BITM Ch27
by soapaHan Naeyung stood up. He picked up the cell phone given to him and took out the slippers from the shoe rack. With his bandaged foot, one slipper fit snugly. Standing in the entrance, Han Naeyung looked towards the living room. The dog opened its long snout and bit his pant leg.
Han Naeyung patted Nari’s head.
“I’m sorry.”
He detached Nari and looked around his house.
And then…
“I’m sorry.”
For lying.
As the door closed, Nari’s cries were heard. Nari cried sorrowfully as if he would never see Han Naeyung again.
***
Han Naeyung injected a painkiller into his arm. This should last him half a day. He found a new scalpel, still in its packaging, since the one he used was nowhere to be seen. He then gathered an anesthetic, a muscle relaxant, and put on gloves. He also securely locked the hospital’s door.
However, the entrance on the second floor was still open. He must have left it that way when he went out. Han Naeyung took off his slippers and went inside. Everything was in its place, with no signs of intruders.
After changing into lighter clothes, Han Naeyung grabbed his car keys. The phone in his pocket, Jin’s phone, vibrated. Han Naeyung sat on the sofa, took a deep breath, and answered the call.
“Are you awake?”
“Yes.”
“Have you eaten?”
“I had a sandwich.”
“I’m having lunch and heading to the office. If you’re still hungry, there are fruits and frozen foods in the fridge, heat them up.”
“Don’t worry.”
Someone nearby called out, “Prosecutor!”
“I have to go now. Play with Nari. I’ll call again.”
“Okay.”
Han Naeyung put Jin’s phone back in his pocket. To maintain the deception that he was still at Jin’s house, he would have to answer calls whenever Jin called. Han Naeyung secured the doors on both the first and second floors and then headed to the empty lot behind the building.
He wiped the dusty windshield of his car and took the wheel. Wednesday and Thursday were the days Jang Juntae stayed at Sarangwon. On Thursday afternoons, he went to the church and spent Friday, Saturday, and Sunday there.
The car clock showed 2 p.m. Han Naeyung waited for the engine to warm up. Could he do this well? He had already failed once with Lee Kyung-chul.
This was the last chance. If he missed Jang Juntae, the man would escape elsewhere, and Han Naeyung would be back to square one in his search. He needed to remain calm despite the seething anger. Han Naeyung kept repeating this to himself as he headed towards Sarangwon.
Children were coming home from school and entering Sarangwon one by one. Han Naeyung watched them laugh and chat in groups, trying to calm his racing heart. Despite this, his heart wouldn’t settle. What was he afraid of now? No, this must be the joy of finally reaching the end. He thought so.
After 6 p.m., it grew dark. The area became deserted, with only the occasional stray cat passing by. A calico cat jumped onto the bonnet. Its round eyes looked towards the driver’s seat, seemingly aware of Han Naeyung inside the dark-tinted car.
The cat’s eyes seemed to read his mind with sharp insight. Han Naeyung did not meet its gaze, focusing all his attention on Sarangwon beyond. The cat meowed loudly and curled up on the bonnet.
After 7 p.m., two men emerged from Sarangwon. Jang Juntae was saying goodbye to the director.
Thump, thump, thump, Han Naeyung’s heart pounded again. Jang Juntae waved off further farewells from the director, who didn’t watch him long before going back inside. The cat meowed again, and Han Naeyung started the engine.
The cat jumped down from the bonnet. Han Naeyung slowly followed Jang Juntae. He sped up slightly as he got closer.
Han Naeyung parked beside Jang Juntae, pretending to have run into him by chance. Jang Juntae glanced at the car making engine noises.
“Deacon.”
Han Naeyung greeted him through the open window.
“Oh, is that you, Hyung? Were you at Sarangwon? I just left, so we must have missed each other.”
“I was about to, but then remembered I left something behind.”
“Oh dear, you’ve been running in vain.”
Han Naeyung lightly brushed the steering wheel. His hands had stopped trembling.
“Where are you headed? I can give you a ride.”
Jang Juntae looked intently at Han Naeyung. Han Naeyung did not avoid his gaze. Without even breathing, he added a slight, fake smile.
“…In that case, I’d appreciate it.”
Jang Juntae walked around the bonnet and opened the passenger door. Click, click, the locked door wouldn’t open, so Han Naeyung unlocked it for him.
“The car’s old, so the doors sometimes act up.”
“It’s well-maintained. It looks great.”
Jang Juntae buckled his seatbelt. His neat posture almost made Han Naeyung feel nauseous. The man, disguised as a perfect deacon, was utterly despicable.
