After Dark (Prompts)

Be With You - 32

Im Cheol-Ryung knew something was off when he arrived at home with all the lights still turned off. Checking their shoe rack, he confirmed that his wife's work shoes were not yet there and her house slippers were still neatly in place.

A quick check of the apartment verified it further -- Ha Chae Yoon was not home. This meant, she was taken against her will.

Because she was still early in her pregnancy, she mostly went home to rest after work. If there would be changes to her plans of going straight to their house, she was certain to let Im Cheol-Ryung know. Today, there was no word from her that her plans would change so she should be here.

Her earlier words came back to him. 

"I think I'm being followed."

Taking the envelope in his back pocket, he read the theories Ha Chae Yoon had formed. He took note of the three question marks she wrote after 

Min Hyun Ju and Min Tae Gu connection? Who??? No clues in files. Talk to Mr. Min.

He was about to call the Station Chief when he saw a note on the inside of the envelope. 

Yeobo, sorry I kept this from you. I had suspected for days that someone was watching me but I didn't want to worry you. Please don't be mad at me. The little one agrees with me.

Hi Appa, please don't get mad at Eomma. We love you and we can't wait to be with you soon!

That broke Im Cheol-Ryung.

Slumping down by the door, he read Ha Chae Yoon's note again and stared at the sonogram they framed, which now sat beside their wedding picture and Hwa-ryung and his first baby's ultrasound.

He had been dealt a terrible blow a few years ago but he worked through it. But, just when he thought life was making it up to him by giving him a happy future, here he was again facing the very real possibility of losing his wife and child.

Again.

He rarely gave in to self-pity, but for those five minutes, Im Cheol-Ryung allowed himself a short time to wallow in it.

Was he evil in his previous life?

Was there some sin he had to pay for?

Why was this happening to him?

Im Cheol-Ryung stared at her handwriting again. She was determined to know who was after her because she wanted to careful for him.

There were a lot of questions on his mind but one thing he was sure of was that Ha Chae Yoon will not go down without a fight. 

Wiping the tears that had fallen, he stood up and headed back to the station. Whoever took Chae Yoon better get ready for what was coming. 

Im Cheol-Ryung was going to make sure the person was caught and will rot in jail.

Or in hell.

Whichever comes first.

*

Ha Chae Yoon woke up from a restless nap.

She wanted to stay awake for this entire ordeal but her body demanded rest for the child in her as well.

Seeing that she was alone in a dark room, she pulled up her knees and rested her head on it. "Don't worry, baby. Appa will find us." Placing a hand on her belly, she continued to whisper, "But he needs us to be strong so I need you to hang in there, okay?"

Massaging her temples which were starting to hurt, Ha Chae Yoon thought back to the moment that she felt the gun on her side as the man beside her walked in step with her.