 
Eunbiryung.

By Matthew Scudieri

Forward

If someone would write a nice forward that would be nice.

A nicer cover would also be nice.

Seriously, I will give anyone a free book if they write a nice forward or make a nice cover. Or give you free coupons for a free night of Mattie Love.

Eunbiryung.

By Matthew Scudieri

© 2017 by Bart Matthew Scudieri and Mattie Love Publishing. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any written, electronic, recording, or photocopying without written permission of the publisher or author. The exception would be in the case of brief quotations embodied in the critical articles or reviews and pages where permission is specifically granted by the publisher or author.

Although every precaution has been taken to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for damages that may result from the use of information contained within.

Published by: Mattie Love Publishing. New Jersey, USA. e-mail mattielovepublishing@yahoo.com Visit us on facebook at www.facebook.com/mattielovepublishing  
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Proudly Printed in America on American paper with American labor and machinery.

Yeong Wonhi Salang

영원한 살랑

By: Matthew Scudieri

Yeong Wonhi Salang
Chapter I.

It was a cool autumn day in Linden New Jersey when Allie, with her husband John Sullivan and her two twin teenage children, were heading to her brothers' apartment. "Allie", John said to his wife of 25 years, "we should sell the house".

The house is a 1920's two and a half story multi family home that Megan Alejandra "Allie" O'Malley-

Sullivan and her older brother Matteo (Maddie) O'Malley had grown up in. Ally and Maddie were born and raised in this house.

Their father, Matthew O'Malley Sr. a first generation Irish American who had worked the loading docks in Bayonne New Jersey for over 40 years. Matthew O'Malley Sr. comes from a long line of tough hard working blue collar working Irishmen. Generations of ship builders in his family working long hard hours at the shipping ports of Belfast, Ireland. Known for hard work, powerful handshakes and hard drinking, they were real stand up people. Full of honesty and integrity he set sail for the shores of New York City at the young age of 19 for greener pastures. Matthew Sr. started working as a deck hand for a shipping company before getting a job as a longshoreman with union wages and great benefits in Bayonne, New Jersey. Known as a great worker, Matthew Sr. worked hard to support his family and give his children a better life. Matthew Sr. met his wife, Leonilda Múnera at a St. Patricks' Day parade in New York City. It was love at first sight as the two immediately fell in love and married.

Leonilda Múnera, was a first generation Colombian American and seamstress at a garments factory in Newark,

New Jersey for over 40 years. Raised by her grandmother after losing he mother and father to war, Leonilda (Leo) immigrated to America at twenty years old. Born and raised in the little mountain village of Minca, Colombia. Leo grew up working on

the family owned coffee farm and like her husband, Maddie, she was a hard worker. Generations of her family have worked in these mountains growing coffee and at a young age understood the value of hard work. When Leo set out for a better life in America she had $10.50 in her pockets and a bundle of clothing. Getting a job in a garment factory and renting a room from other Colombian Americans in Newark, New Jersey, she worked very hard to get ahead in life.

The two first generation American immigrants became the first in their mixed-race family to achieve the American dream of owning a home. Both Matthew Sr. and Leo worked dusk to dawn and raised two children. Throughout their lives Leo and Matthew Sr. instilled traditional values of hard work, morals and ethics into their children. Leo speaking English as a second language taught both their children Spanish as their father work with the children late into the night on the school work. The value of an education, hard work, ethics and morels was part of what both Maddie and Allie grew up with. Growing up in a two-income household both Allie and Maddie did chores around the house starting at a young age. Maddie, ten years older than Allie took on the responsibility of taking care of his younger sister while their mother and father were at work. The family lived on the first floor of a two and a half story multifamily house and rented the upstairs apartment to help pay the mortgage. For many years after her brother Maddie returned from the Korean War, he lived there, and still does. After the death of their father in 1982 their mother lived there and Maddie meticulously took care of the place, just like his father taught him. After their mother lost her battel with cancer caused by the asbestos in the factories she had worked in for many years, Maddie and Allie inherited the house. Maddie, is living on the second floor paying the taxes and maintaining the house on his own while he rented the first floor and split the profits with his sister from the rental income. Allie and her husband have argued for years about what to do with the house. Allie refuses to sell the house because her parents worked so hard to own it and her brother lives there.

"John" Allie says, "if we sell the house; where will my brother live?" "Your brother is 76 years old", said John. "I am sure he can find his own place to live." "besides if we sell the house we can make a lot of money." The house is worth about $186,000. Split in half between Allie and her brother that will bring in $96,000 each, enough money to send their two girls to college. "John" said Allie, "you can be so materialistic. It is always about money with you." "We have been saving money for the girls' college and we will be fine." We don't need the money." "It will break my parents' hearts and Maddie and my hearts to see the house go." "John, we have everything we could

possibly need, two healthy girls, a big beautiful house in the suburbs, two large European SUV's and plenty of money for our retirement." "Isn't that enough for you?" "When will you ever stop?" "In my family we take care of each other and I am not going to sell the house my brother still lives in."

Yeong Wonhi Salang
Chapter II.

After a long day of meticulous yard work, house cleaning and packing for his first vacation, Matteo (Maddie) O'Malley sits in his comfortable recliner and enjoys an ice-cold bottle of Budweiser beer. Reminiscing about the last 45 years of working at a deli counter in the local supermarket Maddie is unsure of what will happen tomorrow, his first Sunday without having to go to work in 45 years and the first day of his first vacation. For 45 years Maddie held the same job working for an old friend who inherited his dads' supermarket in Newark, New Jersey. Known as a mentor to the younger kids who worked there and well-liked by the customers and management alike, he will be terribly missed. But after working at the same job for 45 years Maddie is deeply concerned about the next chapter in his long life. The mundane routine of working 10 hours a day from Sunday to Friday for nearly all his adult life just suddenly ended. This will be Maddie's first vacation he ever had and he is not quite sure what to expect. His two cats, Kimchee and Hobak, strays he found in his back yard 12 years ago are also apprehensive about the change in their life that is about to happen. For the past 12 years Maddie's cats have kept him company and he has taken care of them as if they were his children. Never married and never dated since he was stationed in Korea during the war and he met the one and only true love of his life, Maddie met a young Korean lady after getting wounded in battle. Maddie had been unable to fall in love with anyone after he lost contact with her during the legendary battel of Triangle Hill, in Gangwon-do Korea in 1952.

As soon as Maddie's doorbell rang, Kimchee and Hoback scatter to their favorite hiding place as a big smile appeared on Maddie's face. It was his sister Allie, brother-in-law John and his only two, but deeply loved nieces, Maria and Allison. Two twin teenagers who respect their Uncle Maddie for his hard work, kindness and generosity. Maria and Alison are the only two in his family that like his two cats and the only trusted to care for his cats during his absents. Maddie knows that after 12 years of constant attention to his two-loved cat, they will be confused because he will soon to be absent and they will be in need of trusted people to care for his fickle cats.

"Uncle Maddie" Maria and Alison shouted simultaneously, as they ran to embrace their favorite uncle they have not seen for a while. "Where are Kimchee and Hoback they simultaneously asked. The two cats immediately came from their hiding places to see the twins. The twins have loved the two cats since Maddie had given them a home 12 years ago. Wanting cats of their own was not an option with a father, John Sullivan, who is not a big fan of cats. Uncle Maddie's cats, Kimchee and Hobak were the closest Maria and Alison could have and are looking forward to spending two weeks' cat and house sitting for their favorite uncle. "Are you sure you want your two teenage nieces to watch your cats and the house for you?" said Allie. "of course," said Maddie, "the twins are the only two the cats' like, besides me, they will do fine". "With a grin on his face, John, Allies husband said, "don't worry honey, we will have our house to ourselves for the next two weeks". "Okay John" said Allie as she turned to the twins and said, "be careful girls and don't forget to call me every day". After a quick hug, John and Maddie grabbed the few bags Maddie had packed and carried them to the car for a short ride to the airport.

On the way to the airport Allie stated her concern about the two girls staying at their uncles' house alone for two weeks. "Allie" said Maddie, "don't worry the girls will be fine, they are mature enough to take care of themselves, the cats and the house". Once again John brought up the topic of selling the house. "Maddie" said John, "did you ever think of selling the house and living in an assisted living facility?" "No!" said Maddie, "I am too young for assisted living, besides that is more than a house it is a family heirloom to Allie and I". "Besides, where will my cats live?"

After arriving at terminal B at Newark airport Maddie bid his farewell to his sister and brother-in-law. "Please don't worry Allie" said Maddie, "the girls will be fine the next two weeks of independence for them will be good". "Have a safe trip Maddie" said John and Allie.

On the way back home John and Allie thought long and hard about Maddie's decision to go on vacation to Korea. They could not grasp the idea for a man who has never been on vacation would decide to go to Korea. Besides the only other country Maddie had been to was Korea during the war. They were deeply concerned about a 76-year-old man with post-traumatic stress disorder from the Korean war traveling by himself. What will he do? How will he act? Will he be safe? Is he crazy? Were the question running through the minds of John and Allie. Knowing little about Korea, the land of the morning calm, deepened their concerns.

Yeong Wonhi Salang
Chapter III.

After checking in at the Delta Airlines ticket counter and making his way through security, Maddie patiently waited to board the plane. The bi-lingual boarding agents making announcements in English and Korean coupled with the large number of Koreans waiting to board the plane made it feel as though he was already in Korea. After boarding the plane Maddie placed his small old bundle in the overhead compartment and made his way to the middle and most uncomfortable seat on the plane. Then buckled himself in for the long fourteen-hour flight to Incheon International Airport. Shortly after settling into his seat Maddie hears a beautiful young voice with a Korean accent say, "excuse me, I believe I have the window seat". Maddie quickly moved to allow a lovely, slender and pretty collage aged Korean young lady to squeeze through and take her seat at the window. She quickly and nervously shuffled her plethora of electronic components around and settled down into her seat. "Hello" said Maddie. "I'm Matthew O'Malley, my friends call me Maddie". "Hi Maddie, I'm Emma Choi, nice to meet you".

After all the passengers settled down in their assigned seats and a few quick safety briefings from the flight crew in two languages the plane quickly took off and ascended to a cruising altitude of thirty-thousand feet. Shortly after reaching their cruising altitude the fasten your seatbelts sign was turned off and the flight attendant started making their rounds serving drinks. "Would you like anything to eat sir" said a young Korean flight attended. "Do you have any Budae jjigae" asked Maddie. Emma Choi and the flight attended turned wide eyed and smiled, "not for this flight" said the flight attended. "How about a cup of coffee?" "Okay" said Maddie.

"Maddie" said Emma. "Do you like Bundae jjigae?" "Yes, I do" said Maddie. "My one and only true love used to make me Bundae jjigae all the time when I was in Korea back in 1952, I was a bit younger then". With a smile on her face and a glair in her eyes Emma said "that is so sweet".

Emma Choi, a 20-year-old college student from Sokcho, Gangwon-do South Korea, is on her way home from her first trip overseas was attending a summer English program at Fairly Dickenson University in Teaneck, New Jersey. Emma was raised by two traditional Korean parents. Her mother stayed at home taking care of the home as her father worked in the corporate world. Emma's mother, Da-Hea, would take care of the children's education, cook, clean and do the laundry. Emma's father would go to work before Emma woke up and return home after she went to bed. Working so many hours, Emma's father was hardly around. Nevertheless, he saw to it that Emma would be raised as a traditional Korean girl. This was a conflict that was a major part of Emma's childhood. Her mother was much more progressive than her father. While Emma's father was at work, her mother would raise her to be an openminded free spirited young lady. This dual life would confuse Emma as she went through Elementary school. But by the time she was in Middle School she was happy to have a progressive mother. Emma, being different than most of her classmates never bothered her.

Enjoying his cup of coffee, Maddie and Emma started a conversation.

Emma talked about the grueling education system of Korea and how happy she will be when she finally graduates from the university. Emma also talks about how she will be happy to see her friends and boyfriend, Jerry Hoffman soon.

In his usually friendly and fatherly style Maddie tells her how nice it is to have the opportunity to travel overseas at a young age and how he wishes he had done the same when he was here age. Maddie, however, could not let the feeling that something was bothering his new friend Emma and continuing the conversation tried to see what her problem was. Maddie could not understand how a beautiful, smart and traveled young lady could seem to have the weight of the word on her small shoulders.

"So Emma, what is upsetting you" said Maddie. In a response, typical of a young Korean lady, "nothing, I'm fine, thanks" said Emma.

Maddie knew deep inside that she was not fine and continued the conversation. Maddie had a certain way about him. He is for the most part a quiet man but had an innate ability to read people and talk to them. He has always been seen as the type of person anyone can talk to and the type of person who was always a great mentor. Before the flight attendants could make their way back to collect the empty cups and cans from the passengers and prepare the first round of airline meals on this long flight Maddie had Emma telling him her life story.

Emma started to explain to Maddie that Korea is not the same it was when he was there in 1952. Yes, it is now a modern industrialized nation with all the technology anybody could ask for. But this came at a price. Today Korea is one big preverbal rat race. Korean children with parents who have enough money start school before they can walk and it is nonstop until you graduate the University. First you have private kindergarten, music lessons, English lessons, taekwondo and other sports, math and society lessons from dawn to dusk. This is nonstop and only gets worst as you get older. At the high school level, we get up at 7:00 AM and get home from school at midnight. We never see our parents. Dad and mom are always at work and we are always at school. No time to play, no time to have fun, no time to be a kid, no time for relationships. First raise by our government schools then raised by corporate owned schools looking to make a quick buck, we spend more time with teachers than our families. On and on every day, every night, weekends, holidays and vacations. Study, study and when that is over we study some more, until we get to the university. Then in the university we study and then study and occasionally blow off some steam on the weekends in an orgy of soju and beer, only to graduate and work for the rest of our lives. We study all day and night to take a test and are then judged solely on the test score, no personality, individualism or creativity. Just study your life away for a test score that will never be high enough. We no longer have time to be kids, just another student in our mega schools cramming information into our heads so we can regurgitate it on a test. Day after day of extreme nationalism and how we should behave. What we need to do to be good workers for the corporations, why we need to have so many people in the military and how we need to behave. The double standards of "proper" behavior for Korean boys and Korean girls. How to behave in the classroom and how to behave in the work place. Proper Korean etiquette and the structure of Korean society from age, sex, money and job title. Constant pressure from teachers in both the public schools and private schools we attend all night, our parents, aunts, uncles and strangers we run into all day long. The constant rush to finish everything instantly and perfect, a goal that is currently un-achievable for any Korean student especially for us girls. All-the-while dealing with the double standers set by our dynasties thousands of years ago when it comes to men and women. The constant pressure of presenting the proper image with total lack of regard for what is under that image. The constant state of cold personality with a lack of love that just creates more stress. No love! Just work and portray the proper image of a Korean girl the way you were taught by the government schools we attended all day and all night for our entire childhood.

"WOW!" said Maddie. "I never knew that that is what Korea has turned into, I could have never imagined". Maddie knew there was more weight on Emma's shoulders. He learned a lot about modern Korean culture but knew deep inside there was something that Emma had been yearning to say, she wanted to blow off some steam, and Maddie knew it. His caring, benevolence and kindness deep inside of Maddie forbid him from dropping this, he pressed for more.

"Why don't you just be yourself instead of trying to please everyone, Emma?"

"But Maddie, you don't understand Korean culture". Emma goes on to tell Maddie more about the problems of a young Korean lady dating a foreign man.

The biggest problem is that I am not dating a Korean. I have always had a difficult time dealing with Korean teachers, aunts, uncles and especially my father. I have always been more of a free spirited person and an individual living in a collective society. All my life people have always told me that I do not act the way a young Korean girl is supposed to. I always got in trouble in school and at home. It was very difficult for me growing up in Korea, very depressing at times. I always instinctively questioned everything and that was the opposite of what we were supposed to do. Korean culture demands that we do not act as individuals and question authority. I always got terrible grades in school because I refused to bow down to authority and regurgitate what was crammed into my head by our government. In art class I would try to create my own art work and get yelled at by the teachers for not copying what I was supposed to. In music class and privet guitar lessons I always got in trouble for playing rock-n-roll instead of the classical acoustic guitar music everyone else but me wanted to hear. I always tried to create my own guitar music and was yelled at and often hit for not playing what someone else wanted. When it was study time, all I wanted to do was satisfy my curiosity and get out of the house to explore what was outside the sheltered life I was unhappily living. This was another thing I would always get in trouble for when I was in high school, I never listened to K-Pop music. I always wanted something different then what we were surrounded with every day. I liked rock-n-roll, jazz, classic and alternative rock and that was outside the box us Korean girls were supposed to be living in. When I was with my Korean boyfriend we had to go to Korean clubs and listen to K-Pop. I hated that, it was just not my style, but I was not allowed to listen to the music I wanted. When I was home my father would always yell at me for listening to foreign music telling me how bad it was and how bad foreigners are.

When it came to food I was also different. I always wanted something other than the same old Korean food we would eat every day. I always yearned for a good hamburger or a slice of pizza. I would have to sneak out of the house to get the food I wanted instead of the same old rice and kimchee that we had every day. And that is not the end of it.

The biggest problem is that I now have a foreign boyfriend. His name is Jerry Hoffman and I am in love with him. He is a true Sothern gentleman from Tennessee with a great family and he is highly educated. He treats me like a lady, the opposite of what my last boyfriend, a Korean boy did. Jerry is so sweet. He always holds the door for me, he introduces me to his friend and when we go out he is so proud of me and he always includes me in his plans. He treats me with respect and is never jealous. I never had this before. The boys I have dated before have always been Korean. They never take me out with their friends and when they went out with their friends they wanted me to stay home alone. They were always jealous of me and never treated me with the respect that Jerry does, unless they wanted something special. They would always yell at me and expect me to always be a perfect little Korean girl. They had their friend and family always watch me everywhere I went. I never felt loved, my heart was empty. When I am with Jerry I always feel happy. When I was with my Korean boyfriend, I never felt happy, I was always nervous and afraid of not doing everything the way he wanted. With Jerry I feel as though I am an individual in a healthy and happy relationship, I can be myself not what Jerry wants me to be, he loves me for who I am. When I was with my Korean boyfriend I was to behave and say what he wanted, no individualism, I couldn't be me, I have to be what my Korean boyfriend wanted me to be.

"Well Emma" said Maddie. "If you are in love, where's the problem". "Your one and only true love comes but once in a lifetime". "You have but one chance and if you let it go, it will never come back".

Another problem with me having a foreign boyfriend is the flack I get from my friends, family and people who see us together. Many of my old friends won't talk to me anymore because I have a foreign boyfriend. Some of my friends told my parents that I was dating a foreigner and now my dad is always giving me a hard time about him. They tell me that I am a trader and I should marry a Korean man who is rich, handsome, tall and has rich parents. My friends and family think that I should date a Korean man who has a good high paying job and who has parents with a lot of money. They think this is better than true love. They can be so vain and materialistic. They want money and material, not true love. This is very difficult for me because I am truly in love with Jerry. My friends tell me that if we have children they won't be Korean and will never understand Korean culture. They also tell me that our children will be ugly, retarded and stupid because Jerry is not a full blooded Korean and our children will have mixed blood. Everywhere we go Koreans always stare at me and say bad things, even know I am happy and they can see that I am happy with Jerry. Old Korean men always say evil things and try to start yelling at Jerry in Korean and telling me I am a traitor. It is very depressing. They also give me a very hard time because he is older than me by five years. Koreans think that my boyfriend need to be the same age I am.

