The scrap of metal against concrete brought Ga Eul back to her senses. What had made it, she wasn't sure, but as her bleary eyes focused, she found herself alone in a dark, dingy room barely illuminated by the faint slits of sunlight allowed to pierce through dusty curtains hanging heavily on the opposite window.
The tall shadows and grimy windows told her she was no longer in the cramped little room she had been held in for so many hours, but just how long had she been out? An hour? A day? She shuddered to think how much time she had lost while unconscious.
Her whole body ached horribly as a shiver of cold shot up through her bare feet which were uncomfortably tied to something cold and solid. But before she could panic at finding her hands similarly bound, a noise at the door to the room made her start. Another scrapping sound echoed through the room and she now knew it was the sound of the door opening and shutting that had made such a noise.
Till now she had allowed her eyes to rest half closed but now she forced them wide open. Like a wild animal sensing danger, her nerves were on edge ready for she knew not what. Whatever had opened the door stood silently in its doorway as if contemplating its next move, studying its prisoner. Slowly, the shadowy figure creeped closer to her and Ga Eul felt her nerve faltering as it slinked its way over, the faint light from the doorway causing the jagged outline of shadows to blend with the dark cold gray of the room till she could barely make out the figure moving towards the center of the room, closer and closer to where she was tied.
It stopped to light a cigarette before turning to grab the chair lying haphazardly to the side. Steadying her head against the cold smooth metal pole she was tethered to, Ga Eul sat as still as possible watching beneath her lashes as the figure dragged the chair towards the center of the darkened room and sat down opposite her. Her hands throbbed painfully from where they were zip tied behind her back and she wanted nothing but to run.
Or fight.
Or scream.
But she did nothing. She kept her head down, feigning unconsciousness, dearly hoping the cold beads of sweat breaking over her brow wouldn't give her away. She had a plan but it'd only work if she garnered as little attention as possible, she couldn't let whoever had taken her know she was awake. Not yet. She needed them to let down their guard. So, she sat there, forcing her breath to be steady, forcing her nerves to calm down, and forcing her mind to go blank while she felt the weight of the stranger's presence bearing down on her.
All was quiet, the stranger made no noise and except for his breathing and the smoke wafting her way, Ga Eul might have thought she imagined the whole thing. Yet, here she was with the person who could very well be the mastermind behind her capture mere feet away. Doing nothing. Just watching her with its cold eyes. Waiting.
Waiting.
Waiting.
As the minutes ticked by her aching limbs begged her to stretch them or at least shift out of her uncomfortable position, but Ga Eul didn't dare move—she hardly dared breath. She heard a match strike and soon another whiff of smoke assaulted her nostrils, Good, at least he'll die of lung cancer if I don't make it out of here alive…
How long he sat there, she couldn't be sure, but the minutes dragged on till she feared he might never leave. She heard the strike of another match—god would he ever leave her in peace? But at last, the clamor of metal told her he'd kicked his chair back and soon the sound of the door confirmed it. She was alone again-hallelujah.
Many moments passed after Ga Eul heard the door shut until she let herself breath again. She felt chilled to the bone and not just from the cold. There was something menacing about the presence that had stared at her for so long like a spider looming over its prey…and real fear had begun to creep into her mind, but she refused to give it any thought. She was finally alone and could put her plan to work.
It was no easy feat maneuvering her hands in such a way as to give the most friction between the pole and the zip ties, but she soon found she could work both hands at once if she slide them all the way up above her head and then tugged them down as fast as possible. If done right, the plastic ties would shred themselves over the support beam she was fastened to and the little jagged notches of metal that stuck out here and there. It was exhausting work, but Ga Eul hardly felt it as desperation fueled her movements--She didn't know how much time she'd have before another visitor interrupted her solitude…she could already see the faint streaks of sunshine peeking through the breaks in the curtains…
Early morning light flooded through the windows making Yi Jeong's tired head swim as he walked down the long, antiseptic smelling halls of Kyoro hospital, its halls stretching endlessly forward as ever fiber in Yi Jeong's being told him to run away from the place that held such vividly disturbing memories only his current situation could have made him step foot in the place.
The pet project of a former president, Kyoro Hospital was dripping in wealth and resembled more of a high rise than a hospital with its tall, white infrastructure planted in the center of Incheon's bustling metropolitan area. Belying its immaculate appearance and semi-health resort branches, the multifaceted facility was specifically designed for the care of the mentally unwell and Yi Jeong had experienced much behind its pristine walls.
