Through Seoul

Chapter 4:Traitor

10 years earlier.

New York City.

Eli had just gotten out of school. He was six years old.

He watched the other kids laughing and playing with their friends, while he stood alone, silently hoping to make some friends someday.

As he waited for his father, like every day, two boys came up and pushed him.

Eli fell to the ground.

Boy 1: “Hey, you’re weird. Your creepy eyes freak everyone out.”

Eli didn’t respond. He just froze, fear rising in his chest and tears welling up in his eyes.

The boys were about to hit him when the school monitor shouted:

Monitor: “Hey! Get out of here! Leave him alone!”

The two boys ran off.

The monitor came over and helped Eli to his feet.

Monitor: “Come on, Eli. Get up.

Don’t let idiots like them get to you again, alright?”

Eli nodded quietly.

Monitor: “You’re a brave kid. Remember that.”

She walked away.

Eli spotted his dad’s car and ran over to it.

Eli: “Hi, Dad.”

His father didn’t respond.

He was always cold toward him.

Eli: “I got the highest grade in math today, if you want to know...”

Father: “Alright.”

Father: “I’ll be right back. I need to buy something.”

His dad got out, leaving his phone on the seat.

At first, Eli ignored it, but curiosity got the better of him.

He picked it up—and froze.

He saw messages from his father to another woman.

His dad was cheating on his mom.

He didn’t even notice his father returning until he grabbed the phone out of Eli’s hand.

Father (coldly): “What do you think you’re doing?”

Eli didn’t answer.

His father read the messages, and a threatening look crossed his face.

Father: “You’ll see what happens when we get home.”

Eli was too terrified to speak.

At home, they were alone. His mom and little sister, Min Ji, hadn’t come back yet.

Father: “Come here. Now.”

Eli walked over slowly.

His father slapped him hard. Then again. And again.

He didn’t stop.

The beating was so violent it left bruises and scars all over Eli’s body.

Eli didn’t even scream—he was too scared.

Father: “One word to your mother, and you’re dead. Got it?”

Still no answer.

Father (yelling): “Did you hear me?!”

Eli (crying): “Yes! I understand!”

Father: “Stop crying, you little piece of shit.”

Eli wiped his tears.

Father: “And don’t you dare wear short sleeves around your mother.”

He walked out, leaving Eli in his room, sobbing silently.

His body was bruised and broken.

He heard his mom and Min Ji return.

He quickly put on a hoodie to hide the damage and went downstairs with a fake smile.

Mom: “Oh! Hi Eli, how was your day?”

Eli glanced at his father, who stood behind her, glaring.

Eli (forced smile): “It was great, Mom! I got the top grade in math!”

Mom: “That’s my boy! I’m so proud of you!”

She hugged him tightly, while Eli stood still, his eyes empty.

That night, his father came into his room.

Father: “Stop acting depressed, or your mom will notice. If she does—you know what’ll happen.”

Eli nodded, terrified.

He went back downstairs and played with Min Ji, who was only one year old.

3 months later

The beatings didn’t stop.

Eli said nothing.

He was more afraid that his father would hurt his mother… or Min Ji.

The months turned into years.

Eli was 8. Min Ji was 3.

The bullying at school got worse. He never told anyone—not a teacher, not the principal.

At home, it was still hell.

His body still bore the scars.

By 10, Eli had started hurting himself.

Then one night at dinner:

Min Ji: “Mom, Dad! Can I have a sleepover with my best friend tomorrow?”

Mom: “Of course, sweetie!

What do you think, honey?”

Her husband hesitated, then agreed.

Mom (to Eli): “And you? What do you think about Min Ji’s sleepover?”

Eli saw his father’s cold gaze.

He forced a smile.

Eli: “Sounds fun! I hope you have the best time, Min Ji.”

The next day, his mom took Min Ji to her friend’s place.

Eli was home alone.

He went to his room and took off his hoodie.

The scars were still there.

He sat on the bed and cried.

He didn’t hear his mother come home.

She walked into his room—and froze.

Mom (shocked): “Oh my God, Eli… Who did this to you?!”

She dropped to her knees, crying.

Mom (sobbing): “This is my fault, isn’t it? I should’ve seen it… I should’ve protected you…”

Eli wiped his tears.

Eli (quietly): “It’s… complicated, Mom. I just want it to stop.”

Mom: “No, you’re telling me who did this. Now.”

After a long pause, Eli broke down.

Eli: “It’s Dad… He’s been hitting me for years. I’m sorry for telling you like this… But he also cheated on you.

And he said if I ever told you, he’d hurt us—maybe even Min Ji…”

His mom was stunned.

