Inescapable Love

Chapter 3: Travelers Quest

Daegu: A city close to Busan Bunshik: Steet food Oh-daeng: Fish sticks Ddeokbokki: Soft, gooey rice cakes slathered with sweet/spicy sauce Tuee-gim: Various fried snacks (sweet potato, noodled kimbap, etc.) Napjak mandu: Flat dumplings found exclusively in Daegu Po-jang hae joo-sae-yo: Can I take out? Noh mi-cheoss-oh?: Are you crazy?

“First stop is Busan.”

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         ChanHee and LJoe’s quest started here: in the very place of the crime. They fleeted the district cunningly, moving south. Their tactics were based on Byunghun’s sly knowledge of the city. If they were exposed to crowds, they would hide their faces under their scarves and hats. If they were alone, they would travel through alleyways and hidden roads along the streets. Transportation was simple: sneak past guards and hitch a ride on the subway trains. Soon, they departed off a subway in Daegu, almost to their destination. Everything was going to plan- but there was an exception. ChanHee’s stomach growled hungrily. He laid a hand over his stomach and let out a deep groan. Punching LJoe, he whined, “I’m hungry. Really really hungry. What is there to eat around here?” His stomach grumbled again, this time louder than the first. “Find food quick...please.”        

         Sighing, LJoe led ChanHee to a destitute market with little to no people shopping. Not a busy workday, I suppose, LJoe thought. ChanHee studied the market shops, confused to why they’re in a market in the first place.        

         “Why a market?” he asked.

         “Restaurants are too high class and expensive here. Might as well go to a market. It’s cheaper.” He reached into his wallet and pulled out several won. "Here. Buy yourself something.” he mumbled, giving the paper money to ChanHee. ChanHee took the payment plus LJoe’s hand and pulled him down the road. “Yah! What gives you the right to pull me like that? Let go.” LJoe demanded. ChanHee simply grinned and held LJoe’s arm tightly. Aish…this kid…LJoe thought. They looked at a cozy-looking street stand serving bunshik. Entering, the menu listed oh-daeng,ddeokbokki, thee-gim, and the delicacy of Daegu: napjak mandu. 

         “Wah~ So much food here.” ChanHee admirably said.        

         “Have you ever been to a market before?” LJoe asked, puzzled. 

         “No, this is my first time. I want to try them all~” ChanHee sighed. “Too bad we’re limited on money…since we don’t have jobs and stuff.” ChanHee puffed his cheeks out in dismay. Man, this guy missed out, LJoe thought. He seized the won from ChanHee’s hand and strided to the counter. “Yah!” ChanHee yelled. ChanHee stomped up behind LJoe, poking him.         

         “Ha jee ma. What are you doing?” he whispered. LJoe ignored him and commenced his order. He said everything on the menu and handed the won with additional won he got from his wallet. “Po-jang hae joo-sae-yo.” 

         “Yah! Yah! Yah! You ordered everything! Noh mi-cheoss-oh?” ChanHee exclaimed.

         “That’s enough to last us a month. We can get money from stealing anyway.” LJoe argued. Pulling a chair, he sat himself with ease. This man is out of his mind, ChanHee thought, spending so lavishly like that. And we have to steal money? He groaned and took his seat. 

         Minutes later, their order came served in two large brown bags. The food’s delightful aroma seized the air to make everyone’s mouths water. Accepting the dishes, they bowed politely before leaving. With the investigations, they had to be far away where no one would recognize or know them. Running out of time, they hid themselves well and smuggled themselves through the subway and into the train car. ChanHee gathered plenty of food and right when he was about to eat it, LJoe stopped him. I can’t eat anything around this guy…not even take out, ChanHee thought. He stashed away some of his food and had a single fish stick in his hand. ChanHee looked at LJoe for submission and he approved of the quantity. Frowning, ChanHee took a bite of the fried deliciousness. Contempt, LJoe read a newspaper to check if they had posted any news of his murder. None…no…no…nope…yes…yes!?There, inscribed in the corner of the page was a short article about the murder. Stating times, stating names, stating places. A picture of the crime scene without the murderer was printed in black and white. No murderer…good… He turned his head to see ChanHee eating innocently. I’m really sorry, Chunji. I didn’t mean it. He closed the newspaper shut and returned it on the shelf. It’s going to be okay. I’ll help you through it.

         Finally at their haven, they got off the train and came into view of the metropolitan city. Busy streets, fast walking people, many cars and buses passing by. ChanHee nudged LJoe on the shoulder.

         “This place is brimming with people! How do you expect us to stay here? I think this would increase our chances of being found.” ChanHee whined.

         “I know this place better than you. We blend in here. Many people don’t know who we are. And why would the police look in a city all they way on the other side of South Korea, hmm?” LJoe quarreled. ChanHee blinked and lowered his head in shame. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.” LJoe signaled ChanHee to follow him and they went to a bar close by. It had a tough-guy reputation, and only the toughest guys went through. ChanHee gulped. LJoe looked as if he was a regular member to this place, bringing ChanHee onward with him. Muscular men crowded several tables with many bottles of soju. These guys actually work out? Wow…I thought I was the one who was the only person who went to the gym before. Following LJoe, they went to a secret room in the back of the bar, where they would rest for the remaining days they have left to stay at Busan. White ragged blankets covered a queen-sized bed. In addition, two pillows and a bedside table accompanied by a semi-lit lamp. The room was fairly small, but was big enough for two. The blonde haired boy set his suitcase on the floor and put the food on the table. LJoe situated himself on the bed, laid coolly, eyes closed. ChanHee peeked at LJoe thinking: I’m going to sleep with a guy? And that guy’s a murderer? No. No. NO.

         “We-we’re not sharing a bed…are w-we?” ChanHee stuttered. This is so embarrassing…

         “Of course we are. Unless you want to sleep on the floor.” LJoe snickered. His eyes fluttered open and he stared at ChanHee. Smirking, he closed his eyes and laid his head back on the pillow. Is he trying to flirt with me? Eww…gross. “Like I said before, you’re crazy. You know that?” ChanHee noted. LJoe stayed in his position, cool and breathtaking. “Yup. And I’ll shake you up like crazy if you don’t sleep in bed with me tonight.” Oh. My. God. This-this thing is trying to get me in bed with him. What’s wrong with this guy? What’s wrong with my life, actually... Guess I’ll have to live with this weirdo for a few years or so. Better get used to his weird ways for now...

A/N: Vocab words from my research ;w; street stands yeah Chapters are going to be longer from chapter 5 on so calm yourselves from how short these first few chapters will be.