Then I Wake

Chapter 6

Seonghwa

I don't know what to do. I keep having those hallucinations, the ones of Wonwoo and Taeyang.

I miss her so much. I need to see her.

I pick up my bag and put on my jacket. I'm going to Namsan Mountain Park. Where Taeyang rests.

I have to take the back streets again. Not only is it the quicker route, but it's also more covered. As I walk, though, I still can't shake the feeling of Wonwoo always watching me, waiting for the right moment.

I don't care if I live or die when I find him. Whatever happens, I'll join Taeyang someday.

My feet guide me when my brain is lost, this path so familiar. I've walked down here enough times that I don't have to think about it anymore.

But the last time I walked this way was hand in hand with Taeyang.

Before I realise it, I've reached the park. The best part about taking this route is this entrance is closer to our tree. Well, it's not strictly an entrance, it's more of a gap in the bushes...

I break through the bushes and run to the tree.

Oh my god.

The sunflowers are all cut, lying on the ground around the tree, and even worse...

Taeyang's gone.

Yeosang

We walk along the path in silence, Hongjoong and Bang Chan ahead, guns in hand should we come across the government.

Funnily enough, I don't fancy meeting them today.

As we reach the top of the hill, we have a clear view of the tree.

"Hey, Hongjoong..." I call him over, and point down. "Is that Seonghwa? And what's happened to the tree?"

"I don't know... Let's go!"

We start running down towards Seonghwa, who is on his knees, crying.

"Seonghwa?" I call out to him. He lifts his head and looks up at us.

"Yes... Yes, it's me." He replies, his voice weak with grief. "She's gone. Taeyang's gone."

Where we buried Taeyang, there's a huge, gaping hole in the ground, dirt scattered around.

Someone's taken her body? Or what if she's alive?

No. That's ridiculous.

"Seonghwa, come home. Please." I plead Seonghwa, reaching out to take his hands.

He recoils away and runs off.

"SEONGHWA!" Lee Know shouts, and runs off after him.

Hongjoong goes to stop him, but Chan reassures him, "Let him go. We can trust him."

Seonghwa

Don't stop. I've got to find him. That psychopath, Wonwoo.

I can't feel any pain in my legs, I just keep running.

I round the corner and there he is.

"WONWOO!" I shout, blood rushing through my veins.

"Ah, Seonghwa." He laughs. "I've been expecting you."

I take out my gun with shaking hands.

"A duel? How..." He smirks, "traditional. Well, we both must play by the rules, hm?"

"You're not going to back down now, are you?" Wonwoo tries his mind games again.

I'm not falling for them this time.

"This will be easy." Wonwoo gloats as he looks at me with disdain.

As if.

I hear footsteps behind me and Wonwoo's face hardens. "Minho? What a lovely surprise."

Oh no. Not him. He should never have followed me.

"Stay back. This is not your fight."

Lee Know's gun clicks.

"Lee Know!"

A bullet hits Wonwoo in the stomach. In shock, he looks down as a bloom of blood appears on his shirt.

I turn to look back at Lee Know, who starts running towards me. He pushes me to the side as a shot rings out. Lee Know falls, and he's dead when he hits the floor.

"NO!" I crouch by him, praying he's alright.

This can't be happening again.

Another shot grazes my shoulder, but I only feel the pain of grief. Another life lost to Wonwoo.

Tears streaming down my face, I walk over to Wonwoo.

"WHY? WHY THEM? WHY NOT ME?"

He simply laughs. He knows how much he's hurt me.

I start walking away, his laughter ringing in my ears.

At the last moment, I point my gun at him and fire. His laughter stops immediately

"That one was for Taeyang."