Crimson Park

Chapter 7

The final meeting went on for much longer than needed. Dongnam was dragging it on with purpose. The purpose being to torture Carter, and everyone else in the room, with fear and anticipation. He looked like hungover shit, but he looked even worse because he knew something was going to happen to him. He knew he was going to have to pay. You knew he was going to have to pay. Hell – the whole room knew at this point that Carter's neck was on the chopping block. The intensity was thick in the air.

"We have a final matter to resolve," Dongnam's words hit you like an anvil. It was time. "This organisation is built on trust, and family... is that not correct?"

Several members around the table nodded in agreement.

"We take care of each other," Dongnam continued. "And we take care of our own. But it seems some of you have forgotten that."

You did everything you could to stare only at Dongnam, and to ignore Carter and the wavering eyes of those around.

"I was saddened to find out that someone in this family has been unfaithful. Someone who took money from his own and kept it for himself. Someone stole from the family."

The room was eerily silent – so much so that Dongnam's words reverberated off the walls as if you were in an amphitheatre. He then stood up, and two security men who had been standing against the wall promptly stepped behind Carter and grabbed a hold of his arms. Carter didn't even fight it as they began to strap his wrists to the arms of the chair. He knew he had lost.

"As punishment, when a thief is caught, some cut off the hand of the thief so he can't steal anymore."

Another security who had been standing behind Dongnam brought forward a case and placed it in front of him on the conference table.

"Some are more barbarous. When someone steals, they take their life instead of their hand."

Dongnam opened the case and pulled out a pair of latex gloves which he began to pull on.

"Now I, however, am a forgiving person. I don't like such... barbarities. So, the question is... what should I do to remind such bad apples what respect means?"

He pulled from his case a pair of pliers.

"I'm sorry," a meek plea came from Carter, and all eyes turned away from the shiny, daunting metal to him. "I'll pay it back."

"I know you will, Carter," said Dongnam. "Ms. Park."

"Yes, sir?"

"How long will it take for Carter to work in order to pay back what he stole plus interest?"

"Three months without pay, sir."

"Three months? In that case, you'll be given two. If it isn't paid back by then, I'll start by taking your family," he pointed the pliers at Carter's face. "If it's not repaid by three, then we'll be doing this again."

⁂

Look straight ahead, you thought to yourself. All eyes were on you as you strode down the long steps towards your car.

You weren't liked. "Crimson Park" the others called you behind your back. Crimson for the colour of your lips, but today they looked at you because of the crimson colour of blood that dripped from Carters torn out fingernails which all happened by your mouth. You hated being the centre of their attention. The disdain they had for you was more than apparent.

Jungkook stood waiting at the car with the door open and ready for you. You wanted to run to it. Run to him. But you wouldn't. You wouldn't show them that their glares pierced your armour. So, instead, you kept your nose high and your shoulders back and walked as if the bloodied scene you just witnessed didn't affect you the way it did them.