After September 23rd

Chapter Ten

Victor's Perspective

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2037.

After Lockdown.

1:00 PM

She was here... but I couldn't move. My body stood still; I couldn't even scream at her. I stood there and watched her run to her daughters, hugging them tightly, tears running down her cheeks.

I gripped the blanket that covered me. I looked away when I felt my tears sting in my eyes. I walked into the building and made my way to the gymnasium. Sofi stopped chatting with her friends when she saw me.

"Hya!" She smiled and ran up to me, giving me a tight squeeze, "I missed you so much,"

"I did too," I muttered.

"I'm glad you're okay,"

"Me too," I smiled.

"Were you crying?" Sofi asked.

"Psh, no! I wasn't crying," I smiled and quickly wiped my tears, "You were! I can tell in your beautiful blue eyes!"

"I wasn't worried!" Sofi chuckled.

"Psh! Liar," I chuckled, "I know you Sofi!"

"You lie too much Hya," Sofi laughed.

I pulled Sofi into another hug.

"Maybe just a little bit," I mumbled. I closed my eyes and felt weirdly small, hugging the one person that reminded me of my mother. I loved Eun-Hye and Se Jun as much as Sofi, but sometimes, Sofi reminded me of Mom, she looked just like her.

"Everything will be okay,"

"Yeah...I know," I agreed and smiled at her, "Come on, let's go shopping, to forget this whole situation,"

"Yeah, that sounds fun," Sofi agreed.

I took Sofi's backpack, and we left the gymnasium. I held tightly to her bag as we made it to the main entrance. I let out a sigh of relief when I didn't see them there.

"Are you okay Hya?" Sofi asked.

"Huh? Yeah totally, why?"

"You look a bit sick," Sofi pointed out, "We should head home instead,"

"I'm fine really, I don't want to go there unless you do?" I asked.

"No, I'm fine shopping," Sofi shook her head, she lifted her hands with a smile, "At least let me have my bag. It's not heavy, I promise,"

I nodded and returned her belongings. Sofi and I walked to the shopping district and bought a few drinks and looked around the displays.

"By the way, Hya, did you hear how they caught the intruder?"

"Did he get shot?" I asked and took a quick sip of my raspberry smoothie.

"Why is that always your first thought?" Sofi giggled.

"Because it's the fastest way to take out an intruder" I shrugged.

"Vic no! They should be behind bars, not shot to death,"

"Nuh-uh! Anyone who harms an innocent person should be tortured in the most grotesque way!" I spoke.

"Have you been reading too much dark romance?"

"I read one, don't bring my hobbies into this," I grumbled.

"Okay, I won't," She chuckled.

"We got off track, tell me, do you know what happened with the intruder?" I asked.