Kibum and Jonghyun were standing at the small pathway that led to the first rows of houses in Itaewon. The red color that was everywhere was the first thing that struck the both of them. Then, they noticed the chaos that was the village. Baskets that were once full of fish were scattered everywhere, empty. Charcoal people kept in front of their houses to burn for the heat at night, were now painting the sandy ground black. People were running around collecting their belongings while some were consoling crying children.

“What happened here?” Jonghyun asked in a low voice, Kibum was also curious about the same thing but he wasn’t sure if he wanted to know the answer.

Kibum bent down and picked up the scarlet colored flyers with the unmistakable Japanese flag printed on it. The flyers were littered all over the floor, making the ground look almost like it was bleeding. The sight sent shivers down Kibum’s spine.

The flyer said something in Japanese writing that Kibum couldn’t read. But he was sure of one thing, though. It definitely did not contain friendly messages. Kibum crumpled the paper and threw it onto the ground, moving forward into the village, Jonghyun following him silently.

People cast them sad, desperate looks as they passed through the eerily silent street, making their way to the familiar house near the ocean where the fisherman lived. Wailing of a baby here and there rang through the street, a reminder of something terrible that had just occurred here.

They finally reached the house they were headed for and walked straight to the back of the house where they knew they would find the old man. But what they came to see was an unconscious old man lying on the ground, beside the staircase that led up to his house.

“Oh my god! Hyung, hurry!” Kibum said as he rushed to the still body on the ground. He knelt beside the body, trying to shake him awake.

“Harabuji! Harabuji!!” Kibum called, frantically. Jonghyun stood up and ran to the pitcher of water near the table where the old man usually dried the seafood. Jonghyun hurried back with a glass of water, splashing some onto the man’s face to wake him up. Kibum watched, worriedly, for some sort of reaction from him.

The man’s eyes fluttered open and Kibum sent silent prayers up to whoever was listening.

“Harabuji! Are you okay? Do you need to go to the hospital? Are you hurt somewhere?” Kibum asked him multiple questions, not giving the man a chance to answer any. He felt Jonghyun’s hand on his shoulder to calm him down. Kibum finally relaxed a bit as the man finally sat up, the hands that were supporting him up, shaking.

“I’m fine, Kibum-ah. Don’t worry about me,” the old man said. his voice weak.

“Harabuji, what happened? Who did this to you?” Kibum asked, although he thought that he knew the answer.

“The Japanese army. They came into the village riding on horses, creating havoc… Pushing people down and throwing things around. They left after scattering those ugly red posters everywhere. They tried to take my seafood away and I tried stopping them. They were too strong for me and they pushed me down. I think I might have fainted then…”

Kibum looked at Jonghyun, comprehending everything they just heard. The amount of fury Kibum felt for those army men was just indescribable but there were more important things to take care of now. So Kibum pushed his anger to the back of his mind.

“Hyung, help me get harabuji inside,” Kibum said, taking one of the old man’s hand and placing it around his neck. Jonghyun did the same with the other hand and they both helped the man get on his feet and to walk to his house. Just when they were going to climb the stairs, the old man stopped suddenly.

“What is it, harabuji?” Jonghyun asked.

“The seafood. They took it all. I don’t any left to give you, Kibum-ah…” the man fretted.

“That’s okay, harabuji.  It’s more important to make sure you’re alright now,” Kibum told him as they helped him into his house.

The old man lived alone so they couldn’t just leave him without making sure that he was fine. Therefore, Jonghyun and Kibum stayed there until the sun set, getting him water and food and treating the small cut on his forehead before leaving the village.

