~Run if you can, prince~

*NAMJOON*

“Are you really going to trust him?” Soo asked.

“We have no choice. If we don’t trust him then there’s no way we will be able to get all this puzzles right!” He said.

“But you said this man refused to tell you anything the day you went to him.” Liam pointed out.

Namjoon nodded his head in agreement. “Yes. But he is ready to talk now. Isn’t that a good thing?”

“What if it’s a plan? What if…”

Namjoon shook his head immediately, cutting Liam off. “I doubt this is all planned out.”

“Why?”

“He sounded scared, guys.”

“What?” Soo questioned.

“What do you mean?” Liam asked as well.

He let out a deep sigh before saying. “Something doesn’t feel right.”

_

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*JUNGKOOK*

Jungkook walked into the house and went straight to the bar.

He picked out a bottle of whiskey and a champagne glass. He poured himself a drink and downed the whole content.

“Jungkook.” His mother called from behind, disrupting his peaceful quiet moment.

“Get away from me.” Jungkook said through gritted teeth, pouring himself another drink.

“We need to talk, Jungkook.” She said, refusing to leave him alone.

Jungkook snapped his head to her direction, glaring at her. “Are you going to tell me what you know?”

“No. But…,”

“Forget it. If you are not going to say anything then I see no point in us talking.” He was going to walk away but she caught hold of his wrist, stopping him from walking away.

“You have to listen to me, Jungkook.”

“Listen to you concerning what!?” He yelled.

“Concerning her!” She snapped. It was the very first time for his mother to speak to him in this manner. “You have to stop looking.”

“What?”

“She will kill you if you remember, Jungkook. I can’t let her kill you or even come close to you and that’s why I don’t want you to remember anything.”

“What… what are you saying?”

Dohwa gulped, looking around as if suspecting someone was around. “You might not like me but I love you so much, son. I will do anything to protect you even if it means hurting someone else.”

“What are you saying? Who is this person you are talking about? Tell me why you don’t want me to remember anything exactly!” He asked, pulling his hand away from her grasp.

“She will hurt you. I know what she can do. And you know as well.”

“What do I know?”

She took a step closer to Jungkook, cupping his face. “Lot. But it’s better not to remember anything. Stop what you are doing with Namjoon. And tell Namjoon to stop as well.”

“Why?” Jungkook asked, stepping away from her hold.

“What?”

“Why should I stop? Why should we stop?”

“One of you will die of you guys don’t stop.”

“What?”

“Namjoon, you…and the boy. One of you will surely have to die. And I don’t want it to be you.” She paused, taking a deep breath. “I can’t lose you too.” She cried.

Jungkook knitted his brows, trying to process everything his mother has just said. “The boy…?”

*The witness is a boy?*

*Yes. No one knows his identity or anything about him. He is a mystery and also our last hope to discover this mysterious murderer.*

“You know about the boy, don’t you?” Jungkook asked his mother.

She gulped, lowering her gaze to the floor.

“Who is he?” He asked again.

“You don’t have to know that.” Dohwa said.

“Why not? Why don’t you want us to capture this murderer? What are you hiding? What are you so afraid of?”

“Of losing you. I’m afraid of losing you just like I lost your father. I’m afraid that she might win.”

“She? Are you talking about the murderer?”

“Jungkook, I just want you to stop looking for answers. Forget about your father’s death and move on. Please.” She pleaded.

“What?”

“Just leave this case. She will kill you if you keep searching.”

“You know the murderer, right?”

Silence!

Silence!

Silence!

“ANSWER ME!”

“I CAN’T SAY ANYTHING TO YOU, JUNGKOOK!” She yelled in reply as well. She was breathing very fast. “I can’t say anything to you about this case. But I want you to stop.”

“Do you think if I stop she won’t kill me?” He questioned, stuffing his hands into his pants pocket.

