Meanwhile..
Morning light crept through the sheer curtains, etching pale gold stripes on the walls, but this was to no avail as Jae Heon was not really aware of it. He was lying there, looking at the ceiling with a heavy head. For some reason, it felt to him like someone had poured wet sand into his head. The moment he tried to get up, the dull pressure in his eye sockets intensified to such a degree that he had to give it up again.
Slowly, with his chest moving up and down, he reached for his phone with unsteady hands, unable to get it for the first time and then, after a few attempts, he brought it closer. Even though the screen was too bright, he made the call.
Ms. Gael's voice appearing on the other end of the line, his voice was hoarse and barely audible. "I can't make it today," was what he uttered, catching the lump in his throat as his fingers on the phone weakened and gave in. "My head is splitting and I cannot even properly sit up."
Ms. Gael, who was listening to him, became more concerned and she could probably even crowning frowning, though she responded calmly: "You are not sounding well. Are you having vertigo? Fever?"
He supported his head with the arm that was rubbing his temple, and a part of his vision went out as he let a weak breath escape. "Yes. The feeling is that… everything is slow. My body is not following the command that comes from my brain," he confessed, looking straight at the wall and feeling the old familiar frustration coiling up his chest again.
After that, there was silence until Ms. Gael spoke again, now her tone infused with both concern and caution. "The search can be on hold for today. I would hate to have you fainting on the road."
His jaw clenched in reaction to her remark, and he did not really want to but he still pressed the phone a little more against his palm though it made his hand shake: "It is the last thing I would want, stopping the search," he said, his voice dropping here and becoming even more truthful. "Han Kyum is the one that is still out there. Mrs. Jana, too. I am just lying here like a log and it really does not sit well with me."
She was calm, she was cool, she was firm, and that was like a person who was trying to keep him grounded talking to him: "You are not being useless. You are ill. There is a difference," she said. "We won't miss them because of just one day."
He briefly checked out of reality with a nap of his eyes and then, after breathing out, his whole body, which was barely supported by the mattress, gave in. "If only… you would let me cancel it for today," he was finally able to utter the words, even though his chest was tightening badly. "I'll be back tomorrow, only stronger."
"I am waiting for that," was what Ms. Gael said and she also sounded a little bit relieved. "Rest and Drink water. For once in your life, don't be stubborn."
That was the closest thing to a laugh, a faint and exhausted laugh, that came out of him. "I'll try," he whispered.
The moment they stopped talking, he laid the phone on his chest and looked once more at the ceiling. It was a very warm and very still room, and his thoughts for some reason wandered to Han Kyum. Turning a little so that he could lie on his side, eyes droopy, he whispered to himself as sleep was coming to him: "Just… stay safe."
Jae Heon ended the call and didn't wait to catch it, the phone fell off his bed beside him. His phone screen turned off, and for quite some time, he was lying there, staring at the ceiling and breathing slowly while his whole body was getting heavier.
A dull headache kept hitting his eyes till even to think was too much although before he could resist it sleep quietly took him down. Time could have been minutes or hours — he wasn't able to say. Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
The sound of his phone vibrating against the bed was getting louder and louder, and it was starting to come out of his dream; however, he didn't take it seriously at first, half-buried in the sleep-fog, but the sound was so persistent that it kept on calling, again and again, as if someone was desperately trying to wake him up.
He made a sound of protest with his throat and changed position on the bed with only his eyes almost being open he reached out for the phone and tried to blindly find it. He touched it once but didn't catch it; then he finally got it.
The screen got bright. His sight was still not clear, but he was able to read the words that appeared on the phone. …Han Kyum. His heart sank right down to his stomach. He didn't know what to do for a moment, looking at it like a fool and not sure whether it was a dream or not. The phone in his hand kept ringing, it was warm and real. He made a shaky breath and put the call through. (it was just his imagination)
"Hello…?" The voice was a hoarse whisper made by him.
The line suddenly became very loud and before Jae Heon could even say a word, a loud, sharp, and very familiar voice was heard from the speaker.
"Jae Heon! If you fall asleep again I'll kill you."
He weakly recoiled and quickly pushed himself up against the headboard as the sudden movement made his head ache even more. He was gripping the phone tighter with his hand.
"Ms… Gael?" he said quietly, his voice being very rough and broken.
Her breath was very quick and shallow, as if she had been running or arguing with someone before calling him.
