Hope and Fear

“How can you tell who’s from this world and who isn’t?”

“That necklace is like their ID. Everyone with one of those necklaces is a local.”

The shimmering pendant caught Heesoo’s attention.

It seemed far from ordinary.

She nodded as Minjoo explained.

Minjoo, having spent more time here, was more familiar with this place than Heesoo.

“Those people only work here for a set amount of time before leaving the mine. For them, it’s just a punishment.”

“And after they leave... Where do they go?”

For Heesoo, the mine and the dangerous world outside were the only realities she knew.

Anything or anywhere else was beyond her comprehension.

Minjoo stared longingly at the blonde woman.

“To where the ‘normal’ people live.”

Normal people.

The blonde-haired woman was a criminal, serving her punishment.

But she was also someone who, with enough effort, could return to a normal life.

Minjoo wanted to be like her.

“I want to get out of this mine. I really do.”