Waterfalls || Yeonbin

chapter 28: worry

August 24, 1940

We were walking back from the market. The three of us, Jisung, Yeonjun, and I. We've actually become good friends, speaking mostly in Korean since we usually only get to do that at home. We were just getting food for the week, like we usually do together, but Jisung ran into someone by accident. It was two men together, one of them falling to the ground and wincing in pain. Jisung instantly knelt down next to him, reaching his hand out to help him up, "I'm so sorry! I wasn't paying attention, mate."

He didn't know what to do and just sat up, blankly staring at Jisung. I scrunched my eyebrows since he looked of Asian descent, but the man he was with didn't. The other man came over, kneeling down to help his friend up, "He's fine, sorry."

I was confused about a lot of things. First, they were both dirty. Mud all over them and their clothes, looking like they desperately needed to bathe. Their clothes even looked like they've been worn down, ripped with holes all over. Second, the man's accent wasn't from around here whatsoever, even though he still spoke to us in perfect English. Third, the man was carrying two backpacks, which seemed to be all of their belongings.

"Not from around here?" Jisung asked as they stood up, noticing his accent.

He looked anxious, "Umm... N-No, we're not."

Jisung smiled, "Where're you from then? What brings you to Britain? It can't be because of the war." He asked, trying to start a friendly conversation like he always does.

The man wrapped his arm around his friend's waist while his friend wrapped his arm around his shoulders, leaning on him, "I'm sorry, we have to go."

They immediately started walking away, but slowly since the taller man was limping. We were all a bit confused as Yeonjun remarked, "That was strange."

I was confused about the whole scenario, especially because I could've sworn I've seen the taller man somewhere before. I watched them walk away, but something didn't sit right with me, "Soobin, c'mon." I heard Yeonjun say behind me, but that's when everything clicked in my head.

I quickly turned around, shoving my groceries into Yeonjun's arms before running after them. Jisung and Yeonjun were both confused, hearing them calling my name from behind me. I quickened my step, weaving in and out of the crowd as I yelled, "Wait! Stop!" In Korean so both of them could understand me.

They slightly turned their heads, noticing the fear in their eyes before they tried to get away faster. I caught up to them since the taller was limping, putting my hands out in front to stop them, "I know who you two are, and we can help." I quickly said, not wanting them to get the wrong idea.

They were both staring at me, not knowing what to say as Jisung and Yeonjun caught up to us, "Soobin, what the hell—"

"Park Sunghoon..." I quietly said, making Yeonjun go silent, "Two-time gold medalist from Seoul..." I turned to the man standing next to him, "And you must be the foreigner from Australia. Apologies, I don't know your name."

Everyone was still for a moment, not even hearing the crowd around us going in and out of the market. Sunghoon looked at his partner for a moment, speaking with their eyes before looking back at me, "Please, don't turn us in..." He pleaded, his voice wavering, "Please, we've used all our money to get here, and we barely even know where we are."

"We're not. I promise, we can help you..." I gestured down to his hurt leg, "And it looks like you two need it at the moment."

"God, when was the last time you ate something?" Yeonjun asked right after I was done speaking, scanning both of them from head to toe.