chapter 5

Taehyung watched as the captain apologized to the kid and lawyer, then went to follow Jungkook out to the hall. He was about to call out to Jungkook, who was walking away slamming his jacket to the floor and running his hand through his hair, when he heard the clicking of heels. They both turned around to see the police chief walking with a woman, who was in a fur coat. The coat reeked of death; humans couldn’t smell it but Jungkook and he clearly could. The police chief stood in front of the pair and with a stern look, “Officer Jeon, control yourself.” With a huff Jungkook picked up his jacket and saluted his superior. It was odd that just after the interview was stopped the mother of the child was outside the hall smiling? Shouldn’t she be concerned for her child? Much less standing with the police chief? Something didn’t feel right, he didn’t need his hybrid instincts half to tell him that. Mr. Kim offered a friendly handshake to the unusual pair, but the rich woman just turned her head away from his gaze with a huff. The police chief folded his hands behind him and walked past the two into the interrogation room with the woman. Taehyung brought his unshaken hand back to him and turned to Jungkook, “Is he always involved in cases?” Jungkook shook his head, “only when it concerns the rich. I still can’t believe he got promoted first before my unit’s captain, who’s been here for decades. The chief used to be the captain of Gang relations only for a few years, but was promoted to police chief with no election. They suddenly had a press conference saying that the old police chief left in his will that he assigned him to be the new official.” None of that sounded right to Taehyung, it all sounded so forced. Officer Kim Yugyeom came around the corner, “guys you need to come see this!” Officer Jeon and Mr. Kim exchanged looks and followed Yugyeom down the hall towards the holding cells.

The police chief stopped the mother from following the officers escorting her son into the interrogation room. “Ma’am, please follow me into my office for some coffee.” She looked back to see the owner of the voice who offered her coffee and caught on to his nuance when he raised his eyebrow suggestively. The woman gave a crooked smile, but only as far as the Botox would let her. The chief lead the mother off into another isolated hallway leading to higher ups offices. The woman rummaged in her purse to pull out her wallet to check if she brought her checkbook. When the chief noticed her rummaging he turned to her, “Oh no, Ma’am, you won’t be needing that” with a wink. He allowed her to step into his office first leading her in with a feigned smile. The office was closed off away from the rest of the station. Before stepping over to his desk he pulled the cord of the roller blinds on the window down blocking the view from any prying eyes. Chief leaned in on his desk with folded hands ,”I think I have a way to help your son Ma’am.” In discussion he gestured out with exaggerated movements to add to the proposition. The woman threw her hands in the air displeased, but he held his in front of him to calm her down. She pulled out her wallet again and pulled out her checkbook ripping out a check. Her pen was working furiously, and she slammed the check in front of him, “I hope this will be more than generous for you.” With a soft smile he nodded taking the check and locking it in a drawer on his desk. He pulled out his notepad and with a fountain pen wrote down a name for her, “talk to this man next, he will be of greater help to you, tell him I sent you.” The woman smiled and folded the piece of paper into her wallet hiding it from plain sight. One of the captain’s always following the police chief knocked at the door. The chief allowed him in and the captain offered him a bow, “Sir, its time for you to step in.” Heels clicked on the tile floor in his office, “I trust in you chief that you will take care of my son. I leave him in your hands.” The chief responded cryptically, “trust in me Ma’am.”

As Taehyung, Jungkook and Yugyeom approached the hallway they heard uncharacteristic keyboard typing coming from the holding hallway. He stood in the doorway with the officers behind him at the main cell door watching his teammates Kibum and Krystal deep in concentration. Key was sitting in the hallway in front of your cell working on his laptop typing away furiously. Stacks of paper were sprawled out nearby creating a half circle ring around the lawyer. Krystal was on the phone pacing back and forth chewing on her thumb. Taehyung approached with his tail swishing curiously, but Key didn’t bother looking up to acknowledge him, nor did Krystal stop the call. He stepped directly behind Kibum looking over his shoulder to see what was so pressing. Key’s laptop was opened to files on the Miller’s case and similar cases studying their outcomes. Officer Jeon and Kim approached crouching down next to Kibum studying his papers. Taehyung changed his direction of observation and looked into the cell to find you in a similar fashion. You now had a change of clothes with jeans and a t-shirt instead of your professional attire. Your hair was in a sloppy bun held together by pencils sticking out of it in random configuration with the typical pout scrunching your expression. He asked, “what are you guys doing?” You looked up over your papers,” Oh, Good evening Mr. Kim. I asked Kibum to bring over some files. Ms. Jung was already in the area and tagged along. I had an epiphany last night and it brought some things to my attention. We decided since I won’t be able to go anywhere for the meantime that it doesn’t mean the world stops. I can still work from here, so I’m going to do my job.” He was impressed by your dedication, even in this situation you were still thinking of the client. The wild thing sitting casually in front of him was more exotic than his own genetic mix. Just what exactly are you? “Why, Ms. Y/L/N?” You pulled out a pencil from your bun and a small curl of hair now hung in front of your eye. You blew it out of your face, “their life is in my hands and the mistake was mine. I must protect them with all I can.” Your words washed over him like cold water. He was seeing double again recalling the same woman in front of him and the firefly of his childhood. The heroine never stopped fighting even when the fight was over. The story goes on until it’s truly over. He sat down with you guys and pulled out his laptop. Key looked at him questioningly, “what are you doing, Mr. Kim?” He didn’t even bother looking up, “Protecting Mr. Kim,” he said with a cheeky smile. Officer Jeon and Kim exchanged looks, “we’ll bring you guys some coffee.”

