AND GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" I shouted, storming out of the house. 

Slamming the door behind me, I finally let out my tears. I ran. I ran as far away from my place as I could. I didn't know where I was going. Anyone who has been hurt before knew the feeling. You just wanted to run. Run from your problems. Run from your responsibilities. Run from the pain. 

And it only helps when it's raining. Your tears get fused into the rain and it all looks the same. At some point, you can't tell if you're just enjoying the feeling of the rain falling onto your face or if you're just too hurt to cry and feel emotions. 

Whatever it was, I felt calm, sitting on the park bench near the lake—the rain gently hitting my face. I could feel the warm tears fall down my face but I ignored it and just tried to focus my thoughts on Yeseul. 

Yeseul. I can't even go to you for comfort. Ugh, this is all going to shit. I hate myself for being incompetent. I wish you were here.