"You must be in the lab. Just today." Her voice getting colder and sharper, not allowing for any kind of excuse. "Not tomorrow. Not later. Today."
Jae Heon shut his eyes tight and his body was so heavy like it was made of sand and totally disobedient.
I… I'm not feeling good," he said, honestly, while he was swallowing his saliva with difficulty. "My head hurts… I can't even—"
"It doesn't matter," Ms. Gael interrupted him, cutting his words and almost yelling at him. "That's the very reason why you have to come."
There was a moment of silence as if she was thinking thoroughly about what to say next, and then she said it in a quieter, more serious and frightening tone.
"You might be the one who is infected."
The word was hanging in the air it was thick and horrible.
Jae Heon's hand holding the phone slightly shook.
"Infected…?" he asked in a whisper, mixing his pain and confusion.
"Yes," she confirmed, "It is a very dangerous virus Jae Heon. We can't be taking any chances. Even if you were to be the one dying, I would still need you to come here. Right now."
The call was over, but her words still echoed in the room, as if they were another heart beating on the left side of his chest, pressing down on Jae Heon.
Pathetic. He was sitting there in utter silence for a very long time, staring at the wall and the dull pain in his head kept increasing with every breath. His whole body was off too heavy, hot, and weak like he was in the middle of a fight with an invisible opponent. He did not hurry, but he did it nonetheless, he pulled his legs from under the bed.
When he reached for a white lab coat that was thrown on the chair, his hands shook wildly. "Get up" was all that came out of his mouth and it was more like a whisper than a voice. "Don't be such a fool." The cloth was rather cold as usual, when he put it on his shoulders.
The sleeves seemed heavier as if they were constantly reminding him of the things he was carrying - responsibility, fear, and just one name that wouldn't stop haunting him. Han Kyum. His fingers were very tight around the coat's edge.
"I'll be there soon" was all he whispered not knowing whether he was talking to himself or to him. Every footstep towards the door was like he was dragging his body through the water.
His view was partially obscured and the room seemed to be spinning, but he didn't give up and he went ahead with his plan. He didn't know if he was really infected. He didn't know how much time he had. But the thing that was obvious to him was that he wasn't going to quit.
Not at all. Not before he found Han Kyum. And if his body decided to give out on him halfway there he'd still be on his hands and knees if it meant he was closer to him. He walked out after opening the door.
The lab doors opened with a slow, tired hiss as Jae Heon crossed the threshold.
The lighting was too harsh and the whole place smelled of antiseptic which made his headache even worse.
He staggered with his first step.
Ms. Gael didn't waste any time. She came to her feet and met his descent grabbing hold of his arm before he could impact the ground.
"You're crazy," she uttered, barely above a whisper and trembling, "the way you look right now, you have no clue."
"I'm good," he said in a low voice. It was dry and rough.
"No, you're not," she retorted, and if it was possible she added even more pressure to the hold so it was impossible for him to get away. "Your body is cold and your eyes are devoid of any life. You look like you're going to faint."
Nevertheless, he made an effort to keep his back straight. Ego. Will of iron.
"Remember when I promised I'd be here?"
She drew him closer, her voice becoming a whisper, but her wrath remaining intact.
"Do you really think this is being brave?" she asked him. "You could be the one carrying the virus."
He gulped. Realizing this statement slowly.
"That's exactly why I'm here," he said barely audible. "If I am infected… then, testing me is the best way."
She looked at him for quite a while. After a while, she let out a sigh, not very pleased with the situation.
"You never do what you're told," she said with a sharp intonation.
She helped him to a chair and made him sit down.
"Sit down. We're not going to have this conversation."
He obeyed.
His fingers were shaking slightly but he tried to hide it by making tight fists.
She put her elbows on the table and gazed down at him.
"And we are not allowing that thought to cross your mind, that you can vanish," she added. "Not today. Especially with that condition."
His fingers clenched even more.
"If everything is alright with me…"
She immediately interrupted him.
"No outdoor work. No investigating. No going to the woods."
He turned his face away from her.
She was the only one who knew what was the real reason for his being there.
His stare fixed on the ground.
"…I just need to be sure he's alright…"
Her face softened for a very short time. Then she got her composure back.
"It starts with making sure you're still here."
No sound was heard.
The machines were operating.
and the atmosphere was quite heavy. also inside his heart, is like a battle between fear and ever-lasting, stubborn hope, was going on.
