Chapter 2: “The Boy”

IYAH

“Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday! Happy birthday! Happy birthday to you!” Everybody sang.

“Make a wish then blow the candle Iyah!” my Dad excitedly said.

I just nodded at him. I glanced at my happy family. My beautiful Mom, where me and my unnie inherited such a goddess-like beauty. She’s so kind and thoughtful and humble. Married to one of the richest, influential and popular man in Korea. My Dad, known in our country as “Mr. Lucius Amadeo, the shoeshine boy”. He is called like that because he was just an orphan who started working as a shoeshine boy at a young age for him and his sister to survive. But being smart and hardworking, a rich bachelor adopted and treated him as his own son. And when he died, Dad inherited his wealth and was able to multiply it for years, thus earning a slot as one of the richest men in Korea. But my Dad never forgets his humble beginnings. And I’m so proud of him. As for my Ayla-unnie-… hmmm… well… I can say she’s prettier than me. Hehe… We always agree about almost all things! clothes… toys… favorites… and even boys… Hehe… Well, being popular, kids want to be friends with us. And now, I can see our neighbor, Renzo-oppa, standing beside unnie. He’d been our childhood friend since… I can’t remember. And I know he likes unnie…

Enough of that, I should go back to my birthday. What should be my wish? Hmmm… I wish safety and good health for my family. And for myself… Well… I wish to find someone too. Someone who will protect me no matter what. Like Renzo-oppa is to unnie. Someone like that. I smiled and blew the candle.

“Okay! Let’s go party!” Renzo-oppa shouted and all the kids cheered. I felt very happy not knowing that danger is just lurking somewhere. Crouched and ready to pounce at you anytime. And you’ll never know what will happen until it happens.

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IYAH

We are all enjoying the games that Mom prepared for us when all of a sudden, I heard a gunshot somewhere. The kids scattered and ran in different directions, scared to death. I saw Renzo-oppa grabbed unnie’s hands and was about to run but he stopped and turned to me. I know he wanted to get me too. He took one step forward as I felt strong hands grabbing me. I looked up and saw an ugly man with a gun on hand, pointing at me. I’m so scared that I nearly fainted. Then many armed men appeared behind him, pointing their guns to everyone.

“Mr. Shoeshine boy, if you don’t want all this kids and all your family to die, just let us have your daughter. You know you owe our boss a big debt that cannot be paid by your money. We promise we won’t kill her.” The ugly man holding me said.

 I saw Dad’s face filled with fear as he spoke, “Please don’t take my daughter. Take me instead.”

“Take you instead?! Do you think we are fools?! You wouldn’t pay for what you owe if we don’t have one of your love ones. And your death cannot even repay it.” The ugly man answered.

“Uncle! Where are the guards?!” I heard Renzo-oppa called Dad.

The ugly man turned to him and said, “The guards are all dead now, young boy. They are no match to us. And as for you… You’re such a brave boy. I think I want to…” he raised his gun and pointed it to oppa. I saw unnie gripped oppa’s hand looking very scared. I do something I dunno that I have guts to do at a young age.

“Don’t kill him! You can take me! Just don’t kill anybody here!” I shouted at the ugly man, struggling.

“Iyah! No!” I heard Mom said approaching me. 

“You stay there Mrs. Amadeo! I know you know what’s going on.” He warned her.

Mom stopped and looked at Dad. Dad just nodded at her and they both looked at me.

“Please don’t hurt her…” Dad uttered.

“Very good, shoeshine boy. Good for you that you don’t forget where you came from. We’ll just borrow your daughter.”

And with that, the ugly man and his men carried me to a black van outside. As I passed by Renzo-oppa, I saw him raised his hand. Click a button on his watch, put it near his mouth and said something. I wonder what that was. Upon reaching the van, the ugly man put a piece of cloth over my mouth. I smelled chloroform and drifted off to sleep. Off to the land of dreams, not knowing that when I open my eyes again, I’ll see something that will forever be my dream.

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IYAH

I woke up feeling warm though I’m pretty sure it’s already night. Before opening my eyes, I felt two warm arms hugging me. I froze, thinking that whoever it is would do something bad to me. I just turned eight today! Omo! Mom! Dad! Help me! I screamed on my mind. As I was about to open my mouth to scream, I heard a boy’s voice behind me.

“Please don’t scream. They would see me. Don’t be afraid. I’m here to save you.” His voice was gentle and firm at the same time. I dunno why but I relaxed.

Then I answered, “But why are you hugging me?”

