1930s Japanese Occupation of Korea (Chōsen).

The sounds of drunken laughter ricocheted off the smoke-filled room as a party of pleasure-seekers congregated within the newly opened nightclub. "Carpe Noctem" burned gold in large neon letters above the stage where a group of lounge singers twirled alluringly and smiled beet-red lips at those who paused. Already tipsy men roared their applause as the song came to an end and a new one began.

With laughing guests and dancing singers, it was easy to forget the conflicts outside, the changing world that threatened the lives of so many, the mothers left to wonder if their children would ever be safe in a country now under the thumb of the Imperial Japanese army. Yet tonight, those realities were far behind. Under the canopy of swinging streamers and glittering paper stars, the realities of people dying were far away. Everyone needed an escape, and today that escape could be found in glasses of imported liquor and the arms of pretty women.

But it was never truly gone.

Even here, the light green of Japanese military uniforms could be spotted in the crowd, their presence a constant reminder one could never be free of the darkness that had sunk its teeth into the land.

Despite the unwelcome guests, the party continued as glasses clinked and tables were moved to make room for dancing. A little way away from the energetic crowd, a gentleman sat at the bar, his eyes watching the crowd, his fingers casually strumming the bar's polished surface. An uneasiness hung about him with the smoke that lingered in the air-an impatience that betrayed the lazy manner in which he sat. A finely dressed lady tried to get his attention, but he only crushed his cigarette in the ashtray and turned away. She looked affronted and her hand inched closer to her drink, but before she could fling it, a sudden stirring at the doors sent a flock of tweed-suited reporters towards the doors.

Someone important had arrived!

The crowd turned expectantly–the tinge of sweat and perfume glistening off their skin as the music stopped and the dancers screeched to a halt. A hush fell over the room as cameras flashed in unison and the doors were thrown open.

A girl on each arm and a smirk on his lips, Song Woo Bin was the picture of devilish charisma as he parted the crowd of cheering guests. Men raised glasses and women stared in open admiration at the stylish young man, the braver of the latter fluttering bold lashes as he passed.

Woo Bin was a rare find in a time when most able-bodied men either had families to support or had long since fled the borders for safety, but he was also a forbidden danger only the young–or stupid–dared associate with.

Rumored to be in good standing with the Governor-General and, in turn, the Imperial Japanese army, the Song family was untouchable. Those who knew what was good for them kept their distance. Those who wished to live quietly bit their tongues. Even the thinly veiled hate that followed any Korean individual shown to sympathize with Japan was forgotten in his presence–words like traitor or coward, forbidden.

If he was aware of the thoughts of those around him, Woo Bin didn't show it. His dark eyes scanned the crowd, brightening as he caught sight of a familiar face coming toward him through the sea of tweed jackets and satin dresses.

"Gun Seok, my main man!" he greeted cheerily over the noise.

"Woo Bin," the shorter man approached, clapping a hand over his friend's shoulder. "Nice place you've got here." He raised an eyebrow archly.

"Ah, this? It's nothing." Woo Bin waved a dismissive hand. "Just an early birthday present." The two girls on his arms giggled. "Woo Bin gets the best birthday presents," one of them smiled coyly up at him while the other showed off a diamond bracelet, "and gives the best too! Let's get closer, I want to see the stage!"

"Of course." Woo Bin winked at the girls and Gun Seok rolled his eyes at his incorrigible friend, following the trio as they headed towards the stage where another song had just begun.

"What are you doing all the way over here?" Woo Bin lowered his voice slightly as the music swelled around them, noticing the girls were distracted by the show and no one else was close enough to catch the words. "Shouldn't you be on your way to Shanghai by now?"

"I should," Gun Seok matched his voice, "but plans change. Besides, I wouldn't want to miss this opening and the beautiful weather we're having." He gestured wryly towards the rain-drenched windows.

Beautiful weather. Huh. Woo Bin glanced at his friend's face out of the corner of his eye. Carefree and unreadable–Gun Seok was almost as good at playing this game as himself, but that didn't fool him. His friend's casual mention of the "weather" and his odd appearance at the nightclub meant someone up high had changed their plans. Word had it a large shipment was due on the next train; perhaps those rumors were true. But why would they keep Gun Seok here longer unless an interception was planned–a dangerous one. If word had reached the Japanese troops, they could be ready and waiting. The mission would be compromised.

Woo Bin wouldn't let that happen.

The crowd moved as a light green uniform wandered in front of the four, stopping to watch the dancers on stage for a moment. The young soldier was already wearing the collar insignias of a high-ranking officer and Woo Bin recognized him as the son of one of his father's "friends." Major Saito Norio turned, giving Woo Bin a rigid, but friendly smile which he returned. Woo Bin saw Gun Seok stiffen out of the corner of his eye as Saito turned, the outline of a revolver clearly visible beneath the cling of his jacket.

