Chapter 29

Terrified beyond words, my eyes stayed fixated on the devastating scene unfolding before me. The acrid scent of smoke lingered in the air as I witnessed the solemn procession of paramedics wheeling three covered bodies away from the charred remains of the house. My hands trembled as I stumbled off the gurney, the impact of the moment making my heart race with fear and despair. Struggling to compose myself, I made my way towards the paramedics, only to be halted by a stern-faced cop, his expression mirroring the gravity of the situation.

In a voice choked with anguish, I pleaded desperately, "Please, can you assure me that none of those souls belong to him? Jun-Myeon! tell me it's not him in those body bags!" The intensity of my emotions threatened to overwhelm me, each moment stretching into an eternity of uncertainty and dread.

The paramedic's face was a mask of pure terror as he slowly approached me, his eyes filled with an unspoken burden. With a trembling hand, he presented me with Jun-myeon's School ID card, and my heart clenched in agony. Taking the card from him, time seemed to grind to a halt as my eyes fell upon the charred, half-melted remains. The realization hit me like a sledgehammer, and I was consumed by a wave of overwhelming grief and horror.

In a moment of sheer desperation, I collapsed to the ground, my anguished cries filling the air. It was then that a gentle hand landed on my shoulder, grounding me in the midst of my turmoil. I turned to see Sebastian's bewildered expression, his eyes searching mine for answers in the midst of the chaos.

"Where is Jun?" Sebastian's voice broke through the haze of my despair, his concern palpable as he knelt beside me. With a trembling hand, I extended the ruined ID card towards him, my fingers barely able to maintain their grip. As Sebastian accepted the card, a flicker of emotion crossed his stoic features, his usual facade of strength momentarily faltering as sorrow etched lines of pain across his face.The weight of guilt bore down on me like a crushing weight, threatening to suffocate me with its unbearable heaviness.

"Sebastian, it's all my fault," I whispered brokenly, the words heavy with self-condemnation. In that moment, the flickering flames of the fire that had ravaged Jun-myeon's ID card seemed to mirror the inferno of guilt and regret that consumed me from within.

Sebastian's hands trembled as he clutched the charred remnants of the ID card, a tangible memento of the catastrophic events. With a steely resolve, he gently lifted me from the ground, enfolding me in the comforting embrace of Jun's Basketball Jacket, a garment imbued with the scent of Jun giving some comfort.

"I have to get you out of here now," Sebastian's voice, laced with both tenderness and urgency, pierced through the cacophony of sirens and shattered glass. Tears flowed freely down my cheeks as I struggled to contain the overwhelming wave of sorrow and heartbreak crashing against my fragile emotional defenses.

Sebastian guided me to the waiting car, a temporary sanctuary from the pandemonium that threatened to engulf us. The flashing lights of law enforcement cast an eerie glow over the scene as a stern-faced officer attempted to intercept our departure.

"I need to question him at the station to ascertain the events that transpired here," the authoritative voice of the officer resonated in the tense air. Ignoring the official's demands, Sebastian closed the car door with a resolute click, shielding me from further intrusion.

Sebastian's voice remained steady as he reassured the officer, "I will bring him to the station after he gets checked at the hospital." With a solemn nod, the officer acknowledged his words and turned his attention back to the haunting scene of the burnt house, a place of unimaginable terror where I had been held captive for what felt like an eternity.

In the midst of the chaos, Risha suddenly rushed to my side, enveloping me in a tight embrace, her tears flowing freely. The weight of her emotions hit me like a wave, a stark reminder of the harrowing ordeal we had just escaped together. It was only then that I realized she had been in the car with me all along, her presence a silent source of strength amidst the turmoil of my own shattered world.

"Ru-Ru! I knew we would find you!" Risha exclaimed, sinking back into her car seat with a mixture of relief and concern etched on her face. My heart went out to her, knowing that the difficult task of revealing the tragic truth about her brother, Jun, lay ahead of us. The weight of that impending conversation hung heavy in the air, knowing that it would shatter her world when she discovers that Jun is dead.

"Thank you, Risha. I know you worked hard sweet girl," I managed to say, my voice quivering with emotion as I mustered a faint smile. As Sebastian navigated us away from the charred remnants of the house that had been consumed by flames, claiming Jun's life, a somber silence enveloped us. The gravity of the situation settled in as we braced ourselves for the heartbreaking task of unraveling the truth to Risha, knowing that it would change everything for her.

After what felt like an eternity on the road, Sebastian's car finally came to a stop in front of a quaint two-story family house. The picturesque setting bore a striking resemblance to scenes straight out of a romantic movie, reminiscent of the charm found in classics like "The Notebook." "Where have you brought us, Sebastian?" I inquired as he switched off the engine. With a reassuring smile, Sebastian responded, "We are now three states away from where we started. Here, in this secluded haven, both of you will be shielded from harm." With graceful movements, he stepped out of the car and gently lifted a peacefully slumbering Risha from her car seat, cradling her protectively in his arms as he made his way inside the cozy home.

