Dahyun

Walking through the eerie hallways, the mailroom kept popping into my mind. The truck. The letters. I made sure to keep track of the turns and stairs that we took. Within a few minutes, we finally stepped onto the grass right outside the Gate. 

The air outside was a cool relief, scrubbed clean of the acrid smell of the fire. I shivered, my breath misting in the chilly air. Guards approached, handing Siwoo and me thick jackets to ward off the cold.

"Looks like winter’s finally here," Siwoo noted, releasing my hand. I remained rooted in place, my gaze fixed on the timberline. Siwoo handed me a brand new tablet, "Here."

"But Baek said you’d get mad..." I protested.

"Baek lied. He didn’t know I was the one who gave you the tablet the first time," Siwoo confessed.

"Why?"

"I couldn’t stand seeing you so sad. I thought you would watch cute things like drawing or dancing, but you started watching these boarish–”

"Where’s Baek?" I cut him off.

My father looked at me as if my question slapped him across the face.

"Baek isn’t coming," Siwoo finally replied, his voice steady.

"Where is he?" I insisted.

Siwoo sighed, "Dahyun, baby, Baek was made to take care of you. Now he’s going to take care of other lonely kids."

I’m not a baby, I thought to myself– and why does he speak to me that way?

Just then, a vibrant woman appeared from behind the gate, her hair cropped into a neat bob framed a face that seemed perpetually cheerful, as if she had practiced her smile in the mirror one too many times. Yet, there was something unsettlingly artificial about it, like the sheen on a plastic doll. She was dragging a lavender suitcase behind her.

"I want to see him," I said again, my voice finding the courage.

"No. I’m only looking out for you, baby. He’s going to work somewhere else, so we’re shipping him out in a few weeks. He was a bad influence for you anyway, but don’t worry! This is my good friend, Park Minji!" Siwoo introduced, his cheerfulness not matching my own mood.

Minji beamed at me, "Nice to meet you, Dahyun!"

"Hi," I replied warily.

Minji gestured at the tablet in my hands, "I like the tablet you got there! Don’t worry, I will take care of all the hard work so you can focus on playing! I heard you liked watching videos? I have so many fun and cute videos to show you!"

Her entire demeanor felt over-rehearsed, as if she was acting out a role rather than being herself. Every gesture, every word, felt calculated and controlled. I felt a chill that had nothing to do with the winter air. Something about Park Minji made me uneasy. Her soulless eyes were way different from Baek’s. Baek’s eyes saw me. He cared for me. But her’s… they only saw a task to be accomplished, a problem to be managed.

Siwoo pulled Minji aside, his voice low and serious. "Dahyun is only allowed on the tablet if you’re with her. She can only watch what you show her. Got it?" Minji, her cheerful demeanor unbroken, simply nodded in agreement.

The two of them turned their gazes to me, and I realized I'd heard everything. "Got it," I echoed, and handed the tablet to Minji. She patted my head gently, an act that felt more condescending than comforting. "What a good girl, Dahyun!" she cooed.

Minji took my hand in hers, her grip firm yet gentle, and we began to make our way towards the timberline. Siwoo called after us, "You two girls have fun..." 

"Baek!"

Several guards, alert and ready, began to rush towards the source of the interruption. Baek was sprinting past them, his eyes locked on me. 

Behind him was the doctor who pulled off his arm. She gestured for the guards to back off and they listened to her command. Baek looked back at her, and she nodded. 

Siwoo's face twisted into a grimace of contempt as Baek walked past him without so much as a glance. Siwoo instead looked towards the doctor. She met his intense gaze with one of her own, and he faltered. 

I pulled myself free of Minji’s grasp and sprinted towards Baek. The moment we collided into a hug, I could feel the weight of the world falling off my shoulders.

"Baek! Baek, are you okay?!" I cried out, my voice muffled by his shirt.

"I’m fine. Are you feeling better?" His voice was warm, soothing my fears. I nodded and looked up at him. After a moment, he pulled back. He seemed a bit shy. "You’re not scared?" he asked, his gaze searching mine for answers.

"Of what?" I asked, puzzled.

"Me?" Baek replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Why would I be scared?" I said. The idea of being afraid of Baek was inconceivable. He was always with me, helping me. He was more than just my friend. He was family. 

Tears welled up in my eyes, a mix of relief and regret. "I’m so sorry, Baek. This is all my fault," I said, burying my face back into his shoulder.

His chuckle was a soft vibration against my ear. He gently patted my head. "It’s not your fault."

“But–” I tried to respond, but Siwoo's voice sliced through our moment. "Baek. That’s enough."

Baek stiffened, his gaze locking onto Siwoo in a silent challenge. "Okay," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. He started to pull away, but I tightened my grip on him.

Leaning in close, I whispered in his ear. "I’m working on a plan to escape. Give me a week," I told him, my voice made of steel. Baek's body stiffened in surprise, and he pulled back slightly to look at me. I kept my face impassive, hoping he would understand the seriousness of my words.

He nodded, his eyes filled with a mix of worry and determination. His eyes moved from me to my father. Baek then smiled at Siwoo with a wry smirk. 

Without warning, Baek leaned in and planted a kiss on my cheek. He had turned my face towards Siwoo, and I could see my father’s surprise morph into rage. I felt something drop into my pocket. 

Then, just like that, Baek pulled away. A warm tingle spread through me, originating from the spot where his lips had been. My hand instinctively flew to my cheek. I could feel a rush of heat spread across my face, turning them a shade of pink.

Siwoo's face turned a similar shade, though his was born out of a mix of shock and anger. He swiftly moved to grab Baek by the nape of his neck, leading him away towards the Gate, fuming from the bold move on his daughter.

Meanwhile, Minji took hold of my arm, her cheerfulness returning as she guided me back towards the cottage. My hand went into my pocket and I felt the comfort of my knife. She chatted away brightly as we walked; however, her words washed past me. My thoughts, however, remained with Baek, and the promise of escape that we had secretly shared.