Placing a light hand on Gun Seok's shoulder, Woo Bin tipped his head backwards slightly. Too many people here. They needed to find somewhere they wouldn't be overheard and, as their companions left to freshen their rouge, Woo Bin and Gun Seok took the opportunity to head towards the back.

They were halfway across the room when a very drunk, very loud man grabbed Woo Bin's arm.

"Wonderful night, isn't it?" The red-faced man slurred, "Too bad those japs showed up or we could have had a real–"

Woo Bin shook his arm away, racking his brain for a way to silence the man. He was drawing too much attention.

"Let's get you another drink," Woo Bin offered a bit too loudly, knowing the man would make no objections. "In fact," he waved his hands to the group at the bar, "another round for everyone!" he ordered to the cheers of everyone around. It worked like a charm. The commotion created was enough for them to slip away from the bar towards one of the side doors leading to the dressing rooms where there'd be less risk of being overheard.

A dark expression replaced his smile as Woo Bin followed his friend wondering what news he would hear. He was surprised a movement was scheduled so soon after the recent unrest; all Japanese troops were on high alert and any mistake could be catastrophic. Whatever the shipment was, was it worth the risk? Too many men had been lost. Too many friends had died before their time…They all made sacrifices for the cause, but was the sacrifice too steep?

Woo Bin was playing a dangerous game and he knew it, but he had his sister to think about. If the people of Korea were to have any future outside of Japanese control, his actions were necessary.

A lone passenger train rattled forward, snaking its way through the gloomy countryside. Mi-Soo turned towards her window, watching the rain pelt the windows as they traveled further into Chōsen territory. There was nothing to do! Perhaps she could go for a short walk among the cars… A quick glance towards the door squashed that idea. At either end of the car, armed militants stood guard. Their faces blank and drawn, their hands firmly gripping rifles. They must be pretty bored, Mi-Soo mused, strumming her fingers along the window ledge, with nothing to do but watch passengers all day. Not that they seemed too interested in the passengers; they never once averted their gaze from its focus in front of them.

"They" had become a fixed presence in the past few years. Sent to "patrol" the train lines. To "keep order." But no one was ignorant of their real purpose. Their presence was just another manifestation of the troubled times they lived in. A demonstration of the strength the Japanese army held and their willingness to stop at nothing to squash any attempts at independence.

Eyes were everywhere.

Mi-Soo glanced at the soldier closest to her wondering what kind of battles he'd seen, what kind of treacheries he'd committed in the name of "order." His young face certainly didn't speak of the marks of war, as her chaperone had called it, no scars lined his face, no blisters marked his hands. The guard's fingers lowered slightly on his gun—perhaps he'd sensed her scrutiny—but his expressionless gaze never shifted.

The girl turned her attention to the much more interesting passenger across from her. The tall, imposing figure was almost as unreadable as the guards but, to his credit, he was far more handsome than any man she had seen before and, therefore, supremely interesting. An air of mystery hung about him. He sat quietly, eyes ever fixed on the moving landscape outside, a neglected book in his lap. Mi-Soo wished she had the courage to strike up a conversation with him though she didn't know what she would say if she dared. There was something unsettling about the stranger. Something she couldn't quite read in his dark features. He reminded her of the sculptures she had seen in a museum once: marble-white and lifeless in their stony existence—but mesmerizing as if they'd breathe to life at any moment.

She shook her head at her own absurdity. What would her chaperone think if she knew she had such thoughts? Mi-Soo imagined the look of shock that would surely twist her face. Then again, the prim and proper Cho Young-Soon would probably be delighted that Mi-Soo was even thinking about a man. Yeonwha's school for girls, where she'd lived for the past 5 years, had prided itself on readying young maidens for their journey into adulthood and, more specifically, the good matches they'd make, yet Mi-Soo had stubbornly resisted and had long believed she was a sort of disgrace to the school given her lack of interest in the opposite sex.

She felt her chaperone stir beside her and wondered if she had read her thoughts. The slightly older woman sat ramrod straight and grasped her young charge's hand lightly, reassuringly, as she noted the anxious soldier guarding the door. For he did seem anxious. Perhaps it was his first assignment? Perhaps they had word of an unrest or some military movement to come? Either way, Young-Soon kept her hand tight. "It's okay," she seemed to say. But a nervous air hung in the car, an intangible presence putting everyone ill at ease.

The door leading to the next car opened suddenly and the soldier who'd poked his head in whispered something to the soldier guarding the door. Mi-Soo watched them curiously, the younger soldier's face went pale. He looked alarmed. Then they both left.

Once again, all was quiet.

