My feet speed down the stairs in excitement, then become stiff. My Father is watching Aunt Han prepare the meals, taking his plate. I don’t get the chance to see his face, since he bolts into the living room. Aunt Han’s eyes scan the body language of her brother-in-law. At times, I can sense that she pities me, and that’s why she goes easier on me when I’m near my Father.
“Come take your food before it cools,” she squeals.
“Thank you.”
I grab my dinner and look upstairs, knowing my Father will feel more comfortable if I go up. He avoids me for I am the accidental murderer of his wife. I try to convince myself that it’s because he’s afraid he’ll lose me someday too. He was less subtle with his disdain for me when I was younger, actually behaving like a parent. At least those memories give me great comfort when I’m down. About to head upstairs, I pause my steps, facing Aunt Han.
“Did the sellers come yet?” I ask.
She looks up, realizing they left her mind.
“That’s right. They should be here by now,” she says, walking outside. I place my plate back down on the table. Following Aunt Han, I sense my Father’s stare at our backs. He is most likely confused as well.
Opening the door, Aunt Han is completely blocking the entrance. Even if I ask her to move, she’ll pounce. I look over her shoulder, seeing a solid gold helicopter further down the row of houses. A black helicopter settles down behind them. Those are not the monger sellers. They’re one of the many groups who seek to buy our land. Seung-won is going to say yes before they can open their mouths.
I push and sneak out from behind Aunt Han, joining a group of my neighbors. We're all shouting.
“Give us more time! One more year!” my elder neighbors yell, their children joining in.
Seung-won gives us a look of disgust, as if he were one of the millionaires a few feet away from us. I have my golden idea, but I wait to see if I should say it.
“Great-grandfather is incapable of giving the say so these days. All business affairs are in my care, and we’re heading into the twenty-first century! It’s time to get with the times,” Seung-won says.
“Have you forgotten who you are?” My friend’s father shouts, many adults giving him quick looks.
They want him to keep his mouth shut, or we’d be up for sale with the land. The five millionaires look over us. I recognized those eyes my entire life. Eyes full of annoyance, disdain and disgust. Standing in silence, their lips finally separate.
“If we can get a word in edgewise. We have been in negotiation with Seung-won for almost eight years. We have given leniency after leniency. The Roze Group will buy the Red Bay, or, Egret island if you prefer, in a month’s time. Your leader is co-operating. It would be very helpful if you do the same.”
As expected, an uproar launches. I try to tune out the noise my people are making. This idea I have is too good. It’s twelve times longer than the time we’re allowed, but I have to give it a shot.
I put a foot forward. Drip. Drip. I look up to the sky. Rain, at a time like this. I need to hurry. Rushing towards the Roze group, I hear loud sounds. Their armed bodyguards jump from the black helicopter, surrounding the men. In seconds, I have eight rifles pointed at me. My hands are right beside my head before I have time to think.
“Please. A year’s time. I have an offer that will appease your tastes,” I say.
They’re staring daggers at me. The saliva in my mouth dries up in seconds. I have to keep going.
“In a year from now, on this day, I’ll give you the Sapphire Spinner.”
They must know what it is, because I witness their eyes widening in delight. I observe their expressions, and it’s obvious they have to hold themselves back from drooling.
“And when I do, I want you to give us peace.”
The millionaires’ expressions darken. The silence is the only thing my people are willing to share. The group lowers their heads, consulting with each other. For what feels like minutes, we stare at the men who have no idea what it’s like to work with their hands. They straighten their positions, staring me down. If looks could kill, I’d be dead ten times over.
“We would reject this offer if it were any other day. We heard of Carl Kleine’s offer on this species. If you can snag this deal before anyone else, you’ve got yourself a deal. Otherwise, we’ll evict you and yours. And if you try to return, we’ll have you deported. Deal?”
Silence. Although the air stagnated, I can feel my people piercing my back with hate. I’m too scared to turn around and confirm it.
“If you make this deal, Ji-ri, I’ll disown you,” Aunt Han hisses at me.
I look back at my Aunt, scanning to see my Father’s approval of her words. His body is quivering, and the corners of his mouth look like they’re curving into a grin. The sight almost knocks the breath out of my body. For the first time in years, he looks proud of me. That's when I begin to connect the dots, recounting a memory a few years back. My neighbors told me when my Father wasn’t busy fawning over my Mother, he did everything he could for the island. My father prides himself on being a hard-working man of Egret, and I can see that I brought back samples of his joy. It strengthens my resolve.
I look back to the millionaires who are awaiting my answer.
“It’s a deal,” I say.
“Wait-“ Seung-won interjects.
“Done,” the leader of the Roze group says, all five turning around in an instant. Before Seung-won can get a word in, the men board the gold helicopter. The rifles lower, the bodyguards entering the black helicopter.
Both take off as heavy rainfall cascades onto our land. Stampeding feet thunder in my direction. I have never been so grateful for the rain. I look up. I embrace it. My eyes shut. I want to become one with the only thing that would accept me right now. Before anyone can get their hands on me, I’m gone.
It’s time to set sail.
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