Kim Taeyeon
I don't think she really knew how upset I was. I was so mad that she missed our date and angry as hell when she told me during those hours she was on a date with him which was supposed to be with me. Those missed hours were with him and he fucking kissed her.
And I wasn't there to stop him, or pummel him to the ground and kick him to the moon.
But just like that she was already in my arms sleeping soundly, probably thinking that everything was all fine and dandy.
I know for sure every fucking fiber in my body wanted to yell at her but you know. . .
I promised her I changed though right? So that means keeping my harsh words to my self and biting on my tongue when I wanted to say.
I propped my head up with my arm, watching her sleep so closely and soundly near me. I felt like a total creep just watching her sleep but I've done it before so what makes it different?
I brushed the fringe that managed to fall back, tucking her smooth silky hair behind her ear.
Her breathing alone is kind of therapeutic, but this time it wasn't enough to put me to sleep.
I got up, making my way into my den but not before pulling the sheets up to cover my Fany, tucking her to sleep. I tucked in monkey George in her arms, it can be me for awhile.
I pulled open a drawer and a stack of golden coins came out. I took out my blue cardstock and cut it into the dimensions I could fold neatly.
My little arts and crafts every night was done when she was asleep, just before the day ended so I could write in all my stuff.
With a steady hand and my glasses on, I started to write.
Day 87.
We were all over the places with our days, but I resumed when she wanted it back at Disneyland. Plus, I only counted the days when I thought it was worthy.
Day 87:
Fany-ah. I felt like you stuck a blade into me and pulled it out, leaving me bleeding. I told you Siwon was up to no good, that he had some sort of second agenda. I don't know why you went out with him in the first place knowing how he is, it was really out there. As soon as I went to pick you up and saw him, I didn't know what to say. I didn't question where you were going to go with hm, but I took your word for it. I trusted you Fany. It kind of really did feel like I got a slap in the face when I waited hours for you to come home. I thought you were still at the school, or something happened with Anna, or at least a traffic jam kept you there,
And I ran out of space. I had so many things to say, I could've argued more I wanted to tell her how I felt but it's so hard in person.
I don't know if there's even a mean bone in her, but I'm so confused because this is out of character for her, she's always punctual, she's very observant and catches on easily to these things. I don't understand how this mess even happen.
No matter, this is just another small fight. It just kind of makes me unsettled.
I trusted her, she told me she'd be back, but then they went on a date at the amusement park and he even kissed her.
It's so wrong in my head as I kept saying it to myself, but I heard her explanation nd I get it. It's not that bad, but she still had some wrongs. I did too, for shouting those pretty cold words at her, but harsh words don't make me feel better.
My pen kept dotting a certain spot on the paper, I wanted to continue but I had no space. Should I have crossed out some words? Rephrased things a bit better? Or scrap the entire thing and write about something happier.
"Taetae?" I heard the creek of the door and her small head popped in between them, arms hugging onto monkey George as she oh so cutely rubbed her tired eyes and shuffled to me.
"Yes, love?" I slipped the blue sheet into my drawer as quickly as I could. I might as well burn it now.
"Why aren't you in bed?" She shuffles over to me, and I rolled back in my chair creating space as she climbed into my lap.
"Ah, wasn't feeling like sleeping. My brain was up doing laps. I can't stop thinking about tomorrow, you know? With the company and stuff. Stepping down. ." I told her half truthfully, the other thing that kept me up was our fight.
She hummed, slipping her hand between my pajama top.
I've always liked it when she snuggled closer to my body, tucking herself underneath my chin and it was all the reason I got the arm-rest-less computer chair.
I patted her back, fixing monkey George in her hold.
"What were you writing Taetae?"
"Oh, nothing important. Just doodling dicks on a sticky note." I said chuckling. I mean, it was something I definitely do anyways.
She turned around on my lap and pulled on my drawer, but I had a hand holding it closed.
"Baby, really." I said quietly, peering from the side of her shoulder.
"I want to see, Taetae." She pecked my cheek and somehow that made me feel all fuzzy, fuzzy enough to let go out fo the drawer for a second and she got in like a mouse.
She pulled out the blue cardstock and her eyes briefly scanned it before I plucked it of her hand.
"Taetae!"
"It's private, you can't read it." I teased, extending my arm and she was like a jumping frog trying to reach for it.
"I saw my name on it." She whined.
"Well shit, you got me. You still can't read it though."
"Why not?"
"Because it's my love letter to you, a confession."
"More reason to read it."
I shook my head. "No, Fany, really. It's something private."
This little sly piglet snatched it from my hand and got of my lap, pushing me and the chair to the corner.