Mi-Soo turned back to her window. Nothing but the patter of raindrops and steady lull of motion broke the silence. This was turning out to be an even more boring trip than she'd anticipated. A huff of annoyance escaped her throat. At least at the end of it, she had something to look forward to. She hadn't seen her brother in ages and was eager to see the person who'd filled her days with so much fun before she'd been shipped off to boarding school. Her mother had said she needed to leave to "complete her education," but Mi-Soo suspected it was really an effort to shield her from what her mother had called the "godless time" they lived in. She'd been too young to understand then, but that fear had thrust her into another world. A world completely different from the idyllic childhood she had cherished. A world of books, strict headmistresses, and silly, superficial girls whose only goals in life were to wear the latest fashions and find suitable husbands.

It was the latter goal Mi-Soo had used as bait to convince her parents to let her leave one year early. "Who knows what could happen?" She'd said. Who knew if there'd even be husbands to marry with the way things had been going. She needed to secure her future. Surprisingly her mother had agreed with her logic and Mi-Soo had packed and bought a train ticket before they could change their minds, though she had no intention of following through with plans to find a husband. She wanted to have fun before her life was tied down to a man. And now she had a whole three months for fun till her parents returned from their travels. Of course, she wouldn't be entirely free with her older brother serving as guardian, but at least he wasn't likely to object to any of her schemes being a natural troublemaker himself. A slight smile arose at the thought of telling Woo Bin of all the pranks she'd pulled on her classmates, he'd probably scold her for creating mischief, but she knew he'd secretly be proud of his little sister. She couldn't wait to see the look on his face when she arrived.

Suddenly, the car jolted forward. The train had picked up speed. The door on either end of the car opened and a line of soldiers hurried through. Half of them stayed behind while the other half rushed into the next car of startled passengers.

Mi-Soo glanced around as chaos erupted around her.

"All I asked for was a normal, boring trip!" Young-Soon complained under her breath, clutching the girl's hand with her own shaking one. "Just look forward Mi-Soo, all will be ok soon." The man across from them caught the motion and smiled slightly. It wasn't reassuring.

Once again, the train picked up speed, jerking forward with a force that knocked the hats of some and caused Mi-Soo's knee to connect painfully with the man across from her. The line of soldiers now crowding the walkway swayed forward, pointing their guns at the windows. The passengers in-between gasped and flattened themselves against their seats. What were they looking for? Who were they aiming at? Was the train under attack? A ring of gunshots from behind seemed to answer these questions. They were under attack! But who would attack a passenger train?

Seconds passed like hours. Mi-Soo arched her neck around Young-Soon's sailor hat to get a look behind, no one moved. All sat motionless glued to their seats as the Japanese soldiers shouted to one another in a confusion of voices.

The startled passengers grew restless.

"Stay in your seat!" A guard near Mi-Soo's seat ordered in broken Korean, moving his gun from the window to a man who'd just risen.

"This isn't right! If we're being ambushed, you should at least let us leave the car!"

"I said stay in your seat!" The red-faced guard turned towards the middle-aged woman who'd just spoken, "I'm not afraid to use this!" He raised the gun angrily pointing towards the circle of passengers near him as they shrunk away.

"I say now, there's no need for that! She's a woman after all!"

"Shut up!" The young guard was losing patience and losing control of the frightened passengers. He rounded on the grey-haired man who'd spoken, nervous hands twitching towards the trigger. "Shut up!"

"Why should we?"

The passengers gaped at the quiet man who'd just spoken and was now rising from his seat. Mi-Soo stared wide-eyed at the stranger across from her dusting invisible specks of dirt off his suit as he rose.

"Stay in your seat!" The Japanese soldier turned incredulous eyes towards the man, pulling back the trigger with a harsh click. Mi-Soo watched, frozen in her seat.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." The man replied coolly, placing a hand on the barrel of the gun as he did. The guard stood for a moment as if mesmerized by some intangible force, then started lowering the gun to everyone's astonishment. Mi-Soo could hardly take in what was happening as the doors on either end of the car clattered open and more soldiers flooded in, jostling the stunned guard aside as they passed through. A brawl broke out between the desperate passengers clambering to leave and the armed soldiers shoving them back. But no one touched the stranger who had sat across from her. It was as if he was invisible.

Masked and armed, Woo Bin peered out the window as Gun Seok drove steadily behind the rushing train. Their men had overtaken the last car, sneaking into what should have held the shipment of ammunition and guns. Worry tightened his chest. His comrades should have unloaded the crates to them by now. The three who had entered should have disarmed the guard while the five undercover snuck the load into the waiting automobile.

What was taking so damn long?

three minutes passed.

"Should we turn back?" Gun Seok asked hesitantly. Their orders were clear. At any sign of compromise, Woo Bin and Gun Seok were to abandon the mission. Those left behind would either be killed in the fight or kill themselves to protect their secrets.

"Hold on," Woo Bin answered. His eyes focused on the last car, his grip tightening. Come on, just a little bit longer.

