Kim's home – 6.45pm
Mr Kim came back from his office after an afternoon of meetings. He was tired and only wanted to rest with a glass of whisky. Yejin will not come back home before 10.00pm, her coffee shop was holding an event for an anniversary. After serving himself, he let his body fall on the couch.
The house was silent. He checked his phone and saw a message from his girlfriend. She was looking for Y/N as she couldn't contact her.
Mr Kim: Her phone is so old, the battery must be down... I will order a new one for her... Mr Nam?
Mr Nam: Yes Sir?
Mr Kim: Ask Y/N to come down.
Mr Nam: Miss Y/N is not at home, Sir.
Mr Kim: What? Where is she at this hour? It's already dark outside. Where are the boys?
Mr Nam: Mr Jungkook and Mr Taehyung are not back home yet. Mr Jimin is in his room, Mr Namjoon in the library, Mr Hoseok is at the swimming pool. Mr Jin and Mr Yoongi are at the university.
Mr Kim called Taehyung to know if the little girl was with them even if he didn't believe that they will hang out with her.
Mr Kim: Taehyung, Y/N is with you?
Taehyung: No Dad, I'm with Jungkook, we are playing at the game center.
Mr Kim: Do you know where she is? Ask your brother!
Taehyung: He doesn't know either. You know we don't really care about that kid. Ask Jimin, he likes to have the big brother role.
Mr Kim hung out. He was already worried, and his son's answer only annoyed him. Mr Nam informed Jimin that his father was asking for him while Mr Kim sent one of his man to the park where Y/N liked to go.
Jimin: Dad, you called me?
Mr Kim: Do you know where Y/N? She is not back from school.
Jimin: I saw her during lunch time at the library... She was doing other kids' assignments... I am sorry... I yelled at her and left. I don't know where she is, maybe still working for other at the library.
Mr Kim was angry by Jimin's words. He considered Y/N as his family and knowing that she was bullied by others in that school gave him murder thoughts. He waited to have news from the man who went to the park and after 10 minutes, he received the confirmation that she was not there. He called Jin.
Mr Kim: Seokjin, are you still at the university?
Jin: Yes Father, we were about to go home. Do you need something?
Mr Kim: Y/N is missing and not joinable. Check her school for me please. She is maybe at the library!
Jin:(Sighed)Okay... I will call you if she is there.
After ending the call with his father, Jin told Yoongi that they were in charge of finding Y/N. Yoongi didn't hide his annoyance.
Yoongi: Now we have to play the driver for that kid! He could have sent his men!
Jin: I don't know much. Father requested our help, we execute.
Yoongi: She needs to learn 2 or 3 rules of our family...
Jin and Yoongi crossed the street that separated their university from the school. The guard recognized them and let them entered. They walked toward Y/N's classroom. The school was empty of students at this hour. They only crossed 2 teachers who didn't even ask them why they were there.
Jin: It's here. (He looked through the window.) She is not here... wait... (He opened the door when he spotted a bag and books on the floor.)
Yoongi: What's wrong? There is no one here!
Jin: It's Y/N's school bag. (He bended down and took the phone.) Something happened. We need to find her.
Yoongi: Are you sure that it's her belongings?
Jin: Do you think that one of those rich kids would have these type of phone? (He looked on the bag and showed Y/N's ID card to Yoongi.) See!
They left the classroom. Yoongi went to check the library while Jin went to talk with the guard. He showed him the ID card and asked him if he saw Y/N leaving the school. But nothing. The two brothers joined in front of the cafeteria and Jin was about to call his father to inform him of the situation.
Yoongi: Hyung, wait. We don't know what happened and if that kid maybe left by her own. That guard is not really a model of trust!
Jin: Father is worried, and he is waiting for our report.
Yoongi: Let's check around, she is maybe hiding somewhere nearby.
Jin agreed with his brother proposition but also sent a message to his father to tell him that they were searching her. They checked every classrooms, but she was nowhere.
Jin: We need to check the CCTV. We are losing our time.
They were heading to the security office when Mr Kim called them. He reported the bullying information.
Jin: Y/N is bullied by her classmates. Jimin found out today.
Yoongi: And he didn't do anything? He wants to be a big brother for that kid, but he is not capable to protect her... useless brat.