Han Naeyung, hiding his trembling mouth, brushed his gloved hand over his chin. He opened the window slightly to let the air circulate.
“Where are you headed?”
“Well, to the church, of course.”
As expected. Han Naeyung pretended to steer towards the church and asked, “Have you had dinner…?”
“Not yet. I was going to eat at Sarangwon, but there wasn’t quite enough food. Ha ha. I can’t have them cook more just for me, so I’ll endure.”
“You have a kind heart.”
Han Naeyung couldn’t hide the sudden sneer that crossed his face. Jang Juntae, seeing this, hardened his expression as well. The man’s hand was moving toward the door. Should he speed up now? Or should he administer the anesthetic right away? Countless thoughts raced through his mind.
Thud. Jang Juntae just opened the window slightly to catch some air. It felt like cold sweat was running down his back. Unlike the now pale Han Naeyung, Jang Juntae wore a light smile on his lips. Han Naeyung forced himself to speak in a smooth tone.
“Since I live alone too, how about having dinner together?”
“That sounds good. With the spring breeze blowing like this, it seems like it will be a pleasant meal. Do you know any good places?”
“Yes, a place that suits us.”
Han Naeyung answered while looking straight ahead. As he exited the alley and joined the road, he began heading towards the outskirts. Since it was in the same direction as the cluster of restaurants, there was nothing to raise suspicion.
“Hyung.”
“…Yes.”
Jang Juntae closed his eyes and opened them, feeling the breeze. Han Naeyung, noticing the man’s gaunt frame, estimated that he could handle him with his own strength.
“Would you listen to me for a moment?”
Jang Juntae opened his eyes and looked at Han Naeyung.
“Go ahead.”
Jang Juntae took a deep breath, as if preparing to tell a long story, then exhaled. His throat seemed to tense and move.
“It might be boring, but I hope you’ll listen.”
Han Naeyung didn’t respond to the pausing Jang Juntae. He started speaking on his own.
“Ever since I was very young, I realized the difference between wealth and poverty. It’s a common story, but my father was a drunkard. They say my mother left when I was very young, but I don’t even remember her.”
Jang Juntae continued with a sneer.
“My father would often drink and hit me. One day, he slammed my head into the wardrobe, and blood was streaming down, but he wrapped it with tissues, saying there was no money for the hospital. Another day, he gave me no money and told me to buy soju, so I shivered outside until morning in the middle of winter. When I came back in the morning, he greeted me with his fists.”
He lifted his hair to show scars that still remained. As if reminiscing, he laughed openly. Han Naeyung glanced sideways at him and then looked forward again.
“Realizing that staying with my father would make me half-crippled, I ran away from home the day my leg broke. To survive, I did all sorts of dirty things. I joined a gang and paid monthly dues as a low-ranking member. As the dues kept increasing, I eventually turned to things I shouldn’t have done. At that time, I thought I had to become a human butcher to survive.”
“……”
Han Naeyung focused all his nervous energy on not gripping the steering wheel too tightly. His ears felt like they were rotting. He felt no sympathy at all. Jaemin and he were sacrificed for the acts of a human butcher, Jaemin was dead, and Jang Juntae was alive. That was the outcome. As Han Naeyung hit the outskirts, he gradually increased the speed.
“After serving time in prison and being released, I cut ties with all the dirty work. This was the price I paid.”
Jang Juntae showed his severed pinky finger.
“But, actually, Hyung…”
Han Naeyung didn’t respond to Jang Juntae’s call. His throat was already tight.
“It may sound ridiculous… When I first saw you, I thought you looked like an angel. I felt that the angels in the Bible must look just like you.”
Jang Juntae squinted his eyes, seemingly to block the cold wind. Han Naeyung laughed bitterly.
“You were so pure and noble that I felt I couldn’t even approach you.”
Han Naeyung’s body shuddered as he gripped the wheel. He didn’t hide his sneer. It didn’t matter how Jang Juntae felt. The devil was calling him an angel, and it was just ridiculous. Thanks to this, the tension rising to the top of his head cooled down coldly.
His phone vibrated in his pocket. Han Naeyung pulled over to the side of the road. Then he turned his body to look at Jang Juntae.
“A call is coming. It’s probably a personal call, so please, just a moment.”
Han Naeyung pretended to reach for his phone in his pocket while gauging the position of the anesthetic syringe. Jang Juntae understood and unbuckled his seatbelt to get out onto the side of the road. Click. He pulled the door handle, but it didn’t open. Han Naeyung spoke casually.
“As I mentioned, the car is old, so the lock doesn’t work well.”
