January 12, 2004. That was the night I lost my father and my mother; my uncle and my aunt. That was the night I lost my voice and my mind. All my scars and fears can be found in that blurry memory, which haunts my subconsciousness. That night is better known to the rest of the world as the Seoul International Airport “Mad” Shooting, while to us it’s known as our parents death anniversary. During that fateful moment I was not alone. My best friend was with me; and she also witnessed her parents murder. That was the night she lost her memories. That was the night she began to experience panic attacks; accompanied by muscle tension.
We were officially diagnosed with post traumatic disorders. My best friend suffered with a selective memory loss. On the other hand, I suffered memory confusion. Both of us suffered nightmares of the incident. After a year of concurrency we decided to keep a dream diary to document memories and compare them with facts. The news-articles describe the crime in variations, but there are various conclusive evidences such as the number of known-criminals. The narration describes them as coordinated and ruthless. They invaded the airport well prepared with fire weapons, bulletproof vests and masks. They murdered a total of fifteen people and injured a total of forty. Three of the five men were caught at the crime scene. They confessed their motive, which was the murder of the famous Korean lawyers No SungSoo and Go MinWo. On the other hand, two of the criminals escaped and never were found. The two survivors were young teenage girls, daughters of the lawyers, named No SaeHyun and Go JangMi.
January 12, 2015. “I kept hearing gun fire. I was holding onto SaeHyun’s hand as I tried to catch my breath. In front of me, behind the iron metal screen, I glanced at my mother’s corpse bleeding its last remaining drops of blood. I heard police sirens in the background and whispering. The metal screen flew opened and there it was the face of the devil. He smiled and pointed a gun at us.”
JangMi woke up with her heart racing. She reached out for her lamp cord, located on the nightstand, to light up her room. Before she could reach the cord the light on the lamp turns on. She finds SaeHyun looking down at her with concern in her Bambi-eyes. She was holding a cup, of what she could guess was tea, in her right hand. And she was wearing her regular work clothes, which were: long black pants, white coat and a button long sleeve shirt.
“The same nightmare?” asked SaeHyun while handing JangMi the cup. JangMi simply nodded. SaeHyun smiled and said “It’s our parents death anniversary. It’s normal”. Even so, JangMi examined SaeHyun’s face and noticed that her eyes looked extremely tired. “You too, huh?” responded JangMi smiling. “Yeah” she whispered sounding exhausted. SaeHyun started walking towards the living room while JangMi followed behind her. “You have a night shift today?” asked JangMi, and SaeHyun responded by snickering “I have night shifts all along this month”. SaeHyun arrived at the front of the fireplace, her eyes lingered around the twenty-something photographs placed on top of the fireplace. Those pictures were proof of the many milestones she and JangMi have achieved, and in each one of them ...there he was our grandfather. She reached out to a small crack behind the pictures and retrieved a humongous file.
SaeHyun: I’ve been trying to reach Detective Song, but it’s been three weeks since I last talked to him.
JangMi: Could something had happened to him?
SaeHyun: If it did it means that we are getting close.
SaeHyun handed JangMi the file. It was filled with drawings of the potential murderers of our parents and other types of evidence. Twelve years ago, our parents were murdered in front of our eyes. We were barely fourteen. The crime passed on as solved, since the police convicted three of the five criminals. The crime itself seemed like a way to silence our fathers, this hypothesis was given strength since none of the criminals had a connection to our parents. JangMi believed that there was a possibility that the person, or people, that order the murder were somehow connected to our fathers.
SaeHyun: Don’t let your memory cool and draw.
JangMi: Ok
After five minutes JangMi finished drawing. The man looked similar to some drawings, he had a square jaw, small slanted eyes and dimples, but there were some specifics that differ from the other drawings like the fact that he had a scar on his left cheek. SaeHyun examined the drawing with detail.
SaeHyun: I don’t remember a scar
JangMi: You don’t remember anything. On the other hand, my memories are blurry and confusing.
SaeHyun: My only recollections come to me in dreams.
JangMi: Plenty of mine too.
JangMi threw all the drawing on the coffee table. None of them had a scar, but she still remembered it. JangMi looked at SaeHyun who looked ever more confused.
SaeHyun: I don’t know. (she pointed at her latest drawing) but, look at the similarities. Both of our latest drawings have the same characteristics.
JangMi: But, they are so different from our original drawings.
These drawings. This folder. This life. It all started twelve years ago, when we viewed the murder of our parents. SaeHyun and JangMi’s mother were best friends since college. They continued their friendship until their death. This folder was created when we were sixteen years old. JangMi was taking a Forensic Psychology Class and she came up with the idea of keeping some type of documentation on the matter. Since the murder both of us could not consciously remember the occurrences. It was like playing Jenga, before we knew it everything we could recall was scrambled up again. JangMi placed the file at the back of the fireplace and decides to send off SaeHyun to work. We came to the door and JangMi hugged SaeHyun.
