It’s has been snowing for days and my sister has yet not come back. I’m starting to get
worried. I couldn’t get to the school will all this snow, so I’m stuck with cleaning around the
house. Hopefully all my students are at home safe. Right now we barely have enough food to
keep us alive. My mom always kept some extra food in the secret cabinet in case there’s an
emergency like today. We also have a small stash of medicine in the bottom of my sister’s bed. I
went to go fetch a few pills for my mom until I saw my sister’s drawers were empty. I spotted a
paper hanging out of her shelf. Next to the paper it was a small telephone. I scurried to find the
medicine and back to inform my mom. Yeong went out to get some snow for later use of water
and some lumber. I slowly approach my mother scared to tell her the news. “Ma, Areum left the
house and took most of her clothes. I found the drawers empty and a note on her shelf.” I told
her. I didn’t mention the phone because I knew she would want to call my sister right away. I am
scared that my mom would want to go look for her, but the storm is too strong to go anywhere.
“What, how could I let that happen? She’s going to get killed out there!” my mom stated.
“Where’s the note?” I looked into my pockets until I felt the comfort of the paper. “Here,” I said
blankly.
Dear Mom and Hye,
I have left with my friend to the south. I could no longer take it! I decided that it was best if I
left. I would be one less mouth to feed. I will be safe, I promise. We are heading down to a safe
house near the 38th parallel. Don’t try to find me, please! I wanted to tell you I was leaving in
person, but I knew you wouldn’t have let me go. Please take care and remember 당신을
사랑합니다! (I love you)
Love,