The only person who is kind to me and understands me is my boss. She is an older Korean lady who has dated a foreign man before. She owns a guesthouse, café, bar and restaurant all rolled up in one deep in the mountains near Sorak Mountain in Injea, Gangwon-do. She is like my second mother and best friend. I often stay there overnight so I don't have to deal with the problems I get from my family, I tell them that I am staying at the dorm rooms at the university so I can study all weekend, that is a lie. Or if I can get time off I just stay overnight at Jerry's apartment in Sokcho. My boss always tells me to do what I feel is the right thing to do and what makes me happy. She tells me that she had a true love many years ago and let him go. She always says that you will know when you find your true love, your heart will tell you. Once that happens never let it go, you may never see it again. I love my second mother and best friend; she has been the most helpful person I have ever known. If I never met her I don't know what I would be doing now. For the life of me I could never understand how she never had a husband and children. She is so strong and kind. She taught me how to be strong yet kind at the same time. She also taught me how to work hard and think for myself. Everything she has she earned, by herself, no help, no rich husband she doesn't love, no rich father that gave her anything she wanted. She is a real person and I can't wait to get home and see her. She and Jerry are the only two people in my life who respect me for who I am. They really do love me, and it is true love.

Maddie, you should come and visit us, we make the best Budae jjigae in Korea.

I would love to Emma. I was in that area during the war and I have not had Budae jjigae in years.

Yeong Wonhi Salang
Chapter IV.

With autumn setting in it was a cool and clear day deep in the mountains of Injea, Gangwon-do, South Korea when Jerry Hoffman walked into Eunbiryoung, guitar strapped to his back and an overnight bag in hand. Eunbiryoung is a quaint yet rustic log structure that consists of a guesthouse, café, restaurant and bar owned by an older Korean lady that is frequented by foreigners as well as Koreans on the weekends and holidays. Jerry, a well know English teacher from Tennessee often frequents his favorite place in Korea to see his girlfriend Emma Choi and entertain the guests with his amazing guitar and voice. Known as a friendly and elegant person Jerry often makes friends who return for some great Korean food and inviting mountain air. Upon arrival Jerry is welcomed by his dear friend and temporary mother to many young foreign English teachers living in the area Sun-A, known as E Moo, meaning aunt in Korean. "Eoseo seyo" says E Moo, (welcome in Korean). "Is my bed available?" asks Jerry. "Of course it is and your girlfriend will be home this weekend". "Thank god" says Jerry, "I sure, do miss her". "We all do" said E Moo. After unpacking his bags Jerry sat down for a nice bowl of Korean soup called Kamja Tang, a spicy Korean soup made with pig spine and potato.

Sun-a, an older Korean lady, How old? No one knows and doesn't goad to ask her. Nonetheless, Sun-A, A.K.A. E Moo, is like many Korean lady's, she looks a lot younger then she is and nearly impossible for foreigners to guess her age. She is incredibly smart and hardworking, and quite possibly the greatest cook in all of Korea. She is the owner of a unique business, a combination of a log cabin, café, restaurant, bar and hostel all rolled up in one. Singlehandedly, Sun-A is the BOSS. Yes, there are a few people working there, such as Emma Choi, but Sun-A is everywhere. In addition to running the business, Sun-A, is also the temporary mother to many native English Teacher and her team of employees. A mentor and the sole patriarch of the one and only Eunbiryung.

E Moo, being the witty and wise Korean lady she is with the ability to read people's feelings as if she were inside of your mind. She noticed something about Jerry that did not seem to be normal. Jerry is usually a very friendly and happy young man with a charismatic personality.

Jerry, the son of Jerry Sr. and Jenny Hoffman, two English teachers originally from Memphis, Tennessee. Jerry Sr. and Jenny Hoffman met while attending Eastern Tennessee University in Johnson City Tennessee during the late 1970's. The two fell in love after meeting at a University dance. The young couple, shortly after graduating moved to the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee and started their Elementary School teaching careers. After a few years of teaching the two had a child, Jerry Hoffman Jr. When Jerry Jr. was five years old his parents gave birth to a daughter, Sally Hoffman. Growing up in the suburbs of a southern city, both Jerry and Sally were raised with southern values, Jerry to be a gentleman and Sally to be a southern bell. After graduating High School, Jerry, attended the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Graduating with honors and a degree in American Literature, Jerry had a passion for novels and dreamed of being the next great American Novelist. Returning home with his parents' and sister Jerry began the long arduous task of finding a job and starting a career. The best Jerry could find in his hometown was a job as a clerk at the local department store. Leaving him with plenty of time to read classic American Novels and practice his passion for playing the guitar, Jerry made numerous attempts at becoming the next great American Novelist. Broke and depressed after a few years of meaningless and futureless work in retail many failed novels and guitar auditions for bands Jerry decided to make a change and move to Korea to teach English.

Immediately arriving in the small city of Sokcho, Gangwon-do, South Korea, Jerry began teaching English in a hag-won, (meaning academy in Korean, or a private school). During his first day at work Jerry began to second guess his decision to move to Korea. Finding it very difficult to be six feet tall with long blond hair and blue eyes in small town Korea, Jerry stood out like a black sheep. Stares and laughter everywhere he went made him very uncomfortable. Without a word of Korean in his vocabulary and no friends he felt as though he was in the wrong country in the wrong generation. By the end of Jerry's first day in Korea, he realized that a contract does not have the same meaning in Korean as it does in English. He would go to work early in the morning and teach kindergarten until the students were finished eating lunch around 1:30 PM. Then he would have a two-and-a-half-hour break before he had to teach English to Elementary, Middle and High School students with an occasional adult English class until ten o'clock at night. After work, Jerry, would return to his one room apartment alone, furnished by Korean standards but not anywhere close to what a person from a western society would expect.

Sokcho, a small city, by Asian standards, of approximately eighty-four thousand people. Nestled in the northern part of south Korea on its East coast about ten miles south of the demilitarized zone separating North and South Korea. One side of the city borders the beaches of the Sea of Japan, the other side of the city lies in the shadows of Sorak Mountain, South Koreas tallest mountain and largest national park. Sokcho is a quaint, by Korean standards, small city economically dependent on fishing and tourism, approximately a three-hour bus ride from Seoul. A city often frequented by foreigners, mostly English teachers, on weekends, Sokcho is for the most part quiet. Not very foreign friendly do to the lack of foreigners during the week, lack of English speaking people and foreign food, Sokcho is a great city for Korean families. Away from the progressive hustle and bustle of larger cities in Korea such as Seoul, Incheon and Busan, Sokcho is old Korea. Very traditional, or as many would say stuck in the past making it a difficult time for a foreigner. Lonely and frustrated with the cultural differences Jerry was about to call it quits until he made a few friends, all Native English speakers, living in Korea and teaching English. After a few weeks Jerry started to settle in and feel more comfortable. He then met his girlfriend, Emma Choi, a student at Kyung Dong University in Sokcho, South Korea, while playing his guitar at Sokcho beach one night. Jerry's new friendships and his girlfriend Emma changed Jerry's mind and began to not mind living in Korea.

In her usual motherly way, E Moo asked Jerry "what seems to be the problem?" "And tell me the truth, I know when you are not Jerry". Jerry knew she wasn't kidding, she knows, "it must be some old thing that wise older Korean ladies have" Jerry says to himself. "There is no way I am going to get away without telling her the truth" is what is running through his open mind.

Yeong Wonhi Salang
Chapter V.

"Well you see E-Moo" said Jerry, "It is complicated". "Oh Jerry" said E-Moo, "nothing in your life can be that complicated". "Yes it can" said Jerry, "It is that I am an American and Emma is Korean".

Jerry remembers the first time he met Emma. For him it was love at first sight, the same couldn't be said for Emma. There was something very special about Emma. Yes, she was a stunning young lady, but there was something about her that he could not understand at first. He was hanging out with friends, almost all foreigners, at Sokcho beach, Gangwon-do, South Korea on a warm summers night. They had cold beers and a campfire going while the many armature musician that made up the local expatriate community played various instruments and sang songs. It was the music that attracted Emma at first, she is a guitar play herself and a big fan of Rock-n-Roll. Jerry was playing his guitar; he was covering Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run. As the night grew older the crowd started to get bigger, there were about twenty-five people there by the time Emma showed up. At first, Emma was nervous feeling so because of the large number of foreigners there and a little insecure with her English language abilities at the time. At first she wanted to leave, but live music on the beach with a campfire is not something you see every day in Korea, besides, she loved Rock-n-Roll. Emma then recognized a young Korean lady she knew from high school and started a conversation. Before you knew it, she felt more comfortable as her old friend introduced her to some of the people there. Emma was introduced to Jerry; Emma's friend was a friend of a friend of Jerry's. It was love at first sight for Jerry but not so for Emma. Emma was nervous, she had never known a foreigner and felt uncomfortable around them. When she met Jerry that night she started to feel more nervous. Jerry was a tall, blue eyed handsome young man with long blond hair, a combination that was alien to Emma. With her palms sweating, heart racing and a bit of nausea in her stomach she extended her hand and said nice to meet you in a very insecure and apprehensive voice. At first, Emma wanted to run away, but soon Jerry started a conversation with her. They were talking about music and Emma expressed her interest in the guitar and Rock-n-Roll. Both Jerry and Emma immediately realized that they have a lot in common when it comes to their taste and passion for music. As the night went on their conversation became more interesting and the two started to feel a bond and time flew by. Before she knew it, it was late and Emma had to return home before her father would get angry at her for staying out too late, it was forbidden by her father to have his daughter stay our past ten O'clock. Jerry, being the gentleman he was offered to walk her to get a taxi and see to it that she would safely get home. The taxi ride home for Emma seemed very different to her. She had butterfly's in her stomach after meeting Jerry and a smile on her face, she hoped that when she got home her traditional Korean father wouldn't notice. After getting home Emma went right to bed and started to text her friend who introduced her to Jerry. As typical for young Koreans their thumbs were texting so fast that there was smoke in the air and the phones were becoming so hot she could hardly touch it. Emma bombarded her friend with the typical young girl questions; is he married, is he dating anyone, is he a kind boy, where does he work, is he a playboy? Emma's friend hesitantly answered her questions as accurately as she could ending with why are you so interested in knowing about a foreigner, I just hang out with them to practice my English? Emma's response was, he seems like a nice man.

Back at the beach at the same time Jerry was having a similar conversation with Emma's friend, Jerry was equally curious about Emma. Only, Emma's friend was not so honest with him. She had told Jerry that Emma is not interested in foreigners and has a boyfriend. In fact, it wasn't until months later when, by happenstance or perhaps destiny, Jerry and Emma would meet again.

Emma was out and about on a warm Saturday night in downtown Sokcho when she had a yearning for a cup of ice cappuccino. She walked into Coffee Namu, a quaint little café off the main road of Sokcho. Wouldn't you know, there was Jerry, guitar in hand enjoying conversation and music with his friends during the cafes monthly open mic. They abruptly made eye contact and then simultaneously looked away as if they didn't know each other. Both nervous, Jerry because he was under the impression that she had a boyfriend, and Emma because he was a foreigner. It wasn't until after Emma got her cup of ice cappuccino and sat down outside before Jerry had the courage to say something to her. It seemed like an eternity for both Jerry and Emma, Emma alone outside on the front porch of Coffee Namu and Jerry inside with his friends. Jerry finally got the courage to make his way outside to see Emma, for Jerry the short walk seemed like a journey. Both extremely nervous and unsure about what to say they both made eye contact as soon as Jerry stepped outside, this time for a much longer time. Both, speechless at first and uncertain as to who will say hello first, both thinking it should be the other, they both said hello at the same time. Feeling a bit awkward and nervous they both laughed and smiled at each other. Jerry asked if he could have a seat and sat down before Emma had a chance to answer. Glad to take a seat, because his legs felt weak with the nervousness that he had inside and to see Emma again. As the night grew later the conversation grew more in depth, both Emma and Jerry seemed to fall in love, love at second sight. Before they knew it, it was time for Emma to go home and Jerry once again walked her to the nearest taxi stand and waited beside Emma until the taxi arrived. Jerry, being the gentleman that he is, asked Emma to call him when she got home safely so he would rest assure that she was safe. This was not just a sure-fire way of getting Emma's number so he could see her again, Jerry liked Emma and wanted to make sure she was safe. With a bounce in his step and feeling like a million bucks Jerry returned to the café to participate in the open mic. As soon as Jerry sat down with his friends they knew something was different and that Jerry was in love. Once he received a text from Emma saying she was home safely and was very happy to see him again, Jerry felt even better. The crowd began a chant of Jerry, Jerry until Jerry took the stage and started to play Bruce Springsteen's "Fire" with a passion never seen before, yes Jerry was in love. At the same time, Emma felt the same, she was sincerely happy to have seen Jerry again and this time she wasn't going to let anyone get in her way.

Yeong Wonhi Salang
Chapter VI.

Back on the airplane well into the long flight from Newark to Inchon, Emma Choi and Maddie O'Malley continued to converse. Emma continues. "Maddie, you remind me a lot of my dear friend, you should meet her". "Maddie, why are you going to Korea, you don't seem like the typical foreigner who visits Korea, or works here"?

"Well Emma, they tell me that after you have been in a war it is very therapeutic to visit the country you fought in". "I have read that many Vietnam War veterans visit Vietnam and are much more at ease after doing so". "That is why I am visiting Korea, only there are no tours to Korea for veterans of the Korean War like there are in Vietnam." Some say the Korean War is the forgotten war". "So I am going by myself".

"Maddie", said Emma. "What was the war like?" "My friend never talks about the war".

After a pause of silence, Maddie starts to tell about his life before the Korean war.

Maddie was born during the great depression too two first generation Immigrants. His mother, a Colombian and his father an Irishman. Those times were tough; both his parents did whatever it took to pay the bills and raise their children. They were in and out of work, working anywhere they could. They also had a garden to grow as much of their own food as they could. Maddie's dad also went hunting and fishing to put food on the table. To be honest, both of Maddie's parents had second guesses about their decision to move to America. Nonetheless, his parents did what they had to do and went back to their roots of their ancestors, all born and raised in poverty, to survive. Their hard work and ethics were instilled into Maddie and his sister Allie's life. When Maddie was a young boy the Japanese attacked pearl harbor and America flung itself into World War Two. And in an instant Maddie's mother was working nonstop in the garment manufacturing companies making uniforms for the young men and women who joined or were drafted into the army to fight in Europe and the Pacific. Maddie's father was also swamped with work. Being a Longshoreman working on the docks of Bayonne, New Jersey, Maddie's father worked from sunrise to sunset loading tanks, trucks and ammunition on ships to be shipped off to war. This left Maddie and his sister home alone often. The two siblings had to start doing chorus around the house before and after school. They would clean, cook and do laundry for their mother and father. Maddie also had to maintain the house, cut the grass, clean the gutters and tend to the garden. This forced Maddie and his sister to grow up fast, they were always studying and working, no time to play. They were also installed with a tremendous amount of extreme nationalism. They gladly accepted a higher tax rate to pay for the war and rationing so the troops fighting the war would have the beans, bullets and bandages to fight in Europe and the Pacific. They would constantly have bomb raid drills in school and at home. Maddie remembers the orders to turn off all the lights at home and the neighborhood during these drills, to make it harder for the enemy to bomb them at night. As inconvenienced as they felt from time to time, they were proud to be Americans, and their parents want nothing less than a better life then they had. The times were difficult but they knew that eventually the war and the great depression would end and life would become much better. Before he knew it, Maddie was in High School. Every morning pledging allegiance to the United States of America, followed by updates about what is going on overseas. Everyday there was more and more extreme nationalism taught to Maddie and all his friends and family. He had visions of joining the military when he graduated High School to go off and fight the enemy on behalf of his country he was so proud of. When the war was over Maddie and everyone he knew were happy. They went to every tickertape parade they could. There was a since of pride that America was finally out of the great depression and World War Two was over. With a sense of utopia in the air Maddie graduated High School in June of 1950. Maddie was happy, not being a great student and eager to start a career and immediately started working as a labor on the loading docks of Bayonne, New Jersey as his father did when he first came to this country. Maddie had dreams of eventually becoming a longshoreman as his father was and achieving the American dream of owning a house. All of these dreams would come to an end the spring of 1950, when the North Koreans invaded the south and another war, halfway around the world started. Being very patriotic and wanting to be the first man in his family to serve in the military and fight in a war Maddie ran to the army recruiting office to join. Once Maddie arrived at the local recruiting station in Newark, New Jersey he was very disappointed. He was quickly informed by the recruiter that he was too young to join the military; he was only seventeen years old and the minimum age to join the military was eighteen. After arriving back in his neighborhood in Linden, New Jersey, Maddie was hanging out in the park as he often does. One of his friends said, "Maddie, don't worry, you can join the Marines, they don't worry about your age, just tell them you are eighteen, they will never know". Sure, enough, early the next morning Maddie went to the local Marine Recruiting Office, instead of work, and lied about his age. Before he knew it, Maddie was at the Military Entrance Processing Station in Newark, New Jersey getting a physical. Later that night, Maddie would call his parents from Newark airport and tell his parents he was on his way to the Marine Corps Recruit Depo in Parris Island, South Carolina to start recruit training early the next morning.

"Wow Maddie, that is very interesting" said Emma. "I never studied much about that time in America".

"Yes Emma, they were very interesting times" Said Maddie.

Mattie continued his story. That first morning on Parris Island was like nothing he had ever experienced. He was totally unprepared, and to this day, he don't think it is possible to prepare for that experience. There were Drill Instructors everywhere. All day and every day for eight weeks we would run, march and shoot guns. It was very difficult, normally boot camp was ten weeks, but because of the war we had to do everything in eight weeks. Before you knew it was over and then he went to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for Infantry training. That was also tough. Every day he marched with very heavy backpack and rifles. He was learning how to fight. After infantry training he was sent to the Defense Language School in San Diego California, his mom taught him Spanish when he was a kid and they wanted me to be a translator. That was easy for Maddie, he knew more Spanish then the instructors. Then before he knew it he was in South Korea.

"Wow Maddie, that sounds like it was very difficult experience" said Emma. "Would you do it again?"

"No Emma, I knew I made a terrible mistake the minute I stepped off the bus shortly after I arrived on Parris Island".

Yeong Wonhi Salang
Chapter VII.

Once Maddie arrived in Korea he was sent to the Fourth Infantry Division, First Battalion, Headquarters Company Twenty-Third Marines. The commanders knew Maddie could speak Spanish and wanted him in Headquarters in case they needed a translator. The first battalion had an infantry company from Colombia attached to them, there were many countries in the Korean war.

Maddie immediately went to work. There was a lot of fighting going on in the area and the Marines, along with the infantry company from Colombia that was attached to them were busy. All day and night Maddie manned one of the many radios in headquarters for Lieutenant Colonel Jack Head from Boston Massachusetts, the commander for the First Battalion. Lt. Colonel Head, a salty old Marine from the Southside of Boston had fought many battles in the Pacific during World War Two. Lt. Colonel Head was trained on the job by Lieutenant General Merritt A. Edson the founder of Edson's Raiders. Together, the Edson Raiders fought bravely in the Solomon Islands during World War Two eventually ending up in Guadalcanal.

Maddie was constantly relaying messages from the Colombian, Company Commander to Lt. Colonel Head after translating them from Spanish to English. All hell was breaking loose and he worked all day and night. Day after day working in Battalion Headquarters Maddie go to know the Battalion Commander Lt. Colonel Head, the Executive Officer Major Craig Wood, Sergeant Major Jim Peters and Master Gunnery Sergeant Bill Riker. All salty old Marine veterans from World War Two working hard to lead an Infantry Battalion to victory during another bloody and senseless war. The days and nights were long and cold, supple lines thin and Marines getting wounded on an hourly basis, the smell of death filled the air. With sleep a thing of the past, frostbite setting in for many and supplies so low their food had to be rationed the Marines were eager to get this battle over with.

