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[observation]

The next morning Jeno woke up on the floor of Haechans room. He sat up and looked around, a little disoriented, and groaned as he remembered last night's events. He got up and went downstairs, passing Chenle and Jisung entangled on the couch, and went to the kitchen for some water.

Haechan, Chenle, and Jisung...

Where were Renjun and Jaemin?
He quietly walked back into the living room and looked around. They weren't in any other rooms-the office was clear and so were all the bathrooms. He felt rude checking Haechans parents bedroom so he didn't, and kept looking around. There was no sign of them anywhere and he was starting to get nervous.
"Haechan. Haechan wake up." Jeno shook him awake.
"Huh? What?" The other slowly blinked to life and shrunk back under the covers.
"Jaemin and Renjun are missing."
"Missing? Maybe they just went home." He pulled the blanket back over his face and groaned when Jeno yanked it off of him. "I'm begging you to let me sleep. Last night was awful."
"Okay well, our friends are missing. I'll be sure to tell them you were asleep."
"Don't guilt trip me! I. Am. Tired." Haechan grumbled and held the blanket close, ignoring Jeno.
"Fine!" He gave up and went downstairs, waking the other two up. "Have you seen Jaemin or Renjun?" Chenle blinked at him.
"I think I did? It was super late and I don't remember." Jisung said, stretching his limbs as he sat up.
"Can you tell me anyway?"
"Uhh...Jaemin came back from a walk or something-but he seemed like he was in a hurry. I can't remember what he said but he took Renjun with him."
"At least they're missing together." Jeno sighed, sitting in between the two.
"What time is it?" Chenle asked. He felt like he was on another planet.
"Uhh, around 9:30." Jeno checked his phone and thought about texting the missing pair. Chenle immediately sat up and shook his head.
"Ah ffuck. I've got..." he sat still and let his head drop, "I've got a thing. And I need to get home. Jisung walk me home." Chenle slumped over back into the cushions and Jisung laughed.
"I can help you find them later. If you uh, want my help."
"I'd appreciate it, yeah." Jeno smiled at him as he stood. He was gonna need a little more help than Jisung.

Jeno went back home as he waited for Jisung.
"Mom! Did Jaemin or Renjun show up at all?" Jeno called as he entered the house. He was met with Jaehyun standing by and charging in the hall.
"Hello, Jeno."
"Hey Jaehyun. Did you see them?"
"No. I have not."
"Keep an eye out for them. Please?"
"You got it." He crossed his hands behind his back and smiled down at him. Jeno walked further into the house and called out for his parents again. He found his dad, asleep in his office but he couldn't find his mom. He sighed, frustrated, and texted Jaemin.

Where are you guys???
Why did you leave together??
When did you leave?

Please don't message me
You'll compromise our location

HUH?!
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN

You have been blocked.

Great.
Now he was blocked and confused.

Jisung showed up about fifteen minutes after that and they talked on the porch together. Jisung offered him everything he knew and Jeno told him anything he learned but even together they still didn't know much.
"I can ask Chenle to text Renjun?" Jisung offered. Jeno nodded. He was willing to try anything at that point. "We should get going while we wait though."

They walked around the neighborhood together, calling out for the pair or searching for robot bodies with empty batteries.

None in the neighborhood.

None by the school.

None in or close to Haechans house.

None in Haechans whole neighborhood.

They were having more trouble finding hints since it had snowed that night, covering traces of anything or anyone that had been out then. They started to give up as they walked into the woodsy area nearby. Jisungs phone pinged and he checked the message. "He said Renjun told him that 'he could tell him but not to tell Jeno'. Should-"
"Not to tell me...?" Jeno put his hands on his hips. "Not to tell me?! We've been searching all day, I'm worried sick, trying to cooperate with you, and they're trying to avoid me?"
"Why are you mad at me?"
"Sorry but, we haven't had the best history now have we?"
Jisung scoffed. "I've been trying so hard to be better! I can't do anything more than apologize for what I've said or done but I'm doing my best."
"I'm just-"
"What? Frustrated? I know. I've also been out here all fucking day in this stupid fucking snow! I'm not out here for you, Jeno! We're out here together for Renjun and Jaemin. After we find them, you never have to 'cooperate' with me again. I'm starting to see why they left you." Jisung started to walk further into the woods alone when he felt a thud and crumble on his back. "Did you just throw a snowball at me?"
"Yes!" Jeno set his jaw and clenched his fists.
"I'm gonna hit you."
"Do it! I don't care! It's not like you haven't done it before- go ahead, Park. Hit me! Make my day even better! Fucking go for it!" Jeno shoved him, getting more irritated as he laughed. "What's so funny?" Jeno watched as Jisung picked up a few rocks, packed some snow around them and dipped them in the lake nearby.
"Fuck you, Jeno." He lobbed a few at him, hitting him every time, and went back the way they came.
"Ugh! Fuck you too! I don't need you anyways!" Jeno kicked more snow at where Jisung had last been standing and cursed as he kicked something hard and metallic. He kneeled down and moved the snow away finding some torn wires, loose screws, and an arm. The stillness of the lake seemed to taunt him as he stared, making him feel as if time had stopped.
He was gonna be sick.
He couldn't tell whose arm it was but he didn't really want to know either.
What happened here? Who would do this? Where was the rest of them?
He used his feet to clear around the area and couldn't say whether he was relieved or horrified at the lack of other pieces. Was there someone out there missing a whole arm or something worse? He didn't want to think about it. He picked up the arm and held it close as he started to walk home.

He got a look from a neighbor who was walking their dog as he walked around the neighborhood. Jeno quietly made his way up the steps and into his home, shutting the door behind him.
"Jeno? Is that you?" His father called.
"Yes." He answered as he took off his shoes. He went to where his voice was and stood in the doorway of the office.
"Is that? Whose arm is that?"
"I don't know."
"You alright?"
"I'm holding an arm, dad. Renjun and Jaemin are missing, and it could be their arm so no, not really." He sat down on a chair in the claustrophobic room, still clutching the arm.
"Your mom and I can just...build another pair." His father sat back in his chair and chewed on his lip.
"You can't just...you don't understand. You'll change things I don't want you to change and he'll be different and...just please don't. Please don't make another Renjun if he's gone...I can't keep going through this with him. The first time was bad enough but I just can't if he's gone out this way." He glared at the floor and took a deep breath. "If you find out where the rest of this person is, or who's it is, or even who did this, please don't tell me." Jeno finally handed the arm to him and put his hands in his lap. They sat together in silence for a moment before Jeno left the room.

- - - - -

Mr.Lee spaced out as he analyzed the palm on the arm he was given. He couldn't stop thinking about how defeated Jeno sounded. He really didn't think the robots would have that much an impact on the kid but apparently, they did. He had to admit he wasn't entirely apathetic about the robots. They were made to be human-like and they were charming with their own personalities. Maybe they shouldn't have forced them into Jenos life.

Then again, they were just pieces of metal.

(Helloooo! Look at me, being all consistent and shit)
(🤩dw, it won't last too long ((hopefully it will))
(Anyways, thank you for reading, I hope you enjoy it and i appreciate and love you for supporting me and reading my story)