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“Wake up” Mr Moon urged, slapping his palm against Jung’s unconscious face. “Hey track guy we don’t have time for this. Wake up”
His head lolled to his shoulder but another harsh slap roused him from sleep. Jung blinked, their faces blurring before refocusing. His face was caked in blood, eyes welded shut and lidde. Nari pursed her lips at the bruises and welts on his face. Woo-jin did not hold back.
” Where is Mr Oh?” Mr Moon ordered, planting his hand on his shoulder, his amusement only growing when Jung scoffed.
” Look at this asshole” he chortled. ” Does he think he’s being a tough guy or something?” he glanced over at them and then at Da-min and her quiver. “Hey Archer, give me an arrow real quick” he said, extending his hand.
Da-min glanced at him confused, her brow furrowing before she eyed Nari perplexed. The older woman merely shrugged in reply, jutting her head to his outstretched hand and Da-min confoundingly obliged.
“Let’s see how much of a loyal bloodhound this guy is” Mr Moon chuckled mirthlessly. ” I was like you, you know. Well, back when Mr Choi was alive” he said, twirling the arrow in his hand and patronisingly staring down at Jung but there was a deep anger brewing in his eyes. “But do you know what becomes of a bloodhound that’s lost its master?” he asked, tapping the tip of the arrow against his exposed collarbone. ” It becomes a filthy stray that mauls everyone in sight” he then slammed the arrow into his thigh.
Hyeon-ju winced and Da-min’s hand flew to her eyes in shock. Geon-woo and Woo-jin both exclaimed, startled and surprised by his action while Nari’s eyes widened and then simmered, intrigued.
Mr Moon twisted the arrow and Jung slammed his head back, his mouth sealing shut and muffling his agonised grunts. Mr Moon looked at him in consolidation. “No no no, you’re fine. This isn’t pain that you’re feeling. It’s just shock. The real pain comes when I pull this bad boy out” Jung released a shrill cry as Mr Moon jerked his arm back, the arrow in his hand and the squelching of flesh as Jung’s anguished scream filled the room.
Mr Moon turned to them and nodded to Da-min. “Hey juniors do you mind covering our Archer’s ears for a second. ” he asked and they obliged. Woo-jin lifted his hands to cover Da-min’s ears and then as an afterthought, Geon-woo lifted his hand to cover her eyes.
“You married shithead?” Mr Moon inquired before he leaned closer and hovered the tip of the arrow over Jung’s crotch. Jung’s eyes grew wide, his eyes darting back and forth panicked and almost pleading. Nari was surprised at the whole different side of Mr Moon she was seeing. Nari also noticed the uncomfortable look pass over Hyeon-ju’s face.
“Because the most important thing in the whole world is family” Mr Moon chimed and then ensured it was positioned right. “But without this, buddy, you’ll never be able to make one. So work or family? You better choose wisely? ” Mr Moon derided and Jung was heaving, his breath coming out in quick pants.
“I gotta admit, if you choose work right now that would make you a true pro, but obviously in that case, I’m going to have to puncture your balls. Why? because I’m also a pro. ” Jung inhaled sharply when Mr Moon suddenly pressed down, the tip moving just below his crotch and missing it by inches but the way Jung’s eyes trembled Nari knew he had made his decision. She was almost sad when he relented, pleading with Mr Moon that he’ll talk.
Mr Moon turned to them and then handed the arrow back to Da-min before smiling triumphantly at Jung who was seething behind heavy breaths and angered eyes.
“Good choice”
It was a long night, but it seemed to grow even longer as Woo-jin and Geon-woo hauled In-beom into the back of Mr Moon’s truck before loading Jung into the back of the mustang.
Mr Moon’s rather unconventional methods of extraction seemed to have worked and soon Jung was confessing on the whereabouts of Mr Oh- a fish farm in Seoryeong. Mr Moon was to return to one of Mr Choi’s safehouses to interrogate Kang In-beom on Kim Myeong-gil’s stash of gold while they would head down to the farm to rescue Mr Oh.
“You guys ready?” Geon-woo asked, glancing at his friends who were tired, beat and bruised but undeterred. Mr Oh was their priority and despite how their bodies ached for some rest, they would see to it that Da-min be reunited with her grandfather.
They bid their farewells to Mr Moon, hopping into the car with a rather tight squeeze and then they were off, speeding down the motorway and ringing Gang-yong for back up.
