When the darkness in his head cleared Jeonghan was double cuffed to the bed. His head hurt, his body ached all over and when he tried to move a searing pain ripped through his ankle. “Why did you try to run away?” Hansol was pacing frantically in front of the bed. “I thought we had a deal. You agreed to stay here and help me out Jeonghan. I thought we were friends.”

His hands pulled at his hair and Jeonghan began to panic. Trying to be brave and save himself was stupid. As much as he was desperate to be strong he needed Seungcheol and, the first time since this ordeal began l, he started to cry. Jeonghan wasn’t a crier. He preferred to channel his energies into more worthwhile outlets but his ankle was killing him, his head throbbed, and he was exhausted. He closed his eyes so he didn’t have to watch Hansol pull at his hair and pace the floor in front of him. It was just too terrifying.

“Sirens and lights off,” Wonwoo said into the radio as Seungcheol approached the gallery. It was well into night now and the building was suspiciously well lit inside with a warm glow. “Jackpot,” Seungcheol said. “They have to be here.” Wonwoo opened the copy of the building plans in his notebook and began to plan as Seungcheol parked the patrol car around the side. The rest of the squad soon followed, patrol cars and unmarked cars, even the big black SWAT van. “I don’t want to just barge in there,” Wonwoo said to his men as he lined them up outside. “The area is too small. If he feels threatened he might hurt Jeonghan. There’s only one way in and it’s the front door here,” he pointed it out to them as they began to kit up in their gear. “Let me go in,” Seungcheol said. “I can’t stand to wait out here wondering if he’s okay. Please?” “No way,” Wonwoo said. He left Seungcheol standing near the patrol car as he mustered his squad and as soon as his attention was swayed Seungcheol moved. He leaned in and grabbed Wonwoo’s notebook and quickly checked the building plans before tossing the notebook back on the seat.

He had to get in there. He just knew Jeonghan was in there, alone and scared, and he needed to protect him. He was filled with shame for how poorly he’d done his job, when it came down to it he hadn’t been there, and he’d never rely on anyone else to take care of Jeonghan ever again. He didn’t blame Junhui, he didn’t blame Jisoo, he didn’t even blame Hansol. He only blamed himself.

He slipped away from the small crowd of police officers and began to make his way around the back of the building. There had to be another way in. He paced the perimeter until he found a stairwell leading down a narrow dark passage and he was flooded with relief. This was it. All the buildings in this area had basement storage. He’d seen that on Wonwoo’s plans and he’d known there had to be a second entrance.

The stairwell was narrow and dark but Seungcheol slipped down it silently and began to search for a way in. The door at the bottom was locked and he rattled it quietly. The amount of give he had gave him hope but he just needed to be quiet. He stood still and listened for an approaching vehicle but it turned the other way. When the next one turned down the back alley Seungcheol took his chance and pulled hard at the door using the noise of the car for cover. It rattled and g