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Kim Sunoo wouldn't truly have his life any other way.Sure, some people may consider him an unfortunate one– the offspring of a failed mother who tried to brutally dispose of her son as soon as he was born. Sunoo remembers it all as clearly as he remembers his terrifying time in the womb.The same way he clearly remembers not ever having a father figure in his life, except the Reverend Father who the scared teenagers brought him to. Bundled up in a pathetic excuse of coverings, uncut umblical cord sharing the space of his little abode.At least if he didn't die from the muddy wheels of that rundown silver car those runaway teenagers drove, the freezing cold might've taken his little body away soon after.Or the irritation from the weight of the placenta– it felt much more of a burden outside the womb where he fought tooth and nail for a life he wasn't sure was worth it immediately the air of this cruel world hit him.Sunoo is an extremely graphic one, and he knows it. What with all the bullying making him realise that having all his memories from that far back isn't normal at all. His eccentric way with words and view of life has landed him in a psychiatric ward a few times, enough for him to realise early enough that he should stop sharing his thoughts with people.So at the tender age of 6, he started keeping a journal. Recommended to him by the smiley, secretly scared, therapist that was in charge of him, in hopes of using it as a tool in his treatment.Sunoo was smarter than that. He knew if they had a record of his thoughts, he could end up being locked up in that white torture dungeon for a long, long time.So he wrote only mild things in the treatment journal. Mild enough for his mind but strong enough for the hospital to think they were getting something from him.And over the years, he kept feigning slowly losing all memories of back then, just so he could be left alone and everything chalked up to the case of a once extraordinary child who fit back into the moulded system.Sunoo still wouldn't have his life any other way.Since his abilities, as he has grown to call them, could help him out of the situation he was in.At the age of 12, after discovering that feigning to be an average student would get him no where he wanted in life, he let go of a portion of his abilities. Bagged himself a middle through high school scholarship shortly after and at 16 had at least 12 Ivy League schools all around the world emailing him generous, full ride scholarships for him to pick them as first choice.Participating and acing in contests of several unrelated fields clearly had it's benefits. Gaining unwanted fame through it had little.Although if it was his abilities that attracted otherworldly attention, Sunoo was grateful for that.Because through that, he got to meet a white haired boy of ice who wouldn't leave him alone. A Prince of Winter who understood Sunoo more than the millions of people Sunoo has met in his life.And Kim Sunoo wouldn't have his life any other way.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Reality is fragile.One moment it is and another moment it's not– carried away by the current of change and leaving in it's wake a new truth that you would have to learn to deal with.And even though it was impossible to forget his door's code combo, Kim Sunoo felt like he suddenly might, and his reality of being a new home–apartment–owner would come with complications he couldn't bear to have now.The cab stopped in front of the apartment complex Sunoo now had a place in and the driver turned his smiley face back to meet a knowing Sunoo. He's about to ask for something , Sunoo thought, taking off one of his noise cancelling pods."Can I have a picture with you?" The driver asked and Sunoo could feel his hesitation as he shakily brought out his battered phone. "My children admire you a lot and I'm glad you're an inspiration to them."Sunoo nodded once with an automatic grin and click , click , 2 selfies were taken."By the way, uncle, I hope you let your children follow their heart. They'll excel in what they know best."And with that, Sunoo picked up the large bag pack containing more than half of his earthly possessions, gave one last smile and closed the door.Putting the bud back into his ear, Sunoo hoped that line was vague yet a push enough to make the older man stop feeling a slight disappointment in one of his children. One who wants to do something his father's heart doesn't accept.The details aren't really clear with these feelings, so Sunoo doesn't really know the whole story. But with what Sunoo knows of parents enforcing their own dreams and decisions on their children, that was enough information to give out the unsolicited advice.Sometimes, when Sunoo allowed his thoughts to stray to uncharted territories, he wondered if, in a perfect world, he would have these issues with his parents. Would they have been against whatever he later decided to pursue in life?Taking into consideration the fact that his own mother didn't want him and he didn't know his father, he doubted it. But still, he let himself wonder.Sunoo made it to the elevator without any significant stress and pushed the 7th floor button, sensing that the elevator was empty. Something he appreciated. He hated to be forced to socialize with a anyone who might recognised him.Once he made it to the sixth floor, he was hit with a feeling. A familiar yet strange feeling that left him gasping for a satisfaction of curiosity.The feeling only got stronger when the motor stopped at the seventh floor and when it opened, someone he didn't notice in front of the door stepped in just as he stepped out.He didn't get the chance to espy who it was because they stayed out of sight. Seconds later, the feeling slowly dissipated."Hoonie?" Sunoo put the question out into the air, taking off a bud and anticipating a response with uncertainty. It didn't make sense. If it was Sunghoon, he would've made himself known.Unless he was planning on surprising Sunoo after 7 months of absence.But Sunghoon wasn't one for surprises, not intentionally anyway. He was straightforward and went straight to business, never beating around the bush.That was how it was that cold morning, 4 winters ago, when Sunghoon first appeared in Sunoo's life."I'm going to be your closest friend." He had said, elegantly sitting on Sunoo's desk with bright white hair draping over his silver eyes and an aura of frost about him.The first thought that had come into Sunoo's mind then was "you'll have to beat Jake for that", even before wondering how the boy had gotten into his room, with all doors and windows shut.Sunoo was used to his life being full of abnormalies, when following the standards of the world. So he hadn't as much blinked at the new presence invading his life.All he did was ignore, because this Frost Boy seemed to give people the more reason to doubt Sunoo's sanity anew.Although people seemed to feel Frost Boy's presence–a dry chill that seeped into bones-and Sunoo felt no such thing to that extent–they could not see him.And Sunoo, who was beginning to find a semblance of normalcy in his life couldn't risk ruining that.Until Frost Boy won his attention and trust one day.In front of the elevator, Sunoo shook off the remaining feeling that plagued him and went towards his apartment, turning over the code in his head.
1712.