As a health-resort often frequented by members of the social elite when they deemed a break from their stressful lives was needed—or, more commonly, when public scrutiny forced them to seek a reprieve from the spotlight for a while—and also one of the top centers for cosmetic surgery in S. Korea, Kyoro hospital had more than one patient wishing to hide their identity. It was no surprise, then, that Yi Jeong's presence garnered very little attention by the patients milling about the visitor's area as they were much too intent on keeping their own identities a secret to care about his.
Regardless of the reason, Yi Jeong was thankful for the privacy as he walked down the all too familiar halls, striving with each step to push down the flocking memories of being small and vulnerable, the images of his mother's wild eyes, her numb reaction to his cries, the fear that had sunk its way deep into his chest and never fully left till he was an adult and had managed to convince himself he didn't care. That he didn't need love. He had numbed himself, content with fleeting, meaningless relationships until he had met Ga Eal.
Ga Eul…
He breathed a shaky breath and continued on. Just one more turn. Reaching the elevator, Yi Jeong barely allowed himself a moment to pause before entering the lift that would take him to the floor he so dreaded. An automated voice blared from above, listing in a cheerful, jarring voice the benefits of the latest bee venom facial and their newly discounted rhinoplasty consultation while Yi Jeong watched the floor buttons light up, a cold spreading itself throughout his body as he ascended higher and higher.
Level 15. The doors slide open.
Whereas the cosmetic floor of the hospital was open with tall windows welcoming sunshine and patients in, the mental health unit was far less friendly and more closed off to the public with heavily guarded doors, meshed windows, and security checkpoints at every reception desk. The starkly white interior and inspirational quotes painting the walls did little to hide the depressing nature of the wing and the faint din of shouts and cries could be heard coming from somewhere beyond adding to the bleak environment.
This was what he remembered.
This was what he dreaded.
Nearing the desk, a middle-aged women clad in a stiff business suit and equally stiff expression was busy typing away furiously while she simultaneously talked on the phone and manned the front receptionist area already flocked by a small cluster of visitors clambering for attention.
Alternating between the phone and a particularly pushy visitor, the woman continued on with the patience of a saint that didn't quite fit her sour faced expression.
"Yes, the patient has just been admitted and we will alert all family members at the earliest convenience." Turning towards the visitor in front she covered the phone speaker with one hand, "No, Dr. Min has not specified a date of release, but I can alert you as soon as he's looked over her results."
The visitor turned moodily to sit back down while the receptionist returned to her phone call and motioned Yi Jeong over with a flick of her hand, "Thank you I'll reschedule that appointment for next Monday then. Goodbye"
"Name?" the receptionist's salt and pepper hair bobbed slightly as she turned to peer at the man who had yet to answer, "Oh, ah, excuse me Yi Jeo—Mr. So—I, I hardly recognized you," she blustered, adjusting the narrow frames that had slide down her nose and collected herself before asking, half intrigued half surprised,
"What are you doing here?"
Forcing a relaxed smile, Yi Jeong addressed the lady who had often worked the visitor hours when his mom was a patient and therefore became part of a fixed memory of the place—he was surprised she still worked here but also relieved that her presence could give him easier access to the rooms beyond.
"I came to visit a friend, a Miss Se Un." He turned on his most charming smile and leaned in slightly like he was talking to a friend, "Can you help me?"
"Well, I…" Yi Jeong could tell the woman was looking for an excuse, but she'd bent rules for him before, so maybe…
"—Miss. Se Un isn't really seeing anyone right now and it isn't exactly how we do things around here as you well know—" seeing the man before her visibly stiffen the receptionist glanced behind her momentarily for her supervisor, seeing no one within earshot she continued, "but I suppose you could visit for a bit" she finished indulgently and was rewarded with another smooth smile that failed to hide the worry behind it.
She had often wondered what happened to the young boy who had so often visited his mother and was more than a little taken aback at the fine young gentleman standing before her as she stamped him a visitor's pass and directed him towards the door leading out the waiting room, though he hardly needed directions given his familiarity with the place. She watched him leave pensively wondering what business he could have with Miss Se Un, a trauma patient, and if she'd get in trouble for such a clear violation of rules until another visitor redirected her attention to the front and further thought was pushed to the back of her mind.
Yi Jeong hardly read the signs as he headed down another long white hall turning instinctively towards the left as he neared the branch, his eyes focused numbly on the tile floor in front of him as he struggled once more to push down the ache that pricked so sorely at his mind, too many bad memories were associated with this place but he was here for one thing—the clues he needed to finally pinpoint the murderer who had thus far managed to elude all attempts of arrest. Determination steeling his veins, any sore memories from his past were staunchly stamped down and a slender hope that this trip would provide desperately needed answers allowed to grow.
