I kept looking at the book in my hand as I lay in bed. I didn't know why I was reluctant and nervous to read it. I just had a really bad feeling about this.
I was livid after reading the book. I tossed the book aside and buried my face in my palms. Everything was such a mess. I just wished my dad had left work early that day, so we wouldn't have been roped into all of this bullshit.
There was just something about Taemin's Uncle that seemed off. The first day I met him, he sounded really familiar and there was just something off about him. What I just read only made my suspicions increase. I'm probably just overthinking but.....you never know.
.....
Taemin and I stood before the house and just stared at it. The house was secluded from the others and small. There were a couple of houses around but other than that, there was nothing else. We opened the door and walked into the house.
It looked a mess. Furniture were scattered across the room and there were some stains that looked like dried blood splatters on the floor and walls.
" Those people must have raided this place "
" Yeah.....I don't think we'll find anything here "
Taemin said and walked into of the rooms. I looked through the shelves and cabinets but couldn't find anything.
" Eunsoo!!!! Come here "
I rushed over to the room where Taemin's voice came from, thinking he was in danger. I heaved a sigh of relief when I saw him in the room, just looking around.
" What's wrong "
" Show me that picture Hyejin sent you "
" The lake and pudding? "
" Yeah.....hurry "
I pulled out my phone and showed him the pictures. He took my phone and walked over to a picture that was lying on the table.
" The lake in this picture is the same as the one in your phone "
" Yeah....who are the people in the picture? "
" This one looks like Shin Mirae?"
" You're right.....I think it's her "
" Who is the other one?"
" I don't know. The face is all scratched out. There was nothing about any of Shin Mirae's children surviving right?"
" They both died with their father "
" Eunsoo show me another picture of Shin Mirae. I need to confirm something.....hurry "
" Okay. Uhmm here"
He grabbed the phone and stared at it while pacing around the room.
" I remember now "
" What do you remember Taemin?"
" My dad took my mum and I on this vacation when I was like eight or seven. He took us to some kind of village and I remember going to this lake with him. A bunch of people came over to the house we stayed at and I think Shin Mirae and the other people in the journal were there including my Uncle "
" Oh...do you remember anything else?"
" No. Nothing else. Moon Hyejin must be hiding out somewhere in that village. I don't remember the name but I can ask mum"
" She wants us to meet her there"
" Yeah "
Taemin said and started going through the things on the floor.
" Taemin...do you hear that?"
" What?"
" Shhhhh.....listen "
We got really quiet and then there was that sound again..." tick-tock"
It was hardly audible. My eyes grew wide in fear and my legs almost gave out as I realized what it was.
" Taemin run!!!!"
I grabbed his hand as we rushed through the house. We got to the door but it was locked. I searched for the key but it was nowhere to be found. I kept hitting the door but it wouldn't budge. I heard a loud shattering sound and turned around to see what it was. Taemin had hit the window with a chair. We hurriedly climbed out, ignoring the stinging pain from the scratches of the broken glass. We had run a few feet away, when we heard a loud explosion.
The force of the explosion sent us flying across the road. My eyes were stinging and my ears were ringing as I lay on the ground. I rolled over and saw Taemin lying a few feet from me. I managed to pull myself up and crawl over to him.
" Taemin....hey.....wake up....please. Taemin can you hear me? Ya!! Lee Taemin get up"
I yelled and pulled him onto my lap. I kept shaking him until I heard him cough.
" Eunsoo.....
" It's me...you're okay.....you're fine"
I said and pulled him close to me. I looked over at the house only to notice that the house next to it was now engulfed in flames. Taemin had pulled himself up, to sit. We watched as a few people rushed towards the house. I looked around the place and saw someone, peeking from behind a building. The person was a little distance away and they turned away, when they noticed me staring.
" Taemin let's get out of here "
.......
Taemin winced a little as I put the band aid over his injury.
" Are you okay?"
I asked as I cupped his face in my hands .
" Yeah....I think. What about you?"
" I've been better "
I looked down at his hands that have been trembling for a while now, and took then in mine.
" It's okay. We'll be fine.....I promise "
He nodded his head and moved closer to me. He laid his head on my shoulder and I wrapped my hands around him to calm my trembling fingers. The park was now almost empty as people slowly trooped out.
" Eunsoo we have to tell someone. We can't do this on our own"
" Yeah I know
" We are going to that village tomorrow. Let's end all of this bullshit "
He said and snuggled closer to me. We sat there for a while before heading home. I walked Taemin home and met his mum at the door.
" Good evening mum "
" Good evening ma'am "
" How are you boys?"
" We're fine mum "
" Oh goodness ! What happened to you? Are you boys okay?"
" Uhmmm....mum I have something to tell you about dad"
" Oh.....uhmm I'll wait inside "
She said and went back into the house.
" Goodluck and be careful "
" You too "
He said and walked towards the door.
" Taemin "
" Yeah?"
" I.....Uhmmm.....I like you....a lot "
" That's so sudden "
" I just don't want to have any regrets "
He smiled,walked over to me and took my hand in his.
" Me too. Will you go out with me?"
" Absolutely "
I said and smiled. He pulled me in for a hug and laid his head on my chest. I wrapped my arms around him and his scent filled my nose. I really can't lose him.
I got home and went straight to Minah's room, after checking around the house. I knocked a few times before she opened up. I immediately pulled her into a hug as soon as I saw her.
" Oppa what's wrong? Are you okay?"
She asked while patting my back.
" Nothing.....I'm just tired "
" What have you been up to these past few days?"
" I'll tell you tomorrow I promise. I'm going to sort it out"
I said and pulled her away from me. I smiled and patted her head.
" Oppa you're scaring me "
" Don't worry. Nothing is going to happen "
" Okay "
She hugged me again and gave me a big smile before returning to bed. I headed for mum's room and was about to knock, when I heard light sobs coming from her room. I waited for a while before I knocked
" Mum ?"
I called and knocked lightly.
" Eunsoo come in "
" Hi mum "
" Oh my gosh. What happened to you?"
" It's a long story mum "
" What do you mean?"
" I promise I'll explain everything tomorrow "
" Tomorrow?"
" Yes mum "
" Okay "
" Let's move. You said you were waiting for me to graduate high school and now I'm done. Let's move to somewhere quiet "
I said with a smile as I held her hands.
" Okay. Let's do that. You and Minah can help decorate the new restaurant too and we'll make lots of new memories "
" You still have to send me off to college, watch me graduate and Minah too "
" Ofcourse. Then you'll finally tell us that Taemin is your boyfriend "
" Mum!!"
I whined and we both laughed. She laughed even harder when she noticed how shy I got. After a few minutes I got up and headed for the door.
" Mum wait for me tomorrow. I have something really important to talk to you about. It's about dad "
.........
I got up as early as five in the morning and grabbed my bag. I tiptoed across the hall so I wouldn't wake mum or Minah. If we leave really early, whoever was watching us probably wouldn't notice.