Chapter 6: The Sister I Lost and Found

“You won’t have to suffer anymore.”

The officer gave me a warm smile.

“Huh?”

“You don’t need to fear retaliation. We’ve taken care of it. Thanks to you, we caught a serial killer. Thank you.”

“Uh, really?”

I was just eating porridge in the interrogation room, and now there’s no risk of retaliation, plus a serial killer’s been caught.

I don’t get it, but if everyone’s satisfied, that’s fine, right?

“Can I go home and rest now?”

“You look like you can barely walk. We’ll take you home.”

“My legs are perfectly fine.”

“You don’t have to pretend you’re not in pain. You look like you’ll collapse after a few steps. How could we let you go alone?”

“…”

Better to stay quiet.

Grrr…

“The porridge wasn’t enough, huh.”

The porridge at the station couldn’t beat my hunger, and my stomach growled for food.

I decided to order something hot and hearty as soon as I got home.

Riding in the police car, I thanked the officer who dropped me off and was about to enter my house when—

Ring ring ring…

“Good work. Go rest. I’ll take this call and leave.”

As I opened the door, I overheard the officer.

“Yeah, the investigation? What? That girl… I mean, the young lady has a family?”

He glanced at me, and I got a bad feeling.

[Yes, sir. And she’s been reported missing.]

“What?”

I didn’t catch everything, but the officer glared at me.

A chill ran down my spine, and I quickly slipped inside.

“Hey, got a minute?”

“No.”

“Sorry, but could we just—”

“No way.”

Right now, satisfying my hunger was top priority.

In nearly four days, I’d only eaten a sandwich this morning.

I planned to order food once the officer left, but he lingered outside for hours.

“Just one thing to check. It’ll be quick. Can you open the door?”

“I’ve got nothing to check. Please leave.”

I couldn’t order food with him there, and no solution was in sight.

Grrrr…

“I’m starving… When is he leaving?”

As I’d checked before, there’s no food or snacks in the house.

Even my first attempt to shop ended with paramedics grabbing me.

About to give up and open the door, the officer sighed and started to leave.

“Fine, I’ll come back when you’re ready. There’s a reason for this. Excuse me.”

His footsteps faded, confirming he was gone.

I grabbed my phone to order food.

“Hello, Homeland Handmade Dumplings? I’d like to place an order. The address is near Delta District Elementary School, the house with the blue roof. One dumpling soup, please!”

No one can ruin my meal now.

I’ll finally enjoy hot, hearty food.

After what felt like forever, the delivery guy’s voice rang out.

“Delivery! Anyone home?”

This time, I didn’t forget my mask and went to get the dumpling soup.

But there stood the officer, holding my order.

“Why are you here? Wait, that wasn’t your voice.”

“I used a voice changer. If criminals can do it, why not the police?”

He intercepted my delivery?

What was this guy before he became a cop?

I had questions, but he just urged me to hurry.

“We’re in a rush. Your sibling’s waiting.”

“Can I eat the dumpling soup first?”

“Your sibling’s waiting, and you’re worried about soup?”

My soup was hostage in his hands, and it was too late to order something else.

My only option was to follow him, get my soup back, and eat.

Grrr…

“I’m starving…”

If he has any conscience, he’ll give it back when we get there.

It’s probably cold by now, though.

Hoping for my soup, I followed him to the station.

“We’ll end today’s stream here. Eba~”

<E-ba>

“And if you spot someone with brown straight hair and blue eyes, please let me know. Please…”

My usual closing line.

I used to say it tearfully in my early streams, but now I don’t even cry.

I started streaming to cope with depression after my sister disappeared.

Evergreen, my channel name, reflects my constant longing for her.

For two years, my closing line has been, “I’m looking for my sister.”

It’s been two years since she vanished.

Unlike the beginning, I’m exhausted.

“Sigh, Unnie. Just tell me if you’re dead or alive…”

The only trace she left was a pair of shoes by the river.

I could guess what happened, but since no body was found, I held onto hope.

Now, it feels pointless.

As I reached to end the stream, a donation came in.

<Oh, the pale girl with brown hair and blue eyes? I think I saw her at a gukbap place yesterday…?>

“Thanks for the 10,000 won donation, ISawThat… You saw her?”

The detailed message sparked hope, but it quickly faded.

I’ve been through this before.

<Lol, this guy’s good at trolling>

Yeah, it’s probably a lie.

Early on, there were tons of false tips like this.

Watching viewers bash the donor, I was calming myself when my phone rang.

I muted my mic and answered.

“Hello, this is Seol Ji Yoon. Who’s this?”

[Delta District Police Station. We’ve secured your sister.]

“…What?”

Was that donor telling the truth?

“Is she… still alive?”

[She’s alive, but her condition isn’t great.]

I ended the stream and ran out.

The stream didn’t matter now.

“She’s alive.”

I’d given up, thinking she was dead, but she’s alive.

What did he mean by “not great condition”?

Negative thoughts flooded in, but her being alive was what mattered.

I shook them off and hailed a taxi.

“Sir, Delta District Police Station, as fast as you can.”

“Got enough cash?”

“Want me to pay upfront?”

“Nah, you look in a hurry. I’ll get you there quick.”

The taxi sped toward Delta District.

“What’s the rush?”

“…Family stuff.”

“Sorry, forget I asked.”

The ride to Delta District Police Station was long, so I thought about my sister.

‘Unnie, Unnie! Look at this snowman! Isn’t it cute?’

‘What’s the definition of cute?’

‘…You’re so mean, Unnie.’

Memories of building snowmen with her.

‘Unnie! Help! A dog’s trying to bite me!’

‘…’

Pat pat

‘What? Why’s it calm now?’

Looking back, none of our memories were normal.

Whenever she was involved, they turned bizarre.

Lost in memories, the taxi arrived at the station.

“We’re here.”

“Here’s the payment.”

“Handle your family stuff, miss!”

I paid with my card and rushed inside to ask about my sister.

“I’m here to see Seol Ji Yeon. Is she here?”

“You’re family? She’s inside.”

Following the officer’s directions, I finally saw her.

In a utterly broken state.

“Kyaa… Kyaahhh!!!”

She didn’t look alive.

“Not great condition”?

This is beyond that.

She looked better off dead.

Lost in dark thoughts, I heard her mumble.

“…Hurts…”

I couldn’t hear the start, but she was saying she’s in pain.

I approached, showing my face.

“Unnie… You’ve been through so much, haven’t you?”

But her next words shattered the fragile hold on my sanity.

“…Who are you?”

“Unnie, you don’t recognize me?”

Tears poured out.

My legs gave way, and I collapsed.

The pain in my chest left me speechless.

“Let’s talk for a moment.”

Leaving the room with the officers, I forced myself together and demanded answers.

“What happened to my sister?”

“Are you aware of the murders in Alpha District?”

I am.

The criminal was so heinous that even in my area, far from Alpha, we were told to be cautious.

“I know. I saw on the news they killed the suspect. Why?”

“Your sister… was likely tormented by that vicious criminal for a long time.”

“What…?”

“Ma’am? Ma’am!”

Faced with that unbelievable truth, I fainted on the spot.