Jin: He is still young. Let's go. I have a bad feeling.
Yoongi: Ifshe didn't say anything, it must be kids' pranks.
They entered the security room where only one guard was there. The school and the university was by half owned by the Kim family. The guard executed the brothers orders and showed them the CCTV of Y/N's classroom floor.
Jin: Here... she is clearly not leaving by her own will.
Yoongi: I am not a big fan of that kid but seeing those jerks doing that to a little girl piss me off! Where are they taking her?
Jin: Let me check... they took the stairs... first floor... underground level... where are they going?
Yoongi: ...look, they came back without her, let's go!
Jin and Yoongi didn't lose a second and quickly went to the underground level. The lighting was dark. There was rows of materials and several technical rooms. They opened the first one, but nothing, a second one, same results. They stopped in front of the boiler room and tried to open it but it was locked. Jin banged on the door and call for Y/N but no answer.
Jin: I'm sure she is inside... where is the key?
Yoongi looked around and saw a little piece of metal near a row.
Yoongi: Hyung, here... (Jin opened the door and the heat of the room hit them.)... arff... it's stuffy inside...
They entered inside and, on the right, laying on the floor against the wall, there was Y/N. Jin rushed to her level and saw that she had faint, probably due to the heat and the fear. She was sweating a lot, breathing like shed had a fever.
Jin: Damn it! She must have been here for hours. We need to take her to the hospital.
Jin took Y/N in his arms, and they ran to their car. Jin get in back sit and Yoongi drove. He called his father on the way to the hospital. Mr Kim asked his sons to take care of Y/N while he goes to pick up Yejin.
Jin: I never noticed that she was so small.
Yoongi: She is 10, she is a girl and clearly late in her growth.
After 10 minutes, Yoongi parked the car in front of the emergency unit entrance. A nurse quickly came to them, and Jin put Y/N on the bed of the consultation room. The doctor joined them few seconds later.
Doctor: What happened to her?
Jin: She was stuck in a room with high temperature for hours, when we found her, she had fainted.
Doctor: She has a fever and is dehydrated. Are you her guardian?
Jin: Yes, her mother is on her way.
The nurse started to undress Y/N while the doctor was taking auscultating her. Yoongi and Jin were still in the room, staring at that tiny girl inert. When Y/N was only wearing her strap top, the nurse nodded to the doctor who asked the boys to leave the room. They exchanged a gaze and left without complaining.
Jin: Did you see that?
Yoongi: How could I not see those scars? Who did that to her? Do you think that Father is aware? Mrs Son doesn't seem to be a person able to do that.
Jin: I think that it was her father's doing.
Jin remembered the first time he talked to Y/N and asked her where was her father. The fear was the feeling that he saw in her eyes. Later his father told him to never mention that man in front of her. It must have been because of that. After long minutes, the doctor and the nurse came out of the room. They had a serious face.
Doctor: I have to tell you that in case of abuse on children, I have to report it to the police.
Jin: Hold on... we never abused that kid...
Doctor: Her body clearly shows old marks of an abusive behavior. She had scars and heaven a burn mark in her back. Her wrist was broken by the past too. (His tone was reflecting his anger.)
The two brothers were shocked but kept a straight face. Even if they worked in an illegal business, they never hurt women and even worst children. How can a father beat his own kid like that?
Jin was about to reply to the doctor, but Yejin's voice resonate in the corridor. She was crying.
Mrs Son: Y/N... Where is my baby... please... (She grabbed the doctor arm.)
Doctor: Madam, please calm down first. The nurse will conduct you to your daughter.
Mrs Son followed the nurse to Y/N's room. Mr Kim arrived at the same time. He bowed to salute the doctor.
Mr Kim: Doctor, thanks for taking care of her.
Doctor: Are you the patient's father?
Mr Kim: I am the fiancée of her mother. Can we talk in your office?
The doctor found that proposition strange, but he agreed to talk to Mr Kim in private. The CEO explained Y/N's situation to the doctor and asked him to delete every information about her. The doctor hesitated a moment, but a call from the hospital director didn't let him the choice.
Yoongi: Father, everything is okay? The doc wanted to call the police.
Mr Kim: Don't worry about that. Who did that to her?
Yoongi: 2 boys and a girl from her class. They locked her in the boiler room. But, Father, did you know her condition?
