Chapter 5
Chapter 5
How could this happen!
I thought they left!
The sleazy man’s voice rang out again:
“Women sure know how to hide. Good thing I didn’t go back with him, or you really would’ve slipped away!
Ooh, you’ve already taken your clothes off? Can’t wait that much, huh? Don’t worry, Daddy’s gonna satisfy you right now.”
So that was it. Only one of them went back to report, while the other stayed behind!
Damn it, why didn’t I think of that!
Judging by the sound, he was already closing in on Shihan.
But this time, there was only one of them.
There was still a chance.
I had to hold on!
“Shihan, run!” I screamed into the phone.
But the sound of running didn’t come from the other end.
Instead, I heard Shihan’s trembling voice:
“Don’t come any closer! I… I’ve already called the police!”
“It’s no use, Shihan!”
I shouted into the phone, “These people are desperate criminals! They’re the ones who did those horrific things to you back then! You have to run!”
Sure enough, I heard the man sneer, “In this godforsaken place? You think I’m scared of them? By the time they get here, I’ll have finished you off!”
I heard the man pounce on Shihan. Her screams pierced through the receiver, followed by the sound of fabric tearing.
“Damn, you’re so beautiful, you smell so good! It’s worth dying for this!”
“You animal, get off her!
Don’t touch her!
You beast!
Get away!
GET AWAY!!”
Was there anything more desperate or horrifying in this world?
To listen to your own daughter being violated while being utterly powerless to help.
The assault continued. Shihan was still screaming, and the man’s disgusting voice kept coming through:
“These leggings are so smooth, I almost don’t want to take them off…”
I hammered on the floor like a madman.
“Don’t touch her!
I’ll kill you!
I’m going to kill you!!”
The man seemed to hear my voice.
“Damn it, why is your phone still making noise? Hand it over! I’m taking my pants off, don’t ruin my mood!”
I heard the sound of the man scuffling to grab the phone.
Then, I heard a loud *thud*.
“Ow! You bitch, you dare hit me!”
Several more loud bangs followed, and then the sound of rushing wind.
“Damn it, that hurts! Don’t run! I’m gonna kill you!”
“Shihan, did you get away?!”
I snapped back from my despair and asked anxiously.
“Dad,” Shihan’s sobbing voice came through.
“I broke free. Thank god your voice was right there in my ear, otherwise I would have given up!
He’s putting his pants back on, he’s coming after me. Dad, what do I do!”
“Shihan, run toward the main road! Don’t stop, no matter what you hear behind you!
Then, scream for help with everything you’ve got!
Shihan, scream!
Don’t be afraid. You’ll make it through this. Daddy is right here with you!”
“Okay, Dad!”
“Help! Someone help me!”
I heard her screaming.
-Yes, Shihan, don’t be afraid.
Since Heaven has given me this chance.
Since I was able to receive this call from you, from fifteen years ago, right before I die.
Then my life will surely be traded for yours.
-You will be okay.
Just then, the suffocating pain returned, and my consciousness began to fade again.
I felt like I couldn’t hold on much longer. I couldn’t keep my eyes open.
No, just let me hold on a little longer!
I have to save Shihan!
I have to save her!
Through the dizziness, I heard the door to my house being opened. I heard someone calling me:
“What’s wrong? Why are you on the floor? Are you poisoned?”
It was my brother-in-law’s voice.
Fifteen years ago, after the tragedy happened to Shihan, my sister was worried about me being all alone, so the whole family moved into the apartment across from mine.
It was thanks to the support of my sister and brother-in-law that I had managed to survive all these years.
I forced my eyes open.
“Brother-in-law… quick, give me some water. I have to hold on… Shihan is still waiting for me…”
“Right away! Here’s the water!” My brother-in-law handed me the water as fast as he could. I took a sip and vomited violently.
As long as I could throw it up, I could hold on a little longer.
My brother-in-law cursed through his tears.
“Why would you do this on New Year’s Eve! Your sister went out to buy groceries; she was planning to have you over for New Year’s dinner tonight!”
But I didn’t have time for him. I strained to listen to the sounds from the phone.
“Dad… I can’t run anymore, I can’t shout anymore… He doesn’t seem to be chasing me…”
“No, you have to keep running until you find someone.
Shihan, keep going. Just a little longer-
You have to live.”
“Shihan? She’s been dead for fifteen years! Wake up! The ambulance is almost here!” My brother-in-law was shaking me frantically.
Soon, the ambulance arrived. The paramedics put me on a stretcher, fitted an oxygen mask, and carried me out.
All the while, I kept the phone pressed tightly against my ear.
The paramedics tried to take the phone away, but my brother-in-law said:
“Forget it. He thinks his daughter who died years ago is on the other end. Let him hold it.”
On the other end of the line, Shihan was still running.
The man hadn’t caught up yet.
Keep going, keep going!
Every second she ran was another chance at being saved.
Then, I heard Shihan cry out:
“Dad! There’s someone ahead! I finally see someone!
It’s Uncle!
Thank God!
I see Uncle!”
Uncle?
I snapped back to my senses and looked at my brother-in-law standing before me.
On New Year’s Eve, fifteen years ago…
Why would he be in the park?