~~The fourth and final part, thank god! This took too long to do!~~

Jin shivered as he walked, sniffling while tears stuck to his cheeks. His coat that held his phone had fallen when he ran off, which means he's walking down the streets of Beigoma in nothing but a long-sleeve. He hugged himself as he walked, trying to keep himself warm as the cold October air nipped at him through his shirt.
    "I-I'm so stupid..." He mumbled, sighing and watching his breath come out in a puff. "I-I should've known mama didn't know... She doesn't like Uncle Phi..." He looked up and saw the further darkening sky, blowing hot air into his hands to keep them warm.

He had no idea what time it was and it's getting colder by the minute...

A wolf-whistle caught his attention as he looked up and around, curious as to where the sound came from.
    "Damn honey, you lookin' fine~" A man's voice drawled, heavy with alcohol. Jin looked around and soon felt the eyes on him, finding a man staring straight at him.
    "Are... Are you talking to me...?" His soft voice held heavy confusion, eyebrows furrowed together as this man stepped closer.
    "Yeah, I'm talking to you sweetheart~" The man purred, licking his lips as he looked the poor teen up and down. Jin shuddered in complete disgust, taking a step away.
    "L-look, I don't know who you are, but I'm a guy..."
    "Aww, honey, you don't need to lie to me..." The drunk man slurred seductively. "Why don't you come back to my place, I'll show you a great time~"
    "I-I'm seventeen...!"
    "Good thing age is only a number~"
    "Hey! Leave that poor boy alone this instant!"

A woman suddenly appeared on the sidewalk with a broom, swinging it at the drunk pervert angrily.
    "Shoo, leave him alone! Disgusting man!" She yelled, sweeping him away with her trusty broom. The man yelled out when it hit him in the head, cursing her out as he slinked away in the crowd.
    "Crazy bitch!" He yelled, finally disappearing for good. Jin let out a breath, finally feeling his racing heart calm down.
    "Buen viaje..." Jin mumbled angrily, looking toward the woman with a small smile. "Thank you for helping me out..."
    "It wasn't a problem, honey! Creeps like that make my blood boil, horrible people." The woman huffed, her broom at her side. "Goodness, what are you doing out without a coat?! You'll catch a cold like that! Come along, let's get you inside." She pat his shoulder gently, leading him inside her warm pastry shop.

Jin took a deep breath and took in the smell of all kinds of sweets and bread, sighing in content as he was sat down at a table.
    "Would you like something to eat? A growing boy like you needs to eat if you want to stay healthy."
    "O-oh, uh, I-I don't have any money... I-I don't want to impose..." Jin answered softly, his hands shuffling nervously in his lap.
    "Nonsense, I insist! It'll be on the house!" The older woman smiled, ruffling his messy black hair gently.
    "W-well... Do... Do you have any blueberry pie...?"
    "The best of Beigoma City! I'll go grab you a slice." She told him, turning and walking off to the back.

~~~

Hartz held his phone to his ear as he stood outside the door of a restaurant, shivering slightly when a harsh breeze bit him through his coat.
    "Hello?" A female's voice answered suddenly, making Hartz double check his screen. He grew confused when the number was correct, holding the phone back to his ear.
    "Hi? I'm sorry, but who is this?"
    "Hi, I'm sorry! I found a coat on the sidewalk and it had this phone in it. Do you know who owns it? I'd like to return it!" The girl explained. "The baby on the lock screen is super cute too, he looks like a good big brother."  She gushed, causing Hartz to furrow his eyebrows together.
    "Uh, yeah, that's my son's phone. If you could bring it to the restaurant on State Street, my wife and I are inside." The man told her, giving a brief description of what he looked like.
    "Sure! I'll be over in a few!"

Hartz scratched his head in confusion. That was one of the weirdest conversations he's ever had, heading back inside with a breath.
    "Hey, did you get a hold of him?" Night asked when he sat back down, feeding Serenity.
    "Uh, in a way, yes." He said, still wrapping his head around it.
    "Great! Where is he, is he okay?"
    "Night, I called him and a girl answered. He lost his coat when he was running and it had his phone."
    "... Really?" Night felt guilt pierce her chest, taking in a breath. "So we're going nowhere..."
    "Well, he can't be too far. Is the girl that found his phone on the way?" Phi asked, looking at his twin. Hartz nodded.
    "Yeah, she said she'd be here in a few."
    "Then we'll ask her where she found it and that's where we start our search."
    "Not a bad idea." Night nodded, looking at the time. "Then that's our plan."

~~~

Jin ate his slice of pie happily, the shop owner watching him from afar as she wiped down her counter. He certainly looked like a sweet young man, but what was he doing walking around busy downtown Beigoma? She shook her head and let out a soft sigh, continuing what she was doing.

After all, it wasn't her place to meddle in his business.

    "How's your pie, sweet pea?" She asked him from afar, smiling when she heard him hum happily.
    "It's so good...! You weren't kidding when you said it was the best in the city...!" The teen answered happily, taking another bite of the delicious treat. The bakery owner nodded, a soft laugh in her throat.
    "I'm so glad you like it! The recipe I use has been passed down in my family for generations, dating all the way back to the early 1900s." She explained, watching the boy stare in awe.
    "Wow, that's so cool..." Jin smiled, finishing his slice of heaven up and standing, walking to hand her the plate. "Oh, do you have a phone I can borrow...? I, uh, don't have mine on me..."