She sprinted out of my den, and I heard a door shut. I walked over to our bedroom, knocking on it twice.
"Fany-ah, please don't read it?" I asked quietly, sliding down the door and leaning on it. Sigh.
I knew she was reading it and now I wish I never wrote it. I silently waited behind the door, waiting for something to happen, or even a sound I could hear.
When the door knob turned and it clicked I stood up, seeing the door crack open.
I pushed it open slightly, seeing her all sad looking.
Damn it.
I pulled her into a hug, kissing the side of her head. I saw the piece of paper slip between her fingers and land on the floor, facing down. I sighed and took a deep breath, keeping her head near me.
"Did you feel that way? This entire time?"
"Yeah. ."
She didn't say anything more and I didn't want to look at her just yet, in fear that she might look even more sad or cry.
"Wanna sleep it off?"
She shook her head. "Why didn't you say anything Taetae?"
"I don't know. Habit of mine I guess."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay, you didn't. . know." I trailed off.
"That's not an excuse to do what I did." She sighed. "I don't know how to make it up to you. Knowing you, you'll remember this for a very long time."
"I'll get over it soon." I reassured her.
When I cupped her cheek I knew I was right, about her crying and that sad puppy face.
"I'm not a plumber, so stop leaking water. Your body needs it for chemical reactions, to regulate your body temperature and most importantly a substance that blood can be transported in."
"Stupid science nerd." She half cried and half laughed. I kissed her lips, sitting on the bed and she followed.
I liked having a pretty lady sit on top of my stomach, playing with my hair.
"You need a haircut, it's getting a bit long." She poked my head and I bit her finger.
"You don't like it long?"
"Not when it gets in your eyes and is a nuisance to you working." She smiled, leaning down our lips just brushing against each other.
"You need to sleep. You have tomorrow to worry about." She mumbled against my lips, teasing me.
"Tomorrow isn't important, you are."
"I'm worried about you, you'd spend nights staying up thinking." Why is she so right?
"Not as much as before Fany-ah. You helped with that a lot."
"But now I'm one of the things you'll be worrying about tonight when you say you'll sleep but instead won't." She uttered quietly.
She knows me too well, way too fucking well. Damn.
"Are you going to beat yourself up over this?"
"I wouldn't have known if I didn't read what you had felt."
"I would've told you sooner or later if it got bad." I told her honestly, because if it did get bad I would tell her.
"If you didn't?"
"Then I didn't."
"Make a promise to me?"
"Can I guess what it is?" She nodded.
"To tell you everything I feel, right or wrong?"
She looped her arms around my neck and sighed. "I want to know whats on your mind, what's keeping you awake at night because if you can't sleep I can't either."
"Yes you can." I said.
"Have you noticed how 90% of the time when you get up, I do too a couple of moments later?"
Oh, right. She's not wrong.
"If I promise you that, can you promise me something back?" I asked gingerly, was I even in the right place to ask for a promise.
"Yeah."
"I know this is a long shot and kind of a bit suffocating but can you . . not talk to anyone who I deem not . . in your best interests? Or at least take into consideration what I have said about . . that person, or a future person?" This is literally my wish and it'll solve so many fights in the future. This is what I want from her, and yes yes it's a little bit of a reach but I can try?
"Taeyeon-ah, if you ask me to do that I will. It's not a ridiculous request considering that I just did to you." She patted my cheek and kissed me goodnight, dozing off before I did.
I slept like a baby knowing that. I got my wish.
But, despite me forgiving her and settling most of my feelings down. I will remember this, I just do. I don't necessarily hold grudges, but it's something I don't forget. Like she's said to me one time, forgive, but don't forget.
I woke up to kisses all over my face and a some nibbles. I opened an eye and pushes Fany's head away playfully, till she came back and resumed what she was doing.
"Whats this Ms. Hwang?"
"A treat for Baby Tae, he has a big day ahead of him today. I just wanted to start things right."
"I, Kim Taeyeon have the best fucking girlfriend."
She giggled and continued to let me be half asleep as I stroked her back, feeling her nibbling my jaw.
The chimes of my phone got me groaning this morning, my arm extended fully to reach for the mobile device on my night stand, flicking it open blindly and answering it.
"Are you heading to the office today?" My body tensed at the voice it's one I haven't heard in so long.
"Yeah, why?" I had to shift slightly up, tilting my head along with it to be able to talk without Fany attacking me.
She giggled and played with my ear, trailing kisses on my neck too and I squirmed a bit in my spot.
"I don't think you should go. Turn on the TV." The other end cut off and I stared at the black screen.
"What's wrong baby? Who was that?" Fany muttered between her kisses and I pulled her to sit up, kissing her pouty lips.
