Slave Again

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 3

Min-Ho had already examined the young girl from head to toe and then all the way back up again. Now he focused on the way the bottom of her throat trembled when she spoke. “My teacher said you could help me get a job.” She swept her bangs across her forehead.

“You’re kind of young, aren’t you?” Min-Ho smiled to calm the girl’s nerves. He wasn’t about to scare away a catch like this.

Sun focused on her hands. “My family needs the money.”

He didn’t ask for any more details. Details didn’t matter. He hadn’t met a girl like Sun in years. Numbers and figures raced through his mind. “You’ll need some new clothes.” His fingertip grazed the sleeve of her sweater, and he gauged her reaction when his knuckle brushed the back of her hand. “Much prettier clothes. Wouldn’t that be nice?”

She glanced down. He was pleased to note the red creeping into her cheeks. He pursed his lips. “You know, I could get you a job here in North Korea, but there’s no guarantee you’ll earn a single won. If the Dear Leader doesn’t pay your boss, you can’t expect your boss to pay you. You understand how it all works.” Sun blinked a few times but said nothing. She didn’t understand at all. Another good sign. “How old are you?” He wasn’t sure if the child was wise enough to lie, but he guessed not.

“Fifteen,” she whispered. No, not very wise at all.

“You know, I’ve helped girls even younger than that find jobs across the border.”

She touched her smooth, olive cheek. He picked at one of his pimples and shuffled closer to her on the park bench, watching her expression as his leg brushed against hers. “You’re smart enough that I won’t lie to you. It’s risky. Lots of people would take advantage of a young girl if she doesn’t have someone looking out for her, you know.” Her eyes grew wide. He put his hand on Sun’s knee, making sure not to touch the skin underneath the skirt of her school uniform. “I could help you find a good job in China, though. A better job than what you could find here.”

“And you’d help me get there?”

He nodded. “Of course. It’s too dangerous for you to cross the river alone. I’d be there to help you. I even know most of the border guards.” He paused to let her suck in a little breath. “We have certain ... arrangements. In fact, several of them are my friends. They’ll let you cross.”

“And when I want to come back home?”

His hand was still on Sun’s knee, but his thumb brushed her skin. “You just let me know, and I’ll come and bring you back to your family, safe and unharmed.”

“With all the money I earned?”

Min-Ho scratched away at his chin. “Exactly.” His other palm now rested completely on Sun’s warm leg. They sat for several moments in silence. He finally cleared his throat. “You’ll need to be very brave when we travel. I have some medicine that will help you sleep.” He stroked her skin. “You won’t wake up until we’re across the border. Can you do that?”

Sun nodded and hugged her arms across her chest. Min-Ho coughed. “You might also be asked to do other kinds of things. Scary things, for example, that you’ve never done before.”

She turned to meet his gaze. “I’m old enough.”

Min-Ho grinned. “Of course you are, child.” He stood up and took her by the arm. “One more thing. We need to make it look like we’re a couple, or people might get suspicious. When we walk, put your arm through mine like this.” The promise of a large steak dinner whetting his palate, Min-Ho paraded with Sun through the park. “Stand tall. Nobody should be able to guess your real age.” She hadn’t stopped blushing since he took her elbow. “We’ll toss out that school uniform, too. Anyone who sees you dressed that way will know you’re just a child.” Sun frowned, but Min-Ho prattled on, scratching his cheek with his free hand. “Don’t worry about a thing, though. I told you I’d take care of everything, didn’t I? I have some new clothes that will fit you. You can try them on at my apartment.”

“Your apartment?”

Min-Ho patted Sun’s shoulder. “I have everything we need there. Remember, I’ve helped lots of girls do this before. It couldn’t be easier. But first you need new clothes, or else everyone over the border will see you’re an illegal alien. Do you know what happens to runaways if the police catch them in China?” Sun shook her head. “They get sent home.” Min-Ho picked at a second pimple, pausing so Sun could feel the weight of his words. Then he smiled. “Come on. It’ll only take us a few minutes to get there.”

He watched the nape of her neck constrict. She looked up at him with wide eyes. “You mean right now?”

He continued to lead Sun forward but slowed his step. “For this to work, we need to move fast. We can’t afford to sit around and wait. Unless you’ve changed your mind, that is.”

“I didn’t change my mind.” She clutched Min-Ho’s arm. “It’s just ... tonight?”

He stopped walking long enough to brush her flushed cheek with the back of his finger. “These things happen fast. People have already seen us together at the park.” He tilted her chin up until she looked at him. Winter was still a month or two away, but she was shivering. “There are people here that know who I am. They know what kind of work I do.” She winced, and he tightened his grip on her arm. “I’ve got the contacts to keep me out of trouble. No one around here will bother me. But you ...” He sighed. “The police will know we were together. They’ll track you down. They’ll find out who you are, you know. It’s not hard for them. Then they’ll be angry with you for talking to me. And angry with your family, too.” Sun didn’t make any noise. Min-Ho couldn’t force his eyes away from the small indent of her neck. “Now you see why we need to get ready right away.”

She nodded and leaned against him as he led her out of the park. Back at Min-Ho’s apartment, the girl started to calm down a little. The red dress he had bought across the border fit perfectly. It had cost him four months’ savings, and he had squirreled it away, certain he’d eventually find the right one to wear it. The thin straps accentuated Sun’s dainty shoulders. The low cut made it hard for him to focus on anything besides the little hollow in her neck that quivered so provocatively while she swallowed.

The only problem came up when he mentioned they’d be leaving right away.

“You mean I can’t even hug my mother good-bye?” Sun’s voice trembled nearly as much as her chin. He frowned to hide his pleasure. Even while she was fighting tears, she didn’t suffer from the blotchy eyes and puffy cheeks that made average girls look so pathetic when they simpered.

He passed her a handkerchief. “If your mother discovers where we’re going, she’ll only worry about you, right?” She nodded and sniffed. “How could you put your mother through that just for one last hug? You do love her, don’t you?” He wiped one of her tears with his thumb. “Just think how happy she’ll be when you come home with your first paycheck.” He had already done the math. If Mr. Lee agreed to his price — and only a fool wouldn’t — Min-Ho would earn back four times what he had spent on the red dress.

Sun brushed her bangs aside. “Jae wouldn’t approve if he knew about it.”

“Jae?”

“My brother.” She looked down.

He sat beside her, close enough he could feel the goose bumps on her bare flesh. “Jae won’t complain when you come home with enough rice to last all winter, will he?” She didn’t react when he drew little circles with his thumb around her elbow. He stretched his free arm and pulled her in tight. “You should try to take a little nap. You’ll need your energy for the trip tonight.”

She kept her eyes to the floor. “I don’t know how I can ever repay you for your kindness.”

Min-Ho had to swallow down his anticipation. His payment would come soon enough.