Chapter 7: Hot Pursuit
Chapter 7: Hot Pursuit
***
One week had passed, yet Eugene remained in a state of deep unconsciousness.
Clad in a white lab coat, an eyeglasses perched upon his nose, and a jet-black wig artfully concealing his distinctive locks, a tall man quietly entered room 202. His gaze fell upon Eugene's motionless form, connected to various tubes and wires providing the essential life support that kept him alive. With a solemn expression, the person closely scrutinized Eugene's frail condition.
"I'll put an end to your suffering," he declared as he extracted a syringe from the pocket of his lab coat.
With precision, he inserted the needle into the IV that nourished Eugene's lifeless body. A translucent liquid began to mix with his IV, slowly wreaking havoc on his already ailing frame.
Just before exiting the room, the man paused, casting a fleeting glance towards Eugene. A sinister smirk tugged at the corners of his lips, as if satisfied with what he had done.
Eugene's mother had made another visit to the hospital to see her son. As she arrived, she caught a glimpse of a doctor walking away from Eugene's room, seemingly having finished his work.
Concern etched on her face, Eugene's mother hurried into the room. She was met with the alarming sound of the heart monitor beeping erratically, indicating that something was seriously amiss with her son's condition. Fear gripped her heart, and she immediately pressed the emergency alarm button, urgently summoning medical assistance.
The medical team responded swiftly to the emergency call, rushing into the room without delay.
"Doctor, please tell me what's happening to my son?" Eugene's mother implored, her voice trembling with worry.
"Please calm down, Mrs. Gil," Dr. Han reassured her. "We're doing everything we can to assess the situation." The doctor wasted no time in examining the situation, carefully inspecting the tubes and wires connected to Eugene. Drawing upon his extensive experience with emergencies of this nature, he quickly realized the possible cause of the problem. Without hesitation, the doctor removed the tube that linked Eugene's pulse to the IV, severing the connection between them.
Tears streamed down Eugene's mother's face as she pleaded desperately, "Please, doctor, save my son."
The moment the doctor disconnected the tube connecting Eugene's pulse to the IV, the heart monitor began to stabilize, displaying a steady rhythm once more.
"It's a relief that you acted so quickly," Dr. Han remarked, relief evident in his voice. "If this situation had been detected any later, Eugene could have been in serious danger."
"Thank goodness," Mrs. Gil whispered, a mixture of gratitude and relief washing over her.
"For now, we'll conduct some tests on his blood and keep you updated on the results."
As one of the nurses drew blood from Eugene with a syringe, Mrs. Gil recalled something. "Doctor," she began, furrowing her brow, "I saw a doctor leaving this room earlier. Could it be...?"
"We will check the CCTV footage," Dr. Han replied, reassuring her, "Please don't worry. We'll do everything we can to find out what happened."
Dr. Han made his way to the CCTV control room and asked the authorized personnel to analyze the footage recorded before the incident. They carefully reviewed the video, focusing on the part where Eugene's mother was seen in the hallway. There, they noticed a doctor with black hair exiting room 202. They switched to another camera, trying to track the doctor's movements, but strangely, they couldn't find any trace of him afterwards.
"Where did he go?" Dr. Han inquired, a puzzled expression on his face.
"I think it's for the best if we report this incident to the police," the authorized personnel advised, recognizing the gravity of the situation. "It might be best to hand this matter over to the investigators, as they are trained to deal with such cases."
***
"Any updates?" Lieutenant Kim urgently asked, a hint of impatience in his voice.
Officer Lee shook his head with a defeated expression. "I've interviewed all the people on the list," he replied, "but there's no lead yet. Their alibis have all been confirmed."
"What else?" Lieutenant questioned, skepticism lacing his words.
"According to Eugene's classmates, the boy was depressed because he was a victim of bullying."
The Lieutenant raised an eyebrow, his expression growing more curious. "What about those two students?" he asked, his gaze flickering towards the file on his desk.
