Gamangnara Part 2: The Dark World
Chapter 5: The Institute
Gamangnara Part 2: The Dark World
Chapter 5: The Institute
Now I was about to have two dead vampires on my hands when last night I thought I had none.
He was dying despite my decision yesterday. Nothing was happening because I wanted it to- he was the one in control, had been in control of almost everything that had happened so far except for this.
And yet it had all worked out in my favour… until now.
The weight of the dying vampire pulled me toward the cold tiles. Panicked, my thoughts reeled uselessly-made me feel weak.
He was far too powerful for me to handle on my own and now it seemed, he was moments from death, his death was what I’d wanted up until yesterday in the early evening.
The thought of doing nothing now was not a viable option. Vampire physiognomy was almost unknown to me, I was not an Institute surgeon- only a hunter and barely that- I only knew the basics. The obvious.
Take out the bullet before it can reach his heart and he’ll recover.
Immortality comes with or perhaps because of incredible resilience.
I had to get the bullet out as soon as possible but I needed some things for that, tweezers and sterile water and bandages- I didn’t have enough in the meagre first aid kit. He’d used most of the supplies last night on me.
One thing was obvious, I needed help.
With shaking hands, white-lipped with resolve Junsang dragged him into the other room, and carefully heaved him onto the unmade bed.
His skin was the same colour as the sheets, and he lay unresponsive, barely breathing.
Hurriedly, throwing things around in agitation Junsang dressed in his spare clothes, light coloured garments he’d brought for the desert during the day and, opening the door a crack to let in minimal sunlight, squeezed out and ran across the red dirt yard to the garage.
He blinked in the transition from the bright sky to the shaded working area, Bitgaram saw him before he could see anything
“Oh you’re up. Your truck is ready” he sounded amused, by the angle of the sun it was already mid morning. He felt a surge of guilt for sleeping late while Yeongi lay, probably dying in the next room.
“Great! Bitgaram listen- I need your help, I-”
“So this is the hunter! Bitgaram how can you be so rude, introduce us!”
Another man in a blue coverall suit (though with less patches and embellishments) walked up, wiping his hands with a rag. He looked like Kim Bitgaram only older, tall and with a warm smile and of course the same bluish hair though his was tied back in a low ponytail.
Junsang thought he might die through the lengthy introduction Bitgaram subjected them to, shaking hands with his father for what felt like a million years, trying to be polite while pleading with his eyes for the young mechanic to understand- I need to speak with you alone. NOW.
Finally he caught on to the wild look in Junsang’s eyes and distracted his father who was regaling them with his memories of his father the hero hunter Jang Jii.
“Appa I was wondering, did that part we ordered for the moon-treader come in?”
“Yes yes. It came with the delivery, first thing this morning. I’ll get it.”
“Ok I’ll be right back to check it”
Junsang hustled him out from under the overhang and across the yard before he could finish speaking.
At the door to the staffhouse Bitgaram’s eyes widened at the sight of the coffinbag.
“Do you- um- need help lifting it or something?” he winced
“What? No. Come inside, quick”
He squeezed them both back in the barely opened door.
Bitgaram’s gasp was audible, this time it was not all fear. Yeongi looked awful. His skin was gray, a fine sheen of sweat covered his gaunt face, eyes shadowed and clenched shut in pain, but worst was the wound in his chest. Already it seemed like the back poisonous veins had spread.
Insensible, he gripped the sheets and writhed almost in slow motion, though he was silent in his agony.
“Oh my god-”
Junsang ran his hands through his hair pacing as he listed what he needed
“Yeah its bad. Look, ok, this is what I need from you, tweezers or maybe pliers, a rabbit or two, sterile water-”
“Now you’re trying to save him?”
“Yes. I shot him four days ago. Now I have to take the bullet out or he’ll die- so are you going to help me?”
Eyes wide, Bitgaram looked at Junsang then to Yeongi. He seemed to think deeply and inwardly for a moment and then come to a decision.
“Regular water is fine” Bitgaram went into the bathroom and filled the cup from the tap and grabbed the rest of the towels. Fear apparently overridden by the need to act, he gently lifted Yeongi’s arm and started placing them under him over the sheets
“What?”
“Vampires are impervious to infection”
Junsang looked at him for a second his face was whiter than usual but he seemed calm, had taken charge of the situation.
“So you’ll help me?”
“Yes. But you’d better do it now. I don’t think he’s got long. I’ll get the other things. Be right back”
Junsang was still shaking slightly but having help and a plan made the panic-inducing figure on the bed much easier to face. Just telling Bitgaram had made it all more real.
Bitgaram opened the door a crack as if he’d forgotten something
“Junsang”
“Yes?”
“It might be easier to take it out from his back.”
“Ok” he whispered back wondering how the mechanic knew about the barbs in the wooden bullet, these would splinter if pulled out from the point of entry, a failsafe in case the V-series tried to remove it himself
Oh god. A new wave of panic washed over him making his knees weak. If one of those splinters reached his heart none of this would matter- don’t think about that now.
What did Bitgaram say? Remove it from the back. It will be ok.
Carefully, tentatively Junsang pulled Yeongi’s thin shoulder toward himself, as he rolled over onto the towels he let out the softest whimper at the impact. The first sound he’d made in pain.
Junsang was stunned, frozen for a second then snapped back into action.
Careful not to move him further Junsang cut the back of what was left of his shirt in two. The most evil looking bruise, black with yellow edges, marked the spot where the bullet had come to rest, stopped by his lowest rib, clearly visible under his pale skin.
I’ll have to cut his skin to get to it, he felt mildly nauseous. Why was this so much harder than going out to face the vampires last night?
“It’s ok” came the vampires voice softly.
He froze.
“I can hear your breathing.- Its rough.- Don’t worry.”
“I’m sorry I did this to you” Junsang said, trying to keep his voice even, alarmed that he was conscious after all
“You reacted instinctively - Don’t apologize - Just take it out soon - if you’re going to.”
each phrase was punctuated with a deep gasping breath.
Bitgaram squeezed back in, shut the door and locked it. He carried a bag with gauze, slender steel pliers and a retractable razor knife.
He handed this to Junsang.
“His lung should be just here. So obviously, avoid that. I mean I think it would probably heal right away but avoid it”
“That’s it?”
He nodded and watched expectantly.
Feeling totally unprepared he began anyway.
To get a better angle Junsang knelt on the bed over him. He put his hand over the place Bitgaram had told him to avoid, noting that his skin was very hot, and cut a careful line through the bruise, trying not to focus on the sickening tug of the knife through his white skin.
Black blood oozed out which Bitgaram wiped carefully away, less than he‘d expected. He set the knife aside. The bullet was visible along with the starkly white bone of the rib against black, poisoned muscle tissue. Cautiously, slowly he gripped it with the pliers and dislodged it from the bone in the direction of impact. It came away easily after that, intact and gripped between the pliers it looked unlikely to have caused so much damage. Olive wood with an iron core for weight, toxic to vampires.
The whole procedure had taken less than two minutes.
He felt the sweat on his head for the first time prickling in his hairline, the tension draining from his shoulders and hands.
He grinned at Bitgaram in triumph but he was watching the vampires back, eyes wide.
Already, his tissue was knitting together, black corruption fading, within a further three minutes his skin was sealing smooth and white and bruise-free.
Junsang could feel him slowly breathing in and out.
