“Don’t thank me,” Hana sneered, “just get that damn medicine. And never… ever… threaten me again.”
CHAPTER 44
Hana turned around, breaking her hypnotic trance, and I could finally breathe normally again. The tension and the cold made me shudder, but I took several deep breaths before following her back into the warm cave tunnel.
“So how do we do this?” Hana asked once we were back in the large cave room, but before anyone could answer, Ho Jin had another strong cough attack that ended with him passing out so suddenly his head bounced against the shirt someone had put under his head as a pillow.
“Ho Jin,” Jun Ha shrieked. “Ho Jin!”
He grabbed the boy’s shoulders and shook them. That didn’t work so he started to slap his cheek. There was still no reaction.
“He’s out cold,” Jun Ha looked up at Hana.
“That means we don’t have much time,” Hana said. “We can’t assume he’ll last until dawn. Our best chance is for Areum to sneak in and steal the medicine tonight… are you up for it?”
All scared eyes were again on me, but this time I was ready.
“Do you know where it is?” I asked.
“None of us have ever been in the other hospital,” Hana said, “but I have heard it’s on the second floor of the restaurant in the middle of the Chrysanthemum Garden… do you know where that is?”
I nodded.
“Do we know where they keep the medicine?” Hana asked the room.
“Not exactly,” Jun Ha said. “But since medicine must be the second most valuable thing they have in Yodok after their stockpile of rice, they probably have it hidden in a safe place. Maybe locked up in a cabinet or something.”
“Wait a minute,” I said. “If it’s locked up, how will I get it? You want me to steal a whole cabinet?”
“You don’t know how to pick a lock?” Hana had surprise written on her face.
“Of course not,” I scoffed. “When would I have learned that… and why?”
“I’ll teach you,” Jun Ha said. “If it’s a simple lock… and I haven’t seen any other kinds of locks here since they only get the cheapest of the cheap… then it’s easy… you’ll learn it in a minute.”
“I don’t know…” I mumbled.
“You got this,” Hana gave me stern look. “Ho Jin’s life depends on it… and we have our agreement, right?”
“Fine,” I sighed. “I’ll try.”
“Good… then let’s get moving,” Hana said. “There is no time to lose… Jun Ha, start prepping Areum right away… we leave in ten minutes. Jun Ha and I will come along to keep lookout by the outer wall. It should be completely dark by the time we get there.”
I expected everyone who wouldn’t be part of this operation to leave, but they all stayed, sitting quietly against the cave walls, observing Ho Jin in silence with worried expressions.
Jun Ha took me to a pile of junk at the back of the cave. The smoke from the fire tickled my nose as it slowly floated past us and merged with the vast darkness of the long shaft leading into the depths of the mountain. After digging around for a while, he finally emerged with what looked like an old desk drawer that was full of yellowed paper and scrap metal. He emptied everything on the junk pile and brought the drawer over by the fire.
“It’s good we kept this,” he said and pointed at the lock on the front of the drawer with the key still sticking out from it. He turned the key so the latch pointed up from the drawer, and then pulled it out. “Now, the drawer is locked,” he explained. He took out two pieces of steel wire. “I got these from some old barbed wire I found lying around… they come in handy more often than you’d think.” He angled the drawer to get sufficient light from the fire. “So… what you do is that you insert one on the top and hold it up, then you insert one on the bottom… like this… and then you need to slide it slowly until you reach the spot where it gives way… you’ll feel when that happens… and then you turn… like this, and… ta-dah…open!”
He smiled at me but stopped when he saw my blank face.
“It’s easy,” he reassured me. “Come on… now you try it.”
I took the two pieces of wire and inserted them in the same way he had done it.
Nothing happened.
“Don’t worry,” Jun Ha said. “I’ll guide you through it.”
After five failures, I just wanted to smash that stupid desk drawer against the wall, but on the sixth try, I managed to unlock it. It was silly, but the feeling of accomplishment was intoxicating.
