jacket - lee suhyeok

epilouge

epilogue
my star

It's been four months since the outbreak. We're still being quarantined in the camp. I spend my days yearning to go home, to return to the life I used to have. Sometimes, I imagine walking back home, the skies clear. My parents waiting for me at the door and engulf me with their hugs. But I could never go back to that.

I sit on a bench outside eating my lunch. Watching Mijin protest for Hyosan free admissions. She's trying to get into college for free because she missed the CSAT and no big colleges would accept her with normal circumstances. I've talked to her the most since I've been in the rescue camp, her and Suhyeok. I see the others around some times, we exchange some greetings but it never gets further than that.

It's hard for us, we remind each other of what we've been through and what we've lost. Lost in my thoughts, it takes a minute to realize a shadow has been cast down on me. Blocking me from the sun.

I look up and I see Onjo. "Onjo." I say quietly. I pat the spot next to me on the bench and she sits down. "I haven't seen you around. Where have you been?" I ask her, taking another spoon of my rice.

"I've been staying in my room mostly, only going out for meals and showers." She says nonchalantly. I nod my head understanding what she's going through. Loosing her dad and Cheongsan in one day. It's hard for me, sometimes I wish I could make it all better.

"Why did you want to come talk?" I ask her, putting my spoon down on my tray and looking at her. "I think Namra is alive." She says firmly. My eyes widened at her claim and I whisper. "What makes you say that?"

We didn't see Namra die but she was in pretty bad shape the last time we saw her. A big gash on her forehead, a bite mark on her wrist, and teeth bloody. I miss her but something in me says she's turned already.

"For the past week, I've been sneaking out and putting my snacks and some water bottles in front of this bush. I had some hope that Namra was still alive, and I didn't want her to get hungry. And last night, I went to put another snack there. And some of them were gone." She explains, looking around to make sure no one was listening in on us.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I'm sure. I'm going back tonight if you want to come. Meet me by the back wall, tonight at nine." Onjo suggest. The possibility of Namra being alive excites me, maybe we can take her to the camp with us. I just nod my head and smiles as she gets up and walks away silently. I hear someone make a big sigh and I look up and see Mijin drinking water.

"Fuck. I'm never getting those free admissions." She speaks defeatedly. She takes a seat next to me, shoulders hunched. "Not here, no. Once we get out of quarantine. You can petition online, that's a much better way." I suggest. Minji just nods, taking another sip of her bottled water.

We hear the loud foot steps of two younger children. They run up to us before standing in front of the two of us. Hands behind their backs and their breaths heavy.

"Can we have your cookie?" They ask shyly, the girl with her head lowered, and the boy with pleading, puppy eyes. I turn to my side and grab a napkin, placing the small cookie in it before handing it to the small boy.

"Thank you." He giggles, he pulls on the girls sleeve before running off. To where? I don't know. Mijin stares at me, a bit of a glare in her eyes.

"What?" I say, eyes furrowed. "I wanted that cookie." She responds bluntly.

Darkness has overtaken the sky as I walk to Onjo and I's designated spot. I turn the cover of one the buildings, seeing everyone else there before me.
Daesu, Mijin, Hari, Suhyeok, and Hyoryeong stand by the wall. Mijin taking a hit from her cigarette.