Page 56 of Scarbound

Noeul’s expression changed. “Something happened the night before that conversation.”

“What happened?”

“I woke up sometime after midnight. I don’t remember why. The apartment was dark, and everyone else was asleep. When I stepped into the hallway, I saw Gong standing outside Ji-Woo’s room.”

“What was he doing?”

“Nothing. He was just standing in the doorway, watching Ji-Woo sleep.”

Dr. Kim waited. “Was he holding something?”

Noeul’s fingers tightened around each other. “A rope.”

“A rope?”

“It hung from his hand, one end brushing against the floor. He wasn’t moving. He wasn’t even blinking.” Noeul swallowed. “I said his name, but he didn’t answer at first.”

“What did you do?”

“I walked toward him slowly. I asked what he was doing in Ji-Woo’s room.”

“Did he answer?”

“He said, ‘He needs to be protected.’”

“From whom?”

“I asked him the same thing. He looked at me and whispered, ‘From them.’”

A chill passed through Noeul at the memory.

“I didn’t know what he intended to do with the rope. That was the worst part. I told him I would protect Ji-Woo and held out my hand. For a few seconds, Gong refused to give it to me. Then he let go and returned to his room.”

“Did you wake your parents?”

“No.” Shame entered his voice. “I should have. But I already knew what my father would say. That Gong was tired. That I was imagining things. That everything was normal.”

“What did you do instead?”

“I sat outside Ji-Woo’s room until morning with the rope beside me.” He lowered his eyes. “That was when I knew Ji-Woo couldn’t stay there. Not until we understood what was happening to Gong.”

“What did you suggest to your parents?”

“That Aunt Min-Seo could pick Ji-Woo up after school. At least until we found the right treatment for Gong. He could stay there in the afternoons, do his homework, eat something. That way, he wouldn’t be home during the worst hours.”

“Did your father agree?”

“Not immediately. His brow creased as he considered it. He opened his mouth, then closed it again.” Noeul looked away. “He knew. He just couldn’t say it.

“‘Every day?’ he asked at last. ‘For how long?’

“I told him, ‘Only until we find the right treatment for Gong.’ My voice trembled despite my effort to steady it. ‘We don’t have another choice. Ji-Woo has already seen too much. He’s starting to be afraid of his own brother. We can’t allow that.’”

“What did you feel while you were saying it?”

“Guilty.”

“Because you wanted to send Ji-Woo away?”