Junhong tilted his head skyward to release a coarse sigh he has been holding in as the door closes behind him. He abruptly pocketed his hands, nearly ripping holes into his jacket. Quietly, he pondered about how time hasn’t healed a thing. It was a few nights later and he had hoped tonight’s sky would be different—would comfort him. Unfortunately, it was only a reminder of what went wrong previously.

With leisure, he took out a cigarette and situated it in between his sore lips. Which naturally led him to wonder the reason why a young man such as himself would smoke. And though he can’t recall the precise moment he had his first taste of tobacco, he is mindful of how it started.

Although he hates to admit it, it stemmed from his selfish older brother. Of course, there was no use finding fault in anyone else but himself after all these years, as it has been nearly seven years since his brother ran away with their house deed. But Junhong was more at ease knowing it wasn’t him who shattered their picture-perfect family.

Junhong puffed out a cloud of smoke through the corner of his mouth before he walked down the steps. With the burning cylinder locked in between his two fingers.

Youngjae glanced over at the gun that was left on the nightstand, neighboring Junhong’s bed. Noiselessly, his eyes shifted over to the soundless, sleeping elder. She was still propped up in the chair as her head fell to the side a little.

Regularly, Youngjae studied his intertwined hands just as a dry smile formed on his feverish face. Junhong didn’t just scare him with an unloaded gun, the younger also had him worried that if he was killed, Junhong would be all alone. In a world where their effort wasn’t welcomed but frowned upon instead.

For six years, they’ve taken from the corrupted rich and wealthy and given it to the poor under an anonymous name. In the end, only to be accused of being con artists by both the rich and the poor, and hunted down like criminals.

"When you were in an unconscious state, I thought about pulling the plug. However, after considering how long we’ve known each other. I couldn’t do it—no, I wouldn’t do it. Even if you did do it, I came to terms to forgive you. And if it causes me my life...well, at least I was different."

Youngjae’s sigh flooded the room as he fell onto his new, creaky bed. Briefly, it brought back memories of his room back at Rosemary. Then slowly it morphed into Seyeon’s poised face. Looking up onto the ceiling, the void over him was filled with him missing her.

He was burning with the desire to see her again but knew it couldn't be bargained with. Restlessly, Youngjae laid on his side with his back turned to Junhong’s great-grandmother. The dimness of the room was just right for him to sleep peacefully. But it was easier said than done.

As time dragged by, Youngjae found himself tossing and turning. His body was completely drained but his mind has powers of its own. Irritated, Youngjae ruffled his fringes before sitting up completely. He took a deep breath as his mind helplessly drifted elsewhere. What brought him to the past in the first place? How did he return? How would he get back?

Youngjae found himself asking the same questions until Junhong returned around four in the morning. And without exchanging a word, Junhong threw a blanket over his grandmother and tucked himself in. As he couldn’t console Junhong yet, the man only watched over the boy’s abnormal body that exceeds even the bed.

As sunlight shoved its way over the horizon, Youngjae was woken up by someone’s nudging. With his eyes shut, he was ready to fight off Jangjun for more sleep. But before he could embarrass himself, an agitated Junhong stripped him of any drowsiness, “Get up, they’re here!” When Youngjae got up, Junhong tossed him his bag from the hospital. Then rapidly he obtained Youngjae’s arm and pulled the latter onto his feet. “Quickly, take the back door,”

Youngjae’s mouth gaped, “What about you?”

Junhong glanced over at his grandmother before locking eyes with Youngjae again, “I have to hide her first. We’ll meet you at the retirement home by Han River,”

“It’s better if we stick together Junhong,”

The taller shook his head, “No, it would do neither of us any good if we’re seen together. Batmen think you’re dead, go hurry! Take the back door, there’s a set of stairs there. Don’t go all the way down but hop over to the closest roof on the second floor,”

“Choi Junhong!” a stormy voice could be heard traveling through the streets when Junhong gasped a little. Then the sound of footsteps echoed and grew louder as a body of men rushed upstairs.

“Go Youngjae!” Junhong pushed Youngjae violently toward the back as he popped open th