Present Day  

Paris-Charles De Gaulle Airport 

Dasom Kim hadn't intended to become a fugitive at the start of Autumn.    

The sky held the energy of abundance as she stood outside an airport in Paris. A clear beginning clung to the atmosphere, a fresh new rhythm ahead for those that let in the cool air that flooded the streets and Dasom knew in those moments, it was time to grasp the feeling that had begun to consume her and take a chance of flying to new heights. A tale lay ahead in this new change of season and one that was going to be both devastating and delicious.    

It was devastating by the fact Dasom knew this secret journey in which she was about to embark would have to be hidden from her parents and that if they were to ever find out what she was up to, then it would be devastating if she got caught before she could execute her plan. But delicious knowing that on the other end, if she were to pull it off, she would gain the freedom and control of her life she had craved for so long that was eerily befitting of this new season. The wilting of the past and beginning of a new present.    

Dasom took her last breath in of the Autumnal French air and headed inside the airport. While her parents stood talking to each other a moment longer, she went and looked at the terminal board of planes ready to take off, turning her gaze to the destinations on her list as she scaled down the names of faraway places that sent a sliver of pleasure down her spine as she looked at them.   

She held two plane tickets in her hands and had already secretly sent one of her suitcases to one of these locations and an empty case to the place they had checked in for her supposedly true trip. One all that her parents knew of, her ride back to London to attend her new term at a private boarding school after her usual Summer spent in the French countryside, and the second that would take her halfway across the world.   

It was a dangerous game she was playing but this lie had to be played. This lie of a life she was living that could no longer be upheld. It was time for a change, and it had to be as drastic as what was about to happen. If she didn't get caught before she could.  

"I hate this every time it happens." Dasom's mother cried appearing from behind with a sudden rush, tearing Dasom away from the flight screens for a moment.   

Dasom turned to see her mother and father standing to wave her off for another term. Soon quickly hiding the secret ticket away as her mother came over and began to smooth out her daughter's yellow uniform blazer. "Why did we ever send you to a boarding school?"   

Dasom internally held her true thoughts towards her mother's question that she said every time before she had boarded the plane these last five years. Dasom being away from her family was hardly anything new. She never saw her parents when she was home from school and had spent this entire Summer alone as usual in their villa, sitting by their lake and pondering over when she could escape. It couldn't bother her mother that much as she wouldn't have let her attend for so long if she missed her so dearly. The tears would all soon dry up and her mother would soon be back to work and forgetting her for another few months till they were forced to see each other at the next end of the term.    

As usual, though, her father said. "Because it is one of the best schools in the world, and we had to take this chance she was given. Besides, this is her last year and therefore, you can afford to miss her a little longer."    

Her mother sided him a glare for being so business-like. "Can't you act a little more upset? We won't see her for six months."   

"This is nothing new." He huffed, digging his hands into his grey suit pockets. "You enjoy making things into a performance each year."   

Had Dasom not interjected, his coldness would have received a slap from her mother. "You two should go now. The plane will be on its way and I need to head to the departures lounge. All these emotions are doing nothing to settle me for the flight anyhow."   

Her mother turned back, even more, teary-eyed. "No, once you leave then I will have to accept it is happening again. Summer seems so short; I hardly saw you."   

Because your head was stuck in your computer the entire time. Dasom thought to herself.   

"I'm only going to London..." Dasom lied instead.    

Standing in the airport, Dasom was in her school uniform as no student could walk around on campus, even before classes had begun, without being in their appropriate school attire that was a tone as bright as a daffodil and so ill-flattering you'd think a school that had such a high tuition fee would have had a big enough budget to create a more stylish look. The strict truth of a prestigious private school being forced to wear such a hideous fabric mash-up even before she had arrived. And being in this outfit only made her more determined to keep moving forward with this secret adventure.  

Another thing she would not miss as she clutched her true plane ticket behind her back that gave her a bolt of encouragement to keep going with this lie. At the fact traveling in this outfit wasn't going to be comfortable, but to her mother, with Paris being so short a distance it hardly mattered and she had forced her to wear it. She was going to have to wear this for her long journey since she hadn't packed any spare clothing in her bag from her suitcase. Dasom was so scared she was going to fail this mission and was not going to risk anything. Still, the outfit was the least of her problems when she looked up at the departure board and her plane to Seoul, the destination her other ticket held, was soon to be leaving.    

