On The Run - Sunki

Little Bird

"What is happening?" said Jungwon out loud. "Did they tv really break out of nowhere?"

Sunoo was in shock.

Is this related? No, it can't be.

"I don't know Won" he simply said, shaking his head. "Let me get the VHS out of it."

The both of them spent at least twenty minutes trying to get the tape out of the tv, and didn't manage to do it.

"DAMN IT" shouted Jungwon, tired of this non cooperating tv.

"Is everything okay by here?" said a deep voice behind them.

The two friends turned around, knowing pretty well who was there.

"Good evening Chief" said Sunoo. "I didn't know you were still here, sir."
"I was just finishing some work" he said, looking at Jungwon. "But I heard the shout and I came check it out."
"We're sorry we disturbed you" instantly replied Jungwon, bowing at 90 degrees.
"It's okay" he said, amused by Jungwon's rapid reaction. "So what seems to be the problem?"

The first thought that crossed Sunoo's mind was lying. He didn't want to announce he had broken the brand new tv, but at the same time, he knew he had to.

What if he gets really mad?
I suppose I'll have to deal with it, after all it is broken. Even if it's technically not my fault.
But I won't tell him about the woman. That's for sure.

"Sir, I have a VHS tape of the store in which the two missing students were seen last. We were watching it, but suddenly the tv turned off and we can't get it back to functioning. Also, the tape seems to be trapped inside, we can't get it out" explained Sunoo.
"I see" replied the Chief. "Is this the tv we received on Monday?"
"It is, Chief Park" replied Jungwon, trying to keep eye contact.
"See if you can get a technician to come take a look at it on Monday. It's probably a malfunction in the VHS reader" simply said the Chief.

Wait, where is the anger?

"I'll get back to my things then" said the Chief.
"Of course sir" said Jungwon, looking at him.
"Try not disturbing me anymore, okay?" he replied in a serious voice, looking back at Jungwon.

Sunoo and his friend watched him go and looked at each other.
"Are you seriously shaking?" asked Sunoo, seeing Jungwon's hands trembling a bit.
"I disturbed him" he answered, saddened.
"Sure, you must disturb him quite a lot" laughed Sunoo, while Jungwon hit his arm.

The two friends soon left the office, there was nothing more to do there.
"See you on Monday" said Jungwon.
"Have a nice day off Won" replied Sunoo, waving at his friend.

~~~

"So, can I see him please?" asked Sunoo.
"Sir, the visitors are only allowed later" replied the nurse.
"Please, my shift starts in 30 minutes, and I really want to see him before that" explained Sunoo.

The nurse looked at him and must have been touched by his expression, because she allowed him to go.

Sunoo walked rapidly, following the indications the nurse had given him. He softly knocked on the door and entered.

He approached the bed and saw his partner laying there. He looked so peaceful with his eyes closed.

"Hi Beomgyu" he whispered, a tear slowly rolling down his cheek. "I'm sorry I didn't visit you sooner."

Sunoo took the only chair in the room and set it close to the bed. He sat and took Beomgyu's hand in his.

"I miss you so much, you have no idea. I miss our talks, our jokes, and car rides... I even miss all your teasings" he said, chuckling at the last word.

He stopped and looked at his face. He was so still. It felt so different from the energetic and unstoppable person he was.

"I know you're here, and I'm sure you can hear me, so please pay attention. I won't rest until I find these two boys, and until you wake up and come back to the office with me okay?" said Sunoo, feeling tears coming to his eyes again.

"I promise you it'll be okay" he finished, letting tears fall down continuously.

Sunoo was so overwhelmed that he leaned in and rested his forehead on Beomgyu's hand. He stayed like that crying and letting out all the pain he had in him.

He heard the door opening and knew the nurse would ask him to leave now, but he didn't want to. He didn't move. She would have to take him by force if she wanted him gone.

What he had feared happened. He felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Sunoo" gently said a voice, but not the nurse's one.

Sunoo looked behind him, only to find Niki standing there, his hand on Sunoo's shoulder.
"What are you doing here?" asked Sunoo, struggling to say each word.

"I came to support you" simply replied Niki, patting his partner's arm.

Sunoo was still holding Beomgyu's hand and he felt Niki put his hand on top of his.

"Hi Beomgyu. I'm Niki" he said. "You shouldn't worry, I'll take care of Sunoo while you rest. Please get better soon."

These were quite simple, straightforward words, but it was enough to make Sunoo cry again.

Niki let him sob the time he needed. He didn't really know how to comfort Sunoo, so he stayed like that, simply near him.

After a while, Sunoo was calmer. Visiting Beomgyu, as hard as it was, really had helped him worrying less. He knew he would do a good job and find the boys. Niki finding him and talking to his partner had been so healing as well.

Sunoo had been feeling bad about enjoying spending time with Niki, knowing that Beomgyu was in the hospital. This moment shared between the three of them felt like a reconciliation.

"Are you ready to go?" asked Niki, with the softest tone.
"I am" replied Sunoo, getting up and placing the chair back where it belonged.

They said goodbye to Beomgyu and left the room.  The duo  was walking back to the entrance when it suddenly hit Sunoo.

"How did you know where I was?" asked Sunoo.
"Hum" replied Niki, looking uncomfortable. "A little bird told me."

It must have been Jungwon.

Sunoo smiled. Jungwon knew him well.