As scared as Maddie was there was something about the leadership if the Marines that made him feel confidant. Yes, he was scared, but something made him feel as though this would all be over soon and America would prevail, or so he thought.

Late this night Maddie and Master Gunnery Sergeant Riker sat on the ground outside the command post making Peter Pan Grenades. Peter Pan Grenades was an idea devised by Master Gunnery Sergeant Riker, he would simply pull the pin out of a hand grenade and then place the grenade into an empty Peter Pan peanut butter jar without releasing the safety lever. Then they would put the top back on the jar and carefully place the Peter Pan Grenades into empty Coca-Cola wooden crates. The reason was simple, you can dump the Peter Pan Grenades out of a helicopter. When the jars hit the ground, they break and then the grenade would be armed when the safety lever was free and in three to five seconds explode and kill anything within five meters. Anyone would be crazy to do this but it was a little safer than throwing hand grenades out of the helicopter. If the grenades weren't in a jar they would explode long before they hit the ground.

With night setting in and the chaos of war continuing Maddie began to grow more concerned when he didn't hear anything from the Colombian Infantry Unit for almost six hours. After informing Sergeant Major Peters that he had not hear from the Colombians for almost six hours the concern of the current situation grew. The Sergeant Major decided to contact Lt. Colonel Head who was making his nightly rounds to visit all the Company commanders and their First Sergeants under his command. Lt. Colonel Head was a true leader who knew the names of all his Marines and talked with all his Marines every day. A trait he learned while serving in Guadalcanal Canal under the command of the legendary Marine Chesty Puller and General Merritt A. Edson during World War Two.

Shortly after arriving back to the command post the Sergeant Major, informed Lt. Colonel Head the we have not heard from the Colombians in almost six hours. Without hesitation, the Lt. Colonel consoled with his trusty team of Major Craig Wood, Sergeant Major Jim Peters and Master Gunnery Sergeant Bill Riker. Alpha company had so many killed and wounded Marines that the Lt. Colonel had moved what was left to them to Bravo company and Bravo Company had just returned from a long two-night patrol of the area. Delta company was also thinned out do to the horrors of war and his Raider Platoon had one third of the platoon out on patrol, one third wounded or killed. That left only the Weapons Company and Charly company with a fully manned.

After further consultation with he trusted team, Lt. Colonel Head ordered Sergeant Major Peters to bring him one rifle squad of twelve Marines from Charly company and two Machine Gun Teams from Weapons Company. He then ordered a Corpsman from Headquarters Company to join the team. He also ordered Major Craig Wood to see that the team would have enough ammunition for the hastily gathered team as well as K-Bar fighting knives and bayonets that were gathered to complete the mission he was about to start. Lt. Colonel Head immediately reviewed his game plan with Master Gunnery Sergeant Bill Riker. Master Gunnery Sergeant Bill Riker was ordered to take the Marine rifle squad, two machine gun teams and Maddie O'Malley along with a radio to go on a reconnaissance mission to see what was going on with the Colombian Infantry Company. Maddie immediately got a radio, a call sign and a radio frequency from the communications team. Their call sign for this mission would be American Eagle. A very difficult mission, the night was dark and cold and the battalion was overwhelmed with enemy troops in the area, they also had to climb a 1000-meter mountain to get to their final objective. Despite the difficult mission, Lt. Colonel Head knew that he had the right man, Master Gunnery Sergeant Bill Riker, for the job.

Riker, a native Manville, New Jersey a former Drill Instructor on Parris Island, Veteran of many amphibious landings during World War Two. Riker, like Lt. Colonel Head, was one of the founding members of the Marine Raiders of the Second Raider Battalion and a highly-decorated Marine with a Medal of Honor, three Navy Crosses, and too many purple hearts to count. Master Gunnery Sergeant Bill Riker and Lt. Colonel Head go back a long way. Master Gunnery Sergeant Bill Riker was a platoon sergeant when Lt. Colonel Head was a platoon commander at Guadalcanal during World War Two, the two men, together, had lead many young Marines into battle on several occasions and had a tremendous amount of trust in each other. The two Marines knew they were in for a very tough mission, some would say impossible. Nevertheless, historians will be writing about this battle for generations to come.

Yeong Wonhi Salang
Chapter VIII.

Once the team of Marines was put together Lt. Colonel Head was informed by his Communications Team that the Battalion was surround by a Chinese infantry division outnumbering his battalion by a four to one ratio. Lt. Colonel Head, with a stone-cold look on his weathered face said "well, at least we know where the enemy is", then turned and look at Master Gunnery Sergeant Bill Riker, shook his hand and said, "god bless and good luck". Master Gunnery Sergeant Bill Riker told his Marines "follow me" and up the mountain they went on a nearly impossible mission that would change their lives forever.

One hour into their mission the night grew darker and colder, the atmosphere, ghostlier. There was an uneasy sense of quietness in the cold air, and silence on the radio, as they walked up the mountain that sense grew eerier with each step they took. This was Maddie's first mission and he was uncertain as to what would happen, as were all the young Marines that were part of this team.

Suddenly, the ghostly atmosphere was interrupted with a moment of sheer terror. Out of nowhere Maddie was tackled by a Chinese soldier. The two tumbled down the hillside and started to wrestle. Amongst the confusion, Maddie had lost his rifle but continued to fight hand to hand finding it growingly difficult with a radio on his back. Like the blink of a light Maddie was on his back with the Chinese Soldiers right hand around his neck and a knife in his left hand, Maddie thought it was all over. Unexpectedly, out of nowhere came Master Gunnery Sergeant Riker, K-Bar fighting knife in hand. With one swift thrust, the knife was stuck into the back of the Chinese soldier's head. As the body suddenly grew limp, Maddie felt a sigh of relief. Master Gunnery Sergeant Riker then said, "let's go kid, we've got work to do". That near-death experience was the moment when Maddie realized how severe the situation was.

Climbing back up the hill to rejoin the rest of the team both Maddie and Master Gunnery Sergeant Riker realized that the situation grew dimmer after discovering that the radio was dead. Without hesitation, once Maddie and Master Gunnery Sergeant Riker returned to the team, they continued without communication with battalion headquarters. As the team approached the top of the mountain the noise of war grew louder. The sounds of rifle and machine gun fire as well as the sounds of screaming in Chinese, Korean and Spanish grew louder. The team immediately realized they were in for a fight. In his usually calm and cool manner, Master Gunnery Sergeant Riker said, "well boys, it looks like we finally got to where the action is". As the team got closer to the battel they realized that the enemy was attacking from the north. Master Gunnery Sergeant Riker and Maddie crawled closer to the Colombian perimeter as the team waited behind. As they got close, Maddie, in Spanish, would quietly say, "Don't shoot, we are the Marines". Once they could contact the Colombians and they knew that they were friendly the rest of the team approached the perimeter and made their way to the command post in the center of the perimeter. Once the team arrived in the command post they knew they were in a world of hurt. The command post was hastily turned into a morgue full of dead Colombian soldiers. All the personal in the command post had stopped their regular duties as communication technicians, cooks, supply clerks and administration clerks grabbed their rifles and what was left of their supplies to join the fight.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Riker ordered his team to stand buy as he dodged bullets running around the perimeter to find what was left of the Colombian command. Soon Riker was able to find the highest-ranking Colombian still alive and able to fight. First Lieutenant Jose Rodrigues, formally the communications officer of the company, now the only surviving officer and new Company Commander. Assessing the situation, Riker called for two fire teams consisting of four marines each and one machine gun team to the northern part of the perimeter to join the fight. As the marines hunkered down to fight Riker made his way back to the command post / morgue.

Bringing the rest of the team up to date about their current situation Riker had ordered Maddie to find radio equipment in the command post to see if he could fix their communication problem. He then immediately ordered the team to stand buy as he started to make his rounds around the perimeter to further assess the situation. Shortly into his rounds, Riker realized the what was left of the perimeter was getting flanked from the west. He immediately ordered the rest of his team to join the fight on the western flank. I the dark of the night, despite being grossly outnumbered, the Marines sprang into action and bravely started to fight of an entire division of a heavily armed enemy.

Finally, and well into the night, after about two hours, Maddie was able to fix the radio. Excited about having achieved his goal and having the opportunity to get out of the former command post turned morgue Maddie ran to find Master Gunnery Sergeant Riker. Running around the inside portion of the perimeter Maddie was finally able to find Riker despite suffering from two minor bullet wounds. After finding a wounded Master Gunnery Sergeant Maddie informed him that the radio was fixed. Maddie then joined in the fight as Riker contacted Lt. Colonel Head back at headquarters.

"H-Q, (meaning headquarters) this is American Eagle, over".

"American Eagle, this is H-Q" Responded Lt. Colonel Head. "How are you making out Riker"

"Not too good sir" responded Riker. "We are being attacked from the north and flanked on west and fighting an overwhelming enemy". "We are nearly out of ammunition, fixing bayonets now sir".

Lt. Colonel Head understood the direr situation despite the cool and calm demeanor of Master Gunnery Sergeant Riker. After fighting in many battles with Riker, Lt. Colonel Head knew that if Riker said the situation was not too good, it was bad.

"American Eagle, this is H-Q, over". Said Lt. Colonel Head.

"American Eagle" responded Riker.

"Tell me what you need Bill, I will get it to you"

"An air strike would be nice".

"Sorry Bill, we have no air support all jets and helicopters are ordered to stay in place by the General, and we have no artillery".

"OK Colonel, we will dig in deeper and fight"

After a moment of thought Sergeant Major Peters reminded Lt. Colonel Head that they still had a small medivac helicopter inside their perimeter, and there were several Coca-Cola cases full of Peter Pan Grenades.

Lt. Colonel Head sprang into action and ordered the Sergeant Major to summons 1st. Lieutenant Davis, the helicopter pilot and grabbed his radio operator Corporal Jones. As 1st. Lt. Davis prepared the helicopter Sergeant Major Peters, Lt. Colonel Head and Corporal Jones loaded the Peter Pan Grenades and some ammunition into the helicopter. Off they went, 1st. Lt. Davis, Corporal Jones and Lt. Colonel Head, into the early morning light to the top of Triangle Hill.

After a short flight, Lt. Colonel Head cold see what was left of the perimeter. He could also see a division size enemy moving closer by the minute and realizing as how dire the situation was. The colonel ordered Lt. Davis to get the helicopter as close to the center of the perimeter as he could. Knowing there was not enough room to land the helicopter as soon as the helicopter was ten feet off the ground Corporal Jones dropped the resupply of ammunition and Lt. Colonel Head jumped into the perimeter.

Lt. Colonel Head instantly ran into the command post dodging bullets only to find out that it was empty of live body's. After a minute or two the Colonel felt an earie feeling and the smell of death set in. He knew that his Marines where is a very bad situation. Running out of the command post to find Master Gunnery Sergeant Riker, the Colonel was hit. Continuing to move, despite his wound, the Colonel was able to find Riker and further assess the situation. Realizing that they were surrounded and grossly outnumbered the Colonel grabbed the radio from Maddie and called 1st. Lt. Davis. The Colonel had ordered 1st. Lt. Davis and Corporal Jones to fly past the northern part of the perimeter and drop all the Peter Pan grenades. 1st. Lt. Davis replied that he could not see the difference between the enemy and the Marines, the fighting is too close. Lt. Colonel Head then started to run up and down the northern part of the perimeter and ordered his Marines to turn on their flashlights. Thinking the old man was craze he wanted to mark the location of his Marines so that Lt. Davis could see and drop the grenades.

In an instant 1st. Lt. Davis and Corporal Jones flew by the northern part of the perimeter and dropped the grenades on the enemy nearly stopping their offense. Lt. Colonel Head then ordered the helicopter back to headquarters to pick up some more Peter Pan Grenades and ammunition.

Freshly supplied with ammunition, Lt. Colonel Head and Riker then began to Pass out the ammunition and assist the sole corpsman tend to the wounded and killed.

Back in Headquarters Major Wood, Sergeant Major Peters, 1st. Lt. Davis and Corporal Jones were making as many Peter Pan Grenades as fast as they could. They were also monitoring the radio and getting regular updates from Lt. Colonel Head. The initial drop of Peter Pan Grenades did slow down the Chinese offensive and help what was left of the Colombians and Master Gunnery Sergeant Riker's team. But the Chinese had regrouped and mounted another relentless offensive movement.

Both Riker and Head knew they were in trouble. The situation was so grave that the Marines and the Colombians were taking the weapons and ammunition from the dead to resupply themselves. They were also resorting to hand to hand combat using entrenching tools, K-Bar fighting knives and fixed bayonets. They were hoping the resupply of ammunition and Peter Pan Grenades would arrive soon. If not, they knew this would be their last battle.

Yeong Wonhi Salang
Chapter IX

Back in headquarters in the morning dawn, 1st. Lt. Davis, Major Wood, Corporal Jones and Sergeant Major Peters were feverishly working on supplies. 1st. Lt. Davis was running around the motor pool looking for fuel cans for the helicopter and siphoning fuel out of every vehicle he could get his hands on. Major Wood, working with his supply chief, were hastily gathering ammunition and hand grenades from what was left in their ammo dump. Sergeant Major Peters and Corporal Jones were making Peter Pan Grenades as fast as they could. All the Marines working in headquarters knew the severity of the situation and did not want to let their fellow Marines atop of Triangle Hill down. The leadership of the command and the training the Marines had received in boot camp on Parris Island created a brotherhood that would not be separated for the rest of their lives.

Major wood also ordered the Engineer Detachment attached to their unit to start making a road to the top of Triangle Hill, he knew they would eventually have to evacuate the many wounded and dead.

Major wood then contacted Lt. Colonel head atop of the hill.

"American Eagle, this is H-Q, over".

"H-Q, this is American Eagle" answered Maddie.

"I need a situation report from Lt. Colonel Head, NOW" Ordered Major Head.

Maddie then handed the radio to Lt. Colonel Head. "We are overwhelmed by the enemy now, fighting hand to hand". "Major how is our resupply going, over"

"We are working on it now sir, we will be there soon. The Engineers are on their way up, they will take all day to get to you".

Lt. Colonel Head then ordered Major Wood to contact the General and get an air strike ready to attack the enemy. He knew this would be very dangerous do to the proximity of the enemy. Nevertheless, the Colonel knew they were in deep trouble and would not give up this hill, at all costs.

Major wood contacted the General at Division commandant asked for as many jets to assist in the fight atop of Triangle Hill. With the sun, up and visibility improving, the general ordered four jets to scramble into the air and head towards Triangle Hill. The pilots would wait for orders from Lt. Colonel Head.

As soon as the helicopter was fueled up and few boxes of Peter Pan Grenades and what was left of their ammunition supply were loaded on the helicopter, 1st. Lt. Davis and Corporal Jones were off to resupply their fellow Marines. They also had one more Corpsman aboard to assist the lone Corpsman atop the hill with all the wounded.

They knew this was going to be a tough job and there was a possibility that they would not returned. Despite the grave situation, the Marines and Corpsman felt that they owed it to their fellow Marines to do whatever it took to get them out of trouble and complete their mission.

Yeong Wonhi Salang
Chapter X

On his way to the top of Triangle Hill, 1st. Lt. Davis contacted Lt. Colonel head to inform him that he was on his way with ammunition, grenades and another Corpsman. He also informed Head that there were four jets were on their way to assist and would be there shortly. Lt. Colonel Head then ordered them to get as close to the center of the perimeter as they could and drop off the Corpsman and ammunition. As soon as 1st. Lt. Davis got to the top of the hill he hovered about ten feet off the ground, the Corpsman jumped and Corporal Jones dropped the ammunition out of the helicopter and onto the ground. There was ammunition all over the ground, as well as wounded and dead bodies. The Marines on the ground continued to bravely fight the enemy that now overwhelmed them three to one.

1st. Lt. Davis then flew as high as he could and circled around the perimeter to assess the situation and informed Lt. Colonel head what they were up against. The situation was worst then Lt. Colonel Head and 1st. Lt. Davis thought. The enemy was still coming, a division in whole and not far behind, another division sized logistics unit loaded with supplies as well as artillery. The situation was grave and about to get worst. The success of their mission, nearly impossible.

As soon as Lt. Colonel was given a situation report from 1st. Lt. Davis the jets, loaded with bombs, had arrived. Lt. Colonel head then instructed 1st. Lt. Davis to drop flairs fifty feet from the perimeter to mark the position where the pilots in the jets were to drop their bombs. Then get out of the way of the jets, he did not want the helicopter to get hit by friendly fire.

As 1st. Lt. Davis was circling the perimeter and dropping flairs to mark the position where the jets were to drop their bombs, he was hit. Both 1st. Lt. Davis and Corporal Jones were wounded and the helicopter started to leak hydraulic oil. With smoke bellowing from the engine and the helicopter growing more difficult to handle, the two were in deep trouble. 1st. Lt. Davis then decided to ignore Lt. Colonel Head's orders to move out of the way of the jets. He then flew low and close to the perimeter. 1st. Lt. Davis and Corporal Jones then dropped the Peter Pan Grenades close to the perimeter and tried to move out of the way as soon as they could. As soon as the grenades were dropped the bombs from the jets started to hit the ground and explode spreading fire and shrapnel within inches of the perimeter. A wave of concussion from the exploding bombs then blew the helicopter more wildly out of control crashing it into the middle of the perimeter. 1st. Lt. Davis and Corporal Jones then crawled from the wreckage, barely surviving and unable to fight do to their wounds.

As the bombs from the jets were landing the Marines and what was left of the Colombians hunkered down for their life. The bombs were so close that anyone of them at any time could take their last breath.

Yeong Wonhi Salang
Chapter XI

The bombs continued to drop and the Marines continued hang on for their lives. What was, in fact, a five-minute bombing raid, felt like an eternity. The noise of the bombs was eardrum piercing. The smell of sulfur and napalm from the bombs was nauseating. The screams and smell of death was nightmarish and would haunt all who survived for the rest of their lives.

As the bombs stopped dropping and the pilots returned to their aircraft carriers an eerie, ghostly sense of calmness and quiet filled the air. The Marines started to rise to assess the situation. As far as the eye could see there were burnt trees and bodies littering the ground around the perimeter.

Then, suddenly out of nowhere one surviving enemy soldier rose just ten feet from where Master Gunnery Sergeant Riker, Lt. Colonel Head and Maddie were standing. The enemy grabbed a pistol that was lying on the ground. He rose the pistol in a flash, shot Master Gunnery Sergeant Riker in the head killing him instantly. The enemy solider then threw a grenade at Maddie and Lt. Colonel Head. In an instant Lt. Colonel head shot the enemy solider with his side arm. Maddie then grabbed Master Gunnery Sergeant Riker's limp body, threw it on top of the grenade and then lied down on top of Master Gunnery Sergeant Riker's dead body. The grenade exploded throwing Riker and Maddie thru the air like rag dolls. Seriously injured and lying on the ground unconscious, Lt. Colonel Head thought that Maddie was dead. Maddie's selfless and brave actions saved the lives of all the Marines around him.

It was a long tough battle, but against all odds the Marines of the First Battalion prevailed.

Eventually the Marines were evacuated off the hill and replaced with fresh replacements. Maddie would spend the rest of his time in Korea in a hospital bed.