Kibum was leaving the village with empty hands but his heart was full of worry and anger. He was sure Jonghyun felt the same way, with the frown that has set itself on his forehead. This was soon going to be the fate of his own village and Kibum couldn’t help but be concerned of his weak grandmother’s safety.

~~~~~

It was another ordinary morning for Kibum, where he wakes up early to go work in his barn. He didn’t have that many poultry so there was not much work anyway. But tending to the chickens, goats and cows that he owned, every morning, was usually his alone time to think and try to make sense of things going on around him. Today was no different.

While feeding the chickens, Kibum replayed the scene he saw in Itaewon over and over in his head to grasp the truth that that may be their village next. It seemed too distant a reality to believe it’s true. But hadn’t Kibum witnessed the destruction with his own eyes? Then, why was it so hard for Kibum to come to terms with the fact that his village is no different from others and will eventually suffer the same fate.

While cleaning the goats’ pen, Kibum thought of ways he could ensure his grandmother’s safety before something happens and give her some peace of mind in her old age. After all, the old lady has worked so hard her entire life to care for her family and she deserved a break from all the chaos that was war. Kibum was never one to run away in fear, but where his grandmother was concerned; he would do just about anything to keep her safe.

While milking the cows and collecting the chicken eggs, Kibum found his rage for the army intensifying to an unhealthy level. Why was it that the countries seeking power and acknowledgement as the mightiest, have to victimize innocent people’s lives? Why can’t they let people like Kibum just go on with their everyday lives in peace?

“Selfish, ruthless monsters!” Kibum hissed to himself as he threw the rake he had been using to clean the floor in some random direction, scaring some of his chickens in the process.

Another voice brought Kibum out of his musings, just as he was picking up the pail of fresh milk he had just milked from his cows to get it pasteurized.

“Hyung! Where are you? Hyung!!” Kibum heard Taemin’s voice calling out to him. Taemin was Jonghyun’s neighbor whom Kibum has taken a liking to after meeting him every time Kibum went over to Jonghyun’s. The boy was the epitome of innocence as he had led a luxurious life filled with only joy, thanks to his businessman father. He had grown up not really witnessing the pains of war as he had never been let out of the house until recently. His family was a rich one but even he was not as rich as Jonghyun was. Sometimes, Kibum would feel jealous towards the both of them for being blessed with so much of luck and prosperity in these very unfortunate times. Kibum would immediately remind himself that he had all he needed in this small wooden house that he lived in with his grandmother. He was content with what little fortune he has. Money, after all, did not determine one’s happiness. That is what Kibum’s  grandmother always told him.

“I’m in here!” Kibum called back to him from inside the barn. He put down the pail and took off his gloves. Just then, the barn door swung open and a panting Taemin rushed in. He stopped as soon as he saw Kibum and bent over, clutching his stomach in pain. The boy must have run all the way here to be so out of breathe.

“Yah, were you running in a race or something? Or did you just miss me that much that you had to run here to see me?” Kibum mocked the breathless boy. Taemin attempted a glare at Kibum but all that came out was a half frown that showed that he was in pain rather than being angry.

“Not funny, hyung!-“ more huffing and puffing, “-Jonghyun hyung’s father wanted to see you. He looked very serious so I ran here to tell you as soon as possible,” Taemin finally got out amidst his harsh breathing.

“Hyung’s father? Me? Why?” It seemed as though Kibum couldn’t even form full sentences in his surprise.

“I don’t know, but he looked super-serious. Like really, really tensed!” Taemin explained, his eyes wide.

Taemin was always known for exaggerating even small things so Kibum knew better than to panic at his words. But he still found it surprising that Jonghyun’s father would want to see him. Could it be that he found out about Jonghyun’s idiotic plan of registering Kibum in college in his place?

“Okay... Where’s Jonghyun hyung?” Kibum asked, pulling his mud boots out to go get dressed properly.

“I think he went to visit some college again. At least, that’s what his father told me…,” Taemin faltered.

“I see… I’ll get going then. Taemin, could you please get things organized around here? And get the milk heated too!” Kibum said to Taemin as he passed him on the way out of the barn. Taemin whined in protest but he didn’t say anything. Taemin had learned how to get things done around the barn from Kibum but he was not the fondest of doing the barn chores. Well, at least Taemin knew how to do it even though he dislikes it, which is more than what Jonghyun can say, having known Kibum for way longer than Taemin has.

Kibum got dressed into a new button-down shirt that looked more decent than the faded t-shirt he was sporting earlier. After pulling his already neat hair into an even more formal looking do and putting on a fresh pair of slacks, Kibum was finally on his way to meet Jonghyun’s father for whatever reason that he doesn’t know yet. He had to look presentable when meeting the village head, after all, although the man has been an almost father-like figure to him since he moved to Yongin and became good friends with Jonghyun.

The journey to his house was short. Kibum knew the path to the house so well that he was sure he could find it with his eyes closed. It wasn’t that hard to spot anyway. A huge, dainty looking brick house that sat at the centre of a massive flower garden, is not that hard to be seen when compared to all the other ordinary looking wooden houses around.

Kibum made his way from the main gate to the door while admiring the flower arrangements in the garden that has been changed since he last came. Just as Kibum stopped to smell a purple flower, a white man, wearing a dark green uniform of the British army stepped out of the house. Jonghyun’s father was out of Kibum’s sight behind the burly-looking man. They seemed to share a few more words before they finally shook hands and parted. The man got into a jeep that was parked in front of Jonghyun’s father’s classic  Buick sedan and the driver of the jeep drove the two away. The white man turned to look at Kibum just as the jeep passed him. That one look was enough for Kibum to feel chills on the back of his neck. It was a known fact that Kibum hated all military men but there was something about this man that made Kibum think that he would hate him even if he weren’t a military men.