Ms. Gael did not wait for another moment. Her step was back, she then raised her voice in a very firm manner.
"Every one of you, come here! We must see to him at once—blood, saliva, everything. Do it immediately!"
It was only a couple of moments before the lab technicians with concerned expressions on their faces came to the rescue. The usual calm and quietness of the lab was exchanged for a tense and agitated atmosphere. Jae Heon's head was getting heavier every time they came closer to him. Although his body was weak and frail, he still made an effort to keep it upright and refrain from putting it down.
One technician carefully extended a tray of instruments. Another moved the chair so that Jae Heon would be in a good position for the tests. The cold metal parts of the instruments made contact with his skin and this caused a few tiny shivers to travel through his body.
Ms. Gael came nearer, intensely observing the others with her piercing look. "Try to breathe slowly. Cooperate with us. We want to be sure that the readings are accurate," she said by way of command and also a bit of concern.
Jae Heon gave her a very weak nod and tried to concentrate on her words rather than the severe headache he was having. His fingers were moving restlessly on the arms of the chair but his willpower was intact. Actually, every single thing in his body was yelling at him to go and find Han Kyum, to completely disregard the fact that he was weak but still, he knew that he couldn't. Not at this moment.
Time didn't really move for the next several minutes. Those who were performing the tests did so in a swift and methodical manner: blood was drawn, saliva was collected, and everything was being labeled with absolute correctness. Ms. Gael was also there all the time, making sure that nothing was missed.
His breathing was of the shortest. His eyelids were very heavy. What he wanted to do was close his eyes and let himself fall down but, on the other hand, the thought of Han Kyum being somewhere around there was what made him keep his body in an upright position.
"It's almost over," Ms. Gael speaking with regard to the samples said.
"We will know whether you are out of danger or if it is a serious case within a few minutes."
Jae Heon, as if to calm down his heart which was beating wildly, exhaled slowly. He felt slightly dizzy because of the exhaustion but he was still holding his head up. The quiet sounds of the machines, the soft steps of the technicians, and the gentle clinking of the glass were the only things that could be heard from the lab. Every single second was extended way longer than it was supposed to be.
And yet, he still could not decide to let go of the thought which was the very reason why he was there in the first place: Han Kyum. He needs to know he's safe..
____
The sun had altered its position a bit and was now sending long, warm, golden streaks across the laboratory tables. Han Kyum and Jin were partway through their fourth stage of the work, the final point of the cure was barely a few steps away. Only three mixtures stood between them, and each vial was a whole new world of both potential and danger.
Han Kyum's fingers were dancing with a sort of fluid accuracy, he was making the changes while pouring the liquids, adjusting pipettes, and writing quick notes in his notebook. His face was serious, eyes looking and not even blinking, he was absolutely focused on what was happening.
Jin was doing the same with him, his hands were firm and his eyes were following each and every step, he was always ready to help or if needed, to correct. "We're almost there," Jin confessed in a whisper, the words being spoken more for his own encouragement than to Han Kyum. The intensity in the room seemed like it was suffocating them, time being slowed as every moment was getting longer and heavier.
Han Kyum was holding his breath for a millisecond, his eyes darting towards the last mixture vial. "Just three more," he said under his breath. "After that, we're finished. We can get out of here…" His voice weakened and stopped halfway, weighed down by the heaviness of the unspoken thoughts.
Jin did not like it at all and his hands clenched. "Do you think it is safe?" he asked softly, while looking at the nicely marked chemicals.
Han Kyum replied, his teeth clenched, "I tell you if I am not making a mistake, right here and now, and if it is only me that is in danger?"
Each and every step was done with utmost care. The whispers of glass pieces hitting the bench, pens scratching paper, and the quiet murmur of the ventilator, were some of the few sounds that could be heard in the room. It was a fragile calm, almost surreal in its quiet intensity.
___
(In Yunseok's Office)
The air inside Yunseok's office was suffocating as if it were pushing against the walls.
Yunseok looked at them with his fingers interlaced and the three of them meeting one after another. His eyes moved slowly from Elijah to Hanrae and to himself. Trying to be calm he said with a smooth, but a little bit of a cold voice:
"So, tell me. How far are they with the medicine?"
Hanrae was crossing her arms and her body was completely relaxed, but her eyes were still very alert and fierce.