Mr Kim explained everything to Jin and Yoongi. That Yejin escaped from her abusive husband and that they were hiding from him since. He asked them to keep that secret from the others. Yejin didn't want to see the pity in their eyes.
The brothers would have never imagined that Mrs Son had this life before. She was always smiling to everyone. But it also explained Y/N's behavior; she was a damaged child.
Jin: You can count on us. What do you want to do with those kids?
Mr Kim: Parents should be responsible of their children's acts. But I will deal with that in due time.
Mr Kim went to Y/N's room followed by the boys. The little girl was still asleep, Yejin was holding her hand. Yejin was calmer. She stood up when the three men entered the room. She forced herself to smile and bowed to the brothers.
Mrs Son: Thank you so much... for finding my daughter. You saved her life... thank you... (Her voice was full of emotion.)
Jin: Mrs Son, it's not necessary, please... (He was embarrassed.)
Mr Kim: Honey, I am sorry for what happened.
Mrs Son: She is fine now... it's not your fault. Kids can be mean sometimes...
Mr Kim: We should go take her medicines and go home. Boys, stay with Y/N.
Mr Kim and Mrs Son left the room.
Yoongi: That kid needs to become stronger...
Jin: For sure... (Y/N was emerging.) Eh, Y/N, how do you feel?
Y/N: ... Jin-ssi... where...
Jin: You are at the hospital, your mother is not far, don't worry.
Yoongi: Why you didn't say to your mother that you had troubles at school?
Y/N: ... It's nothing... I don't want to bother her with that.
Yoongi: It's stupid! You almost died today!
Jin: Yoongi...
Since Yoongi saw Y/N in that room, inert, he was angry. He didn't know how to explain why, seeing that little girl like that, created that emotion inside of him.
Yoongi: I am waiting outside.
Y/N: ... I am sorry...
Jin: Yoongi is a temper guy, don't mind him. We are going home as soon as the parents are back with you medicine. Your clothes are wet, you have to stay with the hospital outfit but wear this. (He took off his jacket and gave it to Y/N.) Put your shoes.
Y/N stood up from the bed and put the jacket. With her height, the jacket was long enough to cover her body until under her knees.
Mrs Son: Y/N... you are awake, how do you feel? Mommy was so worried!
Y/N: I am sorry Mom...
Mr Kim: You don't have to feel sorry Y/N, let's go home first and talk about that later. (He bent down and surprised Y/N when he took her on his arms.)
Mrs Son: Honey, she can walk... (Mr Kim smiled and left the room.)
After a silent ride, the two cars parked in front of the house. Once again, Mr Kim carried Y/N in his arms. When they entered the living room, the brothers were there. Jimin stood up, worried.
Jimin: Dad, what happened to her?
Mr Kim: Jimin, let her rest for now.
His father continued his way without giving details. Jungkook and Taehyung, as usual, didn't care. Namjoon and Hoseok were not especially curious either. He crossed the living room and went upstairs to Y/N's bedroom with her mother.
Jimin: Hyung, where did you find her? What happened?
Jin: Her classmates locked her in the boiler room...
Jin felt the gazes of his brothers on him after this announcement.
Jungkook: She must have piss them off... (He smirked and Taehyung giggled.)
Yoongi glared to the youngest and went directly to his bedroom. His younger brothers attitude was difficult to accept for him.
Jin: Since when the two of you became so stupid! If Father hears you, be ready for a hard punishment.
Taehyung: She is nothing for us, why do we have to care about what we say! She can die... we don't care!
A cold silence took place in the room. Taehyung had tough words and didn't notice that his father and Mrs Son were back. The dark aura of the head of this family was now palpable.
Mr Kim: What did you say? (His tone was cold and full of anger.)
Jin saw the sadness into Mrs Son's eyes. As a mother, she must have been deeply hurt. For the first time, he was ashamed of his brothers. If their own mother was still alive to hear that, she would have been devastated. He didn't hesitate a second and walked toward his brother and slapped him with force. Mrs Son couldn't bare to see that child being slap even if his behavior was not good. She came between Jin and Taehyung in a protective way.
Mrs Son: Jin, please, don't hit him... it's okay... it's nothing.
