Trauma

Part 18 "A Simple Joke"

"So I was thinking.." Jack said, putting down his spoon.

"Hmm?" I mumbled as I chewed. It was raining outside, and Jack made Kimchi pan-fried Pancakes. It didn't look like a pancake at all. And didn't taste like it either. Jack had told me that eating fried pancakes with Rice wine when it's raining goes so well with the mood. And it really did.

"Maybe you would want to go out with me tomorrow? The rain is supposed to stop early in the morning, and I have a place that I want to visit." Jack said, smiling as he watched me eat.

"Umm..I don't know...I kinda feel awkward whenever I go somewhere I don't know." Little did he know that awkward was an understatement.

"Please? You know I don't have any friends in this area. And I really really wanted you to see the place with me." Jack said, pouting. Ah. His signature pout.

"Ugh. Fine. But you are driving." I said, already regretting it. I better check my pepper spray.

"Yay! I have so much to prepare!!" Jack said, his eyes twinkling.

"Yikes. Now I'm afraid. Are you planning to kidnap me?" I said, only half-joking. My palms started to sweat.

"Maybe." Jack said, suddenly turning serious.

I gulped. Was he serious? Or was it a joke?

Jack burst out laughing. "It was a joke, silly. You should have seen your face!"

I just sat there stunned. Of course it was a joke. Not everyone is going to kidnap you, Lizzie.

"Hey, are you alright?" Jack said as he put a hand on my shoulder. I flinched.

"Y..Yeah. I'm fine." I said, taking another bite of the food, trying to act normal.

"I didn't know you took jokes this seriously. Remind me to never joke about stuff like this." Jack said, shaking his head.

"Yeah. Haha. Well, I better go home now. I have an urgent translate commission to do. I'll see you tomorrow?" I said, quickly getting up.

"Oh. Yeah. Get ready to leave by 9 AM. We need to drive for hours." Jack said, surprised by my sudden action.

"Will do!" With that, I rushed out of Jack's house and ran into mine. I slumped down as soon as the door closed. Way to ruin the mood, Lizzie. You just had to react like that. It was only a joke.

My hands started to shake. Although in my mind, I knew that it was a simple joke, my body reacted otherwise. It was a joke that couldn't be considered lightly. Till death.