Swerving the car for a better vantage point, they could see the motion of bodies running through the cars blurring past the train windows. Something was definitely wrong.

"They've been caught." Gun Seok spoke the unsaid words grimly and eased off the gas. Woo Bin made no reply, knowing it was useless. They couldn't defy orders. "Follow," he directed, "maybe someone will jump." But Woo Bin held little hope as the train pulled away. The cars were completely overwhelmed with green coats, it wasn't likely one of their men would escape, let alone survive a fall to the tracks if the soldiers chose to fire.

"Look!" Gun Seok's shout broke the air, the door to the last car had slid open. But it was not one of their comrades who appeared on the platform. A Japanese soldier, seemingly held up by his coat, was shoved forward by someone behind.

Woo Bin scrunched his eyes in bewilderment. What was he doing? The soldier had stopped flailing, he couldn't see the man behind him, but whatever he had just done left the soldier motionless and seemingly dead. His neck was hanging at a weird angle, arms limp at his sides.

What the hell was that?

Shots from within confirmed Woo Bin's fear: his comrades were dead, or else, soon would be. The cold realization settled over him as he watched the stranger dangling the Japanese soldier over the edge of the train before flinging the lifeless body over the tracks.

Mi-Soo turned before the man spotted her, shaking in silent horror at what she had just seen. The girl had been awestruck as the handsome stranger talked back to the guard and as the car erupted in confusion, she'd watched him leading the Japanese soldier out, had followed, and had regretted that decision. The image of pooling blood below two glinting fangs burned in her mind.

Trembling fingers gripped the cold steel metal of the small knife in her pocket. One of her roommates had insisted she take it with her on her trip for "protection," though she doubted it'd do much against this creature. She dared another glance.

The man's back was towards her staring out at the retreating rail tracks, his coat blowing softly in the wind. He stood absentmindedly wiping his mouth with a white handkerchief as casually as any gentleman might wipe the crumbs from his lunch, the paper-thin cloth staining blood-red.

Her mother had been right, this was a godless time.

Yi Jeong grinned, sensing the heat of the young girl behind him. Two sharp fangs retracted neatly in place. Luckily for her, he wasn't hungry anymore. In war-torn times, it was always easy to get a snack.

Present Day.

Ga Eul faced the blinding onslaught of media cameras.

When's your next drama?

Are you really dating your co-star?

Who are you wearing?

The questions swarmed around her consciousness like flies and she answered them with well-practiced retorts. Her next drama would be released this summer; she respected her co-star, but they were just friends; etc. etc. The next set of questions died beneath the roar of cameras as Park Hyung Sik, her co-star and the one they'd been so interested in, appeared. Apologies for being late were offered, pleasantries between the press and him were exchanged, and then, just like clockwork, the press shoot continued, this time focusing the brunt of their questions on Hyung Sik.

Ga Eul breathed a sigh of relief, letting her mind wander. She'd made it another day without slipup. She just had to keep smiling and all would be okay. At least…that's what she told herself.

In the days following that terrible night she had learned of Yeoni's death, Ga Eul had busied herself with anything she could get her hands on. And it had worked, for the most part. The days had passed by in a cloud of confusion centered around commercial shoots, charity events, and interviews. To outsiders, nothing had changed. The nation's fairy was as endearing as ever. Her loss was nothing more than another interesting tidbit they might dig up in her biography…no one knew the crushing weight that settled on her at night or the way her mind refused to turn off its endless replay of memories. No one noticed the dark circles not even the best makeup could hide, or the smile that never quite reached her eyes.

Ga Eul was trying to be okay and somewhere along the lines, she had convinced herself that was enough. But today, a strange panic had begun to snake its way through the pit of her stomach, creeping up and up till it reached her throat.

She felt like she couldn't breathe.

Focus, Ga Eul. She told herself.

Another wave of camera flashes accosted her eyes, another plastic smile found its way to her face. Her fingers played with the microphone in her hand, trying to steady themselves, trying to grip reality. She felt like a goldfish after someone shook its bowl. Dizzy with the demands of life and the confusion of painful emotions. Shattered on the floor flopping among shards of glass that had once been her life, the water draining away slowly as she gasped for breath.

Is it true you're going to quit acting?

Is this your last public appearance?

Can we expect wedding bells soon?

It was all too much. The world was spinning. Ga Eul found herself rushing for the doors, a barrage of cameras and voices exploding in her ears as she ran.

My deepest apologies, it's just the stress, she's been working so hard on this project—

She could faintly hear her manager reassuring the crowd and knew she'd pay for her "outburst" later, but all she could think to do was get somewhere else. Somewhere quiet. Somewhere safe.

Wet droplets slapped her face as Ga Eul emerged from the conference hall doors barely slowing for the concrete steps cascading down. A few reporters who had not been allowed inside scrambled from their spots under the awning at sight of the actress.

