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Since “Hello Baby” ended we all tried to keep in touch with Yoogeun one way or other but it’s close to impossible with our schedules. Pretty much the only way is when we make it an official event which to me always seems shallow. But we noticed him growing up although I don’t think he is as aware of the time we spent in the freaking cold house in January 2010 and the fun we had shooting the show as we are. Even the staff still talks about those times.

While I think about our affection contests and how happy I was, when Yoogeun chose me over the others once, my phone vibrates on the table. At first I think it’s a message from the kidnappers, but it’s from Kibum who sends the video he received. We immediately load it up to my notebook.

The accompanying note is the same as mine. So no news there, but the clip is interesting.

It’s different from what we have seen before although it’s shot appearantly in the same room where the others were made. But it’s much lighter, as if the light-bulb I saw in the first video was just for show and the real light has been switched on now. Someone is moving around with the camera, following Yoogeun who rattles at the door that is obviously locked. Whoever is recording tries to calm him down by offering sweets on a gloved hand.

The brighter lighting shows that the room is far from being dungeon-like. It looks like a kid’s room actually with a blue and yellow carpet and I catch a glimpse of a poster on one of the yellow painted walls.

“What the ...” Jonghyun says after we have finished and then Taemin surprises us all with his observation when he says:

“Those were Jingus, Yoogeun’s favorite candy. How do they know that?”

It’s true and what is even more important, it’s new. He didn’t eat them while we were shooting “Hello Baby”, he only just discovered them a year ago. That’s why Taemin sent him a box for his birthday.

We start the clip again and watch it frame by frame while Minho takes down notes. Then Jjongs phone rings, it’s Kibum. We all listen in.

“Did you get the clip?” he asks

“Yeah”, Jjong tells him, “we’re analyzing it right now.”

“You noticed the Jingus and the hand?”

“The hand?”

“That’s a woman’s hand”, Kibum says.

“You sure?”

“Watch it closely, the size ... and there’s a piece of a bracelet showing.”

“... not that men wouldn’t wear bracelets”, Minho says with a raised eyebrow.

“Well I wouldn’t wear that one”, Kibum returns and Taemin adds “... that’s saying something ...”

“Got it”, Jjong confirms. “Where are you now?”

“Albany airport. There’s a flight in two hours to LA. I’m trying to find a connecting one to Seoul or Tokyo at least, but most of them are pretty much booked up. I keep looking.”

“Yeah”, Jjong says and makes a weird face.

“You worried?” Kibum asks as if he sees it.

“Yeah”

“Don’t be, honey. I’ll make it.”

At this Jjong smiles and then we suddenly all do. Of course he will, he’s almighty Key.

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The next message from the kidnappers comes in only on my phone. There’s no clip, just a text. It says:

“ALL OF YOU WEAR BLACK AND SLEEVELESS. DETAILS LATER. ADDRESS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON. NO POLICE OR HE DIES”

“What the ?” this time Taemin says and JJong adds with a lopsided grin: “I don’t think Kibum will like that.”