Dasom had to get away and soon. "Look, you two waiting around is doing nothing for me. Leave or you'll be late for work. I need to head to departures now."   

Her mother threw Dasom into a hug. "You're right. It's just every time I have to see you leave again; it breaks my heart."    

But it never breaks your heart for long enough to stop me from having to leave.   

She did not want to go on the run from her parents as that is what she was about to do. However, it had to be this way. As much of a performance her mother made it seem like she hated her daughter being away, Dasom had tried to get out of this school that done nothing but held her down. It had been a place of torture for five years and she could take no more. She needed to break free and since they wouldn't allow her, she had to take her fate into her hands. She had been planning this all Summer and now that her escape was finally happening it did feel nerve-wracking, but she was so ready.    

Dasom kept up the façade once more. "It won't be long before I come back."    

Then we'll spend some non-existent time together again like we always do. Dasom couldn't help but keep bringing up these thoughts because they were all so true. They never saw each other even when she was home.   

Her mother pushed her back and looked at her daughter's youthful face. She was noted for having her mother's beauty, soft features that made her look even younger than her actual seventeen years, even if Dasom didn't see it herself. Her mother did and she soon stroked her daughter's face and nodded.    

"You're right, we better leave now. We'll be late for work if we don't."   

The words she had been waiting for that expressed her mother's actual truth had come out. Dasom knew she had waited till her daughter had told her to leave until she mentioned work. So, it didn't sound so bad. She pulled her into one last hug before her father did the same and they stood back, looking at her differently now they didn't have to force the emotion since they were leaving.   

"It's your last year now. You'll be heading to university after this. We'll never even see you then." Her father's tone was bland, which wasn't anything new for him but as it could be the last she saw of them for some time, the blandness stung at her heart secretly.  

He was always this way, but she knew underneath it was a relief she wouldn't have to do this anymore. Say their false goodbyes at the airport like good parents and then soon leave and forget about her for the next few months. Not talking till the next time they saw each other, and they would have to converse.  

Running away seemed extreme to simply break out of a school she hated. However, she wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't her last resort. She had tried everything from being a bad kid to giving up on her grades, but nothing would make them let her leave this school and all because it was one of the world's leading and they wanted the notoriety of it. Well, the only thing they would be leading is a search party for her because she was about to leave for as long as she could, unable to take the restrain and emotionless parents anymore.    

"Well, I suppose it's time to say goodbye. I'm so sad but it is your last year and it is still so hard to believe how fast you have grown. My daughter in university soon, time passes to fast!"   

She tried to hug her again but Dasom resisted. "Please, just go. I'll be fine. I need to leave."   

Her father nodded. "Yes, let's. Take care, Dasom. I'm very proud of you for working so hard at this school. You have done an amazing job."   

Dasom forced a smile. "Thank you, dad."   

"Do take care, Dasom. Remember I am a call away. One country away. Whatever you need..." Dasom soon zoned out from them.    

Empty words meant nothing to her anymore and she said goodbyes to her parents who had no idea she was about to go to their home country and start a secret new life all on her own, in hopes they may never find her again. Or for a great period anyhow.   

As they fled from sight and would soon forget about her for some time, Dasom's smile faded, and she pulled up both tickets again. One to London, England, one to Seoul, South Korea. London was where she should be. Seoul where her literal soul needed to be to escape. She held them in her gaze for one more moment before taking the London ticket, tearing it up, placing it in the trash, and then clutching the flight to Seoul as if it was life or death.   

For once in her life, she was taking control of her destiny and she was going to grasp that delicious feeling that was freedom. Even if she had no idea of what that destiny was nor what even would await her journey in Seoul. This was a chance she had to take and if that meant being extreme and becoming a fugitive teen, it had to be done. This was a tale that had an unknown end, but sometimes reckless moves are what is needed to survive. She only hoped she was strong enough for this solo new adventure. But then again, she knew she was. Because being alone was the one thing she was good at.