It was late when Jungkook walked back to the holding cells. He was assigned to close the main cell door for the night. Taehyung was on his phone talking to Mrs. Lee going over files at the office. Key was writing an email out to the hybrid protection council, and you were sipping coffee intensely going over papers. Ms. Jung left hours ago for a field investigation. It was endearing to watch and he smiled tenderly at the scene, but he had to call this a night. He jangled his keys form the entrance walking over garnering the attention of the trio. “Officer Jeon, can you get me some more coffee please?” you spoke to the man without looking extending your empty cup through the bars. The rest of the group chimed in asking for a cup as well, “Your finest instant coffee Jeon.” He was taken aback by the request, “Sorry, but visiting hours,” he paused looking at his watch, “have been over for a while now. I can’t let you stay any longer tonight.” Key looked up at him pleadingly but Jungkook stayed firm on his decision, “really, I could get in big trouble if I let you stay. I already let it slip that you’re working in here.” Not wanting to push their luck they packed everything up, but you asked if they could leave some files behind with you. Key was first to leave, but Taehyung hesitated a few seconds before leaving. He muttered under his breath, “Good night, Ms. Y/L/N.” He was walking away before you could say anything, but you couldn’t speak anyways. Your mouth was hanging open with eyes as wide as boulders. Did he just say good night? The rosy dust over your cheek didn’t go unnoticed by Jungkook who was sharing an equally large smile. It was back to work for you.

The next day the rich families lawyer came to the station speaking on behalf of the plaintiffs regarding a contract. You sat next to Taehyung in one of the meeting rooms anticipating the news. The attorney slid over a file with a contract and a NDA form. Taehyung took it before you could reach for it and reviewed over it, while the other lawyer spoke. “The families have decided to not press any charges against Y/L/N, but under the condition that you will not use against them in court. They want you to sign this to assure an understanding between the parties and not mention signing of the contract. You will be let out effective immediately when you sign this.” You looked over to Taehyung who sat the file down and you swiped it to review it yourself. “They still want to proceed with current allegations in the class lawsuit against the Millers, so there will be no amendments to the standing case. Do you accept Ms. Y/L/N.” You couldn’t believe the pettiness of these families. Why were they so hell bent on attacking this hybrid?

“Can you please give us time to discuss this privately?” You questioned the attorney to which he hesitantly stood up and looked at his watch, “I need to leave soon, make it fast.” As a lawyer yourself you knew he was just trying to press you into a decision, but you’ve already made yours. Once the man was out of the room, you turned to Mr. Kim, “I will sign this.” Mr. Kim whipped his head around to look at you, “are you crazy? What are you talking about? The video is the best evidence we have!” With a heavy heart you turned to him, “I want to help David and I’m limited in here. We can edit the video up until I came into frame. They don’t seem to know about the video, so it will be valid evidence. The important thing here is David not me.” Mr. Kim was taken aback, “but they held a knife to you? Shouldn’t they be punished for that?” You nodded, “Yes, but I think I don’t want the media to focus on that. I want them to focus on the discrimination and make an example of these kids. I want other hybrids to be able to come to the law and not be afraid of losing or being shamed.” Mr. Kim was holding back his objections, but you were right. The media would focus on the wrong thing and this was a step towards addressing hybrid discrimination as an issue. He was torn. “It’s up to you Y/n.” It threw you off that he used your first name. You couldn’t ask why he called you by your first name when he was already out of his seat calling back the attorney. You signed the contract and slipped it back to him taking your copy of the contract. The lawyer thanked you and walked out of the room. Holding your file to your chest, “I don’t mind getting hurt. It’s precious time and resources were wasting on me. Right now, we need to focus on David Miller. He’s the victim, not me.” You got up and walked out of the room with your bag full of your clothes. You’ve made your choice and he understood it completely. It wasn’t right though, it didn’t sit right with him. You were important.

