Woo Bin’s POV

Months had passed after my family was murdered… nobody has seen what happened that day, it was an unsolved case. Nobody wants to come out and help in the investigation. They were all afraid to get involved. I felt like I entered an empty hollowed room searching for something I don't know.

I still think of them from time to time, I still live in our old house, well maybe because I didn't have any choice. Where could an eighteen-year-old like me go? Our old house is the only thing I have that I didn't have to pay. But I know for a fact that I need to work for my self, feed myself and live until I'd find out the truth about their deaths.

I took some extra works to live. I worked as a dishwasher in a cafeteria at night, do some neighbor’s garden on weekends. I did all that for me to continue high school. Though I was still wondering if I still need to finish school. I have no one to offer my diploma whether I finished it or not. I have no one left in this world except for myself and the pain that was embedded in my mind.

I still weep at nights. I never stopped. It’s like a crime for me if I stop, even for a day. I don’t have the right to stop crying over them. If only I'd be able to go back to that day, I won't go anywhere and leave them all behind. I guess dying with them is much better than being left alone in this world. Life is cruel, I know. But having them around will make it a little less hard for me to go on with life.

I think I can never get over with the feeling of being left alone and seeing them died disastrously. I didn't even do much for them, it just happened like a wind that passes by.

Seeing them breathless that day and seeing my sister stripped to death it's like dying is the only way to escape the torture that I was having.

But I will never give up, I will never stop looking for the people who killed my family. Even if death is the only way to find them, I will gladly accept it.

There were nights I was thinking of following them to ease the pain, but my body is urging me to fight and hope to find the criminals who did that to my family. I don’t know how but I am going to find them. In whatever case maybe.

Dusk,

Mid-December of 1954 I heard heavy knocks on the front door. I was preparing myself for a quick bath, so I went to my room and grab some clothes for changing.

I went out of my room to see who it was…

It was a man in his late 30’s or early 40’s, he stood tall and he has a medium built body. He was wearing a dark-colored coat and a black hat. I don’t remember seeing his face in the neighborhood. I guess he is new to this town.

“Yes, sir… is there something that you need?” I ask him while opening the door hesitantly.

“Uh. well, I came here to look for my friend. It says here that he lives in this house,” the man answered while looking at a piece of a small paper in his hand.

“May I know his name, sir?” I asked.

“Kang Jeong-wu. His name is Kang Jeong-wu,” the man answered without losing his gaze on me.

I felt the sharp pain again in my chest as I hear my late father’s name…

“I-I’m sorry sir but my family has murdered a few months ago,” I said, almost a whisper. I even swallowed to avoid the tears coming out from my eyes.

“Oh, I’m-I am sorry to hear that. I just came from the province and he once asked me to come and visit him just last year, “ he said in a low voice, a bit sorry is painted on his face.

“Oh! I — I’m sorry,” I said.

“It’s just that I came late and…” the man said, hesitating.

“Oh! P-please, come in you can stay for the night if you want to,” I said.

“Would that be okay with you?” he asked.

“It’s fine with me sir, It’s getting late… please come in,” I answered as I open the door wider.

Then he comes in and sits on the couch in the living area.

I was able to offer him tea and some heated leftover porridge and he thankfully took them and eat without hesitation.

After quite some time, I can see that he is already exhausted. Well, maybe because he came from a very far place from here. I took it as a sign that maybe he wants to take a rest.

I offered my room for him to stay. I don’t sleep in that room anymore since my family died in this house. It’s suffocating.

Which he thankfully accepted and went inside my room. Only then I finally decided to take a quick bath and lie down on the couch after.

I was already lying down when I remembered the people who murdered my family. I guess I am not afraid anymore of people that come to my house, it was like I was waiting for someone to come up and beat me to death, or for the criminals to come back so I can identify them.

It was hard for me to fall asleep every night, I didn't have a good night's sleep since that day happened it’s like someone is always watching me from behind. I felt like I was always waiting for someone to come and take my life.

But not tonight, maybe I was just a little exhausted. I guess.

Then there was a sudden knock on the door.

I looked at the clock on the side table, it’s only past midnight. Who could it be?