Defence

32

He spun and looked at her shocked.

"There are some things I want to know." Yoona stated. "Shall we go outside?"

On the green yard by the swing sets they stood. The air brushed against their skin, the sun hidden behind the grey Columbus clouds. He hated the weather that day.

"We used to play here," Yoona explained. "Victoria and I."

Taecyeon stared at her feeling lost.

"Tell me what you know about her. You'll be honest with me, won't you?" she asked as if challenging him.

"I don't know. She changed yesterday," Taecyeon started, "I really don't know what kind of a person she is. I thought she was clumsy. When I first ran into her she seemed clueless about the world modernizing. She called the hand phone a device and couldn't text. Victoria seemed amazed by everything. It was like she'd been locked up...sort of like a wild child."

Yoona stared at him feeling her heart fall down the drain, "Like a wild child?"

"Everything was new to her one way or another. DVDs, the sink, cookbooks, the grocery store, clothes. Everything."

Yoona blinked and turned away feeling tears on their way. "What day was it that you ran into her?"

Taecyeon thought, "October 18. Sometime at night I accidentally crashed into her. She ran out of the trees and also told me she was running away from some bad guys."

"What?"

"I tried to take her to the hospital for a checkup but she refused so I brought her to my apartment," Taecyeon explained. "That's how I know her."

"Octoboer 18? And some people were chasing her?" Yoona repeated as if those were the only factors that mattered.

"Yes." he nodded.

Did Victoria really have some connection to the assassination?

"You said you met some guy in Masan who spoke about Victoria. Were those the same guys who'd been chasing her?" Taecyeon asked out of curiosity.

Yoona turned to look at him, "I was thinking about that last night. I don't know what they've done to her those 14 years. But 14 years is a long time. If those men are dangerous...I don't know what that makes Victoria."

"You're not thinking she's a criminal...are you?" Taecyeon sounded worried.

"Do you think I want to assume that?" Yoona sounded upset this time.

"Of course not." Taecyeon said then looked down at the grass underneath his feet. "I asked her about you yesterday."

Yoona's ears perked up.

"She claims not to know you." Taecyeon told. "Her attitude took a 180 degree turn yesterday. If you talk to her, she might not answer your questions. I think she's planning to go on the run."

"Lunch is ready," Mrs. Kim appeared through the door.

- - - - -

Lunch came and went by. They walked around outside for half an hour hand in hand and for the first time Victoria treasured the moment. When they headed back to the apartment they found a car parked by the building. A car Victoria didn't recognize but Donghae did.

"Looks like you have a visitor," Donghae told.

Victoria stared at the door for a long moment wondering who her visitor was. She thought of turning around and walking away but it was cowardly to run. The door above the three steps opened and Ok Tacyeon and Yoona walked out. When the two noticed Victoria and Donghae they froze in spot.