"Heechul." I mumbled, I even knew I sounded sad. Fany stroked my back and sat in between my legs as I reached for the remote, hastily turning it on.
My name was plastered on the bottom in big bold red letters in a banner, a news reporter was saying my name, my company and the words 'cops' and 'raid.'
The footage showed a dozen police cars surrounding the building and a herd of the guys in blue rushing inside the entrance, the receptionist was chaotic and when they panned over to my office it was empty.
I wasn't there, obviously and they seemed pretty fucking pissed about that.
I turned it the TV off and ran my hand through my hair, a small soft hand squeezed my bicep and I glanced over.
"You're not going to go, are you?"
I shook my head. Heechul called me, and tat was already a precaution not to.
"Baby, come here." She cooed and I tackled her onto bed, pulling at her night gown as she undid my pajama top.
I was already so frustrated and she knew that. She let me have her for a moment, to relieve some stress and I couldn't think about a more perfect wife that I could marry right now and then.
I squinted and stopped kissing her. "Wait a minute, last night I asked if you were inf the mood. . to do the you know what. You said you weren't. . now you're here tugging away my undies. . but I'm not really in the mood." I mumbled, lifting my head up to give her a cheeky smile.
She deadpanned, smacked my forehead and pushed me to sit up. "Yah!" She attacked me, pulling my shirt over and up to my face, covering it and I was like a headless chicken. "Take it off Taetae! Or I'll have to rip it off you!"
Ooo. Mama bear.
"Listen, you horny little one. I want my shirt back. I'm not in the mood for the sexy times!"
I think she roared at me. "You're just being petty about yesterday night I'm available now so take it or leave it!" She kept yanking at my shirt and I rolled around in bed, pushing her away with my long legs.
"Hey, hey. You wanna. . try something new today?" I nodded to my own idea, waiting for her reaction.
"What does it involve. . ." She asked cautiously, but her little sly smile I didn't miss.
"The hot tub." I whispered in her ear and she giggled, ripping my shirt apart. I sighed. It was my favourite pajamas too. You know? The one with bears all over it.
But when a loud bang followed by the roaring engines of a truck started to grow louder and louder I sat up, almost bonking my head with Fany's.
"Taetae? What's that sound?" She whispered, I felt her hand tugging the back of my shirt.
I shuffled closer to the closed curtains peeling it backs lightly for a small peep hole, seeing the red and blue lights trail from the bottom of the hill making it's way up.
I held my breath, clutching the curtains before snapping the two together, closing the hole I made and hiding us.
I turned around slowly, seeing how concerned and wide eyed my baby piglet was.
"Run." I muttered.
"R-Run?" The slight distress in her voice made me want to roll over and die.
"Run!"
I vaulted over my bed and grabbed her hand, but she let go and went underneath the bed, pulling out a small cardboard box. She grabbed my written confession on the floor and held my hand, nodding.
I grabbed her soft hands again tightly, pulling her away from the room to sprint down the stairs.
Sirens were blaring by then, they came here too fast. The damn cops were quick. Every window I managed to get an peek of we're just shining with patriotic lights.
We were surrounded and I had a little panic inside me.
When my bicep was being held tightly like a clamp I glanced over at the equally panicking girl clutching the cardboard box to her chest like it was the only belonging she had. What was inside it, I don't know.
I went upstairs again, and pushed her into my den. I shut the heavy doors and locked it, sliding chairs underneath the doorknob and flipping sofas up to barricade the thick wooden doors. It should buy us enough time.
I trashed my entire den, making it a mess and Fany didn't question it. It was just to mask everything if they did find anything. A little inconvenience if I may add for them.
I went over to my bookshelf, pulling out a book titled 'How to Raise Aliens' and touched the exposed shelving in the back.
My fingers felt around the back board, feeling a small square of wood loosen up. I slid it up and placed my thumb in the finger scanner and with a hiss the bookshelf moved.
"What the fuck Taeyeon!" Fany slapped my back and bore flaming arrows at me.
"Hi." I replied.
"Hi?! What is this?! This looks like it came straight out of the movie!"
When the bookshelf settled I pushed her in and apologized, going back out to close the finger print scanner, placing the wood grain covering back and sliding my book back on the shelf.
I slipped past the closing door before it shut me out and bumped into Fany who stood in front of me awed at the room.
"Did you not expect me to have a secret safe room in this house?" I muttered, rubbing my aching knees.
"Honestly? I kind of did."
"Right, it shouldn't be a shocker then but . ."
"Taeyeon! There's a fucking rocket launcher in the middle of your gun rack! How am I not supposed to be shocked!"
I sighed and went over to my beloved shelving filled with firearms and tactical grenades.