“I noticed you’re trembling, and I’m sure you’re feeling cold. I don’t have a jacket here so I hugged you instead. My mother told me that the heat of our body is better to give warmth than any thick cloth.” He answered quietly.

We stayed like that for a minute until I felt awkward. This is the first time a boy hugged me. I moved a bit and said, “I’m okay now. Thank you.” I then looked at him and froze.

He’s so cute! His face looks perfect for me! But then I noticed his eyes. His eyes were sad. So sad that I can even feel the pain behind it.

“Let’s go.” I heard him said.

“Huh? Where?”

“Out of here. Come on. Before they come back.” He said grabbing my hand.

“Wait! Who are you? How did you come here? Why are you saving me?” I asked.

He looked at me. Now, I noticed he’s wearing a cap. “Save your questions later. We have to go.”

He just said and started pulling me. I just nodded. Amazed that a young boy like him can be so determined. He reminds me of Dad. But before we reach the door, we heard voices outside making us abruptly stopped. When no one entered the room, we headed to the door. I noticed that it was slightly open. Then I saw a small stone below the edge of the door. It was purposely placed there to keep the door open without noticing it easily. I looked at him. I knew he’s the one who did that. Pretty smart. I thought.

“We should be careful. Don’t make any noise, okay?” he whispered to me.

“Yes.” I whispered back. Of course I’m nervous! Who wouldn’t be?! We’re both kids and I wonder what will happen to us if the ugly man and his men caught us. I looked at him again. He looked calm. Gee, here I’ am really nervous while he’s still calm. Weird. I held my breath as the boy slowly open the door. I think he noticed my fear because he tightened his hold to my hand.

Outside the room, the whole place looked like a warehouse to me. I looked around and saw the gate to the outside world. I excitedly tugged him to go there but he grabbed me and we hid behind a stack of hollow blocks stored there. I looked at him questioningly and he just points his finger to his ear and mouthed, “Listen.” And then I heard it. Voices of men laughing and they sounded drunk to me. Fear returned to me. I looked at him. He pointed to the gate and now I saw a man standing beside the now open gate, motioning us to run outside. I’m still afraid. What if the man was just tricking us? What if he suddenly calls the other men? What if we die? I stood rooted on the spot, not knowing what to do. But the boy held both my hands and looked at me.

“Don’t worry, it is okay. We’re safe now.” He said.

I looked at him and saw his smile for the first time. A smile reaching to his sad eyes and touching my heart. A smile I will never forget. Now and forever. Then I finally nodded at him.

We silently and slowly made our way to the open gate. But we have to cross a very wide open space before reaching it. I saw the man trying to look busy doing something. I think, for his friends not to notice us. I looked back at them and saw them busily laughing and drinking themselves to death. I should thank that man. I thought. I also noticed that the man looked familiar to me. Where did I saw him? I wondered as I followed the boy towards the gate. Still a few feet away to the gate, I heard one of the men shouted.

“The girl! The girl is going to escape!”

Then I felt the boy pushed me forward.

“Go!” he commanded as I heard falling chairs, breaking bottles and rustling of feet behind.

“Go now! You should be safe!” he repeated.

“But what about…” I started protesting but he cut me off.

“No buts little girl. Go.” He firmly said again. “Run as fast as you can. Call for help. Call your father. Just go straight home, okay? Don’t look back. Here, it’s cold outside. Put this on.” He continued putting his cap on my head.

“But…” I started again because I’m worried of him.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll just play with them.” He said with a serious look on his face now.

I’m already outside the gate. He started walking back but I stopped him.

“Wait!” I said. “Here.” I pulled out something from my pocket. It was Renzo-oppa’s gift to me. An apple shaped locket with gold chains. He said it was a lucky charm so he gave it to me.

“I want you to have this.” I said to the bewildered boy. “It’s not a payment to you. I just want you to have it. I’ll be happy if you’ll accept it.” I insisted.

He just nodded and took the locket. “Take care.” I heard him said turning his back to me.

I saw the men running towards us with guns on their hands. I felt scared and was about to run when I heard a gunshot. I turned around and saw the boy clutching his right shoulder, noticeably bleeding.

“No!” I screamed. But before I could run back, I felt someone carry me and take me away. I saw the men approaching him. I saw the man who helped us crouched in front of the boy. It looks like he was protecting him. Then I felt other men running from both my sides towards the warehouse. I ignored them. I stared on the boy as tears started falling from my eyes. And what I saw didn’t help. The boy suddenly collapsed and I can’t do anything but to look at him as he grew smaller and smaller to my sight. And then I fainted.