It's Way Too Late To Stay Locked Up Inside Ourselves

Two Months Later

The deputy director's voice droned on as if Jeong-hyeok were underwater. He drew circles on the notepad before him. Around and around, the dark lines wound.

Jeong-hyeok had spent his first week as an agent at the federal investigation service much the same way he had spent the last two months: second guessing every decision he had made during his time with Se-ri; wondering how he could see her again; telling himself to get over it. Get over her.

The point of his pencil pierced the paper. Jeong-hyeok blinked hard and tried to refocus on the meeting. This was the start of his new life after the military: the perfect career for the remaining son of an ambitious prosecutor aspiring to higher office. It had always been the plan ever since Jeong-hyeok assumed his father's expectations for his late brother. But this first week had done nothing to dispel the oppressive feeling that Jeong-hyeok was living another man's life.

At least in the military there had been an endpoint: five years of service and then he was done. But this? His father had spent decades working for the government, biding his time to run for office. And he expected his son to do the same. As Jeong-hyeok had awaited his discharge papers to be finalized over the last two months, he had tried to attribute his dread to change in general; that it was natural to be nervous about a new job. He had hoped starting his work would make it better. But every morning when he sat down at his desk, Jeong-hyeok felt like he was screaming on the inside.

The truth was that the night with Se-ri in the club had felt like seeing the world in color again. He missed playing music. And Jeong-hyeok wanted to feel the way he felt around her - challenged, excited, alive. But if the unfortunate connection between their fathers wasn't already enough of an obstacle, Jeong-hyeok now worked for the agency that had investigated the chairmen of Queens Group. Jeong-hyeok felt like every choice he was making was taking him further away from the things that he most wanted. Am I making choices or am I letting them be made for me? He took a deep breath as he straightened the papers before him. Settling into this new routine felt like he was being slowly boiled alive one degree at a time.

"And now an update on the Cho Cheol-gang investigation. Last night we received a promising update from precinct fourteen. His prints were found on a number of discarded cell phones and purses in an alley off First Street. He appears to be eluding us by grabbing cash and using stolen cell phones for one off calls to international associates. Our next action items are tracing these numbers...."

Jeong-hyeok sat up with a start. All of a sudden it made sense how an amateur mugger could have eluded him that night. A chill went down his spine. Yoon Se-ri. She had been in even greater danger than he had realized. Jeong-hyeok's heart began to race as the deputy director finished explaining the next steps in the investigation.

He cleared his throat. "Deputy Director Kim, please allow me to assist with this investigation."

His superior put his hands on his hips and eyed him carefully. "Ri Jeong-hyeok, do you think that's wise given your history with the suspect?"

Jeong-hyeok leaned forward, determined. "Absolutely, sir. My knowledge of his patterns from our time in the military together can only aid this investigation." He left the rest unsaid: that Cho Cheol-gang's role in his brother's death would not compromise his focus.

"Very well, Ri Jeong-hyeok. Please report to Evidence Room 5 at the precinct and find out what you can about what the police recovered."

Jeong-hyeok nodded sharply and immediately took leave of the meeting, notebook in hand. His steps rang throughout the cavernous hallway and he didn't stop until he burst through the doors to the outside. Cold air filled his lungs and he inhaled sharply. It was too much. The man who had betrayed his brother could also be the one who had assaulted Se-ri that night. And I almost had him.