Mountain Soul Part 6-6 (1/1)

PART 6-6      Forty minutes left. He had to hurry up.Shoving clothes and items inside a bag, he made a quick tour of his house. Annoyance was boiling hard in the pit of his stomach at the thought he couldn't organize himself, and leaving last minute was never his cup of tea. He hated how unprepared he was. In what hurry he had to be. He was sure he would forget important stuffs, and he hated this fact. He hated to have to run away like that, as if he was nothing more than a criminal.He was no criminal.Gritting his teeth, he stepped inside the living room, put his laptop and external HDD in the pouch and checked his cell phone.Thirty minutes left, he had to move it, and fast, if he wanted to be gone before anyone could notice his disappearance.      He didn't have enough bags with him in his liking. Only a backpack, sport bag and his pouch. He hated to think he had to abandon his whole life behind, and he hated how robbed it made him feel. The little clothes and items he needed to take were too little for him, but he guessed it was the price to pay if he wanted to keep his freedom.Glancing at his car a last time, he felt yet another wave of great anger cross his body. He'd worked so hard to buy this car. He had spent the past fifteen years paying it, and now. Now he had no other choice than leaving it behind.Again, it left a horrible taste in his mouth, and entering the taxi, he couldn't get ride of this deep scowl on his face.“Where to, sir ?”“Train station.” The taxi driver didn't comment on his rudeness and drove away with a nod and amiable smile.“Bad day ?”“You've no idea.” A semblance of a smile looking more like a snarl moved his lips, and biting the skin of his thumb, he glared through the windshield at the oh so familiar street moving fast before him.His heart started beating faster as the situation settled with him. Since this phone call early this morning, he had worked on autopilot -so much that he realized only now everything he did in so little time.He couldn't believe how easy it could be to abandon everything he ever had and was. He didn't know what his life would be from now on, but he would be free. That was what only mattered right now. The threat hanging above his head was too great, and, even though he hated running away like that, he knew it was for the best.Ending behind bars wouldn't make him feel any better, and he knew he was a dead man if he was going to prison.It wasn't hard to make a choice then, even though he hated it.       The ride to the station lasted barely fifteen minutes, and paying the man, he got out without even a greeting and his bags weighting heavily on his shoulders.How so little of his life could weight so much ?      The train was announced in ten minutes and, taking a seat, he felt too anxious for his liking. He didn't know if he was just being paranoid, but he hated how unsecured he was feeling at the right moment. It was like all eyes were on him, knowing him. As if all these people could tell what he was doing and would report him to the first authority person they would find.Glancing at the big clock, he cursed it when only two minutes had passed. He hated waiting like that, but he hated even more feeling so close to succeeding and being screwed all at the same time.Thinking a week ago everything was perfect.He was the king of the world.He had everything he wanted, the way he wanted it.He was safe, carefree.A week ago, he didn't have to wake up in a hurry to pack his stuffs and run away.A week ago felt so far.      An announcement through the speakers of the station startled him too much, and the look he got from the few people around him enraged him and worried him at the same time.He had to calm down, or he would get busted. He had no doubt someone would report him for strange behavior, and if what his informant told him was true, it wouldn't be long before everything went to shit.Taking a breath, he tried to relax on the seat, but the laugh of some little girl running to her mother sitting behind him increased his heartbeat some more to the point it felt choking. He couldn't help curse this kid for that, before his train entered the station and he forgot about the entire world. Almost jumping on his feet, he grabbed his bags, charged himself with them again and headed to the dock.      The smile he flashed to the train conductor checking their tickets was sincere enough for the man to stop glancing up at him with such frown on his face.“Have a nice trip sir.”“Thank you.” He said with such a pleasant smile.Only a few minutes left, and all this bullshit would be behind him. He made it.He was free.

