As the accident scene unfolds, chaos reigns supreme amidst the wreckage and despair. Joon Ho's parents lay motionless, their figures shrouded in an eerie stillness, the harsh wail of sirens piercing the night air. In the midst of the chaos, Yeji stirs from unconsciousness, her vision blurred by the crimson hue of her own blood.
She winces as she attempts to move, her body protesting against the agony that courses through her veins. With trembling hands, she reaches out, her fingertips grazing the cool metal of the car's interior.
Summoning every ounce of strength within her, Yeji forces herself to push through the pain, her heart hammering in her chest as she musters the resolve to escape. With a final surge of determination, she wrenches open the trunk, the metallic groan of hinges echoing in the night.
In the wake of her daring escape from the wreckage, Yeji's fleeting moment of hope is cruelly snatched away by the unforgiving embrace of fate. Her weary, injured form stumbles through the darkness, each step a testament to her will to survive. However, the city, with its indifferent bustle and unforgiving streets, presents a new challenge. Disoriented and vulnerable, Yeji's fight for safety ends abruptly with a second, tragic accident.
The sterile white of the hospital room stands in stark contrast to the chaos of the night. Yeji lies motionless, her face a canvas of bruises and cuts, her once vibrant spirit dulled by the fog of unconsciousness. As the hours turn into days, the medical team works tirelessly to mend her physical wounds, but the trauma of the ordeal erases the tapestry of memories that define her.
When Yeji finally awakens, her eyes, once filled with the spark of recognition, now gaze out with a haunting emptiness. The world around her is unfamiliar, the faces of those who seek to comfort her strangers masquerading as friends.
Nurse: (gently, trying to offer comfort) "You're safe now, dear. You're in the hospital. You've been through a lot, but you're going to be okay."
Yeji: (voice weak, filled with confusion) "I... I don't understand. Who am I? Where am I?"
Her questions hang in the air, a poignant reminder of the loss that extends beyond the physical. Without her memories, Yeji is adrift, her identity untethered from the anchors of her past.
In the aftermath of her recovery, with no memories to claim and no family to return to, Yeji finds herself within the walls of an orphanage. It's a place of refuge, yet also a stark reminder of all she has lost. Her days are filled with the routines of orphanage life, yet within her, there's a void that the camaraderie and care cannot fill.
Orphanage Worker: (offering a smile, though touched with sadness) "You're safe here, Yeji. We'll take care of you until we find you a new home."
Yeji nods, her smile fragile, a mere echo of gratitude. Yet, behind her eyes lies the shadow of questions unanswered, a life forgotten.
As Joon Ho recounts these events to jae hyun, his voice breaks, tears glistening in his eyes—a reflection of the pain and guilt that have burrowed deep into his heart.
Joon Ho: (voice breaking, tears unshed) "She was lost, jae hyun. Lost to the world and to herself. All because of the greed and cruelty of others. I... I couldn't protect her then. But I swear, I'll do everything in my power to make things right now."
As Do Jin guides Yeji to safety, Joon Ho's voice echoes with determination amidst the chaos.
Joon Ho: (voice resolute) "I'm a detective, and I won't let him escape justice. I'll arrest Jae Hyun for his crimes."
But before Joon Ho can take action, Jae Hyun lunges forward with ferocious intensity, his fists striking Joon Ho with brutal force. Despite the onslaught, Joon Ho's resolve remains unyielding.
Joon Ho: (clenched teeth, refusing to falter) "You won't get away with this, Jae Hyun. Your crimes won't go unpunished."
As Jae Hyun flees into the night, driven by a frenzy of rage, he storms into his house in search of In Soo, his fury consuming him. With eyes ablaze, he confronts her, his hands tightening around her throat in a desperate attempt to silence her forever.
Jae Hyun: (voice filled with fury) "You caused all of this! You manipulated me!"
But as Jae Hyun's grip tightens, Ga Young rushes forward, her voice pleading desperately.
Ga Young: (voice trembling with fear) "Stop! Please, don't do this!
As the confrontation intensifies, Jae Hyun and In Soo engage in a vicious struggle, their words laced with venom and desperation.
Jae Hyun: (voice seething with anger) "You think you can escape the consequences of your actions? You're going to pay for what you've done!"
In Soo: (voice trembling with fear) "Please, Jae Hyun, listen to me! We can still fix this, we can make it right!"
But Jae Hyun's rage knows no bounds, his hands tightening around In Soo's throat with chilling determination.
Jae Hyun: (voice booming with fury) "I've had enough of your lies! You're going to pay for betraying me!"
As the threat of Jae Hyun's impending revelation looms overhead, Ga Young's heart races with dread, her world crumbling around her.
Ga Young: (voice shaking with despair) "No, please, don't do this! I can't lose everything!"
Caught in the grip of Jae Hyun's rage, In Soo struggles for breath, her eyes wide with fear as she faces the terrifying prospect of her own demise.
In the tense and volatile atmosphere of the house, as Jae Hyun's wrath threatens to consume everything, the sudden breach by Joon Ho and a team of determined detectives changes the course of events. They burst through the doors with authority, their presence a beacon of justice in the darkness.
Joon Ho: (commanding) "Police! Everyone, stay where you are!"
Jae Hyun, In Soo, and Ga Young freeze, the gravity of their situation settling in as handcuffs click into place around their wrists. The air, once thick with tension and fury, now buzzes with the swift motions of law enforcement securing the scene.
In the solemnity of the courtroom, the trio faces the consequences of their actions, the weight of the law bearing down upon them. Joon Ho watches from the sidelines, a silent guardian of justice whose perseverance has led to this moment.
Later, in a quiet, private setting, Joon Ho sits with Yeji, the turmoil of recent events giving way to a moment of vulnerability and truth.
Joon Ho: (gently) "Yeji, there's something I need to tell you about your birth, your real parents, and how our lives are intertwined."
As the truth unfolds, Yeji listens intently, her emotions surfacing as she learns of her origins, the tragedy of Joon Ho's parents, and the intricate web of lies and manipulation that defined her early life. Tears well in her eyes as the weight of the revelations bears down on her.
Yeji: (voice breaking) "I... I'm so sorry, Joon Ho. Because of me, your parents... I can't help but feel responsible."
Joon Ho reaches out, offering comfort and reassurance in the face of her turmoil.
Joon Ho: (consoling) "Yeji, you're not to blame for any of this. What happened was beyond your control. My parents, they would have wanted you to know the truth, and they would have wanted you to live a life free from fear."
Yeji sobs quietly, the burden of guilt and grief mingling with relief at Joon Ho's words. In this moment of shared sorrow and understanding, a bond forms, unbreakable and forged from the trials they have endured.
Joon Ho: (firmly) "We'll get through this, Yeji. Together. Everything's going to be okay. You're safe now, and you have a family in me."
YOU ARE READING
Live or Die
Mystery / ThrillerKang Yeji, a high school student, has always faced bullies on her own. But everything changes when she's forced to send a tweet that plunges her into a mysterious and dangerous world of secrets. Suddenly, Yeji is not just fighting her bullies; she's...
