After Dark (Prompts)

Personal Taste - 17

(Repost)
"This is Hoon. Please leave a message."

Joo In-ah hit the end button of another attempt to contact Hoon. Her hair, which she had in an updo when the evening started, was now a mess as she could not help but pull on it whenever her calls to him went to the mailbox. "I still can't reach him!" she yelled frantically.

Ha Chae Yoon nodded. She was still on the phone with her husband and told him that after numerous attempts, they could not reach Lee Hoon. "Could he be playing with us? This is not their signature move. They would attack via technology they have access to, but to harm someone physically?"

Im Cheol Ryung sighed, "Don't forget. You said he attempted to take Joo In-ah against her will. It's not a stretch."

"You're right," Ha Chae Yoon conceded.

"We'll continue to patrol the streets and let you know," Im Cheol Ryung said.

"Alright. Can you please take care of yourself?" Ha Chae Yoon reminded him. "You have a wife and two kids that love you and we hate seeing you hurt."

"I'll be home soon," Im Cheol Ryung promised.

Turning to In-ah, Ha Chae Yoon patted the other woman's arm. "My husband is the best there is. Don't worry. Jang-mi also gave them leads they can look into. The city will be scoured. We'll find him."

"I never thought Jae-Kyung could hate me this much," Joo In-ah said, seemingly in a daze. "He used to be so sweet and understanding. But tonight, I realized I no longer know him. The way he dragged me out of that restaurant? I don't know that man."

Then, In-ah quietly added, "I hope Hoon is okay."

Ha Chae Yoon was all too familiar with that uncertainty and not knowing what to ask for -- praying that he could find enough strength to come home to you at the same time wanting an end to his misery; praying to see him alive and nurse him back to health at the same time not wanting to add to his suffering.

Ha Chae Yoon quit the police force because she loved her job but the working hours and the danger was not what she wanted for her children. But, she did not impose that same choice for Im Cheol Ryung. Her husband had his own reasons and wanted to stay in law enforcement and everyday she was thankful to know that the city was a little safer because of men like him on the streets.

However, as a wife, she could not help but worry sometimes. Right now, she saw that Joo In-ah held that same concern for the person she cared for the most.

Both women were surprised when Ha Chae Yoon's phone rang. It was Baek Jang-mi.

"Hey, Joo In-ah! Someone wants to talk to you," Jang-mi said.

Ha Chae Yoon and Joo In-ah hear some scuffling before a male voice broke through. "In-ah? Are you there?"

"HOON? HOON IS THAT YOU?"

"Ouch, don't yell. My head hurts," he begged.

"Why does your head hurt? Where are you?!" In-ah demanded, concern lacing her voice.

"We're headed to the hospital. Ms. Baek and her scary looking husband found me on a side street," Hoon shared, making In-ah tear up at this. "Can you please meet me there? I'm scared of him!"

Joo In-ah and Ha Chae Yoon chuckled, in spite of the situation. Ha Chae Yoon spoke, "Can you please put Jang-mi back on the phone?" When Baek Jang-mi confirmed that she was back, Ha Chae Yoon teased, "Is Min Tae Gu pissed off because you dragged him out of bed?"

"Yep," Baek Jang-mi confirmed. "Don't worry about him. You know he has a soft heart, too."

"Yah! I don't!" Min Tae Gu protested from the background.