The drunk woman sighed and rolled off the bed. Her head was pounding with a vengeance. She

blearily went down the stairs and went out, absentmindedly leaving the door open. "Hangover

medicine is what I need" she mumbled. Though the streets had lamps it was already very dark, and

the woman was not steady on her feet. Turning left, she was on the road. She stood still and

suddenly thought of Heejoo and smiled.  Lights blinded her and she screamed as a car hit her.

 ***

Unsuspectedly, you and Heejoo had already turned back from the closed supermarket and entered a

nearby convenience store. You quickly found the curry, while Heejoo eagerly scanned the snacks.

The bell tinkled and someone came in; you turned round and smacked right into him. "Mianhae yo"

you mumble and walk past not sparing him a glance. You didn't interact well with other people, but

children were different; they were honest.

***

A couple of minutes later you heard shouts and sirens outside. Curious, you got up and looked out.

*O God, did someone just get run over?* You rushed out and gasped at the figure lying on the

pavement, "is that my aunt!??" Your throat grew dry as you thought of Heejoo and turned to try to

make Heejoo stay in the store but it was too late. She had wondered where you had gone and was

stepping out the door. Time seemed to go slowly then. Heejoo realizing her mother was dead, Heejoo

crying and screaming, and your aunt being whisked to the hospital. While all of this was going on, a

single figure watched through the windows of the convenience store silently.

***

"H-How is her condition?" You anxiously ask the doctor. Heejoo was gripping you to her side, and

her face was streaked with tears. The doctor gave you a long look and shook his head. Your heart

sank and you crouched down to hug the crying Heejoo. Heejoo was yelling to see her mother, and

the only thing you could do was hold her. *She doesn't need this drama in her life* you thought

bitterly.

Back at the apartment, you carried a sleeping Heejoo to the one room, and placed her on the bed. She had been fitfully crying in her sleep all the way home.

You faced a dilemma.

This wasn't what you were expecting when you ran away; you had had high hopes of your Aunt, but now you realized that as a runaway, with no money, and a child in tow that things were not looking up.

You needed a job.

You also knew that you needed to graduate high school. The availability of jobs were 0 if you were a

high school drop-out. Yawning you headed to the room. *I'll think about this tomorrow. My mind is a mess.*