“…I see.”
For some reason, Jang Juntae replied bitterly. The man who didn’t open the door immediately took a deep breath, as if bracing himself for something. Han Naeyung, anxious that the call might get disconnected, waited impatiently for Jang Juntae to move.
Finally, Jang Juntae turned his body sideways. As he reached out to open the door, Han Naeyung stabbed his neck with the sharp syringe.
Squeezing the piston, his hand trembled slightly, but the drug was quickly absorbed into Jang Juntae’s body. Jang Juntae, who was about to say something, grasped his neck. The potent drug took effect instantly, causing his head to droop.
Han Naeyung confirmed that passing cars weren’t paying attention to him and reclined the passenger seat. Jang Juntae lay back as if he were just sleeping. Han Naeyung counted to three and picked up Jin’s phone.
His white-gloved hand trembled as much as his convulsing muscles. Han Naeyung took off his glove and slid his finger across the screen.
“Yes.”
He hadn’t been caught yet. This was the first time the phone had rung. Han Naeyung steadied his voice.
“What are you doing?”
Jin asked gently. Han Naeyung leaned back against the headrest as if collapsing.
“Just… staying.”
He deliberately didn’t look at Jang Juntae.
“I’ll come straight home when I’m done.”
“Take your time.”
“Don’t go anywhere. As promised, until I get there. And if things go well… let’s take Nari for a walk tonight.”
“Sure.”
Han Naeyung ended the call and immediately turned off the phone. From now on, he couldn’t take any more calls. Until everything was settled, he had to fight alone. He had made a promise about the immediate future, but he wouldn’t be able to keep it.
Han Naeyung struggled to suppress his weakening resolve, forcefully rubbing his reddened eyes. Two hours. The anesthesia would only last that long, so he had to hurry. The car swerved several times, crossing lanes as it left the roadside and drove along the road.
***
Huff, huff. Sweat dripped down. Han Naeyung hooked his arms under Jang Juntae’s armpits and climbed the stairs. The surroundings were pitch black, as if he were climbing the stairs of hell. The pain in his feet returned, indicating the painkillers had worn off. Han Naeyung gritted his teeth.
This was nothing. He couldn’t even tell how much time had passed. Jang Juntae’s shoe slipped off and rolled down the stairs. Han Naeyung sat down and pulled him up every time his legs gave out. He was amazed at the strength he found within himself.
Han Naeyung finally reached the sixth floor and collapsed. His ragged breathing echoed in the empty building. His feet were soaked, but he couldn’t tell if it was sweat or blood. Han Naeyung grabbed Jang Juntae by the collar and climbed on top of him.
His weakened fingers dropped the syringe. He managed to pick it up and fill it with a muscle relaxant. His body convulsed several times, causing him to curl up.
“…Hyung,” Jang Juntae, regaining consciousness, opened his mouth.
“Don’t call me that,” Han Naeyung slapped him across the face, panting. He pressed the syringe piston to remove the air bubbles and roughly rolled up Jang Juntae’s sleeve to inject him. The relaxant took longer to absorb than the anesthetic. It wouldn’t kill him, but it would make movement difficult.
“Hyung,” Han Naeyung slapped him again, making blood trickle from Jang Juntae’s mouth. Jang Juntae coughed up blood.
“Are you here to punish me?” he asked, looking at the syringe in his arm. Han Naeyung shook him violently, causing his head to hit the cement floor with a thud.
“Didn’t you say any sin could be forgiven if repented? Does that mean I can be forgiven if I kill you now?” Han Naeyung kicked Jang Juntae repeatedly, his shoes making sharp sounds. He braced himself against the floor.
“Hyung… I needed money so badly… I committed those heinous acts… I’m sorry… I…”
“Do you even know who I am?” Han Naeyung asked, raising his weary eyes.
“You said this place suited us. Is this the tower of my sins?” Jang Juntae cried, looking at the ceiling. Han Naeyung twisted his head.
“You said you’ve repented. Fine,” Han Naeyung’s lips curled into a distorted smile. “Then why don’t you show me what true repentance is by jumping out that window?” he said, grinding his teeth.
“Forgive me… please…” Jang Juntae pleaded.
“Do you really think I believe in that crap? According to your beliefs, Jaemin should be in hell! How could a nine-year-old deserve to be punished for jumping to escape pain?” Han Naeyung’s mind seemed to unravel. He couldn’t contain his emotions, causing saliva to drip from his open mouth.
Han Naeyung dragged Jang Juntae’s body towards the window. He was almost there. He just needed to push him. At that moment…
…Mr. Han!