The beep of the door came with the feeling of a new presence, one Sunoo was extremely familiar with. So it was no surprise when he stepped into the living room and a tiny confetti exploded in his face.Sunoo quietly stood there, sucking on his tongue with an eyebrow raised as he gazed at his earthly best friend in too small hats and a small butter-icing-covered cake in his hands. The grin on Jake Sim's face was bright enough to light up a small neighbourhood."Welcome Home, cheater." "I'm only forgiving you because you got me mint choco ice-cream." Sunoo said as he shoved a generous spoon of the dark green substance into his mouth. "How do you even– never mind.""For someone with an 8k photographic memory, you're too attached to the same set of numbers " Jake said, sprawled on the couch that the furnishing company installed–along with a number of necessary furniture–a week before the move in. He was someone who always needed a long, immobile moment to collect himself after a good meal.The TV was on with grey static images and sounds filling up the room."I do not want to abuse the privilege by stocking it full with random things.""I think you're already abusing it by reminding me of all the times you caught me doing what you should not be witnessing–""Mmh.""–with all the very insignificant details of the activity.""By the way, still very traumatized by the sight you on the 23rd of August last year aggressively slapping–""Jesus Christ. Shut up.""Did you know he had a heart shaped mole on his right butt cheek?""Shut the fuck up. Please."Sunoo chuckled as he took another mouthful of icecream.This was one of the many curses of his abilities; having his earthly best friend's balls imprinted in his memories in 8k. Forever.They stayed in silence long enough for Sunoo to almost believe Jake had fallen asleep, but his aura was still active.The older suddenly spoke up."By the way, do you remember–""I do." Sunoo cut Jake off. It was one of their little, inside jokes. Where Jake begins a sentence with "do you remember" and Sunoo cuts him off with a positive reply. Because he always did."When I asked if you wanted to escape to another world? One far away from this one.""Mmh.""You remember what you said." It was a statement and Sunoo let the events of the day Jake spoke of play in his mind. They were 12 and the most picked on children–in the orphanage, in their school and just about everywhere else. Jake had a weird accent from his upbringing abroad plus a speech defect he had a hard time outgrowing and Sunoo was the all round weirdo who's had weekly visits to the shrink since he was 6.And worse, they were good friends. That seemed to excite the bullies– losers being friends with each other. Heightened their thrill.On that particular day, Jake had his homework and lunch taken from him and Sunoo, who tried to step in had his taken too.Two children who were barely fed at the orphanage going hungry and hiding away at the back of the school, so they don't run into their bullies or teachers again for the day.That was when Jake asked the question. And Sunoo has answered without in a heartbeat.
"No. That would mean I lost in this world." Sunoo replied, his long hair messily framing his round face. "If I can't deal with the world I was born into, how am I supposed to deal with another unfamiliar to me?"
"I really admired you back then." Jake said, eliciting an amused snort from Sunoo. The snort was replied with a soft kick to the head from where Jake lay."And you don't now?""Put away the fact that you're always bringing up embarrassing moments I've forgotten, just to torture me–""You deserve every moment of it.""–I still admire you, a lot." Jake continued. "And I think you're winning in this world, and if you ever go to another world, you'll win there too." A slight pause. "because you're Kim Sunoo."Sunoo grew solemn, feeling his eyes grow wet as he stared hard at the TV static. Jake did this a lot. Surprise him with such words and emotions without him sensing it coming. It was one thing Sunoo appreciated in his earthly best friend; the unexpected."Are those tears? Aww." Jake ruined the moment after quickly adjusting to peer at Sunoo's face, to which the latter pushed him away quickly."Go away." Sunoo sniffed, softly wiping away his tears. "Do you remember what you had said to me after I said that though?""You're the living memory camcorder."Sunoo smiled. "You said 'you're hiding behind this building with me, away from the world. Don't you think that's failing in the world? Don't you think it's shameful that we're hiding away?' "Jake sucked at his teeth. "Damn, I don't remember that.""You were blunt as a kid, in that weird accent of yours." Sunoo chuckled."You like it." Jake accused, in present tense, because Sunoo lives every memory like it was happening at that very moment."Mmh." Sunoo said. "I do." A sigh. "Anyways, you were the inspired me to stop hiding from the world. To stop squatting behind a block while the world moves on because I was afraid of getting beat up. Those words awakened more than you think.""I don't even remember.""But I do, and that's all that matters." Sunoo said. "You, and your words, matter a lot to me."There was a moment of stillness where Sunoo felt something flicking around in Jake, but before he could gauge it, the older suddenly shot up."We're getting too emotional, I'm going to make some popcorn.""How does that even correlate?""It doesn't, I just want some popcorn.""At 8:30p.m. Don't burn down my house.""Our house because I'm serious about moving in.""No.""Yes.""No.""No.""Cheap tricks. Still no.""Damn it." Jake said as he moved into the kitchen, probably more familiarized with the apartment than Sunoo is.Sunoo smiled and laid back to rest his head on the couch, closing his eyes and letting the white noise of the static wash over him. He let loose the memory of when Jake moved out of the orphanage after turning 18.He had tried to make Sunoo move with him but the younger wouldn't have it, knowing his best friend had worked hard to make enough money for a move. Catering to an extra mouth would only burden them both. Especially when they both knew that Jake's pride wouldn't allow him to receive contributions from Sunoo, even though the younger was making more than him.So Sunoo waited until they graduated just a couple months later before apartment shopping, knowing his earthly best friend would want to move in with him. Which he had no opposition to.If he could spend his days with one person on earth, it would always be Jake.A little yelp and a string of curses came from the kitchen and Sunoo shot up, making it there in seconds."What's wrong?""I cut my finger." Jake hissed in pain and Sunoo made it to him, examining the very deep cut. He could see the white of his bone."How do you even cut your fingers making popcorn!?" Sunoo yelled, more out of concern and panic than anger."Cutting butter. There's no butter knife here." Jake replied sheepishly as Sunoo led him to the sink to let water wash over his cut. The blood kept flowing and Sunoo felt useless."Fuck.""I don't like it when you swear, that's my job." Jake joked weakly and Sunoo took a deep breath."You're so clumsy, and we're going to get this treated at a pharmacy."The fear that came into Jake's eyes seeped into Sunoo's pores. Of course, his best friend was scared of anything relating to hospitals or pharmacies. Because of needles."We'll ask for drugs.""They're going to insist on a tetanus shot.""Which you should get. This cut is deep.""No." Jake whined, shaking his head frantically, to avoid being dragged to where he and a needle would be in close proximity.Sunoo sighed, aging by at least 5 years. "Fine." Sunoo got a first aid kit and stocked it right there at the pharmacy, hoping with everything in him that Jake wasn't bleeding to death back at the apartment.He'd reduced the bleeding with a makeshift gauze and a strip of cloth tied around the affected index finger. Then rushed out to get supplies to treat him because apparently, Jake