Five. Easter Egg

Underneath the makeup and the contacts, Hwasa almost looked unrecognizable. Dark crescents under her bloodshot eyes framed by her long blonde fringe. Jungkook had stayed the night at the hospital, with two teams of security stationed outside the door.

Results of the routine checkups Hwasa went through were stable .There were no signs of physical trauma though Jungkook could barely vouch for mental-wise. The young lady had confessed to him repeatedly that she could not let people die because of her again. She asked him repeatedly about the drug and the shooters and the victims, were they safe? Have they all gone home? Were their families alright?

Jungkook flipped through his notebook once more, going through all of the leads that he had listed out.

What is Moonshine? How and why was it made?

Someone wants Ahn Hwasa dead. Who?

Why are kids hunting down a girl?

Jeon had more questions than answers than he would like to admit.  Captain Minseok had assigned them a team at least. Younger officers who were at least trained and knew how to take orders. Jungkook had issued them an order to report strength at 3pm in the afternoon instead. Meanwhile he had Jin at the station overnight, looking through all of HQ’s database about what Moonshine could be.

He’d passed Jin the note he got from Yoongi secretly. Yoongi had got back to him with a phone call saying he landed in Japan safely. The detective had made a reservation for two at Kyo that night as well, keeping in mind that he still needed to speak to Cha Nayeon.

Hwasa’s parents were uncontactable. Jeon didn’t pry any further as to why. Her roommate however, showed up first thing in the morning.  A young man called Park Jimin.

Jungkook watched on as Jimin continued to rub soothing circles around Hwasa’s palm. He hadn’t so much as greeted Jungkook, but only with a curt nod. Park Jimin looked peculiar to him; his facial features were rounded and smooth much alike a female. Jungkook  spied a hint of eyeliner smudged around Jimin’s eyes but couldn’t observe much more than that. The young man wore an oversized, turtleneck sweater and sleeves too long that it hid his hands. Jungkook thought Jimin looked tiny in huge adult clothes.

Boyfriend, perhaps? Jungkook was sure that the man was anything but just the blonde female’s ‘acquaintance’.

“I know this is not an appropriate time,” Jungkook murmured, “but we need to take a statement from you.”

Jimin remained silent. Silence means consent.

“Do you know if Miss Ahn has been doing anything suspicious?”Jungkook started, “Anything out of the ordinary?”

Jimin shook his head deftly. Jungkook could only twirl the pen in his grasp, a little more impatient than he should be. Jungkook knew nothing about Hwasa’s roommate. According to Jin, Mr Park was clean. No federal offences. No laws broken. A good man.

“Call me,” Jungkook offered,flipping out the paperweight towards the other man. His card. “In case you find something important.”

Jimin nodded and then suddenly fished out Jungkook’s pen within his grasp. He then snatches the notebook as well and scribbles down something on an empty page.Jungkook couldn’t say anything in time as the other man rushes out the door. He gets up to chase after him, particularly confused and slightly angry.  A hand on his arm catches him in time.

The little yawn Hwasa emits made her look like a child rather than a 20 year old woman. She shakes her head before letting go of Jungkook’s arm.

“He’s mute.”  Hwasa forces out a cough as she struggles to sit up. Jungkook hurriedly helps her up, one hand too close to her waist.

Hwasa then adds on, “I can leave now right?”

Jungkook shrugs. “Not sure. I’ll check with the doctor.”

The blonde girl nods just as Jungkook leaves for the front door. He glances at the note Park had written down. The frown the man made must’ve been visible enough for Hwasa to notice; Jungkook felt as if he’d accidentally punctured a vein in his forehead.

It’s in her stomach.

_._._._._._._._._._._._

Seokjin lays down the note