Eleuthernemis System

Seo Doshin is dead”

I looked at the message that appeared on my phone and stiffened slightly. I waited to feel something, maybe anger, sadness, relief?

Nothing.

I was sitting in an internet cafe, surrounded by the sound of gunfire and cursing, the smell of ramyeon and energy drinks thick in the air. Rows of monitors flickered with different games, the rapid clicking of keyboards and a player laughing at a stream.

I set my phone down and stared at the log in in front of me. I hadn't even started playing yet.

My phone buzzed again.

“Don't come”.

I read it once. Twice.

A harsh laugh escaped my throat before I could stop it. The player next to me shot me a look but I didn't care.

“Wasn't planning to,” I said under my breath and shoved my phone into my pocket.

The screen in front of me blurred. I needed air.

As I started walking through the streets of Jong-ro my mind drifted to my father. We didn't exactly have the ideal father son relationship.

One particular scene that's forever etched in my memory was when I hit my head on the edge of a table and I was bleeding out on the floor.

I could feel my vision getting hazy and my consciousness slipping, I desperately reached a hand out to my father but he looked at me with cold distant eyes and simply left me there.

If a maid hadn't found me bleeding out on the floor I probably wouldn't be alive today.

The sound of cars honking pulled me out of my thoughts as I shook my head trying to clear my head.

My house was in Cheongdam ro and by foot it took 3 hours to get there and since I didn't have money to spare for a taxi I had to walk there. Not like I haven't done it before.

I sighed and started my journey, I passed by a cafe, its warm light spilling onto a sidewalk and stopped. When was the last time I treated myself to something nice? I went in.

I entered the cafe and ordered an Americano with cookies. I took my time eating, savoring the taste and at that moment, I felt truly at peace.

I let the warmth envelope me and my shoulders relaxing, it was as though all my troubles disappeared in that moment.

When I finally closed my eyes, I fell into a dreamless sleep, escaping my father for the first time in my dreams.

I woke up when I felt a tap on my shoulder, still feeling groggy, I looked up.

“Sir?” the waiter smiled apologetically at me. “We're closing”.

I nodded then paid my bills and walked out. Night had fallen, the streets were quieter now, just the faint hum of traffic.

I heard a child's laughter in the distance and smiled faintly. I hoped the child will always have reasons to laugh that way.

I don't want anyone to ever end up like me.

“I wonder if they'll even wait until tomorrow” I said scoffing.

After walking for what felt like an eternity I could finally see my house in view. I could see people trooping in and out of the house dressed in all black.

I figured nobody wanted to see me so I decided to pass through the back door.

I was exhausted and just wanted to rest and pass out on my bed. I opened the door and headed down to my room.

Opening the door to my quaint and bland room I saw it was empty. I mean it wasn't like I had much to begin with but nothing was here.

The quilt I managed to stitch up wasn't there, the little flower I grew by hand, the only picture I had of my mother, my few clothes, everything.

Gone.

My stomach dropped and the air left my lungs, I anticipated this but not this soon.

I ran to Han Yeon-seo's room, my stepmother's, but she wasn't there. I ran to Han Ji-seok’s room instead but my step brother wasn't there either.

I bumped into a maid in my rush and grabbed her shoulders.

“Where are they?” I asked with desperation in my eyes.

She looked at me with unmasked contempt and pushed me away from her.

“The madam and young master are busy engaging the guests,” she said and walked away.

I ran to the greeting room, heart racing, I knew what was already going to happen but I wanted to cling to one final hope.

I knew it was useless hoping but I had to.

I spotted them in the crowd talking to some guests.

I walked up to Han Ji-seok and stood in front of him grabbing his shoulders.

“Where is my stuff? No, where's the picture of my mother? I asked desperately.

“The one in the silver frame, where is it?”

Han Ji-seok stared at me in disgust and pushed me to the floor. I fell hard and felt pain in my back.

He immediately pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and cleaned his shoulders with it.

“Get rid of this” Han Ji-seok said, throwing the handkerchief at the feet of a maid passing by.

“Yes young master” she said, picking up the handkerchief hurrying off to dispose of it.

“I have no idea what you're talking about Seo Ireum” he said facing me.

“ You do! Where is it?!”

“ What's going on here?” Han Yeon-seo said, walking towards us.

“Seo Ireum seems to be confused about something mother,” Han Ji-seok said, facing his mother.

“I'm not confused about anything, I don't care about my stuff, where is my mum's picture?” I said, my eyes reddening.

“Oh dear, is that what you're causing such a ruckus over?” Han Yeon-seo said, looking at the guests.

Some of the guests looked at me like I was gum on the street that clung to their shoes while others looked amused at what they were seeing.

“And who might this be?” A man wearing a business suit asked, eyebrows raised.

“No one important” Han Ji-seok said and pulled me up harshly.

“Come with me” he said close to my ears, dragging me off.

I tried to pull back but I didn't have the strength. Han Ji-seok was way stronger than me so I had to be helplessly dragged along to wherever he was taking me.