trusted him more than he trusted certified persons. Also the fact that he was terribly scared of needles."You seem to know what you're looking for." The pharmacist said as he looked through the things Sunoo stocked in the box. "Most people usually ask me to compile it for them."Sunoo tugged up his nose mask in reflex. A smile in his voice. "Ah? Is that so?"He put in his noise cancelling pods as soon as he stepped out the pharmacy, staring intently at the ground in front of him as he walked back to his apartment.These were coping mechanisms–to avoid filling up his memory with things he can never get rid of. Sense of touch, sight, smell, hearing and taste. They all stayed with him, clear as a cloudless sky. So he was deliberate with reducing the intake of all that as much as possible.Sunoo wished there was a way he could get rid of the memories he didn't need or want to keep. A way to have control over what his mind chose to throw at him.The TV static helps, his soft nature sounds playlist on Spotify helps. But then whenever he's alone with his thoughts, like now, there's no guarantee of what he'll choose to remember.Sunoo entered an alley to cut off the distance it'll take to go round and into the street his apartment was situated. He wouldn't want a situation where Jake lost more blood than he should when he could get there quicker.The area here was relatively clean…er than Sunoo's old neighborhood, where the orphanage was located. Where it was usually a big mess of garbage spilled everywhere between alleys, it was more organized here. Save for a few stray garbage here and there.Perks of living in a more better off neighborhood where their disposal service was always on time.A feeling washed over Sunoo, the hairs on his body upright standing. Someone was trailing him. He took off his buds and tried to walk faster but before he could reach the corner where he would cut out of the alley, a shadow emerged from there.Sunoo knew about two more people were trailing him at the back too, so he was trapped."Look at our little celebrity, walking alone at night." A voice dripping with mock spoke up behind Sunoo. "Aren't you scared something will happen?"Sunoo turned to face the leading voice, coming face to face with Jung Sangwoo and his goons–people that were supposed to be locked away in juvie then transferred to a maximum security prison. For murder."Probably has his ghost friend as a companion." The one Sunoo knows as Pilchul spoke up with a snicker, even though there was a wariness in his voice at that statement."Shut the fuck up with your nonsense." Sangwoo snapped at him but with his eyes drilling dead into Sunoo's. "There's no ghost. Only a bastard that brings about bad luck.""I'm pretty sure bad luck has nothing to do with you brutally disemboweling 2 innocent people because you were high."Sunoo found himself on the ground barely a second later after a force pushed him from behind, his exposed knees and palms scraping roughly against the concrete ground. He hissed in pain as the sharp sting shot through him."We didn't kill those fuckers!" Sangwoo screamed at Sunoo who was still down, trying to recompose himself. "It was an unfortunate incident and we were framed.""Mmh, sure." Sunoo's mouth and sass always seemed to be ahead of his mind. And that got him a kick on his jaw. He tasted blood and smirked. "Do you want to add one more dead body to your list?"A kick to the stomach that sent Sunoo toppling backwards, flat on his back. He raised his palm that was bruised from his first fall above his head and was relieved to see the skin was almost done stitching back together. His knees also didn't sting anymore."It's all your fault. For all the freakishness that happens whenever you're around." Sangwoo seethed. "You are the reason why we landed in Juvie.""And I hope to be the reason you stay in a maximum security prison." Sunoo laughed, sitting up and spitting out the blood that gathered in his mouth. "The years you spent locked away clearly weren't enough for reflection."A gun was in Sunoo's face before he finished his words, aimed at his head. He held his breath. He's never had a fatal head injury before. He doesn't know if a bullet to the head would heal."You were living a good life while we were locked away." Sangwoo clicked the gun. "Even if I get caught and go back to prison, at least I would go with the assurance that your freakish self is gone from this world."Sunoo was feeling fear for himself, something he rarely felt. But he managed to smirk. "Bite me." It happened in an instant.A burst of blue light and chaotic screams.And Sunoo could feel himself falling, falling, falling. His surroundings made up of bright, neon blue lights fluttering about him.Suddenly, he could hear nothing, a deep sense of peace wash over him. For the first time in Sunoo's life, his mind was completely devoid of thoughts except two.Jake back at the apartment with a bleeding finger. And Sunghoon, the boy of ice so dear to Sunoo.The next moment, Sunoo felt himself felt all air leave him. Slipping quietly into the cold hands of death.Jake was wrong. He failed in this world.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
23rd January, 10 Years Prior
Jake Sim wouldn't stop sniffling.Part of it was from the unfamiliar cold accompanying the white, crystal snow gently falling over the city of Seoul. The other major reason was because of how much he's cried over the past few hours.He wishes he was back to just 2 months ago, when he'd been playing tag with his best friend, Mace under the dry Australian sun with his mummy calling him inside to come eat dinner because daddy was back.Now he had no mummy, no daddy. And his only remaining family did not recognize him neither were they capable of taking care of him.Jake's bandaged head throbbed a little when he stepped down from the van that drove him from the courthouse to this unfamiliar building filled with children of all ages running around.Jake was scared."Hey, little one." The lady, Miss Choi, spoke in a heavily accented English. Jake squinted up at her. "This is your new home."With tears springing back up into his eyes, Jake slowly shook his head in denial. "No."Then he started wailing, again.It took a few hours of him clinging on to Miss Choi's soft words and cuddles before he let himself fall asleep.When Jake woke up, everywhere was bright in a way that told him night has befallen and florescent lights were on.The first thing his eyes were met with were the peeling, green oil-paint wall beside the creaky, bunk bed he laid on. And his ears caught the echoes of loud voices of children running down the hallway outside where he was situated. Somewhere down the hall, his ears could also pick up the loud scooping of water from something hollow and the cheerful screams accompanying the splashes that came after it.He felt refreshed, but in a way he hated. In a way so unfamiliar to him. A way that meant that no matter how much he disliked this, it was here to stay.Jake didn't budge and quietly cried as he busied his fingers with the task of further stripping the patched wall of its paint.They told him his mummy went to rest for a long time, somewhere far and better from here. Jake wasn't stupid or as much as a child as they thought he was.He knew what death was. He was 8 years old, he wasn't stupid.Although Jake was starting to wish that he was.Starting to wish that he didn't know the concept of death and really believed his mummy went somewhere better after deciding the better place wasn't by his side.After deciding to leave him immediately after Daddy did too.Jake really wished he was dumb and clueless about these things."My mother dropped me in the middle of a lonely express road and hoped a car would run me over." A voice suddenly spoke up in a slightly accented English, startling Jake but not enough to make him move from his position. "She was dying and didn't have time to get rid of me herself, so that was her next best option."Jake sniffed in response, slightly