The day had gone by slowly for FBI agent Sulli Choi. She was tired and hated having to deal with the local detectives. She looked over a report from Detective Jungkook. Man he was a piece of work. Normally, Sulli didn’t mind working with s like Jungkook but on top of being a total douch. He clearly had some issues working with women. Sulli recalled her conversation with him earlier that day.

“So you’re not going to let me in on the meeting?” Jungkook was upset. He had wanted to sit on the FBI’s profiler meeting.

Sulli stayed professional. The local detectives never liked it when FBI took over. She gave him her standard response, “Thank you again for all of your hard work. If we need your assistance, I’ll let you know.” Sulli had turned to leave when she heard Jungkook mutter, “Stupid .”

Working in a field dominated by men, this wasn’t the first time she had been called a and it wouldn’t be the last. She decided to ignore it. It may have been Sullireflecting his own hostility towards her but there was something about Jungkook that she definitely didn’t like.

At her home

It was starting to turn dark and Joojin had gone to the store to buy some almond milk. Hyeri sat in her room staring at her computer screen. She was contemplating whether or not to check out the local dating site. She looked out her window and noticed a car she didn’t recognize parked across the street. Hyeri thought it was strange and closed her curtains. She sat back down and said, “Oh hell, desperate times call for desperate measures.” Hyeri typed in the url address and waited for the site to load. A giant heart popped up on screen asking her to register or log in. Hyeri clicked on the register button. She hadn’t dated anyone in a few months and she was ready for the excitement that a new relationship would bring.

Outside her home

It wasn’t yet nine. He watched her at the window. She was typing in her computer. He ducked down when she stood by the window. It wasn’t Joojin. His breath caught when she stared in his direction. Did she notice him? He wasn’t sure if he wanted her to or not. She closed the white curtains to her window and sat back down. He could see her shadow through the window. He leaned against his steering wheel. Where was Joojin? It was late but he didn’t care. He wanted to see her. He had decided that he wanted to meet with her today even if she wasn’t ready for him. He picked up his phone and checked for messages. He had a few that he started to
respond to. He looked up at the window and then again at the empty driveway. He reminded himself, “Good things come to those that wait.” He would wait all night if he had to.

Meanwhile

Krystal was nervous. It had been so long since she went out on an actual date. She hoped her friend would finally show up tonight. She still didn’t know his real identity. They only referred to one another by their usernames and his picture had been a of a man skiing so she couldn’t see his face as it was covered in large goggles and a thick ski jacket. She bent down and smelled the flowers that were now on her kitchen table. Krystal couldn’t help but smile.

“Krystallll,” a young boy came into the kitchen carrying a math workbook. “Krystal what time are you coming home tonight?”

Krystal looked at her younger brother, “I don’t know Keith. Not too late. Don’t worry. Aunt Denise is going to come watch you while I’m gone.”

Keith was Krystal’s younger brother. He had light brown hair and big brown eyes. He was the sweetest kid Stella knew. “I still need someone to check my math homework.”

Krystal laughed. “Denise is an accountant. I’m pretty sure she can help you with your math work.”

“Do you have to go?”

Krystal couldn’t help but think Keith was cute. Ever since their parents passed away in a car accident, he was very attached to her and didn’t like for her to leave him alone. She knew that he was afraid of losing her too.

“What’s the matter Keith?”

He looked down and drew a circle in the carpeted floor with his big toe, “I don’t want you to go. My friend Billy said there’s a killer on the loose. What if something happens to you?”

Krystal smiled, “Don’t worry Keith. Nothing’s going to happen to me. I’m only going to go have some coffee with a friend. It’s the same friend that sent me the flowers on the table.” Keith looked at the flowers and then sighed.

Krystal continued, “Have you ever heard of a killer sending flowers before?”

Keith shook his head.

Krystal smiled, “There you see? It’s fine. I’m just going to have coffee. I’ll be here when you wake up tomorrow morning.”

Keith sighed again and looked up, “You promise?”

“I promise.”

Keith held up his pinky to her, “Pinky swear.”

Krystal laughed and crossed her pinky with his while saying, “I pinky swear.” This seemed to relieve Keith because he hugged her and she kissed him on the cheek. “I love you baby brother.”

Keith smiled, “I love you too Krystal. Don’t forget your promise.” With that he ran to his room to finish up his homework.

The doorbell rang and Krystal ran to answer it. Her aunt Denise was at the door and when she saw Krystal, she pretended to wolf whistle. Krystal laughed. She was wearing a denim dress with dressy cowgirl boots. She thanked her aunt for watching Keith and stepped outside to get into her car.

When Krystal arrived at the coffee shop, she checked for any messages from her friend. None so far. She hoped he didn’t stand her up again. She ordered a café mocha and sat down at a table when her phone buzzed.

“Hello sweetheart. I’m almost there.”

Krystal blushed and responded, “I can’t wait to finally meet you.”

“Same here. I have a feeling we’re going to have some deadly wicked fun.”

Krystal felt a slight chill run up her spine. “Deadly?”

She was about to respond when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She jumped up and turned to look into a pair of eyes. Her eyes
widened in surprise. “You’re king27?” King27 was the username of Krystal’s online friend.

The man smiled, “Please just call me Jin.”