“Amazing”
Careful not to jar him or the bed he swung his leg over and stood, handing Bitgaram the knife, hand shaking only a little.
“Yeah. Nothing to it, did you get the rabbit?”
Bitgaram looked at him.
“He’s lost a lot of blood..”
“Oh. OH. No I didn’t”
“Ok. Watch him. I’ll be right back.”
Slightly restored by the lizards Junsang was able to find in the heat of the day, Yeongi was sleeping peacefully. Hunting animals was a sort of taboo practice for young hunters, part of the reason the Institute operated independently of the government.
This V series was older than the shrikes in the desert. He didn’t need as much blood nor to feed as often.
The wound on his chest had shrunk to the size of a coin and his pulse was strong.
Silver chains were wrapped around his ankles over the blankets but he didn’t appear to be going anywhere any time soon.
Junsang was thanking Bitgaram for the third time at the door when a white-gloved domestic aid approached them from a nearby parked sandcart with a green shade attached. Junsang shut the door behind them and took a step forward.
The long filmy white curtains that hung from the tiny stoop floated between them in the barest breeze of the hot dry air.
“You are the hunter by the name of Jang?” the aid inquired, she held a pale green envelope with gold corners.
“Uh yes.”
“This is a contract of employment courtesy of Mr. Kim. The owner of the property”
“Oh”
“Please respond as soon as possible”
He looked to Bitgaram who shrugged sheepishly.
“I might have told my boss about you last night”
Junsang opened the envelope, inside was a contract hand-written on thick cream-coloured paper sealed with the green ribbon seal of the Kim family. It offered a month long term to clear out the property of any and all trespassing V-series, with board included at a set price of 60 million won regardless of the number of captures. That was more than most hunters made in a year.
Even this close to the Institute, it was difficult to find hunters willing to work in the desert.
Once hunters were accepted into the Institute they could no longer take on private contracts.
The V-series were concentrated in the cities because the people were. There was not enough work out here to make it worth while. Just outside of the Oasis, with that nest so close the Kim estate was an exception, Junsang (and Yeongi) had been in exactly the right place at the right time to take care of the nest but clearly they had had an infestation for some time.
Directly beneath the amount was the line to sign. The aid held out a gold-tipped ink-reservoir pen (even the ink was emerald green)
“Please respond immediately” she repeated, unsmiling.
Junsang looked at Bitgaram who looked back hopefully with a half smile. Kim Bitgaram, he reflected, was amazing. Twice he’d come through in clutch helping him out of ridiculous, abnormally stressful situations even though he barely knew him and was understandably afraid. Junsang was already deeply in his debt and now it appeared he had got him a job too. If he still wanted him to stay after what he had just witnessed he could obviously be trusted. The fee was exorbitant. This place would be good with Bitgaram around. He could do far worse especially as a new hunter. The contract was dated for today. But the body from last night was already growing stale and he’d have to get his license today.
“No.”
The aid blinked and Bitgaram looked concerned
“Perhaps if Mr. Jang had a day to think it over”
“No. Today I’ll be a registered hunter. I’m honoured by the offer but I’m afraid I cannot accept it.”
The aid replaced the pen in its holder with a tight quick gesture.
“Very well. In that case please vacate the premises at your earliest convenience”
She turned and mounted the sandcart and drove away presumably in the direction of the main house.
He turned to Bitgaram to ask for yet another favour, hand on his shoulder, vowing to think of a way to begin to repay him but he looked stricken.
“Please don't tell anyone about, you know. I know it's a lot to ask but I like you Bitgaram, you've been a godsend to me and I trust you. But I’ve gotta go now, I‘ll be back tonight. Can you make sure nobody comes near him?”
“I can… for a time. Junsang please hurry I have to do my work and she wasn’t kidding they’ll be here to clear out the staffhouse within 24 hours”
“Please do what you can to stall them. I’ll be as quick as possible”
Back inside he rummaged through his stuff. The soiled hunter’s uniform that had once been his father’s was at the bottom of his bag. Much as he didn’t want to put it back on dirty and spattered in blood he had to at least try to give the impression of having come straight from his first kill.
Reporting to the Institute had been his goal for years now, but now he felt reluctant to go. He came out from the bathroom in the suit to find Yeongi awake and looking at him, head leaned back on the pillows.
“You’re awake”
“You’re going to the Institute.”
Junsang nodded feeling both self-conscious under his scrutiny and relieved he was conscious.
Yeongi smiled slightly
“You should dye your hair first”
“Pardon?” Junsang put a hand up to touch his messy, sun dried hair.
“I suggest black” he said sleepily, eyes drifting shut
He went back into the bathroom to look in the mirror, the grown out pink was now a dirty-looking beige. Junsang laughed.
He’s right, I don't want to draw any undue suspicion or attention on myself there because I’ve already done something that could get me expelled from the order before even getting my license, harboured and concealed a live vampire from the Institute. But right now I'm choosing to ignore that rule. I have to.
I can’t even think about that for the next few hours. It can’t even be in my mind. I’ll leave him here in Bitgaram’s care.
“Look Yeongi they want me out of here asap. You seem to be feeling better, do you think you could hide out somewhere once its night?”
Yeongi observed him with a slightly amused expression
“What?”
“How naturally you trust me”
“Why wouldn’t I trust you? You haven’t harmed me when you could. You saved me”
Yeongi said nothing his face was inscrutable. Junsang turned away and busied himself with his packing for a few minutes. It wasn’t wise to trust a vampire. But he did. These past days had been so intense he hadn’t even had time to reflect on his own choices.
But Yeongi was right. He had to focus on his initiation now. He cleared his throat
“But where do I find a hairdresser..”
he trailed off when he saw that Yeongi was seemingly asleep again, chest rising and falling gently. Already he looked better, his skin was not so grey and his face looked fuller.
Quietly he crept out of the room and locked it from outside with the key Bitgaram had found for him.
I’m surrounded by vain rich people, surely there must be a hairdresser out here somewhere. They’re miles from the closest city.
Rather than bother Bitgaram for the millionth time Junsang simply drove toward the gated community where Kim’s peers were mostly gathered on smaller properties. As expected outside the gates was a massive towering semi circle of shops and restaurants built and run for the Parvenu village (known formally as the Oasis) sure enough, one of them was a massive beauty parlour with about three floors. The whole structure looked like it could be taken down and reassembled anywhere like a travelling carnival. He grabbed a pullover from the front seat to cover the stained hunter’s uniform and walked in through the pneumatic door into chilled air like entering a giant refrigerator.
Half an hour later and 85 000 won lighter he checked his reflection in the side mirror. The henna was a deep blue black and he had asked the stylist to tidy up the undercut. He frowned. I look like my father. Still it was an improvement on the beige.
He swung the truck around, grateful for the extra air Bitgaram had pumped into the patched tires and sped for the Institute where he was already overdue.
* * *
Hana and Bitgaram sat in the late afternoon sun that was less harsh, a little less anyway.
At least, Hana was sitting, sort of reclining on the cushions of her portable chaise lounge with wicker shade, Bitgaram was inspecting the loose wheel on Hana’s dune buggy, he’d practically built the thing so as far as he was concerned no one else could be trusted for even minor repairs such as this.
Bitgaram took pride in his work, the Kim estate employed over 200 people not counting the sun plantation, and all of them needed transportation, the fleet of vehicles in the four above and below ground garages rivalled any other household in the energy district.
