Vanished

Tae-sik came out of the toilet.

After washing his face and relieving himself.

He nodded towards a family member on his way into the crowded living room.

He was never one for a crowded place.

Unless he was on a mission.

And in a way, being in the Choi's crowded apartment was a mission of somewhat to him.

And that was, to look after her.

And as if on auto mode, his eyes scanned the room for her.

When his target was not in sight, he swiftly moved to the next room.

And the next. And the next.

His eagle eyes searching for her high and low.

While trying to contain his growing panic.

Where is she? He asked himself.

He started calling her on her mobile, not getting an answer.

He went around quickly but quietly, casually asking the relatives and even Choi-Omma if they had seen So-Mi.

And kept calling her until at last, he found her phone, abandoned on the floor of the balcony.

Panic hit him hard then.

He frantically looked over the railing down the 9 floor high apartment and both thanked and cursed God for not seeing her splattered body on the ground, nor So-Mi herself walking on the street.

When it was apparent she was not in the apartment, Tae-sik discreetly left the building, to search for her.

Not wanting to create alarm amongst the family members.

He first went on foot around the neighborhood, thinking perhaps she had gone wondering off.

He quickly roamed the alleys and the small neighboring shops.

The dark night illuminated only by the street lamps.

When again failing to locate her, he then sped through town in his truck, stopping at their regular shop suppliers and favourite hang outs, all the way to her university grounds.

It was a reminiscent of scenes from 10 years ago.

The only difference this time, was that he called Chi-gon and Dalseo for backup.

He spent a good hour and a half on the street.

Rubbing his sleep deprived eyes as he drove.

Like So-Mi, he has not been sleeping much himself, either lying in bed worrying about her, or running through town harassing old fence sitters for informations.

But as he then swivel his car through the traffic, sweat of panic trickle down his back.

He never thought he would experience this dread again.

Nor that he would care enough again, to feel its pain.

But Tae-sik knew that even if So-Mi was with Lee or any other men, he would continue to feel responsible for her. And worry about her. And feel for her.

Even his 8 years in prison were intermittent with reports of So-Mi's well-being by Dalseo.

So, he knew that it was going to be a few more long years that he would still care for and think about her.

So, not knowing where she was, and the state she was in, socked him hard in the guts.

When he really could not find her anywhere, he rushed back to their apartment to get his supplies and prepare for the necessary.

He first hopefully looked for her in her room.

It was intact.

So were the arms he had hidden under drawers and behind cabinets in the living room.

If So-Mi had wanted amunition, she would have known where to get them.

Hence, it was apparent she had not come home.

But as he passed his bed room to another secret stash in kitchen, he heard a soft creak of his bed.

And a sob.