Area One

9

The thunder and lightning were raging heavily outside as Jongdae went to get fresh water. However, for the past few weeks, he hadn't been able to enjoy this play of nature like he usually did. He didn't even spare a glance to the window as he walked back to the dark room, kneeling down beside the bed.

With gentle, careful moves he laid the wet cloth on his mother's burning skin. Her fever had risen again.

She had fallen asleep. Jongdae didn't know whether he wanted her to be awake. She was in pain all the time, the sickness nearly driving her insane. This was the only time his mother seemed at peace.

Suddenly, she coughed and her eyes fluttered open. Jongdae hurriedly took her hand.

"How are you feeling?" His voice was trembling, but he didn't care. He couldn't lose her. He didn't have anyone else.

"Don't worry about me, darling." She smiled, even though he could see the tremendous pain in her eyes. Seeing her like this was ripping his heart to pieces, but he couldn't help her. He couldn't do anything.

"Jongdae." She called his name like he was the most precious being to her and he did his best to fight back his tears. He raised his head to look at her and caressed her hand.

"I'm here, don't worry. I won't leave you. I will find something to cure you and we'll soon be able to look outside again in nights like this, listening to the thunder," Jongdae promised her, his voice breaking.

His mother smiled warmly, giving him the warm feeling of being safe and loved. But what she said next made his entire body freeze like ice.

"I don't want you to be sad when I'm gone, dear."

"What are you talking about?" Jongdae asked, feeling like a helpless little child once again. "I wouldn't know what to do without you! Please stay strong, I will find a cure, I promise..."

"Promise me something else, darling." Her skinny, weak hand made an attempt to cup his face, but soon sank back down to her side again.

Wide-eyed, he nodded.

"Don't stay here when I'm gone. You have been forced to stay here for too long because of me. You will be sad, and I know you aren't used to being around many people. But try to get to know other people, make friends and live a happy life. Don't stay here completely alone."

Jongdae was stunned. Her voice was weak, but he could hear the determination in her voice. He could see in her eyes how worried she was. She coughed.

"Promise me," she demanded.

Nearly choking, Jongdae tried to collect himself, remembering the words she had told him just seconds ago.

"I promise."

She nodded, a nearly unnoticeable movement, before she looked at him again.

"I love you so much."

Jongdae was sobbing now, not caring about the tears that left his eyes, only looking at his mother in disbelief, who was closing her eyes again.

"I love you too, but please... Mum? Mum!"

She didn't react.

"No... no no no no no, Mum, I need you, don't leave me, please!" He screamed, but it was too late. She wasn't breathing and he couldn't feel her pulse.

In complete shock, he sank to the ground, the sobs shaking his whole body. She couldn't be gone, she wouldn't... What had she done to deserve this? What had he done?

The pain in his heart slowly grew, until he thought it would tear him apart any minute. And, secretly, he wished it would.

The sound of the thunder accompanied him while he slowly lost consciousness.