C h a p t e r T w o 
The First Day
 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   Monday came quickly. Too quickly. And it didn't help that Youngbae wasn't allowed to leave his house for the entire weekend. His dad had even made sure of it. It was the first time since Youngbae could remember that he managed to stay in the house for an entire weekend. And now all he wanted to do was sleep, despite having done it most of Saturday and Sunday.   "Youngbae," His father called out to him in a hushed tone as he opened the door and let himself in, approaching the window and opening the blinds. The sun showered his bedroom in an encroaching light, attempting to intrude on Youngbae's sleep. Beckoning for him to wake up. "Bae." Now his father's voice got a bit louder and it was accompanied by a tap to the shoulder as he approached his son's bed. "Wake up, kid. Or else you're going to be late for your first day at the clinic."   "Five more minutes, please," He muttered against his pillow, his voice muffled by it. He dreaded having to wake up. And he especially dreaded having to wake up to report for volunteer work, let alone one with people involved.   His father sighed but then smiled to himself, an idea occurring to him. "Alright. I'll just let the Sheriff know." He got up and stretched out, taking a deep breath before placing his hands on his hips and taking his phone out with his right hand from his back pocket. "I'm sure he won't add another month to your community service if I explain how you preferred to sleep-"   "I'm up."   His father smirked in triumph at his son's quick reaction. "Smart choice." Upon seeing Youngbae sit up and rub his face with the palms of his hands, his right still bandaged up, his father made to walk out the door. "I'll have breakfast on the table for you. Hurry up."   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   "Want me to take you to the clinic?" Youngbae's father asked him as they both sat for breakfast. It was the first one they had shared in a long time and neither of them were sure how it was going.   Youngbae was especially uncomfortable as he looked over at him incredulously; A brow arching upwards on reflex. Why so suddenly? He thought. Sure his car was still in the shop after getting pretty banged up in the accident, but it wasn't the first time, nor would it probably be the last. So why the offer? Especially when he's done well for himself all this time.    Youngbae sighed as he continued eating, his annoyance beginning to build up. "No. I'll be fine."   To be honest, he couldn't understand why his father was still there. Even back when his mother was sick, he seldom saw his father staying in the house. He always chose to hide behind his work and would often go away for weeks, even months when he had to work on a big case. Those were the consequences of being a small town lawyer working for a firm in the big city. There was too much bouncing around.   "Are you sure? I can drive you myself," His father offered again. "It won't be a problem-"   "I think I can manage," He snapped, grabbing his father's attention who now looked up at him from his plate. "I've been doing fine by myself for the last eight years. I don't need you to start acting like a father now."   His father gave a defeated sigh. His eyes saddening and his voice lowering. "I thought we were over this." He remained calm. He always did. Even when his son made things difficult, he always tried to maintain his patience.   But that only angered Youngbae more. He hated when he acted like everything was okay when it wasn't. "Sorry if I gave you that impression."   To this, his father frowned. "Bae, I-"   "Thank you for breakfast," Youngbae quickly cut him off as he wiped his mouth clean with a napkin. He stood up, scraping the chair across the wooden floor and moving around it to grab his black leather jacket. "I'll be going now. I don't want to miss the bus."   In no time he was out the door. Leaving his father behind, alone in the large and empty house.   Now you know how it feels, old man.   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   The bus ride to the clinic was long. And in that thirty minute long drive, Youngbae had a lot of time to think about things as he leaned his head back against the head rest and listened to the music on his cell phone. His earphones playing a soft acoustic track as he stared out the window, admiring the view of the dense woods surrounding the road that led to his destination.   Mercy Medical Clinic was located near the outskirts of town and unfortunately, Youngbae lived more towards the center, near the town square and school. You could say it was where the more wealthy lived. Though Youngbae wouldn't consider himself wealthy. He couldn't deny he lived a privledged life, more so than others, but besides living in a nice house and being able to afford anything he wanted, he wasn't the materialistic type of guy you would expect. He didn't care about money and the grandeur lifestyle it guaranteed. Money didn't bring happiness. It only brought comfort in knowing he wouldn't have to struggle like others. He didn't take that for granted though. That was what his mother taught him at the tender age of ten when she first fell ill. But he wasn't ignorant enough to think it was the most important thing in the world. Money could only buy things of value. What Youngbae yearned for was priceless. It didn't come with a price tag. It came with hard work.    