The officer nodded, skimming through the papers. "Well, they're classmates of the victim," he began. "They recently transferred to the school, and they're brothers. Their names are Jung Saejin and..." he paused, double-checking the information. "So Hui Seung."
The Lieutenant furrowed his brow, considering the information. "Why the difference in surname?" he asked.
The officer quickly flipped through the documents. "As we investigated their records," he began, "it appears that the older brother follows their mother's surname, while the younger brother follows their father's surname. Both parents sadly passed away in a car accident."
The Lieutenant nodded thoughtfully. "Hmm... Find out more about those two," he instructed.
Officer Lee respectfully acknowledged the Lieutenant's instructions. "Yes, Lieutenant," he said, before turning and marching out of Lieutenant Kim's office.
At that moment, another police officer, a tall and muscular individual, entered Lieutenant Kim's office carrying a file in his hand.
"Greetings, Lieutenant Kim," Officer Kang reported, his voice exuding a sense of disciplined professionalism.
"Any update?" Lieutenant Kim inquired, his attention focused on the officer before him.
"The high school student who is currently comatose at the Seoul District Hospital was recently targeted for assassination by someone posing as a doctor," Officer Kang reported, handing over a file and a USB drive to the Lieutenant. "Here is the preliminary report, and that USB contains footage captured 24 hours before and after the incident within the hospital premises."
Lieutenant Kim raised an eyebrow and inquired, "Did you manage to locate that individual?"
Officer Kang shook his head in response. "No, sir. He seems to have vanished after being spotted in the lobby, almost as if he had knowledge of the hospital's blind spots where the CCTV doesn't capture his presence."
Lieutenant Kim nodded in acknowledgement. "Very well," he said, dismissing the officer. "I'll review the footage myself. You can go now."
***
Classes resumed their usual routine, and the rumors surrounding Eugene's accident began to fade. Over time, Eugene gradually adapted to his new identity as Saejin. While there were still occasional murmurs of protest whenever Seung exhibited affection, such instances became less frequent.
As the two entered the room, they were met with the buzz of chatter among the students.
"I've heard there's a new student," a boy mentioned.
"You won't believe it," another boy chimed in, "I saw him walking out of the principal's office."
Just then, their homeroom teacher, Ms. Jiya, entered the class with a tall figure following by her side. All the students quickly took their seats, quietly settling into their respective places.
"Good morning, class!" Ms. Jiya greeted them, and the students responded with their customary chorus of greetings, a familiar routine they had grown accustomed to.
Ms. Jiya spoke up with a smile, addressing the class, "Everyone, we have a new classmate joining us today." She then gestured towards the 181 cm tall young man standing beside her. "Please introduce yourself to your classmates," Ms. Jiya requested.
He stepped forward, his eyes scanning the faces of his new classmates. He could feel the weight of their gazes on him, curious and expectant.
"Hello everyone, I'm Choi Yeonjun." Choi Yeonjun stood before the class, his cold demeanor instantly captivating the attention of everyone in the room. Seung noticed this, his instincts sharp as ever. Meanwhile, Eugene couldn't help but be surprised. Standing before them was none other than his childhood friend, Yeonjun. Seung observed Saejin's reaction, his instincts telling him that this stranger was the Yeonjun that Saejin had mentioned before. He possessively draped his arm around Saejin's shoulder, silently reinforcing his claim on him.
"You can go ahead and take the empty seat in the front row," Ms. Jiya instructed. However, one student spoke up in objection.
"But ma'am, that's Eugene's seat," she protested.
As soon as the name "Eugene" was mentioned, Yeonjun's body tensed up momentarily.
"For now, since Eugene is not here, he can sit in that seat. Besides, there are no other available seats left," Ms. Jiya explained calmly.
A boy in the class raised another objection, "But ma'am, he's so tall. He'll end up blocking the whiteboard."
Ms. Jiya surveyed the class and inquired, "Alright, who would be willing to switch seats with him?"
