Chapter Fifteen
The Mysterious Play [Discontinued]
Jieun stepped forward and put her hand on the taller one’s shoulder, “Let him go Kai,” she said.
And Kai did as he was told. Though reluctantly, his grasp on the new discovered EXO warrior loosened up, letting the other slid down on the ground. He quickly curled up, burring his face in his knees, what Jieun assumed to be an action full of regret. She crouched down in front of him.
“What’s your name?” she asked,
The boy lift up his head, revealing his teary and dirty face, “H-Hwangshi,” he said between his sobs,
“Hwangshi, why did you take the money from the Ahjumma earlier?” Jieun asked softly, trying not to use the word ‘steal’,
Hwangshi took a few seconds to calm himself down before answering, “M-My little sister. She is s-sick and she hasn’t eaten in d-days,” he managed to say, “I-I didn’t mean to steal the money but no one wanted to buy my stuffs, it was so tempting and it just happened,” he cried.
“Where are you’re parents?” Jieun asked,
“My mother died when she gave birth to my sister. And my father is too old and sick to work,”
“Do you have other brothers or sisters?”
“I also have two little brothers,”
“How old are you?”
“19,” Hwangshi said,
Jieun frowned. This boy was just a year older than her but he looked like a lost child. Still, he had to carry his family on his shoulders.
Though his situation, Jieun couldn’t help but thinking about the mission. She didn’t see wrong. Hwangshi had a mark on his ankle. Right now his pants were covering it and they didn’t have the time to see it.
Jieun looked up to Suho and gave him a nod. The other came closer and stood behind Jieun, “Hwangshi. Have you ever heard of EXO?”
As expected, the boy shook his head and frowned, “What is it?”
“Well,” Suho scratched the back of his head, “She is Lee Jieun. She doesn’t seem like it but, she comes from another world and she is going to save the kingdom,” he explained,
Hwangshi’s eyes widened as he looked at Jieun. Her? Saving the kingdom?
“There’s a prophecy that says she will be the one bringing back peace to our world. And there are twelve warriors who are assigned to help her,” Suho continued,
“The four of us are ones of these warriors,” Kris stepped in. Then he pulled his collar down, “Can you see this mark?” he asked. The younger boy nodded, “This is a mark that only the EXO warriors have,” Kris said,
“And why are you telling me this?” Hwangshi asked,
Suho gave Baekhyun a sign and the other pulled a piece of paper from his back pocket. Kris took it and showed the content to Hwangshi, “Can you recognize any of these?”
He studied the symbols on the paper and his eyes widened in surprise, “Th-This is-” he pointed at one of the symbols.
“Yes. This is the mark you have on your ankle,” Suho said,
“What does that mean?”
“That you are one of us Hwangshi,” Jieun said softly,
The other blinked in confusion. He was a warrior?
“I-I don’t understand…”
“I know. It must be hard to believe but we’ll take the time to explain everything to you. You must know that this is really serious. So you’ll have to be really careful about what we’re going to say,” Kris warned,
Hwangshi just stayed there, his muscles all tensed as if he had been changed into a statue. That was one to take...
Jieun put her hand on the other’s knee to sneeze it in reassurance, “Kris, don’t scare him like that,” she said, “Where’s your house?” she turned back to the terrified one,
“Near the forest, down by the lake,” he replied,
“Would you mind leading us there?” Jieun asked,
“No, of course,” the other one shook his head,
“Thank you. We’ll explain everything to you on the way there,”
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hwangshi’s house was indeed a kilometer farther in the forest. But of course, house was a big BIG word to describe it.
"Dad I'm back," Hwangshi said, went he opened what was supposed to be a door,
"Hey son," a weak voice called from the back of the one room house,
In the dark corner of the room, lying on a thin and dirty mattress was an old and awful-looking man. The air caught in Jieun's throat when she saw the poor man reaching his hand for his son. His body was so slim that it looked like he had sank into the bed. His skin was a sick-grey and his lips were so dry. And all you could see on his face was exhaustion.
Hwangshi sat on the floor next to the bed and took his father's hand, "I came back with friends," he said softly,
"Friends?" his father asked curiously. His son had never bought friends home before. Or did he have friends anyway?
"Yes, this is Jieun," Hwangshi said, pointing at Jieun,
She bowed her head and smiled, "Hello Sir. I'm Lee Jieun,"
"What a pretty young lady you bought here Hwangshi," his father smiled in delight,
Hwangshi was about to introduce the other boys when he was tackled on the floor.
"HYUNG! Where have you been all day?" a little voice cried,
Hwangshi hugged his little brother back with a small chuckle, "I was out working Hwanggi-ah,"
Jieun smiled at the sight. The new boy seemed really mature and caring when it comes to his family.
"Hyung you're back!" another voice said,
All heads turned to the voice. A boy, who was about 15 was standing by the door. Jieun could've thought it was Hwangshi if she didn't know better.
"Hwangju-ah!" Hwangshi greeted,
"Hyung who are these people?" the younger one asked,
Hwangshi smiled and got up on his feet, carrying his youngest brother in his arms, "They are friends Hwangju. This is Jieun, Kai, Baekhyun, Kris and Suho," he gestured to each of them,
"Nice to meet you," Hwangju bowed politely,
The others smiled back.
"Ju-ah where is Mei?" Hwangshi suddenly asked,
"She's still at Mrs. Yang's house. She’s not any better Hyung," Hwangju said with a small voice,
Hwangshi's face fell when he heard this. Jieun couldn't help but feel sad for him.
"Hwangshi, maybe you should go look after your sister a bit. I'll be fine here," his father said,
Hwangshi nodded and set his brother down on his feet.
"Guys, you should stay here with Mr. Hwang and explain him the situation. I'm going with Hwangshi," Jieun said,
Suho nodded in knowledge, "Okay. But Kai's going with you. In case anything happens he'll teleport you back here,"
"Okay," Jieun replied.
And she left with Kai, Hwangshi and Hwangju to the neighbors’ house to visit the little one. Jieun’s stomach tightened. Though she was not the one who was sick, she couldn’t help but fear the sight of a staving little girl. Until now she had handle the images, but she wasn’t sure if she could hold back her tears this time.
“Hwangshi,” Jieun called out,
The other stopped his track and turned around, giving her a questioning look, “Yes?”
“You’re really strong,” she said with a smile,
The boy looked surprised by her sudden statement but his eyes softened and a cute grin plastered on his face, “So are you.”
I’m sorry I didn’t update sooner! So much work to do.
Anyway. Sorry not telling who Hwangshi is yet ^^You guys will have to wait for the next chapters.
Don't forget to check my other story pleaaase! ^^ --> "Can I Have This Dance?"
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