The Line Between Us: Part II

Chapter 13: The Forest Path

Jin-woo heard Sun-hee's trembling voice and turned toward her. His eyes followed her gaze-to the young boy she was staring at from across the camp.

Suddenly, Sun-hee shouted, her voice breaking through the heavy air.

"상우야!!!"
("Sang-woo-ya!!!")

The boy stopped in his tracks, startled. He turned toward the soldier who had called his name.

The faint smile on his face slowly faded, replaced by shock. His eyes widened, tears gathering as recognition struck him.

"누나..."
("Nuna...")

Then louder, his voice cracking,

"누나!!!"
("Nuna!!!")

Both of them began to run, closing the distance between them until they collided in a desperate embrace, clutching each other tightly as tears streamed down their faces.

For the first time in what felt like forever, the war seemed to fade around them.

"살아있어서... 정말 다행이야!"
("I'm so relieved you're alive!") Sun-hee said between sobs, her voice breaking as she held him close.

"누나... 너무 무서웠다... 다시는 못 볼 줄 알았어..."
("Nuna... I was scared... I thought I'd never see you again.") Sang-woo choked out, trembling against her.

They slowly drew apart. Sun-hee cupped his face in both hands, her thumbs brushing away the tears on his cheeks. Their foreheads almost touched, breaths mingling in the cold air.

"이제 괜찮아, 상우야... 누나가 왔어. 아무것도 걱정하지 마."
("I'm here now, Sang-woo-ya... You don't have to be afraid anymore.")

They fell into each other's arms once more-two souls finally reunited after all the distance, all the fear, all the waiting.

While Sang-woo was safe at last, reunited with his sister, far away, Jin-woo was fighting for his own freedom - trapped inside the hanok that had become his prison.

Jin-woo sat on the edge of the bed, his back pressed against the cold wall. He flexed his bandaged leg carefully - the pain was no longer as sharp as before, just a dull throb that lingered beneath the wrappings.

Taking a slow breath, he lowered both legs over the side of the bed. His heart pounded as he tried to stand. For a moment, his knees trembled-then, to his surprise, he managed to rise.

A small gasp escaped his lips. His eyes widened, a faint, disbelieving smile forming as he whispered to himself,

"일어설 수... 있어."
("I can stand...")

But before he could take another step, voices drifted from outside the door.

Startled, Jin-woo froze. Then, limping slightly, he hurried toward the door, pressing his ear against the wooden frame to listen.

Outside, Byung-chul's voice could be heard, low and commanding as he spoke to his men.

"너희 둘은 진우를 절대 눈에서 떼지 마라. 나는 전선으로 간다."
("You two-keep a close watch on Jin-woo. I'm heading to the front line.")

Jin-woo swallowed hard, feeling a bead of sweat trail down his temple. His heart pounded in his chest as he whispered under his breath,

"지금이야... 빠져나갈 기회다."
("This is my chance... to escape.")

Moments later, a soldier entered the room carrying a small bowl of porridge. He spotted Jin-woo sitting on the edge of the bed-head slightly lowered, his face unreadable, waiting for the right moment.