Zero Encounters

I'll Protect Her

        Zero climbed over the wall of a two story house and picked an apple from the tree in the garden. She balanced on the wall, walking towards the end of the house and sat on a ledge overlooking a down hill street. She wiped the apple with her sleeve and chomped down, noticing how sweet it tasted. From a far, she watched a middle aged man struggle up the steep hill. She continued to watch him out of curiosity as he panted, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"What are you doing here, stupid cop?" She said with a mouthful and kicked her legs back and forth. "You lost or something?"

"What is a kid like you doing here by yourself?" He asked with a huff and pulled out his note pad. "Shouldn't you be in school?"

"Me?" She pointed at herself, "I'm a street rat."

Kangho stood by Zero's IV bag and watched her squirm in her sleep. He held down her injured arm and tried to calm her by gently stroking her head. Her eyebrows furrowed and she held onto his wrist tightly, not letting go. He sat down next to her on his bed and held her hand.

Wake up. He pleaded. She had slept for two nights and three days which was unlike her. He wondered if whatever the doctor had given her was stronger than what she normally took for pain. The doctor reassured him the night before with her long standing history with sleep deprivation, her body may be taking all the time she needs to replenish her strength.

Sirens echoed the street with the lights flashing all over the walls. Zero sat at the curb, staring intently at a man in cuffs being led into the police car. The man noticed her and began to rage in the back of the car.

"Hey, kid." Her view was blocked by the man she met at the house. "The look in your eyes... It's not suiting for someone like you."

"Pay me." She held out her hand, but he held his out in return.

"Why don't you join me?"

Zero's eyes fluttered opened and her initial thought was to run, but she couldn't find the strength to lift her body. She looked around in a daze before staring at the humidifier by her head. Her hand twitched at Kangho's touch and she saw the relief on his face.

"How are you feeling?" He asked and poured her a glass of water. He helped her sit up and passed her the cup. Her face was pale, but he could see that she was much stronger than before.

"What are you..." She looked around again, "What am I doing here? What happened to the case?" She tried to remember, but the memories she had were conflicting. Bits and pieces returned to her, but she couldn't put them together. What she recalled was like a watching a movie with parts skipped in between. She shut her eyes tightly after the room began to spin.

"He got away." Kangho's voice calmed her. "Don't worry, the teams on it."

"The new guy?" She asked, picturing his fearful eyes.

"He's fine."

"I see." She nodded and took a sip of water, "You should shave. You're reminding me of that old man."

He touched the stubble on his chin and lets out a little laugh before going to the bathroom. "About that.." He said as he applied the cream on his face.

"Old man?!" The door barged open. Zero pulled the covers over her head and stayed still.

Kangho sighed and pointed with his shaver. "Dad... what did I say about - "

"Old man? You mean the one who practically raised you?" The man ripped the covers off of her. She winced at the sudden force and Kangho intervened. He urged his father to be gentle, but his father only redirected his attention on him. "You." He grabbed Kangho by the neck. "When did she wake up? Why didn't you say something sooner?"