scared and wondering if a ghost was talking to him. It sounded like the voice of a child his age and he might be a bit condescending here, but he didn't expect anyone his age here to know English as much as whoever was speaking did."I had a session with my therapist today. We read through my treatment journal and talked about my memories." The voice continued. "We never talk about it because she's scared of me whenever I do. But I had written about my mother in a recent entry so we talked about it."The way this voice spoke sounded so grown up and Jake was having a slightly difficult time catching up but he quietly listened."It hurt to talk about it. To dwell on the memory." A sniff accompanied the voice this time. "Even though I never knew her the way I should know a mother and all I have of her is trying to get rid of me."Jake shifted where he lay but didn't turn back. "Do… you hate her? Your mum?"It shouldn't but indulging this voice felt natural to Jake, even though something felt off about the whole story. Having someone talk about their own tragedy helped take Jake's mind off his."Many people think I heard the story of how I ended up here somewhere when I was little…r than this." Came the reply. "So they think my mind got creative and filled in the gaps as a way of coping with the abandonment. That's what my therapist said."But I remember it. I really do." There was a plead in the voice, as if desperate for Jake to believe. "But even though I remember all that, I also remember the tears on her face. My mother did what she thought would save me. So I don't hate her.""Save you… from what?" Jake asked because he couldn't understand how a mother killing her own child would save anything, or anyone."From my fate. From myself." Came the reply.There was silence then, "Point is… even if I didn't know my mother well, it hurts knowing I don't have her anymore. So I can't imagine your pain."Jake realized soft trickles were still going down his face and aggressively wiped them away. "How'd you know?""You were talking in your sleep."After several beats passed, Jake finally sat up and faced the direction of the voice. It came from across the room where another bunk was situated, and on the lower bunk sat the owner of the voice.Jake hadn't know what to expect but it certainly wasn't a round faced boy his age in winx club pajamas."You're wearing girls pajamas." Jake accused and a pretty eyebrow shot up at him."Pajamas?" He asked, probably hearing the word for the first time but with Jake's expression, he caught on quick. "What makes it girls pajamas?"There was genuine offense in his voice."It's… winx club! They're for girls.""I enjoy watching it. The fact I do also makes it for boys." He replied. "So I'm not wearing girls pajamas, I'm wearing something I like.""You're strange.""I know, that's why I talk about my feelings and thoughts every week to a lady in a private library." He grinned."Why is your English so good?""I watch a lot of English cartoons.""They don't use big words in cartoons.""I also watch English people's news broadcasts.""You're very strange.""I know.""My name is Jake. Jake Sim."A bright grin was met with that introduction, eyes curving into pretty crescents that made Jake stare in awe."I'm Sunoo. Sunoo Kim."And thus, a friendship bloomed.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The streets were littered with gold that crunched under Jake’s hurried feet as he made it out of the apartment complex he’s resided in for the past week.
The weight of the bag pack he carried was burdening, but not nearly as heavy as the bags under his eyes. Said eyes that were threatening to listen to his body and shut down on him, right there in the middle of the subway stairs he was going down.
Jake popped a small caffeine filled toffee bar into his mouth and shook his head, as if to shake the warning alarms away.
He can’t afford to shut down right now. Not while the only existing person he cares for is missing Missing. Yes, missing. That is the only possibility Jake would accommodate in his mind.
The police station was as rowdy as ever when Jake arrived there, impatient officers screaming at hardened delinquents who should be in school or the screaming parties who verbally fought each other brutally in front of a tired police officer on their nth cup of coffee.
Jake ignored all the ruckus and made his way to the officer he came for, who was solemnly listening and nodding at the appropriate intervals to a hysterical lady reporting a neighbor she was convinced is possessed by a demon.
“I always hear very strange noises coming from there.” The elderly lady said solemnly, like she was confiding a secret in Officer Kim Kibum. “Strange noises, as if she runs a zoo in there.”
Officer Kim looked up as Jake was approaching and returned a small nod to Jake’s polite bow, looking tired.
“Has she caused any disturbances to you, ma’am?”
“The noises are the disturbances! Also the extremely bright blue lights that come from her window at night, I’ve had to sleep in the living room sometimes because my bedroom window is directly opposite hers!” The lady retorted indignantly. “I’ve reported this a few times over the phone but no one cared enough to come inspect! Aren’t the police supposed to be your friend?”
Jake didn’t really pay attention to the conversation as he impatiently and nervously wrung his hands, waiting for the officer to be free.
“We’ll send an officer later today to inspect the nature of things, ma’am.” Officer Kim sighed, taking out a pen and paper. “The address again?”
The lady gave out the address as Officer Kim jotted it down.
“I think she might be crazy, you know?” The lady kept on talking as she stood. “Always talking to animals on the streets, and I think she has pet butterflies she keeps for torture.”
Finally she left and Jake didn’t spare a glance at her as he sat down in the now unoccupied seat in front of the officer.
“I heard arrests were made.”
He’d heard it on the News about 30 minutes ago as there were reporters who were invested in this case as he was. The only difference was that they wanted a story on the country’s academic prodigy, no matter if it was negative or positive. Jake just wanted to find Sunoo, unharmed and alive.
Officer Kim Kibum leaned back on his seat, releasing a breath that Jake understood as stressed before he nodded. “I was about to call you over after interrogations have ended. You might know them.”
The interrogation room smelled of cigarettes and dread of criminals who are coming to terms with the fact of being caught.
Jake doubted all criminals feared that–the remorse or dread. And this place stank more of that horrible feeling. The feeling of monsters who have no remorse whatsoever for the pain and hurt they’ve caused others.
Sitting alone behind the glass mirror sat someone Jake didn’t think he’d be coming across again for a long time; Jung Sangwoo, a monster in flesh.
“I know… I know him.”
“The CCTV cameras near a pharmacy show they’ve been following Kim Sunoo for a while before they disappeared into the alley.” Officer Kim explained. “It was difficult to identify them because of poor lighting, but we tracked a few more footages that connect to possible routes they might’ve taken.”
Jake’s eyes and the skin surrounding it were slowly becoming bloodshot as he thought of the fact that Sunoo ever crossed paths with this person that night.
“I told you there was more to this.” Jake said and indeed, he had.
At first, when Jake reported the very same night Sunoo had not turn up, the operator had asked him to wait 42 hours before reporting a missing person’s case.
Now, Jake knew there were protocols but logic should also be brought into this. Sunoo had left just to get treatment for Jake’s stupid cut that was already healing up slowly now. He had just moved into a new apartment and was generally in a good mood. Sunoo didn’t know anybody that would call him up for some emergency.
So it made no sense that he would disappear in the middle of the night.
