Vengeance

twenty six

It ended up being a close call, but by two votes, Kyungsoon had the majority. They weren't sure where to go with the cure and any possible leads could mean everything. To help everyone feel safe, armed staff stood on standby around the lab, watching her closely as she worked.

After the decision, Han stayed clear of the lab, not willing to face her again. Minho came by just to intimidate her, offering to be one of the armed guards. He was more than willing to blow her brains out.

With Kyungsoon under close supervision, the group decided it only seemed fair to release the other special zombies from their locked doors. They were still restricted to the lab floor but they were finally able to walk around and see everything that was going on. As soon as Mingi was released, he rushed down the hallway to find Hongjoong's room, waiting outside as they opened the door. The instant their eyes met, the two pulled each other together in a firm embrace, seeing each other for the first time in weeks.

The only rooms that remained locked were Jongho's and Saem's. To keep Kyungsoon in line, they barred her from visiting her brother, insisting she find the cure before she'd get a chance to see him again. Yeosang continued to visit Jongho's closed door, explaining how close they were getting to figuring out a cure for him. Sometimes the other members would join him. The one who joined him the most was San.

Everything else continued as normal, as Kyungsoon's assistance seemed to be making a difference in their research.

The only other member who couldn't find the strength to face her was Seonghwa.

After what she'd made Hongjoong do, he wasn't sure he could be civil with her. He didn't want to start any trouble so he'd stayed out of the lab, taking time to actually rest his leg wound in the medical wing. But even though this took away his time with Hongjoong, he wasn't completely alone.

"Seonghwa! Seonghwa! Mama's gonna take a nap so she said I could come play with you!"

The little girl came racing towards him on her crutches, chubby cheeks lit up in a big smile. He couldn't help but smile back.

"I was waiting for my favorite little girl to come visit," he smiled, helping her up onto the bed next to him.

She bounced up and down, squirming restlessly as little children do. To try to dampen her energy a bit, he began to talk.

"You know, with my leg injury, we're almost like twins now," he grinned, pointing at the bandages around his calf. She gasped, looking back and forth between the two.

"Me and you are matching!" she giggled, tapping her hand back and forth between their two legs.

"That's not all we have in common. We both have the same haircut. Although yours is cuter, of course. And you have a pretty little bow in your hair," he smiled playing with her singular ponytail.

She giggled, reaching up to pull his hand away.

"Stop it! You're gonna mess it up!" she squealed and he let her hold onto his hand with her two little ones. She quickly took to spinning his ring, eyeing it with curiosity.

"Are you married?" she asked quietly, her eyes focused on the shiny metal.

He smiled, chuckling softly.

"Sort of. We don't have a license or anything but we had a little ceremony."

"Did you say 'I do'?" she asked, surprising him.

"Yes, we did."

"Then it counts. That means you're married."

He tried his best not to laugh at the child's logic, appreciating her reassurances.

"Is she pretty?"

He smiled down at her.

"He's actually my husband."

"Oh. Well, is he pretty?"

Seonghwa nodded with a grin.

"He's very pretty."

She nodded happily.

"Good. I didn't want him to be ugly."

Seonghwa laughed, shaking his head. He realized he really hadn't talked to her about Hongjoong at all.

"His name is Hongjoong. I think you'd really like him. He's kind and silly and really likes playing with kids like you."

"Where is he? Can I meet him?"

Seonghwa shook his head.

"He's sick right now. But once he gets better, I'm sure he would love to come play with us."

She nodded, her fingers still playing with his ring.

"Do you have any kids?"

Seonghwa's eyes softened a bit.

"No, not yet. We want to some day. Maybe when this is all over we can adopt the kids who've lost their families."

"You should. I think you'd be a great papa," she smiled big, leaning her soft head against his shoulder.

"Papa?"

"Yeah, that's what I call my papa. Papa and mama," she giggled.

Seonghwa didn't want to push, but he had questions.

"Where is your papa now?"

"He's gone. He got in an accident when I was a little baby. I don't really remember him but my mama said he was my first word. So I still call him papa."

Seonghwa felt his heart tighten in his chest as he looked down at the lovely little girl.

She was so much stronger than she looked.

"I'm sorry, Chunja."

"It's okay. Mama says he's still watching over me and making sure I don't get into any trouble. So if I need him, I know he's still there."

Seonghwa nodded, glad the child had her eyes focused on his jewelry as he wiped tears from his eyes.

"I'm sure he is."

He talked with her a little while longer, steering the conversation away from sad things and back to silly things until she finally tuckered out and fell asleep in his lap. He knew her mother would be worried if he didn't bring her back, so once he was sure she was out, he scooped her up in his arms and limped his way back towards the living quarters.