It wasn't that he hated his father, but he did grow a strong distaste for the man early on. To the point that he didn't even respect him. While other kids admired and idolized their father's, Youngbae resented him. He believed him to be a coward and refused to follow in his footsteps. He vowed to be a better man, a better husband, and a better father when the time came.   Feeling the bus come to a stop, Youngbae was pulled out of his reverie and looked up to find that the bus had surely reached it's destination.    Outside he was met with the autumn breeze that nipped at the exposed skin of his neck and face. It was becoming colder, but it was to be expected in mid-September. From behind him he heard the bus drive away and watched as it slowly disappeared down the road.    With a sigh, he curled his earphones around his cell and placed it in his back pocket before approaching the clinic which now stood before him.   Not too small, but not too large, the clinic was a one floor building made of red brick. In the near distance he could see that attached to the back was a housing facility, probably for those who couldn't afford to spend time at home and had to be under constant medical care and supervision. The front was nice and the lawn and garden were very well tended to. Someone made it a point to have the place appear nice and accommodating. It seemed different from the last time he was there, which for some reason deemed colder. Eerier.   "Youngbae, is that you?" Hearing a smooth but masculine voice coming from behind him, Youngbae turned to meet a familiar face from his past.   He gave a smile and offered his functioning left hand to the man that was now approaching him. "Dr. Ellis." He was an older male, no more than in his early fifties. Though his hair was graying, his dark brown eyes reflected a youthful soul. He was larger in build, taller, but not overweight. If anything, it was clear that he was athletic back in his prime.   The doctor was always smiles, even when times were tough. He wasn't unsympathetic but earnest and honest. Reliable and considerate. That was the difference between those who worked in big city hospitals and someone who worked in the town's main and only medical clinic. Youngbae had experienced both sides early on and he preffered the humble approach of Dr. Ellis who didn't treat him like some nobody he would later have no recolleciton of. In a town so small, everyone was aware of one another. And he treated his patients like family.   "My, how you've grown. Come here, son," He laughed upon shaking the younger's hand and bringing him in for a friendly hug. "Welcome. Please follow me to my office." Starting up the cemented path, the doctor opened the door and motioned for Youngbae to enter before him. "So how have you been?" He asked as they moved through the lobby and continued down the hall to where they came to a stop in front of a door.   Youngbae nodded. "I've been better, to be honest."   The doctor opened his door and smiled, once again motioning for the younger to enter and take a seat in front of his desk. "You know, when I heard you were volunteering, I didn't know what to expect. Last time I saw you, you were only what? Thirteen?"   Youngbae smiled awkwardly and rubbed his hands against his jeans. "Just about."   The doctor smiled and sat down behind his desk. "Either way, it's nice to have you here. We need all the help we can get."   Youngbae arched a brow and leaned forward. "Is there a problem?"   Dr. Ellis sighed. "What do you expect? Times have been changing and not everything is like how it used to be. Believe it or not, No one wants to work in a small town clinic. It's not as appealing or as beneficial as what a big city hospital can offer and provide."   To this Youngbae nodded in understanding. He was more than aware of the situation occuring in the clinic and most of the town. He just didn't expect it to be so bad. He was one of those that believed life could offer more outside of the small town he lived in. He felt that there was no reason for him to be restrained into thinking Lennox was all that there was too offer. Though it often came in handy, being in a small town where everyone was pretty much aquatinted with one another can become disadvantageous.   "Well," Dr. Ellis began again as he clapped his hands, snapping Youngbae back to the purpose of his visit. "Enough of that. Let's get you familiar with everything. Come. Follow me."   Walking out of the Doctor's office, Youngbae reflexively looked back as he closed the door behind them and read the black bold lettering's on his door. Director. Not only was he the head doctor, but he was now also the director. My, how times changed.   "Morning, Director Ellis," One of the passing nurses greeted cheerily before passing a glance at Youngbae and continuing onward down the hall.   Youngbae stared at the young looking blonde and then back at the doctor once she was out of sight. "You didn't tell me you were promoted. I've been calling you doctor this entire time."   "I still am a Doctor, Youngbae," He laughed, adjusting his glasses higher up the bridge of his nose. "Either or is fine with me, to be honest."   Continuing with their small talk, the two men eventually found their way to a common room area on the opposite end of the building where patients would go to socialize, eat and do activities. During visiting hours, they would also be able to meet up with their visiting friends and family.   It was a large open room, brightly lit and modestly furnished for comfort; to give it a homey feeling. On the right side was a large