A voice, carried by the wind, held him back. It was a hallucination. He couldn’t be here. Han Naeyung didn’t look back and kept dragging. The wind blew again, and the voice spoke once more.
Woomin…!
The name, which no one had called for the past 20 years, scattered with the wind.
Ah… I’ve finally gone mad. Is Jaemin trying to take me away? If so, just wait a little longer. It will be over soon…
Han Naeyung stared at the pitch-black void outside the open window.
“Jung Woomin!”
This time, he heard a voice he could recognize even with his eyes closed. Han Naeyung shook his head. It’s a hallucination, don’t look back! But his gaze betrayed his will, turning towards the voice.
A strong light from the phone in his hand shone on the floor. Like a person standing against the sun, his face was not visible.
“It’s me… Kyojin.”
Han Naeyung still believed he was hearing things. Jin couldn’t know the name no one had called him, nor the name of the brother he had swallowed down in his heart. Jin couldn’t know.
Han Naeyung’s arms, which held Jang Juntae, lost strength and dropped. He shook his head at the approaching figure.
“Don’t come.”
He didn’t want to be seen like this. He wanted to remain the clean, meticulous veterinarian from the small animal hospital in front of him. So, it couldn’t be Kyojin.
“Woomin.”
His body froze at the call again.
“This time.”
As he approached, Han Naeyung stepped back. Jin’s rough breaths mingled with the wind.
“This time, I’ll save you. It won’t be like last time…”
The sweet, childlike breath of someone who cherished a candy inside his cheek to the last drop. It was the same breath Han Naeyung had always felt from Jin. The same breath as Jaemin and Kyojin. Even so, he couldn’t believe it. You’re teasing me, right? You came here as a prosecutor, didn’t you? You came to arrest me, right? He denied it over and over again.
“I’ve been searching for you from then till now. Both Jaemin and you.”
Jin’s voice was damp. Jaemin too… That word lingered in his ears.
“…Do you?”
Han Naeyung asked blankly.
“Do you remember me?”
I lived forgetting you, trying not to remember… Do you really remember me?
“I remember. Your laughter, your voice, everything.”
So, don’t stay there, come here, he said, extending his hand.
“I’m sorry for not recognizing you sooner.”
Jin’s pleading hand trembled anxiously. The hand that clenched and unclenched turned solid, reaching towards him. Han Naeyung shook his head, tears streaming down. Jang Juntae, now drugged, groaned as he crawled towards the window. Despite the hallway being the opposite direction, he crawled towards the edge.
“That man! He said he repented. He said he was wrong. But I can’t forgive him… He killed Jaemin!”
In his confusion, Han Naeyung clung to Jin.
“Why should an evil person be forgiven? Jaemin is dead, but this man is alive!”
You’re a prosecutor. You should know the answer. Han Naeyung cried.
“Please, Woomin… Come here.”
Perhaps there was another chance. They both passed by the desperate cries of their senses.
The violent storm that had been hidden deep inside Han Naeyung began to break out.
“I can’t… endure it any longer. I can’t forgive.”
Han Naeyung approached the direction Jaemin had jumped. His legs trembled. It felt like the wind was pulling at his ankles. The darkness, unable to see an inch ahead, beckoned that the time had come. As Han Naeyung staggered, Jin shouted.
“Don’t forgive! I won’t forgive either! So…”
Now he could see Jin’s face.
“Let’s live.”
Jin was crying.
“Woomin, live with me.”
He couldn’t hold back any longer. Life was endless suffering. Even though he wanted to end it all, Jin’s cries shook his heart.
I want to live, with Jaemin and him. I want to live together without any pain like before. Han Naeyung clutched his chest and wailed. The once quiet Jung Woomin poured out cries like screams.
A bird was in the open cage. Unable to fly without feathers, it cried inside the cage. That bird was Han Naeyung. But now, he had to leave the cage and fly.
“I’m sorry, hyung… It’s already… too late.”
In truth, I’ve never blamed you. I’m sorry. I lied again this time.
Han Naeyung grabbed the struggling Jang Juntae. Jaemin-ah, it’s so high. How scared you must have been. Han Naeyung sobbed as he looked down.
The wind blew again. Meow, a cat’s cry he’d heard somewhere echoed in his ears, and Han Naeyung, clutching Jang Juntae, threw himself. It happened in an instant.
Woomin!
Jin’s desperate cry echoed through the building.
***
Jin’s body convulsed. If he had been even one second late, if he had hesitated for just a moment, this frail body would have been torn apart. Blood flowed down Jin’s arm, pierced by a protruding glass shard, towards Han Naeyung.
