Hacking Seoul

0.4 - The Fated Corner

Everything looked the same. And so different, all at the same time. Swiveling streets spread across the deadened land like a maze of spider webs and weaved through his already entangled brain poisonously. He could not recall this scenery at all. Aged, pallid and storied buildings lined his visibility of the streets. Store fronts were dark and empty, he couldn't find light sources anywhere besides the lonely street lamps. Tired looking cars patched the curbs here and there, strewn and vacant. He kicked something hard and looked down at the pavement automatically, only to find it cracked and uneven, decorated with litters. He looked back up, lightheaded. No one was out. Nothing was still open. Just where had he taken himself?

Every other step cost an ounce of sanity and confidence. He dug his hands deep into his pockets and stomached the emptiness. The next street ahead looked exactly like the one he had been on, alien and abandoned. Had he taken a right there? He had no idea. He tried not to panic. The streets looked completely foreign and he didn't even know how many turns he took or how many streets he crossed, let alone knowing the directions in which he took them. Crossing the street nonetheless, he frantically raked his brain to try to find any signs of familiarity. But naught returned. Cold sweat was sliming up his skin. The street was so lifeless he wanted to scream.

His breaths had turned heavy involuntarily during his messy excursion and his steps quickened despite being lost. The next available corner looked as distressed as he was feeling, and he cut across it clumsily in forged poise, ignoring the fear that was creeping up his spine like a cool, slippery snake. The sky remained a guiltless velvet black, calm and ironic against his internal pandemonium. His shirt was soaked and hefty against his clammy back and he wiped his hands on the insides of his empty pockets, desperation filling his body up from head to toe. How was he supposed to get back with no help whatsoever? He closed his eyes hopelessly and finally let the panic numb himself.

America ate him up alive.

His steps slowed as he turned the corner pointlessly. He was now extremely glad he bumped into the maknae earlier. At least came morning when they realized he went missing, there would be one witness of his last appearance.

In the distance a chilling sound of glass shattering slashed open the silence. He stopped dead and looked up, his eyes wide and his heart beats thundering. His feet were already moving toward the source of the sound before he even processed what this meant or what might have been awaiting him. It was like instinct, when you were bobbing in the water struggling between life and death, you'd never hesitate if someone threw you a life vest.

The night had gone back to its deadly silence seconds after the outlying ripple. If he wasn't so desperate, he was almost doubting this sign that indicated the existence of another human being. He picked up his speed and rushed toward the fated corner.

Ten feet, eight feet, six feet, four . . .

Three . . .

Two . . .