The Bar at the End of the Universe

She thinks of the sunlight, and how temperate it is on the island, how things are in bloom there all the time. She thinks of Seoul and wonders what day it is there and how when she left, the temperatures were starting to cool so slightly from the hot days of August, and how she had known she would not be seeing Seoul again for a very long time. She thinks again of the island: its heat, its relentless sun and intense but brief rains, and of how hopeful they were those first few days for rescue. She still holds hope. She does not want to be the one responsible for holding time still there, but how can she be? Kate is here too, and she has spent more time on the island.

Nothing in her higher education has prepared her for a thing like this. She has not studied quantum physics. Only art history and music. Like any woman of good standing in her society, she knows how to behave. Her father is a wealthy and powerful man, and he and his family are both respected. Knowing how to function in Seoul society is not only expected but it is a given: she grew up with it. It's innate.

Today, Sun shivers and pulls her sweater around herself tightly as she walks the snowy path back into the bar. Nothing in her life has prepared her for life at a bar at the end of the universe. Most days, she thinks she has simply gone mad. Today, she takes a cup of tea into her hands. It feels very real and for that, she is grateful.

Today has not been a very good day, but eight has never been one of Sun's lucky numbers. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

She does not know if she likes these caves. They are dark and she misses the stars overhead and the sound of the waves lapping against the shore. But Jin is her husband and for now, she does as he asks. For now, she owes him that much. Nightgown in hand, she steps through the rock opening and does a double-take, and then another: where is this place?

With the nightgown clutched protectively to her chest she steps forward, brows furrowed, eyes darting back and forth. There is no comfort in the location or in the sudden profusion of company.

"Jin-Soo? [Help me.]"

But Jin is not here, and he cannot help her. Her hand goes to the top button of her sweater; she makes sure it's fastened.

"[Excuse me... where are we? What is this place?]"





[작은 꼬리표: Hercules]

[ OOM: Somewhere in the South Pacific, early in the morning ]