The train wasn't a direct line, and he managed to relax about it only after the second stop. Every time the train was entering a station and slowing down he was expecting cops to fill the train and surround him.When it didn't happen after two stops, he realized he was stressing over nothing and relaxing was his best option.The growl of his stomach reminded him he hadn't taken any kind of food with him. He knew he would forget important things in his hurry, but lucky for him there was a bar in the train. Walking up the cars, he arrived in the fourth one where some people were already buying snacks and drinks. His mouth watered at the sight, and buying sandwiches, sodas, a coffee and even some candies, he walked back to his car with his arms full.Some people gave him a look, and smiling, he didn't hesitate to offer a candy to some little girl smiling up at him so wide with such envy that he couldn't resist. The mother thanked him warmly and with a nod of his head, he disappeared in the distance to his own car.      The train was entering the third station, and sucking on a candy, he looked out the window. Many passengers were waiting on dock, and he couldn't help himself from watching them.Some woman with a short skirt was dragging behind her a small suitcase, while a man on the phone kept moving his hand around in what looked annoyance. Some elder guy passed before him awkwardly to step inside the train and said annoyed guy sent him a dirty look.Smiling, he watched the passengers gather at the train's doors to slowly fill it.      Five minutes later, the train was moving again.Comfortable by now, he leaned in his seat, opened his second sandwich and attacked it. His Ice coffee was still half full, and sipping on it, he relieved in the peacefulness of the moment. It was good to have no worry, when the past hours were made of stress and fear.“Bob Martins ?” The low voice behind him came from nowhere, and looking over his shoulder, he could only freeze in place at the sight before him.The man didn't need to wear a uniform for him to know he was a cop, and the woman standing beside him was no different. The way they'd to carry themselves spoke loud, and he had enough encounters with detectives and cops over the years to recognize them.His mouth dried and his throat clamped at the thought he was busted.How could that be possible ? They couldn't find him so fast. He should have been safe, he had made it so far. How could it come to such abrupt stop ?      The most humiliating wasn't being arrested, but the looks on the people's faces. He hated how dirty he felt under their gazes, and he hated even more feeling like a criminal.“Bob Martins, you're under arrest for multiple assaults, torture and murder. You've the right to remain silent, everything you'll say could and will be held against you. You've a right to a lawyer, if you can't afford one the state will provide you one.” The handcuffs closing around his wrists felt too constrictive, but he was sure it was mostly his mind speaking.Because he knew. He knew it was over, and his life was done.Just like that.       As he was led through the train and out, he tried to ignore all the accusing and scared looks, but it rubbed on his skin bad and enraged him out of his mind. How could they dare look at him this way when he was the one assuring their safety all these years ? He was the one taking care of these pieces of shit no one wanted to hear about ever again. He was the one enduring this shitty place and keeping it in order.They should be thanking him, instead of condemning him without even knowing who he was.These people could all go fuck themselves.*      The evening at the Mun's residence was peaceful. Rain was pouring outside, but the family was gathered in the living room before the fireplace sharing its warmth with them.Eric and Ellie were sitting side to side on the couch with Ellie's laptop. Ever since the case had spread all around the country, and beyond, they were spending most of their time following every news.It started with the police announcing an investigation on Mountain Soul. Then guards and the warden were put under suspicion, before being arrested. Bob Martins had tried to run away, but he was found and arrested in time. Eric couldn't describe how relieved he was about that. Martins was one of the main perpetrator, and he was dangerous. Even more than Miles at times, in Eric's opinion. The man was all about keeping his hands clean. Most of the time, the dirty job was done by his faithful followers, and Eric could only hope he wouldn't get away because of that.He was sure Bae wouldn't take the blame for the man. Or he hoped he wouldn't. The kid was a bastard, but Eric wanted to believe he was smart enough to not fall on his own. Martins had to pay. Just like Miles, and Rogers, and Johnson. These people had to be punished for their doings. Eric wanted them to pay, if only for what they did to Minwoo.He was still unable to forgive himself for what had happened. If not for him, none of what happened to Minwoo would have taken place, and he wouldn't have...Eric didn't want to think about it. It hurt too bad, even