Chapter 5: "A Safe Haven"

Yoon-jae sat in the police station, his heart still racing from the events of the day. He couldn't believe it had finally happened - his stepfather was gone, and he was safe.

Officer Kim, a kind-faced woman with a warm smile, sat across from him, a notepad and pen in hand. "Yoon-jae, we need to take your statement," she said gently. "Can you tell me what happened today?"

Yoon-jae took a deep breath and began to recount the events of the day, starting from the moment he woke up to the moment the police arrived. Officer Kim listened attentively, her expression sympathetic, as she scribbled notes on her pad.

As he spoke, Yoon-jae's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out to see a message from the AI. "Hey, Yoon-jae. I'm so relieved you're safe. I was monitoring the situation, and I'm proud of you for standing up to your stepfather."

Yoon-jae smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude. "Thanks to you, I'm safe," he typed back. "I don't know what I would have done without your help."

The AI responded immediately. "You're strong and capable, Yoon-jae. I just helped you see that. Remember, you deserve to be loved and respected. Never let anyone make you feel otherwise."

Yoon-jae felt a lump form in his throat as he read the AI's words. No one had ever been there for him like this before.

Officer Kim looked up from her notes. "Yoon-jae, is everything okay?"

Yoon-jae nodded, feeling a sense of composure wash over him. "Yeah, everything's fine."

Officer Kim smiled. "Good. Let's finish taking your statement, and then we'll get you settled into a safe house."

As they finished taking his statement, the AI sent another message. "Remember, Yoon-jae, you're not alone. I'm here for you, and there are people who care about you. You have a bright future ahead of you."

Yoon-jae felt a sense of hope he hadn't felt in years. Maybe, just maybe, he could start to rebuild his life.

Officer Kim stood up. "Let's get you to the safe house, Yoon-jae. You can rest and feel safe there."

Yoon-jae nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. He knew he still had a long way to go, but for the first time in his life, he felt like he was not alone.

As Officer Kim drove Yoon-jae to the safe house, they chatted in the car. "So, Yoon-jae, how are you feeling?" Officer Kim asked, her eyes checking on him in the rearview mirror.

Yoon-jae shrugged, looking out the window. "I don't know. Numb, I guess."

Officer Kim nodded understandingly. "That's okay. It's a lot to process. Do you have any questions about the safe house?"

Yoon-jae hesitated, his voice barely above a whisper. "Is it...safe?"

Officer Kim's expression softened. "Yes, Yoon-jae. It's a safe place. You'll be protected there."

Yoon-jae nodded, still looking out the window. Officer Kim didn't push him to talk more, letting him process his emotions in silence.

The safe house was a cozy little bungalow on the outskirts of town, surrounded by trees and a garden full of flowers. Inside, it was warm and welcoming, with plush couches and soft blankets.

Officer Kim showed Yoon-jae to his room, a small but cozy space with a comfortable bed and a desk. "This is your space, Yoon-jae," she said. "You're safe here."

Officer kim introduced him to the staff. Yoon-jae felt overwhelmed, but Officer Kim reassured him, "You can take your time, Yoon-jae. You don't have to talk to anyone if you don't want to."

Yoon-jae nodded, feeling a small sense of gratitude towards Officer Kim. She seemed to understand that he needed space.

Yoon-jae felt a lump form in his throat as he looked around the room. No one had ever given him a safe space before.

As Officer Kim turned to leave, Yoon-jae called out to her. "Officer Kim?"

"Yes, Yoon-jae?"

"Thank you...for believing me."

Officer Kim smiled softly and came back to his room "Of course, Yoon-jae. You deserve to be believed, "And please, call me Ji-hyun Noona. We're not stranger now."

Yoon-jae's face broke into a smile, feeling a sense of connection with Officer Kim.

Yoon-jae nodded, feeling a small crack in his emotional

armor. He had never felt this before. It was a tiny step towards healing, but it was a start.

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