Unevitable | Ryeji |

Chapter 20: Fragments of Forgotten Truths

Hyunjin's POV

Few days ago

As I was strolling through the busy market on a weekend, the vibrant colors and lively chatter surrounded me. The scent of street food filled the air, mixing with the earthy aroma of fresh produce. I tried to focus on the task at hand, but my thoughts kept drifting to Felix and the plan. The market's energy was a stark contrast to the cold, calculated nature of our scheme. I glanced around, searching for a moment of distraction, hoping to momentarily escape the weight of our next move.

I wandered past stalls bursting with fruits and vegetables, their colors a feast for the eyes. The vendors called out their prices in cheerful tones, trying to entice passing customers. As I navigated through the crowd, I noticed a small bookstore tucked away between two food stalls. The sign outside promised rare finds and vintage books.

On impulse, I decided to step inside. The air was cool and filled with the musty scent of old paper. I browsed the shelves, running my fingers over the spines of leather-bound volumes and yellowed pages. Amidst the quiet calm, I found a brief respite from the chaos outside and from the looming danger that we were orchestrating.

As I picked up an old, worn book about espionage, my thoughts turned to Felix again. Despite everything, a part of me felt a pang of guilt. Was it possible to continue down this dark path while still holding onto some semblance of normalcy? I sighed, placing the book back on the shelf and deciding to leave the store. The market was waiting, and so was the reality of our plans.

As I was about to exit the bookstore, a woman in her 50s suddenly looked up from a display of antique trinkets. Her gaze lingered on me, specifically on the necklace I wore-a simple but distinctive piece that had become a subtle part of my identity.

She approached me, her expression a mix of curiosity and recognition. "That necklace," she began, her voice soft but insistent, "it looks familiar. Do you mind if I ask where you got it?"

My fingers brushed against the necklace instinctively. "Ahh this? This was a present from my parents" I say and smile.

The woman's gaze lingered on me with a mix of nostalgia and sadness. "I gave similar necklaces to my two sons," she said softly. "They were only nine and seven when they passed away in a car accident a few years ago. I still cherish their memory."

Her words hit me like a wave. I glanced at my own necklace, feeling the weight of her loss alongside my own. It was eerie how much our experiences mirrored each other. Because of the accident I forgot my family members name and some precious memories I had with them.

I just know my younger brother who survived the accident with me Niki. He has the same problem as me not remembering the names of our parents and our sister.

"I'm so sorry for your loss," I said quietly, my voice carrying the weight of my own grief. "Losing them at such a young age must have been incredibly hard." Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but she managed a faint smile.

I nodded, feeling a deep, shared sorrow. "Thank you for sharing that with me. It's a reminder of how precious and fragile these connections are."

"May I have a look of the picture inside?" She asks.

The woman's request caught me off guard. I hesitated for a moment, glancing down at the necklace. It was a simple, yet meaningful piece that had been with me through so much. It held a photo of my parents-an image I rarely showed to anyone, let alone a stranger in a bookstore.

As I opened the locket to show her the family photo, her eyes widened in shock. The image captured my parents, my younger brother, my twin sister, and me-a snapshot of a time before everything fell apart.