Can't Let You Go

Chapter 1

"The drugs aren't mine. Ani naleul. Not mine." I wish I knew more Korean. If any of the police staff speak English, they're apparently not on duty right now. They continue talking to me without much attempt to really communicate. They've taken my phone and won't provide internet access so we can't even try rough online translations. Not that it matters much. It's late at night so my helpline, the American Embassy, is closed. It won't be open for two days. I have only one hope.

"Please call my brother. Jusipsio... call," I hold my thumb and pinky up to my head because I don't know any good Korean word for this "...phone oppa."

I write down the only phone number in Korea that I know. I've called it so many times that I have it memorized. If I was calling from my cell phone, there'd be a strong chance he wouldn't answer, but I'm hoping he'll answer for the police.

They leave me locked in the small interrogation room. I don't know if this is standard for Korea, or if this is because I'm a foreigner, or for some other reason. I'm just glad they aren't putting me in a cell with other people who also probably don't speak English. There's no clock in here and my head feels woozy still, so I don't know how much time has passed when I finally hear the door unlock. An officer enters the room followed by a person I'm hoping will be my savior tonight.

"You came. You really came." My mouth hangs open in amazement, but I don't even care at this point.

His brown hair is shaggy and unkempt. I can't tell if he has bedhead or if he just never styles it. His hazel eyes are narrowed at me and his lips are pulled straight. They're not forming a smile, but they're not in a sneer either, so I'll take it as a positive sign.

"Well they called and told me my sister was arrested. That got me curious so I decided to come check it out." He shrugs his shoulders and relaxes his stern expression a bit. "What are you in for?"

"Drug possession. Pot. But it's not mine I swear. I tried to tell them I'd submit to a drug test, but there's a serious lack of understanding here. That's why I called you. I won't be able to reach the Embassy until Monday and you're the only person I know in Korea."

"Do you know me though?" he shoots back.

"Look, I'm sorry, but can you please help me? At least translate for me a bit. Please?" I plead with him as best as I can.

He casts a doubtful look my way before speaking to the officers in the room. "They said you exhibited signs of being high and had weed in your possession. That's enough evidence." He turns to leave.

"Wait! Please wait! I want to take a test. I've never smoked it or taken any drugs. I was at a restaurant and the next thing I know I'm alone in a karaoke room being woken up by the police. I wasn't high. I had been drinking while I ate, but I wasn't even that drunk, I don't think. I promise I don't know what happened after that... unless I got roofied. I want them to test for that, too! Please. Ask them, please!"

He sighs and nods his head then speaks with the officers more. "They're going to take a urine sample from you. That will cover everything they need to test. Then call someone else over to help you out. They'll let you look up a number on your phone, but you'll have to use a police line to call them." This time he really does leave the room.

"I don't have anyone else to call and even if I did, there's no one else in Korea." My voice diminishes as my chin sags down towards my chest. The door clicking closed sounds so final.

A short time later, an officer escorts me to a bathroom and hands me a specimen cup. After turning it in, I'm returned to the small room and locked in again. The hard table is the only comfort for my aching head. I'm feeling all sorts of terrible emotions, but I also feel physically sick from whatever else has chemically happened to me today.