bloodmoney (hyewon)

Purgatory

Sooyoung screamed hysterically as she watched through the plexiglass window. She saw something a mother would never wish to see; her own flesh and blood being held at gunpoint by her enemy. "You killed two of mine, so I kill two of yours," The woman standing before Sooyoung's children, Heo Solji said.

"N-No! Take me! Take me! Don't hurt them please!!" Sooyoung begged, warm tears running down her face at a record pace. "That's not how I operate," Solji snarled. Sooyoung was trapped, held against the chair by ropes, unable to do anything to stop the atrocity about to happen.

She sobbed uncontrollably as did her children, knowing their lives would soon be over. Solji smiled sadistically watching Sooyoung sob and beg for her kid's lives. "Solji please!" Sooyoung pleaded, struggling against her bindings.

"Say goodbye, Sooyoung," Solji laughed. "NO!" Sooyoung screamed, her voice soon growing raw from how loud her voice was. Solji held the gun to the twin's heads while Sooyoung screamed until she couldn't anymore. One by one she shot the pair of kids.

Sooyoung bawled, tears raining down onto her pant legs, her brain unable to comprehend what happened just now. "You take something irreplaceable of mine, I take something irreplaceable of yours."

Sooyoung gasped for air upon waking from the vivid dream. She choked down her sobs and tried to calm herself. She remembered where she was and who she was now. Ever since she lost her kids to Heo Solji, she'd been just as cold and heartless as Solji was herself.

She couldn't find a reason to be kind or forgiving after what she'd gone through.

She looked at Jiwoo beside her. She'd never even told Jiwoo about her family long before she'd gotten hired by Haseul. Her whole family was robbed from her, and she'd never tell anyone about it. The only person who knew was Haseul, who she wished didn't know, because she'd still bring it up from time to time.

Sooyoung laid back down and wrapped her arms around Jiwoo, trying to find safety and comfort in Jiwoo's warmth. However, she still couldn't help but feel awful; those memories coming back to her as if they happened yesterday, even it was over a decade ago.

xxx

"This all can end when you tell me where Sooyoung's manor is," Solji spoke, holding a handful of wet black hair. Chaewon wept, coughing up water. "I don't know... I didn't pay attention; I don't know the roads..."

"Not good enough." Solji snarled, forcing Chaewon's head back into the tank of water. Chaewon screamed and fought Solji, trying not to be drowned. "How about now?" Solji asked, ripping Chaewon out of the water.

"Listen! If I knew I'd tell you! I fucking hate those people... as much as you do! Please... just stop!"

"You what?"

"Hyejoo... and all her people... are horrible, I don't care if you find them..." Chaewon said, gasping for air and choking out the water from her lungs. Solji rolled her eyes, dropping Chaewon's face on the table. "Then... that means I'll just torture you to get under their skin, hm? In return I'll get that Hyejoo girl back for you,"

"Wh-what!?! N-no!! Please!"

Solji sneered, looking at the tiny girl on the floor who was obviously scared for her life. "Jisu? Would you come help me with this, darling?"

"Mhm!" Jisu hummed, happily trotting over to Solji and Chaewon, respectfully bowing before Solji. "What can I do for you?"

"Beat her," Solji simply answered, looking down at Chaewon who still hadn't gotten off the floor. Jisu smiled, bouncing on her toes. "But if you break her bones, I'll break your bones."