Addressing the nurse stationed at the next checkpoint, he gained easy access beyond the heavily guarded doors with the visitor's pass but was assigned a nurse to "guide" him through the next point…he'd have to get rid of her if he hoped to speak with Miss. Seun unhindered…scarcely listening to the lighthearted prattle of the nurse beside him, Yi Joeong continued on. Very little had changed in the years, not a picture frame or spec of art lined the walls and except for the occasion plastic flower vase with equally fake flowers, hardly a touch of color painted the crisply sterile environment—too afraid it could be weaponized by one of the restless individuals milling the common rooms or walking under supervision throughout the halls Yi Jeong mused absentmindedly.
Suddenly a scuffle broke his thoughts, whatever or whoever had caused the noise could be heard banging something loudly against the wall in a nearby room, a second later a blaring overhead announced a "code blue" and the nurse by Yi Jeong's side quickly excused herself. Not bothering to heed her request to "wait here," Yi Jeong took this opportunity to move towards the last of the rooms in the hall. As he passed the door the nurse had disappeared into, he could hear the sound of thrashing and the clatter of chairs as a patient let his rage be known. Irate screaming soon followed, reverberating off the walls. Very little had changed indeed.
Reaching the common room, Yi Jeong found another familiar scene spread out in the half empty space. Oblivious to the noise in the room over, some patients were sitting in chairs, listlessly staring at nothing in particular, a few were set up around a chess board, a few playing a game of cards in one corner, and still more sat scattered among the various chairs surrounding a tv blaring its rerun of soaps. In the sea of faces his attention was drawn to a wan figure sitting alone by one of the far windows. In a hospital gown far too big for her, a girl sat quietly bundled up in her off pink sweater—a garment that had been bleached many times over between its various owners and was now frayed at the edges. Moving closer he recognized the blank face staring off into space. It matched the photo Chief Park had given him
"Mss. Se Un?" the heard turned, deep sunken eyes blinked back at him. Started back slightly at the giant scabbed-over gash on her head Yi Jeong took a moment to decide on an approach, there was something strange about the look in her eyes. Something far too sane for a place like this. She looked exhausted, sleep deprived and drained…but her zombie like appearance was like that off a overworked college student, not a mentally unwell patient and certainly not one that needed to be locked away for their own protection… There was nothing crazy or insane in those eyes, Yi Jeong knew the look.
"Visiting someone?" A nurse supervising the room paused beside Yi Jeong, doubt furrowing her brows.
Playing his lack of a "guide" off, Yi jeong nodded his head towards the girl with a disarming shrug, "how is she doing?"
"ah, Se Un. She's doing better than could be expected, heaven knows after what she went through it could be much worse"
"Has she talked about it? Mentioned anything about that day?"
"No, poor thing, quiet as a mouse"
"Unusual"
"What?" she looked at him surprised, "oh you mean that she isn't as vocal as the others," the nurse gestured lightly towards a back table where a loud argument had just erupted, "yes, it is unusual, but don't let the quiet fool you, medication does wonders for the patients here"
As if on cue, another nurse entered the room carrying a tray of little white containers and cups. She paused beside each patient, scanned their wrist band, and watched as they took their meds with a swig of water. While most of the patients tried to avoid the tray or became belligerent with her, Yi Jeong noticed that unlike the others, the girl in pink didn't say a word when handed her medicine—she took it willingly.
"how do you know her again?" the nurse beside him was asking, the hint of doubt once more furrowing her brow
Sidestepping the question, Yi Jeong answered absentmindedly, "I'm glad she has such good care in your hands"
A small brawl broke out between the chess players preventing further questions and the nurse, thankfully, moved on, but as she eyed Yi Jeong with uncertainty from where she stood, a similar feeling started filling the young gentleman's chest as he observed Se Un in her corner.
Perhaps this was useless. What was he going to do? Interrogate a girl so traumatized she had to be medicated up in order to stare out a window? Demand she tell him detail by detail what she might not even remember? Running a hand roughly through his hair, the frustration he felt at that moment was halted momentarily as a movement caught his eye. The girl who had been sitting so quietly suddenly moved, a motion so slight, he'd almost missed it as she slipped a pill from her sleeve into her shoe. Interesting…
"Can I sit here?"
Choosing not to reply, Se Un glanced back at her window, hoping the stranger would lose interest and move away. She was wrong.
"You don't belong here, do you?"
Yi Jeong studied the girl closely as her head jerked back in surprise at his words, there was a definite fire in those eyes before she caught herself and turned away but it was enough to tell Yi Jeong what he needed to know. He pressed further. He needed to push her to the edge so she'd talk.
