[M] Chapter 5 (1/1)

Over the next few days, Gikwang’s treatment got worse. Seunghyun had changed the rules to his own delight and amusement, making Gikwang wake up at four each morning, do an hour of work and  then go back and wake the children up before breakfast. Then, at breakfast, he was permitted only to have half a bowl of porridge. Seunghyun watched it all, an evil glint in his eye. He gave the teenager harder, longer work just to see him suffer.“You participated in sexual activity in a god-fearing environment. This is the least you deserve.” He explained cruelly whenever Gikwang asked why he was being treated so badly. Taecyeon, Hyunseung and Yoseob gently felt the bump later on that evening, giggling at the squishy feeling.“Baby says hello!” Gikwang enthused, smiling at the boys. Hyunseung clapped his hands while Yoseob awww-ed.“Why is Seunghyun-ssi making you do harder work when baby needs rest?” Taecyeon asked, tilting his head to the side. Gikwang shrugged.“Well, I had to do a very grown-up thing to make baby with Doojoonie and he isn’t very happy about it. If he doesn’t relent soon, though, me and baby are going to get hurt.” He said sadly, rubbing his bump protectively.“Seunghyun-ssi is an evil man.” Yoseob said bluntly, sticking his bottom lip out. Gikwang held his finger to his lips, but he nodded in agreement.“Why would anyone want to hurt something as cute as baby?” Hyunseung asked, cuddling the teddy bear Narsha had made for him out of old rags.“I don’t know, little Hyun. But I will protect baby no matter what. I need to make Doojoonie proud.” Gikwang said desperately. Narsha had seen enough. She had slowly but surely perfected her plan and looked back and forth to make sure no one was watching before slipping out of the back door. She took all the money she had earned and hopped onto a train to the edge of Keijo, the city the orphanage was in. She sat restlessly in her seat fiddling with the scrap of address and Gikwang’s photo in her lap, hoping that her plan would work.The train slowed to a halt and Narsha stood up, her legs shaking from anticipation. She thought of Doojoon and how he would want her to look after his little Kiki and took a deep breath. She knew what she was doing was for the best. It was only a short walk down to the Sons’ house, but it felt like miles as she thought and practised what to say to her friend. Her mind raced with anxiety and excitement as she made her way down the path, the wind nipping at her skin beneath her thin flannel uniform. It was a cold day and Narsha had no gloves or even a coat, but the only things she was worried about were those little pieces of paper between her freezing white fingers.Before long, the young maid was welcomed with the sight of the large wooden door of the Sons’ house. Narsha looked up, taking in the building with hungry eyes. It was possibly the most beautiful building she had ever seen- although that wasn’t saying much, for she had hardly travelled anywhere in her life. She had always been jealous of her family friends for getting to live here. She raised her small, skinny fist and knocked at the door loudly but politely. Within thirty seconds, the door swung open, revealing a short, plump, smiley woman.“Narsha!” cried Mrs. Son, pulling the girl into a warm hug. She then held her at arm’s length and looked her up and down. “You’re so thin, sweetie! Do they not feed you at that godforsaken institute? Come in, come in!” she welcomed before the girl even had a chance to bow.“Well, Mrs. Son-ssi-““Now, now, Narsha, you know we don’t do formalities like that in this house. Your eomma was my best friend- practically my sister. Call me eomma while you’re in my house, dear.” The woman said brightly, leading the girl into the kitchen and pulling out a chair for her. Narsha smiled; she had always loved this family.“Eomma, I have something I need to ask of you-“ she started nervously. Mrs. Son sat down next to her, passing her a mug of hot tea which she gladly accepted with two hands.“Anything, dear. You know I’ll always help you.” The woman soothed, putting her hand on the young girl’s forearm and giving her full attention.Just as Narsha was going to open her mouth, the youngest member of the Son family walked downstairs and into the kitchen. The girl gulped. She had forgotten just how handsome of a kid Dongwoon was and she hadn’t seen him in years. The boy had certainly grown up nicely to say the least. He was tall and broad, appearing much older than he actually was and he had thick black hair and dark eyes. He smiled and waved at Narsha, showing off his gorgeous, straight, white teeth.