When Ire opened his eyes, Kim Ha-yoon was already gone. When he came outside, he was sitting on the railing, looking down. Ire frowned at the precarious sight and approached him. A smile spread across his face as he turned at the sound. His face, bathed in the morning sunlight, felt particularly handsome.
Ire was unconsciously captivated before he snapped out of it and looked around. The Infected he had knocked down yesterday had vanished without a trace.
“Where did it go…?”
“I threw it down. I thought you might throw up again.”
Looking down, Ire saw it rolling around in the dirt as Kim Ha-yoon said. Its limbs were broken from the fall, forming a bizarre shape. Fortunately, the Infected blocking the entrance had also disappeared without a trace. Ire had learned that they were mainly active after sunset, and now he had confirmed it himself.
“Let’s go down.”
Kim Ha-yoon readily granted his request. After cleaning up, they went down the stairs and stopped by the 5th floor to take another look. It was said to be the actual site of the research, but the reality he saw in the daytime was even more gruesome.
Old bloodstains and shattered experimental equipment were scattered everywhere, along with makeshift beds where something had been tied down, and traces of melted and dried plastic. What had happened that day to leave it so devastated?
Ire wanted to ask Kim Ha-yoon, but he refrained from bringing it up, as it felt like touching his wounds. Then, he spotted a scrap of cloth lying on the floor in one corner of the lab and moved towards it. It was half-burned away, but it was clearly part of a doll.
Why is a doll here?
Did an employee bring their child to work?
If someone brought a child to work, could it be…?
While Ire was lost in thought, Kim Ha-yoon came to his side.
“If you’re done looking around, let’s go.”
“This… was lying here.”
Instead of asking if it was his, Ire changed the subject.
Kim Ha-yoon glanced at the doll indifferently and threw it on the floor.
“Throw it away. It’s trash.”
He turned away without hesitation, and Ire followed him. As they came out of the building, part of the green building in the back came into view. Kim Ha-yoon told him that it was an incinerator where Infected were burned at the time. Whether they were disposed of alive or killed first, Ire felt like he could hear screams.
He tried to ignore it and walked towards the fence. The gate was firmly closed, and all the Infected were gone. Turning his head, he saw the one that had attacked the rooftop last night still in the same spot. It looked like it would jump up and charge at any moment, so he couldn’t take his eyes off it.
“How did that one get in?”
“There are some like that. They look no different from regular Infected, but they have intelligence and superior athletic abilities. We actually captured one and dissected its brain a while ago, and it was different from regular Infected.”
“How so?”
“Certain parts were excessively activated and enlarged.”
“Which parts?”
Kim Ha-yoon stopped walking and stared at Ire before tapping his forehead with his finger. Here.
“The frontal lobe.”
Ire rubbed his bangs with his hand. He was fascinated by the new information and listened intently to Kim Ha-yoon’s story even after getting into the car.
“Was that thing we saw yesterday also a Hybrid?”
“No.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“If it was, you and I would be dead.”
“…”
Kim Ha-yoon started the car, and Ire wanted to hear more of his stories.
“I heard there was a period when the Infected evolved, so did they evolve too?”
“Those are different. They were only a small number, and they had powerful abilities that were a threat to us.”
“What kind of abilities?”
Kim Ha-yoon smiled and stared at Ire.
“I wonder. I’m curious to know just how great that power is.”
It was a vague answer. He was sure that it would have died yesterday, but he was sparing with his words about that power.
The car started, and the lab grew farther away. As they passed through the moss-covered buildings, Ire noticed small animals. He had heard that the Infected preyed on the animals here. It was surprising that they didn’t harm or eat each other.
In some ways, they might be better than humans.
Ire was thinking this when an unexpected voice came from the speaker.
-Captain Kim, where are you?
It was Kim Do-cheol.
“What’s up?”
-I went to your place, but you weren’t there. You stayed out all night.
“I’m out now.”
-Don’t tell me you’re with him?
“With who?”
