02

*Hansol’s POV*

“It was a quiet thirty or so minutes before the first bomb went off. We were sitting around the table, Ma, myself and my brother Kris having lunch. My oldest brother was in his room working on his school work, as usual. He was a big fanatic about his studies back then. He was always studying, I always wondered if he had anything better to do. He was very smart, and made me feel stupid sometimes. Anyways, the roof almost came tumbling in. Dust came down from the ceiling, and the light smashed onto the ground. Shattering over the hard floor. Ma looked at us, and told Kris and I to hide in the cupboard and not to come out until the enemy had passed. I thought it was crazy. We didn’t even know what had happened, let alone think the enemy was attacking. We both just sat there, looking at her. ‘Run!’ She yelled. She was looking like she was panicking. It was like, this had happened to her before, like she knew what was going to happen. ‘Go hide!! Please!!’ She screamed. We both looked at her. ‘What about Ryeowook?’ Kris had asked, worrying about our older brother. She looked at him. ‘I’ll deal with him, you both run!!’ She commanded. I wanted to stay with her, but she looked very serious. So we did as we were told, Kris ushered me into the cupboard, and behind the small gap in the wall that we both fit in. I was clueless of what was going on. Kris had cupped his hand over my mouth before I could ask questions. Then, before I knew what hit us we heard footsteps, then screaming. I tried to go out to help Ma, but Kris held me back. I wasn’t the strongest against him, after all I was younger than him. Another scream came from the kitchen where we just were. Then we heard a loud bang. There was a small silence. Kris held me close to him, hoping that we’d be okay. I hoped that Ryeowook and Ma were going to be okay. There was footsteps, and a closing of a door. We presumed they were gone, so Kris led me out of the cupboard. ‘Ma?’ He mumbled, opening the cupboard. He gasped, so me being a curious cat walked over and peered out from behind him. A tear was rolling down my cheeks. ‘Ma!’ I sobbed, running toward her body. She had horror imprinted onto her face, well what was left of her face. We heard a small thud, and both quickly ran back into the cupboard. We quietly hid in the cupboard, with a small crack in the door so we could see their faces. A familiar face came into view. Kris pushed the door open. ‘Ryeowook… we can explain!’ He sobbed. Our brother turned and looked at us. His eyes were swollen from the crying, and his cheeks were wet from the tears. Ryeowook ran over, and grabbed hold of us. He was smiling. Why? I wasn’t too sure. ‘You’re okay!’ He cried. He kept on crying. He kept on saying the same thing over and over again. We heard more footsteps. We knew they were back to check our house. ‘We have to leave.’ Ryeowook said, then that’s when it started. That’s when this whole thing began.”