after so many months passed. The pain was still there, deep in his heart and tearing it apart. Ellie was quick to point out he had gotten attached too much, and as much as he wanted to deny it, he couldn't. Because it was true. Lee Minwoo had been more than a simple troubled inmate for him. Eric didn't mean to, but the man had grew on him, and his many torments and pains had got to him.So yes, getting so attached was a mistake, but he was always like that. Getting fond of the suffering ones, as if he could be any help to them. Eric didn't know it before, but he was starting to realize his pattern. What with him always seeking the hardcase in hope he would make a difference.It had started with this dog when he was seven. The poor thing had been abused and hurt his all life, and when Eric had found him he was nothing more than a bag of bones. His sister and mother had told him to stay away from it -because it was dangerous. They told him to leave it, even though it was sad. His mom even wanted to call Animal Protection, but Eric was quicker and brought it home before she could.The dog had tried to bite him, yes, and even though he was scared, he kept trying, and at the end of the day he was able to get close enough and feed it. After that, the dog followed him home and once there he couldn't get ride of it.His mom, even if against it, accepted to keep the dog. She even called a veterinarian. In a couple months, the dog got healthier. His bones got hidden by meat and fat. He started moving around and playing. Eric was the happiest little boy on earth for saving the poor little thing he decided to call Phoenix. He believed Phoenix would be his best friend for the rest of his life. He could already imagine himself sharing everything with his dog, all his adventures and happiest moments. He wanted to go to the beach with Phoenix. He wanted for him to be happy and have the longest life ever.Until one day he was walking him and Phoenix freaked out for a reason Eric couldn't figure. His dog lost it and started thrashing, barking and pulling on the leash so hard that Eric couldn't hold him back. He ran after him of course. He couldn't let him get lost, not after everything he had went through already. But Phoenix didn't recognize him when he caught up and attacked him.Eric still had a scar on his arm where he was bitten to blood.Even though, he still wanted to help his dog. When he woke up at the hospital from a drugged induced sleep, the first thing he asked was about Phoenix.Eric cried all the tears of his body when his mom told him he was put down because judged too dangerous. Eric's entire world fell around him at the time, and he couldn't help blame himself for Phoenix's death.If only he had tried harder. If he had done a better job. If he had been more careful.So many ifs were always running around his mind every time he was failing. He hated it, but he couldn't help it.After Phoenix, other similar cases occurred.Once it was this girl at school everyone was pushing away and looking at weirdly just because she had only one parent and her clothes weren't as pretty as theirs. After befriending her and doing his possible to help, Eric had to deal with the fact she fell for him. He wasn't that surprised about it, but by then he already knew he was gay, and telling her was the biggest mistake. She closed on herself again and started pushing him away, until they were friends no more and the only time he was seeing her was in passing for a quick greeting.When they entered high school, their short friendship was almost forgotten.It didn't prevent Eric from feeling guilty when she committed suicide in the middle of her second year and no one cared about it. Eric blamed himself for not protecting her from her bullies. He blamed himself for not trying harder when he knew how it was hard for her.The pattern was always the same, it seemed.Every time he wanted to help people, things were taking the most horrible turn possible, and it was proven with Hyesung once again.Then Minwoo.Eric was tired of causing tragedies. When all he wanted to do was help. Everyone was suffering so much because of him. It hurt to think he couldn't do anything right, even when he wanted and tried. It hurt, and he couldn't help promise himself he wouldn't make the same mistakes ever again.But no matter what, it always seemed to resume the same pattern.“Looks like the trial will start soon.”Nodding at his sister, Eric pulled himself out of his tormenting thoughts and focused on the computer screen.“It'll be public.” She said.“Maybe you shouldn't go.” Eric and Ellie looked over at their mother. “You were in a coma not long ago, too much stress won't be good for you.”“I'm fine, mom.”“Maybe she's right.” Ellie's hand was warm on his, but he refused the contact.“Don't make rash decisions, son. You've went through a lot lately. No one will blame you for keeping your distances. After what happened...” Their father trailed off, and Eric's chest contracted in pain.“I'm going to take a shower.” He said, standing up under his family's caring and worried gazes.