March For Mercy 《Seventeen》

36

《Boom》

The8 and Jun continued casual conversation as they walked from the bank in the heart of the city back towards The8's grandmother's house.

"I can't believe you made this walk nearly every night!" Jun said in astonishment as he applauded The8, who took a very dramatic bow.

"Why thank you sire! But honestly you get used to it after the first month. And waking up early the next morning to get to the rice feild was more painful than the walk." The8 said.

As they continued walking their conversation was drowned out by sirens as a series of fire trucks and ambulances sped past them in a hurry.

The8 feel the pit in his stomach as he watched the cars turn down a certain street, the dead end cul-de-sac that his grandmother lived in.

Without even realizing it, The8 broke out in a sprint, not evening caring if Jun was still following after him. The8 skidded to a stop infront of his grandmother house.

Or what's left of it.

Which was hardly anything

Fire lit up the streets as fireman pushed past him as they raced into the crumbled house. "MINGHAO!" The8 was snapped out of his trance when one of his neighbors shouted his name as she ran up to him.

"Oh thank goodness, I thought you were in the house! Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?" She asked as she checked his face for injuries.

"Jiarae." The8 let himself get pulled into the woman's arms. "What happend?!" The8 asked.

"Someone blew up the house!" Jiarae gasped out as she ran her hands through The8's hair. "And your grandmother- she- she was inside." She whispered.

A blood curdling scream left The8's lips as he collapsed to the ground, Jiarae holding onto him tighter as she sunk down to the pavement with him.

Jun watched the scene as tears of his town poured down his face. "Excuse me, do you know who did this?" Jun asked one of the neighbors.

"No, but I found this, I was gonna give it to the police." An older man said holding out a bombshell.

"Here, let me, I work as a pyrotechnician." Jun said (someone who works with fire and explosions.) As he took the bomb shell, making sure to take a few pictures as well.

"Hao... Hao we should go." Jun said softly as he approached The8 and Jiarae.

The8 didn't want to leave, but he knew this situation was a targeted attack, so staying here any longer was putting everyone else at risk.

"Okay." The8 nodded sadly as he let Jiarae and Jun help him to his feet. "I'm sorry Jiarae." The8 smiled as best as he could.

"Its okay doll, I will contact you soon. Go." She smiled as The8 nodded.

"We'll find who did this, I promise." Jun said as he took The8's hand in his.

"We will." The8 said, a cold stone expression taking over his face despite the tears still streaming down his cheeks.

Little did they know, this was the end of the beginning