The Black Orb by Ewhan Kim

Author:Ewhan Kim
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Profile Books Ltd
Published: 2024-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

‘What does that mean? The world has ended? Do they think this is funny?’

‘It’s not a joke.’

Jeong-su’s head was starting to spin.

‘What are they talking about? Ended? Everyone can’t already be dead. You’re telling me all forty-seven million people in Korea died in the span of a week?’

‘This is old news, Jeong-su.’

‘News? Is this what you call news?’

Jeong-su tried changing the channel, but the only ones that worked were ones broadcasting this blue-andwhite screen. As Jeong-su flipped through over a hundred channels, Jong-seok just stood there in silence holding Jeong-su’s hand.

‘Jeong-su, how about we get something to eat?’

‘How can you eat at a time like this?’ Jeong-su’s shouting was hoarse and shrill. ‘I haven’t talked to my parents in days. I need to find a way to contact them. Food’s not important.’

‘There’s no way for you to contact them, Jeong-su.’

‘We need to get out of here. W City is just outside the city. I’m positive there will be people there. My parents, too.’

‘We won’t get far in this weather.’

‘We can take a car. It’s just a few hours. We have to leave. Now!’

‘We can wait until the rain stops. It won’t be too late. Let’s first get something to eat. And then we can talk about it. I’m famished.’

Jeong-su was about to protest when Jong-seok added:

‘Besides, it’s not like you can leave without me. You need to respect my opinion.’

*

It was so quiet down in the grocery store that the storm raging outside vanished from their ears. Jong-seok knew exactly where to find the light switch. Once he flipped it on, an immaculately shelved grocery store unfurled before them. Jeong-su became dizzy looking at the noisy packaging made from iridescent foil and exaggerated marketing language which masked their deleterious ingredients.

‘Let’s see. There’s gotta be food that hasn’t spoiled—’ Jong-seok muttered to himself as he entered the main floor of the store. He perused the isles for canned food, instant rice, and condiments. As he picked up some chips, he turned to Jeong-su and asked plainly:

‘Aren’t you getting anything?’

Realising he might as well get some food, Jeong-su decided to grab one of everything the kid was grabbing. They heated up their food with one of the microwaves used for food-tasting stands and used an ice cream freezer as a table.

Eating was difficult because they had to stay in contact the whole time. Each movement required detailed collaboration. At first, they stood there awkwardly for a moment, unsure how to proceed, but eventually they decided to stand on opposite sides of the freezer with their hands on top of each other.

It just so happened that Jong-seok was left-handed, which allow both to use their dominant hand while eating. Even after they figured this out, Jeong-su was anxious that he would lose focus and let go of the kid’s hand, summoning the orbs.

An odd stench permeated the store. Jeong-su brushed it off as rotting food. After all, it was several days since this department store had been abandoned, plenty of time for perishables to go rancid.

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