As I finished the story, I looked up for approval. A small crowd had gathered, and I didn’t seem to notice. I was too busy telling the story. Most of the people were crying, or holding their hands to their faces. They were all shocked. “What? You were the ones who asked me to tell my story. So I did. Don’t blame me if it was too horrible for you.” I said, looking at Kris. He nodded. “We aren’t disappointed in you. Although, we are a little shocked about your story. Sorry about your mother. It must’ve been hard for you, cub.” My friend Siha said. He sat down on an up turned box across from me. His eyes saddened. I always thought Kris might’ve told him about his life before now. Obviously he hadn’t. I looked around at the other people. They were all disbanding, and going back to their own things. “How old are you?” Someone asked. I looked up, a tall woman, whom looked in her 30s was standing there. She had long brunette hair in a messy bun, and was wearing a long flower dress. She didn’t look like she was from my town, I don’t even think I’ve seen her before. “I am 15, ma’am.” I replied to her. I didn’t want to be rude, so I answered her question. Although it was weird for her to ask how old I am. Why would she need to know? She gasped slightly. “Really? You mean you were only 12 when the enemy attacked?” She asked. I nodded. “Yeah.” I replied. It was true. I was 12 years old when the enemy attacked. We didn’t know who they were, why they attacked, or where they came from. They just attacked. So, we just call them the ‘enemy’. It was a pretty reasonable name for someone who goes around killing the innocent. I sighed loudly. The woman quietly nodded. “You poor thing, it must’ve been horrible for you to witness all of this.” She sobbed, leaning toward me slightly. I was confused. She then pulled me in for a hug, which was very uncomfortable. Kris and Siha chuckled slightly. “Hey!” I whispered at my brother. He wouldn’t stop laughing. Stop your stupid laughing and help me!! My mind screamed. I couldn’t exactly say anything, this random woman was squishing me! Kris walked over, wiping his eyes. “Hey, Luna.” He said, pulling her away from me. “I think you were crushing him.” He chuckled. She smiled. “Sorry, I always get carried away.” She apologised. I felt bad now. I never liked hurting others feelings. “No, it is okay- Luna is it?” I replied, questioning what Kris had called her. She nodded. “Yeah, I’m Luna.” She said chuckling. I smiled. What an odd name. I’ve never heard such a name in my life. Though, I mustn’t be rude. So I might as well tell her my name. I started to introduce myself when she put her hand to my mouth. Her hand was so rough, and smelled like oil. “I already know who you are, you are Hansol.” She said, then smiling kindly removing her hand from my mouth. Yes. I am Hansol. And how she knew that was beyond me, I couldn’t understand how everyone knew who I was. I was just a kid. A kid. No more, and no less. There were thousands of kids here. Kris smiled. “Ah, Hansol, everyone knows who you are because of Ryeowook and me.” He said, as if he was reading my mind. I nodded understandingly, though still a slight bit confused. “Yeah- and how is that?” I asked, concerned. Kris hadn’t mentioned Ryeowook since now, and I hadn’t seen him since the enemy took Ryeowook and Kris away when they first attacked us. I looked down slightly. I was beginning to worry about Ryeowook. My brother kneeled down. He looked as if he was in pain. Was he okay? “Luna, Siha. Give me a moment please.” He said, looking to the other two. I wasn’t prepared for this at all. “Kris?” I questioned. There was something he hadn’t told me. He was holding it back. I looked at him as he prepared to tell me. “Hansol, when we were taken away from our home and we lost you, Ryeowook was very dramatic about it. You know how he is, always worrying about us. Of course, he’s our older brother.” Kris started. I nodded, showing him I had got what he had said. “When he got to the enemy’s camp, they tortured us. We met most of the people in this base there. Ryeowook was the one who got us out. He became our leader after that, and led us out. Ryeowook appointed me as his right hand man. Everyone knew us.” Kris paused. I knew that this story was not going to end well. “Hansol, he- the enemy then told us as he rebelled against them- they told us in English that they killed you. They told us they killed you when we got taken away. They told us that they killed you because of us! They said that you were dead!” He sobbed, putting his hand on my face. “Ryeowook was furious at them. I was furious at them. Then, Ryeowook attacked them. He rebelled against them- the enemy… they…” He was stuttering. I was crying now too. I couldn’t understand. I didn’t want to understand him right now. Was he telling me that the enemy killed our brother?

“Ryeowook is dead, Hansol. They killed him. I thought I lost everything, I thought you were both dead.” He cried, cupping my head in his hands, crying. “The rebellion put me in charge. I lead this place. I keep them alive. I still keep them alive. When we found you, I…” He stopped, standing up and walking away. “Kris…” I muttered. I couldn’t believe this. He’d kept this from me, until now. Why? He found me 5 months ago, when my group of survivors got attacked. I thought I was a dead man. I was truly and forever grateful that Kris hadn’t left when Siha told him that there were no survivors. I was glad. I was extremely glad. A horrible event led to a happy event. It was weird, but I was happy I found Kris again. Though, I was a little mad that Kris hadn’t told me. He didn’t tell me.

