One day in Seoul 🇰🇷

🇰🇷: 32

Morning came, but it felt like the darkest part of the night. The room was eerily quiet despite the fact that everyone was there-Nathan, Daniel, Mari, David, and John. The same heaviness filled the air, like a thick fog we couldn't escape. Everyone's mind was on Sarang.

The breakfast table was set, but nobody touched the food. Plates remained full, utensils untouched. Nathan stared blankly at his plate, Daniel was fidgeting with his spoon, and Mari was lost in her thoughts, her eyes distant as she sat beside David, who kept rubbing his temples. And then there was Katarina-her eyes swollen from crying, tears escaping every now and then. I watched her, my heart heavy with guilt and helplessness.

Katarina's dad, John, sat at the head of the table, looking just as burdened. We locked eyes for a moment, communicating without words. Both of us knew that despite the situation, we couldn't break down-not yet. His stare told me what I already knew-Find Sarang, at all costs. I nodded subtly, as if to say, I will. I swear it.

"Francis," Nathan spoke up softly, but I could hear the weight in his voice. "What's the next move? Hindi tayo pwedeng magtagal ng ganito."

I looked at him, then at the others, gathering my thoughts. "We have to be smart about this. Alam natin na hindi basta-basta ito. Whoever took Sarang, they're careful, they know what they're doing." My voice was low, but firm. "But we'll find her."

Katarina let out another sob. I reached out across the table, squeezing her hand. "We will find her," I repeated, more for her than for anyone else.

She shook her head, the tears still falling. "Paano, Francis? How will we even start? Wala tayong lead, walang kahit ano..." Her voice broke as she tried to hold back more sobs.

"Katarina..." I began, my voice softening. "I won't stop. Kahit saan ako makarating, kahit sino pa ang kailangan kong harapin. We'll find her."

Daniel chimed in, voice tight with frustration, "We can't just sit here. We've got to act."

John, who had been silently watching us, finally spoke. "Francis is right. We need to think this through. Hindi pwedeng bara-bara." His voice was calm, but I could feel the intensity beneath it.

Mari, who had been unusually quiet, suddenly spoke, "We're not useless here, right?" She looked around the table, her gaze settling on Nathan. "Nathan, you said something about a memory yesterday."

Nathan nodded slowly, a pained expression crossing his face. "Yeah, I remember... it was like... parang mga bata, crying, in a place na hindi ko ma-describe nang buo. I know it's important. I just... need more time to figure it out."

"You don't have time," I said bluntly. "Kailangan nating gamitin ang lahat ng meron tayo, and fast."

Nathan looked at me, determined but conflicted. "I'm trying, Francis. But you know how memories work... They come in flashes. I can't just summon them at will."

"Then we'll push harder," I said. "Whatever it takes."

The silence returned, thick and suffocating. Katarina was still softly crying, her face buried in her hands. I wanted to do more for her, but I felt powerless. All I had was my rage-this unrelenting fury burning inside me, fueling me to move forward. It was the only thing that kept me from losing control completely.

Suddenly, Katarina's father cleared his throat and broke the silence. "Kailangan niyong kumain." His voice was authoritative, the voice of a father commanding his household. "Walang makakatulong kay Sarang kung lahat kayo mahina dahil hindi kayo kumakain."

No one moved at first. Katarina shook her head, pushing the plate away. "Hindi ko kaya..." she whispered, her voice breaking again.

I stood up from my seat and walked over to her, crouching beside her chair. "Katarina, kailangan mo rin ng lakas. You have to be strong for Sarang, okay? Kung ano man ang kailangan nating gawin, we have to be ready."