The next week until the trail the team spent it working tirelessly. You weren’t the only one working late at night. Key and you went through all the kid’s social medias and social outlets. Krystal went to search for CCTV for any possible captures of other harassments to other students. You spent more time with the family getting to know them and collecting as much as you can. Mr. Kim was working endlessly as well, you would often step into his office refilling his coffee even though he didn’t ask. He would smile when he saw you leaving the room and the steam cup of coffee on his desk. Every time Mr. Kim would make his way back to the station he was bombarded by the media asking questions and for any details he would disclose. He would brush them off not letting them have any insight. The fear of failure was at your doorstep. The devil was knocking remind you that the clock was ticking, and he was here to collect you. The defamation wasn’t only some rich kids trying to save themselves, but it was bigger than that.

The plaintiffs wanted a bench trail claiming a jury would be unnecessary and no media exposure within the court. This was privatized from the public as much as possible, except they were at the doors of the courthouse waiting for the result. The amount of media vans and reporters parked outside made it hard for you to squeeze past. You sat along with your team members in the pews on the defendant’s side of the room. Mrs. Miller sat next to you, her ears were already floppy, but you could tell that they lacked any spirit in them. You warmly gripped her tight hand in yours patting it to ease her mind. The other side of the pews was the families of the sons, or at least the members that could make it. Mrs. Miller was a single mother, she has no relatives. Her husband, who was human and her owner, abandoned her once he found out she was pregnant. Humans can be so cruel. The five plaintiffs sat in a row next to their lawyer. Taehyung sat next to David shuffling through some papers, when he noticed the kid fidgeting he placed his hand on the kids knee to stop the shaking. He leaned in and whispered, “David, you mustn’t let them know you’re afraid. They will use it against you. I will do my best. Trust me, okay?” David’s foot stopped thumping, his breathing regulated, and his ears relaxed. Normally in the wild, rabbits are foxes pray, but today he will stand guard.

The doors to the court room opened loudly interrupting the soft murmuring causing most of the audience to turn. The loud commotion from the reporters filled the low hum of the courtroom. You looked over your shoulder to see the police chief and two other officers following him in. He guided his beady eyes over the crowd and they landed on yours. He offered a polite, crooked smile and proceeded to take a seat in the back. Every time he was nearby you could feel it, the ominous air about him crawled into yours suffocating you. You turned back watching the back of Taehyungs head, but you couldn’t shake the feeling of him watching you. You squeezed Mrs. Millers hand in assurance, but your attention was dragged away when the bailiff stepped in front of the judge’s desk, “All rise.”

The elderly judge walked up to his seat in his black robe and signaled with his hands for everyone to be seated. “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Calling the case of Students from Saint Ambrose Academy versus David Miller. Are both sides ready?” Mr. Kim and the defense attorney stood, “Ready for the People, your Honor.” Mr. Kim answered, “Ready for the defense, your Honor.” The clerk proceeded to swear the witness and participants. The deputy attorney stood once again, “Your Honor and ladies and gentlemen: the defendant has been charged with defamation and false allegations of harassment and assault. The evidence will show that the interactions between these students never occur and there is no medical backing. The defendant is using my clients for their wealth status and popularity, falsely accusing them of discrimination. The evidence I present will prove to you that the defendant is guilty as charged.” Taehyung was twirling his pen in irritation. Switching over Mr. Kim stood up still twirling his pen, “Your Honor under the law my client is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The evidence I will present to you will show that my client was harassed and assaulted, and the acts were driven by discrimination against my client. You will come to know the truth that David Miller holds truth to all rumors. Therefore, my client is not guilty.” Murmurs from the plaintiff’s half rung through with grunts of disgust and scoffs of disbelief. You turned to scowl at the fowl women who were taking advantage of this family. One woman was grinning like a witch and turned to look back. You looked back where she was looking and noticed she was eyeing the police chief. Alarm bells were going off in your head, your instincts were never wrong! Something was not right. You looked over to Taehyung who looked indifferent, the perfect poker face.

Your side didn’t have much evidence since the school’s CCTV recently was taken down for an update on their system. David’s medical records were wiped away from the hospitals data base. His attending doctor even denied servicing him. Taehyung was really pulling everything out that he had from the details of the little evidence we had. The other hybrid students at the school refused to come and no persuasion could convince them. They worried that they would become just like David. You crossed your fingers on the hand that wasn’t being strangled. Since you signed the contract, Key was forced to edit the video until the point of your entrance. It was the last thing they had, the winning bit. The debate was back and forth with objections, overruling and sustainment. The progress was slow. The judge considering only a few of the exhibits our side presented, dismissing the others as non-admittable. You were growing frustrated; the favor was obvious.

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