Author's musings: My dear wonderful readers. I am finished with my book (for those of you who don't know, I published "While I Have Been Waiting"). It is not ready to see yet, but when it is, I will let everybody know. Meanwhile, I'm SO HAPPY to return back to the rest of my stories, especially That Person that has been abandoned for far too long. I'm working on it and have a new chapter ready. I hope you guys will comment and that b/c of the long break you did not forget about this piece. Please, leave reviews, I'm looking forward to them.
"Choi Young and I, we used to be in love with the same girl. Her name was Mae Hee."
Eun Soo stopped. She would not turn; without her knowing, her fingers curled into anxious fists and all of her being wished to flee. Choi Young's first love, she presumed. Somebody who held his heart before her.
"She was my sister. Not a real one, but we grew up together. Her father took my Mom in, when nobody else would."
Her breathing caught and suddenly her throat closed, as the chest tightened in pain. She knew this was not going to be a happy childhood story about sunshine and rainbows, and she realized that whatever she was about to learn, would forever change her.
His voice had no urgency to it, it flowed with rhythmic strength, words carrying so much potency, she began collapsing under the heavy burden. Her mind made into a witness as Eun Soo pictured vivid images of blood stained sunsets and cries of women lifting to the skies.
The village has seen its share of pillaging, rape, murder and enslavement. Peace was unsteady and measured by months, not decades. Women were taken and none returned, in fear to be disowned by their families.
When she crawled into the house, her dress was torn and a trail of blood followed her on the ground and up the high stoop.
"We have to save her. The family will dishonor her when they find out."
"They don't have to. We'll just say that her husband died."
That's how my mother came to live with the Master. She would be left for dead, so Master let her in, although he knew the villagers might shun him. His pregnant wife, was my mother's childhood friend. Master loved his wife very much and for her, he would go against the whole world. Unfortunately, she died at childbirth and my mother became a caretaker for his newborn daughter, while he was away on military trainings. I was born soon after, and in exchange for her work, the Master taught me martial arts and treated me as family. Mae Hee and I grew up like brother and sister. Because I had no father, other kids would not play with me, but she did. She was like a ray of sunshine, always smiling, always running wild and never said an unkind word to me. I knew I was in love with her ever since I learned how to name my feelings. But she only saw me as a brother, her younger brother. I swore to protect her with my own life. And I failed.
She died and our Master died. He was more than a father to me, but Choi Young was his favorite and when Mae Hee also preferred him over others, Master had them engage."
"Stop it, please. I don't want to know any more."
Jae Su sighed deeply. At this moment he felt the need to comfort her, as she looked quite desperate. "But my lady, there is something I have to tell you. Because of me... Because of the choices I made... Choi Young's life... it was also affected. This part I've never shared with anyone."
She firmly cut him off, "I listened enough for now. You promised to go to the hospital."
. . .
The hospital smell was disturbing to his senses. Jae Su squinted at the bright lights, flooding from every direction. He turned his head, bumping his gaze into a closed curtain of a dusty pinkish color. Looking around, he realized he was completely screened off, but he could see very well the shapes of the people behind the curtain, the shadows indicating a man and woman facing each other. Eun Soo's distinct voice was easy to tease out, as he heard her explaining something in some strange language, only recognizing a few words, the rest of them sounded foreign.
"I rely on you, Sunbae. He is a good friend of my boyfriend."
"You know I have to report a gunshot wound."
"Please, Sunbae. Treat him first. Then do what you have to."
"OK, but if he causes any problems, I'm getting security."
Lifting on his elbows, Jae Su scoffed and clenched the sword underneath his robe. This place was not safe for him. He had a run in with police already and that's how he got shot. He collected the flaps of the fabric and tied them around the sheath. Just in case.
"Jae Su-shi, this is doctor Baek. He is my Sunbae. He will look after you. You have to trust him, OK?" Eun Soo opened up the curtain, introducing a stalky man in his forties, who looked over the patient with a discerning eye.
"Doctor, I'm fine. I'm feeling better," said Jae Su with a calm smile.
"I will be the judge of that," commented physician, freeing patient's arm and unwrapping the bandages. "Hm, I see. We need an x-ray," he mumbled, as Eun Soo nodded in agreement.
"I will stay with him." After the man had left, she explained to Jae Su that he will be asked to undress and a machine will have to take pictures of him. "You have to do what they tell you to. Don't argue and don't ask questions. Follow directions, especially when they tell you to hold your breath."
"My lady, I overheard your conversation. The police wants to harm me. I have to leave."
"Dr. Baek will not contact them, unless you act suspiciously. Understand? I will be here to make sure you don't get into trouble."
"Still, I'm uneasy."
