Chapter Seventy (1/2)

Minghao counts the members as they all pile together to go into the van.  He nodded and took his keys out.  "Alright, everyone inside."  He instructed as he opened the driver's side door. Like usual, Minghao drives the kids back home.  He heard them talk about how their day went.  How Mingyu was making a casserole and how Jun's class will be going on a field trip soon.  Seungkwan spoke about how his acting in the drama class is going well and Vernon said that he's doing well in composition class with his new partner, Jennie. Woozi went on about how his music classes are off to a good start with Seokmin.  Woozi wants to go to the more instrument side of music while Seokmin wants to do more with vocals.  However, they're starting basic classes together. "Oh, Woozi-hyung's voice is really beautiful."  Seokmin commented. "Hey, you're doing well too."  Woozi nudged. Minghao smiled and looked at the kid beside him.  "Wonwoo?"  He asked. "Shouldn't we wait to tell stories until we're at the table?"  Wonwoo teased. Minghao giggled and shrugged.  "How's tutoring?"  He asked.

Wonwoo shrugged and scratched his chin.  "Pretty well so far.  I got some money that will go toward the expansion."  He replied, looking at the road. They arrive home and the kids go to their rooms to get ready for dinner.  Meanwhile, Jeonghan prepares the kitchen for Mingyu to cook in.  He sighed happily as he saw the said kid walk in.  "She's all yours.. until after dinner.  Then it's Dino's."  Jeonghan chuckled. Mingyu smirked and heard Seungcheol and Hoshi arriving.  The kitchen went on about telling stories about their day.  "Oh, my teacher said that we'll be holding an art presentation next month in Seoul."  Minghao stated.  "I'm so excited, he asked me if I could help him set it up and add my artwork to it too."  He said with a big smile. Jeonghan smiled proudly and folded his arms.  "Good for you~  Seems like you get along well with your teacher."  He commented. Minghao nodded.  "Although he's pretty scared of aliens, his techno dubstep is really fun to listen to."  He snapped his fingers.  "He offered to drive me to and from Seoul closer to the time of the presentation, can I do that?"  He asked. Jeonghan hummed and sat down.  "As long as you trust him enough to drive you."  He said.  "You remember how crazy he got over Woozi throwing away the lava lamp."  He reminded. "He called the lava lamp a rare item,"  Woozi stated, "I've never seen one, so I guess he's right."  He shrugged. Seungcheol chuckled.  "I'll be needing to start work in Seoul soon,"  He mentioned, getting a glare from Jeonghan.  "I'll leave thirty minutes earlier than I usually do and get back at the same time."  He continued.

Hoshi had a concerned glare.  "Why are you going to be working in Seoul?" "There are trainee groups I need to teach."  Seungcheol answered.  "I would have said no, but I'm getting three times the pay for three months.  So that will help go to Wonwoo's expansion." Jeonghan nodded and looked Hoshi's way.  "I'll go to work with you for the first week, Hoshi.  Don't worry."  He said when he saw the tiger's scared expression. "Thank you.." Jeonghan looked around the full table and frowned.  "Where's Dino?"  He asked. The table looked at each other.  "He was with us during the headcount."  Minghao said.  "Lemme call his cell."  He took his phone out and removed himself from the table. Mingyu took his phone out and accessed his cameras after logging in.  "He's not in the house or on the property.." He muttered. Jeonghan looked at Seungcheol with scared eyes.  Minghao came back into the kitchen.  "He isn't picking up,"  He said, "I'll call a teacher. Maybe he left the group without telling us."  He said. "Hey," Wonwoo started up, "Haechan has been missing for two months, you know."  He reminded the table. Jun pointed at him with his chopsticks.  "That and Dahyun has been missing for a week now.  They got these weird texts before disappearing."  He included. Seungcheol raised an eyebrow.  "Weird text?"  He asked. Seungkwan hummed.  "They both received a text saying, 'I see you.'"  He answered.  "Earlier today, Dino told me he received the text too."  He said. Jeonghan gasped.  "Did he respond?"  He asked. "The other two didn't respond,"  Vernon started, "but Dino replied back saying that the texter was bluffing."  He said. Seungcheol pursed his lips.  "Then the texter described what Dino was doing."  Vernon said.  "So I took his phone and blocked the number."  He finished. Mingyu pouted his lip.  "Minghao texted saying that Dino hasn't come back to the classroom." "My baby.."  Jeonghan held his heart. Seungcheol put his arms around Jeonghan.  "He'll be fine.  I'm sure he just went to a friend's house or something."  He said.  "Let's give it until tomorrow." Jeonghan submitted.  He picked his fork up and ate a bite of chicken.  "When they don't see Dino in the classroom tomorrow, I'm killing you."  He wiped a tear.