And because of his dad teaching him everything he knew about engines and machinery since he was four years old Bitgaram could fix any of them, could take anything apart and put it back together quickly, generally running better afterward, but cars were his favourite.
Cars and other combustion engine vehicles were out of favour because of their inefficient fuel consumption and size, they had become something of a relic of a former time. Bitgaram had been more than friendly when he responded to Jang Junsang’s late night distress call, because he had picked up the ancient signal of an actual truck! A real truck, not bad for the desert but almost illegal without modifications to make them more efficient, he had been excited to look it over. Along with refuelling and pumping up the tires he’d corrected a few inefficiencies in the engine and taken down some notes, Mr Kim didn’t mind him using old parts to experiment and he thought he could build one better adapted to the sand that would run totally on a solar cell like the rest of the vehicles.
Gasoline almost totally offset the dirt cheap price of such a vehicle, and it wasn’t widely available anymore. Jang Junsang had clearly had a lot of things on his mind if he had forgotten to bring a can of extra fuel. Bitgaram was disappointed he would not have a hand in securing such a promising young hunter for his boss, even if he was a little unorthodox in his methods he clearly knew what he was doing and there was something about him that Bitgaram instinctively trusted. He was capable and acted quickly, two qualities he admired, even his unexplained mercy toward the pretty vampire had seemed like the right decision.
He had run up to the garage, white faced, clearly panicked at the thought that he might die even though killing vampires was like his entire job.
Bitgaram had thought about this mornings events since Junsang left and decided that this panic was not, as some might think, weakness, but rather showed an innate empathy that Bitgaram found very endearing if odd in a hunter.
Despite his initial fear he had found there was something very calm and pleasant about Yeongi’s face. If the hunter from the Jang family trusted him that was good enough for Bitgaram and he was honoured to be charged with keeping close to the staff house while Junsang was away, making sure no one went in.
Being in on such a thrilling secret had certainly made his day more interesting.
It might seem strange not to be afraid of him, but having never actually met a vampire (he’d decided torching one with his flame thrower pack in defence of Hana on one of her midnight rambles before they sped away screaming on the moon-treader, did not count) he had been quite pleasantly surprised by Yeongi. He’d found out the vampires name when they were left alone for perhaps the strangest but by no means least pleasant hour of his life, while Junsang did some more basic daytime hunting.
He’d introduced himself politely and thanked Bitgaram for his aid despite his obvious weakness. He had sworn he would never hurt Bitgaram or any of the people on the estate, and despite the fact that he could barely stay conscious Bitgaram was grateful for this promise. He had asked him questions about his life and work there but nothing prying or rude, and before he drifted to sleep he had thanked Bitgaram for helping Jang Junsang. In doing so it hadn’t seemed like he was thereby thanking him again for helping to save his own life but that he simply meant in general.
He hadn’t meant to but he'd also overheard what the vampire said to Junsang that night in the outer reaches of the property, remembering it now made him blush, he thought it all very interesting and tragic like a black market film, better really because even those never featured such a unique storyline.
He was interested to see where it all was headed, life on the Kim estate was wonderful, a privilege but he often felt isolated from the rest of the world. Jang Junsang lithe and mysterious and the graceful Yeongi conjured images of the dark, lush coastal cities, half overgrown but spread out more, with room to grow, full of life in variety unlike the sixty or so families that made up the tight, organized, colourful energy district. Besides this was a world he was technically not a part of, as a mechanic employee of course he was not invited to the fetes or events that alternated among the grand ballrooms and water gardens of the oasis. He had to hear about those secondhand from Hana.
Kim Hana was headed to such a party tonight, though she claimed to be bored to pieces by them aside from the dancing, she yawned and set about complaining again about the horrible taste of the Yi family’s decorator, caterer and DJ. Music was technically not meant to be enjoyed in private, state concerts and broadcasts, or the entertainment district in New Seoul were the only means of enjoying it legally but the energy district had its own means and its own rules.
Holding the patents to the solar cells, the land that housed the sun fields and the massive energy storage system as well as massive fortunes that just kept growing gave them the license to do pretty well whatever they wanted.
Kim Bitgaram had learned from a very young age that the rules are not the same for everyone. For a long time this had not bothered him. He still had his friends, he played with his best friends Kim Hana and Kim jung the twins he’d grown up with regardless of their different hair colour and status, and as long as he had engines and tools to work with he was more than content.
But as they all grew into young adults things had begun to change for Bitgaram. As the elder son Kim Seokjung had begun to pull away from Bitgaram and the other children of estate employees.
Bitgaram did not blame him. He had responsibilities to his father and to the sun plantation. Ironically the Kim family owned a huge portion of the energy fields, not the largest share but within the top percentage, though they lived a bit outside of the main part of what some called the “parvenu” community of their peers. Mr Kim had scorned the small lot offered him inside the gates of the original Oasis allotment and instead had built his massive sandstone mansion and outbuildings two miles from the nearest neighbour. His house was certainly the biggest if not the oldest where even that mattered in this new community but his gardens rivalled the ancient royal gardens.
And every new year he held a massive party there in the coolest part of the year that no one risked the social blunder of skipping.
This pioneering spirit had had the effect of isolating them somewhat though the Kim heirs being tall, attractive, and affable had had no trouble in the society of the next generation of energy dealers.
Hana, had not changed much since those childhood days.
Tall and slim with a narrow pretty face like an actress in a propaganda film, you expected a certain level of poise, until she spoke. She was pouting lips and annoying jokes and the seal bark laugh that softened the sense of entitlement that radiated from her like perfume when you didn't know her well. Really she was kind and generous and hilarious. She could cook as well as the celebrity chef her father paid a massive salary to keep for parties and banquets.
She was Bitgarams best friend and they spent much of their time together, watching black market movies, talking about the future, talking about girls or boys, making fun of Hana’s slightly pompous older brother (Bitgaram did not dare comment but his sister’s impersonation was pretty funny), or with Hana’s eccentric, ill advised passion, walking out into the desert in the middle of the night.
The real danger in the Kim estates isolation was the V-series.
These walks were the bane of Bitgaram’s existence, he only went so that Hana wouldn’t be alone. He knew Mr .Kim relied on him to protect Hana from her own eccentric ideas much of the time and so he felt an obligation to follow if he could not dissuade her from going on these moonlit strolls.
Bitgaram was relieved they were only able to hang out today in the sun because of the party, the sky was a warm blue like marble layered with milky white clouds in long streaks and veins. Bitgaram wore sun protection but he didn’t worry about it the way Hana had to, being fair was part of the appearance she had to maintain.
Hana had a passion for the arts, a fact she managed to hide from her father and almost everyone except Bitgaram. It was her secret ambition to be an actor, or a singer or both. He longed to run away to Sector 2 and perform at the most popular underground theatres, New Seoul was too serious she claimed. Besides too many people might recognize her there, business associates of her father, visiting energy class folk from the Oasis who’d known her from birth or the haughty sons of poor but ancient families with whom, to her annoyance she was always being set up.
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Because of this desire Bitgaram had invented a kind of singing machine for Hana, using parts from an antique karaoke machine and several laptop computers. Because of the scarcity of music it was very expensive and difficult to procure, but Bitgaram’s invention could store up to a 100 separate melodies as well as record and even create new ones, based on an algorithm of his own invention.
The gift had taken him months to perfect, and since her sixteenth birthday Hana had been using it to practice singing and writing lyrics.
