Day6 || Hunt

Part VI

The only sound you can hear is the beat of your own heart, pounding fiercely. Staring DoWoon straight in the eye, you weigh your options. You think of Jae's voice on the recording you just heard, weak and full of fear, and that settles it for you.

"Fine. I'll do it," you say evenly. "There's just one condition. I don't give you the drive until you help me get Jae back. I'll do everything I can to help you find Grace, but make no mistake. My brother is my first priority."

DoWoon nods solemnly.

"I would be surprised if you said otherwise," he says seriously. "I would do anything to save my sister's life."

You stare at one another silently, oddly bound by your mutual loss of a sibling. You're trying to think of your next move when you startle at a loud bang, the front door flying open, and three bodies suddenly flooding the small house.

Young K runs forward and launches himself at DoWoon from behind, shoving him across the room. DoWoon stumbles before whirling around quickly and ducking as Young K lunges for him again, shouting out a string of curse words. Seeing things are getting out of hand, you throw yourself between the two men. Young K is clutching DoWoon by the front of his t-shirt with one hand, the other raised in a fist, poised to throw a punch.

"Everyone stop!" you yell, shrilly.

Young K blinks at you, lowering his fist, chest heaving, as DoWoon tears himself out of his grasp. You can't see Builder from where he stands behind you, but you spot Wonpil in the doorway, standing coolly with his arms folded.

"No more fighting," you say sternly, directing your words at Young K. "He's not our enemy. This is DoWoon. His sister Grace was kidnapped by the Pirus three weeks ago. He's been tracking her and Jae. He brought me here to show me proof that he found a lead. Jae is still alive."

Young K's jaw drops open slightly before he whirls on DoWoon angrily.

"If that's true then why did you knock her out and kidnap her?" he snarls suspiciously.

"He didn't kidnap me—" you respond, but Young K interrupts you.

"Oh, ok, then why did I see him dragging you off unconscious?" he interjects sarcastically.

"That's because—he did give me a drug..." you falter, unsure of the best way to explain this situation.

"What? You drugged her?" Young K yells incredulously, lunging towards DoWoon again.

You dart in between them a second time, raising your hands and holding them at arm's length, separating the two men. While Young K continues to spit out a string of curses and threats, Wonpil does something you least expect. Walking towards DoWoon calmly, he raises his fist and punches him squarely in the face.

DoWoon collapses forward instantly, cradling his nose, but he doesn't complain. You stare at Wonpil's hand, dazed, his split knuckles oozing blood.

Shaking his hand once, briskly, you follow his gaze over your shoulder.

"Builder, put down that lamp," his voice cuts across the room coldy before he turns on his heel and stalks out of the room.

You spot Builder, standing behind DoWoon, a table lamp clasped like a weapon in his shaking hands, arms raised above his head, expression terrified. He jumps before replacing it quickly on a small side table, looking guilty. You can't help but feel warmed by the brave, if feeble, gesture. At least you know you can count on the three of them to protect you.

The punch seems to dissipate Young K's anger a bit. Turning away from DoWoon, he walks over to you and grasps your face carefully between his hands.

"You're such an idiot," he says, harshly. "After everything we told you, why would you go running after him? Not only could you compromise the rest of us, you could have been hurt. Don't you get it? Are you always so naïve? Why can't you acknowledge the bad in anybody? You're just like your brother."