The Line Between Us: Part II

Chapter 13: The Forest Path

The first week of September 1950 dawned over P'ohang.
Morning mist still clung to the forest as the South Korean soldiers moved cautiously through the trees, rifles raised, boots sinking into the damp soil. Among them were Sun-hee and Ji-hoon, walking side by side, their eyes sweeping the dense undergrowth for any sign of danger.

At the front, the company commander raised his hand, signaling a halt.
He scanned the area, the wind rustling softly through the leaves.

"이 부근은 이상 없다."
("This area's clear.")

"공산군의 흔적은 없어. 전사자들 수습해서 장례 치러주자."
("No trace of Communist forces. Gather the bodies of the fallen soldiers-let's give them a proper burial.")

After a few hours, the soldiers had begun to bury the fallen-each man working silently with his own shovel. One by one, they heaped soil over the stacked bodies, the dull sound of metal striking earth echoing through the still morning air.

Sun-hee straightened for a moment, wiping the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand. A faint smear of dirt marked her forehead, but she didn't seem to notice. With a weary breath, she gripped her shovel again and went back to work.

Meanwhile, along the dirt road leading toward Pohang, a military truck rumbled through the dust and heat. In the truck bed sat a group of weary civilians-among them, Sang-woo and Sung-ki, seated side by side near the edge, ready to disembark at any moment. Both wore loose, oversized U.S. Army khaki jackets, their sleeves hanging past their wrists.

Sang-woo let out a faint smile and said softly,

"이제야 전선에서 벗어났네... 빨리 전쟁이 끝났으면 좋겠다. 집에 돌아가야지."
("Finally... we're away from the front line. I just hope this war ends soon-so we can go back to our families.")

Sung-ki returned the smile and turned to him.

"상우야... 고맙다."
("Sang-woo-ya... thank you.")

Sang-woo glanced at him, puzzled, but said nothing.

"네가 아니었으면... 난 벌써 죽었을 거야."
("If it weren't for you... I'd probably be dead by now.")

Sang-woo's smile lingered-gentle, quiet, and full of unspoken understanding. He looked ahead again, watching the passing hills and open fields rolling beneath the pale morning light.

After a moment, Sung-ki rested his head on Sang-woo's shoulder. Neither of them spoke. Two boys-holding on to each other in a war that had taken everything else away.

When Sun-hee and Ji-hoon returned to camp with a few soldiers, the sun was already high, burning through the morning haze.

From a distance, a column of military trucks rolled in, engines growling softly as they came to a stop near the tents.

Sun-hee's eyes followed the line of vehicles. At the back, the tailgates dropped open. Civilians began climbing down-dust-covered, weary, their faces hollow from the long journey.

And then she saw him.

A young boy stepped off the truck, his arm around another boy's shoulder. They were talking, smiling faintly-relief and warmth flickering across their faces.

For a moment, the noise around Sun-hee faded-the shouts, the footsteps, even the hum of engines.

Her lips parted.

"상우야..."
("Sang-woo-ya...")

Her voice trembled, caught between disbelief and relief. A small, fragile smile broke through as tears welled in her eyes.