Returning swiftly, Sebastian appeared with a wheelchair in tow, a symbol of his thoughtful consideration for our well-being. With utmost care, he effortlessly transitioned me from the car to the comfort of the wheelchair before guiding me into the welcoming embrace of the house. The warmth and security of our new sanctuary enveloped us, a refuge made possible by the unwavering dedication and selflessness of our steadfast protector, Sebastian. I can see why Jun trusted him so much.

A YEAR LATER

"Ru-Ru! Can I braid your hair?" Risha's eyes lit up with excitement as she bounced up and down, her enthusiasm infectious. Setting my coffee mug down on the table, I couldn't help but smile at the sheer joy radiating from this little ball of sunshine standing before me. "Of course you can, Rose bud," I replied warmly, reaching up to release my long, ebony locks from their confining hair tie. As Risha scurried off to fetch a brush and an assortment of delicate flower hairpins to adorn my braid, I marveled at her eagerness.

"You're going to make me look absolutely beautiful, Risha," I chuckled, reveling in the innocence and creativity that she brought into my day. With a sense of wonder and anticipation, Risha clambered onto the couch behind me, her tiny hands skillfully working through the strands of my hair with the brush. Each stroke felt like a gentle caress, a touch of care and attention that only a child like Risha could offer.

As she deftly weaved my hair into an intricate braid, I couldn't help but admire her focus and determination. The way she delicately placed each flower hairpin, her eyes gleaming with pride at her creation, filled me with a sense of warmth and gratitude. In that moment, as Risha transformed my hair into a work of art, I realized the true beauty of this simple gesture – a bond forged through shared moments of creativity and connection.As Risha deftly completed the intricate braid of my hair, Sebastian made his entrance, the epitome of elegance in his signature black suit and tie, resembling a finely crafted porcelain doll.

"Ready for school, Risha?" Sebastian inquired, his voice gentle and caring as he held out her bookbag and shoes. With a gleam of excitement in her eyes, Risha eagerly descended from the couch and dashed towards Sebastian to slip on her shoes, her anticipation palpable. Meanwhile, I rose from my seat, collected my bag, and meticulously took my necessary suppressants before joining Risha at the door, where she was mid-way through her joyful little dance. "Ru-Ru, hurry up, or I'll be late!" she exclaimed, swinging the front door open with a sense of urgency and eagerness. The familiar routine of the morning had a comforting rhythm to it, with each action and interaction between Risha, Sebastian, and myself painting a picture of a harmonious start to the day.

"Alright, alright, I'm coming," I gently took Risha's hand in mine, feeling the warmth of her small fingers as we embarked on our familiar journey to school and work. It had been a year since Jun's tragic passing, and the aftermath had left a profound stillness in our lives. Despite the lingering sorrow, we found solace in the peacefulness of our surroundings and the simplicity of our daily routines.

Since the fire, I had undergone surgery to repair the damage in my ankles, a tangible reminder of the hardships we had faced. As I recovered, I decided to let my hair grow longer, a small act of defiance against the darkness of the past. Along with physical healing, I had also gained weight, a visible symbol of my newfound strength and resilience. Finally free from the burden of constant pain, I was grateful for the gift of restored health and the ability to embrace life once more.

Navigating the challenges of raising Risha on my own had been daunting, yet it had opened my eyes to the beauty of unconditional love and unwavering determination. Every moment spent with her was a lesson in patience, compassion, and the boundless capacity of the human heart. Together, we faced each day with courage and a shared sense of purpose, finding joy in the simplest of moments.

As we strolled through the bustling city streets, the warm rays of the sun enveloped us in a comforting embrace, casting a golden glow on our faces. Risha, with her infectious laughter echoing through the air, serenaded us with tunes she had picked up in her first-grade music class. The joy in her voice was like a melody that danced along with the rhythm of our footsteps.

Upon reaching a crosswalk, the vibrant energy of the city seemed to magnify as Risha broke into a spontaneous, happy dance, her eyes twinkling with delight. I couldn't resist joining in, feeling the carefree spirit of the moment wash over me. It was in that moment of shared happiness that my gaze was drawn to a figure across the street - a man with striking, long crimson hair that cascaded like a fiery waterfall around his shoulders.

Time seemed to slow as our eyes met, a mesmerizing intensity sparking between us. My heart quickened its pace, a rush of emotions flooding through me as tears welled up in my eyes. And just as I felt a wave of uncertainty wash over me, the pedestrian signal flickered to life, signaling our turn to walk.

In the midst of this emotional whirlwind, Risha's voice called out, cutting through the tension like a beacon of light. "Bubby!" she exclaimed, Her exuberant cry pierced the air as she sprinted into his waiting embrace. With a gentle lift, he enveloped her in a tight hug, a radiant smile lighting up his face. Their reunion was a poignant moment of pure joy, as they turned to me, observing my slow yet steady journey across the crosswalk, Tear falling from my eyes as stared in disbelief. It was then that I reached the man with fiery red hair, a striking burn scar etched across his neck and over his right eye, cradling a beaming Risha in his arms.

 "Did you miss me, Rose Bud?" His words were tender, laced with affection, as he gazed at her with adoration. Overwhelmed with emotion, I rushed into his open arms, tears of relief and happiness flowing freely, for deep within my heart, I recognized in my heart and soul this man was Jun-Myeon. Our Jun-Myeon.