The shop owner laughed softly as a bright blush coated Jin's cheeks, handing him the shop phone.
    "No problem, dear! Here, I'll trade you." She smiled, taking the dirty plate as she handed him the phone. "I'll be in the back checking on some treats I'm baking, so holler if you need me, sweetie!"
    "Thank you..." He smiled softly, taking the phone and walking back to his seat. He looked at the phone and typed his mother's number, his thumb hesitating over the call button. Would she be mad about earlier? The black-haired teen shook his head and took in a breath, pressing the button. His pale hands shook slightly as it rang, his chest feeling tight as he waited.
    "Hello?" His mother answered questioningly, confused about the new number.
    "... Hi mama..." He said softly, wincing at the surprised gasp from the other end.
    "Jin! Oh thank god, I thought something happened to you! Your dad tried calling you and said you dropped your phone, I thought someone took you! Whose phone is this, baby? Where are you?" Night asked him, not at all angry but incredibly relieved.
    "I'm at this wonderful little bakery by the park... The nice woman that owns it helped warm up and use the phone..." Jin found himself smiling, holding onto the phone tighter. "I wanna come home mama... I'm sorry about what I said, I-I didn't mean it..."
    "I'm sorry too, baby boy. I was so angry that I wasn't taking your feelings into consideration. We'll be there as soon as we can, we're still waiting on the girl that found your phone."
    "Okay, mama... I love you..."
    "I love you too, my little spirit."

The phone call ended Jin felt a lot better, setting the phone aside as he yawned. The whole day has just been exhausting, he's going to be happy to be back home...
    "Is your mother coming to pick you up?" The bakery owner called suddenly, making the teen jump and squeak. "Oh dear, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare you."
    "I-it's okay, I just jump really easy..." Jin breathed, smiling nervously. "Y-yeah, my mama is on the way..."
    "Oh, wonderful!" She smiled, hands clasped together as she walked over. Her thoughts nagged at her and she frowned, sitting across from him. "Look, I don't mean to pry, but what is a sweet boy like you doing running around by yourself at this time of night?"
    "O-oh, uh, it's kinda silly... I don't want to bore you with the details..."
    "Nonsense. I have a granddaughter your age, I can tell when you teens are stressed." She smiled gently, making Jin sigh.
    "I found out three weeks ago that my dad had a brother... My mom doesn't like him because he was terrible to people in school, then disappeared after he graduated four years ago... My dad had the idea for my uncle and I to get to know each other behind my mom's back, but everything went downhill when she found out..." A pale hand rubbed his eye, sniffling when his nose started to run. "She went ballistic when she found us, we got into a fight, and I ran... I left..."
    "Well, how do you feel now? Now that you spaced yourself?"
    "Tired, guilty... Is this normal...?"
    "For a teen your age? Of course it is. I remember when my son was your age. He and I butt heads a lot because he would do things I didn't approve of." The older woman smiled softly at the memory, tears in her eyes. "One day, he got really sick. Turned out to be alcohol poisoning from a party he went to, and it finally hit. He realized all those times we fought was because I was worried about him, and we became closer from that point on."
    "Wow... You think this'll bring us close together...?"

The shop owner caught movement by the door, smiling.
    "I think it already did." She told him, motioning to the door. Jin turned around, tears filling his eyes as his mother walked in.
    "M-mama..." He breathed, leaving his chair and running straight for her.
    "Jin! Oh my baby boy!" Night cried, holding him tight when he crashed against her, kissing his head repeatedly. "I was so worried, I'm so glad you're safe!"
    "I-I missed you...! I-I'm so sorry...!"
    "Shh, I was too harsh. I should've listened to how you were feeling. I'm glad you're okay, my little spirit." Grey eyes found the shop owner, the young mother smiling. "Ma'am thank you so much for taking care of my son. How can I ever repay you?"
    "Oh honey, don't worry about it! You have a good boy there, you're raising a good one."
    "I know... Thank you again."
    "It was my pleasure. You folks get home safe, okay?"
    "Thank you, good night!"
    "Bye..."

The mother and son waved as they walked out of the shop, meeting up with Hartz and Phi.
    "Hey kiddo! Quite the adventure, huh?" Hartz asked, trying to play off the whole thing. Jin rolled his eyes and looked away, staying quiet as the family walked to their cars.
    "Phi, thank you for helping us out with everything. I may have judged you a little harshly since your return."
    "It's no big deal, I was happy to help. If you need anything else, I'm a phone call away." Phi smiled gently, waving to his family. "Get home safe, okay?"
    "You too! See you later, brother!" Hartz smiled, the family getting into their cars. Night made sure Serenity's car seat was buckled and Jin slid in next to her in the back seat, the parents getting into the car.

The drive home was nearly silent save for the radio and it killed Hartz, knowing Jin was mad at him about how everything played out. The young father sighed to himself, pulling into the driveway of the house. He decided to leave it be for now.

Jin will talk to him when he's ready. It just may take a while to earn that trust again...

NightBear15 signing off...