Chapter 22: Knife

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"Hello, is this the police? I want to report a crime."

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"I saw some students injured in an alley in XXXXXXX Road, can someone please come here quickly?"

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"They seem badly injured. Please come here quickly."

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He walked away from the phone stall.

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Negative news is the only thing I see these days.

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I keep hearing about conflicts here and there.

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Sexual assaults, fights, disputes and now another assault case.

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"Three students found unconscious in an alley at S region from a knife attack..."

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People are just becoming more violent huh.

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"Fortunately, they received quick aid...."

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It's good that they are fine.

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Flashing onto the next news material was a news of a suicide.

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Ah, not again. Not another one.

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She was an actress, still in her 20s but had a hefty amount of experience since she entered the industry early.

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People criticise her in everything she did.

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In the end, she made the choice it seems.

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Finally at her death only then did the criticism stop.

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I have empathy towards her, after all I could have been in that position as well.

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Like the two sides of the same coin.

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But perhaps the saddest thing was how fast her presence would be forgotten.

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In just a few days people would continue living their lives like you never existed.

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At the end of the day, you are just one person.

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Ah, live is bitter, isn't it?

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"Eomma! Just go and check it out! What if there is actually something going on?!"

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"Alright, alright, stop destroying my eardrums won't you. I'll go, I'll go."

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I gave her a triumphant smile.

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"Eomeonim*, it's good that your daughter made you get a check up."

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"As you can see here and here the cartilage is starting to wear down."

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"This issue is would getting worse if you don't get some help. You would need to do adjustments on your daily life, in general activities that are taxing to the knees should be avoided. Then...."

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It's good that she got diagnosed early on.

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Ah, why is this place so cold?

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I'm freezing in here.

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I went to the toilets while my mom went over to get the details of her treatments.

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Why is this place so cold and empty?

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Looking at the plain, cold, and lonely hallway I could imagine some ghost stories to go with it.

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Holy-is that a ghost?

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At the other end of the hallway I spied a figure in the hospital garbs walking in a shambling manner. His black hair covered half of his pale face.

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Is that really a ghost?

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I mean if time travel exists, why can't ghosts?

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The shambling figure looked upwards, revealing his visage.

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I was ready to see a rotting or bloody face, but I didn't see it coming.

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Is that Song Tae-hyeon?

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He wasn't healed yet?

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It's been a while since 'Spring Breeze' ended and he coukd already walk a bit at that point.

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Ah, he saw me.

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"Please help me."

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"Yes?"

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Only then did I realize that his leg was bloody.

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A knife sticking out of it.

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This realization brought me into a rush.

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I immediately went over and helped carry half of his body.

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What happened?

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Whatever, it's not important. Right now I should go and get him some help.

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With my help, he was able to trudge along a bit faster.

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But we are still not fast enough

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A figure in red blocked our way.

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He had a knife in his hand.

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And Tae-hyeon's choking noises confirmed my suspicions.

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I moved Tae-hyeon behind me.

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The attacker hesitated for a moment.

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But it was not for long.

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He approached us in a half run walk.

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There was no time to waste.

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I dodged and grabbed his arm.

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Desperate to get him to drop the knife, I did everything I could.

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I kicked him in the legs, which dodged.

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I gave him a punch on his chin.

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I pulled one of his fingers way back and he screamed.

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But I didn't escaped unscathed.

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His knife slashed at my sleeves bring pricks of pain and blood.

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I yelled and rushed at him grabbing at his neck.

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He grabbed at my hair, pulling many strands from the roots.

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The scuffle and loud scream attracted lots of attention.

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The previously empty area was gradually swarmed with people.

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The attacker in knowledge of his current situation gave up on doing anything else but his last shot at a stab.

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He exerted all of his strength to free his hands.

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But I was also desperate.

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I screamed and went for an attack.

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I twisted his wrist and bit his arm.

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I tasted blood

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He shrieked and pushed me away with all his strength, that I unfortunately could not beat with my exhaustion.

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My head hit the floor.

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I heard ringing in my ears.

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A red figure stood in front of me.

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In a middle of a scuffle he raised his head.

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And I saw his face clearly.

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And then he slammed my head to the wall.

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Everything turned black.

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"I don't even know what's going on, I was trying to get Song Tae-hyeon some help."

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"But then that guy over there appeared and started waving that knife."

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I finished giving my statements while lying on the hospital bed.

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I got a minor concussion and some scratches but I was fine otherwise.

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But I definitely looked a mess.

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According to my mom my hair was messed up and my clothes are bloody, it gave her a fright.

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So much that when she knew that red guy was the attacker, she nearly finished him.

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Ah, my head.

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Curse that guy.

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But what was that earlier?

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Is that déjà vu?

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It's a very similar situation with what I just experienced but it was different. It didn't seem to happen in a hospital.

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"Thank you Kim Ha-na-ssi."

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"No need to thank me, I'm just doing what a human was supposed to do."

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"And then...I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused during the shooting."

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Song Tae-hyeon bowed slightly while sitting on a wheelchair.

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"I'll make sure that guy pays for his actions to you. I'll make sure to-"

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"Song Tae-hyeon-ssi, if you are grateful to me. Please stop involving me in this case."

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"And stop making me a reason for your actions. I'm sure it wasn't it."

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"He's a murderer, just like me."

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"Wait...He's not dead yet so maybe that makes me almost a murderer doesn't it?"

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