Through Seoul

The adoption center in Seoul was cold — not in temperature, but in the way it treated the children. No warmth. No love. Just waiting.

Eli sat quietly on the edge of the cracked leather sofa, his hood pulled low over his eyes. Next to him, his little sister, Min-Ji, clutched his sleeve tightly.

"Eli… I’m scared," she whispered. "What if our new parents are mean? Like the people here..."

Eli looked at her and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You don’t have to be scared, Min-Ji. As long as I’m here, you’re safe. I promised Mom before she died that I would protect you, no matter what. That’s all that matters to me."

Min-Ji gave a small smile, her eyes shining with tears. "I’m really lucky to have you as my brother."

Eli smiled faintly. "Me too."

A staff member entered the room. "Your new foster parents are here."

Min-Ji stood up quickly, brushing down her skirt. Eli followed calmly, keeping close to her.

Outside, a car waited. A man and a woman stood next to it, waving and smiling warmly.

"Look," Eli said, nodding. "They seem nice. See how they're smiling at us?"

Min-Ji nodded slowly. "Yeah... it makes me feel a little better."

They got into the car.

"Welcome, kids!" Jun-Ho, the foster father, said joyfully. "We’re so happy to have you. You both seem so sweet. I hope you love your new home."

"Yes!" Soo-Jin, the foster mother, added. "We have a big house, but it's felt empty. What we’ve been missing are children like you. I really hope you'll like it there!"

Arriving at the house, Eli and Min-Ji stepped out of the car and stared in awe.

"Wow, it's so big and beautiful!" Min-Ji gasped. "Come on, Eli! Let’s go find our rooms!"

Eli chuckled and followed her inside. Jun-Ho and Soo-Jin exchanged a warm glance, smiling at the children’s excitement.

Min-Ji found her bedroom first. "Eli, look how big it is! But... I’m a little scared. We won’t be sleeping in the same room like we used to."

Eli knelt beside her. "Don’t worry, Min-Ji. My room is right next to yours. If you need anything, come to me. Just like I promised, I’ll always be here for you."

They hugged tightly.

Jun-Ho entered the room. "So, do you like it?"

Both Eli and Min-Ji nodded with big smiles. "Yes!"

"Good!" he laughed. "By the way, I already enrolled you both in school. You start tomorrow. Don’t worry, your school buildings are next to each other. Eli won’t be far from you, Min-Ji."

"It’s one of the best schools in the city," Soo-Jin added. "I’ll pack you both lunch in the morning. Make sure to tell me what you want in your sandwiches!"

That night, lying in bed, Min-Ji looked nervous. "Tomorrow's our first day of school... I’m nervous. But at least we’ll be together, right Eli? We’ll go and come back together."

Eli didn’t respond right away. His gaze was distant.

"Eli? Are you okay?"

He blinked and forced a smile. "Yeah, yeah... sorry. Just got lost in my thoughts. Of course we’ll go together. Sounds great, doesn’t it?"

Min-Ji laughed. "Yeah! But now it's bedtime. It’s already 9 PM. Big day tomorrow. Goodnight, Eli!"

"Goodnight, Min-Ji. I love you."

Eli entered his room, lay down, stared at the ceiling with blank eyes, and quietly began to cry.

The next morning, sunlight peeked through the curtains.

Min-Ji knocked on Eli’s door. "Morning, Eli! Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah. You?"

"Like a baby!"

Eli laughed. "You slept so well I could hear you snoring."

"What?! No way!"

They both laughed as they went downstairs. Soo-Jin greeted them in the kitchen.

"Good morning! Did you sleep well?"

"Yes!" they both answered.

"Great! Do you like cereal? Here you go."

After breakfast, Soo-Jin looked at Eli.

"Eli, it’s so hot today, and you’re wearing a long-sleeve uniform? Are you sure you won’t be too warm? I have short sleeves if you want."

"No, it’s fine. I’m used to it. But thank you again for your hospitality."

They headed toward the door when Soo-Jin gently stopped Eli.

"Eli, wait. When you come home from school today, I have something important to talk to you about."

Eli nodded, slightly confused, then left with Min-Ji.

At school, Eli tried to hide his nerves.

"I’m so nervous, Eli," Min-Ji whispered. "But I want to be strong for you."

Eli smiled at her. "You and me. Against the world."

They entered their separate buildings, waving goodbye.

In the hallway, Eli noticed a girl and two boys waving at him.

"Hey! You must be the new kid," one of the boy said. "You seem cool. Join us at lunch if you want."

"Yeah, you’re welcome anytime!" the girl added.

"Thanks," Eli replied, still a bit unsure. "That’s really kind of you. See you later then."

He walked into his first class — math. The teacher began.

"Alright everyone, today’s lesson is important, so no slacking off or chatting. Also, meet your new classmate, Eli."

The class looked him up and down.

"Why is he wearing long sleeves in this heat?"

"He looks so weird."

Eli kept his head down, pretending not to hear. He held back tears.

Suddenly, a loud scream echoed through the hallway. Panic.

"Stay here! I’ll check!" the teacher said, rushing out.

Moments later, she screamed too.

The class ran out and froze in horror.

Two students were attacking a teacher, biting them violently.

Screams. Chaos. Students fled in every direction.

Eli thought of only one thing: Min-Ji.

He ran, dodging panic and blood, until he reached the second building — still untouched.

He found Min-Ji’s class and burst in.

"Sir, recess hasn’t started yet. Please wait outside," the teacher said firmly.

Eli ignored her, rushed to Min-Ji, grabbed her. "We need to go. Now."

"What’s going on, Eli?! You’re scaring me! Please, tell me!"

Before he could answer, screams erupted from inside the building.

Eli picked her up and sprinted. The stairs were blocked. No way down.

He spotted a window — outside, the sea.

"We don’t have a choice," he said, breathless. "We have to jump."

Min-Ji clung to him in terror.

Zombies burst into the hallway.

Eli broke the window, held Min-Ji tight, and leapt.

They plunged into the ocean.

To be continued.