✯ ✯ ✯

✯ ✯ ✯

A/n
This chapter contains mentions
of sexual assault and abuse.
Reader discretion is advised.

✯ ✯ ✯

September, 7
Thursday

The city morgue was a shrine to the macabre, the air thick with the acrid scent of chemicals and a profound sense of loss. Fluorescent lights bathed the room in a harsh, unforgiving glare, turning every surface into a mirror of sterile detachment.

Vienna fidgeted, her patience as thin as the edges of the metal tables around them. Meanwhile, Yoongi's footsteps drummed a relentless beat against the tiled floor, each step a not so subtle hint of his growing frustration.

"What time did he say he'd be done with the autopsy?" His raspy voice sliced through the stillness, dripping with impatience.

"By 9," Vienna replied.

Yoongi glanced at his watch and tutted. "It's already 9:27. You'd think someone who deals with death all day would have a better sense of time."

Hoseok, focused on the body on the table, glanced up from behind his glasses. "You're not going to make me go any faster by doing that. Autopsies take time. Precision is key here."

"You could've told us to come later," Yoongi snapped, his arms crossed defensively.

Hoseok grumbled, his gaze returning to work. "Maybe, Detective Min, you should grab a coffee. Your pacing is getting on my nerves, and you don't want me distracted."

Vienna sensed the charge of tension between them and tugged on Yoongi's sleeve with gentle insistence. "Come on, I could use a coffee and some fresh air. Let's give him some space."

Yoongi huffed but, with a grudging nod, followed her out. "Fine."

Outside, the air hinted at a day that would bake the city alive, the morning sun drenching everything in a sappy, golden light. The distant hum of traffic was a reminder that life continued, indifferent to death.

Vienna took a sip of her latte, letting the hot, creamy liquid seep through her veins like a brief escape from the morgue's cold embrace. It was a fleeting moment of warmth in a world that seemed determined to stay as bitter as the coffee back at the precinct.

She was used to the emotional toll of their work, but each case, with its brutality and darkness, carved deeper scars into her psyche. The heaviness of death never really left her, and despite her attempts to stay detached, it lingered, a haunting reminder of human cruelty and suffering.

"You wanna explain those scratches?" Yoongi's voice barged into her thoughts, his eyes narrowing at the marks on her cheek.

"Jeff..." Vienna began, her voice trailing off as last night's events replayed vividly in her mind.

"That bastard! What did he pull this time?" Yoongi's knuckles turned white around his coffee cup, fury flickering in his eyes like a flare.

"He showed up at my place last night. Wouldn't take 'no' for an answer," she replied, her tone even but her feelings raw.

"You should've called me. I've been itching to break his face," Yoongi said, his eyes flashing with protective anger.

"Don't worry, partner, I handled it." Vienna managed a faint smile.

Yoongi shook his head with a chuckle. "Yeah, I can see that. Hang on, I've got some cream for those cuts in my car. Stay put."

Vienna watched him leave, gratitude rising within her.

He's like an overprotective big brother.

She remembered how Yoongi had taken her in when things with Jeff had gone south, all while juggling work and family responsibilities. Despite the chaos of their jobs and personal lives, the Min family had always been her rock.

I'm so lucky to have friends like them.

She glanced at her watch: 9:46. The day was barely underway, but the heat was already beginning to press in. She shrugged off her blazer, stretching her legs in a rare moment of quiet.

"Here," Yoongi said, returning with a tube of cream. He handed it over, settling beside her with his own coffee in hand.

"Thanks. You always come prepared."

"Yoona's endlessly getting into scrapes," he chuckled, his gaze softening. "It's a family trait, I suppose."

Vienna laughed softly. "Must be."

"You need to be more careful. Jeff's trouble, and he's not worth the pain he causes."

"I know, but I can handle him. I just wish he'd get the message," Vienna replied, her frustration creeping into her voice.

Yoongi sighed, his gaze serious. "If he shows up again, you call me, Vie. No exceptions. You don't want me to start practicing my wrestling moves on you just to prove a point."

Vienna smiled, touched by his concern. "Alright, alright. I'll call you."

They sat in silence for a beat, Yoongi checking his watch again. "Should be done by now. Ready to head back in?"