The problem was she claimed to be most inspired by the night sky, specifically the moon. Heaven knows it was the most authentic thing out there in the arid toy town of the Oasis, but her obsession almost bordered on unhealthy. If Bitgaram didn’t know any better he’d think Hana was literally in love with the moon. Certainly he’d never seen her look at any young man the way she gazed at it, not even watching where she put her feet, her favourite thing in the world was to take her telescope and wander out to the really dark places, miles away from the Institute or the Oasis and just look at the Moon and the stars for hours. Admittedly they were fantastic. The desert had its faults but stargazing was ideal in the vast unbroken stretches of landscape. The moon looked to be wide enough to throw your arms around it at some times of the year.
Hana’s ideal fantasy he thought and smirked.
Then he thought her arms are certainly long enough and laughed out loud. Hana didn’t notice, she was done ranting about the Yi’s party planning and appeared to be napping.
Bitgaram reflected as he tightened the bolts connecting the wheel to the axel that he couldn’t really relax enough to enjoy the night as he was on high alert for V-series in the hills and caves around them. The advent of a hunter on the horizon had pleased him selfishly in part because it meant he could relax a little, if the property were cleared of V-series they might be a bit safer on these walks. Not that he would leave the torch at home because that would just be asking for trouble.
“Hey Bit” Hana called, eyes closed.
“Yeah?” he didn’t stand up from his work
“Last night I had the strangest dream want to hear about it?”
“Ok” Bitgaram said doubtfully
“I dreamt I was a car muffler- I woke up EXHAUSTED”
…
“I said I woke up exhausted! Get it?”
Bitgaram was silently disgusted, radiating disapproval while his friend hooted with laughter that eventually faded into sighs of mirth.
“Ah Bit” Hana flung an arm back over her head, and looked at him upside down “You work too much”
Bitgaram raised an eyebrow
“You think so?”
She flopped over and nodded silky platinum hair fell over one of her dark brown eyes. The colour of her hair was one of the few left to newer families who weren’t in a trade or specific industry, a compromise for the darker natural tones they really wanted, but it suited her better than most. Her mother was from an older family but unfortunately it was her father’s name they went by and that was what counted. Bitgaram stood up from what he was doing
“You asked me to fix this so you could drive it to the party tonight”
“Well yeah I mean, I did.” she reached out a long arm to grab his hand playfully “But we all know you’re a genius and it will take you five minutes. You‘re just taking ages because you‘re a perfectionist”
Bitgaram shrugged her off
“Do you want me to fix it or not?”
Suddenly she stood up, throwing back the shade
“I’m bored of this why don’t you introduce me to the hunter?” she started walking in the direction of the staff houses. Panicked, Bitgaram dropped the wrench he had been tightening bolts with and circled in front of her
“How do you even know about that?” he blurted then regretted not just playing cool and denying it.
“Ha! I had to hear it from my dad’s aid, I was waiting for you to tell me” she said accusatively as she took another step toward the staff house.
“Hey come on I’m almost done, maybe we have time for a drink before you leave-”
Hana paused in her determined gait to look at her friend with exaggerated shock
“Are you suggesting I drink and drive?”
“No- I didn’t mean that, Hwan can drive you. Yeah, actually I’ve got some wine upstairs lets go up on the roof and drink a toast. The whole bottle! Watch the sunset!”
“How romantic!” Hana teased
Then she peered at him
“You’re trying to put me off. Why?” she moved to walk around him, Bitgaram put a hand on her arm but she shook it off, laughing.
“I want to meet this famous hunter. I’ve heard he made quite the impression on you. My dad only hired him because you suggested it”
Despite himself Bitgaram went red
“Wow!” Hana’s voice went up several octaves as it did when she was mad or amused “Look at you, is he that cool? Let‘s invite him to have a drink”
Laughing, Hana had reached the curtained stoop now and reached for the door. She knocked, no reply. She tried the door and when he found it locked she looked at Bitgaram.
“He’s not here is he?” Bitgaram was silent
“It’s still day time, where could he be?”
“He’s probably sleeping Hana, we should leave him alone.”
“Hmm” a light bulb visually went off in Hana’s brain and triumphantly she ran over to the dune buggy to rummage in the glove box. She kicked up dust in her pointy toed chameleon skin boots, careless of her fancy pink and white dress complete with frilly pink cravat. She was already dressed for the party which would start at sunset in the coolness of the evening.
She returned with a collapsible skeleton key, probably copied from the one in her fathers office that would open any door on the property.
“Hana come on we should let him do his job. You can meet him when you get back”
“When he gets back you mean. What is he doing shirking off on his first day? And why are you covering for him?” Hana was smiling as she jimmied the cheap lock, clearly enjoying Bitgaram’s unease.
When the door finally gave with a soft click she gave a “ha!” of triumph but Bitgaram reached over her and stopped her opening the door too wide. He was stronger than Hana, if not in will then at least physically.
Hana looked at him in some surprise.
“The light.” he whispered “You’ll wake him up. Now just peek in you weirdo and we can go”
Hana nodded, she always knew -maybe from the resigned but authoritative tone of his voice- when to listen to Bitgaram even if she hadn’t up until that point.
To Bitgaram’s annoyance Hana easily squeezed her tall lanky body into the room. Not knowing what else to do Bitgaram followed.
They stood in the dim white room looking at Yeongi’s black head all tucked into the blankets. Bitgaram sighed internally with relief and whispered;
“See? He’s asleep, and this is weird. Let’s go”
But then Yeongi shifted in his sleep rolling onto his back. The chains were hidden by the blankets thank god but Hana was peering closer at his face as if he were a zoo attraction.
“Satisfied?” he breathed, practically mimed, before whisper-yelling “NOW LETS GO!”
“Bit I’m disappointed in you” Hana began in a normal tone of voice, ignoring his frantic shushing, “You failed to mention he was prettier than my brother’s fiancée- which I think is a pertinent detail!”
She shook her head, gazing at Yeongi’s sleeping face “Honestly sometimes I despair for your observational skills”
Bitgaram had covered his eyes at this point and did not respond.
Hana was about to poke Yeongi when he opened his eyes
“Ah you’re up.” she said with a gesture that was not quite a bow, more of a nod “I‘m the stunningly gorgeous and talented Kim Hana future lady of this estate”
Yeongi was awake now, blinking at them in the semi darkness. His eyes shone with reflected light though there was no light source in the room other than the slim shaft of sunlight on the floor. Slowly he closed them, sinking back into sleep as if dismissing them as a part of his dreams.
“Hey Mr. hunter get up and shake my hand! Don’t you have work to do? It’s almost sunset!”
Yeongi stretched and yawned, jaw gaping wide to reveal four neat needle-sharp fangs that glinted in the half light. He extended one elegant wrist from under the blanket and offered his hand to Hana
Hana stared for a second, blinked, then noticed the dead lizards in a neat pile by the bed by stepping back and accidentally treading on one.
Bitgaram could only follow as she ran hooting from the room like an owl
“Watch the sun!” he admonished as Hana flung the door open, outside Bitgaram shut it and locked it again behind him with the skeleton key Hana had dropped in his haste to flee
“What?! Watch the SUN? That’s why you wouldn’t let me open the door??? Who CARES?!”
‘Be quiet, you’ll have security out here-”
“gOOD I COULD HAVE DIED!”