“Kibum-ah! Come on in!” Kibum heard Jonghyun’s father call out to him. He realized just then that he had been standing there, staring at the jeep driving away. Kibum pulled himself together and walked in the direction of the house.

Jonghyun’s father greeted him warmly. They went into his study (a place Kibum had never been allowed into before) and the maid brought Kibum a cup of coffee. Kibum thanked the maid before drinking his coffee. Kibum looked around the only unfamiliar room in Jonghyun’s house to him, just to keep his eyes off of the old man. He had talked with Jonghyun’s father plenty of times before but this was the first time that he has ever been treated so formally. He couldn’t help but feel nervous because of this.

“So… Jonghyun told me about what you witnessed in Itaewon. I’m sure it left you somewhat disturbed, right?” Jonghyun’s father said to Kibum. Kibum was confused as to why he would bring that up now. He had convinced himself by now that he had called to see Kibum about Jonghyun’s college issue.

“Yes, yes it did, ahjusshi,” Kibum answered him.

“I think you must have realized that our village can soon be threatened just like what the Japanese did to Itaewon,” he added and Kibum just nodded, not seeing where he was going with this.

“Well, I’ll just cut to the chase. What I’m about to tell you is top secret and even Jonghyun doesn’t know this,” he said, the light tone in his voice from earlier gone. Kibum wanted to scoff and tell him that he’d be surprised by the amount of things Jonghyun knows but he thought that that would be a bad idea, considering the man’s serious tone.

“Okay, ahjusshi…” Kibum meant to make it sound like an answer but it came out sounding like a question.

“The British army is planning to topple the Japanese government. They are starting out by defending the small villages from being conquered by the Japanese and then they plan to make their way into the central government to bring them down. To do this, they are going to be placing troops of army in each village in hiding to watch over the village until it’s time for the actual battle,” Jonghyun’s father stopped to see if Kibum was following him. Kibum just looked at him intently, still not understanding why he was being told all this.

“There will be a troop of about 20 men coming in to our village as well. This is where you come in, Kibum. The army’s base camp is going to be deep in the jungles near your house and they are going to need food supply from your paddy fields. So you’ll have to supply half your yield to them,”

Kibum stared at him blankly. If there was anyone he just HAD to help, the army would definitely be his last choice. The idea of feeding monsters that are just going to end up taking people’s lives was not very appealing to Kibum.

“Why me?”

“Because, Kibum, you have the biggest paddy field around and you live the closest to them. It will make it easier for them to transport the rice from your fields into the jungle without really attracting much attention,”

“Will they pay me?” Kibum asked, even though he has already decided not o give his rice to those army men. He did not believe that British army was trying to help them for a single second. They are just going to take over the Japanese army’s place and the Koreans would never be granted independence.

“No, but it’s your duty as this country’s citizen to help us gain independence and that is exactly what the British army is aiming to do,” Jonghyun’s father had a stern look on but it didn’t scare Kibum one bit as he protested against this arrangement.

“Gain independence for us? You really believe that, ahjusshi? These men are just gonna use us to get rid of the Japanese and then continue reigning in our country. I want nothing to do with this. They can starve to death for all I care,” Kibum hissed in revulsion.

“Don’t be childish, Kibum. So what if they take over the Japanese? Aren’t we better off under their administration than living in fear under the Japanese occupation. Enough of this, Kibum. You will supply rice to the army men as promised and you will do it willingly,” he said with finality.

Kibum stood up abruptly, his chair almost toppling to the back. He has had enough of this nonsense as well. He looked the older man straight in the eyes when he spoke.

“Ahjusshi, I have a lot of respect for you. But what you’re asking of me now is just impossible. I have to make money for my grandmother’s medications. I can’t be doing charity for some monsters that are here to supposedly here to ‘protect’ us. That is my final say on this matter,”

Kibum then walked out of the study not really giving the older man a chance to say anything. Kibum did catch the sad expression on his face, though, right before he left the room. Jonghyun’s father knew of Kibum’s hatred for military men and he knew the reason why he was like that too. That would explain his sad look of sympathy for Kibum that he was wearing right before Kibum stormed out of the room.

Kibum didn’t need sympathy. All he needed was for people to let him live his own life the way he wishes to.

(A/N) Here's my second chapter!!! Enjoy people!!

I had you guys thinking that it was blood that Key and Jjong saw in the last chapter, didn't I?  Well, it isn't... Just some ugly red flyers...  I'm not going to introduce blood and gore so early on in the story but there will be some later on.... Nothing too gruesome, though... I can't write horror to save my life!!

It also occured to me that with the way I describe the Japanese army or the British army, it might be easy to misunderstand it as my hate for these two countries. But you couldn't be more wrong!! I LOVE JAPAN!!! I LOVE BRITAIN!! I LOVE PLANET EARTH AND EVERYBODY ON IT!!! Okay, now that that's out of the way, I hope you guys understand that everything in this story is for entertainment purposes ONLY!! I made most of the history up with a little reference to the history of my own country....

Enough of this rant!! Now, I would like to thank those who left me such sweet comments for the last chapter.... I hope I don't disappoint you guys!!! I love writing and I have so many good ideas for this story, I just hope I can express it well in my writing so that you guys would like it too!!! 

Thank you again for subscribing and reading!!! Don't forget to comment and have a good day, guys!!!