Present Day
22-Years-Old

"What's that?"

"Hmm?"

Sunhee sat up in bed. "What's that noise?"

Yoongi opened his eyes at the movement, and looked up at her. "What noise?"

"You don't hear that?"

Yoongi laid there, listening. After a few moments, it hit him what it was. He jumped up and out of bed.

"Yoongi?"

"That's Aera," he said, pulling on a shirt.

"Okay? Why are you getting out of bed?"

"She's crying," Yoongi explained, heading to his dresser to grab a pair of shorts.

"And?"

Yoongi stopped, then glanced over his shoulder at Sunhee.

"And? She's crying. I need to make sure she's okay."

Then as soon as he was dressed, he made his way into the living room.

"A?" he asked, looking around. "What's going on?"

He eventually found her in the kitchen. She was standing against the counter, her arms wrapped around herself. Yoongi hurried to her side.

"A, what's wrong?"

"I-It's Jungkook," she said quietly. "His uncle hit him."

"What?!"

"Up until now, he's just been neglected by them. But I felt like as often as I was seeing him, he was being taken care of at least somewhat properly. But this... Yoongs, I can't just look the other way. I need to tell the police."

"Well, of course," Yoongi said. "Have you already called them?"

"Not yet, I..."

Yoongi watched her. She looked down.

"I'm scared to."

"Why?"

"When I tell them, they'll take him away from them. And then I may never see him again."

Yoongi sighed. "That is a possibility, A, but – "

"I know," Aera interrupted. "I have to do it. It's just going to be hard."

Yoongi pulled her into a hug. "I know, A. I'm so sorry."

"What's going on?"

Aera looked up over Yoongi's shoulder. "Oh, hi, Sunhee."

"Is everything okay? Yoongi said he heard you crying."

"Yeah," Aera said as she disentangled herself from Yoongi. "There's just a lot going on with the little boy I watch, and it's getting to me. He's in a bad situation and it just gets hard sometimes."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Sunhee said. "Maybe you and I could hang out together sometime soon. Have a girls day or something. Maybe it'd get your mind off of things."

Aera smiled a small smile. "Thank you, I'd really like that, actually."

Sunhee grinned as Yoongi wrapped his arms around her. "Great! I actually need to get going. I have to work tonight. But I'll call you, okay?"

"Okay."

Yoongi walked Sunhee to the front door. "You're amazing."

"Well, I know," Sunhee said teasingly. "But why this time?"

"For offering to hang out with Aera. This situation has been so draining on her, and if there's anything she needs, it's definitely to get her mind off of it. So, thank you. It really means a lot that you did that."

"Of course," Sunhee said. "I hope you know I consider her a friend, Yoongi."

"That makes me so happy to hear."

"I'll call you tonight, okay?"

"Okay, have a good shift."

"Thank you."

They kissed and then Sunhee was out the door. Yoongi turned and walked back into the kitchen.

"So, when are you going to tell the police?"

Aera sighed. "I'm going to go to the station in a few minutes."

Yoongi nodded. "Do you want me to come with you?"

Tears filled Aera's eyes again. "If you don't mind," she said quietly. "I'd appreciate it."

"Of course," Yoongi replied, pulling her into another hug. "I know this will be hard for you, so we'll do it together."

"Thanks," Aera mumbled against his chest.

-

Aera was grateful to see the same officer at the front desk as they entered the station. He had passed along her information to Jungkook's uncle like she'd asked. Maybe he could be of further help to her now.

"Hello," she said quietly as she approached the desk. "I, uh, I need to talk to someone..."

"Okay," the officer said. "What's this about?"

"I-I don't know if you remember me," Aera said. "But my friend here and I brought a lost little boy in here a couple of weeks ago that we found on the bus. Jungkook – "

"Oh yeah," the man said. "You gave us your number. Y'know, I gave it to them when they came and picked him up that day – "

"I know," Aera interrupted. "And thank you so much for doing so." She bowed politely. "They actually called me. I've been watching him often since then."

"We knew something had changed," the man continued. "He hasn't been back in here since that day."