“Annyeonghaseyo, noona!” Dongwoon greeted happily, reaching up to the top kitchen shelf and pulling out a pear, of which he immediately took a bite. He was out of the room as quickly as he came. Narsha watched his back as he left, staring off dreamily. Mrs. Son chuckled.“He’s getting handsome now, isn’t he?” she commented. The girl sat up and coughed, smiling.“He was always handsome, but this is crazy! Regular little heartbreaker, that one.” She agreed jokingly. Mrs. Son shook her head.“He’s never dated, can you believe it?” Narsha’s jaw dropped. “I know! Such a good boy, he loves his studying too much. I sometimes wish he could have someone his own age to talk to instead of holing himself up in that room with his head in a book. His father is adamant he keeps it up, though.” The woman sighed. Narsha decided to take her chance.“Well, I might be able to help. There was a reason I came here today, eomma.” She said clearly, trying to look confident. “There is a boy at the orphanage I work at. He’s fifteen years old, nearly sixteen, and he is being horribly mistreated. A few months ago, he went through the horrific time of losing the boy he loved to an infection caused by dirty open wounds from a cruel beating. I have known both of the boys since they were four years old, so when Doojoon died, it broke my heart too, let alone him. Anyway, he found out a while ago that he is pregnant. He’s now beginning to show and the master of the institution is overworking and underfeeding him. I fear that if he stays there, he will lose the baby and get sick himself.” She finished, looking directly at the woman, who had her hand over her mouth and tears in her eyes.“That poor boy..” she said quietly. “You’re right, he can’t stay there. What are you suggesting we do about it?”Narsha handed her Gikwang’s photo. “This is him, the sweet little thing. His name is Gikwang. I was hoping he could have a home here. I know you and I know this family would look after him perfectly. He’s hungry and exhausted in that place and it isn’t safe. Would you think about it?”Mrs. Son held the picture in trembling hands, a single tear making its way down her cheek. She shook her head. “There’s no thinking to be done. Gikwang needs a home as soon as possible. I will talk to my husband as soon as he gets back from work. He can’t be in that place for another month let alone the rest of his life.” She said decisively. Narsha got up from her seat and threw her arms around the woman.“Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!” she sobbed into the woman’s shoulder. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”“Oh, you silly girl, it’s the least I can do! You’re like a daughter to me and that boy is in serious need of our help. Now, I’m going to make us some food and you’re going to tell me all about this cute kid. I want to know everything!” Mrs. Son smiled brightly and patted Narsha’s back before getting up to prepare the food.The young maid stayed at the Sons’ for the rest of the day, happily chatting away to Mrs. Son and telling her every little thing about Gikwang. It became apparent with the passing hours that the middle-aged woman was really looking forward to talking to her husband and meeting Gikwang for the first time. It was like she had already accepted the boy into her family. Narsha had never smiled so much. She just knew the family would be so warm and open to the idea of taking someone in need into their home. Now she just had to hope Gikwang would agree to being adopted. The girl knew just how big of a change it was going to be, but she also knew with all her heart that it had to happen for the safety of both the boy and his baby.“Make sure you talk to Mr. Son-ssi- sorry, appa- when he gets home tonight!” Narsha reminded the woman as she stood in the doorway, making to leave.“Of course I will. You make sure you tell that boy about this plan of yours. I’m guessing this visit has gone by without him knowing.” The woman replied, a small smile on her face. She knew the girl well and she knew that Narsha would take situations into her own hands first before letting anyone into her thoughts. It was so other’s didn’t mess it up, she guessed.“Of course.” Narsha responded, bowing. “I’ll see you soon, eomma. I hope this works soon before Seunghyun-ssi can hurt him again..” she sighed, worry evident on her pretty face. Mrs. Son gave her one last hug.