Yeong Wonhi Salang
Chapter XII

Despite the severity of Maddie's wounds, he could not get evacuated. There were so many wounded Marines and Sailors in the field hospital that were in worst condition then he. Soon, the field hospital became Maddie's temporary home. He started to grow restless sitting in bed all day. Maddie then decided that he had enough of this and went for a walk in the town outside the field hospital.

After getting to know the area outside the hospital Maddie smelled some food that he had to try. After months of eating the food served in the military Maddie was excited about having some homecooked and hot food in his belly. After following the smell Maddie came across a small tent aside the dirt road he was on. He stepped into the tent and took a seat waiting for some service. Soon a young lady nervously stepped into the tent. She asked Maddie, in broken English, "what do you want". Maddie immediately froze and got extremely nervous. His heart was racing and had butterflies in his stomach. He was stunned by the beauty of this young Korean lady. For Maddie, it was love at first sight. He said, "I'm hungry, could I have some soup?" With a confused look on her face the young lady turned away and stepped out of the tent. Shortly after she returned with a large bowl of soup for Maddie and said "twenty-five won". Holding out her hand. Maddie nervously searched his pockets for money and could only find one U.S. dollar. The young lady then said thank you and walked away. There was something about this lady that Maddie liked. He felt like a teenager seeing the one girl he liked in the hallways in school between classes. He was in love.

After finishing his soup Maddie returned to the field hospital feeling much better. He was happy to finial have some great homecooked food and he was also in love.

Every day for the nest week Maddie would sneak off base to have some homecooked Korean food in a tiny tend aside the dirt road outside the base. There were two reasons, first Maddie liked the food, second, he was in love. Every day Maddie would study the Korean language and try to impress this beautiful young Korean lady he was in love with. Maddie would also teach the young lady some English. It was like a meal and an English / Korean lesson all rolled up into one. Before he knew it they felt more comfortable. Both of their language skills were improving, Maddie Korean and her English. Maddie started spending more time off base. He knew if he got caught he would be in deep trouble, but the love he had for this lady was far more important.

Eventually Maddie's charm grew on this young lady and she too was in love with him. They became a couple, despite the dangers of Maddie getting caught off base and the young lady dating a foreigner. The two kept their relationship discrete for as long as they could. But eventually Maddie's charm grew on all the people in the small community outside an American field hospital recovering from a devastating battle.

Eventually, Maddie was spending so much time there that he was hardly in the hospital. He eventual moved in and left his unit. After the traumatic battle that Maddie had just experienced, he lost the will to fight. Maddie wanted nothing to do with the military and war. He knew this would get him in trouble but the love he had for this young lady far outweighed the trouble he would get in. Soon, Maddie was building a traditional Korean home and helping with the small business of making and selling soup in town. He was in love and very happy.

Soon, like a strike of lightning, the war came back to town. Maddie and his one and only true love hid as long as they could. But eventually the military caught up with Maddie during a battel in town. Maddie was taken away by the Military Police and returned home. Never to see his one and only true love again.

Yeong Wonhi Salang
Chapter VIII.

Back at Eunbiryung, E-Moo with a surprised look on her face said, "now I understand". "I have been through the same situation". Jerry smiled and looked into E-Moos eyes, "you mean to tell me you were in love with a foreigner?" "Yes Jerry, many years ago." E-Moo sits down on a nice comfortable couch next to Jerry and hands him a beer as she pours herself a glass of wine. "Relax Jerry, this is going to be a long story".

Sun-A was born May 1st., 1936 in Gangwon Province, Korea. At the time, Korea, was occupied by the Japanese Empire. Times were very difficult for Koreans during this occupation. Both of Sun-A's parents worked on a farm under the control of the Japanese military. The days were long and the living standards for the Koreans, very low. Sun-A also started working on the farm at a very young age. After the end of World War Two, the country of Korea was split in half. Despite this the quality of life for Sun-A and her family started to improve. The family soon owned their own home and farm. They were running a good business on the farm and Sun-A was going to school. All of this suddenly changed in the Spring of 1950 when North Korea invaded the south and the Korean War started.

Sun-A started to tell her story. You see Jerry, many years ago, I was a young lady. It was a terrible time for the Korean people. Our country was torn apart and not one square meter of this peninsula was untouched by war. My family had lost our home to bombing, first by the North then by the south. I grew up in Gangwon-do during the first battle of Triangle Hill, 1952 it was, boy was I young. The battle seemed as though I was going on forever, day and night, nonstop terror. Bombs dropped from airplanes, and tanks, there were trucks and soldiers all over the place. I was scared and I had lost all my family to the war. I have never heard from them or seen them again. The only thing I had was some older people in the area that would help me out and some cooking and cleaning skills my mother had taught me. I started making soup on the street, what was left of the street. Budea jjigae, I made it every day with whatever I could scrape up, no E-Mart or big supermarkets back then. All the food I used to make the soup came from the local farmers. Sometimes the Americans would give me some leftover meet to add to the soup, mostly spam and hotdogs. I was able to get by for about a year and it was very hard work. I started working very early in the morning and work late into the night. During the First Battle of Triangle Hill there were so many people killed and wounded. So many people that the American Military build a field hospital in the area. I thought the battle would never end, it was terrible. There were dead and wounded bodies all over the place. It was nonstop chaos, not a very good childhood. There were so many foreigners here. Many Americans but also soldiers from Colombia. Often the Americans would sneak off the base to eat Korean food and drink some homemade Soju and Makgeolli some of the locals had made. That is how we made money, that was the only way we could, other than prostitution and I wanted nothing to do with that. That is when I met him, my one and only true love. I wouldn't say it was love at first sight, he spoke no Korean and I spoke no English, and to be honest with you, he was not the most handsome man I have ever met. I couldn't stand him at first, he would try to speak Korean to me and I could never understand him or speak to him, but after a while we started to understand each other a little better. He would sneak off the base almost every day and eat my soup. He was in bad shape, he almost died during the battle. He has casts and bandages allover his body, always in pain. But for some reason every time he sat down by me and had my soup he would suddenly feel better; I don't know why. Eventually he grew on me and I learned he was a good man. I learned more English and he learned more Korean and he was the nicest foreigner in the neighborhood. Before him, I and most Koreans in the area didn't like foreigners, he was far from the stereotypical foreigner I was told about when I was in school. I will have to say, he was the kindest man I have ever known, and romantic. He also played the harmonica and he would try to sing, he didn't have a very good voice.

"E-Moo" said jerry, with a surprise tone to his voice. "I would have never known you were in love with a foreigner, or romantic".

"Jerry" said Sun-A, "there is a lot you don't know about me, I never told anyone this story before". "And why don't you think I was romantic"?

"I was once a young lady" "Would you like another drink"? "Yes said Jerry, relax I'll get one myself".

As Jerry opened a fresh bottle of Cass Bear and pored a glass of wine for Sun-A she continued to tell her story. Back then, in the 1950's, it was very taboo for a Korean to date a foreigner, epically someone as young as I was dating a man 4 years older than me. He started to sneak off base more and more every week, before we knew it he was there nearly every night. Soon I was able to build a small traditional Korean house, mud and stone walls with a rice straw roof. Then he practically moved in with me. We were in love. I felt so safe and comfortable with him, when no one was around. If we got caught being together I would have been shunned by the people in my neighborhood. What he was doing was illegal and if he was caught by the Army he would have gotten in a lot of trouble. He was helpful, despite his wounds. I would tend to his wounds and he would help me around the house as much as he could. Every morning he would help me make the soup and then I would use my bicycle to go to town and sell it. After working every day, I would return home and there he was, my one and only true love. I was so happy, he was a sweet man and a true gentleman, you remind me of him Jerry.

"That's so sweet E-Moo" said Jerry. "What happened to him"

Well, you see Jerry, with a tear in her eyes, there was a war going on. All hell broke out, I was on my way home, it was a cold winter evening, the sun was starting to set and I was tired from a long day's work. I was happy the day was over and I was almost home to see my love when the bombs started to drop. I was thrown off my bike and lost everything I had, my bowls, pots and everything I needed to sell my soup. I immediately got up and started to run home, Maddie was still in bad shape and I was deeply concerned. As soon as I got home I found him hiding and scared, he wasn't just physically damaged from the war, he was mentally damaged. I grew more concerned but when we embraced we both felt better, after all we were in love and we were together. Suddenly there were troops in the street and they were shooting at each other. Planes, tanks, trucks and guns all over. Bombs dropping, it was very terrifying. I started to grow more concerned, we were hiding from the enemy and the Americans. You see Jerry was supposed to be in the hospital and he was absent, living with me, for many weeks, if he got caught, he would have been arrested and we would never see each other again. The voices and gun shots were getting closer and louder, we could hear the voices in the street, Korean, Chinese and English. It grew more terrifying; our hearts were jumping out of our chests. We hid under a table when the Chinese came into my house and were fighting, we didn't want to get caught.

They continued to fight, bullets were flying through the house, you could hear them flying through the air and bouncing off the walls. It got even more terrifying when the house started to burn. The enemy ran out into the streets and Maddie and I tried our hardest to put the fire out. That house was all we had and worked so hard to get. It broke my heart, all this war, losing my family and now my house everything was disappearing in front of our eyes.

"Wow" said Jerry. "That must have been such a terrible time in your life". "I noticed you said "our eyes" "I can tell you were in love with him, did he make you happy"?

Yes, we were. Maddie became my one and only true love. You are the only person that I told this story to Jerry, gosh, it seems as though that was a hundred years ago.

As terrifying as the war was I always felt comfortable with him. We did everything together and thought we would be together forever. He was my one and only true love. I have never been able to love someone after him. Here I am many years latter still alone.

Jerry, your true love comes once in a lifetime, your heart will let you know who that is. Once you find your true love, never let it go for it only happens once in a lifetime.

Yeong Wonhi Salang
Chapter XIV.

Back on the airplane the flight attendants were working feverishly to prepare the cabin and its 294 passengers for landing. Both Maddie and Emma were happy that the long and uncomfortable fourteen-hour flight will shortly end. They will also be happy to stretch out and have a good meal.

Emma said to Maddie, "Maddie, you should come to the mountains and stay at Eunbiryung". "It will be nice to meet my friend, you will have a relaxing time". Plus, you could have the greatest Budae jjigae in Korea".

"I would be happy to visit Eunbiryung and meet your friends Emma" said Maddie. "I don't have a schedule to keep and I would enjoy your company".

After making their way thru immigration, Maddie and Emma exited the airport into the hustle and bustle of Korea. Emma ran to the bus terminal to purchased two bus tickets to Sokcho, Gangwon-Do as Maddie patiently waited.

After waiting for the bus Maddie and Emma found their seats and settled down for the three-hour ride to Sokcho. Along the way, Maddie commented about the sights. He could not believe how different Korea was. The last time Maddie was in Korea it was in ruins. He noticed all the modern highways, bridges and tunnels. He also noticed all the tall buildings and modern technology one could ask for. "Wow Emma" commented Maddie. "Now I understand what you were telling me about modern day Korea". "Yes Maddie, you will see the difference when we get to Injea and see Eunbiryoung". "I think you will like it there and you will like my friends". "I will be so happy to see Jerry and my second mom".

After arriving in Sokcho, Maddie and Emma patiently waited for a ride to Injea. Min, one of the employs at Eunbiryung will pick them up at the bus terminal in Sokcho and drive them to the mountains of Injea.

After arriving at Eunbiryung Emma ran from the van to see her true love Jerry Hoffman. Min then helped Maddie with his bags and showed him to his room. After Maddie was settled into his room Min, Jerry and Emma showed Maddie around. Maddie was very happy, he immediately fell in love with Eunbiryung. There was a big smile on Maddie face, first happy to have safely reached his destination, second, the cool autumn air of the mountain of Injea, Gangwon-do was also very refreshing after the long journey.

After a quick tour of the beautiful grounds Maddie, Jerry and Emma made their way into the cafe as Min made them a refreshing cup of coffee. Maddie then asked, "how about some of the best Budae jjigae in Korea?" Jerry, Emma and Min smiled as Min said, "coming right up".

Maddie, Emma and Jerry continued their conversation. Maddie could see that Jerry was a kind young man and had a lot of respect for Emma. He also knew they were in love. Their love and style reminded him of his one and only true love he met last time he was in Korea.

"Where is your second mom", asked Maddie.

"Emoo is in the kitchen, she is very busy now" replied Jerry.

"She is always busy" said Emma.

"I would love to meet her" commented Maddie.

"She will be out soon", said Jerry. "She always likes to chat with the customers".

Yeong Wonhi Salang
Chapter XV.

Continuing with their conversation, Maddie, Emma and Jerry were interrupted by the sound of breaking dishes. The three suddenly were surprised and concerned of the noise. They looked up to see Sun-A with a shocking look on her face. As Maddie and Sun-A made eye contact the both said each other's name, in chorus. Maddie quickly rose from the comfortable couch and ran towards Sun-A. They embraced each other in a hug with tears in their eyes. With a surprised look on her face, Emma said "what's wrong?"

Emma and Jerry rose from their couch and approached Maddie and Sun-A and once again Emma said, "what's wrong Maddie?" "Are you ok?"

Jerry then said to Sun-A, "Emoo, are you ok, is everything ok?"

With tears in her eyes Sun-A and Maddie said this is my one and only true love. We have not seen or hear from each other for over fifty years.

For the first time in over fifty years Maddie and Sun-A were reunited. They met during a devastating war and fell in love. Eventually that war that united them broke them apart for over a generation. The separation broke their hearts to the point that they could not fall in love with anyone else. By happenstance, the two were reunited a dream the two had and never let go of.

Jerry and Emma then embraced each other. Jerry said "Sun-A taught me that, your true love comes once in a lifetime, your heart will let you know who that is. Once you find your true love, never let it go for it only happens once in a lifetime. My heart just told me you are my one and only true love.

Emma, with a smile on her face and a tear in her eye said Maddie taught me that, "Your one and only true love comes but once in a lifetime". "You have but one chance and if you let it go, it will never come back". "I will never let you go, Jerry"

"I love you" said Jerry.

Maddie and Sun-A were so happy together that Maddie decided to stay in Korea and live in Eunbiryung. Maddie and Sun-A worked together to run Sun-A's business. Yes, Maddie would miss his cats, Kimchee and Hobak, but he knew they would be in good hands with his nieces.

As spring was setting in Maddie, Sun-A, Jerry and Emma had a double wedding. The party was attended by many friends and family. Once the love story of Maddie and Sun-A were learned by the locals, both Korean and foreigners, there wasn't a dry eye at Eunbiryung. Maddie and Sun-A had Yeong Wonhi Salang, eternal love.

The End

Proudly created, and printed in America on American made paper with American labor.

ESCAPE

on the North Korean Underground Railroad.

By: Matthew Scudieri

Escape:

on the North Korean Underground Railroad.
Chapter I

It was a warm spring morning when Matthew "Mattie" Forde woke up in his room at St. Joseph's Medical center in Paterson, New Jersey. It was only three days after the doctors found a large brain tumor and diagnosed him with brain cancer. Head shaved and almost ready for surgery Mattie was very calm when his wife and twin daughters walked into his room. Mattie's girls, his wife Jinny Kim and his twins, Nina and Jenny were the center of Mattie's universe. Everything Mattie did over the past eighteen years, was for them. They were all he cared for and all he wanted was the best for his girls.

With sad faces and tears in their eyes Mattie's girls knew the chances of him surviving the operation he was about to have, were slim. They did not expect this sudden illness and were unsure how they would survive without Mattie.

"Girls" Mattie said. "I don't want you to worry about me, I'll be fine". "I taught you girls enough now it is time to think for yourself." "Remember, there is nothing worse in this world than a coward." "I love my girls."

Mattie is wheeled to the operating room as Jinny and the children go to the waiting room. Jinny, a tough lady stands firm with her twin daughter. As sad as Jinny is, she doesn't want to show here girls how worried she is. The girls ask their mother, "Mom, how did you meet dad?" With a smile on her face Jinny tells the twins, "you were there when I met your father, you don't remember, you were too young."

Nina and Jenny, with a confused look on their faces ask "what do you mean Mom? We were there?"

Escape:

on the North Korean Underground Railroad.
Chapter II

Mattie was born on October, 7th 1970 the only child of David and Carol Forde in Haledon, New Jersey. Mattie was the third-generation Forde born in America. His grandparents on his father's side immigrated from Scotland as his mother's parents immigrated from Belarus. Mattie's family was very happy of the lives and families they built in America. Mattie was proud of his family roots and their hard work ethics.

When Mattie was a young man and a student at Manchester Regional High School in Haledon, New Jersey, he was not very interested in academics. An average student who enjoyed industrial arts more than the academic subjects. Mattie was a good kid liked by many of his fellow students and teachers. The one thing that Mattie liked the most about school was wrestling. Mattie was a great light-heavyweight wrestler feared by his opponents and respected by his team and his coaches. Mattie had a passion for wrestling and dreams of wrestling at Ohio State University. He also wanted to make the U.S. Olympic team as many wrestlers from Manchester's wrestling teams have done over the years. It was Mattie's senior year and near the end of the wrestling season when a tragedy would change his dreams forever. Mattie was practicing one day after school when suddenly he heard a loud snapping sound. Freezing in place for a few seconds and hearing the silence of the field house he was practicing in he felt a sudden pain in his left knee. He then fell to the ground and curled up in excruciating pain. It was his anterior cruciate ligament. It had snapped clear through, like a dry and frozen twig in the middle of the winter. That was the moment that Mattie knew his dreams were crushed. After surgery and nearly a year of rehabilitation, Mattie was never able to fully recover. He would never wrestled again.

After graduating Manchester Regional High School in the spring of 1988 Mattie was happy to be free from school and his teachers. After a few weeks off Mattie followed the footsteps of his father and grandfather. He started working in the factories in Paterson, New Jersey. It was the 1980's and there were still many good paying jobs in Paterson, New Jersey. There were also good apprenticeship programs available and Mattie would eventual become a machinist. Mattie worked hard and had a good job. He was able to buy a home and get married. But when outsourcing and globalization became popular in America things started to change. Before he knew it, the machines shop Mattie was working in shut down. Nearly all their customers had moved to China and there was not enough work in the area for the business to operate. Mattie, feeling depressed, immediately started looking for work. With so many factories in the area closing the only work available he could find was working in construction. As much as Mattie did not want to do that type of work he did have a mortgage to pay. With a wife and mortgage, he did what he had to do. He worked in construction and went to school at night. Mattie was forced to make a career change and decided that he wanted to become a teacher. At first Mattie attended Passaic County Community College in Paterson, New Jersey. After a few years working construction jobs mattie was able to transfer to the University. Mattie eventual graduated from William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey with a degree and a teaching certification in History. After many month of job hunting with no luck Mattie was confused. He had been working low paying construction job and going to school for the past six years. Throughout Mattie time in collage he kept borrowing money to pay for tuition and books. He was struggling to get buy and now his debt is due. These times were tough for Mattie and his wife. They were constantly struggling to pay the bills falling further and further behind. Mattie was also working long days and going to school at night, he was burnt out. Very deep in debt and burnt out Mattie was unsure and concerned about his future. He was approaching a bankruptcy and a foreclosure on his house. As if this was not enough stress, his wife was suddenly killed in a tragic car accident. Broke, alone and lonely Mattie moved in to his parents' house and was forced to go bankrupt. He lost his house, wife and future all in the blink of an eye. Mattie was broke.

Unsure of his future and broke Mattie decided to look for a teaching job overseas. Eventually Mattie would teach English in Thailand, Japan, South Korea and Russia. He enjoyed his time teaching and traveling. Mattie also made many friends from all around the world. He was happy with his decision and starting to save money and pay off some of his student loans. It was 1999 and Mattie was just about to finish teaching English in Russia. He had plans of going home to visit his family then start a new job teaching English at Changwon University in Changwon South Korea.