They had even planned to watch a cartoon Jake had researched and suggested after Sunoo would treat Jake and take up the task of making the popcorn that had defeated Jake.
There was no reason to wait that long before launching an investigation.
So Jake began his own investigation.
In the movies, it seemed easier. The clues just seemed to fall into the laps of people who needed it, but Jake honestly did not know where to start or how to go about it.
There were 3 pharmacies closest to the complex and finding out which one Sunoo was at was the easiest part. The owner of the more equipped one a street away clearly remembered the boy who had equipped a First-Aid Kit.
So Sunoo got to the pharmacy and paid. Leaving peacefully.
The real problems begin at figuring out what happened after.
Leaving the Pharmacy, Jake glanced around the streets. There were CCTV footages everywhere; South Korea was riddled with them. So he just had to request a footage. But then, who would pay attention to an 18–Jake would be 19 in 3 weeks–year old boy requesting that? He had to have some sort of authority back him up.
But he could start somewhere.
So he went back into the Pharmacy and with challenges, got the owner to show him the footage of when Sunoo was around.
Sunoo arrived the pharmacy by 8:54 P.M and left by 9:07 P.M. The Pharmacy’s CCTV footages also showed him walking towards the direction of the apartment.
“He was polite and left without any troubles.” The Pharmacy owner had inputed after seeing Jake’s concentration on the footages. He didn’t see anything out of place.
That was when Jake broke down into tears. “What should I do, Uncle? What should I…?”
“Have you reported your missing friend to the police?”
“Mmh. I have… I don’t know what else to do.”
Seeing how distraught Jake was, the owner agreed to give him a copy of the CCTV footage.
And not knowing what else to do, Jake went on social media. It wasn’t something he used very often, only creating a few accounts when Sunoo had gifted him his very first smartphone a little over a year ago.
However, despite not having a sizeable platform, his posts had gotten attention quick. This was the nation’s academic prodigy they were talking about, he’s even dined with the President a few times.
A number of reporters started reaching out to Jake and when he saw a reporter from Bokuk, the biggest News Channel in South Korea among them, Jake felt like this really unfolded the way iot did in movies.
At first, it was just an alert that the nation’s academic prodigy was missing, the CCTV footages Jake had gotten from the pharmacy used as a tool.
Over the days, more CCTV footages, particularly around the routes Sunoo had taken, and it was there Jake found out that Sunoo was being followed. The reporters were much better at investigation than he was, it was their job. Still Jake felt useless, like he wasn’t really doing anything to help. Even though his action had made this a nationwide alert, he was growing more anxious each passing day Sunoo didn’t walk through the door of his new apartment, that sunny smile on his face while calling Jake dramatic for making this a huge issue.
Jake felt helpless each day; it was because of his stupid, clumsy self that Sunoo was out that late anyway. It was his fault his bestfriend was missing.
At this point, the police had opened up an official investigation, a number grumbling at Jake for making this a nationwide case; everyone was invested now.
Jake knew some nosy reporters might get in the way but since they also were helping a great deal in getting the news out there, Jake didn’t care. The reporters had acquired the footage Jake couldn’t get. His YouTube feed was also filled with videos relating to Sunoo’s disappearance and Jake needed all the help he could get. He followed every news channel reporting the case diligently, not wanting to miss a single update.
A lot of the videos were reporters reiterating a summary of the case and new updates were rarely put out, yet Jake watched every single one of them.
Until a week later, from Bokuk’s YouTube channel, there was a new update, posted 43 seconds ago; Arrests had been made the previous day and it was likely to be those who were following Sunoo that night.
So Jake hauled himself to the police station as quickly as he could.
“Is it okay for me to stay?” Jake asked when an officer slipped into the interrogation room, the activity not eliciting any reaction from Sangwoo.
“You’re the only family that kid has, from how you’ve been busting your ass since he went missing.” Officer Kim said, his hands folded across his chest as he observed the two behind the glass carefully. “It’s okay if you stay.”
Jake nodded appreciatively, tears springing to his tired eyes and he blinked them away as he looked back at the two that were involved in a sort of staredown. Sangwoo didn’t look a bit remorseful at all. Jake tightened his fists by his side.
“Why is he walking free? I thought he was given 25 to life.” Jake asked but Officer Kim did not reply, his shoulders moving in a slight shrug but Jake already knew the answer.
Sangwoo’s father was an important person in their society. Even if Jake didn’t know the details of why Sangwoo was free, he
knew
something unjust went on behind the scenes. There was no news about him even getting out, since the crimes had been the rave those years ago, which means it was subdued. But then Sangwoo being an idiot went and caused trouble again.
And Jake hoped that if he went back this time, he’ll rot in prison.
However, this thought brought with it fear so great it tightly gripped Jake’s chest to the point of suffocation.
If Sangwoo was on parole, this would surely send him back to prison on basis of violating the terms of being on good conduct. But… if he was sentenced anew, to rot away, that would mean Jake was indirectly thinking of something so bad happening to Sunoo that Sangwoo couldn’t escape the punishment.
That was not a thought Jake wanted to have. Sunoo was safe.
Sunoo was safe.
Suoo was safe
Sunoo was
“You know you’re terribly reckless, huh?” The officer inside was scoffing at an impassive Sangwoo, shaking his head. “You’re out on parole because some strings were pulled to take you out that hellhole. Yet you go ahead causing trouble again barely 2 weeks out?”
Sangwoo didn’t react, staring at the officer with a look of disinterest.
“I don’t want to know the trouble daddy dearest went through for you, but I know he’s unhappy that his son doesn’t appreciate the efforts.” The officer continued and Jake knew this was all to rile Sangwoo up. “He probably wishes he left you back there, huh? Maybe keep you in there, so you have no where to hide from the ghosts of those kids you–”
“I didn’t kill those kids.” Sangwoo said lowly, but his voice carried a warning to it.
“Right, the same way you didn’t kill Kim Sunoo?”
Jake flinched at that and Officer Kim laid a hand on his tense shoulders, to maybe reassure him it was just a technique to get Sangwoo to talk.
“I told you fuckers that I didn’t lay a hand on that freak!”
“So much vulgarity won’t take away the fact that you and your sheep were following him.” The Officer smirked. “I mean, I admire how you all stick to the same absurd story though. He fell through a portal?” A scoff as pure disgust entered the Officer’s eyes. “Maybe you should be locked away with the crazies instead.”
Officer Kim, sensing the personal hostility creeping entered the room and the other officer released a deep breath, leaning back on his chair.
