collateral damage 🔞 - COMPLETE

•sixty•

~~~~~Naeun

When we're finally on our way, I try and relax. What were all those people at the apartment doing there? They were yelling over each other, and I couldn't make out what they were saying. A few words and sentences stood out though, and my hands are shaking thinking about what it could all mean. I clearly heard them mention Jeongguk... And one voice asking if these are his kids...

A tug on my hand brings me out of my thoughts. Ye-Jun is looking at me expectantly, but sensing that I'm stressed he offers me a cute smile. A quick turn by the driver causes all of us to slide and bump around. Haerin's voice sounding scared brings all attention on her.

"Where are we going? The stadium is that other way!!"

"Sorry ma'am... We need to take a little while to try and get rid of the vehicles following us."

"What? Why are they following us? What was all that back at the apartment building?"

"I'm sure it had something to do with the news story... But don't worry ma'am... We'll make it before the concert."

Haerin stops asking questions, and looks back at me. We share worried looks, but not wanting to scare the kids, we don't speak. The van seems to be increasing it's speed again, and I look out the windows, noticing many vehicles behind, and even beside us. I check Ye-Jun's seatbelt, and hold him close to me.

The men in the front of the van are talking in hushed voices, but I sense their urgency. The speed we are traveling at increases again, and every turn makes me feel as if the van will tip over. Ye-Jun clings onto me, burying his face in my side. I hear Mi-Hi crying, and notice that Haerin looks pale, and is clutching her head while holding her daughter tightly in her arms... In her arms?!?

"Haerin!! Put Mi-Hi in her seatbelt! You too!!"

Her wide eyes at my words show nothing but terror. Moving quickly, she tries to detach the petrified child from her lap, but Mi-Hi doesn't want to budge. A few scary minutes pass, and Haerin finally has Mi-Hi buckled securely. The small girl is still clutching onto her mother, and Haerin struggles to get ahold of her own belt. I watch as she finally grasps it, and pulls it towards the buckle when it happens...

The van turns abruptly, and the men start yelling as we are skidding sideways. The belt in Haerin's hand locks up as she struggles to pull it the last inch. I hear Mi-Hi scream as there is a sudden bang and then a weightless sensation. Haerin appears to almost float out of her seat... Then there is nothing but loud sounds of metal ripping and glass shattering. My own head bangs against the seat back in front of me, and Haerin flies forward into the very front of the van.

Ye-Jun and Mi-Hi both scream for their Mama, but Haerin is not moving. The van comes to rest on it's side, and I check both kids for injuries. Aside from a few scratches from flying glass, they seem unhurt, but I can't reach Mi-Hi who's screaming for her mother. The driver manages to free himself from his restraint, and moves to help his fellow guards. When they're all able to move around, I notice the guard from the passenger seat is bleeding from his head quite badly.

I hear him making a call, and within a few minutes, sirens fill the air. Mi-Hi's screams are still as loud as ever, but Haerin is only lying motionless. Ye-Jun looks in shock, with silent tears running down his cheeks. I see a head come through the broken window and he takes in the scene, and tries to reassure all of us. Telling us they need to cut an opening to get to us, he places thick fire blankets over everyone. The noise is worse than the original accident, and I feel Ye-Jun trembling against me.

When they finish cutting, and silence is all I hear, I feel how wet my own cheeks are. Mi-Hi is no longer making any sound and I become alert to her still body. I see a man reach in and remove her seatbelt, picking her up. Relief floods through me when she shoves 2 fingers into her mouth. Another man crawls inside the van and comes to free Ye-Jun, who refuses his help.