Like many of the chapters in Mattie's life, his plans were about to change do to an uncontrollable unforeseeable event.

Escape:

on the North Korean Underground Railroad.
Chapter III

It was a cool spring evening in Khasan, Russia when Matthew "Mattie" Forde was walking home to his apartment. It was Mattie's last day of work at Khasan, Russia campus of the Far Eastern Federal University. Mattie was an English teacher working for the Russia government on a one year work visa. Mattie's boss, Oksana Jin and his Russian friends and students had just thrown a farewell party for him. Mattie enjoyed his time working in Russia and had made many friends. Khasan, Russia is a small town across the Tumen River from Rajin-Sŏnbong, North Korea. He liked living there but after a year he wanted to get back home to more familiar territory. He was looking forward to going home for a few weeks to visit friends and family. He was also excited to have a new job lined up at Changwon University in Changwon, South Korea. Mattie had worked in Korea for a year a few years ago, and was looking forward to seeing some friends there he had not seen for a while.

As Mattie was approaching his apartment he noticed an unusual noise coming from a normally quiet alleyway. Upon investigation, he noticed a young lady curled up in a fetal position in the corner freezing cold. She was wearing traditional Korean peasants Hanbok. Her cloths were tethered and she was on the verge of frostbite. Her body, soak and wet from head to toe with small cuts, bumps and bruises covering her body. She had mud allover her. Mattie knew that if she did not get into dry clothing and a warm place soon, she would get hypothermia and possibly die. Mattie tried everything he could to help her, he tried speaking English at first the he tried the little Russian she knew. To no avail, Mattie could not communicate with her. Knowing that she desperately needed help Mattie grabbed her and carried her into his apartment. Mattie knew she feared what he would do to her but he did not want her to freeze to death. After getting her into his apartment he gave her some dry cloths and a blanket. He showed her to the bathroom and closed the door. Not sure what do, do to the lack of ability to communicate with her, he called his friend and boss, Oksana Jin.

Oksana was the director of the English language program at the Far Eastern University in Vladivostok, Russia. She would commute back and forth between Vladivostok and the Khasan, Russia campus. After working with Mattie for the past year they have become friends. They trusted each other.

Oksana was a very smart lady. Born and raised in Chekhov, Sakhalinskaya Oblast', Russia to Korean / Russian parents. She was raise bi-lingual speaking Russian and Korean fluently. She was also fluent in English and taught Russian, English and Korean as a second language. After graduating the University, she moved to Vladivostok, Russia. She started teaching at the University shortly after arriving.

Oksana answered the phone call from Mattie, surprised to hear from him. As Mattie explained the situation Oksana thought he was joking. Once Mattie convinced her that he was not joking she thought he was crazy. "What are you crazy" said Oksana. "You can't just take a strange lady into your apartment in the middle of the night." Mattie explained the situation again and told Oksana that he could not communicate with him and that she is Asian. Oksana asked him to give her the phone. Mattie handed her the phone through the bathroom door and Oksana tried speaking Russian to her. After a few minutes Oksana realized that the lady was from North Korea. After speaking with the lady in Korea for a few minutes the lady handed the phone back to Mattie. Oksana explained to Mattie that she had just escaped North Korea and needed to get back. With a surprise look on his face Mattie was unsure as to what he got himself into. Oksana told Mattie she will be over in a minute and help sort out the situation.

As Mattie waited for Oksana to show up the young strange lady in his bathroom took a shower and got dressed using some cloths that Mattie gave her. She was still frightened and did not know what to do. Mattie was thinking if he made the right decision and that Oksana could not get here fast enough. As soon as Mattie's doorbell rang the young lady had jumped under Mattie's bed. Confused, Mattie answered the door and immediately knew why she was hiding. It was the police, and they were not happy. Mattie, knowing a little Russian was able to understand that the police were looking for a Korean who escaped the North and was hiding in town. He had lied to the police and said he knew nothing. There was a sigh of relief when the police left, both from Mattie and Oksana who had just arrived.

Oksana was able to convince the lady to come out of hiding and they sat down on Mattie's couch. With a strange look on their faced, Mattie and Oksana could not believe what this young lady, named Jinny Kim was able to accomplish. Moreover, they were shocked to learn what she wanted to do.

Escape:

on the North Korean Underground Railroad.
Chapter IV

Jinny Kim was born on May 1st. 1981 in Rajin-Sŏnbong, North Korea. Rajin-Sŏnbong is a small town on the Russian border along the Tumen River. It is also a small fishing community that borders the Northern Pacific Ocean. On the other side of the river is Khasan Russia, a small Russian fishing community. Jenny's parents were also born and raised in this area. Jinny's mother was a stay at home mom and her father was a peasant farmer. With little money Jenny's childhood was difficult, they were dirt poor. The family had little money and most of their rice harvest was taken by the North, Korean government. After finishing a few years of North Korean public schools, Jinny worked on the family farm. She eventually met her husband in 1998. Shortly after, the two were married and they had twin girls, Nina and Jenny. Jinny's husband was a north Korean Government Official. Her life became much better marrying an official working for the government. A few months after the twins were born Jinny's husband was taken away by the government. He was accused of stealing rice. In fact, he did take a little rice to feed his family and he was also trying to help his newborn twins who were sick. Jinny's husband was sent The Hoeryŏng concentration camp in Hoeryong, North Korea for life.

Once Jinny became a widow with two sick newborn children she became very desperate. She did receive help from her parents but at the time most people in North Korea were very poor and many had starved to death. After dropping her two sick twins off at her mother's hut Jinny left. She was on a mission to save here children. They were in desperate need of food and medicine. She did not want to tell her parents what she was doing for fear of the government finding out. If the government knew where Jinny was going and what she was doing, there would have been some serious problems. What would have happened if the government found out? No one is sure, but here children defiantly would have been taken away. Her parents could have also been punished and sent to The Hoeryŏng Concentration Camp as her husband was. Jinny then packed her pockets with a hand full of rice and headed off on a mission to save her twins. A mission that would radically change their lives forever.

Escape:

on the North Korean Underground Railroad.
Chapter V

It was a cool spring evening when the 18-year-old Jinny Kim set off to save her children. All she had was a pocket full of rice, a set of old and worn tradition Korean Hanbok and an old map of the area that she borrowed from her father. Jinny was a mother on a mission to save her children and there was nothing that was going to get in her way. Under the cover of darkness Jinny went on her way towards North towards the Tumen River near the Friendship Bridge. Her plan, to cross the river from Rajin-Sŏnbong, North Korea into Khasan, Russia. Then get some medicine and food for her children and return. With a nearly impossible mission in front of her, Jinny knew the dangers. For years Jinny, her friends and family had heard rumors and horrific stories about people trying to escape the North. Jinny knew that if she got caught in North Korea trying to escape, her children and her mother and father would be sent off to a labor camp to never be seen again. She also knew that if she was caught in Russia she would either be sent back to North Korea or would spend the rest of her life in Russia separated from her children. The punishments, as severe as it would be did not deter her from setting off on this nearly impossible mission. She had one thing in mind, her children. Jinny was willing to do whatever she had to do to save her children. She was a mother on a mission.

As Jinny was walking North towards the Russian border under the cover of darkness she was hungry and tired. Nevertheless, she continued. She was sneaking around the town careful to not get caught. She could not trust anyone knowing that she would be turned in to the authorities if anyone knew what she was about to do. If anyone knew what she was doing without telling the authorities, they too would be punished. Jinny continued to head north hoping to cross the Tumen River into Russia under the cover of darkness. With the darkness of night on her side, Jinny made it through town and into the countryside. Making her way through cold and wet rice paddies, often crawling on her belly to not be seen, Jinny started to get very cold. She was aware of the issues of getting wet in the cold night in Korea. Nevertheless, Jinny knew this was not going to be easy and continued with her mission. She also knew that if she were seen by anyone, it would be all over. Continuing North through and around rice paddies, cabbage farms and small hamlets that that dotted the area she knew she would eventually get to the Tumen River. Sure enough, after many hours navigating in the dark, Jinny made it to the river. Once she reached the river she knew this nearly impossible mission would only get more difficult. The river is heavily guarded by North Korean soldiers loyal to the government. She also knew that these soldiers could not be bribed, even if she had money. To make the situation worst, it started to rain. The temperature had dropped suddenly to near freezing and Jinny was already wet from head to toe. Feeling as though hypothermia was about to set in and she felt as though she could not go on anymore. Suddenly, Jinny reached deep down inside and found the will power to continue. Perhaps it was her desire to keep moving so she would not freeze to death. Or maybe it was the motherly love for her children. Either way, Jinny was determined to continue and save her children.

Once Jinny got to the Tumen River she made her way West towards the Northern Pacific Ocean. She was not sure exactly where she was. But she did know she was West of the Friendship Bridge that crossed over the Tumen River into Khasan, Russia. If she were to head East, eventually she would make it to the bridge, an unmistakable landmark. Slowly moving East Jenny was constantly conscious of the spotlights the North Korean Soldiers used to spot escapees. The guards were constantly moving the spotlights around. It was relentless and it took Jinny a long-time to move. She would move as fast as she could while keeping an eye on the lookout towers manned with loyal soldiers. As the spotlights rotated towards her, she would crouch down and hide under the bushes. It was a trying two-hour walk / crawl to the Friendship Bridge, all the while feeling as though the time was an eternity. As Jinny approached the bridge she could hear the voices of the Korean soldiers manning the guard post at the foot of the bridge. She grew concerned as she got closer. She was amazed at the unexpectedly large number of soldiers in the areas. She had heard accounts about the border crossings in the area and now the reality of the accounts was setting in. She knew that one wrong mistake would end the mission, her life and possibly the lives of her children.

As Jinny made her way closer to the bridge she grew more determined. First, to save her children, second to not get caught and finally, to not die of hypothermia. She was able to hide in some bushes. Close enough to the guards, yet far enough away to not get caught. She spent about twenty minutes observing the guards and taking a mental note of their routine. This grew more and more difficult as time went by. She was wet and cold; her body was naturally shaking to try and keep her from freezing to death. The temperature of her body was rapidly declining and her extremities growing numb. This arduous situation only added fuel to the fire. She was growing more determined as time passed by. She had observer the guards as they were searching trains, trucks and cars that were preparing to cross the border. For whatever reason, it was a busy night and there were many cars and trucks. The guards were also bi-lingual speaking in Russian and Korean. As a train moved closer to the foot of the bridge many of the guards moved to an arriving train to inspect it. They were looking for stowaways trying to escape Korea. Jinny saw this as an opportunity to make a move. With less guards checking cars and trucks she knew her chance of safely getting into the back of a truck was her best option. Jinny slowly moves South towards the end of the line of trucks and cars. Under the darkness of the night and crawling on the ground using bushes and trees as cover. Jinny slowly arrived towards the end of the line. She had noticed that there was a Russian truck with its driver sleeping in the cab behind the wheel. Jinny saw this as the only opportunity to get into the back of a truck and hide. She slowly approached the truck crawling on the ground being very careful not to make any noise. She knew that the slightest noise would alert the guards in the area or awaken the sleeping driver. Once the area was clear of guards, Jinny made her move. She slowly and quietly made her way towards the back of the truck. She discovered that it was a large tri-axle dump truck full of raw salt. She quickly climbed the ladder on the back of the truck with a plan of lifting the plastic cover then jumping into the back before any guards would arrive. As Jinny started to climb the ladder she had noticed it would not be as easy as she thought. The rain and the freezing cold air had turned the wet ladder into ice. She was able to make it about three-quarters of the way up the ladder before slipping. Suddenly, like a flash of lightning, she was on the ground. She had hit the ground falling like a ton of bricks knocking the wind out of her. After a brief moment, she gathered herself and tried to get up. As soon as she got up she noticed the flashlights of two guards approaching the truck. She knew she needed to get into the back of the truck now, or she would be caught by the approaching guards. As she quickly and quietly started to get up she realized she wasn't going to make it. Thoughts of her getting caught and taken to a forced labor camp raced through her head. Her life and children had passed through her mind. She thought she would be caught. Quickly, she did the only thing she could think of. She crawled under the truck and climbed onto the top of the axles. She shimmied over the back axle of the truck and then onto the middle axle and froze. Knowing that her chances of getting caught were great, her heart started racing like a freight train through the middle of the night. She was so nervous that she nearly threw up. As she was nervously waiting for the guards to show the thoughts of their routine were racing through her head. She knew that the guards used mirrors and flashlights to thoroughly check the underside of each truck.

As the voices of the guards grew louder and the brightness of their flashlights grew brighter, Jinny became more nervous. Her heart started to jump out of her chest and it was becoming more difficult to not throw up. Scared and uncertain about the near future, Jinny thought this was the end. She could see the boots of the soldiers as they approached. The mirrors were next. Then the glow of their flashlights. As soon as the ray of light hit her face she heard a loud voice. It was another solider yelling for help. The other solider had seen another Korean trying to escape the North. The two soldiers inspecting the underside of the truck stopped and ran to catch the other Korean trying to escape. With a sigh of relief, she felt an eerie since of quietness. At first happy it was not her that got caught, then a feeling of sadness that someone else got caught. She then felt awkward thinking that if the other person did not get caught, she would have and her mission would have been over.

Once the soldiers went away and were distracted by the commotion of a person getting caught, Jinny shimmied her way from under the truck. Then, she carefully climbed the ladder making sure she did not make the same mistake twice. Once onto the top of the truck she moved the cover aside. Then she climbed into the back atop the salt and pulled the cove over herself.

Once she was under the cover, she burrowed her way into the salt. What had seemed like a good idea at the time turned out to not be. The back of the dump truck was full of salt. Once she burrowed her way into the pile of salt, she started to feel very uncomfortable. She had cut herself a few times on sticker bushes hiding from the soldiers. Soon the open wounds were full of salt. The feeling of salt in an open wound was excruciating. She had salt all over her, in her eyes, ears, nose and mouth. She wanted to jump from the truck immediately to relieve the pain. Thinking for a minute she learned that the pain was only temporary and began to grin and bear it. She knew if she didn't, she would get caught. She also knew that if she got caught, the labor camp she would be sent to, was permanent. Suddenly, the pain didn't feel that bad and she realized this was going to be more problematic then she had anticipated.

As Jinny waited for the truck to move she did start to dry and warm up. Burrowing herself into the salt, as painful as it was, helped warm up her body. She was still cold but not as cold as she was when she was hiding under the truck. Soon she was able to close her eyes a get some sleep. Then the truck started to move. Her heart started to race again and she became more nervous. As the truck started to creep closer to the foot of the bridge, Jinny, was hoping that the guards would not thoroughly inspect the load. Once the truck stopped moving she could, again, vaguely hear the voices of the guards. Trying to listen to what they were saying was very difficult as her ears were full of salt. Soon one of the guards climbed to the top of the truck. Quickly the guard lifter the cover. He shined his flashlight around the back of the truck. Then the guard took a long narrow pipe and started prodding it deep into the payload. On several occasions, the pipe narrowly missed Jinny. Jinny kept wishing he would fall, as she did just a few moments ago. After a thorough inspection of the payload the guard placed the cover back in place and climbed down. Soon the truck started to move again. Jinny felt a sigh of relief and started to relax, she thought she would be over the border soon. As soon as Jinny stared to feel more comfortable the truck stopped. She was unsure as to what was happening and could not see or hear anything. She started to hear some voices in an unfamiliar language. The guards were talking to the truck driver and reviewing his paperwork. Jinny realized she had crossed the border and she felt more at ease. The truck started to move again. This time it was really moving, very fast, over the bridge and down a highway. Jinny thought she would be ok. She climbed up from under the salt. She then pulled the cover aside. Slowly, she stood up to see what she could see. In the dark of the night she couldn't see much but did realize the scenery was different. She knew she was in Russia and the pressure of getting caught had lessened. A smile appeared on her face. She then rose her arms in victory. Then reality set in, she started to get cold again. She knew if she got caught she would be in trouble, but not as much as if she got caught in North Korea. She suddenly got a second wind and she felt a sense of accomplishment. Then suddenly she felt lost. What to do next was the question running through her head. The next chapter in Jinny's mission just started. She had no Idea what to do, or what was going to happen next.

Escape:

on the North Korean Underground Railroad.
Chapter VI

After crossing the border into Russia, Jinny, felt a sense of accomplishment. She was full of joy and got her second wind, again. Soon the cold air would start to take its toll and reality would set in. She crouched down again and burrowed herself back into the payload of salt. She started to think about what she would do next. She knew that if she jumped off the truck she would be seriously heart. She also didn't know where the truck was going and when the best time to get off would be. When she was standing, it was difficult to see because it was dark, but there were lights in the distance. After about twenty minutes in the back of the truck the truck started to slow down. Jinny then pulled back the cover and peeked out to see why. She could see the light of a small city nearby. She knew she had to act soon and get out of the truck. Once the truck approached a traffic light Jinny planned on getting out. She crawled towards the back of the truck and wanted to carefully climb down the icy ladder again. The was thoughtful about the first time she climbed the ladder and did not want to fall again. Finally reaching the back of the truck Jinny stood and positioned herself on the top of the ladder. No sooner than getting on the top step of the ladder the traffic light turned green. Jinny panicked, then held on for dear life. The ladder and the railing atop of the truck were coated with ice. Jinny was panicking and thought for sure she was going to lose her grip. She held on for dear life as the truck speeded down the road. Jinny was also fearful of getting seen and apprehended by the police. Just as started to lose her grip on the railing and her feet started to slip off the rung of the ladder, the truck stopped at the next light. She then quickly jumped and hit the ground. She hit the ground hard but the adrenalin running through her body kept her going. She then ran down an alleyway and hid behind a garbage dumpster. After a sigh of relief and sure she was not seen Jinny again contemplated at to what to do next. She was happy to have gotten of the truck but is had started to rain again and the temperature was still declining. The rain was starting to turn to ice before it hit the ground. Jinny was cold, hungry and unsure about her immediate future. To make the situation worst, Jinny learned that she was seen as a Russian police car stopped at the entrance of the alleyway and shined their spotlight directly at her. Surprised and unsure as to what to do next Jinny froze. Shortly after freezing Jinny knew she was in trouble. She sprang into action and started to run straight towards the police car. As crazy as this was, it was the only option, Jinny was backed into a corner. She caught the police off-guard. They were surprised and hesitated for a moment. That moment gave Jinny just enough time to run around the police car and into the street. Once in the street Jinny continued to run until she came to a narrow street. The street was so narrow that the police car could not drive through. Jinny, looking over her shoulder saw the police car sop and the officers shined their light down the narrow road. She was nervous and thought the police would catch her. The police turned off their light and drove away. At first, she was confused. Then she realized that it was very cold and still raining. Jinny concluded that once again, she was lucky. The combination of the cold and the freezing rain drove the desire of the police officers away. They decided to stay in their cars where it was dry and warm.

Jinny eventually ran out of wind and started to walk. She was exhausted, cold and wet. For a moment, Jinny didn't think she was going to accomplish her mission. She decided to walk into an alleyway and rest. After a while, she became so cold she could not get up. It was the end of the road for Jinny Kin.

Escape:

on the North Korean Underground Railroad.
Chapter VII

Back in Mattie's apartment, Jinny Kim, Oksana Jin and Mattie were confused. They did not know what to think. This was an unusual situation and all knew that if they were caught they would be in deep trouble. Both Mattie and Oksana knew that if Jinny didn't get help her sick children would suffer more then they already were. They also knew that what Jinny wanted to do was nearly impossible.