“She promise she will stop if you_”

“And you believe her? I received a note from her today. She won’t stop until she sees me dead and I won’t stop as well until I capture her and make her pay for everything she did.” He sighed. “Stop asking me to stop because the next time to ask that of me, you won’t like want I’m going to do.” He turned to leave but stopped and partly turned to look at her. “For once in your life, you’ve given me the clue I needed… The gender of the murderer. At least now we know it’s a woman. And trust me, I will remember every damn thing I need to remember… Everything.” With that said, he walked away.

_

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*JIMIN*

“Who are you?” Jimin asked, standing up to his feet.

The hoodie girl slowly handed him a note. “You dropped this.” She said.

“What?”

“You dropped this note.” She repeated to him, taking Jimin’s hand and dropping the note on his palm.

“I didn’t drop anything.” Jimin said, giving the note back to the girl but the girl didn’t collect it.

“Well, neither did I.” She said. “And besides, it’s just you and I here unless…” She stared down at Bobo. “It’s the dog.”

“Does that make any sense?”

“Exactly.” She turned to leave but stopped and partly turned to Jimin. “I hope we meet again, prince.” She left as soon as she said that.

Jimin’s mouth dropped open, his eyes were widened in complete shock as he stared at the girl’s back. Gradually the girl faded away, leaving Jimin in an empty street with Bobo and a note he sure as hell know he didn’t drop.

He stared down at the note, tightening his grasp, his face were hardened in anger and frustration.

He was completely frustrated and annoyed.

He grabbed Bobo’s leash and started walking away from the bench when someone caught his wrist from behind, surprising him in the process.

Jimin let out a loud yelp, pulling his wrist forcefully from the person’s grasp while Bobo started barking very hard at the person.

“Jimin?” The voice called out.

Jimin slowly opened his eyes to find a boy of his age staring at him with a huge smile in his face.

The boy’s face looked very familiar even his voice but…

“It’s me, Jimin. Me. Can’t remember?” The boy said.

“I…” Tin. The name struck Jimin almost immediately the boy strikes a Ballet pose, smiling.

Tin was once Jimin’s friend. He was also a ballerina who loves dancing and engaging with people with great moves _Jimin was one of those people he engaged himself with because of his great moves_ Jimin knew about the boy’s strategy but paid no attention to him.

According to Jimin, a true Ballerina won’t fight a fellow Ballerina just because of a move… the true fight of a Ballerina is on the stage where the audience are given the opportunity to vote for the best.

He knew he was best but Tin’s strategy were taking him far.

He mingled with people more than Jimin. Not just any people but people with great talent.

In honesty, Jimin admires Tin for his free social life.

Jimin on the other hand suck at interacting with people.

But even with Tin’s strategy and other things, Jimin always come out as the best. Tin was always his understudy in every ballet show.

Tin hated it but there was nothing he can do.

But ever since Jimin’s accident, he stopped ballet while Tin continued and became the best in the industry. He became the solo lead in every ballet show.

Jimin and Tin have never crossed path since he became blind…until now.

“Tin.” Jimin said in a low voice, surprise to see Tin. Bobo was still barking at Tin. “Calm down girl.” Jimin said to the dog, stroking her head gently. “It’s a friend.”

Bobo stopped barking at Tin and lay on the ground.

“A friend?” Tin questioned.

“That’s the only way to stop him from barking at you.” Jimin explained, dropping the note in his pocket. “What are you doing here?”

“Um, I came around for a ballet show. I’m the solo lead actually.” He smiled.

“Good to hear.”

“I’m so happy to see you. I thought…um, you were blind.”

Jimin forced a smile to his face. “I was. But I’m fine now.”

“I heard about your aunt. I’m so sorry.”

“She died three months ago… isn’t it too late to say sorry?” He was rude. He knows it but the anger radiating in him was damn strong. He’s even doing a good job in acting normal.

“Oh. Yeah.” Tin opened his bag and brought out a flyer, handing it over to Jimin. “I’m inviting you for my show. Will you come?”

Jimin collects the flyer and stared down at the date. It was on Monday, just three days ahead. “I… I’m not sure I can make it. I have other things to take care of.”

“What are you saying, Jimin? You have to come. You need to come. Please.”

“Alright then.” Jimin finally said after a long hesitation.