“See… it’s easy,” Jun Ha smiled, and this time I smiled back at him. I don’t think I had realized until then how fortunate I had been to have Jun Ha looking out for me all this time. He made me feel safe. He was like an older brother, or more…
I tried another five times, and I managed to unlock it every time.
“Good… you’re ready,” Jun Ha smiled, visibly relieved. “Now… the lock in there might be slightly different, but all simple locks follow the same basic principle. Just do the same… wiggle it a bit… and it’ll be fine.”
“Okay,” I nodded nervously.
“It’s time… let’s go!” Hana said. Jun Ha and I threw one last glance at Ho Jin before following her lead out of the Dragons’ Lair.
Outside was completely dark as thick, black clouds had gathered in the sky and didn’t let through even the tiniest sliver of moonlight. Unable to see, I had to rely on my hearing to step as Hana stepped in front of me, just as the first time she took me to the cave. This proved to be difficult, however, since Jun Ha’s noisy steps behind me kept scrambling my senses. A couple of times, I couldn’t keep up and had to tell her to slow down, which she did without any comments, but I could tell it annoyed her. Walking like this with one person in front and one behind made me think of that cursed night when I had been stupid enough to follow Chul and Chang Min up in the mountains.
At least the wheels are in motion… soon he will pay!
Once we arrived at the Chrysanthemum Garden wall, I took my companions to the trees in front of the barn where I had climbed over the last time. Seeing the dark, desolate structure where I had stood frozen and helpless the other night, that horrid scene replayed before my eyes like it was happening for real all over again.
“Snap out of it,” Hana said as if she could peer into my mind. “We don’t have time for this.“
Even though I became flushed with anger at her way of talking to me, I couldn’t help being thankful to her for extracting me from my waking nightmare.
“Be careful,” Jun Ha told me while we waited for a guard patrol to disappear around the corner. As soon as the coast was clear, I sprinted over to the barn, closed my eyes firmly as I passed the now-dark window - even though I knew the two corpses were long gone - and slid into the gap between the two walls. In the same motion, I soundlessly jumped up and grabbed the edge of the barn roof, and then continued over to the wall. After making sure I hadn’t been noticed, I pulled myself up and was over on the other side before the next guard patrol appeared.
Just like last time, there was light emerging from most of the houses. But in comparison, the two-story restaurant building in the center looked like an enormous bright lantern. The air was filled with the enchanting scent of freshly boiled rice and cooked meat. It was a wondrous smell I hadn’t felt in a long time… so distinct I could almost taste it in my mouth. Unfortunately, this overexposure of my senses made my stomach awake and roar in protest loudly enough to be heard two streets away. I stroked it gently with my hand as if saying I’m sorry, and to my surprise, it settled down.
I resisted the urge to sneak over to General Roh’s house to see if my former mother was there - I knew she most likely would be - and instead headed through the dark alleys straight for the restaurant. In my mind, I rehearsed how to use the pieces of steel wire that I had safely tucked away in the bundle attached to my belt.
There was more movement in the Chrysanthemum Garden this time - officers w
alking around in small groups, many of them with beautiful women by their side. It was easy to distinguish which ones were wives and which ones were prisoner mistresses. Whenever a couple appeared, I had to wait in the shadows, holding my breath until they passed. After making my way around the restaurant, it was clear there were no outside stairs leading to the second floor. That meant the only entrance was through the restaurant on the ground floor. A glance at the liveliness inside through the brightly lit windows was enough to know that way wasn’t possible.
There must be another way!
On my second round, I made a broader search and noticed a window on the second floor that was slightly open. There was no way to get to it, but on the other side of the house, there was a power line attached to the roof that came from the other side of the street.
Okay… so I have to do it in the same way as when I stole the rice… the Acrobat Thief strikes again!
I felt the scar on my hand from cutting myself on the wire leading to the granary that night. It was completely healed now, but just thinking about it made it sting anew.