Oksana started to ask Jinny questions in Korean and then translated what they were saying into English so Mattie would understand what was going on. Oksana and Mattie were tole what Jinny went through. What happened in the days leading up to her ending up in an alleyway freezing cold before Mattie helped her. They could not believe what she went through. They both heard stories about North Korea and now the reality of those stories was setting in. They both had a tremendous amount of respect for the chances Jinny took. Also for her toughness, many people had tried to do what Jinny did and many of people have died trying. Mattie knew Jinny was not your average person. He believed that there was something special about Jinny and he wanted to help. When Mattie told Oksana that he wanted to help her she was shocked. Oksana knew that Mattie had to leave Russia soon before his visa expired. They knew that if Mattie overstayed his visa, it meant jail time for him. It would take time to help Jinny and both Oksana and Mattie knew it would take time than they had.

Mattie sat down on his couch and thought for a moment. He then told Oksana that he would help Jinny. Also, Mattie would need some help from Oksana.

Mattie quickly devised a plan. Both Oksana and Mattie knew one of their students was a pharmacist. Mattie asked Oksana to contact the student to see if she could get them the medicine that Jenny's children needed. Oksana ran off to gather the medicine and Mattie hastily packed a bag. Oksana knew it would be difficult to get the medicine but she was determined to help Jinny. She took a taxi to Svetlana Pliuta's apartment and told her what had happened. Svetlana could not believe the story and thought that Mattie and Oksana were crazy. Svetlana told Oksana that there was no way she would be able to get the medicine from the pharmacy she worked at. The inventory at the pharmacy is very accurate and constantly inspected by the government. If anything was missing they would know right away and Svetlana would be fired and possibly sent to jail. Svetlana also knew that the medicine the needed was at the local veterinary hospital and their inventory was not inventoried by the authorities. She called her friend Doctor Yuliia Vivdych who was a veterinarian and asked for help. The two jumped into a taxi and headed to see Svetlana's friend Doctor Yuliia Vivdych. Once the two arrived at Doctor Yuliia Vivdych apartment they explained what had happened. She too thought they were crazy for helping and could not believe Jinny's story. Doctor Yuliia Vivdych then reached into her bag and gave Oksana and Svetlana some medicine and a few needles. Doctor Vivdych then told them the amount of medicine to put into the needle and how often to give the children the medicine. Oksana and Svetlana the jumped into a cab again and headed back to Mattie's apartment.

Mattie had packed his bag in a flash and he and Jinny waited for Oksana to return. Jinny was tired but a shower and some fresh clothes with the excitement of getting help gave her the energy and break she needed. They tried to relax the best they could as they waited for Oksana to get back.

Soon Oksana and Svetlana arrived at Mattie's apartment with the medicine. Both Oksana and Svetlana were concerned about Jinny's children and wanted to help. Svetlana explained to Mattie what they had to do with the medicine and wished them luck. Mattie thought that it would be best to wait until night to cross the border and they both rested the best they could until it was dark. Later that day all four were in the back of a taxi on their way to the Russian, North Korean Border. For Mattie, the short ride close to the border seemed like an eternity. But they arrived and were soon off on their mission. Oksana and Svetlana wished them luck as Mattie and Jinny walked off into the darkness of night.

Mattie and Jinny had started a nearly impossible mission.

Escape:

on the North Korean Underground Railroad.
Chapter VIII

It was a cold evening in Khasan Russia when Jinny Kim and Mattie Forde started walking towards the North Korean border. With some rest and clean warm cloths, Jinny was ready to tackle another nearly impossible mission. She was also happy that she got some medicine for her children and that she had the help of Mattie. Mattie, on the other hand, was a bit skeptical. He was not sure what he got himself into. Nevertheless, he continued with a desire to help an incredible lady in desperate need of help.

As Mattie and Jinny approached the boarder the started to devise a plan. This proved to be very difficult as Mattie did not speak Korean and Jinny did not speak English. The two used gestures and Mattie, knowing that Jinny did this before, followed. They moved off the side of the road and used the trees and bushes that lined the road for cover. The closer they got the more nervous they became. Soon they were close enough to clearly see and hear the guards along the border. Jinny notice that the security on the Russian side of the border was more laxed. It is unheard of for anyone to sneak into North Korea. With a sigh of relief after witnessing the laxed security Jinny felt more comfortable. Both of them, crouched down and quiet, moved as close as they could to the foot of the Friend Ship Bride that crossed into Rajin-Sŏnbong, North Korea. After they got very close, without being noticed, they started to head West. They wanted to get further away from the bridge where all the guards were. After traveling about one mile West the stopped and took a break. Jinny looked over the Tumen River into North Korea. She realized the after a few days of very cold weather the river was frozen. Both Mattie and Jinny crawled onto the ice river to test the thickness of the ice. After feeling the the ice was thick enough to cross the started. They crawled across the river on their bellies. The night was dark and quiet, there were no guards in sight. After getting half way across the river and feeling confident that they would make it across their plans took a turn for the worst. After crawling on the ice both Mattie and Jinny started to get very cold. To make things worse, they were moving very slow. They were both getting cold and felt like standing up an running across the ice. They knew that if they did it would be easy for the north Korean guards to see them and they would get caught. They also knew if they did not hurry they would just get colder. And getting colder than they were would have made the situation a whole lot worst. Soon they started to hear a creaking sound. They both felt a sense of eeriness as the night was dark and quiet. They were not sure what the sound was and where it came from. The two paused for a moment and looked at each other. Confused and unsure as what to do they started to get more nervous. Then suddenly, splash and Mattie fell through the ice. He had disappeared in the blink of an eye right in front of Jinny. There was no sign of Mattie, he was gone. Jinny started to panic as she became afraid of falling into the ice as Mattie did. She did not know what to do. Should she continue without Mattie and leave him there? Should she try to help? She froze as tears came to her eyes. One moment there was a nice man trying to help her, then he was gone in the blink of an eye. Jinny felt guilty. First that she dragged Mattie, a stranger, into this messy situation. Then she felt even more guilty when she realized that Mattie had the medicine in his bag and he is now gone. The night felt colder and was again eerily quiet. Jinny started to sob and thought the mission was over.

Then, suddenly out of nowhere she heard a noise. Mattie then came up from under the water. He was out of breath, wet and cold. He frantically tried to get out of the water. He was panting, kicking and scratching at the ice. Mattie would put his cold hand on the ice and try to pull himself up. As soon as he started to get out of the water, he would slip and fall back into the water. Mattie and Jinny thought it would be impossible to get him out of the water. Mattie grew colder and more desperate. So did Jinny as she felt helpless. Jinny then crawled on the ice closer to Mattie. She tried to grab Mattie's hand to help him get out of the water. This did not work, Jinny was so petite and just slid on the ice towards the hole. If Mattie did not let go of Jinny's hand, they would both be in the freezing cold water. The situation grew grimmer as time went on. Mattie was getting colder and running out of energy. Hypothermia was setting in and it became more difficult for Mattie to think or move. They both thought that it was over for Mattie. More tears came to Jinny's eyes, only this time they started to freeze. She was heartbroken. Mattie went back under and the sounds grew silent. Unexpectedly, once again, Mattie came up out of the water. This time he had his belt in one hand and his bag in the other. He threw them both at Jinny. Jinny hastily looped the belt around one of the straps to Mattie's bag. She them moved back and threw the bag and belt at Mattie, hanging on to one end. This time Mattie had something to grab onto. Jinny did everything she could to help. She eventually was able to set the heal of her shoes into the ice. Slowly Mattie emerged. He was shaking radically, as his body naturally tried to warm itself. He was in deep trouble and needed to do something right away before he froze to death. Both Mattie and Jinny started to crawl as fast as they could to get off the ice. This time they spread apart to not be so close to each other in an effort to not fall through the ice again. They kept moving faster and faster, it was a matter of life or death for Mattie. Soon they arrived on dry land this time they were on the North Korean side of the river.

Mattie and Jinny were happy to be off the ice but still in deep trouble. Mattie was wet and cold and he needed to get dry clothes on as soon as possible. If not the wet cloths would just make him colder. As if this was not enough of a problem, things were about to get worst.

Escape:

on the North Korean Underground Railroad.
Chapter IX

As Mattie was frantically trying to get his wet clothes off things took a turn for the worst. They started to hear North Korea soldiers and they were getting louder. Then, they saw the glow of the soldier's flashlights, they knew they were in trouble. Quickly Jinny grabbed Mattie and they started to rum. They were able to find some cover behind a rock surrounded with bushes. They crouched down in the cover and hung onto each other. They were hoping that the soldiers would not find them. If so, they would both be sent to labor camps to never be seen again. As the soldiers came closer they became more nervous. Mattie was still wet, cold and shivering. He found it more and more difficult to stay still, they both thought they would be seen. The soldiers came closer and closer to them. Soon they were standing in front of them looking around to see if they could find anyone. After what seemed like an eternity, they turned and walked away. With a sigh of relief Mattie started to take his clothes off. Soon Mattie was naked but still very cold. He had the wet clothes off and knew he would start to dry. Mattie then frantically went through his bag. He had packed some cloths in plastic bags to stay dry. Mattie quickly unpacked his bag and got dressed. He immediately felt a little better getting the wet clothes off. Leaving the pile of wet cloths, including his jacket, Mattie and Jinny continued. Both cold and startled from Mattie's near death experience and their close call with the border guards they were hoping the worst part of this mission was behind them.

Mattie and Jinny started heading South. Jinny knew that going south would eventually get them to Rajin-Sŏnbong, North Korea and her children. The night was dark and cold. Mattie felt better after getting out of his wet clothes but he had no jacket and was still cold. They both started to move as fast as they could to try and stay warm. They felt a sense of accomplishment getting over the border. As happy as he felt Mattie was still unsure as to how long and how difficult it would be to get to Jinny's family. To make the situation worse, Jinny was not sure where they were. After about forty-five minutes of roaming through the forest they finally saw and smelt the glow and of a small fire. In Rajin-Sŏnbong, North Korea most people heat their houses and water with wood stoves. Jinny smiled and felt good that she could see the city lights. As Jinny pointed to the fire Mattie started to feel more relaxed, he wanted to get somewhere warm. They started to run towards the town. Soon they were so close that they had to be careful to not get caught. Mattie, being an American, stood out like a sour thumb. The last thing Mattie and Jinny wanted would to have Mattie seen by one of the locals. If he were seen the locals would instantly know he was a foreigner. They did not want to draw attention so Mattie would walk behind Jinny and look down. They were both happy that it was still dark. Shortly after arriving in town Jinny realized that she was not in her hometown. She grew more nervous and was confused as to where she was and what direction they needed to go to get to her family. Mattie noticed the concerned behaver of Jinny and became nervous. They both had no idea as to what to do.

As Mattie and Jinny continued to quietly roam around town trying to find out exactly where they were they became more uncertain. The night was still dark and cold, there were very few people on the street. As they turned a corner to see what they could see, Jinny became startled. There was a strange man walking down the street and they bumped into each other. Mattie was also surprised and looked up right into the man's eyes. The man had asked Jinny for a light. She said she doesn't smoke. The strange man then looked to Mattie and asked for a light. Mattie did what he could to be conspicuous. Jinny told the man that he doesn't smoke. The man then looked at Mattie again and saw that he wasn't a foreigner. Worried that they would cause an incident and alarm more people in the community they both started to run. As they ran the strange man started to run after them. They did not want to get caught. The strange man followed and yelled repeatedly, foreigner, foreigner. Mattie and Jinny ran as fast as they could. Finally, they saw a small cargo truck stopped at an intersection. As they approached they saw that the engine was running and the cab was empty. Mattie grabbed Jinny and pointed towards the small truck. They jumped in, Mattie at the driver's seat Jinny by his side. Mattie started driving as fast as he could to get out of town. As they got towards the edge of the city Mattie and Jinny looked at each other and smiled, they were both happy. First to have gotten away after nearly getting caught again. Second, because the truck had heat. As the continued to drive away from the strange city they started to feel warm and comfortable for the first time in a long time. Unsure as to what direction to go they had no idea as to what to do next.

Soon they arrived in another town as the sun started to rise. Once in town Jinny noticed that people were awake and moving around. Soon they saw a vendor on the side of the street. They were both hungry and in need of directions. Jinny pointed and Mattie drove towards the vendor. There was a little old Koran lady selling soup on the side of the street. Once they stopped Jinny ordered some soup for her and Mattie. She started to talk to the lady in a very friendly manner. Jinny then asked the lady for directions to Rajin-Sŏnbong. After Jinny got the directions she pointed in the direction she wanted Mattie to drive. As soon as Mattie started to drive, the little old lady on the side of the road started to yell and run after the truck. Jinny had no money and could not pay her for the soup and that lady was furious. Mattie took off and started to drive as fast as he could to get out of town. Soon they were in the countryside and heading to Rajin-Sŏnbong to save Jinny's children.

Eventually they got the edge of Rajin-Sŏnbong in a stolen vehicle. Mattie was wondering what to do with the vehicle but he knew they had to get rid of it. Jinny kept pointing in the direction she wanted Mattie to drive. Soon Jinny smiled and jumped out of the moving truck. Mattie assumed that she was home and drove the stolen truck into an alleyway around the corner from Jinny's home. Happy to have finally gotten to Jinny's home and feeling a sense of relief Mattie started to walk towards Jinny's home. He walked into the front door and noticed that it was silent. The light was dim and Jinny was holding her motionless children. She had tears in her eyes. Mattie was unsure as to what had happened when Jinny was gone, but he knew it wasn't good. As mattie approached Jinny who was still hugging her children he saw what Jinny was crying about. As he got closer he saw that Jinny's mom and dad were lying motionless on the floor. There was a small bed where Jinny's children were lying all wrapped up to keep warm with what was left of the rice. When Jinny arriver her parents were hugging her children to keep them warm. When Jinny grabbed her children she realized her parents had starved to death, as so many Koreans did during that time. They ate what little food was available and left a little for the children. Jinny's children were so hungry that they did not move, they could not even shed a tear or cry, they were so hungry. Jinny started to cry. Both had never seen such a grave situation and weren't sure if the children were going to survive. With Jinny's parents lying dead on the floor and her two children barely alive Mattie felt sad. He felt as though he had let Jinny down. He was unsure as to what to say or do. Moreover, he was not sure how he would ever get out of North Korea.

Escape:

on the North Korean Underground Railroad.
Chapter X

Quickly, Jinny started to breast feed her children. She knew they were malnourished and in need of nutrients. Mattie immediately went through his pack looking for the medicine that Doctor Yuliia Vivdych gave them when they were in Russia. He then prepared the syringes and administered the medicine as Jinny was feeding her children. As soon as Mattie was finished he added some wood to the wood burning stove to make the home warmer. They were all cold, tired and hungry. Mattie knew he needed to make the place warmer and get some food for everyone. He also knew he had to do something with Jinny's dead parents'. After Jinny was finished breast feeding her children she put them to bed and started rummaging through the home and her parents' pockets. She was able to dredge up a few hundred Korean won. Jinny then ran to a local street vender and purchased some more soup. Mattie ran to the truck he hid in the alleyway and got what was left over from the soup they stole earlier that day. They warmed up the soup on the wood stove and ate. Mattie made sure that Jinny ate all she could knowing that she would eventually have to feed her children again.

After Mattie and Jinny were finished eating they took a break. The original plan was to help Jinny and then go back to Korea alone. Now Mattie realized that if he left Jinny and her children they would be alone. Mattie was not sure what to do, thought of staying, going alone or bring Jinny and her children with him were running through his head. He knew it would be more difficult to return alone. He also knew that it would be even more difficult returning to Russia with Jinny's children. He also knew that eventually they would have the grim task of doing something with Jinny's parents. Knowing that no matter what the decision would be, it would be a very difficult one. Mattie tried to rest but couldn't, he was never more unsure about his near future. The only thing that Mattie had going for him was that his friend Oksana and Svetlana were not far away on the other side of the North Korean, Russian border. Knowing that there were two people he could trust knowing where he was and what he was up to gave him a good idea. He had packed a cell phone and an extra battery in his bag. H reached into his bag and turned his phone on. Being close to the Russian boarder, he was able to get a connection. He started to text Oksana and asked her for some advice. As soon as Oksana knew they were in Jinny's house, warm and safe, she felt relived. Oksana and Svetlana were deeply concerned for them. Mattie explained the situation to Oksana. He told her about Jinny's parents' and now if he leaves she will be all alone. He also explained to Oksana that it would make the nearly impossible mission of crossing over the border from North Korea to Russia would be much more difficult with two children. Oksana asked Mattie to then hang up the phone so sch could call. After calling, Oksana asked Mattie to hand the phone to Jinny. Jinny and Oksana had a conversation in Korean. After the conversation, Jinny handed the phone to Mattie. She explained to him that Jinny did not want to stay in Korea with her children alone. She also did not want to leave her children in Korea. Jinny desperately wanted to take her two twin infant children out of Korea. After a brief pause and moment of silence Mattie grew deeply concerned. He knew this would be impossible. On the other hand, he did not want to leave Jinny and her children behind. Mattie had started to like Jinny. She had saved his life when he fell through the ice. He also had so much respect for her courage and love for her children. Mattie did not want to leave her behind, he had fallen in love with Jinny. As Mattie told Oksana he was devising a plan to take Jinny and her twins back to Russia and wanted her to meet them at the border, they lost the connection. After losing the connection Mattie found it very difficult to tell Jinny he wanted to return to Russia with her and her children. Mattie tried desperately trying to contact Oksana again so she could explain to Jinny what he wanted to do. To no avail, Mattie decided to put more wood on the fire, give the children more medicine and take a break. Curling up in bed with Jinny and her children to stay warm, Mattie started to think. Will he be able to get everyone over the boarded safely? Once over the border, what would they do? Will Mattie be able to get them to South Korea, or home to America? If he could accomplish this, how would Mattie be able to support Jinny and her children. As difficult as it was to get the medicine from Russia to North Korea, what was to happen next would make their last journey seam very easy. Mattie then looked into Jinny's eyes and noticed that there was a combination of looks. He knew Jinny wanted to get her children out of there. He also sensed a glow in Jinny's eyes, a glow of love. Yes, Mattie and Jinny fell in love. They cuddled in bed with Jinny's children between them. They kissed and went to sleep. They both knew that they need rest to start their next challenge in a few hours at night fall.

Escape:

on the North Korean Underground Railroad.
Chapter XI

After some rest, Mattie, Jinny and the twins woke up. With the sun setting and the weather getting colder, Mattie and Jinny sprang into action. They could not communicate but, there was a special connection the two had, they knew exactly what was going to happen next. It was as if they could read each other's minds.

Jinny immediately started to breast feed the girls. She knew they needed food and it would be more difficult to feed them latter when they are on the move. Mattie then prepared the syringes with more medicine. He administered the medicine and then loaded up some more syringes to make it easier to give them more medicine while on the run. As Jinny was preparing the girls for the trip Mattie ran outside. Jinny wrapped the twins into some blankets and plastic to keep them warm and dry. Under the cover of darkness, he checked the gas in the truck they stole earlier. He had noticed it had hardly any gas and they were out of food. Mattie then snuck into another farm house in the area. He was able to scrounge up some kimchee and rice for their trip. He was also able to siphon some gas out of the neighbor's tractor. With some food and gas Mattie was ready to start a nearly impossible mission. As pulled the stolen truck to the front of Jinny's house. Jinny was ready and she jumped into the truck, children in her arms, and they were off.

Both excited and worried about the near future, Mattie and Jinny headed North. Their nearly impossible mission started. Under the darkness of night Jinny directed Mattie where to go. Off into the night they went.