"Yeah, let's go."

Re-entering the morgue was like stepping into a cold, barren world where the temperature wasn't the only thing that could freeze your blood.

Outside, the heat was slowly cooking the city, but in here, the air was brisk, almost too brisk, a sharp contrast that bit at your skin and reminded you of the dead weight of reality.

Hoseok looked up as they approached, his face a mask of professional detachment as he wiped his hands on a towel.

"Alright, here's the rundown," the medical examiner said, his voice as heavy as the stench of death that lingered in the room.

Vienna and Yoongi stepped closer, their eyes drawn to Michele's lifeless form. It was a sight that never got any easier, no matter how many times they had seen it.

"I've confirmed the cause of death as asphyxiation," Hoseok said. "It looks like she was smothered. The bruising around her mouth and nose confirms it. A pillow likely was used to cut off her air supply."

"Any signs of sexual assault?" Vienna asked, her voice taut with tension.

Hoseok's nod was stern. "Yes. The victim was raped repeatedly over the past two weeks," he said, his voice steady but grim. "The trauma is severe, with varying degrees of healing indicating a prolonged period of suffering."

Vienna's gaze traveled over Michele's body, cataloging the dark stains and ugly marks etched into her flesh. "What about trace evidence?" she asked, her mind racing ahead, desperate for any lead.

Hoseok sighed, a sound that seemed to suck the air out of the room. "Her body was scrubbed clean with bleach. They were thorough, so there's nothing left on her skin. No traces of semen either."

Yoongi, his expression darkening as he scrutinized the marks, leaned in closer. "These cuts and bruises—they look different. What can you tell us about them?"

"These injuries are recent," Hoseok explained, pointing to the various marks. "They're from the last two weeks. This wasn't a quick death. She endured a lot."

Vienna's gaze lingered on a peculiar mark on the left side of Michele's ribcage. "What about the brand?" she asked, her voice betraying a flicker of curiosity mixed with dread.

Hoseok's eyes followed hers, studying the mark. "There are two types of branding: done with hot or cold iron. This one was made with very cold metal. It leaves a distinct pattern of tissue damage."

Yoongi leaned in, examining the brand closely. "Was it done postmortem?"

"No," Hoseok's voice grew heavier. "It was done while she was still alive. Given the level of healing, it happened about two weeks ago, shortly after she was kidnapped."

Vienna and Yoongi exchanged a dark, knowing look. The brand was an evil indicator of the brutality Michele had faced.

"Do you know what kind of flower it is?" Vienna asked, her gaze flicking to the medical examiner with a note of desperation.

"That's your job," Hoseok replied, handing her a sketch. "Here's a rough drawing. Maybe it'll help."

Yoongi cleared his throat, his voice taut with urgency. "When can we expect the toxicology report?"

"That'll take a few days," the examiner said, his tone clipped but empathetic. "I'll get it to you as soon as it's in."

"Thanks, Hoseok," Vienna replied softly. "We appreciate your help."

Hoseok nodded, his gaze heavy. "Take care. This one's a rough ride."

As they left the morgue, the images of Michele's battered body clung to Vienna's thoughts like a persistent shadow. Every detail from the autopsy was haunting.

This case just keeps getting uglier.

Yoongi sighed heavily, rubbing his temples as though trying to erase the vision of the corpse from his mind. "We need to track down the bastard who did this. And we need to do it fast."

The late morning sun cast long shadows on the pavement as they walked to the car, the heat intensifying.

Yoongi broke the silence with a somber tone. "What do you make of this branding?"

Vienna took a deep breath, fighting the churn of unease in her stomach. "It's deliberate, that's for sure. Someone wanted to make a statement, mark her like livestock. It's about power, control—a way to force their dominance onto her."

Yoongi's gaze remained fixed on the road ahead, his jaw clenched. "Yeah, but why go this far? This branding isn't just a mark; it's psychological warfare. They wanted to crush her spirit as much as her body."

Vienna shuddered, her mind going to the darkest corners of possibility. "Two weeks of repeated assaults... that's not just rage. It's cold, calculated cruelty. This person wasn't just violent—they were methodical. They wanted to maximize the suffering."

