PRT | Chapter 3.2

Kim Heeseo tried to protest, but it was useless. Despite having driven alone for so long, Seo Yigyeom’s handsome face remained unchanged, only adding to his languid aura.

He really doesn’t have a single flaw, does he? Kim Heeseo thought to himself, brushing his cheek and glancing at Seo Yigyeom. Their eyes met squarely as he turned his gaze back.

“Why.”

His voice was so low it could sound indifferent, almost like a whisper in Kim Heeseo’s ear. Kim Heeseo flinched, his eyes rolling. ‘Am I not reacting normally?’ he realized, yet he couldn’t control his actions.

“Why?”

Despite being utterly flustered, he tried to act like he wasn’t, asking back. Seo Yigyeom smirked, pulling up one corner of his mouth.

“I was wondering why you were peeking at me like a little mouse.”

“I wasn’t peeking.”

“Always quick with your tongue. Can you take responsibility for what you say?”

“…I was just worried because you seemed tired from driving, but you look so good that I couldn’t help but look for a moment…”

Kim Heeseo, trying to brush it off, ended up mumbling the truth under Seo Yigyeom’s pressure.

“So, it’s my fault?”

A scoffing sound escaped from between Seo Yigyeom’s lips.

“Should I say this is a fast recovery…?”

“…”

“Well, it’s better than you digging your own grave. Less irritating.”

Seo Yigyeom, speaking slowly, tilted his neck from side to side. He seemed stiff from being in the same position for so long, and he was in a suit and dress shoes. Kim Heeseo, glancing at his own attire, unnecessarily adjusted his clothes.

Fortunately, the long journey was nearing its end. Leaving the city, they arrived at a remote mountain lodge. It was so secluded that no one could enter without a vehicle.

Seo Yigyeom got out of the car as soon as he parked it in the yard, almost like he had slammed it there, though he didn’t care. Amazed by the smooth yet nonchalant parking, Kim Heeseo quickly followed.

Outside, it was bitterly cold, a testament to being in the mountains in winter. Even though the snow had lessened, the air brushing against his cheeks was cold and sharp. Kim Heeseo huddled next to Seo Yigyeom, who was lighting a cigarette, scanning the surroundings.

This place, with its snow-covered cabins, was clearly in the middle of nowhere. Behind the three log cabins was nothing but dense forest, like a perfect, hidden fortress even in broad daylight.

“…”

The only car in the yard was Seo Yigyeom’s. As Kim Heeseo pondered the situation, his expression subtly hardened. While staring at the darkened house, an old man with white hair appeared.

“Who might you be?”

“I’d like to ask you a few questions.”

Seo Yigyeom, exhaling smoke, shifted his cigarette to his other hand. With one hand in his pocket, his posture seemed arrogant, yet his tone was polite.

“About this tall, staying long-term here alone, do you know which room he’s in?”

“Ah, that Seoul-speaking fellow… His room is at the end there, but he went out last night and hasn’t returned yet. Who are you to him? Friends?”

“Something like that. Do you have any spare rooms?”

“Follow me.”

With his fists clenched, Kim Heeseo silently followed Seo Yigyeom. The old man led them to a separate cabin opposite where the potential culprit might be staying. Opening an unlocked door, he personally lit the light. The inside was just as cold as outside.

“Why would young gentlemen like you come all the way out here?”

“Just happened to be in the area.”

“That’s bland. Once the fire’s going, it’ll warm up soon, so just wait a bit.”

“About that man, was there anything particularly noticeable about him?”

“I wouldn’t know. What would an old man like me know?”

When Seo Yigyeom asked as the old man was leaving, he laughed heartily and shook his head. Then, as he stepped outside, he stopped, saying, “Ah, right,” and turned back.

“Don’t smoke in the room. That gentleman burnt his bedding with cigarettes.”

The old man left after these parting words, closing the door behind him. Alone in the space, Kim Heeseo mulled over what the old man had said. The burnt marks. He was certain it wasn’t from cigarettes but from an ability.

“…Should we wait here?”

“Follow me.”

After seeming to think for a moment, Seo Yigyeom turned and went outside. Kim Heeseo hurried after him to the room where the man was supposed to be staying. Without hesitation, Seo Yigyeom put his hand on the doorknob.

“Huh, not locked… it’s open.”

Surprisingly, the door opened easily. Seo Yigyeom stepped inside, still wearing his shoes. The room was quite different from theirs, filled with a musty, unpleasant smell. Trash was scattered, and there was a subtle scent of burnt something in the air, far from normal. Strangely, though, there was no eerie feeling.

“It’s not like they let loose some beast here.”

Clicking his tongue with dissatisfaction, Seo Yigyeom muttered. His eyes scanning the room turned murky, as if he, too, had noticed something. There were clear signs of someone having stayed there, but no belongings were left.

“Let’s get out. This place feels contaminating.”

Thud, after closing the door, they stepped outside to find the snow falling even heavier than before. Going back to Seoul seemed unlikely now. As Kim Heeseo stood there, pondering the next move, a gust of cold wind hit him.