Han Naeyung looked up at him, holding onto his arm. His tears fell onto Han Naeyung’s cheeks. His body swayed as if the wind would carry him away.
“Hold on! Don’t ever let go!”
Supporting himself against the window pillar, Jin’s arm trembled under the weight. Han Naeyung’s body swayed too. The sharp glass dug deeper into his flesh. Jin was barely holding onto Han Naeyung. The blood stream grew thicker.
“Let go… You’ll get hurt, hyung.”
Even though he tried to grasp his hand, it was as if he was lifeless, his strength gone. His hand slipped again because of the flowing blood.
“Woomin… Jung Woomin.”
Jin called his name again. Han Naeyung couldn’t stop the tears out of pity for him. Words that couldn’t come out were stuck in his throat. The sound of his suit tearing against the sharp glass was clear. His flesh was also being torn. A rough groan escaped Jin’s lips.
The sharp glass from the window, not fully removed, mercilessly dug into his forearm. He endured immense pain to pull Han Naeyung up.
Please, hold on, Woomin…
He cried. The tears and blood falling onto his skin were hot.
Han Naeyung desperately tried to hold onto his hand. He tried to lift his hand to grab him, but it kept slipping on the blood. Meanwhile, Jin tightened his grip on the pillar.
How much longer did he sway in the air? He was ready to endure all the pain, fearing the wind might take Han Naeyung away. Even if he lost the use of his arm forever, it didn’t matter. He pulled Han Naeyung inside.
By the time his body was fully on the ground, his arm was already in tatters. Jin, breathing heavily, hugged Han Naeyung with one arm. His rough breath signaled he was alive. The fog in his mind cleared instantly. Han Naeyung, startled, touched his wounds. His own shirt was soaked with Jin’s blood.
His vision blurred, unable to see how severe the injury was. Jin hugged the sobbing Han Naeyung tighter.
“I almost lost you again.”
Jin, trembling, clung to Han Naeyung as if he might lose him even now. Eventually, Jin cupped Han Naeyung’s face with both hands. Han Naeyung, crying messily, looked at Jin.
Tears kept falling, making it hard to see his face. As if trying to feel the warmth of life, Jin touched Han Naeyung’s cheek and lips.
Whose fault was it that this started? Was it the parents who brought Jang Juntae into the world? Or the parents who abandoned them? Or was the world they lived in the problem? Nothing made sense anymore. Han Naeyung cried out loud like a child.
“Woomin… Please, live for me. I’ll take all the blame from now on.”
He kissed his wet lips.
“…Will you live with me?”
Han Naeyung had tried to jump off, not knowing what he was doing. Jin’s tears made Han Naeyung’s heart feel like it was being ripped apart.
Wiiing, wiiing. The siren sound rose from below, echoing through the empty building. At the same time, the focus in Jin’s bloodshot eyes sharpened. He quickly pulled out his phone and checked the message from Seon Wookjae. He had to wipe the blood off the screen several times.
Location of Jang Sungjun confirmed – same building as the prostitution case.
The message had arrived a long time ago.
“Woomin.”
Despite the call, Han Naeyung just sobbed at the sight of the flowing blood.
“Jung Woomin!”
His vacant gaze met Jin’s eyes. His pupils were blank, as if his soul had left his body.
“Trust me, right?”
Han Naeyung only nodded.
“You have to keep your wits about you from now on.”
Seeing his vacant nod, Jin spoke with a pained voice. Grabbing his bleeding arm, Jin stood up. He lifted Han Naeyung, making sure his wobbly legs were steady. Jin rummaged through Han Naeyung’s pockets, pulling out syringes and drugs.
“There’s too much blood, too much blood.”
Han Naeyung muttered in a state of panic.
“Right. According to our vet, there’s so much blood I’m feeling dizzy.”
Jin smiled as if to reassure Han Naeyung, then caressed his face. His pretty face was swollen from crying. Yet, Woomin was still beautiful. He always was, and he still was now.
Jin cupped his cheeks with his hands and spoke.
“When they take you away, don’t say a word. From this moment on, you don’t know me. Answer ‘I don’t know’ to everything. I’ll handle everything, so do as I say.”
Clinging to his arm, he pressed urgently.
“Promise? Woomin, answer me. You have to do it!”
Han Naeyung, not fully in his right mind, nodded as Jin wished. He didn’t really understand what Jin was saying.
At that moment, Jin’s hand slid off and he collapsed into Han Naeyung’s arms. Intense beams from dozens of flashlights poured onto them. As the building echoed with shouts, Han Naeyung sank to the ground.