“If you ever need anything, just come here. I will always look out for you, sweetie.” She said earnestly. The young maid smiled and nodded, turning on her heel to leave the house.She made her way back home in the setting sun. Time had run away from her and she worried that someone might have noticed her absence. As she crept round the door of the institution, the first thing that caught her attention was the echoing sound of wailing. Her heart sped up and she dashed down the corridor, skidding to a stop as she reached a tiny crouched body just outside of a gathered crowd. She bent down to see the body closer and saw that it was Taecyeon, hugging his knees and sobbing uncontrollably.“Taec? Baby, what’s wrong?” she asked, stroking his sticking-up hair. Taecyeon looked up and stared at her with massive, scared eyes. Tears dribbled down his face and he wiped his running nose with his sleeve before hiccupping.“K-Kiki..” he mumbled. Narsha’s heart pounded.“What’s happened to Kiki?” she demanded, grabbing the little boy by the shoulders.“S-Seunghyun-ssi.. K-Kiki..” he stuttered, breaking off into tears and wailing. Narsha kissed him on the head and got up, running into the crowd and pushing her way through  it. There were kids everywhere, much in the same state as Taecyeon. She saw Yoseob and Hyunseung cuddled close, eyes shut and holding onto Seungho, who had his arms around them both.Then, she heard it. Gikwang’s screams filled the building, followed by more cracks of the whip. She gasped. Right at the other end of the hallway, Gikwang was doubled up, clutching his stomach while Seunghyun slammed the whip down hard onto him, his face expressionless.“STOP IT! P-PLEASE! SPARE MY BABY, PLEASE!” he shrieked, landing on the floor as his knees gave way. He curled into a ball, rocking backwards and forwards, trying to protect his baby from the punishment. His back was littered in scratches and gashes, pools of blood laying next to him as he cowered away from the beating.Narsha shoved the rest of the crowd out of her way and thundered down the corridor, yanking the whip out of the warden’s hand and sending it cascading to the floor with a smack. She raised her knee and jammed it between Seunghyun’s legs, giving her time to grab Gikwang’s wrist and pull him to his feet while the warden cried out in pain. They ran as fast as their legs could bear, Gikwang stumbling behind Narsha as they went.“That bitch.” Seunghyun growled. “YOU’RE FIRED! DON’T THINK ABOUT COMING HERE EVER AGAIN!” he screamed, leaning against the wall to get his breath back after the attack. When he had composed himself, he hurtled down the corridor after them, taking chase. Taecyeon squeaked, scurrying off after the only people he had ever depended on.“You’re.. crazy..” panted Gikwang as Narsha tightened her grip on his wrist and sped up. His back was killing him and he had never run so fast before, but his free hand was securely placed on his bump, trying to make sure the baby didn’t move around too much.“I.. hah.. had to get.. you.. out some..how!” she replied, her voice coming out strained and broken as she tried to force the sound.They had to run for a good ten minutes before they were sure they had lost Seunghyun. They were almost at the train station by this point, the cool evening pressing against their flushed cheeks. They stopped for a second to catch their breaths and for Gikwang to check that his baby was still moving inside him.“Is your back ok, baby?” Narsha asked, anxiously pulling his shirt up and inspecting the wounds. He shook his head.“It’s so sore.. he was relentless. I didn’t even do anything. He told me I had dirtied the orphanage, that my baby is the result of a sinful, lust-driven fling. He said I should die and bring my baby along with me s-so that w-we could b-b-be with Doojoonie.. in hell..” He began crying, resting his face in his free hand, the other still stroking his stomach. Narsha pulled his shirt back down and rubbed his shoulder, resting her chin on the top of his head.“He’s evil, Kiki. Evil. Not a word of what he said to you is true. You know how much Doojoonie loved you. He still does love you, up there. This baby is the best thing that could have happened, don’t you ever believe any differently.” She said firmly, her tone almost angry.“N-Narsh?” Gikwang asked desperately.“Yes, baby?”“Where are w-we going now?”“I didn’t plan on doing this so soon, but there is a family I went to see today about adopting you.” Gikwang’s jaw dropped. “I was going to tell you about the opportunity when I got back, but then this happened.. I’ve known them my whole life, Kiki. I know you will be safe there and I know they will take me in too, while I find another job.” She explained. Gikwang was speechless.Out of nowhere, the teenage boy felt something grab onto his leg and press into his side. The thing was panting heavily and sounded like it was crying. He looked down and saw a familiar fluffy head buried into his hip. He smiled and prised it away from his leg.