Outside, the KTX slowed.
The rails screamed under its weight as it glided toward the platform, brakes hissing, wind scattering dust and debris along the edge of the station.
Two police officers waited, one holding a loudspeaker, the other beside the paramedics, their stretchers ready. The senior officer raised the loudspeaker to his mouth.
"Attention, passengers–"
…
Inside the restroom, there were no passengers.
No sound except the steady hum of the train's slowing engine.
Woori crouched beside the covered toilet seat, lowering Seojin gently onto it. Their head tilted to the side, the cracked mask still clinging to their face. A faint line of blood trailed down their chin.
Kangwoo stood beside him, the metal bat back in his grip. His knuckles were raw, streaked with red.
The train gave a long, tired sigh as it stopped.
Outside, sirens wailed.
"Any armed or hostile passengers, exit the train immediately with your hands raised!" the loudspeaker blared.
…
In Compartment 7, bodies lined the aisle, unconscious and wounded.
Seats were torn open. Blood smeared the glass. A metal pipe and a crowbar glinted faintly in the flashing red-blue light from outside.
…
Back to the restroom.
Woori stood still.
His palms pressed against his face, sliding down as his breath shook. He didn't know what to do. His thoughts tangled between panic and exhaustion; his chest felt tight, pulse hammering in his ears.
Then Kangwoo's hand landed softly on his shoulder.
"…Thank you," Kangwoo said quietly. "But we'll have to go now."
Woori lowered his hands and turned slightly.
Kangwoo's expression was… unfamiliar.
The faintest trace of a smile, gratitude mixed with resignation.
Woori sobbed once.
"…Thank you," Kangwoo repeated.
He leaned the metal bat against the wall, then stepped forward and lifted Seojin carefully from the seat. Their arm hung limply over his shoulder.
"…Where will you go?" Woori asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Kangwoo paused, his back turned to Woori.
"Jail," he said quietly. "Where else?"
He turned his head slightly, eyes downcast. "We've done a lot of bad things. This was always where we were meant to end up."
Woori paused. "…Hey," he said, voice shaking. "Thank you, too."
Kangwoo glanced back. A faint, tired smile touched his lips.
Then his eyes widened–
The metal bat swung up in a blur, whistling through the air.
"No one's ever said that to me before," Woori whispered, just as the bat struck.
THUD.