Ga Eul a picture!

Look over here!

Smile!

Ga Eul raised her hand trying to block out the blinding assault, her way was barred in front and from behind she could hear the steady beat of footsteps rushing down the stairs. There was no escape! Someone grabbed her elbow, Ga Eul turned, relief washing over her as she recognized two of her security detail pushing back the reporters while the third guided her forward.

They had only a few moments to wait at the bottom of the steps till her car was pulled up. The valet, an older gentleman with kind eyes, stepped out of the driver's seat and held the door for Ga Eul. Thankfully, he was too well-trained to ask questions, though Ga Eul felt the man hesitate as he held her door.

"Are you ok to drive miss?" he ventured.

"I'm fine," she replied, attempting to smile at the one stranger who'd shown her genuine kindness that day. He looked unconvinced but closed the door and his concerned face was soon lost in her rearview mirror as the miles passed quickly beneath her tires leaving no trace in their watery tracks.

Ga Eul ignored the incessant buzzing of her phone from its discarded place in the passenger seat. It was probably her mother or her manager, or maybe one of the dozens of reporters that had swarmed her anxious for a scoop. She shouldn't have run out; there'd be even more press to manage after leaving like that. She could see it all now: Top star rushes out mid-press shoot! Nervous breakdown or publicity stunt?!

She had acted like a child and it was embarrassing, but she didn't care. It felt wonderful to break free. To run away even if it meant hell later. She rolled her window down a little, enjoying the cool sensation and her hair falling out of place. Out of its perfect updo. A calm filled her lungs; she could finally breathe.

Ga Eul wasn't fully aware where she'd driven till she was right outside its doors. The little family-owned restaurant stood alone on the country street, its white door almost invisible behind an overgrowth of wild flowering bushes extending from the attached garden. "A Brighter Day" was printed in white on the little homemade wood sign attached above the door, a thorny tangle of roses creeping along its side.

Of course, she'd naturally gravitated here. It was a place that felt almost like a second home, a hidden sanctuary that never seemed to change even as Ga Eul grew older. She'd come here often with Yeoni in the past.

Ga Eul hesitated on the drive. It had been a while. Her schedule hardly permitted her evenings alone to go to old stomping grounds and reminisce. Parking her car, she attempted to remove the smudged flecks of mascara under her eyes in the rearview mirror. Once she looked slightly less like a racoon, she turned her car off, leaving her phone on the passenger seat where it could buzz to its heart's content. A tingle of nerves shot through her fingertips as she grasped the little golden door handle to the restaurant and walked into the warm interior.

The room was dimly lit, most of the light coming in from the open windows looking out into the gardens. Small, clean tables filled the interior, making it feel cozy but not crowded. In the back, Ga Eul knew, would be the kitchen manned by the old ahjussi and his wife. Mirae, their daughter, was at the small kiosk seating guests at the front, and somewhere around, her son would be helping out with something or another. Nothing had changed.

Ga Eul paused towards the front. Mirae was busy, should she just seat herself as she'd always done? A quick glance towards the back showed their table was still there in its corner, flanked by windows on either side, glimmering blocks of sunset making grids on the two chairs. Another couple entered behind her. She could feel them hesitate. They started walking. They were headed towards the table! Ga Eul's feet seemed to move with a mind of their own, there was no time to lose! Walking briskly she did a second childish thing that day. Sweeping past the slower couple and nearly tripping the girl, she marched forward in her Christian Louboutin high heels and plunked her purse down on the table. Victory!

As the couple moved past, Ga Eul felt their disgruntled glaze, but she didn't care. Sinking into one of the two chairs, a giddiness coursed through her veins as she ran her fingers over the edge of the table, searching for something. Would it still be there? Just under the smooth curve of the table where it would escape notice, she found it. A small E & Y with a heart. She'd been fifteen when she'd added the little carving. Fifteen and perfectly convinced she'd show it to Yeoni one day when they were old and married. A rush of warmth spread over Ga Eul's face at the memory, he would have been so happy.

"It's so good to see you!" A grandmotherly figure appeared beside her, pulling her from her thoughts. "It's been so long! Just look at you, all skin and bones! Have you been eating enough? Aish, forget that, I'll bring you a double portion." The ajumma stopped mid-sentence to adjust her headband from where it had slid over her forehead, "the usual?"

"Yes," Ga Eul returned the smile feeling warmed by the familiar exchange and the older woman's fussing. "I hope you don't mind me seating myself- "

"Of course not! You're always welcome here." The ajumma her a reproachful tap on her shoulder, then leaned in closer, "even if you have to fight other customers for a table," she winked at Ga Eul as if they shared a secret.