Bitgaram covered her mouth
“Jang Junsang”
She broke away
“Who? What are you talking about, there’s a VAMPIRE IN TH-”
“Hana shut up! Jang Junsang cares.”
“Jang? That’s who the hunter is?” his eyes went wide as plates “That’s the most important detail of all!” she moaned in frustration “How could you possibly leave that out!”
“Hana promise you won’t tell anyone about this, please! I promised him I wouldn’t let anyone in”
“You promised him you’d guard that thing? Why?” she made a face “And why‘s it sleeping in his bed?”
Bitgaram was at a loss for a moment. It did seem mad when she said it like that.
“I don’t know why, to tell you the truth.”
“The truth? Huh! I expect the truth from you all the time,” she said indignantly “not just when I force it out of you. What did he say to you about it?”
“About what?”
“The vampire OBVIOUSLY-”
Bitgaram tried to shush her again but she deked away and held up a perfectly manicured warning finger.
“Nothing. He didn’t tell me why its in there. But its ok”
Hana stared at him mouth an incredulous “o” like a goldfish
“How? How is it ok?”
“Well, I trust him.”
“You do?” Hana looked at her friend sceptically then started pacing back and forth while Bitgaram spoke rapidly trying to pour water on a fire he had inadvertently set
“Well I mean, it is Jang. I suppose he has his methods, he must have his reasons”
“His reasons for keeping that, that thing in there? And what could those possibly be?”
“Hana calm down, he has it under control but it isn’t Jang Jii its his son”
“His son. How old is he?”
“I don’t know. Our age”
Hana looked at him then at the hut then back to him.
“He’s chained Hana. It’s alright”
“Fine. I don’t know what’s happening here but I won’t tell anyone. Yet.”
He glanced at the staffhouse again then headed for the dune buggy.
“Hana promise me!”
“Fine, I promise” She started the engine. “But when I get back I want to talk to this amateur hunter who left a live vampire unattended on my property.”
Bitgaram could only nod momentarily relieved as she roared off, loose wheel and all.
* * *
“Jang Junsang”
He stood, barefoot and trying not to shiver at the centre of a deep circular pit. They were deep in the heart of the Institute deep in its oldest building, parts of which had survived the blighting of the border. Some weird combination of chance and chemistry had saved certain blocks of the dark stone, bedrock stories below the earth that now appeared incongruous in the arid red landscape.
It was certainly different from the rest of the Institute, mostly because it was not shining spotless white or made of stainless steel. It was cold down here as well, but not the false air conditioning of the upper levels, this was a bone deep chill that had Junsang clenching his hands to stop them shaking, his teeth to stop them chattering.
“Do you swear on all the blood of your body to uphold and obey the laws and precepts of the Most Honourable Institute of Holy Reckoning?”
He was standing at the bottom of a kind of conical well, surrounded by white and red clad figures who stood on the lip, silent save for the one who asked him his oath of investiture. She was not the President of the Institute or even Head of Unnatural Research but she had been the greatest hunter of her generation long before his father ever donned his suit. She had survived still hunting into her sixties until blindness ended her career. She was barely five feet tall and her hair was bright white, her eyes white with cataracts but she scared him more than any of the younger hunters gathered around. Rhee Na-Rae was the oldest living member of the Institute, the one who inducted all new hunters and she took this duty seriously. She might not be able to see these new hunters but she could feel their fear as easily as Junsang could feel the presence of a vampire.
He had had to overcome the skin-crawlingly violent pressure of the sense that had assaulted him almost bodily, creeping up as he came closer and closer to the Institute levelling out just shy of unbearable when they welcomed him inside the outer fence, checking his phone for authenticity. Now he had something more reliable, a uv tattoo on his inner arm with his Institute id number that glowed under certain lighting.
This time without Yeongi’s cool presence at his side to temper the effect of the sense, it was almost maddening. Not only could he feel their presence, their power, but what was far worse was the icy rush of their pain. He could feel it and though he had not seen a V-series since he entered the hushed brightly lit halls of the Institute, the mental picture he associated with this pain was Yeongi’s face from this morning, contorted in agony. The upper levels had been silent, too silent, screams just at the edge of hearing made him break out in goosebumps, the sealed doorways couldn’t keep out the pervasive despair and anguish. Oddly, inside the pit, surrounded by the stone walls, he could not sense any vampire at all.
He realized they were all waiting for his answer and without really thinking about the question but distinctly aware of how cold his feet were he answered;
“I do”
It was not as if he could say anything else.
The pit he stood in was rumoured to be one of what had once been many, the old sort of dungeons where once V-series were kept instead of the circular retainers where they hung now, kept barely alive with an iron salt solution mimicking the blood nutrients, studied and taken apart and tortured and wrung out for every bit of information they may have in their ageless minds.
He thought he could still see the marks in the stone at the level of his ankles where the anchors had been set for thick silver alloy chains, mercilessly burning their perpetually healing skin.
“Will you defend the mortal innocent of your nation and apprehend or destroy any unnatural you come in contact with to the best of your ability or die in the attempt?”
He realized something in the midst of this ceremony with his peers looking down on him, even in this lonely profession there was a sense of belonging to a clan. Even if deep inside he was already a traitor to it. I am not of them. But they are indelibly a part of my life.
He realized that every person was part of a smaller group within the country to which they were more loyal to than to the whole. There are secret pockets in this society, no one belongs entirely to the whole.
There is no whole anymore. Perhaps there never was. Its just more obvious now.
Junsang let out his breath from deep in his chest and finally chose his faction for good or ill.
“I will”
This archaic ritual did not fit with the sterile clinical atmosphere of the Institute. The vows, like the honour code probably dated back to the Institutes fanciful inception among the nobility as a kind of league of knights. Mostly techs and surgeons were in attendance rather than the traditional ring of hunters because barely any hunters stayed at the Institute between contracts, only those who were so devoted to their work that they had no other home. Only those who avoided family and connection because of the volatile and dangerous nature of their work.
But every hunter present had come to watch his investiture. Many hunters did not marry, that was why their were so few, still no one outside of the original ten families was allowed to take up the profession. Another reason his father’s objections to his and his sister’s choice was an absurdity. They had the double obligation of their mothers and fathers bloodlines.
After the ceremony that had basically involved saying “Yes” three times and dressing in front of a roomful of people, Minho another hunter, helped him out of the pit, now that he was fully dressed like the rest of them in the blood red uniform that the Institute had instilled about ten years ago.
His new ‘robes’, were called robes but they were very tight, basically all-season sportswear, very durable and all the same shade of deep wine red, complex layers of material smooth and tensile, reserved for the military, Olympic athletes and them, much more advanced than his fathers old suit, covered with a removable vest and gloves and various sheaths for weapons.
Around the neck was a ring of stiff reinforced material covered in thousands of tiny barbs it did not impede movement but formed a sort of gorget, an extra layer of protection in a provocatively vulnerable spot. If any V-series were stupid enough to bite him there they could blunt or crack their diamond hard teeth.
Before, each family had had its own traditional colours and weapons. Things were more organized now and more closely monitored which was helpful but came with problems for him and Trinity as well. The Institute could track you through your phone and kept records of all of your movements, typically this information was dormant but if you were say, discovered to be harbouring a vampire whom you had regretted shooting and nursed back to health it would cease to be information and would become evidence.