Sniffling from the direct hit of the wind, Kim Heeseo caught Seo Yigyeom’s gaze. He scanned Kim Heeseo’s now reddened cheeks with an annoyed look, then put his cigarette back in the pack and turned away. As he walked through the snow, his figure was the only one with color amidst the white.

“…”

Large footprints were evenly imprinted. Kim Heeseo followed these tracks, the sound of crunching snow echoing. Yet, the silence remained.

The room was now warmer than before. Kim Heeseo placed his shoes neatly next to Seo Yigyeom’s polished shoes and entered. Seo Yigyeom was leaning back on the sofa, his neck tilted back, eyes closed, either calming his fatigue or sorting his thoughts. Kim Heeseo sat down at a slight distance from him.

“Did we miss him?”

Through the sound of snow accumulating and melting, a low question resonated. Seo Yigyeom slowly opened his eyes, looking at Kim Heeseo. Just as he was about to speak, his phone rang.

“Yes. Nothing but trash was left. What about the other side? Well, keep looking just in case.”

Listening to Seo Yigyeom’s call, Kim Heeseo thought. The man who had been here left last night, and perhaps he wasn’t the one he was looking for.

When he encountered the real culprit before, it sent chills down his spine, the horrific smell shaking his mind instantly, but not here. His intuition told him.

“He’s not here.”

Kim Heeseo spoke the moment Seo Yigyeom hung up, his voice firm and without hesitation.

“Yeah.”

That was all the response he got. Seo Yigyeom chuckled briefly, then gestured toward the room with his chin.

“Go inside and rest. We can’t move until the snow stops.”

“What about Guide-nim?”

“Don’t act like a dog chasing after its master.”

Seo Yigyeom got up, sneering at Kim Heeseo, who was looking up at him, and headed towards the entrance with a cigarette in hand. Would it hurt to be a bit kinder? Watching where Seo Yigyeom had gone, Kim Heeseo soon moved to the inner room, pulling out two thick blankets before lying down.

The room, lit only by dim light, was quiet. Even though Seo Yigyeom was just beyond the wall, Kim Heeseo felt oddly isolated. Blinking slowly, he pulled the blanket over his head. Was it because he was so tired? His eyes felt itchy behind closed lids.

“…”

It was quick to cut the moment off. Escaping reality, he let go of consciousness.

Even after Kim Heeseo fell asleep, the snow didn’t stop. The white snowballs quickly piled up, covering the ground. The cabin, standing tall under the white blanket, looked like both a fortress and a grave.

Buried in this solitary cabin was a hope that had sprouted only to wither away, another fragile wound that Kim Heeseo had peeled off and buried.

* * *

The blanket that had been gently rising and falling suddenly twitched. Soon, the sound of fabric rustling filled the room. Kim Heeseo, who had been buried in the blankets, let out a small groan, “Ugh,” and opened his eyes. As the blanket was pulled away, his delicate face was revealed.

“…”

Heeseo, trying to shake off the grogginess, blinked his eyes and furrowed his brows. A sharp pain, like needles pricking his brain, scrambled through his head. Had he slept for too long? The surroundings were so dark it was hard to tell the time. Heeseo scanned the area just by moving his eyes and checked his phone, then suddenly sat up.

“Am I crazy?”

His eyes widened in shock; the time on the phone was five in the afternoon. Since he had gone to bed early in the morning, he had essentially slept through half a day. Here he was, sleeping so peacefully. It was absurd to the point of being ridiculous. He wondered what Seo Yigyeom might think of him… The thought of the person beyond the door made him feel embarrassed.

“Ah, shit…”

Biting his lip, Heeseo quickly got up and tidied the bed. He folded it roughly and placed it in a corner, then stepped into the living room, which was dark. Looking out the window, outside was pitch black too. With the weather being gloomy and surrounded by mountains, it seemed the sun set early here. It might as well have been full night.

Heeseo quietly moved, his bare white feet making a creaking sound on the floor. His head snapped up as if he had been caught doing something wrong.

At the end of his gaze, there was Seo Yigyeom sitting on the sofa. With one leg stretched out and crossed over the table, he didn’t react to the noise. He was just drinking beer from somewhere.

Heeseo’s eyes fell to the open collar of Seo Yigyeom’s shirt. His Adam’s apple moved. Feeling an inexplicable thirst, Heeseo was about to bite his lip when Seo Yigyeom, setting down the can, looked at him.

“Kids are supposed to sleep a lot, they say…”

His voice trailed off. He didn’t seem drunk, but he looked more relaxed than usual.

“Did you go out?”

“No. The service here is great, isn’t it?”

Seo Yigyeom pointed outside with a smirk, shaking the beer can.

“I bought this.”

One corner of the table was piled with various snacks. They looked like items the lonely resident here would have. Heeseo could immediately understand why the person they were chasing would choose to stay here. The owner had silently accepted guests arriving at dawn. Just by offering food, you could tell he was a good person.

“Eat up. He left these for us.”

The white-haired old man seemed concerned that his guests had come empty-handed. Heeseo rubbed his neck and sat down beside Seo Yigyeom. Seeing the food made his stomach churn. He realized he hadn’t eaten all day.

“You’ll get a stomachache if you drink on an empty stomach.”

“I’ll come back to eat some yukgaejang if I die young.”