JangMi: Be careful and stop flirting with the cute doctors
SaeHyun: (pouts) But, why? That’s the only reason why I became a doctor
We both laughed. SaeHyun started unlocking the seven locks that were implanted on the front door when her phone started to ring. She looked down and rolled her eyes.
SaeHyun: It’s Grandpa again
JangMi: He keeps demanding the same thing. Come back to Korea (imitate grandpa's voice)
SaeHyun: We have been away for twelve years. That is not happening anytime soon
The man that we refer to as grandfather, is not our biologically grandfather. Both our father’s started working at Empire, grandfather’s pharmaceutical company. Instantly, President Cho, our grandpa, formed a strong connection with our families. Grandpa always desired to have a son that was competent and responsible. But, his first born son died of a rare disease. While, his second born son was a drug-addict that died of an overdose.
SaeHyun: I’ll be home by one pm
JangMi: I will call grandpa, be safe.
Right after SaeHyun left JangMi took a shower and got dress for work. JangMi was a lawyer and SaeHyun was a doctor. Both of them possessed similarities and differences in their personalities. Grandpa supported all of our dreams, that is one of the reasons why we are living a comfortable life. JangMi started to prepare breakfast when she noticed twenty missed calls. All the calls were coming from South Korea. She drops everything and called back her grandfather. His secretary Mister Ji answered.
Mister Ji: Miss JangMi?
JangMi: Yes? Who is this?
Mister Ji: This is Mister Ji
JangMi: Is something wrong? I have twenty missed calls
Mister Ji: Your grandfather collapsed.
JangMi: Why? Is he ok?
Mister Ji: The doctors say it is cancer.
It was like the world lost color and sound. JangMi grabbed onto the countertop as she fell down on the floor. On the way down she broke a glass and a plate. She was trying to recover, when she heard Mister Ji say “The doctors say he only has six months to live”. JangMi started sobbing and Mister Ji stood on the line silently. After a few seconds she asks “Is he ok now?”.
Mister Ji: His condition is stable at the moment. But, he requests for both of you to return to South Korea.
JangMi: Ok
Mister Ji: Please inform Miss SaeHyun of this
JangMi: Ok
After a few minutes JangMi got up and called her assistant. She said “David, I am going to hand my resignation letter by email” JangMi could hear David freaking out over the phone “I will call you later”. JangMi turns off the stove and rushes to her bedroom. She grabs a backpack from the closet and throws in both of their passports, personal documents and the file of their parents murder. She calls a cab and reaches SaeHyun’s workplace. She walks up to the front desk and asks for SaeHyun. SaeHyun came down and looked at JangMi with concern, since JangMi had a few cuts from the broken dishes. She takes JangMi to a room and starts treating her wounds.
SaeHyun: These wounds aren’t that serious. You didn’t have to come over here.
JangMi: Grandpa has cancer.
SaeHyun: What?
JangMi noticed that SaeHyun froze. She got down from the chair and held SaeHyun from her torso. The reaction to this news was deeply painful to these woman. Because, for over twelve years their grandpa was the only person who took care of them. He made several trips a year to New York just to spend time with them. Furthermore, he is the last connection they have to their parents and the truth behind their murder.
SaeHyun: We have to go...
JangMi: Let’s go
SaeHyun: But, we don’t have anything. We must get our passports
JangMi: I brought them and I asked David to look after our apartment. We can buy clothes over there. Let’s just go
SaeHyun got up and nodded. She informed the concurrences to her boss. And before noon these two best friends were on their way to South Korea. We sat beside each other with our eyes red and puffy. SaeHyun looked over at JangMi with a serious expression. “Maybe this is fate” she whispers to JangMi. “What do you mean?” JangMi asks, while SaeHyun grabbed her hand and said “Today, is the death anniversary of our parents. Today, we return to the place where they were unrighteously murdered. Today, of all days”.
JangMi: I think we can use this to our advantage. We should find the detective and reopen the case.
SaeHyun: Yes, we should.
During the fourteen hour flight to South Korean both girls were in deep thought. They discussed many elements of their past, like friends, family and their future. It was all unclear to them, the elements that pieced together their past and even more their future. What were they going to do now? How long will they stay in South Korea? What will happen when they meet grandpa’s grandsons, JongSuk and WonBin? What will happen?
WonBin and JongSuk were the only childhood friends of JangMi and SaeHyun. Since, they lived a limited and hectic life because of their social status. WonBin constantly bullied SaeHyun. JangMi believed that the reason behind it was love. On the other hand, JongSuk was a gentleman to the girls. Everybody knew he had a thing for JangMi. But, at the moment of the crime he turned away from them. All of this was like playing a game of jenga... hopeless. After a fourteen hour flight we arrived at Seoul International Airport at 9pm. While, SaeHyun talked to Mister Ji about the relative information. JangMi found a cab. Both of them found themselves in the hospital’s thirty floor looking for grandpa’s room.