"Thank you." Ga Eul smiled sheepishly as the ajumma laughed and pulled out a notebook happily filling it out with scratches from her pencil. She too was exactly the same as Ga Eul had remembered. From her fiery red apron that almost swept the floor, to her sleek salt and pepper bob held back by a matching headband. Ga Eul liked watching her. Geum-ja was like the grandma she never had. Or, rather, the grandma she wished she had.

"I still remember your favorite—Oh!" Geum-ja interrupted herself and glanced around as if realizing something for the first time. "Where's your young man today? Should I hold the order till he gets here?" Ga Eul froze. A ping of something close to homesickness tugged her chest, homesickness for a time long past. A time with Yeoni in it. A time of lazy afternoons sitting in the sunshine, or stressful exam days pouring over textbooks while the restaurant ajumma tutted proudly in the background and the ahjussi whipped them up non-menu items for snacks.

Ga Eul shook herself, Geum-ja was studying her face and Ga Eul realized she had yet to answer. "No, that's ok." The girl looked at her lap, "I'm alone today."

The slight shadow that passed over her face didn't escape the ajumma's sharp eye. "Gone on one of his trips?" She prompted skeptically.

"No..he's…there was a-"

Geum-ja rested a hand on her hip and shifted, eyes intent on the girl who seemed to shrink within herself. "Is everything ok?"

She tried again. "There was an acc-" Before Ga Eul could finish, the little bell above the door rang, saving her from answering as a cluster of customers came in, shaking out umbrellas and coats.

"Mirae!"

"Mirae, we have guests! Ash, where is that girl?" Geum-ja grumbled to herself, tucking a stray hair back in her headband. "I'll be right back," she promised, leaving to greet the incoming guests though she glanced back worriedly at the table and mumbled something about the difficulties of "young love" as she did.

There was an accident. Ga Eul finished in her head. Perhaps this was a bad idea. How could she come here and order the food they had always shared? She rested her chin in her hands and stared out the window, watching droplets pool in the mud and customers scurry beneath black umbrellas. Her mother had told her to move on. The therapist she had been forced to see had told her stories of "brave resilience" and offered useless quips about accepting change and finding the silver lining in all of life's trials. But Ga Eul could no longer find comfort in such words. There was no solace she could take from believing her world could ever be the same, let alone, better, now.

Geum-ja had forgotten her promise to come back, but Ga Eul didn't mind the solitude as the table filled with dishes from the kitchen. Mirae's young son, Hyun-ki, smiled shyly at her as he placed the last dish on the table. He'd grown in the last few years and now stood a good foot past the table. Ga Eul smiled back, laughing at the blush that crept over his face. It was good to laugh.

The savory stewed chicken bubbled temptingly in its large earthen pot and she leaned forward, inhaling the spicy aroma mixed with steam. Ga Eul could feel the ajummas eyes on her from across the room and attempted to eat. It wouldn't do to have her worrying over her. A few spoonfuls of chicken and a pickled radish found its way to her lips, but everything tasted like cardboard. Happy chatter filled the room, small families with little kids sat at tables near her, coaxing them to eat.

Another spoonful of broth choked at the back of her throat and Ga Eul felt her eyes water with unshed tears. The room started to close in. The warm lighting and red wallpaper triggered something far in the back of her mind. Pictures from the scene of the accident. Red. Fragments of glass everywhere. Yeoni's all too familiar coat lying jauntily across what could only be…what had once been...

It was all too much.

Pushing the suddenly unsavory plates away, Ga Eul got up to leave, grabbing her sweater and purse as she did so. Paying the tab, she almost made it, was almost out the door, when another large group of customers blocked her path. Panic set in. Panic like a caged animal being blocked in on all sides. She had to get out! She pushed through the throng of people, her cold hand almost closing on the door handle when a loud voice halted her movements.

"Cha Ga Eul! Who'd of thought I'd meet someone like you here?!" The man who'd spoken grabbed her arm and Ga Eul cursed her bad luck. "Good evening, President Hu" she breathed, gingerly disentangling her arm from his grasp.

"This is a surprise," the barrel-chested man laughed obnoxiously and ran hungry snake-like eyes over her slight figure.

"It sure is." Ga Eul replied flatly.

"Your mother told me you'd just finished shooting, perhaps we can all get together sometime. Or better yet, why dont you pull up a chair?" He gestured towards the long row of tables that were being pulled closer together. Ga Eul balked, "No, I really can't. I have to be somewhere-"

"Ahh what a shame." President Hu passed a hand over his beard thoughtfully and looked extremely displeased. Ga Eul had the idea he wasn't used to being told no. She hoped he didn't press, she couldn't very well say the place she had to be was in her apartment, snuggled up on her couch with a tub of ice cream. The party that was with President Hu pressed beyond him and he looked as if he might follow–thank goodness–but stopped, looking again at Ga Eul with his reptile eyes.

