The Line Between Us: Part II

Chapter 12: When Silence Spoke for Us

The next morning, Min-jae sat on the damp grass beside the T-34 they had hidden under a mess of vines and brush. The morning air still carried the faint scent of fuel and smoke. He waited-listening to the wind move through the trees-until footsteps rustled from behind him.

Joon-seok emerged from the undergrowth, his uniform streaked with mud, a few sweet potatoes cradled in his arms. He crouched down in front of Min-jae, catching his breath before managing a grin.

"동무들 배급 중에서 이거밖에 못 챙겼어."
("This was all I could find from my comrades' rations,") he said, handing one to Min-jae with a half-smile.

"허쉬 초콜릿 같은 건 있을 리 없지."
("No Hershey's, obviously.")

A small laugh escaped him-tired but genuine.

Min-jae smiled faintly, taking the sweet potato from his hand.

"고마워... 넌 나한테 너무 많이 해줬어."
("Thank you... You've already done so much for me.")

Joon-seok reached out, brushing the dirt from Min-jae's cheek with his thumb, his touch lingering there.

"나 말이다... 너 위해서라면 뭐든 하겠어."
("I'd do anything for you,") he said quietly.

"사랑하니까. 네가 생각하는 것보다 훨씬 더."
("Because I love you... more than you can ever know.")

The words hung between them, fragile as morning light.

Min-jae closed his fingers around Joon-seok's hand on his cheek.

"나도... 사랑해, 준석아."
("I love you too, Joon-seok-ah,") he whispered.

Joon-seok smiled, the tired kind that still managed to brighten his face.

"먹자"
("Let's eat,") he said simply.

They split the sweet potato and ate quietly, the sound of their chewing mingling with the rustle of the grass around the hidden tank.

After a long, soft pause, Min-jae looked at Joon-seok, worry creasing his brow.

"이제 어쩔 거야?"
("What's the plan now?") he asked.

"여기 계속 있을 순 없잖아... 놈들이 우리 찾을 거야, 그-"
("We can't just stay here... They'll track us down, those-")

He stopped, the words catching in his throat as he realized who was sitting in front of him.

"...그 빨갱이들 말이야."
("...those bad communists,") he finished at last, his voice barely steady.

Joon-seok chewed, swallowed the last of his bite, and flicked the bit of peel into the grass.

"생각이 있어."
("I have an idea,") he said. His tone carried no trace of humor.

Min-jae's eyes fixed on him.

"무슨 생각?"
("What plan?")

"민재야,"
("Min-jae-ya,") Joon-seok said, his tone firm, deliberate.

"잘 들어. 우리... 도망치자."
("Listen carefully. We're going to run away.")

Min-jae frowned, confused.

"뭐라고...?"
("What...?")

Joon-seok took out his compass and turned it in his hand until the needle lined up with north. Then he looked toward the opposite side.

"북동쪽,"
("Northeast,") he murmured.

"장사리 해안이 그쪽이야."
("That's where Jangsari Beach is.")