“Yay. Everyone will be very happy to see you.” He smiled. His phone suddenly started ringing, he brought it out and stared down at the caller ID. “Oh, it’s the director… I have to go now. See you on Monday.”

“Hmm.”

Tin hugged him then walked away, leaving Jimin in deep thoughts.

_

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*NAMJOON*

“Why are we here?” Namjoon asked, looking around the quiet street.

“I don’t want to get caught talking to you.” Woong said, looking very nervous.

“Are you okay?” Namjoon asked him, worriedly.

“You don’t have to get worried about me, detective. You have to worry about the boy. The witness.”

“The witness? You know the witness?”

“He was rushed to the hospital alongside Jungkook. You are right, Jungkook lost his memory. He lost it because of the shock and everything.” Woong sighed. “He didn’t actually forget everything. There are some things he remembers but can’t just remember it in details. His mother, Dohwa asked me not to say anything to anyone. She’s afraid of losing Jungkook, her son.” Woong looked around nervously. “Dohwa knows something about the murderer. But refused to say a word to me. Also Hwasa, Prince Jimin’s late aunt.”

“What does Jimin’s late aunt have to do in Jungkook’s case?”

“She have a very huge role to play in the case, detective. There is a connection between Jungkook and Prince Jimin…”

“What connection?” Namjoon asked.

“The boy…the witness of Mr Jeon case is…” BAM! A gunshot was heard and before Namjoon could react or do anything, Doctor Woong was lying on the ground with blood gushing out of his heart and mouth.

“Doctor Woong.” Namjoon called out, coming to sit beside the dying man. He placed his palm over the bleeding heart as if trying to stop the bleeding but nothing could be done. The blood kept gushing out, profusely. “Stay awake, doctor Woong. You have to stay away.”

“I…*Coughs out blood.* I…I expected this to happen, actually… *Coughs out blood* I knew…I…I was followed… *coughs out blood.* I…”

“Stop talking. If you keep talking you won’t be able to make it. I will call the ambulance.” Namjoon was going to bring out his phone but Woong’s bloody hand came over his, stopping him from reaching out to his phone.

“Do… don’t. I won’t be able to make it.” He said, coughing out blood again.

“How do you know that?”

He smiled, revealing his teeth that was painted red because of the blood. “I’m a… doctor, remember?” He slowly reached out for his pocket and brought out a bunch of keys then handed it over to Paulo. “Go…Go to my…house…my…my study room…check my…safe…bo…box… you… you will find…the answers…tha… that you need.” His eyes were dropping close already. “Pro…Protect the…them… Detective.” His hand that was over Namjoon dropped to the ground as he gave up a ghost with his eyes wide open.

“Mr Woong.” Namjoon called out, shaking the lifeless body as if that will help bring him back to life. “Mr Woong.” He called out again, tears streaming down to his face.

He didn’t know why he was crying besides he doesn’t even know the man in person but deep down, he felt sorry for the poor man.

He knew his life was at stake for coming to him but yet he came.

He was possibly tired of keeping the truth away.

He possibly wanted everyone safe.

But too bad he had to die.

Namjoon slowly run his hand through Woong’s face, bringing his eyes closed. “Thank you and may your soul rest in perfect peace.”

_

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_

*JIMIN*

Jimin walked inside the house and plopped down on the couch while Bobo ran to her room.

He bring his hand to his face, blocking the reflection of the light from his face.

He let out a deep sigh, thinking about Tin and how far he has come.

Why can’t his life be like that?

Why can’t he be perfect?

Will he_

His mind quickly diverted to the note he had received earlier that day. He brought it out and slowly opened it.

He read the note in a whisper. “Run if you can, prince.” Jimin eyes went wide, his heart began beating very fast, at the same time slow.

“My prince.” Lisa called out, bringing Jimin back to the land of living and startling him in the process. “I’m sorry for startling you, my prince.” she quickly apologized, bowing her head.

“It’s fine.” Jimin said, waving her off. His gaze came to the servant, whose face he have never seen before standing behind Lisa. “Who is he?”

“My prince, this is Choi… your new servant.”

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TBC