Chapter 6

Kim "Ethan" Yong-saeng

I open my eyes and try to focus on my vision. I wasn't sure where in the world I was at this moment in time.

As I look around, I can see white cushion walls.

All I could really remember was the pain coming from my shoulder and a gun going off. Then, nothing else. Just great!

Suddenly, a man in a black suit with clear frame glasses emerges from the only door in the room. He sits down on one of the two chairs and tries to pronounce my name correctly.

"Mr. Yo-you-- sa--sang--Kim," the man struggles to say my name as he looks at his tablet.

"Please call me Ethan," I quickly respond as I move over to the empty chair. I'm not sure what was going on.

"Welcome to Second Chance!" He said.

"Where we give a second chance to people that suffer unfair demises," He continues.

"Mr. Ethan you have been lucky to be chosen out of about a hundred participants," said the man enthusiastically as he handed me another tablet that was titled 'Second Chance for Yong-Saeng Kim' at the top.

"Please read the contract and if you have any questions I will be happy to help," he continued as I took the tablet and looked over it.

I have yet to say anything because I was too shocked to speak. Did I really die?

I quickly look over the contact and read the many sections. Half of the contact I didn't really understand, but I tried my best to look like I understood. Fake it till you make it.

"Section one C talks about a mission. What is the mission that I need to complete?" I ask curiously.

"Ah, yes. If you go back, then you will have to complete one mission to continue living," said the man.

"Will I be told the mission beforehand?" I ask.

"The mission is specially made for participants even I don't know what it is. The reason why we don't tell the mission beforehand anymore is that some participants cheated," explains the man. I nod my head in understanding.

"What if I don't complete the mission, what happens to me?" I ask the man another question.

"That's a good question. The participant would have to come back; thus, lose their second chance," said the man who answered, which sent a shiver down my back.

Losing meant that I will have to leave my family and I for one didn't want that. How bad could the mission even be?

"Do you have any more questions?" Ask the man with a smile.

"Yes, if I go back is there a chance I can get murderer again?" I ask because I'm concerned.

"The short answer is yes," he said.

"The long answer is that it depends. If you can complete your mission and avoid passing away then you win. Personally, one of my close family members was able to complete his mission and now he is happily living in the Bahamas," said the man as his smile grew.

I still wasn't too sure about signing the paper.

Part of me was scared of failing, but I also want to see my family again. Well even if I don't complete the mission I can at least see my family and hug them one last time.

I decided to sign on the black line. Then, I handed the tablet over to the man in the suit.

"Thank you for choosing Second Chance," said the man as he snapped his finger.

I heard a click coming from his finger and I was suddenly back at my house.

I found myself in my bed and I looked over to find Liam in his bed sleeping. I can hear my omma cooking breakfast and abuji typing away on his computer probably doing pack business. Before I can open my mouth to say something to them, my mission arrives.

Mission: Save the infant

That was all I was given. No name or more information, just three words. Who was the baby I had to save?

I tried to think if there are any pack members that have a baby right now. To my knowledge, there wasn't anyone but I'll ask omma maybe she would know.

With all my silent thinking Liam had got up from his bed and ran downstairs for breakfast. I soon follow after him and sit down at the table.

Everything felt so real. I couldn't believe it. Omma was making yachaejeon one of my favorites and to Liam's great displeasure. He hates yachaejeon and says it makes him want pancakes.

"Can I have an American pancake?" Liam asks omma as she serves him some yachaejeon.

"Nope, today abuji pick the breakfast. Tomorrow it Yong-saeng. Then, you can pick after," omma explains to Liam.

"I never get what I want," mumbled Liam but still opened his mouth to eat the yachaejeon.

Soon abuji comes and sits down to eat with us. It has been a tradition to try to at least have breakfast three or four days each week together.

Watching my family talking and eating made me want to cry. I can't believe I got the chance to be here with them again. I feel so grateful to be back.

"Ethan, what is wrong? You're crying," said omma as she noticed my tears running down my face.

"Nothing, something in my eye," I say as I wipe the tears off my face.

"I know I don't say this much but I love you guys," I say to abuji, omma, and Liam.

Everyone stops what they're doing and looks at me with their mouth open. In our household, we rarely use the words 'I love you'.

"I love you, too," said Liam. Then, he goes back to eating.

"Saranghae," said omma soon after, a little awkwardly.

"Me too," said abuji, not looking at me. I knew father meant well and that he also loved me just that he had a hard time putting it in words.

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omma means mom (informal)

abuji means father (formal)

saranghae in Korean means I love you (informal)

yachaejeon is Korean vegetable pancake