I heard the rumbling of the outdoors and I knew they were trying to get in to this room. My house was probably searched, trespassed and trampled on by now.
"Taeyeon, what's happening."
"Cops."
"You think I don't already know that?"
The rumbling and topping of furniture echoed through the walls, even my blast resistant metal sheeted capsule could hear that.
"Kim Taeyeon you are under arrest! Show your hands or we'll bomb the place in exactly 15 minutes!"
Fany glanced at me and looked a bit worried. I patted her bum and made her scoot forward, eyeing the city map hung on the wall.
"What did you do, Taeyeon?"
"I don't know. As far as I know I haven't done anything illegally with the business."
"Triad?"
"I kept that well hidden."
"Someone told."
"We don't know that yet." I ended the conversation and ushered her to my shelves, briefly explaining everything to her in case she needed to use it. For . .self defense.
"What's this?" She pulled a gun off the shelf and looked at it with confusion and distastefully.
"AR-15, 11.5 inch compensated with an iron bonded bolt carrier, spec. scope with a 1.5x magnification and a textured grip, for better leverage. You can also appreciate the red dot laser sight equipped with 15 LED flashlight in case things get . . dark."
"I have no idea what you just said but it sounds dangerous." She muttered and put the gun back on the stand.
She accidentally pushed a secret button on the table and shrieked, huddling closer to me as she eyed the table that unfolded itself into 5 steel compartments.
"Knives!? Look at all this cutlery Taeyeon! Why in the hell would you need over 100 types of knives!"
"They're cool. And they stab people."
"I'm done."
I watched her as I got my gear ready. She was actually curious, touchy and very inquisitive.
"Taetae what's this- oh shit." Her dress caught the key of one of my grenades, yanking it out cleanly.
I froze for 0.5 seconds and heard the clink of the metal key drop on my immaculate white floor.
I grabbed Fany, roughly bringing her behind the table and shielding her entire body away from the blast, covering her as much as I can.
Our skins were touching and I closed my eyes.
"If we die from your stupidity I want you to know I love you so much, you're the best thing that has ever happened to me since fidget spinners, and you're really good in bed-"
Then a blast went off and the entire room filled with smoke.
I glanced up. My shelter didn't crumble, there was no Big Bang. Just a hiss with fluffy white smoke filling every crevice in the room.
"Fany you detonated a fucking smoke screen!"
"Yay! We didn't die! Thank god it was a smoke screen!" She gleefully cheered and I wanted to knock myself out.
"If that was a grenade?!" I hollered, eyeing her in utmost disbelief.
I'm about to faint.
"Then the last words I'd hear before exploding into bits from you was that I was good in bed." She smiled.
I wanted to get up but she pulled me down, making me sit flat on my ass with a thud. "W-What."
"You're really hot you know? Shirt ripped open, walking like a manly macho man. Taeng oppa. ."
"Are you . ." Is she like.
She shoved me away and stood up. "I'm just saying how I feel okay! God! Doesn't mean I want to fuck you all over your guns!"
My brows hikes up to my hairline, smiling.
Oh man, I couldn't stop smiling to myself the entire time I was filling my duffel bag. A pair of extra clothes for me and her, couple of international dollars, gun, ammo. Light stuff, oh and a bag of my favourite jellies. I almost forgot my passports if Fany hadn't snooped around.
"You have so many . . so many fake Taeyeon's. Woah, a Thailand passport."
"I got a Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, and a Britain one too. Oh, that reminds me. I got a stack of them fake ones for you too."
She blinked at the colourful stack and opened a couple of them, confirming that yeah these are her fake ones. I got her picture and everything.
"We're running away, aren't we?" She whispered, her eyes uncertain.
"I'm not going to jail. Fuck no. We'll get new identities, make go under witness protection program or something I don't know I'll figure it out later."
"Are you the real Kim Taeyeon I know then? Not some fake bogus American one?"
"Yes, I am the real Kim Taeyeon. In the flesh and bones baby, touch me." I made her touch my ass and she scoffed.
She kind of bit her lip and just watched me pack things, the ruckus outside getting more hectic. "We're leaving the country . . right?"
I held both her shoulders, bending down to reach her height. "I know leaving everything behind right now is not your first option. But we have to get out first okay? Trust me. We'll come back, I'll make sure there will be little change as much as possible except maybe the location we're living at." I kissed her forehead, resuming my packing.
I was getting a bit anxious as I stared at the door, my multitasking skills were going on overdrive.
"T-This is the first time I've really seen this side of you. The gangster side of you."
I chuckled. "I don't like that word."