Escape:

on the North Korean Underground Railroad.
Chapter XII

Jinny used gestures to direct Mattie North towards the Tumen River near the Friendship Bridge into Khasan, Russia. Mattie, Jinny and the twins were feeling much better after getting some rest and food. With confidence, they quickly got out of town with the stolen truck and into the countryside. They were lucky to have not been caught and as they got close to the border they looked for a place to hide the truck. After driving for about thirty-five minutes they found an abandoned building not far from the border. Mattie hid the truck as Jinny took the opportunity to breast feed the children. She knew there might not be an opportunity to feed them for a while. Once Mattie hid the truck he gave the twins one shot each of the medicine that Doctor Yuliia Vivdych gave them in Russia. This was the last of the medicine and the twins were looking healthier. This made both Mattie and Jinny very happy. Despite being happier and healthier, both Mattie and Jinny knew the easy part of the mission was over. Things were only going to get more difficult as they prepared to cross the border.

Jinny grabbed one of the twins and took the lead as Mattie followed with the other twin. This time Jinny did not want to cross into Russia over the bridge. She knew that the last time she did she got lucky and this time it would be more difficult with the children. She also was a bit skeptical about crossing the frozen Tumen River after what Mattie went through on their way to North Korea. As they continued to walk North under the cover of a dark sky the air grew colder. Jinny knew that the temperature over the past few days was very low and the ice on the river had gotten thicker. As they approached the river she decided that it would be better to cross over the frozen river than to take a chance crossing the heavily guarded bridge. As they got closer to the river they started looking for a place to hide. Finding an outcrop of rocks surrounded by trees and bushes on the banks of the river they decided to take cover. As Mattie comforted the twins Jinny climbed one of the trees. She wanted to get a good look at the guards patrolling the river. As Jinny was climbing the tree Mattie felt something special inside as he was holding the twins. He started to feel a connection with them. So far Mattie has only spent three nights with Jinny and this was his second night with the twins. Despite this short time, he fell in love with them. Now they had a mother with a deep love for her children and a man with a deep love for that mother and the children. Mattie couldn't remember ever feeling this way about someone. He was not going to let them down. Mattie became a man on a mission to save these girls.

As Jinny climbed higher up the tree the branches became thinner and weaker. It was a good thing that Jinny was only about ninety pounds. She started to become concerned as she got higher up the tree. She not only knew the branches were getting weaker but she also noticed that there was less cover the higher she climbed. After a few minutes of climbing, Jinny became tired. She decides to take a rest by sitting on a branch as she straddled the trunk with her legs and arms. She was determined to get as high as she could to get view of the guards and see what their routine was. Once Jinny caught her breath and took a quick break she started to climb hire. As Mattie held the twins he watched Jinny climb higher with concern. He didn't want her to climb any higher because he did not want her to fall or be seen. Higher Jinny went, nearly to the top of the tree. As Jinny started to look around to observe the guards she heard the sound of a cracking branch. Jinny grew very concerned, as did Mattie. They knew she was in trouble. Also, if she fell she would have made enough noise to alert the guards. She was in trouble. Unexpectedly, the branch she was standing on gave away in one swift movement. Quickly Jinny was hang onto a thin branch approximately twenty-five feet off the ground. Jinny's cold hands clenched onto that thin branch for dear life. Jinny was a strong lady having grown up on a farm. She could hang on, but her hands were frozen and the branch was starting to crack. All the sudden, the branch broke. Like the flash of a flashbulb on a camera, Jinny hit the ground. Mattie knew they were in trouble when he heard the sound of Jinny's body hitting the hard-frozen ground. As soon as Jinny hit the ground, he could hear all the air in her lungs leave her body. Jinny laid on the ground motionless. Mattie was deeply concerned. There was enough noise for the guards to hear and Mattie was holding the two twins. There was no way Mattie was going to be able to carry all three of the girls to safety. He quickly put the twins on the ground to tend to Jinny. As Mattie approached Jinny's still body he grew more concerned. The guards were alerted to the noise Jinny had made and the glow of their flashlights started to get closer. In a panic Mattie grabbed Jinny and threw her over his shoulder. He ran South away from the area they were originally hiding in to another outcrop of rocks. He put Jinny's limp body down and threw some leaves that were on the ground atop of her to conceal her body. Mattie then ran back to the tree where Jinny fell to retrieve the twins. As Mattie arrived to the location of the twins, he knew it was too late. The guards were approaching quickly with their flashlights. He knew there was no way he was going to be able to pick the twins up and move them to where he hid Jinny. Mattie was in trouble, he had no idea what to do and started to panic. He quickly grabbed the branch that fell from the tree with Jinny. Then Mattie laid on the ground over the twins and pulled the branch over them. He was also able to pull some more leaves over them. As the guards approached their voices grew louder and flashlights brighter. Mattie thought that for sure they were going to get caught. One of the guards climbed atop of one of the rocks they were hiding behind. Mattie could smell the guard and hear him breath. The guard shined his flashlight around looking for the location of the sound they heard when Jinny fell. Mattie's heart started to race like a freight train in the middle of the night. It seemed like an eternity as the guards searched the area. Mattie was worried, worried that the guards would see or hear him. He was holding his breath and holding the twins. He was also concerned that the twins would start crying. It seemed as though the guards would not go away. As Mattie and the twins continued to hide, Jinny was approximately thirty feet away under some branches and leaves. Mattie started to worry about her. He was hoping she was ok but did not want her to wake up after being knocked out cold and alert the guards. As soon as Mattie started to worry about Jinny, she woke up. She started to move frantically not knowing what had just happened. This alerted the guards and drew their attention away from Mattie and the twins. The guards immediately moved towards Jinny. Mattie thought it was over. He thought that he didn't hide Jinny well enough and that she would be caught. If Jinny were caught, what would Mattie do. He had the twins in a foreign country and had no idea how to take care of them. Without Jinny who would feed them? Who would take care of them?

As the guards approached Jinny's hiding spot she had realized what was going on. She laid still on the frozen ground in pain. She also grew deeply concerned. Mattie started to think of a plan to get them out of this situation. He reached around in the dark for a loose rock that was small enough to throw. After gathering a few he started to throw them as far towards the river as he could. The noise of the rocks bouncing off the ice of the frozen river alerted the guards just before they reached Jinny's location. Suddenly the guards turned and ran towards the river. They ran past Mattie and the twins. They were so occupied with finding the source of the noise that they were distracted from Mattie, Jinny and the twins. Once the guards were far enough away from Mattie, he started to crawl, with the twins, towards Jinny. Slowly and quietly he approached Jinny. Soon Mattie and the twins reached Jinny. They were happy as they curled up together under the cover of leaves and branches. Mattie was together with his girls and despite the situation they were in, he was happy they were together.

They waited quietly in the dark and cold night as the guards continued to search the area. After about a half-hour the guards moved on and Mattie and Jinny decided to move further West away from where the guard's headed. This was very difficult for Jinny as she was in tremendous pain after falling from the tree. Mattie took Jinny's bag, his bag ant the twins in his arms. The slowly moves West. Jinny had severe back and chest pain. She thought that she had broken some ribs and seriously damaged her back. It was difficult for her to move and breath. Despite the tremendous pain, Jinny continued. She was, once again, a mother on a mission. This time she had more luck, she had her twins and Mattie with her. They started to feel closer and became deeper in love as time passed. They were not going to let go of each other again.

Once they got far enough away from the guards they once again headed North towards the banks of the Tumen River. The easy part of the mission was over. Now they prepared for the difficult task of crossing the frozen Tumen River again. This time to freedom and safety of Russia.

Escape:

on the North Korean Underground Railroad.
Chapter XIII

Once Mattie and Jinny reached the banks of the Tumen River they took a quick break. As Jinny breast fed the twins and ate some kimchee and rice Mattie quickly went to work. Mattie has some rope in his bag. He quickly tied lengths of rope between Jinny's and his bag. He made a chain of rope. Mattie would lead the way across the frozen river with the rope tied around his waist. Behind him, about ten feet, were the two bags. Behind the bags were the twins who were wrapped in plastic and blankets to keep them warm. Behind the twins, Jinny, with here hurt back and ribs. Mattie knew that it would be very difficult for Jinny to crawl. But he also knew that he would be able to pull and help her move. He also knew this would distribute their weight hopefully keeping them from falling through the ice. He also knew if anyone fell through the ice, they would be connected making it easier and faster to get pulled from the cold water. Mattie also took his knife out of his pocket and sharpened some sticks. He and Jinny would hold onto the sticks and use the sharp end of the stick to stick into the ice. This would help them pull themselves over the ice making the crossing faster.

Once Jinny understood what the plan was they headed out over the frozen Tumen River. Slowly moving over the cold ice, they started to get colder. Their bodies were freezing and started to naturally shake to warm up. This made it more difficult to move. They both knew that they needed to move faster. Every minute on the ice would just make them colder. They also knew that the twins were only getting colder. They were both concerned that the twins would get so cold they would start to get hypothermia. They also did not want the twins to make any noise alerting the border guards on both sides of the river. Moving as fast as they could they made it half way across the river. They continued to get colder and kept trying to move as fast as they could. Soon the twins got so cold that they started to cry. Mattie and Jinny both knew that this was not good. The cries were loud enough to alert the guards on both sides as to their presence. They started to move faster and closer towards the Russian border. They knew that eventually the guards would hear and see them. Soon. they were no longer worried about it, they knew they were caught. Mattie quickly got up and signaled to Jinny to get up. As hard as Jinny tried she couldn't get up. She was too cold and in so much pain from her fall the she could not even crawl anymore. Mattie the started to run as fast as he could. This was very difficult and he kept slipping and falling on the ice. To make the situation worst, the guards on the North Korean side of the river heard them. They shined their lights towards Mattie and Jinny. This time they were caught. They started crossing the frozen river to grab them before they got into Russia. Mattie then quickly crawled to the bags. He quickly untied the rope that was around his waist. Then he grabbed what was left of the rope inside the bags and tied it to the end of the rope connecting everyone together. He crawled on the ice as fast as he could towards the banks of the river on the Russian side. Once he was on solid ground Mattie pulled the rope. Slowly the bags, then the twins, then Jinny were on the banks of the Tumen River, this time on the Russian side. Both Mattie and Jinny untied the rope and grabbed the twins. They started to run further into Russia. They were surprised to not see any guards on the Russian side of the boarder. They were also, once again, lucky. Once Mattie and Jinny felt they were in a same location they took a break. They each grabbed one child and did what they could to comfort them and stop them from crying. Jinny also took this time to once again feed her children. With a moment to consider what they had accomplished Mattie and Jinny once again looked into each other's eyes. They both saw something special and fell deeper in love. Mattie felt complete with Jinny and the girls. He knew he had found someone special in Jinny and was happy to have helped her and the girls. Mattie was a happy but cold and tired man.

Eventually the twins stopped crying. Mattie then grabbed the bags and the twins and started to head North with Jinny in tow. Now that they were in Russia Mattie was taking the lead. He wanted to get to his apartment where it was warm and they had food. They quickly moved North, they were all cold and wanted to get this over as soon as they could. Eventually, they came to a highway. Not sure where they were Mattie left the twins and Jinny a few feet off the road. He then grabbed his cell phone and walked down the road until he saw a sign and took a picture. He then ran back into the woods where he left Jinny and the twins. He texted the picture to Oksana and asked her if she could find them. Oksana, surprised to hear from them texted him back and said that they were about two hours away. Mattie was surprise that they were so far away. With all the excitement of running from the guards they ended up a lot further West then they had planned. Out of food and medicine and still very cold, they waited for Oksana to arrive. Mattie found a few pine trees in the area and pulled as many branches off as he could. He made a bed of pine branches and put Jinny and the twins on the ground. He then covered them with more branches to keep them warm. With Jinny curled up with the twins under the warm pine tree branches Mattie move closer to the highway to wait for Oksana.

Mattie wasn't the least bit concerned about Oksana arriving. He knew she would do whatever it took to get to them. However, he was deeply concerned about his girls. He knew they were cold, hungry and in pain. He was in love with his girls and he didn't want them to suffer anymore then they already had suffered.

Escape:

on the North Korean Underground Railroad.
Chapter XIV

After waiting for two hours Oksana and Svetlana arrived. Mattie was very happy. He ran into the woods to get Jinny and the twins and carried them to the car. It was a good thing Svetlana was with them because Jinny was in bad shape and the twins need more medicine. Immediately after they got into the car, Oksana's sped off back to Mattie's apartment. Happy to see his friend Oksana and to be back in Russia Mattie took a deep breath and relaxed. They had turned the heat in the car to warm themselves up and Svetlana attended to the children. She gave them some more medicine and some food to Jinny and Mattie. Svetlana then attended to Jinny. She noticed that she was in agony and upon further exanimation noticed that Jinny had some broken ribs and there was something seriously wrong with her back. Jinny was not concerned with herself, her priorities were her children. Jinny fed the twins and then relax for the two-hour ride to Mattie's apartment. Both Mattie and Jinny were finally at ease and proud of their accomplishment. They had gotten medicine to the children and got back to Russia in just two days. They were fed, warm and happy to be with friends. Yes, they did know that they still had a long way to go to get to America but for now, they were happy and content.

After a two-hour drive, back to Mattie's apartment they started to settle in and get comfortable. Jinny took a shower and put her dirty clothes in Mattie's washing machine. As Jinny was in the showered Svetlana took a closer look at the twins and saw that they were in great shape. Mattie also told Oksana and Svetlana about their journey into and then out of North Korea. They were both amazed that they were able to make it and wanted to continue to help. After a few hours of showering, giving the twins a bath and relaxing they ordered food. They knew that the twins were doing well but they still needed a healthy mother to breastfeed them. Svetlana had told Mattie and Oksana that Jinny had a few broken ribs and a problem with her back. They decided that they would call Doctor Yuliia Vivdych and ask for help. About one-hour latter the doctor showed up. She examined the twins and Jinny. She felt that the twins were fine and just need some rest. She also discovered that Svetlana was correct, Jinny did have some broken ribs and a back problem. After dark, Doctor Yuliia Vivdych, Oksana and Jinny went to the veterinarian hospital that Yuliia worked at to get some x-rays. After examining the x-rays Yuliia discovered that Jinny had three broken ribs and some serious muscle damage in her back. She then took some medicine to relieve the pain and reduce swelling to make Jinny comfortable. She also said that Jinny was going to have to rest for at least a week before moving. The major problem is that Jinny and Mattie are illegally in Russia. First, Mattie's work visa had expired and if he were caught, he would be sent to a Russian jail. Second, Jinny and the children also had entered the country illegally and if they were to get caught, they would be sent to jail, or even worst, sent back to North Korea to never be seen again. Yuliia, Oksana and Jinny returned to Mattie's apartment. Oksana filled in Mattie and Svetlana as to Jinny's condition and that they need to stay for at least one more week. All the ladies also agreed to help Mattie, Jinny and the children by buying food, dippers and more medicine. Oksana had also agreed to contact one of her former students who was a member of the Russian mafia to help get the documents Mattie, Jinny and the children needed. Mattie and Jinny were very grateful for all the help they were getting from their Russian friends. Moreover, they were happy to be together in a warm and comfortable place with the food and medicine they needed to survive. After chatting for a while Jinny and the twins went to bed. Mattie was happy and his friends knew. They noticed that there was something different about him. They could see that they were in love. Oksana, Svetlana and Yuliia were happy for their friend Mattie and left for the evening and would return tomorrow with some more supplies. Mattie then relaxed for the first time in quite a few days. He was happily in love and content with Jinny and her children.

Escape:

on the North Korean Underground Railroad.
Chapter XV

Late in the morning Mattie and Jinny woke up. They were happy to be together with the twins in a warm and safe place. Mattie wanted Jinny and the twins to relax so he made breakfast as they relaxed. Mattie knew that they need food and rest or they would never make it to America. The twins were getting healthier but Jinny was still too injured to move.

After relaxing all day Svetlana, Oksana and Yuliia came to see them. They had plenty of supplies including food and dippers. Both Mattie and Jinny were very grateful for their support. Oksana made a few phone calls to her former student who was in the Russian mafia to see if he could help with documents for Mattie, Jinny and the twins. The man, named Vladimir, agreed to meet Oksana and Mattie to see if he could help. Later that evening Mattie and Oksana went to meet Vladimir as Svetlana and Yuliia stayed with Jinny. At first, they felt uncomfortable because they could not communicate with Jinny. But after a few minutes they started to watch TV and play with the twins. Both Svetlana and Yuliia were falling in love with the twins as Mattie did a few days before.

Once Mattie and Oksana got to Vladimir's apartment they shocked that they were in a very bad neighborhood. They were outside and old Soviet style apartment building. There was graffiti and gang signs all over the place. Thugs, drunks, prostitutes and homeless all over the place. They could hardly move without being approached by a panhandler, prostitute or a drug dealer. They were concerned with the crime there and Oksana didn't want her car stolen. She called Vladimir and expressed her concern. Vladimir came out of the apartment and opened the door to the parking garage. Mattie and Jinny were surprised to see so many very expensive European sports cars in the garage. After Vladimir led Mattie and Oksana to the elevator he inserted a key into the control panel and pushed a few buttons. The elevator then sped up to the top floor and opened. As soon as the door opened Mattie and Oksana were amazed. There they were in the middle of a high crime ghetto and now they are in the top floor of an old Soviet style apartment building in the lap of luxury. There were gold fixtures and expensive furniture as far as the eye could see. Many of Vladimir's colleagues were dressed to the nines, they had very expensive European designer suits and expensive evening gowns. They all had jewelry, from Rolex watches, Dimond rings and necklaces. This place was better than a five-star hotel room. Shocked, the followed Vladimir to his office and Oksana explained Mattie's and Jinny's situation to him in Russian. Mattie was confused as to what they were talking about but he knew it was about him. After a few minus of explanation Vladimir looked at Mattie with a shocked look on his face. Vladimir said, in English, "I can't believe you were crazy enough to go to North Korea and back". I can't believe you survived". Vladimir had respect for Mattie and in his culture, that meant a lot. Mattie explained to Vladimir how Jinny and he accomplished their mission and Vladimir was impressed. Mattie also explained that his visa was expired and Jinny had no documents. Mattie and Jinny desperately needed the proper paper work to get out of Russia. Mattie also had to get to Korea for his new job and wanted to bring Jinny and the twins with him. Mattie had planned on exiting Russia by taking a ferry from Vladivostok, Russia to Wakkanai, Hokkaido, Japan. He also told Vladimir that all he needed was the proper visa extension to get out of Russia and that his current passport was good. The problem was that Jinny and the twins did not have passports. Vladimir told Mattie not to worry because they have many connections at the port of call in Vladivostok. He could escort Mattie, Jinny and the twins through. The problem is that Jinny and the twins would need passports and that would take a few days. Because the people at the port of call in Vladivostok were friends of Vladimir he could do that for free. But the passports for Jinny and the twins were going to be expensive. Mattie and Vladimir shook hands and said it is a deal. As Mattie and Oksana were in the elevator and exiting the building the talked about how easy it was. Oksana was not surprised that Vladimir could get them in or out of Russia, she knew there was a lot of corruption in Russia. She was also a little concerned about the passports and hoped that everything would turn out ok. Mattie felt that this was too easy, grew concerned.

