We all gathered together and discussed our findings. As expected, no one else had been found besides Youngjo. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary like back in Chuncheon. I felt something touch my side then smiled at the sight of Carla.

"I'll be back. I'm gonna walk with her for a bit." I said as I guided Carla away.

I got lost in my thoughts as Carla ran rampant ahead of me. What was that green thing I saw? It looked like a plant, but it didn't at the same time. I was knocked off balance by Carla and fell to the ground. She started to lick my face, but I quickly stopped her. She sat down while looking at me.

"You weren't getting proper attention huh? I apologize." I said as I stood up.

I looked around for something we could play fetch with. I found a stick then noticed Carla's tail had started to wag faster. She was such a simple thing which made her cuter. I threw the stick then felt my phone vibrate.

"Yeah?" I said as I cleverly threw the saliva covered stick.

"Keonhee and Dongju fought again and took off in the cars. Geonhak is bitching and taking his anger out on us because Keonhee took his car. This spiraled downwards too fast..." Hwanwoong said. "Hey, don't hit him!"

I opened my mouth to speak, but I no longer heard the wind in the background. Carla came back with the stick and looked at me expectantly. I sighed then threw the stick again. They couldn't always rely on me to fix the arguments. I heard Carla whine then hurried over to see what it was. Her paw had been seized by one of those green things. My strength compared to it was little to nothing. I took out my swiss army knife and tried everything. After quite a few pokes with the knife, it finally let go.

"You're okay now. Calm down." I said as I stroked her fur. I could feel her shaking.

It left a hole in the ground, so I picked up Carla's stick and poked into it. I had watched enough TV shows and movies to know you shouldn't, but I did anyway. And as expected, it resulted in a bad outcome. Something long and green shot out from the hole and swayed in the air. I quickly grabbed Carla and ran. I looked back then screamed as it started to descend on us. I quickly moved over then felt the ground shake as it landed just inches away from us. I repeatedly apologized to the earth as I narrowly dodged each attack.

We managed to get far enough where it could flail around and not reach us. I held onto Carla tightly in fear that she'd run off and get hit. I called Hwanwoong and felt relief when he finally answered.

"I meant to call. Are you okay? We felt the ground shake slightly. Did you?" Hwanwoong asked worriedly.

"I was the cause of it... Carla, wait-" I said then cursed as she escaped from my arms.

I chased after her then gasped as she yelped. The thing had hit her and sent her flying. I quickly ran to her and ended up getting hit as well. My side hurt more than a heartbreak. I crawled over to Carla who lied in her own blood. I felt tears sting my eyes as she tried getting up on her own.

"Carla, don't move... please..." I pleaded as I touched her.

I made a noise as it hit me square on the ass. I took off my shirt and wrapped it tightly around her body, shielding her from the constant blows with my own. Soon the pain stopped and I looked back to see it retreating back into the hole.

"Seoho!" a voice yelled from afar.

I turned around and saw Hwanwoong, Youngjo and Geonhak running in my direction.

"You're shirtless..." Youngjo pointed out.

I looked at Hwanwoong who seemed concentrated on something.

"The dog, where is she?" Geonhak asked.

"It's best if we don't move her too much. None of us are doctors which makes this situation worse..." I said while ruffling my hair.

"Keonhee and Dongju aren't doctors?" Geonhak asked.

I shook my head then told him our professions. Geonhak sighed then knelt beside Carla. I started to feel guilty as had I not freed her from the leash, maybe she would've gotten away on her own and probably lived. Instead, herr she was bleeding and possibly on the verge of death.

ㅠㅛㅠㅛ

"I'm amazed. You really think on your feet." Hwanwoong said as he looked at me.

"There was a 50/50 chance and I was willing to take it. Carla deserves better." I said as I remembered I was shirtless. "I'll be back."

I entered a store then quickly looked for a suitable shirt. I decided on a white shirt with a navy blue feather pattern. I walked out and received judgmental looks from the others.

"Oh please, as if you haven't been swiping food and gas." I shot back with a huff.

"Fine, we'll let it go." Hwanwoong said with a laugh. "The shirt suits you."

"Thanks." I said with a smile.

He quickly looked away and turned his attention to Carla. I pouted as Carla seemed more important to him than us.

"First order of business is to find Keonhee and Dongju. After that I have something to share." I said as we walked around. "We'll split two two."

I reached out to Hwanwoong, but he simply joined arms with Youngjo. I frowned as it started looking too coincidental.

"Hey, your turn to hold her." Geonhak said before gently handing Carla over.

I let her lick my hand as we walked around looking for either car. I glanced at Geonhak who didn't seem intent on starting conversation.

"So, you play soccer?" I asked, knowing the answer was obvious. "Yeah" was all he said. "When did you start playing?"

"About 10 I guess. What about you? When did you know the military was your calling?" he asked as we checked inside cars that looked vaguely familiar.

"Around 16. Maybe 17. Everyone makes joining the military out to be some god awful thing, as if you're selling your soul to the devil. It's not as bad as people make it out to be." I said as I quieted Carla's whimpering.

"Really? That's interesting to know." said Geonhak as we crossed the street. "Everyone makes it seem like you're certain to die if you join."

I shook my head. There were other positions besides the ones meant for battle. I looked to my right then squinted. My eyes widened and I rushed over to the car. Geonhak eventually followed suit then knocked on the window for me. Keonhee had fallen asleep behind the wheel. After numerous knocks, Keonhee finally woke up.

"What happened to her?" asked Keonhee as I placed Carla in the backseat.

"I'll explain, but we need everyone to be together." I said as I patted Carla's head. "And just one thing, Keonhee."

I asked him to step out the car. He obliged and I gave him a swift punch to the face. He babied his cheek as I glared at him.

"Do you always have to go and cause trouble with Dongju?" I asked tiredly.

"He started it. He's too hot tempered, Seoho." said Keonhee as he slid into the passenger seat.

I sat in the backseat with Carla as Geonhak headed in the direction that the other two went in.

"It doesn't matter who instigated it, what matters is how you handle it. And the both of you handled it poorly to the point it's shameful. You're both adults, try to act like it." I said as I gave Carla attention.

"Seoho has a point, Keon." said Geonhak as he looked around.

"I'm not promising anything, but I'll try." said Keonhee with a huff.

It was a start, and I was willing to nurture it to the point they say each other in a good light.