Paint It Like You | Woo Do Hwan

Fear

The streets were coated in a thin veil of frost as Do Hwan carefully adjusted the makeshift baby wrap, ensuring his tiny son, Eo Jun, was snug against his chest. A long blanket tied securely cradled the infant, his small breaths creating soft puffs of mist that dissipated into the December air. Do Hwan felt a pang of guilt for taking Eo Jun out in the cold, but there wasn't much choice as Elise was at work. They needed groceries, and after all, this was the first Christmas they'd spend together—something worth making special despite their limited means.

"Just a quick trip, my little Eo Jun-ah," he murmured, tucking the baby's hat down to cover his ears. Eo Jun stirred faintly, his soft whimper easing as Do Hwan patted his back. "We'll be home soon."

He zipped up his coat to shield Eo Jun, feeling the warmth of his son's body against his chest, a bittersweet comfort amid his constant worries. The store wasn't far, a modest little market where he'd become a regular. The fear of being separated from his fragile son still haunted him.

The lights of Christmas decorations sparkled in the shop windows, a cruel contrast to the weight of survival pressing on his shoulders. Every euro in his wallet had been carefully saved, every step calculated to conserve energy. Yet, for this moment, he allowed himself a sliver of joy.

He reached the corner grocery store, his list memorized and his budget meticulously planned. Inside, the warmth was a relief, and Do Hwan quietly hummed a lullaby to Eo Jun, who seemed to calm in the comfort of his father's presence. As he paid for the groceries—a modest selection of vegetables, rice, and a small piece of chicken—.

Outside, the streets were quieter now, the evening settling in. He adjusted his scarf and began the trek home, the grocery bag in one hand and his son securely strapped to his chest. He whispered softly to Eo Jun, his words a blend of Korean and a trace of English.

"We'll make something special tonight," he said, smiling faintly. "Not much, but enough."

The faint sound of laughter drew his attention. A group of youths loitered near the end of the street, their voices loud and boisterous, cutting through the otherwise peaceful night. Do Hwan instinctively clutched his grocery bag tighter, his other hand protectively resting over the tiny body beneath his coat. He considered taking a longer route home, but the cold and the weight of exhaustion pressed him forward.

As he neared, the group turned their attention to him. The tallest of the boys, wearing a tattered jacket and a mocking grin, stepped into his path.

"Hey, look at this guy," the boy sneered, speaking in French. "You lost, mate?"

Do Hwan shook his head, his French limited, but his tone placating. "Just... going home."

"Home?" Another boy laughed, stepping closer. "What's in the bag? Dinner for us?"

The others closed in, and Do Hwan's heart pounded. "Please," he said in English, his voice trembling. "I have a baby. Just let me go."

The leader's expression twisted into something cruel. "A baby?" he mocked. "What kind of man carries a baby like that?"

Do Hwan, desperate, opened his coat slightly to reveal Eo Jun's tiny, crying face. The baby's wails cut through the tension, piercing and raw. "Please," he begged, tears springing to his eyes. "Leave us alone."

For a moment, the group hesitated, but the leader's bravado returned. "Let's see if you've got anything worth taking."

One of the boys lunged toward him, and Do Hwan instinctively turned to shield Eo Jun, his body curling protectively around his son. A hand yanked at his scarf, another shoved at his back, and he stumbled, the grocery bag spilling onto the pavement.

"Stop! Please!" he cried, his voice breaking. "I'm carrying a baby! Stop!"

The commotion had drawn a small crowd of onlookers, their voices murmuring in shock and anger. Someone shouted in Flemish, and a piercing whistle sounded—the police.

The group scattered like leaves in the wind, disappearing into the shadows as quickly as they had come. Do Hwan collapsed to his knees, trembling and clutching Eo Jun, who was wailing inconsolably. His coat was torn, his groceries ruined, and his body ached from the assault.

"Sir, are you okay?" A police officer knelt beside him, speaking in English. "Is the baby hurt?"

"I... I don't know," Do Hwan stammered, tears streaming down his face. "He's been crying. I just—, please—"

"It's okay," the officer said gently. "We'll take you both to the station. You'll be safe there."

~

At the police station, Do Hwan sat in a sterile waiting room, rocking Eo Jun in his arms. The baby had finally calmed, his tear-streaked cheeks pressed against his father's chest. A kind officer offered Do Hwan a cup of tea, but his hands trembled too much to take it.

Moments later, Elise burst through the doors, her face pale with worry. "Do Hwan! Are you okay? Is Eo Jun—"

"We're fine," he whispered, his voice hoarse. "He's fine."

Elise knelt in front of him, placing a hand on his knee. "I was so scared when the police called. What happened?"

He hesitated, his gaze dropping to Eo Jun. "They... they thought it was funny. They didn't care he's just a baby. They—" His voice broke, and he shook his head. "I couldn't stop them."

Elise's eyes filled with tears, but her voice was steady. "You did stop them. You kept him safe. That's what matters."

The officer approached with a clipboard. "Mr. Woo, do you want to press charges? We've identified one of the boys involved."

Do Hwan looked down at Eo Jun, his tiny hand clutching at his father's shirt. "I just want to go home."

Later that night, back at the apartment, Elise helped Do Hwan settle Eo Jun into his crib. The baby's breathing was soft and even, his little face peaceful despite the night's ordeal.

"I'll stay up and keep watch," Elise offered, handing Do Hwan a cup of tea. "You need to rest."

"Thank you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. As he sipped the tea, he stared at the Christmas lights Elise had strung up earlier in the week. They cast a warm glow over the small living room, a stark contrast to the cold outside.

Despite everything, Do Hwan felt a flicker of hope. He'd survived another day, protected his son, and found a small corner of safety in a world that often felt overwhelmingly hostile. Eo Jun was still with him, and for now, that was enough.