A cold look came over her face. Then she composed herself.

Mom: “It’s not your fault, Eli.

I was blind… But he’ll pay for this.

No matter what happens, promise me something: protect Min Ji. Always.”

Eli: “Mom, what are you going to do?”

She didn’t answer.

She called her husband home.

When he arrived, a huge fight broke out.

And then… it went horribly wrong.

Eli watched in horror as his father killed his mother right in front of him.

That was the moment his life changed forever.

Even through the shock, he managed to call the police.

As they arrested his father, his dad screamed at him:

Father: “This is all your fault!

If you’d kept your mouth shut, none of this would’ve happened!

You’re a traitor!

The worst son I ever had!”

Years later… Eli is 13.

He and Min Ji are being sent to an adoption center in Seoul.

Min Ji doesn’t know the truth.

Eli never told her.

She thinks their mother died in an accident.

The day before their flight to Seoul, Eli visits his father in prison.

Father: “Eli… You’ve grown so much.”

Eli doesn’t respond. He just glares.

Father: “And Min Ji? Is she okay? Why didn’t she come?”

Eli: “She doesn’t even remember you. I made sure of that.

We’re moving to another country. She’ll never know the truth.”

Father: “Please… I’m so sorry, Eli. I know I messed up. Please forgive me.

You can’t hide this from Min Ji forever.”

Eli: “Sorry? You beat me for years, and all you have is ‘sorry’?

I’m not hiding anything. I’m protecting her.

From you.”

“I’m honoring Mom’s memory. I’ll protect Min Ji from everything… Especially you.”

“I hope I never see you again.”

Eli started to walk away, but part of him still ached.

Somewhere deep down, he longed for a father’s love.

Father: “Min Ji will find out! You can’t lie forever!”

Eli walked out without another word.

Even though inside, he was in pieces.

That night, he visited his mother’s grave one last time before leaving for Seoul.

He kneeled down in front of the headstone, guilt crushing his heart.

Eli (softly): “I’m so sorry, Mom…

For not speaking up sooner… I failed you.”

“But I’ll keep my promise. I’ll protect Min Ji.

Even if it kills me.”

He placed flowers on the grave.

Eli: “Goodbye, Mom.”

Back in the present.

Eli stood in front of a mirror, staring at the scars.

Memories flooded in like waves.

He got dressed and went to join the others in the hotel lobby.

Na Ra (to Min Ji): “Hey! Look, your brother’s here!”

Min Ji: “Hi, Eli!”

Eli smiled and waved.

Jae Hyun: “Yo, you're back. You good?”

Eli: “Yeah. I’m alright.”

Na Ra: “By the way, what’s your name? I met your sister, but not you yet.”

“I’m Na Ra!”

Eli: “Nice to meet you. I’m Eli. Anyone else with us?”

Na Ra: “Yeah, there’s another one—you’ve probably seen him at school before all this started"

It’s Dong Ha. He’s a bit cold, but he’s the one who helped us survive the most.”

Eli: “Got it.”

Min Ji: “So now what?”

Jae Hyun: “Yeah, I got no clue either.”

Dong Ha walked in, looking serious.

Dong Ha: “We need to get the car, the weapons, and food.”

Eli: “There’s no car.”

Dong Ha: “Says who? There are a few in the hotel’s underground parking.

We’re taking one.”

Jae Hyun: “Who's gonna drive? We’re all sixteen... except Min Ji, who’s like, nine!”

Na Ra: “I’ll drive.”

Dong Ha: “Since when do you know how to drive?”

Na Ra: “I’ve got skills. Now give us the weapons!”

Min Ji: “Yay! I want one too!”

Eli: “No way. I’ll give you my knife for protection, but no guns.”

Min Ji (pouting): “You’re no fun.”

They went down to the weapons stash.

Na Ra: “Whoa! This is awesome!”

Jae Hyun: “You brought way more weapons than last time.”

Dong Ha: “Exactly. Here, take these.”

He handed weapons to Na Ra, Jae Hyun, and Eli.

Dong Ha: “You seem tough. Here, take this.”

Eli: “We’re the same age, you know.”

Dong Ha: “True.

Give your sister this knife instead. She’s not fighting zombies with a kitchen blade.”

Eli (to Min Ji): “Be really careful. Stay close to us no matter what.”

Min Ji: “I will, don’t worry.”

They got into the car.

Na Ra: “Now this is badass!”

Jae Hyun: “You sure you can drive this thing?”

Na Ra: “Obviously!

Dear passengers, please fasten your seatbelts, close your windows, and hold on tight—

It’s gonna be a bumpy ride!”

To be continued…