I snuck over to the house the power line came from. There was light coming from a window facing the street, but the backside was dark. I waited for some voices from around the corner to fade away before I started climbing. I was relieved I once more had full strength in my fingertips after Colonel Wan’s - thankfully interrupted - torture session in the Center of Truth, so I could easily lift my entire body by holding on to the almost non-existing ledges. Slowly but steadily I made my way up the façade. Finally, I reached the upstairs window, but when I touched the window sill, it emitted a loud screech. I froze in my position, afraid even to breathe. Voices carried from inside and I heard footsteps approaching. There was no doubt they had heard me… or, at least, heard something that was out of the ordinary. I pressed myself tightly against the wall. The person holding my fate in his hands was now on the other side of the window. If he opened the window and looked down, I would be doomed.
He juggled the latch of the window, making dust fall on my face. I had to put my nose into my armpit to prevent myself from sneezing. The juggling continued and became more frantic. The seconds felt like hours and my fingertips started to cramp. There was nowhere to support my feet, and I knew I couldn’t hold on for much longer. Finally, the juggling stopped and was followed by a long muffled tirade of curse words, most of which I couldn’t distinguish. I heard footsteps going in the opposite direction. The window was still closed.
I sighed with relief and quickly improved my grip on the ledge. This time it didn’t making any noise.
Thank the Great General even the officers get cheap crap that doesn’t work…
I knew I didn’t have much time. For all I knew, the man could have gone downstairs to investigate the noise from the outside. And even if he didn’t, a random couple might come strolling by and spot me. I changed my direction, took my hand off the window sill, and climbed the last distance to the roof without incident. My hand was still cramping, but it felt better as long as I was moving it. Once I had reached the edge of the roof, I pulled myself up and collapsed on the black tarred surface. Panting, I looked up at the equally black sky. Three breaths later, I decided I had rested enough and crawled across the roof to where the power line was connected. I peeked over the edge down at the well-lit street. Some people were moving about, so I had to wait.
How much time do I have? How long time does Ho Jin have? And what happens if I’m too late…?
I chose to not think about it.
While waiting for the street to clear, I carefully wrapped my hands with a piece of cloth, determined to avoid making the same mistake as last time.
When the street below had cleared and I couldn’t hear any more footsteps or voices approaching, I swiftly leaped out to the power line.
It held my weight!
I immediately lifted my legs and locked them around the thick wire. Then I started pulling myself across the street. When I was almost at the other side, I lowered my legs and swung my body a couple of times until I had sufficient speed before flinging myself towards the edge of the rooftop. I managed to grab it with my fingertips, but when my body collided against the wall with a loud thump, I lost the grip of my left hand. I dangled by only three fingers of my right hand in excruciating pain, but I had to hold on until my body had stabilized… and from my countless hours of gymnastics training, I knew they would hold. Once still, I swung up and got a firm grip with my left hand just as the last three fingers of my right hand finally lost theirs. I was dangling again, but the grip of my left hand was rock solid. I panted with relief and looked down at the street below me. It was still empty. I looked over my shoulders at the windows on the other side of the street. Also empty. Nobody seemed to have heard the thump.
I guess I can’t have bad luck all the time…
I pulled myself up and lay down panting on the flat rooftop of the restaurant, looking up at the sky. A tiny patch of star-filled black infiniteness had appeared in between the dark clouds. I didn’t know why, but somehow seeing them twinkle comforted me.
There was no time to lose, so after another three-breath rest, I rolled over and swiftly tiptoed over to the other side of the building, praying the window would still be open. Just as I stuck my head over the edge, however, the restaurant entrance door below me opened and cheerful voices emerged. I immediately cowered down but kept my eyes peeking over. I realized these were voices I knew… and my heart clenched painfully in my chest. The next moment, I saw my mother walking down the street shoulder to shoulder with General Roh until they disappeared around the next corner. The scene from last time I was here replayed in my mind, but I quickly pushed it out.
I’m on a mission… I can’t be distracted!