Taehyung was looking down. He felt humiliated to have been slapped by his brother in front of everyone. Yejin turned to face him, and she lightly touched his cheek.
Mrs Son: Taehyung-ah, are you alright? Go put ointment on your cheek so it will not swell too much tomorrow.
Taehyung moved his face to avoid the contact with Yejin and left. Jungkook followed him after glaring to Jin and Yejin.
Mr Kim: Aisshh... those ungrateful brat... Yejin, I'm sorry for my sons' behavior. I will punish them...
Mrs Son: Don't punish them. They are only kids, it's just words.
Jin: Mrs Son, words hurt too. They cannot disrespect you like that.
Mr Kim: Jin is right. But the priority now is Y/N. You should take something to eat for her and for you.
Yejin excused herself and went to the kitchen. She prepared a meal tray for Y/N. Jimin came to talk to her.
Jimin: Aunty, I am sorry for Taehyung's behavior, but I am sure that he didn't think what he said.
Mrs Son: Don't feel sorry Jimin. I know that your brothers are not happy to have us here and I can understand that. It's maybe better for everyone if we return to our apartment. That will not change my relationship with your father anyway.
Jimin knew that his father will be sad if Yejin and Y/N leave the house.
Jimin: Dad is happy to have you both here...
Mrs Son: (She smiled.) And I am too, but as a parents I can't ignore the children's happiness. It's selfish to be happy if our kids are not.
Jimin didn't answer back, she was right. Yejin went to Y/N's bedroom.
In the living room, Mr Kim had difficulties to control his anger. Fortunately, Jin intervened with Taehyung before he had to, or he was not sure of what he could have done. He was not a fan of physical punishment but if he had to give a correction to his sons, he would have done it.
Mr Kim: Namjoon, Hoseok, do you also think like your younger brothers?
Hoseok: Dad, Taehyung is a teenager, he is stupid by definition.
Namjoon: You spoil that kid... (His father glared at him.)...
Mr Kim: pff... it's funny to hear my privileged sons thinking that. You didn't let them a chance to be close to you and treat them like a disease. If you had experienced 10% of what they had to go through, you will think differently. Spoiling her? If I have the chance, I will...
Mr Kim didn't add anything and went upstairs. He needed to talk with Taehyung. Namjoon and Hoseok were confused. Mr Kim expression showed sadness when he was talking.
Hoseok: Hyung, why did you slap Tae that hard?
Jin: He crossed the limit. Mother didn't raise us to be heartless monster. Hobi, I know that you don't care if Mrs Son and her daughter live with us but, Namjoon, you are usually a smart and decent guy. Why I do not recognize you those days? You acted like a jerk, being rude and limit jealous of a little girl!
Hoseok: Hyung...
Namjoon: I will make an effort to not be that jerk that you describe, but don't ask me to consider them as my family.
Jin: That's enough for me. (He went to the kitchen to grab a drink.)
Upstairs, Taehyung was putting ointment on his face and frowned. Jin didn't spare him. Jungkook was sitting on the bed with his phone.
Jungkook: Hyung hit you badly... he chose that useless girl's side.
Taehyung: Do you think that I was too harsh? Her mother was sad, but she still tried to protect me at the end.
Jungkook: No... and even if so, you were punished enough to not regret it.
The two brothers were interrupted by their father who entered without knocking. His facial expression was serious.
Mr Kim: Are you proud of you? Your little rebel attitude makes me sick.
Taehyung: Dad!
Mr Kim: Shut up! Don't talk to me until you apologize to Yejin.
Mr Kim left not without sending a last glare of warning to Jungkook.
Taehyung: JK, I think I screw this time... I never saw Dad so mad against me.
Jungkook: I will make her pay... it's her fault.
Taehyung: Forget about that... you will be in troubles otherwise. We can just ignore them... it's better for everyone...
Taehyung had mix feeling in his heart. He was hurt and sad but also felt guilty and stupid. Jungkook only felt anger inside. He went to his bedroom and took his headphone. Taehyung laid down on his bed, he was lost in his thoughts.
Mrs Son: Sweetie, eat that, it will help you recover.
Y/N: Thanks Mom... I'm sorry... I create troubles for everyone.
Mrs Son: You should have told us that you have difficulties at school. You don't have to face that by your own. I was thinking that maybe, we could go back to our old house...