"You and me," chuckled Eun Soo, wondering how she got entangled with a time-traveling criminal. Her pocket rang with a catchy tune. "Excuse me," she pulled out a thin gadget and pressed it against her ear. "Oh, OK. The less people, the better. We don't want to draw attention to him. You guys wait in the lobby. Mm." She was about to stop the conversation, when her eyes orbed into saucers, "Mm? Damn, stranger! You come and get it from him then. I will escort you to the emergency room."
"What is happening? Who are you talking to in that thing?"
"It's a phone and I'm talking to Choi Young. He needs to see you now. Wait here." She disappeared, shutting the curtain and Jae Su closed his eyes for a minute to rest. When he opened them next, he saw a serious stare of the very dark almond eyes studying him. "Give me your sword," demanded Choi Young.
"I'm not giving up my weapon, I'm defenseless without it."
"I was in a hospital before, after I first arrived. I was as scared and uncomfortable as you are, but Imja protected me. I learned that this place is not dangerous. On the contrary, they are here to take care of you, not to harm you. It is a clinic, not a battlefield."
Very reluctantly, the man surrendered his sword. "Watch over it."
"Of course. Do as Imja says and you will be better soon."
"You have not forgotten our conversation, have you?"
"I wish I could," bitterly admitted Choi Young. "We will talk again after you are better, OK? I have to go. Eun Soo will take you for the test."
"Choi Young, consider it well, please." Jae Su extended his hand, as if beseeching his friend not to discard his request. "I may sound insane to you, but think about it. If you can travel easily through the Hwata's gate, there should be a bigger purpose behind it, then a simple accident. Hwata built the gate to help people and save lives, it should be used as such."
Woodalchi did not respond. The long bangs covered his eyes, as he lowered his head in contemplation. He took a deep breath and stepped outside the fabric screen, his steps quickly dissolving in the distance.
. . .
Jae Su had successfully completed all the tests and Eun Soo managed to postpone the dreaded phone call to police for a few more hours, since the patient indeed acted quite docile toward the medical personnel at her request. Her doctor friend decided to put security guards on the floor; the men did not seem to care much for the job, since they did not see a danger in a bedridden patient, instead their attention was diverted to the young nurses, and the guards congregated by the nursing station. Choi Young chuckled in passing and held both swords close to skin underneath his closed coat. These men should not be a problem.
Yet, there was a feeling of unease. He could not pinpoint it, but it was one of those sixth sense experiences, akin to sensing somebody watching you with the back of you head, only to see nobody, once turned. This eerie presence was the cause of his paranoia in the days after he first arrived through the Hwata's gate. It came alive as his hypervigilance dictated him to pay attention to people on the streets, searching for assassin's danger. It has quieted down and without wanting to do so, he somehow let his guard down.
Jae Su was the assassin who had followed him, and all the logic dictated that the threat was annulled. However, the cold gaze of the murderer chilled the back of his head at every turn he took tonight, as if the illusive assassin returned to haunt him. Now more than ever he had to be alert. Just like that night when he watched Eun Soo in Min Ho's house. He had to become, completely turn into Woodalchi, to do what he was trained to do and what he had been doing his entire adult life: protect and keep safe the people, who were entrusted to him and who trusted him to peacefully sleep at night, while he kept his dutiful watch. And for that, Choi Young of now, the newly employed and jeans wearing, cell phone carrying 27 year old good looking martial arts trainer had to be gone, his identity shed, like snake skin.
Before approaching Eun So, who waited for him with concerned, but a welcoming smile, he stopped and took a deep breath. It would be hard for him to explain to her his transformation. She will know of it, because they are as one.
They engaged in a softspoken conversation outside of Jae Su's room.
"You should see him, he is your friend."
"I would rather not. Will you watch over him for me, Imja? I will guard his room outside. He will feel naked without his weapon. It is my duty now to protect him. And you. Together."
"Stranger…" she brushed his hand slightly with the outer side of her hand. "I…"
"I know." A soft tug of electricity passed between them, grounding the depth of their feelings. Some things were better left unspoken. Such desires held close to the hearts, some fears hidden, and some hopes put to sleep. For now…
. . .
Colorless liquid leisurely dripped into his vein; and the woman, who respectfully deferred to Eun Soo, calling her "doctor", has finally left.
"It's just vitamin fluids with some antibiotics. I'm not giving you anything to dull your senses, don't worry, I know how you guys are," preempted his rising concerns Eun Soo.
He smiled gratefully, as she turned to leave.
"Well, get some rest. If you have any pain or need assistance, just press this button," she pointed to his bedside table.
Jae Su followed her with his eyes as she was heading toward the door. He had to get out of this place. He had a bad feeling about it, something in his gut telling him not to wait too long. If she left now, he might not have a chance to speak with her without any witnesses.
"We were on a scouting mission, Choi Young and I. Despite our rivalry and my jealously, we were still best partners, brothers of the red crescent moon."