“Your grandfather will be okay” Hyeon-ju assured, noticing the way Da-min had begun growing weary and misty eyed. “He’s strong. Don’t worry” Da-min sent her a small uncertain smile but was grateful for the reassurance. Nari noticed her hesitance still, in the way she was biting her lip anxiously and fidgeting with an arrow in her lap.
“We’ll get him” Nari said softly and Da-min inclined her head to her, noticing the cool look in her eyes. ” By any means necessary”
Hyeon-ju frowned at her last statement, the familiar concern shining in her eyes and in the way she worried at the lengths her friend would go to. Da-min held Nari’s firm stare and then nodded, she exhaled shakily and turned back to stare at the vast darkness outside the window. However, as much as Hyeon-ju’s unsettledness was evident on her expression and Da-min could pick it up, something resembling assurance ebbed her distress, and she found herself trusting Nari’s words more.
Nari met Hyeon-ju’s questioning and worrisome stare and then glued her eyes back to the star filled night.
“There they are” Woo-jin informed, pointing to the blur of red and blue lights and multiple police cars at the entrance of the fish farm. They hopped out the car just as Gang-yong approached them with a frown and troubled look on his face.
“We just searched the place. There’s nothing here but a flatfish farm.” Gang-yong informed with Han-gu at his side.
They all glanced at each other perplexed, then Woo-jin gestured to the trunk. ” Maybe this guy knows something.” He said and they lead Gang-yong to the back where Jung squirmed at the harsh light.
“Who the hell is this guy?” Gang-yong frowned.
“Kim Myeong-gil’s goon” Woo-jn said. “The one who stabbed me”
Realisation dawned on Gang-yong’s face and his lip twitched into a snarl having seen Woo-jin’s scars the night of the bar. His distaste was evident when he leaned over and flashed his badge in his face. ” I’m a cop and I’ve got some questions you need to answer” he said. When Jung did not even move he swore, his irritation seeping into his tone. ” You prick, nod your head”
” Is Seoul fish farm the right place?” he asked and Jung nodded his head with a grunt.
” Did anyone know that we were coming?” he asked again and Jung shook his head in denial.
Gang-yong stepped back and sighed.
“He must be lying right?” Nari accused, her tone clipped. “Why would he say this place and there’s nothing here. There’s no way they could’ve packed it up without a heads up.”
“They could’ve” Geon-woo interjected and Nari turned her head to him. ” Some of his crew may have given them a heads up when we were busy. They would’ve had enough time to get out before we arrived.”
Nari wanted to curse, probably scream and throw Jung to the wolves and wring the informant dry but she held it in when she noticed the crestfallen eyes in the back seat turn and slump, probably having heard their failed attempt at recusing her grandfather.
Gang-yong noticed their dejection and a deep sigh hung heavy amongst the group. ” Let this guy out, we’ll take him in and you guys leave immediately. ” he told them sternly. “you guys weren’t here. Is that clear?’
They nodded reluctantly and helped Han-gu offload Jung and put him the back of their cruiser. The car ride was silent on their way back, deciding to head to Mr Moon and hopefully receive some good news for the night. They were all processing their plans of actions, and they couldn’t hide their disappointment at the fact that despite it all, they had ultimately failed to save what mattered most.
It was when Da-min eventually voiced her concern, and the silence was shattered were they broken out of their reverie. “Where is grandpa?” her voice was choked with tears gathering in her throat. They had not said anything when they had returned to the car but she heard it and had seen it all on their faces. Geon-woo and Woo-jin looked defeated, Hyeon-ju worried and Nari plain pissed. It was a combination she had dreaded.
“We just need to wait a little more” Geon-woo tried to offer, his own tone betraying him. “The detectives should get back to us”
But despite how comforting he tried to be, Da-min’s distress was justified. ” We don’t have time” she whimpered and Nari’s jaw clenched. She couldn’t bare to look at Da-min. She had promised to not have a repeat of what happened months ago happen again and suddenly that promise was hanging precariously by a thread. She would not have Mr Oh’s blood on their hands, not after everything he had done for them.
Hyeon-ju placed a comforting hand on Da-min’s shoulder and the girl sniffled in return. Hyeon-ju understood a bit too well, from Da-min’s distress to where when a tear slid down her cheek of which the young girl brushed away in hopes no one saw. She realised how much the young girl was a mirror reflection of herself. Hyeon-ju’s heart clenched but the words died on her tongue and all she could do was hold her until they arrived at the warehouse.
Because nothing she could ever say would fill the gaping hole in their chests
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