Undead's Embrace. (Woosan)

9. An Apology?

Wooyoung still didn't trust the other boys. The fact that he HAD to trust them for the time being was worrying for him.

Hongjoong asked the boys to stay another night because another horde could come, and they could use the extra hands around here.

Yunho gladly wanted to stay here. They had everything they needed to survive for a long time. They had an entire stash of canned food, guns for hunting and defending themselves, and a way to get fresh water. Yunho overheard Seonghwa talking about the freshwater creek a little outside of the village. What else could they need?

Mingi wanted to as well. He was starting to get along with Hongjoong pretty well. Although he was still worried about San, he felt as if the good outweighed the bad.

Yeosang needed a minute to talk it out with Wooyoung.

"Woo, what do you think we should do? I just think that there's a better chance of us surviving here. I know San is a problem, but everyone has your back. Even the other boys. You'll be safe."

Wooyoung didn't know what to do. He was pretty frightened of San, but at the same time he couldn't help but have a bit of curiosity about if his episode was a one time occurrence or something that happened often. He wanted to know more.

"I trust you Yeosang. If you think we should stay here for awhile, then I think so too. Maybe San just had an episode. I'm just glad that i have you guys to make sure I'm okay."

"Alright, then it's settled. We will stay for awhile-until we've overstayed our welcome at least. Hongjoong, We'd be glad to help you out around here. It seems that all of us love it here." Yunho said.

"Great! We will get you guys some lunch. Jongho already left to go hunting. Wooyoung, I hope you don't mind if San sits with us at the table. He won't even be in your field of view. It's just best to reinsert him with everyone." Hongjoong said.

Wooyoung nodded at him in acceptance. He honestly had become more accepting of San in general. Everyone has their episodes because you never know what someone has had to deal with. Hongjoong and everyone else seemed to think San was the complete opposite of angry, cold, and violent. Maybe they're right.

Around an hour later, Jongho came back with some jackrabbits. He must be pretty skilled at hunting, because not many people are able to catch multiple animals in one trip.

Seonghwa, being the cook, began cooking the rabbits over a fire. He had an assortment of spices in a small bowl and he make the rabbit meat look gourmet. It honestly looked better than the deer meat from the night before.

Yunho and Mingi decided to start setting the table. While doing so, an unexpected visitor came in the Dining House.

San.

He approached Yunho and Mingi, both of whom stood upright and had scornful eyes towards San. San began to look down at his feet, but he said,

"Hey. I wanted to give both of you an apology. Something had gotten into me yesterday. I promise you it will never happen again. I swear it."

Mingi and Yunho looked at each other in confusion. Why was he apologizing?
They could see a tear run down San's face.

"Umm thanks for the apology. But really you should apologize to Wooyoung. I mean it's one thing to be mean to someone but you did try to kill him- literally. That's not something that can be resolved in a day, but an apology would be a good start. Plus, we are staying here for awhile now. It's better to forgive and forget." Yunho replied.

"I understand. What I did was really uncalled for and unnecessary. I'll go talk to Wooyoung. So I don't scare him off, does one of you mind to escort me to him?" San said, sounding a lot less cold and more apologetic.

Mingi agreed to escort him to Wooyoung, who was sitting beside the dying bonfire in the center of town.

San began to speak, but Wooyoung looked as if he'd seen a ghost, causing San to stay silent.

Mingi looked at Wooyoung and mouthed "He's trying to apologize, let him talk" barely below a whisper.

Wooyoung decided to relax because at least Mingi was there in case something went wrong. San began to speak again, very quietly and calm.

"Wooyoung, I am so sorry for attacking you. Yesterday my old way of thinking consumed me. Jongho explained to me in detail how my father's death was not your fault, but in the past I vowed to find you and kill you. Living here the past two years, my friends helped me to forget this revenge fantasy. But, you finally showed up right at the front door. It was gut wrenching. I held back from killing you then and there, but I didn't last night. I should have let you talk things out. I'm sorry. If I could take it back, I would."

San put a hand out to place on Wooyoung's shoulder, but Wooyoung flinched away and Mingi stepped forward with a stern stare.

San pulled his hand away slowly with a sad look on his face, but awaiting Wooyoung's reply.

Wooyoung knew that it must have been some kind of episode. The way Jongho described San seemed like an entirely different character, one who's funny, passionate, and overall wholesome.

As Woo looked into San's eyes, he saw these traits. Something in the air had changed. Drastically.

"San. It's okay. We all have our moments, although I wish yours was slightly less violent. I'm extremely sorry about your father. All is forgiven. You didn't trust me, and in these times I don't blame you. There's a lot of evil people in the world. I want you to know I'm not one of them, and neither are you." Wooyoung said with sympathy.

San was visibly teary-eyed at the mention of his father, but nodded at Wooyoung's statement and walked away.

Wooyoung was utterly stunned at what had just occurred.

"He seems to be a pretty emotional guy. Mood swings can make someone change in a heartbeat." Mingi whispered, making sure San didn't hear him.

Wooyoung nodded at Mingi with raised eyebrows. There must be something wrong with him mentally to be able to change personalities like that. It was just bizarre to him, but at the same time he couldn't help but feel bad for him. He knew what it was like to feel out of control in your own body. He's had his own thoughts consume him before.

Mingi walked away from Woo to leave him alone to let him think about all of this.

"At least I don't have a full on enemy anymore," Wooyoung muttered quietly.

Seonghwa had finished cooking the meal for the boys and began putting the food across the table. Hongjoong opened his eyes widely at the food, basically drooling over it.

San sat across from Wooyoung again. This time, without a death stare. Instead, a warm smile.