It was a slow Wednesday afternoon at the station. The afternoon rays fell on the side of Y/n's face as she tried to focus on her report. The young woman's mind wandered as  the letters on the paper became a befuddling mess.

She wondered what was for dinner. Her father had been experimenting with new recipes and Y/n just hoped that today's meal wasn't like Monday's.

Y/n's father had somehow managed to serve his children and Jun-ho a mixture of something that resembled burned toast and soggy meat. Jun-ho had been incredibly polite, claiming that the food was excellent. Yet Ha-Kun wasn't as thoughtful. He had spit out his first spoonful as soon as the flavor reached his tastebuds. One bite from his own plate and Chan-Yeol had resolved to drive to the nearest restaurant.

Y/n smiled at the memory before forcing herself back into her work. She spared a glance at Jun-ho. He was twiddling a pen in his fingers yet his eyes were glancing over one of the most recent complaints.

Y/n shook herself. She needed to get this done so that she could go home. Also she didn't want her reputation tarnished.

Y/n and Jun-ho's pairing had become the talk of the town. The two of them had managed to solve almost all of the cases that were thrown their way. Of course they weren't perfect. A few missions had gone sideways but for the large majority, Y/n and Jun-ho had been successful. The Chief was incredibly pleased and had even given Y/n and Jun-ho better offices as a sort of bonus.

Y/n sighed trying to bring herself back towards the robbery case. Just as she started to record the amount of money recovered, a frustrated voice resounded through the building.

"They didn't just shoot one or two. Those people had no mercy. They killed more than 200!"

Y/n heard the man's desperate voice distinctly and by the looks of it so had Jun-ho. He was glancing in the direction of the voice. Jun-ho's face turned slightly to stare at his partner. It was a silent agreement to listen in. Y/n stayed where she was and Jun-ho moved closer toward the man with the complaint.

"What game was it then?" said the officer.

"You know Red Light, Green Light?" asked the man quietly.

Y/n thought he seemed genuine, but then again Jun-ho said that trusting someone right away wasn't the quality of a detective. Y/n usually disagreed with this. She thought she had a sense for people. First impressions usually told her everything she needed to know.

This man seemed desperate. It was obvious something was deeply emotional about this circumstance to him. Maybe he knew some of the people who died? His choice of clothing clearly suggested that he wasn't exactly well of. He could have just gotten associated with the wrong sort of people? But then again how could 200 people die and no one notified the Seoul police? Something was clearly off about this encounter.

"Wait, that's for kids. Is that what they made you play?" asked the officer disbelief clearly painted on his face.

"Yes."

"And they forced adults to do it?"

"I know how it sounds"

"And then they shot everyone who got caught?" asked the officer again.

"How many more times do you want me to say it?" asked the man his voice rising steadily

"So where did they do it? Where's the place they were killed?"

"They had me knocked unconscious, so how could I know? I said I don't have any freaking clue."

"Then give us the killer's description."

"They all had these masks on the whole time we were there."

"Then how did you manage to get out?"

"Hey, look, the players came together and put it to a vote, and since the majority wanted to leave..."

"Hold on, okay? You said you wanted to stop playing,

and the killers, they told you, "Sure, you can go." Just like that?"

"Yeah."

The police officer visibly chuckled. Y/n didn't know what to think anymore. On one hand the man seemed to speak the truth, but Y/n had to say that this tale was going slightly on the ridiculous side of things.

Y/n spared a glance at Jun-ho who was closer to the scene. His eyebrows seemed to be raised in disbelief yet there was a calculating look in his eyes.

"And what made you want to go there?" asked the officer.

"Well, they promised we would get money, so..."

"Money?"

"Yeah. We're talking tens of billions of won."

The officer took a deep breath. "Okay, let me just sum up everything you've told us so far. Just so I understand. You went to play kids' games because someone told you you'd get all that cash. So then they had you play some Red Light, Green Light, and they shot everyone who got caught. But when you said you wanted to go, they said, "Okay, just go," and you don't know what they look like or where this all took place. Is that everything, mister?"

"Yeah."

"What's your name, sir?" asked Jun-ho interrupting the bickering.

"I live in Ssangmun-dong. My name is Seong Gi-hun."

"Seong Gi-hun, you got someone who's taking care of you?" asked the officer at the desk. "If you want me to help, we can call around and get you to a local medical center."

"What do you take me for? Look, I'm a tax-paying citizen of Ssangmun-dong. Got it? Here's their number. It's on a business card. Call and see what they say! Jeez!" The man threw down a small brown card.

"Hello?" said the officer when his call went through. "Hello, yes, sorry for bothering you. Uh, my bad. Um, would you mind if I ask you something?"

"Who is this?" said the woman on the call.

"Uh, sorry to call so early. Could I come play in those games there?"

"Games?"

"Uh, yeah. See, games are my thing, you know. I'll play all the games you ask me to. I'll do the best..."

"Who the heck are you? And why are you calling me with this nonsense? If you wanna play games, go to an Internet cafe. What's wrong with you, you freaking pervert?"

"You dialed the wrong number! Let go!" said Gi-hun who was now struggling in another officer's grip. "Officer, don't do this. Please."

"We're sorry, mister. You better go home."

