Minho, Ji-eun, and Soo-jin noticed that they started to settle into a routine as the days went by. While Ji-eun and Soo-jin focused on their schoolwork and explored their new area, Minho diligently looked for clues concerning the mystery attacks. They shared breakfast and made plans for the day during their mornings together.
When Minho awoke one bright morning, Ji-eun and Soo-jin were already in the kitchen making breakfast.
"Good morning, Minho!" Ji-eun smiled broadly and greeted him, her excitement contagious.
"Good morning, Ji-eun, Soo-jin," Minho smiled back at them. "What's on the menu today?"
Soo-jin chimed in, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We're making pancakes!"
Minho laughed, appreciating their enthusiasm. "That sounds really good! I'm going to freshen up and I'll be there soon."
Minho was thankful that their lives were returning to a semblance of routine as he made his way to the restroom. They had found moments of happiness and laughter in the midst of the chaos, despite the ongoing investigation into the attacks.
But a loud noise outside the apartment quickly broke the peacefulness of their morning. Minho rushed to the window, his eyes widening in fear at what he saw. His heart was racing.
There was a bunch of construction workers on the street, tearing up the pavement with their loud machinery roaring. With worried expressions, Ji-eun and Soo-jin hurried to join Minho by the window.
"What's happening, Minho?" Ji-eun questioned, a hint of nervousness in her voice.
Minho scowled, ideas buzzing through his head. "I'm not sure, but it looks like they're doing roadwork."
A close mound of debris toppled as they watched, sending a rising cloud of dust upward. There was a thunderous crash that echoed throughout the apartment. With a gasp of fear, Ji-eun and Soo-jin covered their lips with their hands.
With a hint of urgency in his voice, Minho declared, "We need to get out of here." "It's not safe to stay inside while they're working."
With wide-eyed horror, Ji-eun and Soo-jin nodded in agreement. Minho led them out of the apartment and onto the busy sidewalk without any hesitation. From there, they were able to see the construction work while remaining safe.
Minho tried to reassure Ji-eun and Soo-jin while they waited for the workers to complete their work; his words provided comfort in the middle of the confusion.
"Don't worry, girls," he stated in a stern but composed tone. "We'll be back inside before you know it."
Even with his assurances, Minho was unable to get rid of the uneasy sensation that was eating at him. Their morning routine had been disturbed by the building activities, which made them feel insecure and uneasy.
When the workers had completed their assignment—after what seemed like an eternity—Minho led Ji-eun and Soo-jin back inside their apartment. A sigh of relief filled them as they entered the house, their house serving as a haven from the outside commotion.
Minho was moved by Ji-eun and Soo-jin's tenacity as they sat down to have their delayed breakfast. They kept their composure and strength in the face of unforeseen challenges, deepening their relationship as a family more than before.
And while they laughed and ate pancakes together, Minho realized that no matter what difficulties were ahead, they would tackle them as a team, determined to go past anything that stood in their way.
They had no idea, though, that the actual test of their fortitude and resiliency was still ahead of them—their peaceful morning was just the calm before the storm. The silence was broken as they finished their breakfast by Minho's phone ringing. He frowned as he looked at the caller's ID. Something about the number, which he didn't recognize, made his stomach turn uncomfortably.
"Hello?" Minho gave a cautious, nervously inflected response.
"Minho Kim?" Speaking quickly, was a voice on the other end of the line. "This is local police officer Park from the department. We urgently require your arrival at the station. Regarding the recent attacks you mentioned, we have some information."
The mention of the attacks made Minho's heart race and his thoughts race with questions. What might the authorities have found out? Has the search produced any new information?
Minho calmly said, "I'll be there right away," despite the chaos he was experiencing inside of him.
Minho turned to Ji-eun and Soo-jin as he hung up the phone, looking serious. "I need to head to the police department. They have some information regarding the assaults.
Concern was evident in the glances that Ji-eun and Soo-jin exchanged. Ji-eun spoke gently and fearfully, "Be careful, Minho."
"I will," Minho reaffirmed to them, his determination unshakable. "You two stay here and keep the door locked until I get back."
Minho nodded quickly, reaching for his keys and hurrying out the door, his thoughts buzzing with excitement. What may the authorities have found out? And how did that affect their security?
Minho's thoughts were consumed by the events of the last few weeks as he was making his way to the police station. Everything about the attacks, the enigmatic building activity, and the discomfort that appeared to loom over them like a black cloud felt like mismatched pieces.
Minho was led into a tiny interrogation room at the station, where Officer Park was waiting for him.
Officer Park responded, "Mr. Kim, thank you for coming," with a sad expression. "We've made a breakthrough in the investigation, but I'm afraid it's not good news."
The officer's words made Minho's heart sink; his greatest fears had come true. "What did you find?"
With a sad demeanor, Officer Park gave Minho a file that contained pictures and paperwork. "One of the attack suspects has been identified. Jae-hyun Lee is his name, and he has a history of acting violently."
When Minho turned the pages of the file, his hands shook and his eyes widened in dismay at seeing Jae-hyun's face looking back at him. He was one of the construction guys he'd seen earlier that morning working outside their apartment.
"He's the one responsible for the attacks?" Minho asked, hardly raising his voice beyond a whisper.
Officer Park gave a sad nod. "We think so. The worrying thing is that we can't seem to find him. He has vanished into thin air."
Minho's thoughts were filled with the ramifications of Officer Park's statement. They were in danger if Jae-hyun was the one behind the attacks. And if he was gone, there was no way of knowing where or when he would strike again.
Minho uttered the words "We need to find him," with a strong, determined tone. "Before he hurts anyone else."
Officer Park grimaced as he nodded in accord. "I will alert the other precincts and issue an APB. However, I advise you and your family to take safety measures in the meantime. We don't know what this man is capable of, which makes him dangerous."
Minho left the police station with a troubled heart, worrying about Ji-eun and Soo-jin. He was aware that they were in greater danger than he had ever imagined and that they had to find Jae-hyun before it was too late to save their lives.
Minho walked back toward the apartment, unable to get rid of the burning feeling of dread. He knew they were running out of time, and the uneasiness that had followed him since the attacks had only become worse.
When Minho returned home, he saw Soo-jin and Ji-eun there, waiting for him tensely; their faces were pale with concern.
"What did the police say?" With a shaky voice, Ji-eun questioned.
Minho inhaled deeply as he prepared himself for what he was going to say. "One of the attack suspects has been identified. Jae-hyun Lee is his name, and he has vanished from sight."
With a look of dread, Soo-jin's hands rushed to cover her mouth. "What does that mean? Does he intend to go after us?
Minho spoke firmly and shook his head. We don't know, but we can't take any chances. We must always be ready for anything."
Minho led Ji-eun and Soo-jin inside with a sad heart, their minds consumed by the impending threat that hung over them like a black shadow.