Knowing what to look for, Seulgi could see echoes of the Parents in that smile that had turned into a grin.

  Before she even knew that she moved, she sprinted toward Wendy and bear-hugged her. She was unaware of her bawling in a most sloppy manner, in relief, and like a child. She did the same thing that Wendy’s mother did. Wendy’s father had more innate decorum, at least that’s what he told himself. In actuality, just could not run as fast, otherwise, he would have too.

  The rest of the gang entered with more restraint, but no less joy. Each person came up, touched Wendy’s arm, leg, or whatever was avaible, and then moved back away from the bed for the next person. Only Seulgi was being selfish in her attentions. Nobody who saw the genuine emotion could begrudge them.

  After more than a mere few moments, Seulgi finally let go and sat back. Jeong-Hui Handed Seulgi a tissue before she coated her daughter with more tears and snot. There was a gentle chiding in her smile, but no malice. She, also, was more than a bit pleased with the depth of emotion that her daughter’s friend had for her beloved.

  Song-Hoon tried to project amused aloofness, but everyone, even those who didn’t know him, knew that this pose was a lie. He was as moved as anyone. Still, his indulgent smile was not faked at all.

  Wendy got her own tissue as well, for the same reasons. The main difference was hospital scrubs don’t come with a dry cleaning bill. Seulgi would pay thousands of dry cleaning bills, so long as she had her friend. Looking around at the people present, she amended that to ‘Friends’.

  A gruff voice with a mock outraged tone “So, as we were saying before we were so rudely interrupted,” a quick round of ughter at this, “I suppose we should start over.” He turned to address the newcomers. “We were discussing the potential treatment pns for this miscreant”

  Wendy stuck her tongue out and Jeong-Hui smacked his shoulder. Both of which he supremely ignored.

  “We all already know that the majority of the thing Wendy for her treatment will be rest. Obviously, it will take a lot more than ‘just’ rest. There will be some surgeries that she will need. There will be recuperation, there will be convalescence, there also be isotion, and all over the various other words that mean ‘rest’. I am Wendy’s primary physician. Speaking as her physician of choice, we were speaking about her treatment.

  “There is something that we were discussing that you are not going to like, but has to be considered. The location. Jeong-Hui and I both believe that the best pce for her treatment will be back in Canada.” There was a mummer of decent at this. ”Yes, I know there is world-css treatments here. But, we can offer one thing back in Canada that you cannot provide here: Security.”

  The silence that met this was equally stubborn, unwilling, and unable to refute.

  “It’s obvious that she will miss you as much as you will miss her, and I thank you all very much for that. More than you will possibly ever know, but there is one irrefutable fact that none of us can ignore. Simply put, the person who did this is still out there. And I don’t see Jackson here.”

  Everyone wanted to be angry at how unfair this was, but no one could refute it. The brutal simplicity of it also robbed any sting. The only one who was still annoyed was the policeman who was irked at the perceived condemnation of his department’s reputation. Still, the fact that the person who did this to her was still out there. That could not be denied.

  “If that sub-human monster was behind bars, we’d go live in Wendy’s pce and help her recuperate. So, speaking as her father, her physician, and her power of attorney, we will be returning to Canada as soon as we can get her stable enough to move. Probably in two days' time, or so. This has been decided, and we won’t change our minds. Further, Wendy agrees.”

  What more was to say to that?

  “What can I and we do to help, sir?” Of all people, Nayeon asked. She and Yeji came in unnoticed. Unsurprised by more people popping up out of the proverbial woodwork, Song-Hoon started to answer but stopped.

  “What happened to your hand, child?”

  Seulgi knew that Yeji was not the overly vocal of her crew, so she recounted what happened.

  “Come here, girl.”

  Yeji moved over to Song-Hoon. He held out his hand for hers. She looked at Seulgi for confirmation, and when she got an acknowledgment, she extended her hand. “I take it you went to the ER before here?” Yeji nodded. “Those guys are good at meatballs medicine, but may have missed something.”

  He started doing a diagnostic on her hand while listening to what Seulgi was saying.

  “…and that is what happened until we split up to come here.”

  “Wait. What? When did this happen? Today?” Rapid-fire questions did not allow for any response. “Change of pn. We’re leaving today. If this person can plot and pn this well, we’re not safe here.”

  He turned to Jeong-Hui. “Call your brother. Tell him high security back to Canada. Full bells and whistles. If he gives excuses, double the fees. We need someone here in a half hour. If he gives you any further problems, just tell him that it’s for Wendy.”

  Turning to his daughter, “You know what this means. Is there anything that you need before we go?”

  “No, daddy.”

  Turning to his adoptive daughter, he said, “I know that this is fast. Firstly, I know that there are people that you will need to notify, but I would consider it as a personal favor if you wait until we are in the air, if not an hour after that we are in the air before you let people know. Secondly, I know that all of our things are at your pce. We cannot go back to get them right now. So, if it is OK with you, I will call you tomorrow with the name of one of our people who will collect our things and will be safe to let in your house to do so.” Seulgi just nodded in acceptance.

  “Thirdly,” he stopped, fished in his pocket for something, found it, and continued, “Thirdly, take this card young dy,” handing the card to Yeji, “This is a doctor that I can highly recommend to take care of your hand. He is both a collogue and a personal friend of mine. Also, since you were taking care of our second daughter,” everyone’s eyes widened (except Jeong-Hui’s) more than a little, “We will be taking care of the bill. Get it taken care of.”

  Never the loquacious one, Yeji just nodded.

  “I dislike being rude to those who are attempting to show goodwill to us, but can I please ask everyone to step out? We have some calls that we need to make. Except you, Seulgi. We need to talk a bit more.”

  “Everyone, we’re done here. Go home, in pairs as you can. Nayeon, go physically check on Gillian. Yeji, you wait. I’ll tak..”

  Bhuwakul ghosted next to her, surprising even Jeong-Hui.

  “Well, I guess I don’t need someone to look after me after all. Yeji, wait anyway. I’ll be…” a small clearing of a throat. “Excuse me, WE will be taking you home. Now, scatter.”

  Everyone except Yeji and Bhuwakul proceeded to scatter in pairs. Even these two did go out into the waiting room, knowing that there were things that needed to be discussed without them. If they needed to know, Seulgi would tell them.