Since the bloody incident happened, Alex has become a fugitive. He lives in a different place every day to avoid being arrested by the police. Once in a while he comes out of hiding and tries to find news of the incident.
As he had expected, not a single news of the military research building caught on fire was reported in the media. His name was also not mentioned as a wanted criminal. He knew, there must be someone in the higher up who kept the news from going out because the research done there has to be kept secret from public knowledge. But he also realized that the police must be hunting him in silence.
For now, his heart always feels full of remorse. This condition is making him even more depressed. Sometimes he thought he saw the disappointed face of his son Aaron looked at him. He knew, his son definitely didn't want him to be a criminal. But, everything is too late now. There was nothing he could do to change what he had done because at the time he was too obscured by feelings of anger. All that was left was the guilt that he was sure will always haunt him.
That night, Alex walks in a park near Byung-Hun's house. Somehow his feet brought him there. He could see from a distance the window of the house which was pitch dark, indicating that the house was uninhabited. He takes out a deep sighed as if trying to let go of the burden that existed in his heart. He also wonders where Byung-Hun and his family have been since that day.
As he was walking in the park he heard the voice of a man crying while talking to a child in his arms. He slowly approached. His curiosity suddenly peaked at the moment.
"Jieun, I'm sorry. Dad is trying my best to give the best treatment for you but still I don't have a money to make you go through a surgery. Please, hold on a little bit so that I can save some money for it."
"Sir, are you okay?" Alex asked softly.
The man looked a bit shocked to hear Alex's voice at the time.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Usually there's no one here at this time. That's why I'm a little bit startled. " Said the man.
"No, I'm sorry to interrupt you actually." Alex is apologizing. "I heard someone talking while walking pass here so I'm just curious."
"I just talk to my sweet little girl here. She is sleeping right now. " Said the man.
Alex looked at the man's daughter's face. Her face looked pale with full sweat on her face even while sleeping.
"Is she sick? She looks a little pale. Sorry if I seem busybody, but I just lost my son due to illness so I am a bit concern when I saw a child. "
"Oh my! Are you okay, sir? I'm sorry for your lost. " Said the father.
Alex sat down next to the man before resuming the conversation. "Well, I can't say that I'm okay because it's just been a few days since I lost him. I miss him a lot that's for sure. " Somehow he wanted to express his feelings to the man whom he didn't know.
"I know that feeling too well. My wife also suddenly passes away last year. I still miss her till now. I just pretend to be strong because of my daughter. How about your wife? Is she handle the lost well? "
Alex smile a little before answering. "We divorced years ago. She doesn't want any connection with us after that. I'm sure she never knows that her son is passing. "
The man nodded understandingly. He looked back at his daughter with a loving face. After a while he answered Alex's question about his daughter.
"My daughter was born with a weak heart. She depends on drugs for her life. I work a lot in a day and night so that I can buy medicine for her every month. But, today all of a sudden she had a high fever. I just took her to see a doctor. The doctor told me to register her for heart transplant surgery or her life might be in danger. If there is a suitable donor the surgery will be done immediately. But, the cost for the surgery is too expensive for me. That's why I hope she hold on and survives while I raise money for it. "
"What is her name and how old is she?" Alex keeps asking.
"Her name is Lee Jieun. She is 13 years old today, but her body is so small because of her illness that I still can carry her around. Today is her birthday and I totally forgot about it. This park is her favorite spot. Even she can never play anything she just likes to be here, especially at night when it quiet and watch the star sparkling above her. She said that the most sparkling star is her mother watching over her here. " He said with a smile.
Alex listened intently to the story of the family. He knew exactly what it felt like to have a sick child. Even though he has only suffered for a year, here is the man who has been taking care of a sick child for 13 years. How different he was from the man who was so passionate about his daughter. He then looked up at the sky to see the scattered stars and asked in his heart, 'Are you there too Aaron?
Suddenly a thought entered his mind. His hand quickly held the blue stone that was made into a chain around his neck. The blue stone helped him alive till this day without even going to the hospital because of gunshot by Martin the other day. He even covered the stone with silver plating and happened to be shaped with a 'star' shape to obscure the beholding eye. He no longer wanted the stone to fall into the wrong hands.