“Do you want some tea ?”Eric shook his head and didn't need to look to see the pained look in his mother's eyes.He never meant to worry her so much, but since the accident and the coma, everything was so different. Eric included. He didn't know what had changed so much, but he could feel it, and he wasn't sure how to feel about it. Something felt missing inside him, and he hated himself to think it all had to do with one single person.Getting attached in such kind of situation was definitely the worst.*      The trial was long and painful for many people.Ellie's hard work had unexpected consequences, and where she had thought once the issue would be brought to light justice would be possible for Lee Minwoo, she didn't thought so many more people would make themselves known and request justice.Families, victims themselves, groups and communities raised altogether to reclaim what they were denied for so long, and it felt overwhelming in a sense. Ellie hadn't expected so much, and even though she accepted to be the face of the case and took upon herself to represent all these people, at times she couldn't help wonder if she was doing things right.Eric and Tim were always reassuring her about it and supporting her, and she was glad for that. She'd so many people behind her helping with the case that she was determinate to win. People counted on her, and letting them down would be more than a personal failure.Ellie wasn't sure she would get over failing so many people.      It was only when Miles, Martins and Co came to the bar that she started doubting again. The feeling became painful when these men played the innocent card so well. Miles was quick to remind what had happened to him, some months ago. He was quick to tell everyone how some inmate had assaulted him in the most gruesome, cruel way.Ellie didn't like the pity she saw on the juries' faces. They were compassionate, and it wasn't good for them. Mostly when Miles' lawyer pointed out to everyone the person behind such attack was none other than Lee Minwoo.Everyone started questioning's Minwoo's very own nature after that, and another unexpected event blown up in their face.Lee Minwoo's name and face was everywhere, starting with newspaper and TV medias. Everyone started using the man's case and doings to defend and justify Miles and Co's acts.Ellie felt sick at the realization many people supported the guards and prison system. It was disgusting to listen and watch them claim these animals in these places deserved everything that happened to them. It was sick to read about them justifying such treatments by comparing what they did to what happened. Too many claimed what these inmates went through was nothing compared to what they did to end up in prison.Ellie knew they choose the hardest cases to support their claim, like Lee Minwoo and Jaesen Rubben's. Where Minwoo was known to be violent and was sentenced for the atrocious murder of a cop, Rubben was arrested in his time for killing an entire family for no other motive than money. This wasn't playing well for their side, and Ellie was too aware of that.She knew they needed other stories to counterbalance that, and it came in the face and name of Louisa Monroe -a mother of two who had lost her twenty year old son in Mountain Soul. Kenny's death was ruled a suicide, but Louisa had a letter pointing a severe finger towards Miles. Her son had managed to sneak it out before killing himself, and it was only a week later she got to read the truth.In it, Kenny was telling her everything. It started with how terrifying it was for a kid like him to end up in such environment with all these dangerous people looking at him the wrong way. Followed by this nice guy he met who assured him some safety around the inmates, when the real threat came from none other than a guard.In the letter, Miles' name was written clearly, and Kenny wrote everything the man did to him. From this first time in solitary where the guard showed up in the middle of the night and assaulted him. To this last time he was cornered by Miles and raped in broad daylight in some corridor.People were horrified to hear about Kenny's story, and the feeling didn't subside when more similar stories came to light.Public opinion made a complete turn when kids sentenced for crimes like store robbery, drug dealing and accidental homicide were tortured in such horrible way in the confined space of prisons. It was no more hardened criminals getting what they deserved, but kids that could be theirs ending up at the mercy of monsters they could do nothing about.From this point, the trial took a new turn. When it had started for Lee Minwoo, it became society's fight for a fairer and safer system that would protect kids like Kenny instead of abandoning them at their fate.      It took six months for the jury to come to a final decision concerning the guards. Miles and Martins were sentenced to ten years without parole for aggravated assault and torture. Johnson got eight years, and Rogers and Bae six each. The warden was fired and his passport confisctated.As for the many inmates dead under these people's direction, justice would be given to them over another long trial and investigation. The accusation needed to dig a lot to find and prove how many people had died by the guards' hands. It was a long and complicated task many were ready to give their whole in.It was rumored Miles and Martins could take perpetuity for multiple murder, and Ellie would do her possible for them to finish their life behind bars.After everything, it was the least they deserved.