"What else can I describe you with? I've heard you threaten people, beat up people and other things. But this, this makes you look like a spy an assassin or an insane killing machine."
I nodded. "I used to be, people feared me." I said honestly.
"How come they don't fear you now?"
"I'm not in power anymore, I don't have many people backing me up. I'm just one man Fany-ah, I'm outnumbered."
"So? You can pew-pew, dragon kick them to the moon and boom their sorry asses away for messing with you?!" I chuckled and hugged her, patting her head.
"It's not that easy, no matter how skilled I am it's never enough. I'm not a super hero, nor am I an invincible villain. This isn't the movies Fany-ah, I'm bound to get hurt by one person out of the 15 or 20 I fight."
"But you're SuperTaeng. You're a bear, and bears are scary."
"Not this bear, apparently I'm really cuddly, cute and gentle."
"True. . ." She mumbled against my chest.
"Let's get geared up. Probably have to fight some bad guys."
She frowned and took the least threatening thing out of my arsenal, a packet of peanuts.
"Fany, that can't kill."
"Imagine if one of the enemies was allergic to peanuts? That would kill." She said with her deadly eyesmiles.
I face palmed so hard I heard the loudest smack.
"What about this?" She says lifting up a large stone I sharpen my tools on.
"I have knives freshly stoned, a fucking grenade launcher that can shoot up to 150 ft and explode into fire and you're looking at a rock?!"
"I'm going to beat them to death with my rock." She says cutely with an out pour of determination. She was so cute, yet I felt bad for tainting her precious innocent mine.
I made her sit on the table, rummaging through another closet for bullet proof vests.
All of these vests were tailored to fit my body so it was hard to find something petite. She was small height wise too so that was a problem.
I settled her in for a light vest, tightening it around her body. I made her loop around her waist a tactical belt, complete with a poisonous pepper spray, rope, a sturdy knife and a gun. Gotta keep it light for her.
She poked at the gun and frowned and I told her it was for 'just in case.'
"Come on, we spent a total of 10 minutes in here and we need to go. Cops are still up there running around like headless chicken."
"Y-You have to teach me how to use it. ."
"Grip here, unlock safety here, slide here, put finger here, pull trigger here, pull here for reload and voila." I pointed to various parts of the gun and she looked heavily distressed.
"How am I supposed to remember all that! I don't want the gun!"
"It's for your own safety, I have at least 30 guns willing to be pointed at me Fany-ah!"
"I don't want to kill anyone!"
"Then beat them up with your rock, throw peanuts at them, rip their leg hair off, I don't know! But do those options sound like they will protect you Hwang Miyoung?!"
She kept quiet, and I huffed. Using her Korean name always was a little. . unorthodox.
"Unless you wanna poke at them with a knife, that's equally acceptable too." I mumbled.
"You have 5 minutes Kim Taeyeon!" The voice was faint through these thick walls but I knew my little bunker here wouldn't survive that blast. We needed to move.
I flipped a switch and a glass cover slid open underneath us, I stepped in it and held out my hand.
"Trust me?"
She nodded and held my hand firmly. I walked slowly for her to catch up behind me as I guided her threw the maze of pathways.
As soon as I saw the little puddle outside with vegetation overgrowing to my side of the gate I looked behind me then forward.
I placed the thermite paste on the metal bars and lit a match, throwing it on the red goopy paste and waiting for the sparkler like thing to dissipate and burn off the bars.
"Wow, fireworks."
"Poor mans fireworks. I used to play with this stuff as a kid, I had no idea how I got my hands on this type of shit but I did. Guess what I made with it?"
"A dick."
"Yup, then I lit it off and it sparkled everywhere. It got fucking lit."
Fany slapped my back and started to laugh, holding onto my shoulder as I kicked the loose bars out.
A rubber dingy floating on top of 6 inches of water was our escape. I jumped into the boat and it bobbed with my weight, I carefully assisted Fany to get on and I set the duffel bag onto it and revved the engine on the back, steering it out of the tunnel and into the lake.
As soon as I saw the light from the flashlight graze over to the area we were at before disappearing, I revved up the engine and smacked the boat controller forward.
A far distance from the house and when I knew the coast was a bit calmer and more clear I sighed, sprawling myself flat on the small dingy's floor. "Fany here's our plan. We sail across the lake which isn't very far and onto a separate land which is kind of isolated from the city but it has a road connecting back to the streets. Over there is my cabin which I'm pretty sure hasn't been raided yet because I haven't told anyone about it. If there's a chance or something happens at the cabin we can go to the safehouse, you've been there before and-"
"Shh, shh baby calm down." She patted my cheek and wiped the sweat off my forehead, and soon I sat up and in between her legs as my arm occasionally reached up to steer the boat.