"Let's plan for a meeting, or maybe dinner? Soon. Seeing how we're going to be working together in the foreseeable future, it would be nice to get better acquainted."

Thank you very much, but I'd rather chew off my own arm than get better acquainted with you. Ga Eul resisted the urge to say, she managed a thin smile instead.

"I'm in a rush or I would stop to talk, call my people if you have any questions about production!"

Production? He was producing her next drama? Great.

The executive brushed past her, placing a hand on the small of her back as he did. Ga Eul cringed at his far too familiar touch and moved away from the crush of people filling the entrance as quickly as she could.

Stopping under the little archway of flowers outside, Ga Eul struggled once more to push down the rising panic in her chest. She breathed in the air, fighting to suppress the anger she felt inside. Feeling weak made her angry. Angry at herself and angry at the way life had turned itself upside down. Why couldn't she just have a moment's peace? Why couldn't she seem to escape her world for even a second? Why was Yeoni dead? She pushed her hair behind her ears and stepped forward. That question would never be answered.

Clicking her key, it illuminated the dusky air around her car for a split second, and in that second, she discovered a flat tire. Great! Bending over, she ran a hand along the tire's rough surface and discovered the culprit–the end of a nail stood out a good two inches from where it had implanted itself. She'd probably picked it up turning into the gravel driveway. Ga Eul kicked the flat tire scuffing her designer shoes.

Could this day get any worse?

Apparently, it could.

No sooner had she pulled her phone out from its place in the passenger seat then she discovered it was dead. Perfect! With no taxi in sight and no desire to go back inside for another run-in with President Hu, Ga Eul wrapped her sweater more securely about her shoulders and started walking. It was no use waiting in the car, the business dinner inside could last for hours and she wasn't about to wait miserably in the car for a kind stranger to rescue her.

She'd just walk.

At least she didn't have too far to go, she had walked this route many times with Yeoni in the past. Of course, that was during the day and before she had become well-known…still, at least the roads were dead and the few people traveling wouldn't stop to mind a lone girl out for a nice country walk.

Only it wasn't nice.

The quiet irritated her. It gave her too much time to think. And it was far from a pleasant walk as the rain had now turned to a faint mist, bringing with it a host of insects intent on torturing her. Ga Eul slapped irritably at the mosquitos biting her arms–she hated the bloodsucking monsters. A smile crept over her face as she remembered what Yeoni used to call them. Vampire bugs. That's what he'd said. Of course, he was only eight or so at the time and she, younger still, had cried at his attempt to comfort her. Still, the memory floated around her like a warm breeze. He'd always tried to make her laugh, even if he failed miserably. She couldn't help but laugh a little remembering his poor little puppy dog face as he offered her his favorite lollipop that day and how she'd snatched it, running away as he chased after.

The memory faded and with it, the warm feeling. The sun had fully set now and Ga Eul shivered, for the first contemplating the safety of walking home alone on a dark, rainy night. A loud pop suddenly snapped overhead and Ga Eul jumped as a mist of orange sparks sprayed over her. A million balls of fire sizzled out just as quickly as they'd appeared, leaving a halo of darkness around her where the streetlamp had exploded.

Ga Eul started walking a little faster towards the next light a few feet away where it felt "safer." Her apartment was in a gated neighborhood just outside the city and the restaurant was just a few miles into the country, a perfectly safe area, she assured herself. But as she walked her mind started playing tricks on her. Everything felt darker than usual, and the once-friendly gravel drive she had often walked with Yeoni, now felt ominous and eerily aglow with streetlamps walking it alone. Images from her last movie, a horror film, flashed in her mind. Zombies seemed to melt out of the nearby woods, shadows morphed into monstrous shapes, and she imagined the car that had just passed, slowing up ahead.

You're imagining things, Ga Eul. Stop scaring yourself.

A few more cautious steps in her far from practical shoes did little to ease her mind.

Maybe they just slowed down because it's raining…

The car continued its leisurely pace.

Maybe they're just lost…

Another mosquito bit her arm. Ga Eul slapped at it absentmindedly. It's definitely not an ax murderer seeking his next victim…He'll speed up any second now…

The car stopped.

A dark figure stepped out.

She should have just waited in the car!

"Need a ride?"

Ga Eul stared at the grinning man before her. She felt foolish drenched as she was and wrapped her arms about her in as dignified a manner as possible.

"No, thank you" she answered primly, holding his gaze for a second too long.

"You sure?" He glanced at her dripping sleeves then back at her face.

"I'm sure, I'm just..going for a walk." She finished lamely. "I really don't need-"

"Ok then," the man cut her off, turning back towards his car.

The man just left. Ga Eul wasn't sure why she felt mad about this. Heaven knew she didn't want the stranger to take her home…but he could have asked again. That was the polite thing to do, wasn't it? She drudged moodily ahead, flipping the irritating wisps of hair off her forehead. Hearing the man open his car door a few steps behind her only further enraged her.

