Dear Blood

8

Three months had passed since the tragic deaths that had rocked Natty's world. The loss of her parents, her grandmother, and the deaths of her bullies Jenny, Eun-byeol, Gwi-nam, and Lina had left her reeling. The orphanage became her new home, a cold and sterile place that only deepened her sense of loneliness. But she often sneaked out to meet Ji-hyun, clinging to the one person who felt like a lifeline in her stormy world.

"How are you holding up, Natty?" Ji-hyun asked, her breath visible in the cold air.

Natty sighed, pulling her coat tighter around herself. "It's hard. The orphanage isn't exactly home, you know?"

Ji-hyun nodded sympathetically. "I can imagine."

They walked in silence for a moment, the sound of their footsteps muffled by the snow. Natty’s mind was heavy with the secret she had been carrying.

'Ji-hyun,' Natty said, breaking the silence. 'I need to ask you something. Were you really the one who planned to set my house on fire?'

Ji-hyun stayed quiet for a while, and Natty's heart began to race. She had a pocket knife in her pocket, just in case, and she could see that Ji-hyun had one too.

Finally, Ji-hyun spoke. 'Yes, Natty. It was my idea. I never thought it would go that far, I swear. I just wanted to scare you, to teach you a lesson. I never meant for anyone to get hurt.'

Natty's mind was reeling. She had thought Ji-hyun was her friend, but all along, Ji-hyun had been working with the people that gave her hell.. She felt a surge of anger and betrayal, and before she knew what she was doing, she had pulled out her pocket knife and lunged at Ji-hyun.

The snow was falling harder now, sticking to their hair and clothes, as the two girls battled on. Natty was a better fighter, her movements more fluid and precise. She was ruthless, showing no mercy as she pressed her advantage. Ji-hyun was struggling to keep up, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she fought to stay alive.

But Ji-hyun was not one to go down without a fight. She summoned all her strength, launching one final attack. Natty was ready for her, and she side-stepped the blow, driving her knife deep into Ji-hyun's chest. Ji-hyun's eyes widened in shock as she looked down at the blade protruding from her body. She collapsed to the ground, her lifeblood seeping into the snow.

Natty emerged victorious. Ji-hyun lay on the ground, her eyes open and blank, a pool of blood spreading out around her. Natty looked down at her former friend, her emotions a jumbled mess of anger, sadness, and relief.

She lit another cigarette and smoked it, trying to calm her racing thoughts. She knew she would have to leave soon, to get away from this place before anyone found her. She looked down at Ji-hyun's body one last time, and then turned and walked away.

As she walked, Natty couldn't help but think about all that had happened. She had lost so much in such a short amount of time - her parents, her home, her sense of safety and security. And now, she had taken a life.

But as she trudged through the snow, Natty couldn't help but feel a sense of justice. She had been through so much, and she had finally gotten her revenge. She knew it wouldn't bring her parents back, or make the past few months any easier, but it was something.

As Natty made her way back to the orphanage, she knew that her life would never be the same. She was a killer now, and there was no going back. But she also knew that she was strong, and that she could handle whatever came her way.

The snow fell softly around her, muffling the sounds of the forest and the world beyond. Natty walked on, her mind focused on the future, and the long, hard road ahead.

There was just one more thing that held her back from being completely free from them. The baby inside of her stomach. Gwi-Nam's baby.