"Jungsu was it?"
Jungsu nodded his head silently, glancing down at the handcuffs around his wrists. The metal gently bit into his skin as he moved his hands around in contemplation. He could easily escape if he wanted, yet the feeling of the metal comforted him, no, it grounded him to reality.
The room they sat in was dark and nearly empty save for a table and two chairs. Across from him sat an officer, his nametag reading Lee Hyun-su. He appeared gentle at first glance, but the tone of his voice betrayed the face he had been given. Jungsu glanced at the officer's hands. They were rough and thick, suited for beating and threatening. Yet the tips of his left hand's fingers were dented, indicating a dedication to music. People could be complicated creatures, that much Jungsu had learned.
"You want to tell me how you escaped from North Korea?"
Jungsu opened his mouth, answering in a quiet but deep voice, "I already told you how I did."
"Ha!" The officer laughed in disbelief, his face contorting in irritation.
"Do you expect me to believe that you alone escaped there through the Tumen river into China? And from there you traveled all the way to Mongolia just to seek asylum in Korea."
Jungsu remained silent, glancing up into the officer's eyes.
Lee Hyun-su exhaled at the empty look in his eyes, not knowing what to believe.
"How did you escape notice from the North Korean army, then the Chinese army?"
After a moment of silence Hyun-su said, "Jungsu, you need to understand that you are putting me in a very difficult position. Do you know how unbelievable it sounds when you say that you alone, without any help, escaped? And that too within two months. Look, you're a handsome guy, you probably would like to have a family someday right? Get married to a beautiful woman."
Jungsu blinked in the silence of the room, his eyes following a dust spec as it floated in the space behind Hyun-su.
Hyun-su turned around, following Jungsu's eyes to the empty space behind him.
Hyun-su watched Jungsu strangely as he met his blank eyes.
"You said you are twenty-one?"
Jungsu nodded.
"You're so young. Tell me, how is it that, from what we gathered, you were able to communicate perfectly in both China and Mongolia?"
Silence.
"You're a spy aren't you Jungsu? I can tell by how calm your eyes are right now. You're quite tall and strong as well. Now don't try and tell me that your parents fed you well and you were very educated because the clothes you are wearing do not indicate it."
"No, I wouldn't say that." Jungsun said quietly.
"What was that?" Hyun-su leaned in.
"I don't have parents." Jungsu said simply.
"Then you must be a spy." Hyun-su stated.
Jungsu nodded calmly, looking him in the eyes.
"I was a spy."
Hyun-su huffed in disbelief. Then slowly he started laughing.
"And why," He breathed, "should we let you live peacefully in South Korea?"
"If I say one word, I could have you killed, or beaten till you beg for death. Tell me, why should I spare you?"
Jungsu looked at him with hopeful eyes.
"I can tell you who is hiding among the public wearing sheep's skin. I know their names and I know their missions. I know of secret groups in alliance with North Korea."
Hyun-su smiled slowly. "That's all I wanted to hear kid. Okay. I can negotiate with the NIS for your freedom. But know that you will be under heavy surveillance. If you try anything funny, if you so much as skip a redlight, we'll know."
Jungsu nodded lightly, glancing down at the paper that Hyun-su passed over to him.
Placing a pen in front of him, he said, "I want all the names, ages, descriptions, locations of everyone and everything."
Picking up the pen, he scribbled down things that he'd memorized. He slowly lost himself in the rhythm of the pen and the murmuring of the officer talking on the phone.
~~
After nearly five more hours of interrogation, Jungsu was finally released. After giving him a phone, some money, and keys to a local apartment, Jungsu thanked them profoundly.
"Don't think we're doing this out of pity. If it were me, I wouldn't give you shit. This is just so we can locate you." An officer said, sneering at him. He'd been the one to punch him, leaving a dark bruise on his jaw.
"Yes." Jungsu nodded. "Then I will leave now."
After Jungsu walked away far enough and felt that nobody was following him, his eyes turned cold. Looking around him, he couldn't believe he'd finally made it to Seoul. He watched silently as the leaves rustled on the ground around him, the people walking with their heads down, so focused on an imaginary world in their hands.
Pulling his hood up on his head, he pushed his disheveled hair out of his face and walked towards his apartment. Although it was approximately an hour away by foot, he decided that he needed time to think. He walked on, letting himself drown in his thoughts. Time passed by quickly, and he found himself in front of his apartment in less than forty minutes.
He wasn't surprised by the shabby appearance of the building. Rather, it made him feel at ease. As he walked into the building and up to the second floor, he opened the door to his new home. Letting the door swing open, he waited a beat for any movement or sound. Slowly stepping inside, he inspected the area, walking soundlessly despite the creaking floors. Determining the house to be clear, he relaxed and looked around the tiny space. The kitchen and living room were merged into one room, while the bathroom was the only separate room he had. Surprisingly, there was a standing shower with a curtain separating it from the toilet.
It was already dark due to the autumn weather and so Jungsu decided to take a shower. He'd need to buy new clothes tomorrow as he had nothing to wear but thankfully there was a towel in the bathroom.
Taking off his clothes, he stepped into the shower and drew the curtains as he turned on the water. The cold water rushed down his head onto his body, calming the restlessness in his heart.
As the water rained down, he heard the imperceptible click of a door slowly opening. Quiet footsteps sounded as the curtain slowly rolled open. Jungsu, quick as a viper, grabbed the arm that had opened the curtain and twisted, hearing a shout. Then, quickly he brought his elbow down on the arm, popping the intruder's bone out from its position. The intruder opened his mouth to scream but was silenced by an elbow to his forehead. With a thud, the stranger fell to the ground. Jungsu narrowed his eyes in irritation. He'd thought to set traps before he went to sleep but he'd been too careless. Grabbing the towel and wrapping it around his waist, he grabbed his phone and took a picture of the man, sending it to Officer Hyun-su with an explanation. Without caring for the consequences, as he knew the officers would handle it, he carried the man on his back towards the balcony and threw him off, making sure he didn't fall too close to the building but still was close enough for the officer to identify and dispose of him. Since his balcony was facing the rear of another building and also conveniently placed near the dumpster, the body fell right in. Clicking another photo, Jungsu sent it to the officer who seemed to have read the messages.
It'll be gone by morning. The officer texted back.
Jungsu closed his phone and walked back inside, changing into his clothes. He decided to set the traps now. He didn't have any useful items with him but he had picked up a few pebbles on his walk here so he placed them along any openings, on top of knobs and ledges. This way he'd be able to hear any intruders before they entered.
After placing the last pebble on the front doorknob, he closed the lights and lay himself on the bare ground. Exhaling softly, he looked up at the short ceiling and recalled his journey here. It had taken him so long to simply get to this country, he'd even had to stretch his journey into two months so as not to appear suspicious. Though he wasn't sure if he'd find her, he was hoping that his superiors had not lied to him in their final moments. But he wouldn't be surprised if they had. But he could handle that. He'd always been alone.
As he slowly closed his eyes, Jungsu felt his stomach growl.