“Now kid, the sooner you tell us the truth, the better.” Officer Kim said and Jake watched as he took out a single stick of cigarette from his back pocket, laying it in front of Sangwoo. A lighter followed next. “Where is Kim Sunoo?”
Sangwoo picked up the cigarette and lighted it, taking a long drag and letting out a long stream of smoke before replying with a mocking smile. “Who knows? Probably fell through that portal to hell.”
Officer Kim let out a scoff of disbelief, an unamused smile on his face. “Sticking to that story, are we? Are you hopping your lawyer would try to make them let you off on basis of mental instablity?”
“I wasn’t the only one that saw it.” Sangwoo said, streams of smoke coming off his lips as he speaked. “We saw the freak fall through some kind of portal with glowing blue butterflies coming out it. He’s never been normal, he’s probably cursed and everyone praises him for being so wonderful. Indirectly worshipping the devil that made him that way.”
Jake took in shaky breaths as he tried to stabilize the fury that coursed through his body but making sure not to make any rash decision like bursting through that door and beating out the devil Sangwoo was attributing to Sunoo out of the fucker’s own system. Officer Kim was kind enough to let him in here, he shouldn’t mess it up.
As if reading Jake’s thought, Officer Kim looked through the one way glass and eerily held Jake’s eyes for a second even though he couldn’t see him from there.
“How are we sure you’re not the one worshipping the devil, since we’re sticking to your delusions.” The other officer spoke up. “Did some rituals to get rid of Kim Sunoo since your jealousy of the good attention he’s receiving bothers you so much.”
Another man enters the room, all suited up with a briefcase in hand and Jake figured this must be Sangwoo’s lawyer. Any luck getting anything reasonable from him now was all used up.
Jake felt hopelessness clawing at him again, it was a feeling that was too constant the past week. He didn’t even have the strenght to brush it away like he usually did.
It’s been a week. And he was close to believing Sangwoo’s absurd story of falling through a portal if it meant Sunoo was still alive somewhere.
And face it; CCTV cameras did capture Sangwoo and his goons trailing Sunoo into the alley. They also captured them running out of it a few minutes later. Yet there was no sign of Sunoo exiting that alley.
Jake’s logical mind was trying to tell him that maybe there was some sort of exit he missed when he looked through that alley, when the police looked through it. But the desperate one was seeing sense in Sangwoo’s absurd story.
A portal? Glowing blue butterflies?
Jake’s logical mind scoffed.
Be real.
But then something kept nagging at Jake’s mind. He felt like he was failing to connect something.
Glowing blue butterflies… glowing blue butterflies…
A boy bent over his desk, watercolors brushes dipped into water to avoid making any unnecessary mess.
“Isn’t it pretty, Jakey?” A smile that brightened up Jake’s world directed at the older, A5 paper taped to a mechanical board, little blue butterflies fluttering around in a forest. “They came from a dream that doesn’t feel like a dream.”
It was just that one instant, or was it?
Sunoo had loved art, although he didn’t really dedicate himself to it. That one evening when they were 14 after Jake had come in from his scrap picking job, he’d found Sunoo busy over his little desk he had gotten for himself. Painting little butterflies in a magical looking forest.
As always, Jake had been awed by his best friend's talent. The watercolor painting had such a lifelike quality that seemed like the butterflies would flutter out of the paper and into the dingy room of the orphanage.
Outside he heard the sirens of a police car, thought of their flashing red and blue lights all of a sudden.
Red and blue lights…
Red and…
Blue lights.
“Isn’t it pretty, Jakey?”
“Glowing blue butterflies.”
“...extremely bright blue lights… pet butterflies…”
It hit Jake all so suddenly that he gasped, feeling himself go dizzy.
Maybe Sangwoo wasn’t just bullshitting after all. Jake didn’t even know what he was getting at, but at this point, he was taking all chances. All chances.
With determination, he exited the interrogation room, heading straight for the rowdy station and Officer Kim’s desk. The piece of paper with the address was lodged under a pile of files. As discreetly as possible, he snatched it, feeling his heart beat with anticipation of both hope and expectation of disappointment.
Jake was going to pay the lady with the pet butterflies a visit.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
“Whenever you want to runaway for a day, we’ll do it together. Just me and you, no one else. To somewhere both our worlds can’t find.”
“That’s a sealed promise.”
Sunoo regained consciousness gasping for air, then coughing and sputtering like he’d been underwater and now needed all the air he could get. And going by Sunoo’s currently dazed memories, he had. The feeling of being plunged into a body of water and not being to do anything about it in that peaceful state of mind he remembers so well.Then there was struggle as Sunoo forgot all he knew about swimming–which wasn’t a lot. A lot of struggle, until he felt his limbs weakening, his lungs burning and he just… let go.
Is this how it feels to die? You struggle for a life you already lost?
That was the last thought on Sunoo’s mind before he felt himself slipping into darkness once more, one that felt permanent this time. He remembers feeling a powerful grip around his waist before slipping away.And here he was now, lying on a solid surface and looking up into a golden sky that told him the sun was setting. But this one felt different.Sunoo had witnessed a lot of setting suns. The orphanage he spent his whole life in was located near nature, where he slipped away to a lot–with Jake usually in tow–to play in the forest and observe fox tracks. Then came the period of time when Sunoo seemingly went alone when Jake got busy a lot, but he wasn’t alone. A boy of ice was with him, and together they watched setting suns.
“It’s a bit more magical in my world.” Sunghoon said as they witnessed the last of the golden sun over the steep hills. They sat on a tree Sunghoon had found, with a clear view over the field of rice that were due for harvesting and the hills beyond them.
“I bet.” Sunoo had sighed, swinging his legs softly as he absorbed the comforting chill that emanated from Sunghoon. “I bet every single thing in your world is magical.”