Though he had vowed not to think of Yeongi while here he was finding it difficult. He even found himself wondering what the stoic vampire would think of this place. A stupid thought. Obviously he would hate it.
Minho was a bit older than him, tall and handsome with a jagged scar through his chin and lower lip, but way too into the Institute to be considered a friend. They had met a few times before, usually in the company of his sister who had received her licence the same year. He was one of the few who chose to remain there when he wasn’t on active contract, training or observing the surgeons and scientists at their work. Most of these had come from hunting families, the ones too weak or just more intellectual than their rugged siblings. Most of those in attendance had shaken his hand and asked him the inevitable questions about his mother and father which he fielded as best he could. But one girl, a hunter who never even uncovered her face, half hidden with a dust mask walked away right after the ceremony.
He tried not to take it personally. Most hunters were quite solitary, and he was used to people being disappointed when he wasn’t what they expected, mainly to be just like his father, mother, or sister.
He knew he wasn’t what they had anticipated, even with his new hair.
He was too elastic somehow, too bright for this, it shone through his veil of tension and newly darkened hair. It might not have been obvious at home but it showed in sharp contrast to the others, this rare gathering of his peers. The last generation.
The clothes, a small thing on their own, did make him feel different somehow, restricting yet strengthening. Like armour that defined him to others in a glance, the type of clear distinction he’d never had before. Whether this was reassuring or annoying was hard to say. A combination. For the last few years he’d been in transition, dancing but not a performer really, hunting but not yet registered.
Now he truly belonged to the Institute.
Minho was talking away to him as they walked toward the lift. He had just shaken Rhee’s scared hand or rather submitted to her bony grip while she smiled unpleasantly. He had the distinct sensation she could see through him easily, blind or not but if she saw any deception in him she had said nothing.
“-there are many things Jang, well I can’t get into it with a novice, even you, no offence. But you’ll see. The V-series have much to offer us. That’s why its so important that from now on, of course, you only take them alive.”
He had surrendered the body of the scrawny cave dwelling v-series upon arrival. It had shocked him how light it was, like a bundle of dry reeds compared to the human solidity of Yeongi.
Everyone they passed stared at him. All they saw was Jang Jii’s son.
“Come up to the main theatre with me. You should see the process. Or if you’re hungry,” he laughed dryly “Perhaps we should eat first”
Junsang felt like he’d probably never be hungry again. He’d already suffered through the short tour of the facility, mercifully only empty operating theatres and surgical cells had been shown to him. Even to the sons of famous hunters there were mysteries in the Institute, most hunters didn’t know everything about the place they reported to and most of these didn’t want to.
Surgeons and scientists in their place and hunters in theirs, apart from the keen ones like Minho.
“Nah I should get back. I’m onto a lead. Some other time”
Optically, running out of here was probably a mistake but the echoing silence, the muffled inhuman screams of pain and despair just past the edge of hearing, the constant cold wash of the sense that had flooded back after they left that strange inner chamber with the stone that seemed almost to cancel it, made it impossible for him to remain a moment longer.
Jun nodded, a little disappointed. He was clearly pleased to have Jang Jii’s son as an acquaintance to show off.
“A lead already well isn’t that lucky” Junsang despised the sly look Minho gave him as if to say, I know you’ve been hunting without your licence.
But how else was he to have made a first kill? This was just one of the many inconsistencies of their trade.
He had to get back in time to have Yeongi away from the Kim estate before he was discovered
“Ok well congratulations man. I‘m glad I was here to see the investiture of the legendary Jang Trinity‘s brother” he winked and shook his hand “Say hi to her for me. I haven’t seen her in ages” he made that gross smile again which Junsang couldn’t bring himself to return and sighed wistfully
“No offence man but your sister is a babe.”
Junsang said nothing to that. It was unanswerable.
“Anyway see you in the city”
He smiled with his mouth only and suppressed a shudder as he walked away. Minho had always seemed cool to him, friendlier than most of the other hunters, but right now he couldn’t get away fast enough.
Finally he was free to go.
He gathered his spare suit and the silver bracelet that was now stamped with his identification number as hunter 999. Just shy of 1000. Trin was into numerology. She could tell him what that meant.
Really she should have been there. He felt a little guilty about not telling anyone.
He had no reason to hide this from his family though he had already decided to let his sister or mother tell his dad for him.
The tension left him as he put miles between him and the low white buildings but it didn’t matter, they had their hooks in him now and it was as if invisible strings flew out behind him as he fled the Institute. No matter where he went he knew he would never be totally free of them now.
As the sense faded to nothing his feeling of foreboding lingered.
I need to get used to this life.(he meant the Institute) this is reality. He is fantasy (he meant Yeongi). I don’t even know what I‘m doing.
But he could help with tracking down V… (he argued with himself) That is a fantasy too. But I have to try. He’s the perfect bait and he fell right into my lap. Literally.
Driving with no music was annoyingly contemplative. It didn’t help that he hadn’t had time to think properly in three days.
He was used to being alone a lot but he had been constantly in the presence of someone for almost forty eight hours, even if that had been only the sleeping Yeongi it still had an effect. And not just the icy tingle of the sense.
As he rolled through miles of empty desert the internal argument continued.
Everyone’s expecting me to be this amazing hunter. If I don’t use this chance it might never come again. And regardless of his independent ambitions he had to make money somehow. The Institute traditionally sent new recruits their first assignment two weeks after the initiation ceremony. Even he was not mad enough to see that as enough time to track down V’s whereabouts…
What are my other options? Its fate, he came to me like this. Most people might not call it that but he was not most people, he had chosen an uncommon life or been chosen by it.
What V had done and what my father did before I was even born led to this moment.
If I don’t take V who will? Trinity? He was no idiot he knew why his father had resisted their joining the Institute. He knew they would be wielded as his father had been to procure that illusive prize that was V. He felt uneasy at the thought. Not merely because he loved his sister and didn’t want her hurt but because he had to admit that he wanted to be the one to make such a conquest. It was selfish and petty of him but he could not deny it.
He had more to prove.
I know what I have to do because there is no other choice. And I have to do it through him. That’s why I can’t let him go.
The ends would justify the means, Yeongi isn’t my target. Not yet anyway. Maybe he would never be. Just my means.
History was repeating itself in me and in him.
He saved me and I saved him. We’re even.
But even this thought did nothing to quell the distaste of the thought of betrayal
He was still thinking about this when he got back in the lowering dusk, a beautiful line of coral ringed the horizon in the west fading into a cloudless turquoise sky.
He parked the truck just inside the open camera fence and walked the rest of the way to avoid suspicion arriving back at such a time, and unlocked the door with the key Bitgaram had given him. The first thing he saw was Yeongi sitting inside at the desk, toying idly with the paper there, he had made some origami birds and animals ranging from the size of his head to that of an acorn, they covered the surface white on white.
Odd how this white room was different from the white of the Institute. Maybe it was the light.
Junsang had parked and changed in the truck a couple miles from the compound so that in case anyone was outside they didn’t notice the change in his clothing and realize what he had just done.
Outside from actually performing he did not actually like to draw attention to himself.
Yeongi looked directly at his hair and nodded to himself in approval without saying anything.
“Why aren’t you in bed?”
“I’m all better.” he smiled “Thirsty though.”
Junsang winced.