SiO, a boy seated in front of Seung raised his hand, indicating his willingness to switch places. He explained, saying, "I have poor eyesight, so I need to sit in the front." Secretly, the real reason why he wanted to switch was because he felt uneasy with Seung's intimidating presence behind him.
SiO who had volunteered to switch seats got up from his chair and moved towards Eugene's now-vacant seat. Meanwhile, Yeonjun navigated his way to the back of the classroom and claimed SiO's now empty seat. As he settled into his new position, Yeonjun observed the pair closely, becoming increasingly aware of their intimate proximity.
Though Eugene wished to converse with Yeonjun, the looming presence of Seung's intense gaze hung over him like a dark cloud. However, Eugene recognized that he did not need to fear Seung since he was aware that Seung would not hurt him. Consequently, Eugene disregarded the potential anger from Seung, determined to speak with Yeonjun regardless.
"Hi Yeonjun, I'm Saejin!" Eugene mustered a friendly greeting, initiating the conversation with Yeonjun. In response, Yeonjun smiled back at him, causing Eugene's heart to flutter momentarily.
"Hey, Saejin," Yeonjun acknowledged, his eyes flitting briefly towards the arm that was casually draped over Saejin's shoulder.
Ms. Jiya commenced the lesson, yet some students lacked enthusiasm, struggling to stay awake. Meanwhile, other students, mostly girls, covertly cast glances in their direction.
Eugene, true to form, diligently concentrated on the class, jotting down notes and raising his hand to contribute answers whenever the teacher posed a question. However, Seung was in a sour mood, visibly frustrated. The fact that Saejin had taken the initiative to engage in conversation with a new classmate, who happened to be Yeonjun, only served to further fuel Seung's mounting irritation. He also couldn't help but notice that Saejin's handwriting had undergone a remarkable transformation, appearing drastically different from his previous one. Moreover, Seung observed a significant shift in Saejin's academic performance, as he now seemed to excel effortlessly in subjects previously deemed challenging to him. Wondering if Saejin had been studying in secret, Seung silently considered the possibility.
After the morning class had come to an end, Eugene invited Yeonjun to join them for lunch in the cafeteria. Yeonjun smiled warmly and agreed, acknowledging the need for at least one friend to guide him through the vast campus as a newcomer.
"Hyung..." Saejin pleaded, silently hoping that Seung would acquiesce to his request. But instead, Seung responded indifferently,
"He can eat by himself and not bother us," Seung replied before taking Saejin's arm and pulling him farther away from Yeonjun.
Luck seemed to be on Yeonjun's side, as SiO, the kind-hearted boy who had offered to switch seats with him earlier, suddenly extended the offer to have lunch together. Grateful for the invitation, Yeonjun accepted and settled into a different table located some distance away from Seung and Saejin's designated spot.
As Eugene and Seung sat silently as they ate, Eugene couldn't help but repeatedly steal glances in Yeonjun's direction. It was difficult for him to keep his attention from drifting towards his childhood friend.
Seung's irritation intensified further, and a sinister undercurrent laced his words as he directed the question at Saejin once again. "Saejin-ah," he called, his gaze hardening, "Are you flirting with him?" This time, Seung's demeanor bordered on intimidating.
The atmosphere had taken on a sharp edge, and Saejin could feel the weight of Seung's gaze on him. It was clear that Seung was not in the mood for any games or excuses.
"No, hyung. Of course, I'm not," Saejin responded, his voice steady but laced with a hint of defensiveness. "Yeonjun and I are just friends." 'How on earth was that flirting?' Eugene thought.
Seung's response was laced with sarcasm as he shot back, "Oh really? Says the one who wanted to sleepover at his so-called friend's house." The undertones of Seung's words hinted at his skepticism. It was clear that Seung wasn't convinced by Saejin's explanation.