That was how the sky looked as Sunoo looked up at it now from where he lay. The golden streaks in it seemed to release fine gold dust that washed peace over Sunoo once more, reminded him of Sunghoon and how much he wished the ice boy were here to witness this with him.Suddenly, a face popped over Sunoo’s, causing his eyes to go wide but not really raking action because all fighting will had left him.It was a girl. A really pretty girl, Sunoo could appreciate, with dark hair that hung gracefully at the sides of her face as she looked down at Sunoo.A drop of water hit Sunoo’s nose and that was when he realised she was dripping wet everywhere. Like she’d just dipped out of a large body of water. With horror, Sunoo also realized she was probably topless, although he didn’t let his eyes stray further from her small face.She opened her mouth, and strange sounds came out from them. It sounded like she was screeching, but in a soft, melodious way. And as she went on with those sounds, Sunoo noticed that there were openings at the sides of her neck. Openings with frayed skin that softly opened and closed and unsettled Sunoo.Sunoo closed his eyes, counted to ten, then opened them again because what the hell?The girl was still looking down at him, big eyes slowly blinking in confusion.Then she opened her mouth again, but this time, it was in a language Sunoo understood. “Hi.”This startled him more than when she made those screeching noises, enough to send him scrambling into a sitting position. She leaned back and with relief, Sunoo realized her hair generously covered her chest to modesty and seemed to stay intact.He also realized she was lying on her stomach, her hands propping her upper body up.Sunoo also realized that there were scattered, green scale streaks that started from her lower stomach, blended more fully down her hips and into a huge green, fish tail that gently sweeped up and down, as if on their own accord. But no, it was connected to this really pretty, topless girl who was saying something he didn’t understand, or wouldn’t, because Sunoo was feeling very lightheaded at the moment.“...from the water, you were drowning.” The girl’s voice faded back in, her Korean very basic. “Hi, I’m Karina.”“Mer… You… Mermaid.” Sunoo said dumbly, looking about him in a frenzy. That was when he saw the waterfall ahead of him. It wasn’t a huge one by any means, but it wasn’t small either. It fell into a large body of water that flowed towards the right, over huge rocks that gradually thinned out.He took it that was where he fell in, just shy away from the rocks or he would’ve broken something instead. On a normal day, Sunoo can get himself to shore, because the water didn’t look that deep. But this wasn’t a normal day, and he didn’t even know how he got here.“Mer…You…Mermaid?” Karina echoed back, to testing this seemingly new word on her lips, looking confused. She shook her head after a while, giving up. “Aeri did not teach me this.”“Aeri?”“My bestfriend, she’s a pixy .” She said pixy in English, then made a fluttering, flying gesture with one hand. “She lives in the human world. She’s part of Her Royal Highness’ tab team. Keeping tabs on what’s happening over there.”Sunoo’s brains had already frozen when she said “human world” and at the moment, he stared dumbly at her, mouth slightly hanging open.“You’ll want to close your mouth or the [incoherent screech] would fly in. They breed quick.”“I’m… How did I get here?” Sunoo asked, feeling very dazed.
A dream that doesn’t feel like a dream.
He had used this exact words when explaining to Jake a couple years ago about where he had gotten inspiration for the painting of the neon, blue butterflies in an enchanted forest. He had dreamt it up, but it felt very real. Like he’d physically been there, stolen away at night.That was before he met Sunghoon.When he met the boy of ice, every moment with him felt exactly that way. A dream that doesn’t feel like a dream.And that was how he felt this very moment.“I’m also not sure.” Karina frowned, looking at Sunoo curiously. “But we’ll get you to the Queen. She can find out and send you back.”Sunoo looked around once more, as if trying to find a sort of portal where he fell in from. Sunghoon had told him it was impossible for humans to come to his world, at least not without some sort of invitation from royals.But people from this world can go and come as they pleased.Sunoo found that unfair.Karina made a clicking noise in her throat and Sunoo looked back at her. “But for now, you’ll have to rest since dusk is already upon us.”Sunoo found himself staring at her distrustfully. Sunghoon had told him that there was evil in his world; a savage, primitive evil that lurked. That was probably why humans couldn’t access here so easily because they were weak, and powerless against the forces.Karina seemed to know what he was thinking, and she smiled. “I know it won’t do much, but you’re safer with us. You’re more in danger when you’re alone.”“You seem to do this often, with how calm you are.” Sunoo remarked. If humans rarely came here, how was Karina so calm relating with him.“I could say the same about you. I’m more scared of you, the way you’re not freaking out seeing me.” Karina smiled. “Aeri told me that there are lots of tales about our people in your world, but no one has actually seen any specie of us. Not in at least 800 years, since the borders were set up. And even before that, we–the better of us–were careful.”“How old are you?” Sunoo asked curiously because the way she spoke of this seemed ancient. A grin split Karina’s face.“In this world, I’m 21. But in your world, I’ll be closer to 35, time wise, I’m not sure of the math.” Karina frowned in concentration as she seemingly made some calculations in her head. “Aeri left for your world when she was 17– 4 complete cycles here, but she’s been there 18 cycles–years–already. It’s cool but I did not pay attention t0 time and space classes, don’t ask me anything.”Sunoo, out of habit whenever he sees an equation tried working the math in his head but Karina shook her head. “Don’t bother with that, we have different cycles. You can ask Lily about it though, she’s really smart.” She cocked an eyebrow at him. “That is if you’re willing to come with me?”The question conflicted Sunoo.He had always wanted to visit Sunghoon’s world, ever since he met the boy of ice. Downcast when the other told him he couldn’t, at least not yet. Sunoo never understood what ‘not yet’ meant, but he trusted Sunghoon would find a way.He had wanted to explore Sunghoon’s world, with the boy of ice right by his side.But he was here now, a place he’s always longed to come to. But without the one person he trusted enough to guide him through this very strange yet magical place.“Your Queen, will she send me away immediately?”Karina blinked. “Mmh. It can be a scary–and dangerous–place for humans.” A shudder and she shook her head. “But you’re really strange. Too calm.”Sunoo sighed. He’s been called strange in the world he lives in. He’s been called strange by a mermaid in a parallel world.Maybe his strangeness was innate.Once, after meeting Sunghoon, he had started to believe he wasn’t human; what with his camcorder memory, ability to grasp things quicker than normal, his terrible, life threatening fevers that always happened once (at one instance, twice) a year. Oh, also his quick healing abilities that considerably became more active since meeting Sunghoon, so he attributes it to that.Sunghoon was quick to reassure him that he was as human as they come, just unique.It was rare but as natural as people born deaf or blind, with really high IQs or a missing organ. Sunoo was uniquely different, but he was human.That had been depressing to hear for Sunoo who had wanted some kind of reason for being the way he was.Being called strange by a mermaid, not for the way he looked, further confirmed in a way the fact that Sunoo really wasn’t of her world.Yet, he found himself wishing he was. If he could find Sunghoon right now, he would never want to go back, because he already failed in that world. He…“Jake,” He gasped. Sunoo remembered the state he left his bestfriend. Bleeding from his finger all over the kitchen sinc. Though that was something that could hardly kill him, with Jake and not being able to take care of himself, you never know.Also, if time went slower here, how much has passed over there. What did Jake think happen to him? What was happening over there?That clicking sound in Karina’s throat once more. “Jake? Is that a word for ‘yes’ or ‘no’?”Sunoo stared at Karina’s small face. She seemed relatively harmless, what with her kind face that has this clueless curiousity to it. Although there really was no way of telling, because he couldn’t read her aura for the life of him, she was probably right. He was safer with her, and wherever she was taking him to.At least, safer than aimlessly wondering this world without a clue.It was probably his luck that she found him before he drowned and he didn’t end up dying as soon as he got here. That would’ve been embarrasing.