Defence

2

- - - - -

The woman with long hair tied up into a ponytail felt her blood rush through her veins as she stood in the terminal. Crowds of people bustled by not taking sight of them. Men in suits, woman in dresses, teenagers smoking, and babies cried. Had none of them heard about the assassination? Didn’t they fear the fugitive on the run at all?! Why weren’t any of them on the lookout!! She took a step forward but a hand on her shoulder held her back with heavy strength.

“Calm down, So Young.” he whispered.

She turned to look up at the short haired Jung Min. His oval eyes were intriguing and his black hair shone brightly under the dim lights.

“We can’t do it in public.” he added.

She pouted and groaned. “I want to choke her, chop her into pieces, and feed her to the sharks. Why are we letting her run away so far?!”

“Because…” he started then smiled, “it’s more fun this way.”

He turned to look up at the location board.

“Don’t you know? We’re assigned to get rid of her now. For the humiliation she caused us last round, I’ll give you the chance to do most of the beating.” he told then nodded his head toward the train. “To Seoul, we go.”

- - - - -

Yoona walked up the hilly street as a truck full of oranges drove pass her. The sky was dimly covered with gray clouds. A typical fall day. Tucking her free hand into the pocket of her brown jacket she held the bouquet of pink roses closer to her chest. Alongside her was a long red-brick wall with cars parked on the side of the street. After coming to a stop she turned to stare at the black gates where two sedan cars were parked inside. To the right of the black gates was a black door. As she looked through the gates beyond the parked cars she took a moment to travel back in time. Two little girls appeared before her entertaining themselves on the small playground inside. A glimpse of happiness sparkled in her big eyes as she heard them laugh inside her head.

Her memories were someplace no one had been invited, not even the closest people to her.  

“Yoona?” a voice broke her imagination.

She turned to see an old woman with a white laced apron on. Her blue neck shirt and her short, curly gray hair made Yoona smile. Mrs. Kim had been Victoria’s nanny ever since she was born and in a way she also felt like Yoona’s own nanny. After Victoria disappeared Mrs. Kim had been just as hurt as her own parents had. Crying day and night, day and night.

“You’re here, again?” she asked unlocking the door for Yoona.

Yoona stepped inside the gates. “Mrs. Kim, you sure are aging well.”

The old woman smiled, “It’s so hard to stop aging. You better use your youth to your advantage when you’re still young and beautiful.”

Yoona stared at her nice wrinkles and hoped that someday she would look just as nice.

“Did you get new earrings?” Yoona asked as they walked up the stone steps toward the private house.

“Yes, my husband bought them for me.”

“They certainly look nice on you.” Yoona complimented.

“You’re a very sweet young woman. Your fiancé should be glad he’s found such an outstanding girl.” she put her hand on Yoona’s back as they passed the naked tree with its branches outstretched looking like a skeleton. “You don’t need to visit so often. I’m sure you’re busy, too.”  

“Ah…” Yoona smiled, “I felt like dropping by before leaving town.”

“Oh…I see.” the old woman nodded thoughtfully. “I was hoping you weren’t here because you felt guilty, but it’s good to hear that that’s not the reason why. Come in. They should be relaxing in the reading room.”