"You sure you don't want to get in?"

The words halted her steps. A weird sensation seemed to come over her. Her head felt like it was floating, her hands and feet–icy cold. It wasn't just the rain, it was as if she'd been all nice and warm by a blazing fire when suddenly the light was snuffed out leaving nothing but cold, howling wind. At least, that was what she'd dreamed.

Dreamed? Had she been asleep?

Ga Eul woke up. Confused, she found herself in the passenger seat of a luxurious car, one much like her own, the windshield wipers beating a steady rhythm that seemed to match the hazy pattern ringing in her brain.

"Wh-what happened?"

The stranger driving looked over, confused for a second, then a smirk smoothed over his face. "Have a nice nap?"

"Nap?"

"You fainted."

"I fai- "Ga Eul held a hand to her head. Her mind still felt in a trance, as if she'd been hypnotized. Of course, that was ridiculous. Had she really been that tired?

"Yup, just like." The gentleman driving swooshed out his hand in a sweeping motion. Ga Eul had the sudden urge to grab it. She buried that thought and instead scrunched her brow, the corners of her mouth working into a frown.

"Now don't get mad at me, I couldn't just leave your poor, defenseless self out in the rain now, could I?" the tone was wheedling, pouting. As if hiding a laugh behind it.

"I guess..." Ga Eul conceded, but she didn't like it. She had put herself in quite the predicament. The man no doubt saw her as some damsel in distress, a lost, cute puppy needing rescuing. That was dangerous. It meant a loss of control and what was needed right now—what Ga Eul needed right now—was to make herself powerful. Commanding. She was in a strange car with a strange man in the middle of nowhere. The panic from earlier started to eat at her insides. Lots of girls had never been heard from again in lesser circumstances. And, even if nothing bad happened, her reputation would take a sharp dive if someone or, God-forbid, a paparazzi snapped a photo of her leaving his car…

The stranger started to hum a tune to himself as if he'd forgotten her. As if it was perfectly normal for him to pick up strange women off the side of the road and usher them to safety…or normal to pick up weak, unsuspecting girls and whisk them away into the night never to be heard from again…

Ga Eul glanced suspiciously at him from the corner of her eye, her right hand fumbling for the latch on her purse which was settled beside her. "Where are you taking me?"

There was a pause before he turned to face her, studying her with bright, intense eyes. Her fingertips brushed against the tip of her pepper spray.

"The hospital, of course."

"Oh," Ga Eul let out the breath she didn't know she'd been holding, feeling a little silly as she saw the road sign up ahead. She felt bad, here she had presumed the worst and this stranger only wanted to help.

"Thank you." she managed.

He glanced at her and the smile in his eyes made her look away. The smirk she'd thought she detected earlier was still there, only now it was paired with

something else. Something she couldn't quite read. Something that felt akin to the way a schoolboy might look right after he'd stolen a grape off your lunch

plate. Mischievous, smug, confident he wouldn't get caught, or if he did, wouldn't get in trouble.

Ga Eul shifted her purse onto her lap, playing with the strap as they sat in silence. Her head throbbed terribly and she wondered if she'd hit it when she fainted. She resisted the urge to rest her head against the cool window as a wave of sleep washed over her again, it would be foolish to fall asleep again. Yet, resist as she might, her eyelids grew heavy and she'd almost drifted off when another thought surfaced.

"Wait! Don't take me to the hospital," what was she thinking?! The press would have a field day.

The man whose name she still did not know, shifted his gaze from the road, eyebrow raised.

She didn't want to tell this stranger where she lived...but what choice did she have? He'd been helpful thus far and it wasn't like he could ever get into the house without knowing her keycode. Still...she could have him drop her off at her neighbors! That would work!

"Can you go left up ahead?"

A/N: I am so excited to finally share this chapter! Thank you so much for reading! I really enjoyed writing this chapter and all the research that went into it. That being said, I am by no means an expert and events may not be historically accurate despite my best efforts;)

Special thank you to JodiMarie2910 and Inhwa for reviewing this chapter for me and sharing your thoughts and suggestions! I appreciate you guys and KLSoEul so much for encouraging me to keep writing even when it was difficult:)

Also, as a side note. Woo Bin is a resistance fighter, as I'm sure you've already guessed, so parts of this story are set during a time when strong anti-Japanese sentiments were held by many as the world geared up for WWII. Please remember any negative Japanese connotations is a reflection of the time period and by no means personally held beliefs!

Thanks again for taking the time to read, let me know what you think:)

Chōsen-Official name for Korea during the Japanese occupation between 1910-1945.

Governor-General-Appointed by the Japanese emperor to head the Japanese government in Chosen from 1910-1945.

Carpe Noctem-Sieze the night.