"You don't belong here, so tell me why"
Se Un turned to stare at the man who gestured towards her, his infuriatingly calm tone only serving to anger her further.
"what do you mean?" came the flat reply "you think all psych patients have to scream and yell and fling their own feces?" that'd shut him up.
It didn't.
Unperturbed by the outburst, the man continued in that same calm voice, "No. I mean you don't belong here, in this hospital."
Yi Jeong eyed her carefully and continued "You need therapy, yes, but a locked psych ward?" He left the sentence unfinished and watched as Se Un turned uncomfortably back to the window and fidgeted with her sweater.
No answer.
He said the next words slowly and evenly.
"That is, unless you want to be locked away somewhere."
"Who the hell do you think you are?"
There it was.
Realizing her mistake, the girl snapped back in a lower tone "You don't know anything so stop pretending to know me."
The man made no reply so she continued, hoping he would get the message and move on, "You think I just want to stay here? You think I like this place?"
"I think you have your reasons." Ignoring her irate tone, Yi Jeong coolly interrupted the tirade "I think you need to stay here. I think you're worried about your safety and being locked up in a psych ward is the only way for you to feel you have some protection—and we both know from who."
He watched as the color left her face and fear-filled eyes turned to his. Now they were getting somewhere.
"You're afraid he'll come back to finish the job he started."
"The police don't even know if it is a him" Se Un fumbled slowly, and then, breathing out painfully as if she was far away in her own thoughts, "You're not supposed to talk to me about this, its in the file I-"
"—If you care at all about the people he's wounding and killing we need to talk about this now--at least you do if you want me to keep your little secret of insanity quiet." He let the last gauntlet fall, motioning casually to her shoe where the incriminating pill lay.
The threat was subtle, but she got the hint, looking at him with murder in her eyes, Se Un let out a bitter laugh. He'd trapped her. And she'd walked right into it. If only she hadn't replied, if only she'd stared wild-eyed at him till he thought she was a crazy loon like all the others…but there was little she could do now against his threats that wouldn't end up in her being sent into solitary confinement for hiding her meds or being deemed sane and discharged with little more than a list of contacts for protection…leaving her with the equally unappealing option of trusting in this stranger who had come so unwelcomed into her life.
Still..what choice did she have? Sinking her head in her hands, Se Un weighed her options. No, she couldn't chance it! He knew who she was. He knew she survived and would hunt her down if she was released…looking up at her tormentor she was about to tell him to shove it—she'd rather chance solitary confinement—but instead of the triumph she expected to see in the young gentleman's face, she saw something else. Something familiar. Something very much like the fear that plagued her own mind…there was not a hint of smugness as he sat down quietly across her and to her surprise, she allowed him to—for whatever reason she found she no longer hated him.
"I need your help" the man's quiet voice came just above a whisper, "someone I love has been taken by the same person who hurt you." His eyes shifted from hers and he continued in a strained voice "I believe she's still alive but that might not be the case if I don't find her very soon." Emphasizing the last words, Yi Jeong saw that her resolve begin to shake. "I won't say a word" he nodded towards the supervising nurse, "just give me 15 minutes of your time and I promise, you'll never see me again."
"I I don't think I can help you" Se Un halted, unsure how to continue "he's a monster. A monster. I didn't even see his face. It was too dark—and he wore a hood. But," She plucked at the pink fibers of her sweater "there was something familiar…"
Yi Jeong felt his heart lurch to attention, "familiar?"
"I could be wrong, he just reminded me of a person I haven't seen in years—someone I once worked with. Maybe I'm crazy, I wasn't thinking straight, I don't know" The girl glanced around anxiously before spitting the words out in a hurry "he was a businessman—they fired him for mishandling funds or something a long time ago, but I never heard from him since. Well, not until he attacked me"
"Why do you think he went after you?" not immune to the pain she was reliving but needing answers-a possible motive-anything, Yi Jeong pressed her further.
"I didn't do anything. I never went to his bosses even when I knew he was stealing…I just took it to my supervisor. He handled it. I don't know anything else. I don't know why he came after me that night" her voice broke, "and I guess I didn't die fast enough so he grabbed a rock" she shuddered and buried her head in her hands. "I still don't know why he left me. Something distracted him just long enough and I got away. If those people hadn't found me…"
Here she completely broke down and Yi Jeong was afraid he was losing her but she suddenly grabbed his arm. "You have to catch him."
That was all she said before the nurse, seeing how distressed she had become, carefully wheeled her away shaking her head sadly at Yi Jeong as she passed, and Yi Jeong noticed the wheelchair for the first time…he had to catch him. He would catch him.
End part 1
