Chaotic Nights — Chapter 194. Nightmares

Translator: Atlas

Weekly Chapter 4/4

“I thought I was going to die. But hearing you shout my name from outside gave me strength…”

“It was all I could do. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you sooner.”

“I’m truly grateful to you.”

Eunha patted Gari’s head with a smile. She was like her younger sister.

Heein, who sent those who needed treatment to the place where the Western doctors were, provided a place to rest for the exhausted people.

She couldn’t forsake the people of Jihak who had been displaced overnight. Eunha helped Heein bring them food. She had no time to worry. Thankfully, no lives were lost in the fire.

No, one person had died.

Eunha, who had put Gari to bed, left the quarters.

She recalled Kim leaping into the flames. He looked like he was determined to die.

Why did fire scare her?
Shouldn’t she have braved the fire to rescue someone?
Eunha, who sat on the floor, watched the raindrops falling from the eaves. She caressed her belly where her baby lay. Her eyes filled with tears.

—Eunha! Hurry up! Go away!

Her father thought so too, he valued his children more than his own life.

At that moment, she had not understood why he asked them to leave when his own life was at stake. He did not even shed a single tear.

Eunha closed her eyes as she thought about the past. Soon she opened her eyes because she felt Jihak’s presence. The man smiled.

He turned around,

“Will you carry me on your back?”

***

Eunha stood barefoot at the edge of the hot springs. The ground’s stones radiated warmth. These hot springs were nestled deep within the forest. In this location, where warm water flowed year-round, access was restricted to authorized personnel only.

She looked around curiously. The sky could be seen beyond the thick trees. It looked like a picture as rain fell into the hot springs.

“This water flows to the bathhouse.”

Jihak took her hand, then made her sit on the warm stone. After he removed her wet socks, he grabbed her feet with his warm hands. Her cheeks were red.

“Your feet are cold.”

“It’s dirty from the rain, don’t touch it.”

“You don’t know me yet.”

He removed all her clothing. She looked around in surprise. Not only did her body tremble, she also got goosebumps.

But Jihak was calm. He also removed his clothing.

Eunha just looked at him.

He soon entered the water with her in his arms. Gently, Jihak lowered her body into the water and seated her on his legs.

It was only after he submerged her body in the warm water that the tension enveloping her finally eased. The events of the last seven days seemed like a surreal blend of dreams and nightmares.

Eunha buried her face in Jihak’s neck.

“Didn’t I tell you not to hurt yourself?”