Chapter Text
AUTUMN
1997/10/14
12:48
• REC
What the fuck is his name anyway.
I refuse to mention it in my own story. It's the last piece of rebellion that I could hang on. Humiliating me by treating me like a servant wasn't enough, he had to strip my dignity and stomp on it like if it was a filthy napkin. But I came into this world complete. Will I let him chip it away from me?
But I don't have any confidence.
I tried and failed.
Before lunch could start, I faked sickness and went to the nurse's office. I simply lay there and tried to drain all thoughts from my head. When they hit me, they made sure to hit places where it wouldn't leave wounds or obvious gashes. My face was intact but my ribs always stung with pain. I haven't seen Lim Seora much and I wondered if they hit her as well.
Hiding never solved much. Eventually one of them found me and with forced coercion, dragged me to the abandoned old gym where they were all assembled. As soon as I entered, I felt every inch of my body trembling. I kept my head low and showed weakness. They usually liked that.
But he wasn't in the mood to witness vulnerability. Before I could stand upright from being pushed towards them, he tugged my hair and I was forced to look at him and those hideous eyes of his. Noticing my dislike, he swore underneath his breath and released me. Without his force, I stumbled and fell to the floor. Around me, they laughed loudly.
"What should I do with you?" He jokingly asked in annoyance. "Jesus. We've been together for like nearly two weeks now and you are still scared of your dear boyfriend? Am I not good to you, huh? Kids these days are so ungrateful."
He prodded my hip with his feet. Where he kicked jabbed with pain from previous attacks of his. With patience, he knelt down at my level and tugged on my hair once more. "I'm growing so discontent. You are seriously such an ungrateful person, dear Heesoo. But since I'm such a nice person, I'll forgive you if you smoke this."
I knew that his smile was not sincere as he took out a cigarette from his pocket. It clearly wasn't just a normal cigarette. Fear rushed through my veins and I inched backwards from him.
"Aw... our poor Heesoo is scared of adult treats..." He mocked and held it closer towards me. When I did nothing, he leaned closer so that only I could hear his words. "Seriously. One hit and I'll tell these fuckers to stop hitting you. You will officially be my girlfriend from this moment on. How about that?"
"This is illegal." I shook my head.
"My father won't let us get into trouble if that's what you are worried about." He held it even closer to my face. The odour made me want to retch. "Besides, I heard that your father would really like my father's help. So what do you say?"
When I shook my head again, it set off something in his head. He grabbed my face and tried to pry it open. When I wouldn't budge, he ordered his friends to pine me down. I struggled against them but eventually they took hold of me.
"I really didn't want it to turn out this way." He sighed but slowly squeezed my jaw so tightly that I thought it was about to break. With force, he shoved the cigarette into my mouth but I wouldn’t open my teeth.
"God fucking damnit! You! Open her jaw and I'll work on this bitch--"
A crashing sound came from outside, making everyone jump. He exchanged a look with his friends and ordered for them to release me. They fled and left me there alone. When they were all gone, my tears fell stubbornly.
I clutched my knees to my chest and buried my head. My shoulders shook from crying. I didn't notice when someone approached me. They silently sat down beside me and gently wrapped a blanket around my body. As if I was stung, I jumped and stared at the person.
There she was.
Kim Minji.
In the dark, I couldn't quite see her face. All of the windows were closed and shutters blocked out sunlight. But I knew that her eyes were not mocking or gleeful at my despair. We sat there not saying a word. She just soothed my back as I choked on my tears.
"I'm sorry." She whispered.
"F-For what?" Emotion made me hiccup slightly. She didn't mind and let me finish my words. "I-It's not y-your fault."
"I knew it was suspicious." Kim Minji's voice was small. "They were never the right kind."
"You f-followed u-us?" I stumbled on my words.
"Yes. I followed you here."
I didn't respond as I started sobbing once more.
"I want to help you."
"W-Why? Because of that old friend of yours?"
She paused. "Yes. But also because I want to prevent another person being hurt. Please tell me so I know what I can do for you. I want to help you, Ban Heesoo. I really do."
After a while, I told her everything. She stayed silent but I knew that she wore that expression of worry. When I finished, she didn't rush to respond but handed me a tissue instead.
"I can help you get rid of him. Of them. But I need some time. Do you trust me Heesoo?"
I laughed slightly. "I do."