All day in the back of his mind he had been working this out, wondering how to approach this, what to say. He had to remind himself that Yeongi was dangerous maybe not dangerous to him for whatever eccentric vampire reason, at least not presently, but certainly to everyone else on the property. Of course he wanted to use Yeongi to get to V but he was under no illusions as to how difficult that would be in actuality, nor was he able to trust Yeongi at present. His presence was a constant liability with his new found employer and with the Institute. If it was ever discovered what he had done and was still doing, he would be back in the swearing pit. But this time on trial for his life.
Only one hunter had been convicted of sparing the life of a specific vampire that he knew of and that was in China a thousand years ago.
He didn’t know what had happened to them exactly but it wasn’t good.
Maybe it hadn’t seemed real two days ago when all he wanted was to be a part of the Institute. And then this morning nothing had seemed important beyond keeping Yeongi alive.
But now, it was impossible to ignore what was his first duty. He was a hunter first, before any other responsibility came that of protecting humans.
He needed Yeongi to leave. Would agree not to hunt him as long as he left the property. Once he returned to the city, things might be different. He knew Yeongi would come if he called. After all, he had at least proved himself to be, if not an ally of the strange vampire, then at least a neutral contact. There was trust between them. Not unassailable maybe, not extending to others, but a personal trust.
He had to face the reality of his position now, it didn’t matter what he’d done before he took his oaths, but now that he had time to think it was obvious what he had to do.
It was unfortunate but he had to admit to himself that he could not pursue V right now, not only was he obligated to the whims of the Institute but he knew, had had to face today that he was not strong enough, not yet anyway. The memory of the fight, the weight of the V-series pulling him down would haunt him until he could try again, on his own and not up against so many. He had to learn to do this on his own. Starting off with every significant moment of his hunting career shadowed by this vampire was bad enough.
Still, Yeongi was a connection that could prove useful in the future. But he could not hold him until then. Not if he wanted to go. And how could he not? He supposed he could ask… but that was preposterous, he did not want to examine the impulse to think of it any more closely.
After all, he would have time to pursue V, who knew when his first contract would come? He had almost got himself killed rushing into situations he was unprepared for. It was time to gain some distance and be thankful nothing worse had come of his brush with the powerful progeny of V.
Besides he was probably bored by now anyway. And thirsty, as he had said.
“Yeongi As I drove back I was thinking, you aren’t safe here, it was stupid of me to leave you in this room but I had no other choice.”
He looked at him, expression still, waiting for him to finish before showing any reaction
Junsang licked his lips which were dry from the desert air.
“And neither is it fair of me to keep you here when you could be a danger to these people.”
“What are you saying?” He asked as calmly as a moderator at a debate
“I’m saying that if you’re alright now then there’s no reason for this.” he gestured between them and at the room in general
“You say you’re thirsty, of course you are. It’s your nature. But you can’t hunt here. I won’t allow it but neither am I willing to hurt you again. So you’re free to go. It‘s the best thing to do”
Yeongi was silent for a long time. He dropped the crane he was holding and folded his hands in his lap.
“I know that.” He finally said
Junsang wondered what part of what he said Yeongi was responding to, or if he meant he knew all of it. He wondered why he was feeling more nervous now than he had at the Institute with all of those hunters staring down at him as he donned his new robes and his new identity.
He didn’t know what else to say, he hadn’t wanted him to die, had successfully prevented that, he felt bad now, as if he’d said something he wished to take back, but how could he stay?
“Do you want me to leave?” Yeongi said, looking at him in that distressingly open way, hurt clear on his face, waiting for his answer.
This if anything, was not human. At least in Junsang’s experience people did not ask such bald questions or show their pain like this. There was too much at risk. What if he said yes? Was he only pretending to want to remain here? No matter the reason it was clear Yeongi wanted to know the truth in this moment regardless of the effect. He could respect that, and he had a feeling the vampire would be able to tell if he lied. So, feeling that same desperate energy that had ruined all his careful preparation, and instead flung him wildly from one desperate last minute struggle to the next, and had prevented him from going straight to the Institute, then had driven him out to find a replacement, and had prevented him from letting him die this morning, Junsang told him the truth.
“No.”
He finally looked down then, went back to toying with the paper animals that he’d made, the smallest lift at the corner of his mouth, not quite a smile. A human reaction. Those animals were very human too, he must have been bored in here.
If he were human he might have thought he was nervous. Which made Junsang suspicious.
He’s still playing me. He realized, almost disappointed in himself at how easy it had been. He must be trying to lure me to V, he‘s impatient to do that.
I think I get now why my father never told me how he got to Semper 1. This is far more complicated than I ever expected.
Young people always believe there is a simple solution. His father had said that on occasions beyond counting, often about his students over the years but typically Junsang felt it was directed at him.
I thought Yeongi was an anomaly. But dealing with him could prove to be far more fruitful in the long run than hunting down low grade V series in the desert. Fine. Let him play me. I can play along. Let him take me straight to V. At least let me see what he looks like, He might not be ready to bring V in on his own, but he was still a hunter and what kind of hunter would he be if he let an opportunity like this go?
And if he kills me at least I tried. He felt indignant at the thought. He wouldn’t be killed. Not yet, not after what he was planning, what had occurred to him on the way to the Institute this morning and been almost instantly dismissed, a plan he had not expected to get to use which might surprise even V. He had to take risks and get into the circles that would bring him closer to what he wanted. He was on his own now- and rules or not in order to be the hunter everyone was expecting him to be he had to find his own methods.
It would all make sense in the end.
“Then we have somewhere to go. Back to the city tomorrow night.”
He stood up and looked right at Junsang with a slight smile. He didn’t ask what Junsang was planning or why he wanted to go back so soon.
“Good. There’s someone I need to speak to in Pusan as well”
V. It had to be! Junsang shivered. He was almost sure of it. Yeongi went on, head tilted slightly and tone serious
“I want you to know two things that I’ve been thinking about today, Jang Junsang. One is that I’m grateful to you for saving me this morning.”
Junsang resisted the urge to remind him why he had had to be saved in the first place and said nothing.
“The second is that I won’t hurt anyone. In fact I won’t take blood from any human while I’m with you. I promise.”
Junsang just stared at him. What good were promises if everything he said could be lies?
But that was why they had to get back to the city. Then he could get on with, well everything.
Just then a swift knock made them both jump and in the half-second he glanced reflexively to the door and back Yeongi was gone.
The knock came again.
Yeongi’s voice came, muffled, from under the bed.
“They aren’t going to leave, they know you’re here, so you might as well answer it”
Junsang blinked, startled by this reminder of just how quick the vampire was and moved to open the door.
A smiling emerald-uniformed courier bowed, laden with a heavy metal tray covered with a white cloth. The heavenly smell of black bean noodles emanated from the tray.
“Good evening. Please Mr Jang where may I place your dinner ?”
“Oh wow! Thank you. This is great, here I’ll just take it”
He took the tray which was heavier than he had expected and set it on the bed.
“Thank you and have a pleasant evening. Please place the tray outside your door for pickup”
Junsang just bowed, mouth already full of bread.
When he turned back from closing the door Yeongi sat on the bed one leg crossed over the other, nose wrinkled prettily.
“I can’t even remember what that tastes like”
Junsang made no response. He couldn’t even remember the last time he ate anything other than the bland but portable protein bars he’d brought with him for the trip to the Institute but hunger had been the least of his worries over the past few days. The bread was soft and fresh, filled with sweet red bean paste, he moaned out loud, chewing enthusiastically.