The afternoon class was filled with tension as Seung's unexpected touch, gripping his thigh underneath the desk, sent shockwaves of fear through Eugene. It was almost impossible for him to focus on the teacher's lesson with Seung's unsettling behavior.
Seung's hand moved higher, from Saejin's thigh to his crotch, his touch both demanding and possessive.
Eugene made an attempt to pull away from Seung's aggressive advances, but his efforts were in vain as Seung held onto his waist with a firm grip.
The aggressive advances were halted when Eugene suddenly raised his hand and asked the teacher if he could go to the toilet. Seung, determined not to leave Saejin unattended, promptly followed him to the restroom, maintaining his possessive gaze on him.
"Why are you doing this to me?" Eugene's voice echoed through the empty toilet. Frustration and fear mingled in his words as he questioned Seung's actions. But in the midst of his outburst, Eugene failed to notice that Seung had already locked the door, trapping them both inside.
With a swift, assertive move, Seung forcefully pinned Saejin against the sink, effectively trapping him in a position of vulnerability. The cold surface of the sink pressed against his back.
Seung leaned in, his voice low and commanding. "Remember, don't you dare 'wag your tail' around that Yeonjun guy." His words were deliberate, a possessive warning that left no room for disobedience.
After that, Seung and Saejin exited the toilet, casually returning to the classroom as if nothing had just occurred. They slipped back into their seats, keeping up the pretense of normalcy. The tension between them lingered, hidden beneath their composed facades.
As the school bell chimed, signaling the end of classes for the day, the classroom gradually filled with the sounds of shuffling desks, rustling papers, and the animated chatter of students. A sense of anticipation and freedom filled the air as everyone began packing up their belongings, getting ready to leave. Yeonjun made sure to bid farewell to his new acquaintances, SiO and Saejin. With a friendly wave and a warm smile, he expressed his goodbyes, bidding them farewell for the moment. Seung firmly grabbed Saejin and forcefully guided him towards their car, giving him no chance to resist.
Yeonjun, witnessing the scene from a distance, could only watch with a mixture of concern and curiosity.
"Hyung... please," Eugene protested weakly, but his words fell on deaf ears as Seung forcefully pushed him into the passenger seat, promptly taking his place behind the steering wheel.
"So that's Yeonjun, huh?" Seung inquired, his tone laced with irritation.
Eugene attempted to quell the tension by pleading, "Please... let's not argue about this." However, Seung disregarded his request and continued as if he hadn't heard Saejin's plea for peace.
Seung drove them back home in stoic silence, the heavy tension between them almost palpable.
Upon arriving, Simon, the house butler, greeted them as usual. However, Seung didn't utter a word in acknowledgment. As Simon observed the interaction, he silently witnessed Seung forcefully dragging Saejin into the living room.
"Tell me," Seung's voice raised, filled with suppressed anger.
Saejin retorted defiantly, "Why do you care?"
Seung grabbed Saejin's neck, pulling him closer as he firmly stated, "You're mine, Saejin-ah."
"For fucking sake!" Saejin exclaimed, frustration evident in his voice. "We're brothers!"
"Yes, we're brothers. So what?" Seung's response was more aggressive.
In a fit of anger, Seung forcefully kissed Saejin on the lips, biting Saejin's lips hard with no ounce of remorse. The kiss was aggressive, possessive, and laced with anger. There was no tenderness in his actions, only a deep desire to assert his dominance over his younger brother.
***
In Yeonjun's household.
"Son, tell me, why would you transfer schools suddenly without informing me?"
"Mom, I have a reason."
"But why?"
"I need to unveil the truth behind Eugene's accident."
Yeonjun's mother couldn't help but tease him, asking jokingly, "Are you preparing to be a detective?" Despite the lighthearted remark, she fully supported her son's decision. "But please be careful," she added, concern evident in her voice.
"I believe Eugene's accident is a case of attempted murder," he said firm in his belief.
***
Hey everyone! Thank you for coming again! Please wait for the next chapter. See you again next time! 🥰