As the street once more fell into silence, I stuck my head out all the way and looked down.
Yes!
The window was still open. I looked in all directions to make sure the street was still clear. Then, holding the edge of the roof with my hands, I climbed over and lowered my body until my feet stood firmly on the windowsill. I leaned over to peek inside the room. It was dark but seemed to be empty. I carefully let go with my right hand and tried to open the window further. It was stuck. I heard new footsteps and voices approaching down the street. My heart started racing again. I tried to see what was blocking the window, but it was too dark. The voices were close now. They would soon come around the corner and see me. I felt along the side of the window for a latch but found nothing. The voices grew louder still.
I have to climb up again or else I’ll get caught!
But instead, I made one last attempt and stretched my body to the maximum to feel the bottom of the window with my foot. Something was there.
It’s the latch!
But I could barely reach it with the tip of my toe. The voices and footsteps were almost at the corner now. I jumped slightly to adjust my right hand to the side but almost lost my balance. After correcting my grip, I stretched out again, and… yes!
I released the latch and opened the window. Quick as the wind, I swooped through the opening and hid behind the wall in the dark room. My lungs screamed for air as I pressed my back against the wall, waiting for the voices and footsteps to reach the restaurant entrance and go inside.
This is too much… how many more nights like this can I take…?
The room was dark and smelled of stale dust. My eyes had not yet adapted, but I knew right away I wasn’t in a doctor’s office. It looked more like an office of a mid-level officer, with a desk, a chair, a couch, and a bookshelf. But the medicine might still be here, so I got up and started cautiously going through the desk drawers. I found nothing but papers. Then I looked through the bookshelf. It was nearly empty - just a handful of thick books. It was too dark to see, but my fingers recognized the leathery binding of a massive autobiography by my Father - the Great General that also had the central place in our bookcase at home in the Capital. The hollowness of my Father�
�s passing made an attempt to grab my attention, but I pushed it firmly down deep inside me and continued to search the room. It didn’t take too long to look through all the places where the medicine could be, so I reluctantly had to accept there was no avoiding going further into the building.
A heavy lump formed in my stomach, but I ignored that too.
I went over and listen through the closed door. There was a ruckus of talking, laughing, and clanking of plates and glasses from downstairs, but I couldn’t detect any sounds from the floor I was on. I opened the door and peeked out into the dark hallway. It was empty. The only light came from the end where stairs led down to the restaurant. On the right side were three more doors, none of which had any light seeping out from the door frame.
I looked over at the stairs one last time to make sure no one was coming, then quietly tiptoed down the hall. I tried the first door. It was locked.
Is this a lock I can pick?
I couldn't see it clearly in the darkness, but from what I could feel, it was a completely different kind of lock. I went over and tried the second door. It was locked as well.
Panic crept up on me fast.
This will be a complete failure! They will catch me, torture me and execute me. And poor Ho Jin will die a horrible death as well!
With salty sweat streaming down from my greasy hair and stinging my eyes, my mind told me I must abort while there was still time. But the last door was only a few feet away… and I hated to give up. Without any hope left in me, I went over and tried it. To my surprise - it opened with a soft creak. I took a deep breath, praying to myself it was the right room. I threw a quick look over my shoulder, making sure the stairs were still clear, I stepped inside and closed the door behind me.
This room was brighter because there was a streetlight placed right outside the window. I immediately recognized this indeed was a doctor’s examination room. It carried the pungent smell of strong disinfectants. I also noted it bore no resemblance with the room where Doctor Death had examined Nari the first - and hopefully last - time. There was an adjustable examination table on wheels in the middle, large lamps on arms that could be brought down from the ceiling, and tables full of scalpels and other equipment against one of the walls. There was also a small desk with a chair next to it. This was how my image of a hospital had always been. This is how it had always looked when I came to visit Nari all those years until the surgery fixed her.
The Weeping Masses: A Young Adult Dystopian Survival Saga (Juche - Part 3) Page 39
