KIMCHAY TALES: BITTERSWEET EXCHANGE

CHAPTER 42

"I truly believe that hope is the greatest of the gifts we'll receive. As long as our guiding star shines above."

—

Chay stared blankly at the factory's facade. Porsche managed to pull him out of the building. Chay was extremely fussy about it since he didn't want to leave without Kim. Porsche basically needed to carry him out. Chay's mind is in shambles, all that he could think about was Kim and his safety. He was in there with nothing to protect him. A single gun, not even a bulletproof vest. What is Kim doing? Is he out of his mind?

Chay saw how tightly Porsche and Kinn hugged when they got out. Why is Kinn in here safe and sound while Kim is inside fighting for himself? Can Kim just stay beside him? Can Kim just hug him as tightly as possible? Chay needed that hug so badly. He felt empty and cold without Kim's hugs. He was craving for it and desperate to have it. Yet, he is here—with an already bandaged leg, waiting and waiting agonizingly.

Chay suddenly jumped up when a loud boom came from the factory, followed by fire igniting from the inside. Horror struck Chay's face, watching the fire grow bigger and bigger by the second. "No..." he whispered as he stood, he instantly dropped to the ground when his wounded leg ached unbearably. "Kim!" he screamed at the top of his lungs, tears pouring from his wide eyes.

Chay could hear people screaming and quick footsteps around him, yet they seemed too far away and echoing in his ears. "Find my Dad. Find my brother. Why are they still inside?" Kinn's voice is echoing in Chay's ears. Find Kim now! Kim is still inside. Chay couldn't take it anymore. Adrenaline rushed through his veins. With a wounded leg, Chay stood on his both feet. He took advantage of how distracted Kinn and Porsche were in the current chaos. Chay ran into the factory, his focus was only to find Kim.

Chay was limping, his leg screaming in pain. It was so hot inside, the flames were raging and gunshots could be heard everywhere. Chay was afraid that every gunshot he heard was Kim being hit by a bullet. He was so scared. He needs to find Kim. Chay didn't mind the pain in his leg, he didn't mind when blood started pouring out his wound again. He was running and looking around for Kim. Even just a shadow, even just a silhouette.

Suddenly, Chay heard a laugh that raised every hair on his body. He knows that laugh. He was tormented by that laugh for hours and it was carved on his mind. He, perhaps, won't forget about it for the next months of his life. It was Boswell. Chay instantly followed the laugh. Chay's heart was in his throat, extremely terrified of what he might see.

Chay's steps were fast and heavy. Stairs were his biggest enemy at that time. Every step was agonizing, but he had to endure it to find Kim. Suddenly, he felt an immense pain in his arm that made him scream out loud. He grasps his now bleeding arm. A bullet grazed him. A few more gunshots emitted from somewhere, clearly targeting him. Despite the pain he was going through, Chay ran and ducked his head. More gunshots give off. Then, being too distracted—Chay bumped into someone.

"Porchay?! What are you doing here?" a familiar voice said.

When Chay looked up at the source of the voice, he weakly smiled. "P'Big!" he said.

More gunfire came to them causing him to duck as well and pull Porchay into safety, hiding behind a huge pillar. "What are you doing?! I saw you escorted out of the building!" he almost screamed at him.

Chay—who is still clutching his bleeding arm—firmly shook his head, "Kim..." That's the only thing he could muster. His mind was too clouded with pain and the desperation to find Kim.

"Yeah, I'm looking for him too. Still, you shouldn't be here. Khun Kim sacrificed his life for you to be safe. Being here is the dumbest decision you ever made, Porchay." Big scolded him, then he shot a few shots from his gun.