In the Shadow of Gyeongseong: Part I

Chapter 17: Horrors in the Cabin

Min-jae looked up, curious.

Where did he even get that?

Kang-hyun spoke first, a grin tugging at his lips.

"드디어. 이제 너 안 비집고 자도 돼... 내 침대 생겼거든."
("Finally. You won't have to squeeze anymore... I've got my own bed now.")

Min-jae blinked twice, puzzled.

"그거 어디서 구하셨어요?"
("Where did you get that?")

Kang-hyun let out a low chuckle, almost too casually.

"아... 옆 감방에 있던 놈. 오늘 폭동에 죽었어. 그래서 침대 내가 가져왔지."
("Oh... The guy in the next cell? He died in a riot earlier today. So I stole his bed.")

No further explanation.

He dropped the mattress on the floor, kicked it flat, and settled down with practiced ease.

Just before lying back, he muttered-

"잘 자."
("Good night.")

Then he lay flat on his back, one arm tucked beneath his head, eyes closed. Completely at ease.

Min-jae simply watched him, the silence now heavier than before.

Deep into the night, the only sound echoing in the cold cell was the steady snoring of Kang-hyun-flat on his back, mouth slightly open, dead to the world.

Min-jae, lying on the bed, had only just begun to fall asleep.

Until-

A small rat scurried across the floor, its tiny paws tapping quietly against the concrete as it climbed up Kang-hyun's body-first to his stomach, then over his chest.

Kang-hyun squirmed a little, a faint smile curling at his lips.

"그만... 간지럽다..."
("Stop... that tickles,") he mumbled-still lost in whatever dream he was having.

Then-

His eyes flew open.

He looked down.

And froze.

The rat was sitting directly on his chest.

"AAAHHH!"

He shot up with a scream, jolting Min-jae awake.

"뭐예요?!"
("What?!") Min-jae exclaimed, startled.

"쥐... 쥐가 있어!!!"
("R-RAT! THERE'S A RAT!!!")

Without a second thought, Kang-hyun jumped up and scrambled onto the narrow bed-shoving himself beside Min-jae in a panic.

There was barely any room.

Min-jae looked at him, visibly annoyed.

Kang-hyun blinked.

"미안... 또 같이 자야 할 것 같네."
("Sorry... looks like we're sleeping together again.")

He grinned.

Min-jae sighed, exasperated, already squashed against the wall.

Then-Kang-hyun lifted one arm and rested it above Min-jae's head, offering his chest like a human headrest.

"이번에도 내 가슴 베고 잘래?"
("Wanna sleep on my chest again?")

Min-jae rolled his eyes and pushed the arm away.

"됐어요. 그냥 주무세요."
("No. Just go to sleep.")

Kang-hyun didn't argue.

"알겠어."
("Okay.")