And the next day was just like that.  No Dino, Dahyun, or Haechan.  In fact, it became so big, there were guards outside the school gates.  Minghao stepped out of the van and looked at the guard there. "Excuse me,"  He started, "what's going on?"  Minghao asked. "Hello, I'm officer Lee Jongsuk."  He introduced himself as he kept his sunglasses on.  "The school is on lock down and no one can enter without there being a search and a teacher escorting you."  He said. Minghao looked at the van.  "Search away, and teacher Wen is inside."  He permitted. Jongsuk left the other two officers at the gate and opened the door to the van.  He looked at all of the kids and then Jun who held up his lanyard.  "Okay, open the bottom."  He instructed. Wonwoo moved his legs and opened the floor of the van, showing the first-aid kit and a window opener.  The officer nodded and tapped on the door.  "Okay, move in."  He permitted. Minghao seated himself back in the van and the officer made it to his window.  "Just so you know, today is the last day of school until we can find the missing students.  Whoever lives on campus will not have classes."  He said.  "Have a good day." Minghao bowed and drove into the parking lot.  "Okay, meet back here after all of your classes are done.  No one is missing the head count.  Sorry, Wonwoo."  He looked at Wonwoo. Wonwoo nodded and took out his phone.  "Nana will understand."  He said, texting her as he got out of the van.

Jun sighed and walked to the martial arts building.  He looked at the officer there and showed his lanyard, getting access to go into the building.  He folded his arms and walked up to an officer.  "I'm a teacher here, fill me in on what's happening."  He tasked. The officer bowed to Jun's authority.  "Sunghyun has issued a temporary lock down until the students show up."  He said. "Are they searching?"  Jun asked. "No, I believe Sunghyun said something to the effect of a non-invasive measure.  He doesn't want the students to feel scared just in case they are actually hiding and stressed out."  The officer told honestly. Jun nodded and folded his arms.  "You're probably dismissed at night, aren't you?"  He asked. "Night students will be monitored, but not this closely.  It's only temporary."  He informed. Jun pursed his lips and hummed.  "Beginner classes will be starting momentarily.  Please let my assistant in when she's here."  He said, walking away from the man without a bow. The officer bowed and stood firmly at his post.  Jun tried hiding his blush when the girl came into the building.  She's so.. great..  He breathed in and out before looking at her once more.  "Hey there, Jun."  She put her pigtails back and held her hips.  "What's today's mission?"  She asked. Jun let his eyes wander to the guards and motioned her to follow him to the back.  She followed him and sat close to him.  "The guards aren't going to be around too much tonight, but I want to find Dino."  He said, looking into Yeji's eyes. "What I want to do is recruit you and Yeosang."  He whispered with a devious smile.  "Minghao will drive me here and wait at the gate while I access the campus.  Yeosang will stay on campus for us."  He explained while she nodded in understanding. "I'll look around the main buildings, you will keep watch of the perimeter, and Yeosang will go to the storage units and dorms."  He continued.  "Mingyu is getting me special access to look at the cameras right now, so our mission will start tonight when the night classes begin." Yeji nodded and smiled deviously.  "And until then?"  She asked. "Let's intimidate those guards,"  He smirked and stood up, "let's show the guards what our students can do."  He said. Yeji giggled and walked out of the backroom with him.  They saw the beginner students pile in and nodded to each other.

Meanwhile, Minghao looks up from his phone and makes eye contact with Mingyu.  The taller nodded and walked to a hallway, showing his security clearance.  Being that he's taking security classes on the side, Mingyu has special access to the security sector to the school.  He printed out an official document saying that Jun is allowed to look at the cameras tonight. He then exited the place and nonchalantly handed the paper to Minghao.  Minghao walked to his locker and pushed the paper inside, knowing that Jun would get to it between classes.  He then walks to his art class where his teacher gives him a glare. Minghao smiles and sits down, waving to him before putting on his tinfoil hat.  The other students give him a confused glare, but the teacher nods and begins his class.

