The Sun to my Moon

Chapter 40: Deck of cards

"It's very simple. We're going to that theater. When we get there, I'm going inside, and Namjoonie is coming out."

"You're planning to turn yourself over to Samael?" Tae-ung asked.

"I'm accepting the terms of his trade," Haeri replied.

"Forget it," Dal-geon said flatly. "That's not happening."

"We don't have a choice, Dal-geonssi," Haeri said. "This is the only option."

"Shiro!" Dal-geon said stubbornly. "I won't allow it."

"You won't allow it?" Haeri said, annoyed. "This is my decision, Dal-geonssi. You don't have a say in it."

"Oh, yes, I do," he contradicted her. "I'll tie you up and lock you away if I have to."

She glared at him. "I'd like to see you try it."

"You can't just turn yourself over to Samael, Timjangnim" Hwa-sook said.

Haeri looked at her. "I have to."

"But... he'll kill you," Hwa-sook said, aghast.

Haeri met her gaze squarely. "It's the only way to save Namjoonie."

"What if Samael breaks his word?" Dal-geon argued. "He might decide to just kill both of you."

"That's a risk we're going to have to take," Haeri said, infuriatingly calm.

"Sure, no big deal. It's only your life you're gambling with here aisssh."

"For what it's worth, I believe he will give Namjoonie back if I turn myself in to him."

"He's a sociopath, Haeri-ssi!" Dal-geon said incredulously. "You can't trust anything he says."

"I know, but think about it. He doesn't have anything to gain by keeping Namjoonie if I give myself up to him. Namjoonie is just a means to an end, to him. I'm the one he's wanted all along."

"So giving into the demands of a serial killer is suddenly acceptable law enforcement procedure?"

"Like I said. We don't have a choice."

"Aniyo. We have the choice not to hand you over to Samael like a prize he won at a carnival game."

"I'm not letting Namjoonie die. I'd never be able to live with myself if I didn't do absolutely everything in my power to save him."

Dal-geon turned to Tae-ung. "Tell me you're not going to let her go through with this insane suicide mission."

Tae-ung shook his head. "It's her decision," he said, sounding unhappier than Dal-geon had ever heard him.

Dal-geon turned to Se-hun. "Shrek?"

Se-hun looked away, but said nothing. Dal-geon should have known - Namjoon was his top priority, no matter what the cost.

Only Hwa-sook took Dal-geon's side. "Dal-geonssi's right, Timjangnim," she said. "You can't go through with this."

"I've made my decision," Haeri said with finality. "Unless one of you has a better idea, I'm walking into that theater at four o clock."

"Andwaeyo," Dal-geon said desperately. "I'll go instead."

That was the right ending to this story, he realized. He should be the one to die. He, the worthless, lying worm, was the expendable one. Not good, strong Haeri. The world needed her in it.

Haeri didn't like this suggestion one bit. "Aniyo. I'm the team leader. I'll be the one to go."

"You wouldn't even be in this situation if it weren't for me," Dal-geon argued.