"Only three mixtures left," she said. "They are really close. Closer than you might have thought."
A small and quiet noise of interest can be heard from Yunseok.
"Good," he said. "That means we're coming close to the part that stuff."
Next to her, Elijah was moving his body slightly and his jaw was clenched.
Yunseok's eyes got even more serious and dark.
"When the cure is finished," he stopped for a moment, then slowly and deliberately added, "we don't take both of them."
He only tapped his finger one time against the desk.
"One only."
Silence reigned here.
Elijah looked at him with disbelief. "You mean…?"
Before he could finish, Hanrae was the one who answered point-blank, unperturbed by his question, and looking straight at Yunseok.
"She will decide," said Yunseok.
Hanrae's words shot like an arrow into Elijah's mind, making him look at her immediately.
Hanrae slightly inclined her head, signaling that she was not shocked by the statement.
"You want me to tell the one who shall live," she said with a calm voice.
Yunseok gave a faint smile.
"You're the investigator. You observe. And you measure usefulness." yunseok smirk
Now he was closer to her, with his hands on the table, and his tone was almost a whisper.
"You decide which one is worthy of living."
Elijah's body was tensing up even more than before. He could have said no, but he chose not to speak instead of speaking, probably because he knew it was impossible to say no.
Hanrae was silent for some time.
Then — she smiled.
A small, slow smile.
"Han Kyum or Jin," she said with a soft voice.
"One of them will live. The other won't."
Yunseok gave a single nod of his head.
"That's right."
Hanrae's stare was full of something that couldn't be understood.
"I promise to be very careful," she said.
Elijah didn't even twitch his facial muscles to show that he was smiling.
His hands slowly changing their shape from open to closed and fingers tightly pressing against each other.
Yunseok was taking the breath away from him, once again, by taking a step back and sitting down on the chair with a look of contentment.
"Make sure they finish it," he said. "I'm gonna be waiting for your answer when the cure is done."
Hanrae's smile was growing bigger than before.
Elijah didn't say anything.
The atmosphere was colder.
The deal had already been made.
Hanrae had left the office before anyone else. She walked quietly and confidently, as if the dark hallway she went down was her territory. After she left, Elijah was left alone in the room with only the dim light coming through. The atmosphere became heavier as it was filled with the unspoken decisions made.
Elijah was still there. He clench his jaw and his mind was racing with different thoughts. Yunseok also did not take any action immediately. He was still leaning on the desk and his stare was intense and cold as that of a predator looking at its prey. After a while, he spoke in a low voice, but it had a dangerous edge to it.
"Why are you being so stubborn?"
Elijah sort of abruptly turned his head in the direction of the voice. The question was a mixture of irritation and an effort of controlled restraint. He stood up around his full height and with a calm attitude looked straight into the eyes of Yunseok.
"I am not stubborn, brother," he said in a controlled tone but just under his words there was a hint of iron.
Instead of answering, Yunseok simply observed and waited for the silence to deepen. He wanted to impress upon Elijah the seriousness of their predicament and the huge responsibility that weighed on them. After that, Yunseok went on and spoke even more sharply, each word seeming to be thought out and intentional.
"You know that, don't you? I have told you too many times already, it is the only way. One of them will have to pay the price. One of them will have to be sacrificed. Or else…" The words were left hanging as a threat that was not uttered and that didn't need an explanation.
Elijah was so angry that his fists were tightly clenched. He had a strong desire to go against and fight the awful logic by arguing and refusing, but at the same time, he was aware he couldn't do that with Yunseok's iron-like certainty all over him. "Go do everything as planned,"Elijah said at last, his tone indicating no refusal, no hesitation and indicating the presence of power behind the command.
Elijah looked at him with icy eyes and didn't blink, keeping his stare with Yunseok's. They were like dead eyes reflecting both the resistance and the heavy burden of following orders.
There wasn't any smile on his face, nor did he in a hurry change his position. It was only a very slight nod of the head - the lowest recognition of a will being subdued - that he made. After that, he walked off without saying another word and the sound of his boots on the floor seemed to take away the tension between them.
The door was softly closed behind him.
Yunseok did not hold back his grin for long. His slow grin was a mixture of victorious and a cruel foresight grin. Silence returned to the room, but the feeling of being in control was still there, like a very heavy and unarguable thing. Everything was going on just as he had planned.
(ouch sorry guys)