She looked at me lovingly without a word and the waters surrounding us kept it that way.
We were leaving and she understood that. She trusted me.
Suddenly she ripped the sleeve of my shirt open, patching my bullet graze up. "I don't know where you'll be taking me, but I trust you. I know you will protect me, you promised me."
I felt my stomach start to spawn butterflies and do somersaults in there. Oh sheesh.
"Look, honestly I have no idea whats happening. I really don't, but I'll get to the bottom of this okay?"
She nodded and smiled, cupping both my cheeks. "My little bear." She crawled in my lap and sat in between my legs now, taking my arm to wrap it around her own waist and in a time like this I was calm.
Way too calm.
When I saw the helicopter in the distance with a spotlight searching the sea I pulled the boat over into a secluded area where overgrown branches trees and vegetation started to happen. I did my best docking the small dingy, covering it up and hiding underneath the rocks by it.
I was sure that the helicopter couldn't see from birds eye view we were here. Even then I held my love close, hearing our both ragged breaths. Holding it whenever we saw the light shine on top of us.
We headed back on the boat and sailed further, but midway I heard the motor start to stutter, getting quieter and quieter.
"What's wrong?"
"Burnt out motor.
The yellow light pinged, signaling a warning and I could only go as far as the motor can take me before we could be stranded and stuck in the middle of the lake.
I steered the boat to be closer to the coast, hearing the slow hymns of the vessel before it stopped entirely.
"Lets go foot soldier, guess we're walking."
I clipped back on my vest and belt, digging in the emergency compartment for a compass and binoculars.
We were just shy of a hill while the far distant had lights shining, showing civilization there.
How far we sailed, don't know. Where we were? Don't know.
My plan A and plan B were scrapped entirely with my motor being burnt the fuck out.
I shot a couple of holes in the boat, slowly seeing it sink.
I grabbed her hand tightly and walked uphill, I put a flashlight between my teeth and let my free hand hold a gun.
Fany didn't say a word and I had to praise her for being such a trooper.
We reached up the top of the hill and I almost wanted to fucking faint. Even I wanted to faint and I'm supposed to be good at this.
I leaned against a tree and brought Fany to sit with me. Before I could even pat the spot next to me a shot rang out and I pulled her down to duck.
"Fany, follow me." I whispered. I took a peek around the tree and a bullet hit the bark, causing it to break off and split into a bunch of pieces in front of me. I immediately shelled back, back hugging the trunk.
I kept my eyes on Fany who was between my legs. I poked her back and signaled her to run to the right of me. "Take cover, okay? The angle is from the right so get as close as you can."
I counted down 4 seconds that particular sniper would have to reload and pushed Fany to he other side, follower her closely as I stumbled on the ground.
Another shot, this time it got stuck in between the clumps of dirt. Right next to my hand.
"We can't go out in the open, but you see that forest up ahead? If we can clear that open area and distance in 13 seconds we can make it."
"How can you tell-"
"I've done it before. Now, listen to me. I know it's scary, I know your life can be ended in one bullet, and I know you don't want to loose sight of me but I promise you I'll be right by your side after those 13 seconds. Be strong, don't hesitate and make decisive decisions, okay?"
"Taetae." She shook her head, eyes filled with concern but this was not the time for concern.
"Miyoungie." I cooed just a bit, kissing the side of her head before letting her go.
"Ready?" I didn't even let her think bout the worst situation. I knew when the time was up she would act, she wouldn't stand there and cry, waiting for someone to escort her.
She was a strong one, a smart one. And that's what made it easier for me to escape with her.
A long pause and no shots. They were waiting. I grabbed a couple of acorns that had fallen and chucked them in the air, one of the bullets shredding right past it.
"Go!"
4 second intervals for a reload, and 13 seconds to make it past.
Fany has a better chance if they see me. They'll take their scope off her and aim it at me.
My chances good, I can make that 13 seconds.
I saw my small lump sprint across the open field as I followed behind her, shouldering my duffel bag that weighed me down and slowed me but it wasn't enough to stop me. I veered off to the left to distract them. My breath was catching up to me though, I could always do short distance as a high schooler and it served it's purpose.
What I didn't expect was the rain of bullet that started to fly at me. I ducked and held my head, lunging forward in my sprint to hopefully dodge a few.
It was no longer 1 lonely sniper bullet, it had to be at least 15 - 17 at once now. Assault rifles, SMG'S you name it. A pistol maybe? Fuck who knows.
I saw myself getting closer to my checkpoint but as I got closer I saw trees getting mauled by the deadly piercing lead. The ground seemed to fly in the air from the force f these single shots.