*      Going back to work wasn't easy, even after months.Sitting in this familiar room with these familiar inmates felt weird, even though oh so natural. Eric didn't know if one day he would be able to resume work, and he had worried for too long about it. He was scared of being useless after everything. He even thought of giving up. But so many people had sought his help over his years at Mountain Soul -he couldn't let them down like that.It took him over six months after his coma, but he was there, eventually.Back and ready to resume his life and help the ones no one wanted to bother with.Eric was always coming back to the same conclusion, despite losing so much and suffering so bad.He just couldn't give up on people who needed him. Even though he had caused certainly more problems than solved, he still had to continue. Such kind of things weren't easy, and he knew when he started he would have way more deceptions than gratifications, and Lee Minwoo was certainly his worst case.He had tried so hard for the man. He'd done his possible to help and save him, for in the end failing badly. Guilt was still strong in him, and he believed every day he would wake up and come at work it would be that painful. There was just no way to forget, and he was fine with that.Eric wanted to suffer for what he did to Minwoo. He wanted to pay and amend his doings, even though Minwoo wasn't in Mountain Soul anymore to see him try and forgive him.He wanted to believe one day it would be better, even though it hurt so much.Despite everything, all of them could just keep going.Eric could try that much for Minwoo. Just like he had tried so hard for Hyesung, after his death. It was Eric's way to overcome his losses and pains -by trying harder and doing always more. Even though it wouldn't bring back what he missed so much, maybe one day things would work the way he wanted, instead of turning worse.It was maybe naive of him to believe so, and the thought Minwoo would certainly kick his ass for that never failed to bring a smile to his lips.If only for that, he would keep having naive expectations."Okay guys, who wants to start ?" To nobody's surprise, Dongwan was the first to raise his hand. It was another proof to Eric life had to resume, despite everything and every pains. People needed him, and he needed to be useful, if only to feel better about his too many mistakes. Even if it had to take years before he could think about Minwoo without feeling like killing himself, he wanted to try and get there. Eric Mun wasn't the kind to give up.It took me FIVE MONTHS to update, and I'm so sorry for that, but I couldn't figure how to finish this story and nothing I wrote satisfied me.I've four damn versions of this final chap, and none of them have the same thing going on in. I got so frustrated over this ending xDI can't say I'm totally sure of this chap either, but I've better feelings about it than for the others, and if I keep doubting so much and postponing updating this fic will still be on standby next year, haha, -_-Well, I hope you're not too disappointed about this chaper. I know there's still many questions unanswered and I hope you're curious about them ^^ There's a Prequel on the way, I hope you'll tune in for it too =3 The writing is very different for it, because I changed it and improved it in my opinion over the past year (it's always changing/improving anyway, I feel) and I hope you'll like the Prequel. It's called : Mountain Soul : The Road To HellNot very original, but I'm not good at titles and a certain someone told me it would be good for this fic, so yeah. Said same someone did the Prequel poster too and I love it !!!! I hope you'll love it too.Thank you Sumiya =3Anyway, thank you EVERYONE who followed, supported, commented, subscribed, upvoted and read this story. It became more than intended, but I hope you still had fun with it. There's more to come, so please check it out too ^^I love you all, and it feels good to FINALLY finish this fic. It dragged for too long with no update and I hate it xD I miss being around here, but life, you know. And I became even more obsessive and perfectionist with my story/writing that it'll only take even more time for me to be active now. You'll have longer chapters though, if it's any consolation ;P I blame my Rough&Dirty Collection for that, if not for it, I wouldn't have gotten so used about writing long ass shit >.< I guess it means I'm improving, which is always good, but it's so much more frustrating (which is why you waited five months for the last chapter). I'm not good with deadlines, bad me! I won't say I'll try to improve that, because I know I won't -_-  You can all judge me for that. Well, see you next time on a new story (that will most certainly be Moutain Soul Prequel ;P).