JangMi: Are you sure he said thirty?
SaeHyun: Yes, I am sure...
We took a turn and we found ourselves face to face with WonBin. He was munching on some chips while leaning on the wall thoughtfully. When he saw us his eyes widen and a smile splatter on his face. “Jang-jang!” he said in happiness and hugged JangMi. SaeHyun glared at JangMi, while she stuck out her tongue. He turned back to SaeHyun and waved his hand coldly.
JangMi: I can see that you are still as immature as ever.
WonBin: Jang-jang, why would you say that?
JangMi: (raises an eyebrow) You know why...
WonBin: Grandpa has been expecting you two
JangMi: Where is the room?
WonBin: Follow me
WonBin lead us to the end of the hall where we found our grandfather laying on a bed. He looked angry and extremely tired. SaeHyun and JangMi ran over to him and hugged him. He started giggling happily when he saw them.
Grandpa: My girls, you are here
SaeHyun: How are you feeling? You look upset
Grandpa: (glares at WonBin) I’m better (smiles at us)
SaeHyun: What did he do to you?
Grandpa: He doesn’t let me eat anything good
SaeHyun: Is there a reason for that?
Grandpa: (pouts)
SaeHyun looks over at WonBin and smiled. He turns away from her gaze and walks to the door. Suddenly, SaeHyun noticed that we were not alone in the room. She found two of our “aunties”, Aunt Yoo and Aunt Kim, sitting in the only couch of the room. She bowed respectfully to them and signaled JangMi to do the same. In the house of Cho, our grandfather, there have always been a struggle for power. The relatives that had a direct relation to the inheritance of Empire were few, which made the atmosphere tense. The aunts have always used us to their liking, but we understand their true intentions. They want to possess Empire. After a few minutes, a nurse came in and announced that visiting hours were over. Grandpa gave orders to Mister Ji before we left. We arrived at the entrance of the Hospital and Mister Ji took our bag.
Mister Ji: Your grandfather has asked me to prepare rooms for you. Is this your only luggage?
SaeHyun: Yes, we are going to buy somethings tomorrow.
JangMi: Where are we suppose to eat?
We noticed that both aunts left without talking to us. They shared a car to the house. WonBin was waiting for Mister Ji to give orders.
JangMi: WonBin? Wanna go eat street vendors food?
SaeHyun: (whispers) JANGMI!
WonBin: Sure, I’ll take you. But, what is SaeHyun gonna do?
JangMi: She is going to come with us!
SaeHyun: I can eat at the house...
JangMi: Mister Ji, we will be taking off!
JangMi grabbed a hold of SaeHyun’s hand and dragged her to WonBin’s car. His car was a convertible. JangMi forced SaeHyun to ride in the passenger seat. The night was long. They had a lot of fun. They ate a lot of different foods and ended up in the mall buying clothes. WonBin payed for all, since we forgot our wallets. We returned to the mansion exhausted. WonBin offered us some coffee and we walked with him to the kitchen. When we opened the door we noticed that JongSuk was there standing over the countertop, while eating some noodles. His eyes went straight to JangMi, who jumped and avoided his gaze. SaeHyun noticed that his eyes looked tired, confused and even... loving?
JongSuk: Oh you’re here?
SaeHyun: Hi JongSuk
JongSuk: Hi, how was the flight?
SaeHyun: Long... and terrible
JangMi sneaked off to help WonBin with the coffee, while SaeHyun and JongSuk had a small chat. JongSuk looked like he was in a bad mood, but he still engaged in conversation. After JongSuk was done with his plate he went over to the sink to clean it, passing JangMi on the way. He looked at JangMi with nostalgia and confusion. He said goodnight and left. After a few minutes of catching up WonBin excused himself, since he had to work tomorrow. SaeHyun and JangMi ended up sitting on the kitchen floor while discussing the days events, but Mister Ji found them and dragged them off to their rooms. As they rise the stairs Mister Ji gives them two documents, he says they are confidentially and for our eyes only. After taking a shower, JangMi ended up in SaeHyun’s room while they opened the files. SaeHyun’s file was about a malpractice in the labs of Empire. While, JangMi’s file was about a lawsuit from some test candidates of Empire. They both looked at each other tired and frustrated. What the hell is going on? Malpractice? Lawsuit? After reading the files, they ended up falling asleep on the floor. They woke up to Mister Jin knocking on the door and he said “You are needed at the company”. We both jumped on our feet and looked at each others messy hairs for a second before screaming in panic.
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