Chapter 100: Chapter 100.
Chapter 100.
Somehow, Woojin reached the first floor. He touched the exit doorknob, which felt cool. Luckily, or unluckily, the door was unlocked. Woojin had no idea how much time had passed since he escaped that room. Had it been a few minutes or a few hours?
He pushed the metal door open and was about to walk out when a hand reached out from behind and covered his mouth.
“…!”
The hand smelled of deep lavender. Woojin tried to fight back, but when he attempted to turn around, the voice that whispered into his ear sounded familiar, “Stay quiet.”
Woojin’s eyes widened in shock when he saw the black fathomless eyes. Woojin looked down and saw the needle.
“You need to be good.”
The man grabbed Woojin’s wrist and injected him with the syringe. Was this the end? Everything began to turn black again.
Woojin and Shin Kim… Shin’s Woojin…
Like he did in that blue swimming pool, Woojin started to fall. But this time, he wondered if he would ever surface again.
***
Siwoo watched the bowl of rice porridge Shin brought him without eating. Shin was doing the same thing. After Jihoon left, Siwoo didn’t feel the need to remain in the hospital. He had his bags packed and ready to leave. Siwoo planned on getting his aftercare at Minji’s hospital.
Shin Kim looked very thin. He obviously lost a lot of weight during the last two days. Siwoo joked weakly, “Shin… The only thing going for you was your fit muscular body, but now…”
“…”
“When Woojin returns, he is going to break up with you because of your body.”
“My face still looks good, so I should be fine.”
Shin tried to smile, but it didn’t work. It was snowing outside, which was a surprise. Everyone thought spring was here, but apparently, it was going to be a longer winter than expected.
It looked white yet dark outside. Shin played with his food slowly before looking up at Siwoo. He asked, “Did you hear anything from Jihoon Kang yet?”
“No, he’s probably scared I might beat him up for doing this to me.”
“Yeah, that’s understandable. I can’t believe how brave Jihoon is for dating a jerk like you, Siwoo.”
“Just where the hell is he? What is he doing? He is such an idiot.”
“Siwoo, I know Assistant Manager Kang, and I can tell you that he isn’t stupid.”
“…”
“He will come back soon.”
Suddenly, Siwoo’s phone, which was on the bed, began to vibrate. When Siwoo saw the caller ID, he closed his eyes in annoyance. Shin asked, “Who is it?”
“It’s Joowan Kim.”
“Answer him.”
“What?”
Shin quickly pressed the “talk” button. Before Siwoo could react, they both heard the panting from the other side.
“Huff… huff…”
“…”
“Si… woo…”
“…”
“… Can you hear me? Are you there?”
“… Jihoon??”
Siwoo quickly took the phone to his ear. The voice definitely belonged to Jihoon.
“Oh my god, Jihoon!!”
“Stop screaming, Siwoo. My ears are ringing.”
“…”
Siwoo began to cry. Jihoon seemed surprised, but he said quickly, “Don’t cry and listen carefully. Is Shin Kim there too?”
“…Yeah.”
“Give the phone to him.”
“…What?”
“Just do as I ask.”
Shin quickly took the phone and answered, “Assistant Manager Kang.”
“I am with Woojin right now.”
“…”
“This phone’s battery is almost out. I’m going to send you the address, so come and get us right now.”
“… Assistant Manager…”
“And I heard you know a doctor…”
“… Is… he hurt?”
“Not Woojin. Joowan is actually the one who is injured.”
“…”
“We don’t have much time. Please hurry.”
“Ok.”
“Then, I will see you later.”
“He… he’s ok, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Thank you.”
Click.
Jihoon hung up. Pushing away Siwoo, Shin quickly stood up.
“Shin, I’m going too.”
“No. You are a patient, so you need to stay here.”
“I need to see Jihoon Kang.”
“I will bring him here.”
Shin put on his coat hurriedly and grabbed Siwoo’s phone. The address Jihoon texted was a building in Gyunggido. Shin texted the address to his own phone with determination. He had to hurry up and bring Woojin back.
“Shin…”
“Just stay here. Don’t go anywhere.”
“… Shin…”
“I promise to bring him back to you.”
Siwoo’s hands were trembling as he looked at Shin. Shin ran out and took out the car key from his pocket. His own hands were trembling too, but he focused on his mission. Woojin’s face popped into his head.
“Please wait for me, Woojin.”
Shin had so many questions he wanted to ask. As he started his car, Shin thought of the time he spent with Woojin. Fall, winter, spring, and summer… Shin felt like he could smell Woojin’s scent already. He had to find Woojin. They were fated to be together.
Shin swore that once he got Woojin back, he would never let him go.
***
“… Argh….”
Horrible thirst woke Woojin up. He tried to open his eyes, but it was very difficult. His eyelids refused to move, yet he felt like he could see a bright light. Woojin also could hear a voice, but the voice kept disappearing and reappearing. The vibration of the voice felt warm.
Frustrated that he couldn’t open his eyes and see, Woojin slowly reached out. Suddenly a warm hand grabbed Woojin’s hand, and like magic, Woojin’s eyes opened. The sudden brightness made him frown. Woojin still couldn’t see the face of the person standing in front of him, but he made a hopeful guess.
“… Shin?”
At first, Woojin thought he could see Shin’s face when he was a little boy. Shin looked like he was in his teens, or maybe even much younger.
Or maybe it was his current older self. Every time Woojin blinked, it seemed like Shin’s face had changed.
But finally… Woojin could focus and what he saw was Shin looking very thin. His eyes looked wet as well. Shin was holding Woojin’s face with both of his hands and staring at him desperately. When Woojin blinked a few more times, tears began to fall from Shin’s eyes. Woojin tried to speak, but no words came out. Shin smiled and pointed at the oxygen mask that covered Woojin’s face.
“Woojin, please just listen.”
“…”
“Thank you for returning to me.”
“…”
“For not dying…”
“…”
“For not giving up… Thank you.”
Shin’s voice trembled and slowly, Woojin began to remember what happened. The person Woojin faced in that building on the first floor was Joowan Kim. Joowan whispered to him to remain quiet and injected Woojin with something. Joowan whispered, “This will help you fight the sedative inside your body. I’m not hurting you. I am trying to help you.”
“…”
“… We also need to help Jihoon Kang.”
“…”
“And we will all go home.”
BANG!
Another gunshot was heard and this time, Woojin saw Joowan flinch. Slowly, Joowan gave Woojin a smile, but Woojin saw that Joowan’s whole body was shaking. When Woojin looked down, he saw that they were standing on a pool of blood.
Sticky red blood…
“Woojin.”
Shin called his name again, and Woojin turned to face him.
“It’s all over now.”
Shin’s voice sounded hopeful.