Yeongi looked on with clear disgust.
“I always hated food. Having to eat enough to convincingly portray a human man was disgusting”
Junsang looked up cheeks bulging, with a cynical brow that clearly said he couldn’t relate, both dancing and hunting required enormous amounts of calories, manfully he swallowed and reached past the iced carafe of water for the pitcher of beer. Typically he did not drink but this was an exceptional day.
“Was this before or after you turned?” he asked taking a deep drink
Yeongi made a face at him. Really his comment was unfair, sure he was slight and small but that did not make him any less masculine. Rather the opposite was true. This incredible refined beauty was layered over his calm strength emphasizing it rather than diminishing it in an androgyny that was startling, provocative like a renaissance angel. Even as a human he must have caught peoples attention.
Certainly he was very thin but he was looking much healthier with his infusion of desert vampire blood (probably this had counteracted the strain of saving him) and the more recently sacrificed lizards. Human blood was probably best and he still had some gauntness in his collarbone but now he was softer, his skin was brighter.
There was no meat on the tray of course. Almost no one could afford to eat real meat and having grown up without it he didn’t miss it, they were both he reflected, taking substitutes, though Yeongi’s preferred sustenance had a deeper moral cost.
“Some of us aren't so simply replenished” he said and set to eating again regardless of the vampires disgust.
Looking at him for so long as he was now in between ravenous bites, not just in snatches over the past few days, his ivory skin glowed and his light brown eyes were just like the dark walnut floors of their house under a shaft of sun.
As the first nutrients reached his tired brain he felt able to think clearly for the first time all day.
He could not believe only this morning he had been operating in this very room. He was too tired even to care that no one had been able to change the sheets since then.
The healthier he is the more he emits this glow, he noted, it contrasted weirdly with his ragged jacket folded self consciously over his bare chest, a deep sliver of which still showed, impossibly pale.
Junsang found himself staring wondering if the bullet had left any kind of scar on that perfect skin, he flicked his eyes back up to his face. He did not seem to mind he looked indulgent now not disgusted, watching Junsang eat like he had been starving for a week.
“I forgot”
He forced himself to set the chopsticks down for a second and rummage through his duffle bag. He clucked his tongue at his own disorganization.
He came up finally with what he had wanted, a spare shirt, white and split up the back for ease of movement under his suit, with long red tassels hanging from under the arms that showed under the sides of the jacket. He didn’t know the specific purpose of those. It was just a decorative remnant of the Jang clan’s traditional hunters costume. He held it out to Yeongi.
“Here. I owe you a shirt”
Yeongi raised his eyebrows but stood, took the offering, shook it out and held it up.
Junsang went back to eating thinking about how Yeongi had agreed to stay with him before he even knew what his plans were. He felt strange, content despite the stress of the day. He put it down to the beer.
When he glanced up he was startled to find Yeongi shrugging out of the torn jacket, he froze, noodles halfway to his mouth and watched him slip the white shirt over his head, tousling the brown-black hair.
He turned back around, Junsang flicked his eyes back to his food away from the still visible triangle of his lower back, his impossibly pale skin just a shade off from the fabric.
“Not bad. Retro” he swung the tassels back and forth.
Junsang retorted;
“Please. I bet you’re far older than that shirt”
He stopped swinging the tassels and looked at Junsang, expression soft and pleasant.
The Institute had effected him more than he had anticipated, somehow he knew if he had never met Yeongi today would not have bothered him so much. He didn’t know how to feel about that.
His face was the problem his specific face was now linked with the term V-series in his mind.
But was he seeing the Institute clearly for the first time ? Or V Series?
Nothing was simple
“Are you asking me how old I am? That’s a little rude. If I‘m so much older than you you should respect me”
Junsang couldn’t tell if he was serious he finished his beer and went to pour another one. In doing so he emptied the pitcher, funny he couldn’t recall drinking most of it. Of course one got very thirsty out here.
“Don’t answer if you don’t want to” he shrugged
Yeongi walked back to the bed from where he’d been looking in the small mirror over the desk.
“I will if you answer one of mine.” he was doing that direct look thing again. Eyes all annoyingly light brown and soft. Junsang rolled his eyes and made a gesture with his hand like ‘go on’
As he spoke he picked up one of the tassels and held it between his hands, the heavy silk fringe slipping through his fingers, red on white.
“When you were at the Institute today, how did you feel?”
Junsang narrowed his eyes at him, the alcohol was just catching up to him making him a little drifty and loose. That question was so specifically tuned to his thoughts it caught him off guard.
“How did I feel?”
He nodded then sat back down on the bed, leaning on one arm. Before Junsang responded with a quick ‘that doesn’t matter’ or ‘you’re wasting your question’ he thought about it. How he felt now compared to then.
Being back in the little white room where so much had occurred in two days he was surprised how much better he felt there. Though that could have just been the food.
Still, he knew that like the warehouse it had already taken on the feeling of a sort of makeshift “home”. A place he had found for himself, that was just his own, but unlike the warehouse he was not alone here, this place had also sheltered Yeongi for as long as it had sheltered him. They would have to leave early in the morning but still for a short time it had been strangely comfortable.
He thought of the Institute in comparison. Of the vows he’d taken and the massive, glaring lie he’d told. Becoming part of something, becoming himself as he had wanted for so long, fought for, for so long.
And yet, the pain all around him, the cold. The overwhelming sense of anguish and torture. The mostly covered faces of the ones who would be his peers, the sense that even though they had accepted him, that this acceptance had come with a surveillance that would last the rest of his career or his life. They were interchangeable for him, unlike his father.
And yet ironically he also thought he could understand his father a little better after today.
“I felt relieved.” he said finally and looked up.
Yeongi did not try to make him elaborate or ask anything further. He just nodded and Junsang felt a weight drop from him. He really had just wanted to know, not a fact, but how he was feeling. And he, impossible as this was, actually seemed to understand.
He toyed with the blanket, another nervous human quirk and said without looking up
“I was born in 2135”
Junsang was grateful he wasn’t making eye contact as he calculated backwards from the date. It was hard enough to do so being tired and mildly drunk.
“You’re eighty years old. You’re literally older than my grandparents”
He pouted slightly, brow puckering
“I think I look pretty good”
He couldn’t help it. The strain of the surgery, the contract, the Institute, and now the alcohol.
He laughed. Yeongi looked up a little shocked at the sound, (admittedly a bit like a hiccupping donkey crossed with a belligerent crow) mouth open like an ‘o’ and that made it even more funny, eventually he smiled back, more, Junsang suspected at his unique laughter than anything else. After all there was no joke, he was only laughing out of exhaustion.
His smile was half gums and half fangs which shocked him for a second - it was so different from his resting expression - cute and sinister at once, then set him and Yeongi off laughing anew at his reaction.
He had lied in his first moments under sanction of the Institute because this was one vampire who would not be harmed at his hands. And the only way they would forgive him that was if he delivered a bigger prize. The ultimate prize. V.
They finally calmed down, Junsang wiped his eyes, a bit embarrassed at his hysteria and not looking forward to packing up and leaving in the early hours of the morning especially now that he had drunk the pitcher of beer. He hadn’t meant to be so impolite, he would have offered the vampire some if he thought he would accept.
Yeongi looked at his nails then said conversationally making Junsang spray the last of his beer all over the blankets
“By the way, the boss’ daughter knows I’m here”