"Who was that? Was he drunk?" asked Jun-ho after the man was out of sight.

"He didn't seem drunk to me" muttered Y/n making her presence known.

"Just some crazy hobo guy. Everything's crazy around here today" said the officer shaking his head.

Y/n was about to argue but Jun-ho was already half out the door. "Well, we're heading out. Call me if there's any problems"

Before Y/n followed after Jun-ho she took one last glance over her shoulder. Laying on the officer's desk she saw the card the man had left. It was quite distinct. A triangle, square and circle were clearly printed.

....

"Hello, Ma. Heading over to his apartment right after I drop A-Yeong home. I'm sure In-ho's fine, okay?"

Y/n could hear Jun-ho's mom's panicked voice over the phone. Y/n wished desperately that she could ease her worries, but like Jun-ho, Y/n had no idea where In-ho could possibly be.

"You know I can come with right, Jun? We can go straight to his apartment" suggested Y/n.

"Y/n, there is no need for you to come with me. You go home and I'll catch you up tomorrow," said Jun-ho, moving his face slightly away from the phone to talk to the young woman.

Jun-ho switched back to talking to his mother. "Ma,you know what he's like. I can call everyone who might know places he's held up in before. If I can't reach him then, then I'll go report him missing tomorrow. I'm a police officer. Have you forgotten that? I will find him"

Y/n could hear silence for a minute on the phone. Then the old woman's soft voice was audible again.

"Yes, Ma. I'm eating fine. Mr. Shin makes good food. Yes, I'm happy. Y/n is doing well. I know her name is A-Yeong, Eomma! Her dad is fine with me calling her Y/n."

Jun-ho was silent as he listened to his mother talk. He was becoming increasingly flustered until he managed to speak.

"Ma, we work together. You've known her for so long. Fine I'll bring her next time. I love you too. Don't worry too much"

Jun-ho placed his own away before turning to glance at a grinning Y/n.

"What?"

"Your mom likes me better than you"

"Which is why you have to come with me next time I go to see her"

"Oh yes and I could tell her all about the special women in your life"

"Oh yeah?" said Jun-ho raising his eyebrows. "Enlighten me. Who might these imaginary women be?'

"You've actually already gotten married to a poor lady because you felt bad for her, but then you cheated on her with this beautiful young rich woman. You guys have a bratty child together. But now you don't feel anything for either of them. Instead your heart keeps beating for the old fish selling lady. The smell of her stand just brightens your day and the dead fish's eyes just–"

"Alright alright, I think you're getting slightly ahead of yourself" chuckled Jun-ho as Y/n dissolved into a fit of laughter.

....

It was 7 in the evening and Jun-ho still hadn't updated Y/n on his search. Y/n was starting to get worried.

She quickened her nervous pace as the clouds began to gather in the sky. Up to now, the sky had been postcard-perfect, but it was changing. The beautiful cocktail-blue shade was beginning to darken into gravel-grey. Large pillows of cloud were forming, blotting out the old-gold colour of the sun.

Droplets of moisture began to drip from the leaves. They were sprinkling onto the grass. Then the rainfall became more intense. A wall of rain moved over the oak and the drops were drumming against the roof. So much rain was falling that the sound blurred into one long, whirring noise.

The doorbell was an abrupt change. Y/n's father was first to reach the door and he yanked the door open only to find a soaking wet Jun-ho.

His black hair was plastered to his forehead. The droplets from the tips of his hair were dribbling down onto his face. His entire figure was drenched. He looked at Y/n who had appeared by the doorway. His eyes were filled with guilt, remorse, yet also an overwhelming amount of determination.

Chan-Yeol rushed off to find warm towels and prepare soup and Y/n hurried forward to bring Jun-ho inside. Jun-ho was rooted to the spot however and as hard as Y/n tried she could not get him to budge.

Jun-ho's hands held Y/n's shoulders now. He did not speak as the first drops of water reached Y/n's clothing. The rain fell in a pattern upon Y/n's skin. The hundreds of liquid globes settled on her hair and arms. She was squinting at Jun-ho as the little drops that had settled on her eyelashes cascaded down onto her cheeks.

"Jun, will you tell me what in the world is happening?" she demanded over the pitter patter of the rain.

It seemed as if the young man could not speak. He merely handed Y/n a little brown card. Y/n turned it around in her palm before noticing it. The shapes were just like Gi-hun's at the station today.

"In-ho can't have anything to do with those games though?" questioned Y/n. "Why would he–"

"He was deep in debt, Y/n. He had been since before you two came back."

"But he could've asked you. You would've helped him–"

"You know what he was like. He was always independent. Even if he needed to he wouldn't take money from his younger brother," said Jun-ho shaking his head. Droplets from his hair fell onto his shoulders and Y/n watched them.

"I came to ask if you wanted to go with me" said Jun-ho quietly.

"Go where?"

"At 8 o'clock the man from the police station is going back to whatever that place is. I have to follow him. It's the only way to find In-ho, Y/n."

"I'm sure there's a-"

"Are you in or out?"

There was a moment of silence in which the two could only hear the water rushing in their ears.

"Of course I'm in. You couldn't handle it by yourself anyway" said Y/n smiling. 

Little did she know exactly what she was getting herself into. 

{2100}