-That Hybrid kid. You denied it, but you’ve already snagged him,
Kim Ha-yoon pressed a button with an indifferent expression, cutting off the voice. Ire heard him mutter a small curse, “Damn it,” and could only watch him carefully. He didn’t know who the kid was, but it seemed like he was the only Hybrid in the unit. But what does “snagged him” mean? He was trying to figure it out since he didn’t hear the rest, when Kim Ha-yoon pressed his temples hard.
“Do you have a headache?”
“A little. I guess it’s from the alcohol I drank yesterday.”
“I’ll drive.”
“Don’t worry about it and sleep. You were restless all yesterday.”
Then, Ire remembered Kim Ha-yoon casually hugging him last night. Why does he make physical contact with him so casually? Does he do that to everyone? The only one who did that to him in the neighborhood was Hairy. But Kim Ha-yoon cut off his head, so he can’t see him anymore.
Meanwhile, the car had completely left the District. Looking back, Ire saw the huge gate firmly closed. He suddenly imagined what would happen if it opened and shook his head. Something terrible would happen.
It must never happen. No matter what.
***
The scenery of District A was peaceful as always. Compared to District D, which he had been in until this morning, this place was like heaven. The streets, where the sun was beginning to set, were crowded with people, and the trees planted along the roads were in full bloom. The sight of them swaying in the wind was also spectacular.
Passing through the city center and heading towards the outskirts, they came to a neighborhood with dense housing. Ire was admiring the nicely built houses when Kim Ha-yoon suddenly stopped in front of a blue door. Ire looked puzzled, and someone came running across the lawn from afar.
As he got out of the car, the children shouted. “Brother! Michael!” The kids, much smaller than him, came and clung to his arms. The startled expressions they had from the fire were gone, and their mouths were stretched into ear-to-ear grins.
“Brother, this is our house! We’re going to live here now! We can even have a dog!”
“There’s a swimming pool in front too! Anna said we can fill it with water in the summer!”
“Brother, look at this! Isn’t the flower pretty? There are so many flowers in the yard!”
Everyone grabbed his clothes and made a fuss, wanting to go here and there. Seeing the lively children, Ire was convinced that his choice was right. Agnes, who never had any friends, boasted that she was going to kindergarten and asked if he knew what kindergarten was. While taking care of the chattering children, he belatedly remembered that Kim Ha-yoon was in the car.
“You guys go in first. I’ll follow you soon.”
The children ran towards the house, and Ire went to Kim Ha-yoon. The window was down, and he had his arm resting on it, with half of his face showing.
“How is it? Do you like it?”
Ire moved his lips. To be honest, he hadn’t expected this much when he was told that he would be given a house. Looking at the house, which was too big for him, he realized that Kim Ha-yoon’s words about giving him everything he wanted were not a joke.
“Thank you….”
“Again.”
Without hesitation, Ire bowed 90 degrees. “Thank you so much.” When he raised his head, Kim Ha-yoon’s displeased expression was clearly visible. Was he supposed to prostrate himself? He had never done it before, but he had seen it somewhere.
As Ire hesitated, Kim Ha-yoon beckoned him to come closer. He always does something weird after this…. Ire was wary and stood a little distance away, and Kim Ha-yoon nodded.
“Okay, let’s call it even.”
“What…?”
“Yesterday, me rubbing my dick against your ass without permission.”
“…”
It wasn’t an accident. When Ire frowned, Kim Ha-yoon tapped his cheek.
“If you’re really disappointed, you can kiss me here.”
Unlike his grateful feelings, a disgusted expression popped out. Kim Ha-yoon smiled mischievously and immediately turned the car around. Ire, left alone, couldn’t leave until the black Jeep was completely out of sight.
As he crossed the lawn towards the house, he saw a swimming pool without water in the yard, as his siblings had said. There was a large tree of unknown name and a bench underneath it, a swing for the little ones, and a space for drinking tea. It was clear that a lot of effort and care had been put into it. It was such a wonderful house that it felt like he was dreaming.
“Michael.”
Ire’s head turned at the familiar voice. Seeing the person in front of the door, his emotions welled up without him realizing it. As he strode forward, Matteo opened his arms wide. “I’ve been waiting. Welcome.”