From Eden

Welcome

[Y/N]

I abandoned my family because of my abusive father; and though I try my best to not blame my mother's stupidity and delusions, deep down, I know she was the reason why everything got fucked up. At first, we thought that she was protecting us, but we later realized that all this time, she only kept dismissing and making excuses for my sorry of a father. Her assurance to us that our father loves us was just a way for her to convince herself that despite all the beatings, my father still loves her. 

I already told her time and time again that she is a victim and not a wife.

I already told her time and time again that one day, one or ALL of her children will die at his hands if she do not face the reality and get some help. On the other hand, it was also possible that one of my sibling would become like father. An abusive one but can impressively hide it. 

I wasn't surprised how one day that thought would become true. Then again, whoever was able to stay with him, they're definitely like him--or perhaps, they were found dead, and their rotten bodies are glued at the stained carpet we have in the living room. 

I wasn't surprised when it was our youngest, Jong-Woo. Despite how abusive and cold he was, he loved Jong-Woo so much. What did our youngest do for that mad man to love him? I do not know. I just hope that whatever's left of him is sane. Though, Jong-Woo is named as the mad man. One of the stories was he went crazy at the studio he was living in because of the tenants who surrounded him. He repeatedly typed "die" on his computer and made sure that every page he can fill is filled with that specific word. 

I was now in his room--God knows, who or what I was staring at. My younger brother do not have the same expression as my father, but, he might be better at hiding his emotions compared to father. Before listening whatever he wants to say, I swore that I would never believe whatever he says. I've learned my lesson from my very own mother.

I listened and stared at him while doing so. I tried so hard to convince and give him the benefit of the doubt, but the more I look at him, the more he resembles him. While he was narrating his stories about all he went through on his apartment, I would peel fruits for him. It was obvious that we were both wary of each other; he would watch every move I make as I do to him too. Whenever he would ask for water, I would notice my bag becoming farther and farther from where I placed.

The whole story was, he was one of the victims of Seo Moon Jo. Moon Jo was the boss of the entire apartment building. He might be a nice and protective man to Jong-Woo he would torture everyone in the building. Even though Jong-Woo is not tortured, Moon Jo fed Jong-Woo human meat from the poor victims he slaughtered and made him drink a liquid that made him remember his memories from the military.

The gist of the story was that he was one of the victims of a man named Seo Moon Jo. The man was the boss of the entire apartment building--he might project as a kind and protective man to him, but I felt like it was all because he saw my younger brother as his protegee--someone that can be a serial killer like him. I nodded along while he became more wide-eyed and kept on flailing his arms around while he tells more about his story. I got afraid as he was slowly revealing his true colors to me and was afraid that he would do something to me. 

The last thing he told me was he had a diary about his experiences he had while he was staying in the studio. 

"This book acts as my diary. Please read it and take some things in mind. I just... Don't want another victim. Don't let him take it nor see it because when you let him know about this, he knows that you are plotting against him. And don't forget... If you let him fill your mind... I don't know if you'll ever recover from him." 

"This book acts as my diary. Please read it and take some things in mind. I just... I don't want another victim. Don't let him take it nor see it because when you let him know about this, he knows that you are plotting against him. If you let him fill your mind... it's impossible to ever recover from that."

...So, he tried to mix some truth for me to believe in him. He might forgot that this was father's technique as well. I left the hospital with the motive of checking how insane he became. After settling in my car, I checked what he did to my bag. He left a crumpled paper that had a message,

Trust me, not him.

As if he knew that I was about to go to his apartment complex. On the second day of my stay in Seoul, I received the news that he killed himself.

Regardless, I still wanted to check out if everything he said was true. Before going to his apartment, I went to the police station to inquire about the investigation that occurred from the apartment complex. When the lead officer of the investigation gave me a face filled with concern and hesitation, I knew something happened real bad. We stayed inside a private room, and she handed the photos and murder scenes, and those who were involved and how they all died, all the while explaining what happened in detail. She hesitated to talk about the floor where my brother stayed at, but proceeded to report, though albeit slowly compared before. Every word and detail she mentioned disgusted me. 

"When I heard you were related to Mr. Jong-Woo, I knew you were here to ask for all of the details. I didn't hesitate because I think you deserve to hear the truth about what happened."

"Did the police learn who was the real suspect?"

"No one knows. We do not know because only Mr. Jong-Woo and Mr. Seo Moon Jo survived. Both were badly beaten up."

"Does everyone around Seoul knows about this? Better yet, was this reported on the local and national news?"

"The murder was shared public, though the information of what the police saw and investigated was all kept in public."

"I see... Well, that was all I need for now. Thank you for the time, Ms. Eun Jin."

"Wait."

"...Yes?"

"I know the other police officers would say that I'm going beyond my duty as an officer, but I'm sure that..."

"Ms. Officer. I am here to learn and figure out if my younger brother was insane like our father. Living with our father altered his brain so much, he acts like he has the same mental disorder my father was diagnosed. If I found something out, I'll report to the police about it."

"Thank you."

"No need to thank me. I'm doing everything for myself."

Since I lost my appetite to eat, I decided to go back to the hotel I was staying in. I thought back of every information I heard from the policewoman. If I, who only listened to the report, felt sick, what more if I was there and saw everything that happened inside? If I want the truth, I need to hear his side. I need to gather and understand everything that happened to make sure I am blaming the right person and give justice that is long overdue to the people who are the real victims.

........................

Today, I left the hotel I was staying at and went to the once apartment complex-turned into a 5-star hotel. Even though everything about it changed, I felt something beneath the hard exterior that is now famous for its beauty. I took one last breath of fresh air, to calm my nerves and to remove the pit I feel in my stomach, before going inside.