I can't panic though, because I was sure I'd make it.
My final leg of the race I lunged forward, but didn't realize the ricocheting of the bullet at a surrounding boulder and it grazed me right in the upper shoulder.
The energy too k me back a little but I wasn't too fazed by it because as soon as I was on the floor catching my breath with the trees covering my ass I glanced up to see Fany a good distance away from me, leaning against a tree with her chest heaving.
I walked to her, holding my shoulder.
"Little dumpling, come here." Fany's eyes met mine and it lit up, she hugged my waist and buried her face in my chest.
I pulled her off me and kissed her cheek and patted her head. "Good job, now I know you can run. Lets go buttercakes, we have a train to catch."
"Another city?"
"Nope, we're gonna catch a train, hop off midway and walk across the plains. We'd be in another state by then. Even if they are doing border checks they can't stop a national train in the middle of nowhere. They clear it before they go, but we'll get on after it goes." I smiled, reminiscing the times me and the crew train hopped just for fun.
Her eyes seemed a bit, distant. When I asked if she was okay she hesitated before she nodded, taking my hand gently.
Something was wrong, but I didn't want to pry when she said she was fine the third time I asked.
I wanted to light up the mood a bit after she seemed a bit down, I still haven't pried more but I figured maybe some happy thoughts would boost our morale for now. Walking for a long period of time was really shit.
"You were so cool running down the grass field baby! There was like bang bang bang all over you and then your hair was kind of caught in the wind and it like blew back! Plus I've never seen you exercise that hard before, a little sweat on Ms. Hwang is my new kink baby. You have no idea, you were fucking coolbeans." I gotta praise my little Olympic piglet.
"Oh, that reminds me. Once we cross the border to the state we'll hop on a plane and go to Switzerland before transferring to London or something. I heard your favourite rapper is performing there so we might as well kill 2 birds with one stone and see him while we're running away. Think of it as a super cool date with me, followed by running away from the cops and hiding!" I started to imagine a map and point to the imaginary thought in the air. I know Fany can't see but I'm trying my best to help her visualize. Heh.
"Wanna know another cool thing? My uncle owns a ranch in Scotland. We can go raise a couple of goats there. We'll be like, animal parents. I heard he's got a couple of cows and pigs there too. Or, if you don't fancy such big animals there's a bunch of chickens we can play with. I promise I won't slaughter them and turn them into your favourite nuggets because that's a little cruel." I chuckled. Imagine the horror when she'd wake up and see her chicken Lil Johnny chick gone, then she'd walk into the kitchen and see a single plate of chicken nuggets on it. God I can be so cruel and twisted for a joke. I can almost imagine the slaps I'd get, I can feel the hard word floor I'd be sleeping on for the night I'd be kicked out of the room. Haha.
"Aha! We'll go to Korea after that then! Fany! You can meet my grandparents! They live in a super far village that takes a ridiculous amount of fucking time to get and navigate there. I bet you the Feds will get lost in an instant. Anyways, I haven't visited the old wrinklies in forever, I'm sure they'll be happy I brought a pretty girl home don't you think? Man, we'll be hitchhiking al over the world at this rate. Let's call this a new chapter in our life."
Was she even listening? We were holding hands while I pulled her along to our destination and we were so close, I was talking pretty loudly so she probably was listening to my endless rambles.
"Hey, remember that bucket list I made awhile back? I promised to do your dreams, such as world domination? Eat 17 flavours of icecream at 12 in the morning? We can attend the Paris Fashion Week while we're traveling to London? See your favourite rapper if he happens to be in town? Your other ideas such as world domination, and a fashion line has to wait though, I still have to figure out how that'll all fit in with our schedule, but I'll make it work! The best part is, I'll be beside you in all of it. Doesn't that sound nice love?" I squeezed her hand and she responded back with a light squeeze.
I had a smile on my face talking about a quiet life with her. I can only dream, yet it was so close to being a reality.
"That sounds wonderful Taetae." She whispered. The pull on my arm started to get heavier and I furrowed my brows.
"Fany?"
She let go of my hand at the sound of her name and I glanced over my shoulder.
The sight of her on the ground kneeling with her hand sliding down the concrete pillar was enough to alarm me.
"Fany? H-Hey what's wrong?" I stuttered, sliding down on the floor and cupping her cheek.
Her eyes were streaming with tears, her lips quivered and when she broke the gaze with me and glanced down I followed.
Her precious soft hand that used to pat my back to sleep, or that used to rub my ear to calm me down was stained bloody red, purple bruises started to dot it and instinctively my own shaky masculine hands went to grab her soft ones.
I pried it gently off her lower torso, begging my eyes to deceive me and lie.