“Is there any chance you know of a boy named Sunghoon? White hair. Little birthmark on his nose?” Sunoo found himself asking instead.Karina blinked at him, no sign of recognition on her face.Sunoo nodded. “Right, not everyone knows everyone.” He beamed at Karina. “Lead the way.”Karina’s tail did a series of frenzied flaps that looked excited to Sunoo. “I can’t exactly lead you through my path unless you’re prepared to swim for a while.”She cocked her head towards the body of water.“So…”Sunoo felt a presence suddenly behind him and he whirled, coming slightly face to face with a boy younger than him, full lips stretched in a small smile. He was dressed in brown khakis and a white t-shirt; very modern human clothes.Sunghoon had always come dressed in eccentric, golden outfits that looked very fantasy-tale like and Sunoo had assumed that was how everyone in his world dressed; like they were going to war.“That’s Riki.” Karina introduced and Sunoo could hear a little splash of water. “He’ll lead you on land.”“How long have you been… lurking around?” Sunoo asked impulsively, glancing around the trees, trying to spot another hidden figure.Riki instead of replying cocked his head towards the trees. Sunoo looked back and could see Karina making her way over the rocky waters then sliding into the unobstructed flow a little distance ahead.He looked back to where Riki stood and found it empty. There was movement in the trees and Sunoo found the boy perched on a hanging branch that seemed too flimsy to carry one’s weight, but it didn’t move under Riki’s. The boy beckoned him over but leaped onto another tree before Sunoo could move.“Hey! Wait up.” Sunoo sputtered, suddenly finding the possibility of staying here alone, under the darkening sky, ominous.His entry into the blanket of trees brought with it a subdued kind of noise, like television static but calmer. Sunoo remembers how Sunghoon always complained about how loud crickets were whenever they were in the forest near the orphanage. If this white noise was their own version of crickets, Sunoo now understands where he was coming from.Riki kept leaping from tree to tree gracefully, but in sight of Sunoo who kept trying to catch up while making small conversation. Even though he doubted the boy understood him.“Can you fly? Pixies are able to fly, aren’t they?” Sunoo asked dumbly, even though Sunghoon had told him the difference between pixies, fairies and other creatures of nature.Riki dropped from the branch he was at, alarming Sunoo because that was a really high drop. However, the boy landed gracefully on his feet, going into a squatting position to examine a plant. After a momentary consideration, he whispered something and plucked a few, stuffing them into a braided leaf purse at his hip.He leaped onto a tree branch again and continued his journey.“What was that?” He asked, carefully ducking under a hanging branch. “You know what I asked earlier? Forget that. I know pixies can’t fly. I have a friend who explained the differences to me.”Silence and more tree leaping. Sunoo sighed and quietly observed his surroundings. The extent of beauty in nature here were not captured well enough in Sunghoon’s words, who was, like Sunoo, very graphic with his descriptions.The forest was alive, in a way that felt safe. Vines with colourful flowers could be seen creeping slowly on the ground and around tress, patiently making their journeys from one location to another. Once or twice, Sunoo observed some trees making slight movements, as if having a little sneeze or shaking off an unwelcome substance from their branches.Where Earth’s barks and branches are mostly always an aging brown, tired green or dulling cream, Sunoo saw countless colorful barks among the few browns, mostly in subdued shades of purple. He spotted a few bright green trees too.His attention was suddenly piqued by low plants with tiny, glowing purple seeds. He bent down to examine them. “Are these edible?”He got an idea and unhurriedly shot his hands out to pluck one but a hand was on his before he could touch the seeds, the grip firm but gentle. It was Riki, suddenly squatting beside him, there without a noise.He shook his head. “They’re poisonous in the wrong hands.”Sunoo beamed at him, feeling genuinely elated to have gotten a response from the boy. “You understand me!”“Always ask for permission before taking the seed or leaves of any plant in this world.” Riki was absurdly fluent too, compared to Karina’s careful construction of words. “If you don’t, they sense it as aggression and become poisonous the moment you break them off. Did your friend not tell you this?”Riki whispered some strange words before breaking off a portion of the purple seeds. They looked like tiny grapes on its branch. He opened a stunned Sunoo’s palm and dropped it into them.“You should save it for when you’re ready to sleep. They knock you out.” Riki stood and Sunoo expected him to leap up a tree this time, but he stayed down. Probably to make sure Sunoo doesn’t kill himself down here.“Thank you.” Sunoo stood, falling into step with the boy. “My friend told me about some of the laws of nature here, by the way.”“So you forgot.” Riki concluded and Sunoo smiled a secret smile.“No, I never forget.” Sunoo said, turning over the tiny purple seeds in his palms. “I did it to get a response from you, I wasn’t really going to pluck it.”Riki glanced at him and Sunoo gauged his aura. Nothing, it was like he hit a wall.“Where did you learn to do that? Did your friend teach you too?” Riki suddenly asked and Sunoo blinked.“Do what? Teach me what?”“Reading auras and moods.” Riki said and Sunoo’s mouth dropped. “I could feel you trying to get in, but some of us here can hide our feelings well.”“I… wow .” Sunoo let out a little laugh. “You could feel me and not just me poking around people’s energies. That’s refreshing for some reason.”Riki seemed to hesitate a little before speaking. “You said your friend has white hair?”Sunoo perked up, glancing at him. “Mmh, Sunghoon. Silver eyes, a mole on his nose. Karina didn’t seem to know him.”“Mermaids are extremely good in hiding what they think or feel.” Riki worried his bottom lip for a moment. “Everyone knows of the race with the white hair. The masters of ice.”“So you know him?” Sunoo asked excitedly, the possibility of seeing Sunghoon again after all these months filling his heart with warmth.Riki stared at him a moment longer before looking up at the sky through the blanket of trees and creeping branches. “It’ll get dark soon, we should keep going.”Sunoo blinked at the manner at which he evaded the question but before he could say anything on it, the boy leaped onto a tree and continued his journey there.That signified an end of discussion. And that made Sunoo feel uneasy.Because just why were the both of them avoiding questions about the boy of ice.