Sincerely, Yours

12

"Hi there, what's your name?"

Police sirens echoed in the background. A police inspector knelt before a whimpering boy. With immense gentleness in the tone of her voice, she tenderly wiped the tears cascading from the thirteen-year old's eyes.

"Hey, hey. It's going to be okay."

The boy sniffled and nodded at the inspector's assurance. As she was about to ask him again, another inspector appeared.

"Inspector Park, I need you to get the victim's son's name, where he is and his mother's name."

He noticed the boy beside her and realized. His face immediately softened. "Is this the boy?"

Inspector Park nodded. "Yes, and I'm trying my best to console him, Inspector Wang."

Inspector Wang reassured. "I'm sure you are. I'll come to check on you later."

Inspector Park turned her full attention back to the still-crying boy. Tucking the stray hair behind her ears, she sighed. She tried again,

"It's okay, it's okay. I want you to tell me your name, honey."

The boy wiped his tears with the sleeves of his sweatshirt. He sniffled and looked at the inspector's kind eyes. He barely managed to get his words out.

"J-Jungkook."

Inspector Park smiled. "Okay, could you tell me your full name?"

Jungkook took a deep breath and stuttered, "J-Jeon Jungkook."

Inspector Park hummed as she noted down his name. Though she didn't want to push the boy further, she knew she had to eventually.

"Who's your mother, sweetheart?"

Fresh, hot tears streamed down Jungkook's pale, clear cheeks. Inspector Park winced as she asked the question because she didn't want to make the boy cry any more. She patted his back gently and tried her best to console the distressed child. After a while, Jungkook seemed to calm down as he wiped his eyes and nose. He slowly started,

"My m-mother is Jeon Jiyeon. She-" Jungkook paused and bit his lip. "She suicided when she found out my father was cheating on her."

Inspector Park felt extremely sorry for the boy. She let out a sympathetic "oh" and soothingly rubbed his back. Jungkook continued, with shaken breaths,

"I miss omma so much. But my father is not a bad person, I-I swear. He may have made horrible mistakes, but he's not a bad person," Jungkook trembled, "H-He was my only family."

With that, Jungkook completely broke down in Inspector Park's arms. Jungkook tightly closed his palms and his nails dug into his skin. Inspector Park couldn't do anything but run her fingers through his brown, matted hair. After a while, Inspector Wang returned.

"All good?"

Inspector Park sadly shook her head. Inspector Wang sighed and tilted his head, "Take him to the station. We'll figure out something there. I'll search the scene for evidence. Maybe it's a suicide, after all."

Inspector Wang watched Inspector Park slowly peel off Jungkook from herself.

"Jungkook? I want you to come with me, yeah? You trust me don't you?"

Jungkook's face had now become red and hot. His eyes looked tired and puffy. Reluctantly, he nodded. Inspector Park smiled slightly as she helped him get up and escort him to the car.

Jungkook sat heavily on the seat and rubbed his forehead in disbelief. The Inspector sat next to him and shut the door. Jungkook removed his shoes and crisscrossed his legs. He sank back into the seats and let out a huge sigh. The Inspector tried to smile as she patted his thigh. Looking out the window, he was hit by the overwhelming, bitter truth.