"I'm still alive."
Faintly, Arkhan heard someone talking on the phone nearby.
"Really, it's okay if I stay. I'm kinda worried. Hm, no, I think I'll just wait here until you come back. Okay, yeah, I'm not going anywhere."
Whose voice was that? Arkhan felt sure it wasn't one of his friends.
Slowly, he opened his eyes.
"W-who are you?"
The tall young man smiled back at Arkhan's suspicious stare.
"I'm Jo. Joan's friend," he said.
"Jo." Arkhan remembered what Joan had said back in that empty house—that one of his friends helped him.
"You're the one who helped Joan bring his friends out of Jeongin's place?" Arkhan asked.
Jo nodded. "We're not even that close, honestly. But that day, I was really worried when I found him in such a messed-up state. He didn't want to go to the hospital, so instead, he begged me to help his friends first."
Arkhan glanced at his own body, covered in bandages and medical tape across his face.
"Did the people you helped survive?" Arkhan asked quietly.
"Luckily, yes. Though Nero almost didn't make it," Jo replied.
"You want me to take you to the other room? Where your friends are?" he offered.
"No need." Arkhan reflexively refused. His chest tightened with guilt. This was his fault—he had killed Sena's only family, and he couldn't even protect his own friends; they got hurt because of him.
"Jio and Sandy are visiting Sena. Sandy said he'll come back to the hospital soon," Jo explained.
"Joan?" Arkhan asked.
"He just finished surgery. He's okay now," Jo replied.
Arkhan fell silent. It wouldn't be long before the police came for him, and he would be arrested. His life wouldn't last much longer once the organization found out.
Creeeak.
The door opened, revealing several men in neat clothing but with terrifying expressions.
"Khan, good to see you finally awake," said one of the three men.
"Yeah, great to see you somewhere other than the office," Arkhan replied coldly.
"Well that's good then. Looks like we can continue our little chat at the office. The boss wants to interrogate you for a bit," the man continued.
Arkhan wasn't stupid. The interrogation wouldn't be normal—it meant torture, and it was highly possible his life would end afterward.
"I promise I'll come to the office once I'm in better condition. Give me time to see my family and my other friends," Arkhan said.
"Ah, that's too bad. Boss wants you to come now."
Arkhan glared sharply at the bulky man, who was now raising his gun.
"He's nobody." Arkhan knew the organization members would aim their gun at Jo.
"There's no one else here, bro. He's the only viable hostage," the man said.
Arkhan ripped the IV line out of his hand. "No need for hostages. Kill me instead."
"Can't do that. Boss wants you alive so he can have a little talk first," the man said.
"Fine. I'll go with you," Arkhan said, stepping off the bed.
"Don't go," Jo grabbed Arkhan's hand, trying to stop him.
"Don't get involved, kid."
The bulky man pushed them apart, but Jo grabbed Arkhan's hand again.
"I'm fine, Jo," Arkhan said.
"You'll die if you go with them. Please stay. Your family and your friends will be happy to hear you're awake. They don't hate you," Jo pleaded.
Jo's words made Arkhan pause. Was he making his decision too fast?
Thud.
"Ugh, this kid is annoying. He's slowing us down."
The bulky man grew irritated with Jo for interfering. If this kept up, Arkhan might change his mind and refuse to go.
"You…" Arkhan stared sharply at the three men, his chest pounding.
********
Jo smelled blood the moment he regained consciousness.
"Ahh—my neck…"
He slowly got up, then froze at the sight before him.
The three men who had been talking to Arkhan earlier were sprawled on the floor, covered in wounds. Dead or unconscious—he couldn't tell.
"Arkhan!"
Jo ran to the bathroom, but it was empty. He rushed outside to search for him.
First floor, second floor, third floor—he checked them all, but Arkhan was nowhere. Only the fourth floor remained.
"One more floor… but I should tell Sandy first."
********
Meanwhile, Jio and Sandy were in the elevator heading to the third floor where Arkhan was staying. Jo had informed Sandy that Arkhan had woken from his coma, which was why they left the police station quickly after visiting Sena.
Ding. The elevator doors opened.
"J-Jio…"
"Why are you shaking like that?" Jio asked, confused as he looked at Sandy, who still stared at his phone.
"Tell the hospital staff something happened in Arkhan's room. Jo panicked too much to report it," Sandy said.
"What do you mean something happened?" Jio asked.
"Just do it. I'll be back soon." Sandy pressed the elevator button, leaving Jio outside.
"Khan, please wait for me." He waited anxiously as the elevator climbed to the top.
Ding.
The doors opened to an empty rooftop floor, quiet, with only a few decorative objects—and the wide open sky above.
Not far away, he heard someone crying. Slowly, he approached the sound.
There stood Arkhan at the edge of the rooftop, head bowed, one hand wiping his eyes, soft sobs escaping him.
"Khan, it's fine. You don't need to blame yourself anymore. We've all forgiven you," Sandy said.
"S-Sandy." Arkhan turned to him.
"Yeah, it's me. The others are waiting, so let's go back down," Sandy said.
"This is all my fault, San. The whole tragedy. And now the organization is hunting me. Even someone I just met got hurt because of me," Arkhan whispered.
"It's not like that. You can still fix things," Sandy replied.
"Fix what? Everything's already ruined beyond repair."
He stepped closer to the edge.
"Khan, stop. Don't be stupid." Sandy grabbed him and pulled him into a tight hug, trying to pull him away.
"Let go of me, San." Arkhan struggled in Sandy's arms.
"Let me die. My life is useless."
"You still have us, Khan."
"It doesn't matter. I'll rot in prison anyway, or the organization will kill me sooner or later."
Thud.
Arkhan forced himself free, shoving Sandy to the ground. He quickly approached the edge.
"San… thanks for being my partner and for helping me all this time."
Arkhan wiped his tears and smiled faintly at the sight of the highway far below.
A step.
A drop.
Brughhh.