Yoongi glanced at her, a flicker of concern crossing his face. "You holding up alright?"

Vienna forced a nod, her face flushed and her stomach twisting. "Yeah, just... it's hard to shake the images. It's impossible not to think about what she went through."

Yoongi's voice dropped to a low murmur, his tone soft but resolute. "I get it. This case is a nightmare. But we need to keep our heads straight. We can't afford to miss any details."

Vienna took a moment to steady herself, inhaling deeply as if to push the nausea away. She could taste the bitterness of her emotions in her mouth. "At least the campaign manager might give us some direction," she said, forcing a shift in focus. "Michele's connections could point us toward something."

They reached the car, and Yoongi unlocked the doors with a beep that seemed too loud in the heavy silence. As they slid into their seats, Vienna stared out the window, her hands trembling. She clenched them tightly in her lap, struggling to keep her thoughts from spiraling back to the cruel details of the morgue.

Yoongi started the engine, and the car roared to life. "Let's see if our next interview can shed any light on this."

Vienna nodded and shut her eyes.

***

At the precinct, they were greeted by Anna Kensington, the human embodiment of a meticulously groomed business card. Her navy suit was sharp enough to cut glass, and though Seokjin's campaign manager projected a veneer of poise, the strain in her eyes betrayed her cool facade.

"Thank you for coming in, Ms. Kensington," Vienna said, offering a warm but professional smile.

"Of course. Anything to help," Anna replied, her voice steady but tinged with an underlying tension.

Yoongi gestured to the chair across from him and settled into his own. "Can you fill us in on Michele's role in the campaign?"

The woman settled into her chair, her posture perfect but her fingers were drumming lightly on the table. "Michele was the linchpin for organizing last night's debate venue, and she handled other public appearances and speeches with an almost obsessive level of detail. She coordinated with Patrick Yang's team to make sure everything was in place. Michele was reliable, almost to the point of being a control freak."

Vienna leaned in, her eyes narrowing with focus. "Did you notice anything odd about her recently?"

Anna's brow furrowed as she considered her words. "Yes, actually. In the week leading up to her disappearance, Michele was visibly more stressed. She took several personal calls during work hours, which was out of character. Each time, she looked more rattled. It was like she was carrying a heavy weight."

"Any idea who was calling her?" Yoongi asked, his tone gentle but probing.

Anna shook her head, her expression apologetic. "No, she kept the details to herself. But it was clear those calls were getting to her. Michele was usually very composed, so seeing her like that was unsettling."

Vienna exchanged a glance with Yoongi before asking, "Did Michele ever mention any personal issues or troubles?"

Anna's gaze remained steady, but they could feel her uneasiness. "Not really. Michele was a closed book when it came to her personal life. Even those she worked closely with didn't get much insight. I wish I could offer more."

"Thank you, Ms. Kensington. Your information has been very helpful," Vienna said, rising and extending her hand. "We'll reach out if we need anything else."

Anna shook Vienna's hand firmly, a flicker of concern in her eyes. "I hope you find the answers you need. Let me know if there's anything more I can do."

As Anna left, Vienna turned to her partner. "Those personal calls must be the ones from the unknown number we found."

Yoongi nodded, his expression tight. "I'll get in touch with the mobile company and see what I can find out. I'll also check with our tech team."

As Yoongi headed away, Vienna returned to her desk, feeling the weight of the day's discoveries crushing her. The precinct's stifling warmth and harsh overhead lights felt like they were closing in. Overwhelmed, she stumbled toward the nearest bathroom, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

Inside, she barely made it to the sink before the contents of her stomach rebelled. The acrid taste of bile mingled with the remains of her coffee, and she groaned, clutching the sink as her body heaved.

Just what I needed—a dramatic episode to top off everything. I can barely handle this case, and now my body is betraying me.

She splashed cold water on her face, hoping to clear her head. The bathroom's flickering lights seemed to mock her. Taking several deep breaths, Vienna tried to steady herself.

When she finally emerged, she felt slightly better but knew the worst was yet to come.

✯ ✯ ✯

A/n
This was a heavy one, I know.
We'll take a lighter tone
in the next chapter🥹

✯ ✯ ✯