Antifragile

“Unnie, we have to stop. Yena can’t go on any longer.” Chaewon advised Eunbi as she glanced behind anxiously.

Yuri and Yunjin were supporting Yena on either side, but the older girl was deathly pale. Sweat dripped profusely, but she still kept a smile on her face. Her heart was acting up.

“We’ll rest here for a few hours, then we have to go and find Hitomi and Nako. They’re the only ones who can help us. We have no choice but to leave Hanyang. We’ve already lost Yujin, and we still have Purple Kiss on our backs.” Eunbi announced.

Wonyoung burst into another round of tears upon hearing Yujin’s name, her heartbroken cries tearing through the others. They had never seen such despair and hopelessness from the young girl before.

Sakura was trying to hold back her own tears, leaning her head on Chaewon’s shoulder for support. Kazuha was gently rubbing Sakura’s back, murmuring calming words to her despite her own grief. Even Eunbi was barely holding back a sob, turning away to wipe her eyes.

“I’m going back. I can’t leave her body there to rot or be thrown away. At least let me bury her.” Wonyoung demanded through her sobs.

Eunbi’s face morphed from sorrow to sternness, her gaze hardening as she stared at the young girl.

“Absolutely not. This is no time to be stupid. Wonyoung I’m sorry, but she is dead. We can’t do anything about it, and going back to risk your life makes her sacrifice worthless. You’ll be dishonouring her memory.” Eunbi replied firmly.

Wonyoung glared at the leader through her tears, before she suddenly got up and tried to make a run for it. Thankfully, Eunchae and Kazuha had anticipated it and grabbed Wonyoung before she could do anything.

“Let me go! Let me go! I should be with Yujin! Just let me die!” Wonyoung screamed as she kicked and thrashed while they dragged her back to the group.

Wonyoung continued to fight and scream even as they placed her back down, her long limbs flailing in every direction. Kazuha ended up having to practically sit on top of the teenager after she nearly whacked Yena in the face. Eventually, Wonyoung’s screams subsided into tiny sobs. Kazuha could feel the young teen shaking under her as she cried, but she couldn’t risk Wonyoung trying to run off again.

“It’s my fault. It should’ve been me back there…she died because of me…” Wonyoung cried.

Everyone’s gaze softened with pity. None of them could even begin to imagine the guilt Wonyoung must be feeling.

“Come here baby.” Eunbi called quietly.

Wonyoung slowly moved towards the leader, crying in Eunbi’s lap while the elder girl comforted her.

“It’s not your fault baby, you didn’t do anything wrong. It was the soldiers who killed her. Yujin knew what she was doing when she jumped in to save you. I know you feel awful right now. You’re hurt and scared and confused and angry and upset, and you feel guilty, but you have to go on. Fight for Yujin, fight to avenge her. Don’t let her sacrifice be in vain. Fight so you can get your revenge.” Eunbi encouraged her.

Eunbi’s words motivated everyone. The leader was right. They all had to continue fighting, so Yujin’s memory could live on. They had to get revenge for her death.

Wonyoung slowly sat up, looking into Eunbi’s eyes as Eunbi gave her a reassuring nod.

“Let’s do this, for Yujin unnie.” She whispered.

After resting for a few more hours, the group resumed their trek. They took turns supporting Yena during the steep climb, aided by Yena’s perseverance and grit. Although her body wasn’t at its best, she wouldn’t let it burden her friends.

The top of the mountain was oddly quiet when they arrived, almost unnaturally quiet. Usually Nako and Hitomi would meet them at an ivy bush opposite of Nako’s family home, but there was no sign of either girl. Nako’s family house, usually so full of life and energy, was completely dull and lifeless. Hitomi’s family home fared no better.

“Psst, psst. Over here!” A voice whispered urgently.

The group glanced around, finally spotting a tiny hand waving to them from a thick bush nearby. None of them recognised the voice though. It sounded like neither Nako nor Hitomi.

“It might be a trap.” Chaewon warned.

“I think so too. Chaewon, Sakura and Yunjin, you’re with me. The rest of you stay here. Eunchae, look after Wonyoung please. We need to keep a watch on her mental state.” Eunbi ordered, grabbing a knife from her pocket.

The three of them followed suit, grabbing whatever weapon they could find as they approached the bush. They could hear the faint sound of someone shifting around in it, weapons at the ready.

“Who are you and who sent you? Talk.” Yunjin demanded as they surrounded the bush.

The girl let out a squeal, raising her hands to surrender.

“Don’t hurt me please! Nako and Hitomi asked me to come here on their behalf! You can trust me. My name is Kim Minju, I’m a friend of theirs. My family lives in that house opposite Nako’s.” She blurted out.

“Where are they? Why couldn’t they come themselves?” Eunbi asked coldly.

“They were suddenly sent back to Japan. It was an order from someone even higher than their parents. Their families had no choice but to leave.” Minju informed them.

“Yuki.” Yunjin realised with a curse.

“Did they say anything else?”

“No, I’m sorry. I’m just the messenger. Please don’t kill me.” Minju begged.

“Of course we won’t. We’re not monsters. Please go home, it isn’t safe for you to be out here alone. Thank you for your help.” Eunbi said absentmindedly.

“Unnie, what’s wrong? Why are you so distracted?” Sakura asked, feeling her panic grow.

“Something feels wrong, very wrong. I feel like I’m forgetting something. Something important.”

“Yujin is dead. Her body was found this morning, covered in blood.” Sohee reported sadly.

“Was it buried?”

“Yes, the Lee family stepped in to take care of her body. The funeral is in two hours. We should go, she was our friend.”

“Of course we will. We all need to say goodbye. Poor girl, she was so young and full of life.” Yeonhee sighed.

The rest of the girls fell quiet, observing a moment of silence for Yujin. She had been a great friend, having always been the life and joy of every party. Things wouldn’t be the same without her.

“I expect Eunbi will be over in any minute. She has nowhere to go now. Their house was completely burnt down.” Yunkyoung revealed.

They had all heard the news, worried for their friends’ safety. Without their home, they had nowhere to stay. They may be forced to leave Hanyang.

“I wish we could have them here, but there’s not enough space. We’re already constantly stepping on each others toes, we simply can’t have even more people here.” Dahyun added.

Almost as if on cue, there was a knock on the door. Yeonhee wordlessly unlocked and opened the door, expecting to see Eunbi.

Instead, all she saw was a silver blade charging straight towards her. She had no time to react as the blade pierced her skin, stabbing her right through the abdomen. The others let out a scream as Yeonhee groaned, barely able to move. She crumpled to the floor as the blade was ripped out of her body, blood pooling around her.

Goeun stared at the blood dripping down her sword, grinning as she slowly entered the house. Eyeing the terrified girls, her grin only grew as she lifted her sword up to showcase the blood that stained it.

“Bingo.”