I woke up. The whole room was flashing red lights. I stood up quickly as everyone was panicking. How long was I asleep for? There wasn’t much people in the room as there was before, and I think they all were escaping. I could hear people shouting “The enemy has found this base!” and “Everyone into the survival trucks!!” I quickly stood up, and moved to where everyone else was moving. I was scared. I couldn’t imagine the enemy coming here and killing all these people like they did with my other survival group. I was now running, then I collided with someone else. It was the boy from when I first arrived here. He quickly stood up, and ran toward the survival trucks. There was blood coming from my mouth. The cut from last night hadn’t healed over and was bleeding now. “Kris!!” I yelled. I wanted my brother. I wanted someone, I needed help. I stood up again, my head was hurting. My mouth was in pain as blood tinkled out of it. “Kris!!!” I yelled again, but louder. I needed to find my brother. “The last five survival trucks are being loaded!! Hurry everyone!!” Another person yelled through some large speakers on the wall. I needed to get to a survival truck, but I couldn’t leave Kris. One part of me hoped that Kris had already made it to a survival truck. I tripped again, landing on my face. Maybe this time I’d die. I lay there, quietly as people ran around me. In attempt to get up, I recognised a voice. “Hansol!!” Then, I looked up to see Siha. “What are you doing laying around?! Get into a survival truck!! Kris is worried sick about you!!” He exclaimed helping me up, and to the last survival truck. He got in after me, and we sat in the truck as it drove off. We were safe. I wasn’t too sure whether Kris was safe or not, but I hoped that he was okay. Then, just as our truck departed the base, a large metal ball flew into the back. “What is that?” I asked, crawling toward it. There was a timer on it. I picked it up, and threw it out the truck. A large explosion happened as it landed on the ground, making sand fly everywhere in the enemy truck. “Joshimhaseyo, Hansol!” Siha commented. That was an accident. Then, just as we thought it was over, the truck spun and landed on its side, laying on the ground with smoke coming out the bonnet. I landed on my back against the side of the truck.

*Kris’ POV*

I was panicking. The enemy found where we were, and there was people everywhere on the ground level. "Sir! You must get to a survival truck." A voice said. I turned, and looked at the man nodding. Then, just as we were about to leave the look out, we were heading down the stairs when I heard a voice. "Kris!!" It yelled. I quickly ran back up the look out. "Sir!! It's too risky!! You must get to a survival truck!!" Siha exclaimed, following me. I ran to the barrier. Looking around quickly I sighed. Was it my imagination? "Kris!!" It yelled again. This time I could see the person. Hansol. I couldn't find the words to yell, as I saw him running- somewhere? Where was he running? That idiot!! He could get himself killed!! "The last five survival trucks are being loaded!! Hurry everyone!!" The man in the microphone yelled. I turned quickly to Siha, then back to Hansol. "Kris! Where are you?!" He screamed. My face was burning, then I saw him trip. Three more trucks were loaded. "Kris! Hurry, we need to- wait, is that Hansol?" Siha exclaimed. "You get to a truck Kris, I'll go get Hansol to a truck. Hurry!" He said. I sighed, then I was ushered to one of the trucks. Hopefully Hansol was okay. We got into one of the last trucks, and it drove away. The actual last truck was behind, and obviously Siha had got Hansol on it. Hopefully. As we drove, I saw the enemy truck. They were chasing it, then an explosion in front of the enemy truck, and it tipped. It blew up! I smiled slightly. I wonder who did that. Probably Siha. He loved protecting the others. There was another enemy truck. How many trucks did they have? I gasped as suddenly the other truck tipped. I screamed. "Hansol!!" I yelled, the tears were constantly running down my face. Someone put their hand on my shoulder. "Sir, it will be okay-" They started to say. "No!!" I yelled back at the person, turning around. "It's not okay!!!" I cried, curling up. I had to save them. I looked back out the truck, and grabbed one of the guns from the side, and I jumped. Nobody tried to stop me, and none of them could stop me. I just jumped out the back of a moving truck. I was going to save my brother.