"Fany, no."
The bloody oval area with a perfect circle embedded inside didn't lie. It was a familiar sight.
I pressed my forehead against the side of my loves head, kissing her gently there hearing her shaking breaths.
Without looking I pressed my palm flat against the side of her abdomen, feeling the viscous warm liquid coat my hand.
"Shh, shh." I mumbled, my own heart clenching at the sight. Why her? Why not me? God, please help me.
"Taetae, it hurts." She whimpered. I pressed my hand firmly against her wounded body.
She nuzzled her face to my neck, and that fruity smell of her never left my nose.
"Baby, I-I won't let anything happen to you." I sat down in front of her, lifting my hand off her wound.
She had her head tilted back,closing her eyes.
It looked so bad, god damn it it looked so painful.
"I can't do it Taetae." My ears were so sharp when she said that, it perked up almost. I wanted to shake the sight out of my vision, I wanted to shake the sound of her giving up away.
"You will, we will. Let's run away together Fany." I promised her, holding her carefully.
"D-Don't leave me here to die, please Taetae?"
"God no, I could never. I promised you, didn't I?" I said in a hushed voice, trying to get her up on her two feet. I draped her arm over my shoulder, "That's it, come on little puppy. Just a little more?" I mumbled.
But they were no good, they couldn't support her and she fell back down on her knees. I caught her before her body toppled over.
Tears were springing in my eyes as I knelt down, but her droopy eyes and lolling head shook me to the core.
"Fany? Fany!" I shook her shoulders gently, but she didn't respond. She laid there in my arms unresponsive I feared the worst.
I laid her back on the floor gently, taking off my dress shirt and ripping its sleeves off.
I tore down the middle of the shirt with my teeth, unraveling it to be a thin but sturdy enough material.
I wrapped the shirt around her torso, making sure it covered her wound tightly before tying it off on the back.
Me just in an athletic shirt didn't matter, I was cold and wet but that didn't matter.
I'd give up anything for her.
I hoisted her up on my back, seeing her pained tired face resting distressed on my shoulder.
Whatever was in me clicked. She drove me, she was my motivation and I ran.
I ran the hardest in my life as fastest as I could with my love on my back.
"Stay with me, Fany. You gotta. Who's going to scold me for running in the rain? If you're not going to do it, who will?"
Her head bobbed as I sprinted. My breath was quick paced, trying to get oxygen into my system to exert myself to my peak physical form.
Adrenaline helped, it pushed me farther that I am capable of.
My mind ran through three words repeatedly. Fany, will, live.
She will be okay, she will be fine.
We will get married, start a family.
That keep me going for awhile. I liked that thought, happy thoughts were always good. I reassured myself with that constantly, I told her aloud took. She needed to hear it as much as I did.
But when running got too hard, I dropped down to my knees. Was it the rain or me? Was I crying? Bad thoughts clouded my mind. It overtook the happy ones because I knew if she wasn't there, I couldn't have any of it.
Honestly thinking, I felt like I was truly losing her. Right there and then perched on my shoulder was her pale face.
She must've known we had stopped moving because despite her slipping in and out her nap she tugged at the collar of my shirt.
I watched as her trembling hand went up to my face, wiping my tears away as best as she could but the rain and my own self kept giving her too much. It was impossible.
I heard her breathing beside my ear and if it was a kiss on it, then I felt it. If it wasn't, then it was her nuzzling close to me.
I was too scared to turn my head to face her, fearing the worst.
"Taeyeon-ah, fighting." She whispered. I glanced at her and with tired eyes she looked back lovingly.
Like a can of red bull, I heaved myself up with my urgent cargo on my back and continued running. My back hurt, it seared with pain from the weight of her and the duffel bag weighing me down. My legs felt like sticks, My arms were aching from being in that position. I couldn't see properly, water kept falling on my face and becoming bothersome.
My own chest felt like it was ripping apart, I had to stop every once in awhile for a minute to regain my breaths, to let my chest pains dissipate and pass before carrying her through. I don't know if I still had meds in my bag, and I sure as hell hope she packed my medication.
Everything was opposing against me but I had to keep going. For Fany, because she had to make it.
I opened my burner phone and checked our location. I had to go a bit more to the east, it wasn't too far but I'm wearing out. Time was a serious competitor.
Still cautious and a bit paranoid I looked behind me, scanning the area once more before I took my much needed steps. The changing scenery, the tiled roof tops and stoned walls started to become clearer in my field of vision.
I carried her on my back through the heavy rain, feet sweeping wind and loud thunder that I almost collapsed on the side.
But I was fighting against time and I couldn't allow myself to do that. She needs help more than I do, she needs me to help her.