*** Nighttime comes and everyone makes it to head count.  Everyone is at home for dinner.  The kids go up accordingly and the parents go up as well.  Minghao and Jun were left to be downstairs with Seungkwan and Wonwoo. "They're going to be so mad if they find out you're gone."  Seungkwan commented. Minghao looked at Wonwoo.  "Let Seungkwan take root in the bathroom until we get back.  Our parents don't need to know."  He said. "We'll get Dino back and then everything will be okay."  Jun said, putting his lanyard back on.  "Yeosang texted saying he's waiting at the gate."  He included. Minghao nodded and grabbed the keys from the counter.  He looked at Wonwoo with a serious expression.  "Seriously, put Seungkwan somewhere Jeonghan can't get him."  He pointed at the older. Seungkwan grabbed a pack of pop tarts and some meat snacks before heading up to the bathroom with a huff.  Jun nodded and they left the house.

Jun showed his lanyard to the changed guard at the gate.  Only vehicles were stopped at the gate.  Kids walking in and out didn't have to show their lanyards or bags.  Jun also noticed that vehicles weren't searched at night.

He hummed and saw Yeosang.  Minghao unlocked the van to let Yeosang in.  The said male came into the van and sat down.  "So I'm the odd buildings, right?"  He asked. "Right. Minghao will stay here and watch over things."  Jun confirmed.  "Text every ten minutes, okay?"  He looked at Yeosang. Yeosang nodded and opened the door once more.  They went their separate ways.

Jun went down a hallway, searching around and remembering to text.  Night classes were in session, however he went down the security hall.  He stopped when he saw a familiar scared face.  "Minghao's teacher?"  He looked at the man. "Oh.. hi.."  He looked around.  "What are you doing around here, teacher Jun?"  He asked.

Jun relaxed as it seemed like the teacher wasn't mad that he was going this way.  "Well I'm looking for Dino."  He said.  "I have access to look at the cameras, so.. would you like to come with me?"  He asked. The teacher thought for a moment.  "Sure, lead the way."  He followed behind Jun. They reach the camera room and turn on the cameras.  Jun goes back to yesterday at head count.  He frowned when the camera blacks out for a few seconds before returning.  He saw Dino was gone. "Someone blacked out the camera while Dino was being stolen."  Jun said.  "Let's see if it blacks out again at any other time."  He said, making the camera speed up. Silence was in the room as the camera blacked out at the current time.

At the time they separated, Yeosang walked through some storage units.  He frowned when he came up Dino-less.  Walking out of the unit, he spots Yeji.  She waves at him and catches up. "Hey there."  She said, joining him on walking.  "Any luck?" "No,"  Yeosang sighed, "why don't you go back to watching the border?"  He asked in an annoyed tone. She shrugged and poked him.  "What's your problem?  You're always treating me meanly."  She commented. "Oh, I don't know.. maybe because you traumatized a class of twelve-year-olds with acting out my mom being violated?"  Yeosang mentioned with folded arms as he kicked open the next door. She rolled her eyes.  "That was years ago!"  She grumbled.  "I said I was sorry."  She put her hands up. He narrowed his eyes at her and closed the door to the unit.  "Well woopie, get a medal for apologizing for something I never asked for."  He rolled his eyes. "You didn't have to get your past told."  She commented. "I never asked."  Yeosang bit back, looking at her with a mad glare.

They stood in the next storage unit together.  They were alone together, closely looking at each other.  "You know you'd be better off with me."  She stated. He raised his eyebrows.  "Do what now?"  He asked.  "I thought Jun likes you."  He said with folded arms. She huffed.  "Jun has a crush,"  She simply stated, "doesn't mean I have to like him back." Yeosang rolled his eyes.  "Well face it, there's no way I'm letting my mom make me date you again.  I don't like you, I like Woozi."  He said firmly. "I can give you something Woozi can never give you."  She said with an angry glare.  "You want kids, don't you?"  He turned away from her and shook his head.  "Not with you.  Get back to patrolling."  He ordered before leaving her. He sighed and noticed that Jun had stopped sending texts.  He sent one to him and then entered the boy's dorm.  Not finding Dino anywhere there, he went to the girl's dorm.