"I knocked on Heaven's door for two minutes," the boy said. "How is that not cool to you?"
*****
Choi Sangwoo was just trying to make ends meet. Beaten and abus...
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December 18, 2018:
"He's in here again?"
The man looked at the doctor who was shaking his head in disbelief and tutting. "This boy was in here five weeks ago for grave injuries, including a fractured jaw."
"Fractured jaw?" the man asked. "But I just-I just literally carried him over here! He was half dead when I found him, and his left hand–good god..."
"What?" The doctor couldn't believe his ears. "Are you serious?"
"Can't you tell by the state he's in?"
"Who are you, by the way?" asked the doctor. "And what do you mean by you 'found' him?"
The man sighed, running a hand through his hair anxiously. "I think his father was physically abusive to him, Doctor-"
"Dr. Lee," the doctor helped him out.
"Right, Dr. Lee, I'm pretty sure that's what was happening. I mean, I'd come to say hello –I'm a friend of his mother's–and I heard screaming coming from the boy's house. I was curious and worried, so I went and knocked. When the door opened, I got into an argument with who I think is his father. It turned a bit nasty and eventually got physical. When I found the boy, he couldn't even talk. Heck, even wagging his finger seemed to be a big effort. And his left hand..." the man broke off, putting a hand over his mouth.
"Yes, I can see that. It looks like it's been stabbed repeatedly," Dr. Lee observed, looking at the limb that was currently tightly wrapped in gauze to stem the bleeding from the circle-like wound that had developed on Sangwoo's palm. "You'd better report the incident to the police. This is a very serious matter that needs to be taken care of as soon as possible, at least for this poor kid's sake. He's been through so much in such a short period of time..." he shook his head, blinking away a sudden surge of emotions that threatened to spill over.
"Will he be okay, Dr. Lee?"
"He's got a long road ahead of him," the doctor sighed as he looked at the strange man. "I still don't know who you are though, so would you care to share?"
"I would prefer to keep that private. It's nice to meet you–well, not like this, but-"
"I completely understand what you mean," Dr. Lee tried to reassure him. "I wish we'd met in different circumstances too. Thank you for your kindness. You saved this boy's life."
"I'm glad I was there. Goodness knows what might've happened had I not gotten there in time."
"Me too."
The other man sighed. "Well, I guess I better get going then."
The doctor nodded. "Stay safe out there." Once the man left, Dr. Lee looked at the boy lying almost motionless on the bed.