"What are you doing for living? Sorry if that's too personal. " Alex wants to know.
The man shook his head clearly unperturbed by the question. "I have a bakery before, but after my wife passing away, I can't focus on it and it's not going too well right now. Also, I need to watch over Jieun by myself since I don't have any relative to even help. So, I become a normal office worker in a small company, and also do some part time job here and there in the meantime. "
Alex felt sorry for the man. "You really have a tough life.
"But it's all worth it when I see my daughter smile. All the fatigue will be gone in second when I see it. Sometime I also feel down because I wanted to give the world to her, but I'm not capable of that. I just hope I do things right and raise her well."
'I wonder.' Alex thinks in his head for quit long time now. Now, he made his decision. The last good deed that he decides to do.
"I want to give her something." Alex said.
"What is it?" The father curiously asking.
Alex didn't answer, instead continued to approached the man's daughter. Alex prepared himself first before held his breathing and took off the necklace from his neck. Then, he putting on the necklace to her. After that, he finally feels the pain. His face now wrinkled because of it.
"Are you alright sir?" The man is concerned because seeing the change in Alex's face at that moment.
Soon the child's sick face continued to change healthy. Her breathing, which had been a bit fast, was also becoming normal and the fever is also gone.
'Looks like the stone works for her too. ' Alex spoke in his mind. He smiled a little when noticing the changes in the little girl.
"What? What happened?" The girl's father couldn't hide his excitement, but he also felt strange at the same time.
"I don't know how to explain to you. But, do you believe in magic? " Alex try to find the easier explanation.
"Well, I don't but I surely will if it means my daughter can be alive."
"So, just think that the necklace got a magical thing. You can go to clinic nearby to check her condition, but I'm positive she is alright now. Remember, never took off the necklace and never give it to someone else. If you took it off your daughter will back to sick again. And if someone bad take it, it could ruin the world. Please promise me. " Alex seriously ask for the father promises.
With wide eyes because he didn't really understand what had really happened, the father finally agreed. As long as his daughter is healthy, he is willing to do anything.
"I promise you with my life."
"Good. I sincerely wish you and your daughter a happy life after this. Excuse me. " Alex then walked away.
"Thank you very much, sir. Thank you so much." Said the father while bowing repetitively.
" Wait! What is your name? " The father wants to know his name but Alex just ignores the question and just keep walking.
___________________
-WARNING SUICIDE-
Alex gasped as he walked in pain. Blood from the past gunshot wound poured out a lot of his body. His face was also getting paler each time. He knew he didn't have much time left. As he stood on the Hangang river bridge, he opened his cell phone which had been off for so long. He knew the police would be able to track him down if he activated the phone. But, for one last time he wanted to call someone.
He tries to dial Byung-Hun's number but the call doesn't connect. He tried again, but all that was left was the voice of the operator telling him to leave a message. He feels a little bit disappointed but also relieved at the same time. He doesn't know if he will be able to speak properly if Byung-Hun picks up his call then. In the end, he chose to leave a voicemail alone. He took a deep breath before saying,
"Byung-Hun, this is me. I'm sure you already know right. I know I don't deserve to call you after all I did… " Alex burst into tears while talking.
His eyes recalled his actions towards his friend. He actually realizes now, he and Byung-Hun has been played by Martin back then. He shouldn't have accused Byung-Hun recklessness without letting him to give an explanation. Deep in his heart he knows Byung-Hun is innocent. But at that time he just too caught at the moment and refuse to see the truth.
Then he continued, "I don't know what happened to me at that night, but not a single excuse can change what I have done to you and your family. I hope you and Eun-Woo are fine. I really hope you do. I don't deserve to say this, but for the last time I just want to say I'm sorry. You don't have to forgive me. But I'm so sorry. I really do. " He said sobbing as he disconnected the call. He really regrets his actions.
After calming down, he felt that his body was no longer able to survive. Then, with a little strength that he had, he climbed the bridge before jumping while saying,
"Aaron, I'm coming to you now."