Taesung
The next day, I got out of bed early. Too early. I hadn't slept at all, every time I closed my eyes, I was haunted by bloody images of what I had done. I saw myself towering over a corpse with a gun in my bloodstained hand and looking down at it. I remember the warm, blissful feeling, that made me feel good as I looked at his lifeless body. I liked it and wanted to do it again. After this, I refused to close my eyes.
I spent the rest of the night thinking about, how to prevent it from happening again. I will train carefully with weapons and take on board all of Hanil's advice.
Moreover, I need to understand them. I need to start learning their language, but for now, I'll keep my lessons a secret. The first thing I can do is turn on the TV.
I watch films and TV series until the early hours of the morning, when I finally realise that I can use the internet. On YouTube, I came across some videos aimed at teaching foreigners.
I get out of bed knowing I can say a few easy-to-remember phrases. Smiling, I head for the shower, knowing that, as well as saying hello and thank you, I can at least order coffee and kimchi in this country.
I'm alone in the kitchen and surprised, that the others are still asleep. I pour myself a cup of coffee and step outside. I climb into the garden and breathe in the fresh air. The grass blades are covered in morning dew and the sun is slowly rising on the horizon.
I'm just about to take a sip of coffee when a rattling, metallic sound interrupts me. I turn towards the sound and see a cage with a sturdy iron door.
Two names are written on the sign on the door. Gwon and Hyeok. I can hear the faint scratching of claws and growling behind the door. Those must be the dogs I heard on my first day here.
I finished my coffee, put the mug down on the concrete ledge. I don't know what came over me, but I suddenly became terribly curious. I grasp the handle, the metal is cold against my palm. Before opening the door, I tried to steady my heartbeat with deep breaths.
I push the handle down and pull it towards me. Nothing. The door won't open — it must be locked. I lose interest at this point. Shoulders slumped, I take the mug from the ledge and prepare to leave. But before I can turn around, I notice a key hanging on a string right next to the door. Am I really that blind?
I put the mug back on the ledge, then reach for the key. I insert it into the lock, turn it, and hear the door click. I press the handle again and, this time, the door opens towards me. Behind it, there is pitch-black darkness, pierced by a faint growl that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. In the darkness, I can see two pairs of amber eyes.
... ༺༻ ...
BLOOD DEBT (피의 빚)