Aera smiled. "I had multiple talks with him about not running off."

"Well, thank goodness."

"I do need to talk to someone about him today, though. Someone familiar with his case."

"Well," the man said. "There's not exactly a case file for him, but I can go grab Officer Cho. She's the one who always took care of him while waiting for his aunt and uncle to show up."

Aera nodded, and the officer stood and hurried away. When he came back, the same female officer that had pulled Jungkook away from Aera followed behind him.

"Hello," Aera said with a bow.

"Hello," officer Cho replied. "You have news about Jungkook?"

"Um, unfortunately, yes," Aera explained.

"Follow me," officer Cho said, gesturing for them to follow her back behind the desk.

They soon found themselves seated in a small office. "So, have you seen Jungkook since the day you brought him in?"

"Yes," Aera replied. "His uncle contacted me, and I've been babysitting him pretty often."

"How is he doing?"

"He's been alright," Aera said. "It's a very neglectful household, but he's a strong little boy."

"I've always had an affinity for him," officer Cho admitted. "I believe him to be strong, as well."

Aera nodded. "I brought some things to him, to help him be more comfortable, and his aunt and uncle didn't seem to mind. But..."

"But?"

"Well, I watched him last night, and...something happened."

"What's that?"

"He has a huge bruise on his shoulder. He said his uncle hit him."

Officer Cho blinked. "He told you that? I've never known Jungkook to talk. Especially not about his aunt and uncle or his situation."

Aera grimaced. "In more words or less. What I gathered was that he tried to sneak outside again but his uncle caught him, and then he hit him."

Officer Cho sat up straighter. "Well, if that's true, we would obviously need to do a welfare check on him. But – "

"But?" Aera interrupted. "What do you mean 'but'? You're not going to?"

"I'll look into it," officer Cho said. "But without any real confirmation – "

"But what about the neglect?!" Aera said fiercely. "What about the fact that he never gets a bath until I give him one?! What about the filthy state of the apartment and his bedroom and tiny little bed?! What about his demeanor that obviously shows he's been abused or at least neglected?! He didn't even have any toys until I brought him some! No toothbrush! Not even soap, for god's sake!"

"If that's true, then I'll need you to file a report – "

"Fine! I'd like to file a report!"

Officer Cho sighed. "Let me go get the necessary forms."

She then disappeared out of the room. Aera's mouth was hanging open as she watched her leave. She scoffed loudly and turned to Yoongi. "I – "

"This is crazy," Yoongi agreed.

Once officer Cho returned, Aera spent the next fifteen minutes filling out paperwork. Once she was done, she handed it over.

"Will I be contacted about this?"

"If anything comes of it, then possibly. You will be considered a witness, and if anything goes to court, you'll be called."

Aera breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay. I'll always be available, so please don't hesitate to contact me. I really care about Jungkook, and would like to continue being a part of his life if possible."

"Well, I'm going to be honest with you," officer Cho began, and Aera's heart dropped. "Unless this goes to court, you'll hear nothing."

"So, I wouldn't be able to see him?"

"I'm afraid not."

Aera's eyes filled with tears. "B-But..."

"I'm sorry," officer Cho offered sympathetically. "I can tell you do care for him. But our system is unfortunately broken. So many get lost in it."

"So, what will happen to Jungkook from here?" Yoongi piped up.

"If these claims are substantiated, he'll be removed from the household and taken into the custody of child protective services. Eventually, he'll be placed in foster care."

Aera's eyes widened. "I'll foster him!" She didn't even glance at Yoongi, knowing he wouldn't mind if Jungkook moved into their apartment temporarily.

Officer Cho shook her head. "That's not really how it works – "

"Then how does it work?" Aera asked eagerly.

"Look, I'll give you a call and let you know if the report goes through," officer Cho promised. "But I won't be able to give you much detail beyond that. But at least you'll know where the situation stands at that point."

Aera nodded. "I'd really appreciate that."

Officer Cho smiled. "I'm happy to help. I sorry I can't give you many answers now or in the future."

"It's okay," Aera said. A few tears ran down her cheeks. "I appreciate you doing what you can."