Soon Mattie and Jinny were back at Mattie's apartment. Oksana, Svetlana and Yuliia commented on how Mattie looked when he got back to his apartment. They were talking in Russian about Mattie and how he was in love with Jinny and the twins. They were happy for him. After Oksana filled in everyone about the plan to exit Russia and how they were going to get passports they left. Mattie, Jinny and the twins were in the apartment and the twins were sound asleep. Mattie then found a note that Oksana had slipped into his breast pocket. It was a Korean to English translation that said I love you. It was then that Mattie uttered his first words of Korean to Jinny, "I love you". She smiled and embraced Mattie. They the cuddled up in bed with the twins for some more needed rest.

After another good night's rest Mattie made Jinny a healthy breakfast in bed. He then contacted an old friend of his that he met while teaching English in Japan, Whitney Glass. He explained his situation to Whitney and asked for help. He promised that she would be in no trouble because of the documents they would get from Vladimir. She agreed and promised Mattie that they could stay at her place for a few days and she would get a Japanese friend of hers to help the with the train and ferry tickets they need to get to South Korea. Mattie's plan was coming together and he was proud of his accomplishments. All they needed to do now was wait for Vladimir to come through with the passports they needed.

Escape:

on the North Korean Underground Railroad.
Chapter XVI

After a few days confined in Mattie's apartment Jinny and Mattie started to get cabin fever. They were happy to be in a safe place and were happy to be together. But they did not want to go out because they wanted the twins to rest and they were fearfully of getting caught by the Russian police without the proper documents.

Late in the afternoon Oksana and Vladimir showed up at their apartment. They were in a hurry and Vladimir explained to Mattie that his connections at the port of call in Vladivostok was going on vacation and today was the last day they could leave. If they didn't leave, they would have to wait three more weeks. Vladimir gave Jinny her passports and helped them pack their bags. Svetlana and Yuliia had given Oksana money for them and asked Oksana to wish them luck. After hastily packing their bags and preparing the twins they piled into Vladimir's car and headed to the train station in Khasan Russia. Once at the train station Oksana bid farewell to Jinny and Mattie. Oksana was happy to see Mattie and Jinny to start a new chapter in their life and wished them well. With a tear in her eye she gave Mattie and Jinny a hug and said good bye and good luck. Mattie, Jinny and Vladimir then got on the train for a few hours' trip to Vladivostok. It was a somber moment that stressed the duality of mankind, they were both happy and sad. Happy to start their new chapter in life, and sad to say good bye to a dear friend and great person who was helpful beyond explanation. With tears in their eyes Jinny and Mattie waved bye to Oksana as the train quickly pulled away.

Once the train started Vladimir told Mattie his plan. They were speaking English and drew attention to the other passengers. This was a small Russian town on the East coast of Russia and foreigners were few and far between. They tried to be inconspicuous as possible. Mattie and Jinny tried to relax on the train with the twins but the anxiety made that impossible. Vladimir was cool, calm and collective as he conducted business on his smart phone.

After a few hours, the train pulled into the Vladivostok station and Mattie, Jinny, Vladimir and the twins got off. Vladimir had Jinny and Mattie wait outside the train station so he could go find his friend who worked for Russian Immigration. After waiting for a few minutes Vladimir arrived and walked them into a dark room off to the side of the train station. There was a large and drunk man sitting in the room. He frightened Mattie and Jinny but there was something about Vladimir that made them relax, a little. Shortly after relaxing a little, Vladimir and the drunk man exchanged some words in Russian and Mattie was confused. They started to argue making the situation tense. Mattie asked what the problem was. He said that he wanted one-hundred American dollars each and sex with Jinny if he were to let them out of the country. Mattie told Vladimir that they don't have that much money and that he never told him it was going to cost that much. Vladimir knew there was a problem, normally the connections he has in immigration only charges twenty dollars each to get through without the proper paperwork. The drunk large man in immigration was concerned that they would get caught with the children and his boss would find out that he had let the through. Mattie, Jinny and Vladimir left with the twins and Vladimir made a few more phone calls. Fifteen minutes' latter a man that Vladimir knew arrived. Vladimir explained the situation to him and explained that they are good people, after a brief farewell to Vladimir, he walked Jinny, Mattie and the twins through immigration without a hitch. He understood their situation and wanted to help them. He knew about North Korea and was happy for Jinny and her children.

As Jinny and Mattie waited in line to purchase ferry tickets to Hokkaido, Japan the situation remained tense. They made it through immigration and had their visa stamps in their passports but knew there were more border crossings to come. They had help in Vladivostok and got luck but now they were on their own.

After purchasing the tickets Mattie and Jinny waited for the ferry. Luckily there were many English speaking tourist who were also waiting for the ferry. Mattie started to strike up a conversation with some French tourist to kill some time. He noticed that one of the tourists had a computer that had a wireless internet connection. Mattie asked her if he could use her computer to contact a friend in Japan to let her know when they would arrive. She happily lent Mattie her computer and he used Facebook to message Whitney Green, his friend in Japan who said she can help them. Matties plan was working well and he and Jinny were happy. They knew that soon they would be on the ferry and out of Russia. Mattie also knew that there was still a long way to go.

After boarding the ferry Mattie and Jinny found a quiet and comfortable place to relax. This was difficult with all the tourists on the ferry. There was also a night club on the ferry and there was loud music. Despite these challenges and being stressed out form the challenging journey they were able to get some rest. Once settled in mattie went to the cafeteria on the ferry and got some food for Jinny. Jinny was also able to feed the twins. They relaxed and looked like one happy family.

Escape:

on the North Korean Underground Railroad.
Chapter XVII

The overnight trip to Hokkaido, Japan seemed like an eternity. Mattie and Jinny tried to relax but a combination of anxiety of what would happen next and the noise of the crowd, they found it nearly impossible. Early that morning the crew made announcements in Russian and Japanese. Mattie was not sure what they were saying he just grabbed their bags and the twins and went with the flow of the crowd. They made their way outside of the main cabin area to get some fresh air and to see the sights. It was a cold and foggy day but they were happy to get the fresh air. Like a miracle as soon as they got to the front of the ship to see the sights, the fog lifted. The morning was almost instantly turned into a bright and sunny day. Mattie and Jinny looked at each other and smiled. They looked forward and could see Japan. They knew that soon they would set foot on Japanese soil and that was one step closer to their new home.

As the ship got closer to the docks in Japan the top deck became more crowded. Most passengers were excited that the trip was almost over. Mattie and Jinny did what they could to get towards the exit of the ferry. Once the ship stopped and the crew lashed it to the docks then opened the gates. Mattie and Jinny were some of the first people off the ship. They were so happy they were almost danced as they made their way down the gangway and onto the ground. Finally, they were out of Russia and on Japanese soil. Soon they made their way to the lines for the immigration office. They were nervous, more nervous than when they were in Russia. When they were in Russia they had the help of Vladimir, but in Japan, they were on their own. They tried to remain as calm as they could but as they got closer to the immigration officer, it grew more difficult. Soon the twins started to cry. This made Jinny and Mattie more nervous, they did everything they could to comfort them. Everyone online was staring at them, they both felt very embarrassed. Soon an immigration officer approached them. The lady asked them if they could speak English. Mattie smiled and said yes. The immigration officer then asked if they were traveling together. They both smiled and Mattie said yes. She then told Mattie and Jinny to come with her. Mattie grew nervous and thought that she saw them as suspicious people. He grew fearful about what could happen next. As they were walking towards a room next to the immigration officer's desks, he became more nervous. He worried that the fake passports that Jinny and the twins had been not good enough. He knew that his passport was legitimate but If Jinny got caught with a fake one she and the twins would be held in the immigration jail. Mattie wanted to tell Jinny that if she were caught with fake passports to tell the officer that she was a North Korean refugee. This would give her and the twins special privileges. This would also delay their journey to South Korea but be better than getting caught and put in Jail. The fact that Jinny and the twins had a fake American passports also worried Mattie. Jinny could not speak English and he thought that this would cause an alarm as the immigration officers questioned her. The immigration officer escorted them into the room and had them sit down and wait. The wait seemed like an eternity and Mattie and Jinny grew more nervous. Eventually the immigration officer asked them for their passports. Mattie, who was holding all the passports handed them to her. She then started to question Mattie. He answered all her questions as calmly as he could as the twins continued to cry. Jinny then started to breastfeed the twins. This distracted the immigration officers, they wanted to get rid of them as soon as she could. She asked Mattie about Jinny and the twins. He once again answered the questions calmly and said that they were married and the twins were their children. When the officer asked why he and Jinny do not have the same last name, Mattie grew so nervous that he almost threw up. Mattie started to think of an answer as quickly as he could. He then said that Jinny is Korean and it is Korean tradition for women to keep their maiden name. The immigration officer then smiled and walked away with the passports. She scanned the passports and asked to take everyone's picture. She also scanned everyone's fingerprints, including the twin's. The officer then gave the passports back to Mattie and said enjoy your trip. Relieved, Mattie walked out of the immigration office with Jinny and the twins in tow. This chapter of their journey was over. They were happily in Japan waiting for Mattie's friend Whitney.

As soon as they exited the immigration office they sat down and Jinny finished feeding the twins. They were happy to have survived. They could not believe that they got this far and were both very happy. Soon the twins were fed and sleeping. Mattie and Jinny waited for Whitney to arrive and take them back to her apartment.

Soon Whitney arrived in a taxi. As soon as she saw Mattie she was relieved that he was safe. They quickly got a taxi to take them back to Whitney's apartment. During the two-hour taxi ride to Whitney's apartment, Mattie told her about what he and Jinny did. She was amazed and thought they were crazy. But once she found out about Jinny's situation she was happy that she could help.

Soon the one-hour taxi ride to Whitney's apartment was over. After arriving Mattie and Jinny unpacked their bags and tended to the twins. Whitney was happy to see her friend Mattie and they talked about what he planned to do. Mattie and Jinny were grateful for Whitney's help and they ordered some food. After eating they relaxed for the night and fell asleep.

Earlie the next morning Mattie made everyone breakfast and Whitney's friend arrived at her apartment. Asahi, Whitney's friend, was amazed by Jinny's story and he also offered help. After breakfast Asahi ran to the train station and purchased tickets for Jinny, Mattie and the twins. The tickets were for the only train to Osaka Japan from Hokkaido, Japan. Asahi was so impressed with the journey that Jinny and Mattie made that he purchased the tickets for them. He got a first-class cabin for them on the Twilight Express for the nearly 100 miles and 24-hour trip. Later that day Asahi drove Mattie, Jinny, the twins and Whitney to the train station. They were so grateful for the help that Whitney and Asahi gave them. It was a difficult and sad good bye but everyone ended up being happy that Mattie and Jinny were safely on the train closer to the end of their journey. Mattie and Jinny found their cabin and settled in. They had something to eat and fed the twins then cuddled up in bed together to the long trip to Osaka. Mattie and Jinny were so stressed from the challenges of the past few days that they slept nearly the entire trip. Before they knew it, they were in Osaka and the end of their journey. They were prepared for the next and final leg of their trying journey.

Escape:

on the North Korean Underground Railroad.
Chapter XVIII

Mattie and Jinny were happy to get off the train once in Osaka. It was almost a 24-hour train ride and the four of them were confined to a Japanese sized cabin the entire time. They were afraid to move around the train with the twins and they did not want to get caught escaping North Korea.

Mattie knew that their journey was almost over and he knew this last leg would be challenging. Mattie had lived in Russia for a year and was familiar as to how to get around, plus he had help from his friends Vladimir, Oksana, Yuliia and Svetlana. When they first arrived in Japan they had help from their friends Whitney and Asahi. But now, in Osaka, they were alone, in a foreign country with no grasp of the local language they needed to get to the ferry terminal. Mattie immediately started looking for a tour company after getting out of the train station. After about an hour of roaming around the area he was able to locate one. There were many seats on the ferry available from Osaka to Busan, South Korea. The only problem was the weather. There was an unseasonal typhoon that was approaching the area. They could not get tickets for the ferry until the weather cleared up. Mattie asked the tour agency if they could help him find a cheap hotel in the area. Eventually Mattie was able to find a hotel and He, Jinny and the twins settled in for a long wait for the weather to clear up. Once in the hotel Mattie and Jinny bathed the twins and put them down for a nap. They were able to get some takeout from a local restaurant and enjoy dinner in the hotel. Soon Mattie, Jinny and the twins were cuddling up in the bed for a good night sleep. During this journey, Mattie and Jinny found it hard to relax. They were always concerned with getting caught and separated. Once in the hotel in Osaka on the eve of their last leg of this journey, they were able to relax. Mattie thought about what had happened over the past week. He was happy that he had taken the chance to help Jinny and the twins. He knew the risks when he started and now he peacefully rests in bed knowing he did the right thing.

Early the next morning the cries of the twins woke up Mattie and Jinny. As Jinny got up and started to feed the twins Mattie ran back to the tour agency. He was hoping to get the tickets to Busan so they could finish this journey. Luckily the typhoon passed and slightly missed the area and the ferries started to run again. Mattie purchased the tickets and returned to the hotel with some more takeout food for he and Jinny. Once they were finished eating they packed their bags and headed to the tour agency to get on the bus to the ferry terminal. The bus ride was about one hour. Once they got to the ferry terminal they had to make their way through immigration. Mattie was nervous, he knew he would be ok because his passport was legitimate. But Jinny and the twins had forged passports and he was worried about them getting caught. Luckily, they made it through immigration without a hitch. They waited online for the next ferry. The ferries were running but they were late. Soon, about an hour later, they were on the ferry and on their way to South Korea. Once the ferry started to set sail Mattie and Jinny looked at each other and smiled. They had come a long way and they knew it was almost over. They also knew that they could not have done this without each other. They were a team and they were in love with each other.

They found it very difficult to rest do to the excitement of finishing their journey. They could not wait to be on land again and set foot on South Korea soil. Soon the ferry started to slow down and prepare for docking at the Busan ferry terminal. Mattie and Jinny looked out the front window of the ferry and could see South Korea. They were so happy to have gotten this far that tears came to their eyes. Mattie and Jinny knew that once they were in South Korea Jinny would be able to communicate with people. She also knew that once she told the immigration officers that she was a North Korean refugee, she would be safe. The South Korean government has a special program for North Korean refugees. Once Jinny and the twins got to South Korea they would have a safe place to live and medical attention. She was happy and knew that the future of her children would be much better they her life had been.

Once the ferry docked at the Busan terminal Mattie and Jinny grabbed their bags and the twins and made their way to the exit. After getting off the ferry and on the line to make their way through immigration they could see the journey they embarked on a week ago, was almost over. After getting through the line Jinny could speak Korean to the immigration officers. She told them that she had escaped North Korea with her twins and the help of Mattie. The immigration officers immediately took Jinny and the twins to the side, without Mattie. Jinny started to pull away from the guards to grab Mattie. She screamed at the guards' in Korean. She did not want to leave Mattie. She thought that she would never see him again. Jinny and Mattie had been through a lot over the past week. She was in love with him and she did not want to be separated. She kept yelling at the guards and trying to pull away, she stated to cry. Mattie was also trying to tell the immigration officers what had happened. He also tried to follow Jinny and the twins. He too didn't want to be separated for Jinny and the twins. Mattie had fallen in love with them and he was afraid that he would never see them again if they were separated. The guards started to grab him and Mattie tried to pull away. He was screaming, in English, as he was trying to tell the officers what had happened. Eventually the officers understood what happened and allowed Mattie to follow Jinny and the twins. Once Mattie and Jinny were together, they grabbed a hold of each other and would never let go. Eventually they were in the office explaining to a bi-lingual immigration officer what had happened. The officers were amazed with what Mattie and Jinny were able to pull off. They also thought they were crazy. Once Mattie and Jinny were finished telling how they got there the officers filled out some paper work. Then Jinny and the twins were free and safe. Unfortunately, Jinny and the twins had to go to Seoul for some more paperwork. Mattie also had to start his new job at Changwon University. There would be a five-hour train ride separating them but Mattie could see Jinny and the twins on the weekend.

Soon Mattie had to go to Changwon, he was planning on staying with some friends until his job started and he could get his own apartment. He and Jinny bid farewell. It was a sad farewell but they knew they would see each other soon.

Once the officers heard the story about their journey they gained a tremendous amount of respect for them. They were happy for them and assured Mattie that Jinny and the twins would be safe. As Mattie and Jinny bid their farewell there wasn't a dry eye in the immigration building. Mattie would miss Jinny and the twins but he knew that they had to go for a few weeks to take care of some paperwork. Soon Mattie was on a bus ride to his new home, Changwon South Korea. Jinny and the twins were in a car on her way to her new temporary home in Seoul. It would be a few days before they would see each other again. They were sad to say good bye but knew that one day they would be together again.

Once on the bus to Changwon, Mattie, was able to relax. He knew that Jinny, the twins and he were now safely in South Korea. He was also happy that they were able to complete a nearly impossible mission. He missed Jinny and the twins and he knew that he would see them soon. He met Jinny only ten days prior to arriving in South Korea. He never thought that he would be able to fall in love with anyone else after losing his wife to a tragic accident at a young age. But he knew he was in love with Jinny and the twins. He was separated from them now but he knew it was only going to be a short time.

After the one hour bus ride to Changwon, Mattie met up with his friends and found a couch to sleep on for a few days. Mattie was ready to start his new job and excited but still missed Jinny and the twins. As he thought about the journey he and Jinny just completed he reminisced about the history classes he had when he was a young student. He came to the concision that he just Yeong Wonhan Salang, eternal love, with Jinny and the twins, as they Escaped on the North Korean Underground Railroad.

Escape:

on the North Korean Underground Railroad.
Chapter XIX

After spending a few days with some friends that Mattie had made his first time in Korea a few years' back he started to feel at home. He also missed Jinny and the twins. He was happy that they were safe and he was ready to start his new job. Mattie eventually found an apartment and started his new teaching job at Changwon University. Every chance that Mattie had he took the five-hour train ride from Changwon to Seoul to see Jinny and the twins. Soon Jinny and the twins would be able to move in with Mattie. They were both happy that they would be together soon and see each other every day. During his visits to Seoul Mattie would also teach Jinny English. While Mattie was gone, Jinny worked tirelessly to learn English. She was in love with Mattie and wanted to clearly communicate with him. Without Mattie knowing, Jinny, was taking some extra English lessons when Mattie was away. Being a hard worker and determined, Jinny was able to learn English in a short time. After a few months, Jinny and the twins were ready to move to Changwon and live with Mattie.

When they arrived in Mattie's apartment Jinny was pleasantly surprised. Mattie had gone shopping. He purchased two used cribs for the twins from a young couple living in Changwon. Once the couple heard Mattie's story they refused to take any of his money. He had also painted the twins room and purchased all the clothes and supplies they needed. They had a lovely apartment in a quiet neighborhood. The twins also had their own room and Mattie and Jinny had a room to themselves. Mattie was also a great cook and stocked the apartment with food for everyone. Mattie and Jinny were very excited to be with Jinny and the twins. Mattie had told all his friends about what He, Jinny and the twins had been through. They were so happy for them and wanted to throw them a party.

Later that night Mattie, Jinny and the twins went to the International Pub in the center of Changwon. Mattie was a regular in this Pub and his friends wanted to celebrate the journey that he had just finished. They were also very excited to meet Jinny and the twins. Once they arrived at the Pub all of Mattie's friends were happy to see Mattie with his true love, Jinny and the twins. It was a joyous celebration. Jinny was so happy that Mattie had so many nice friends, both foreign and Korean. Jinny made many new friends and was happy that some of Mattie's friends also had young children. Jinny was able to create a network of friends and could not have been happier.

Soon Jinny and the twins were able to settle into their new home. Jinny would take the twins to their new friends' houses, they would also meet in the park or a café. The friends that Jinny and Mattie made were like a second family. They were both very happy and in love, they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. One night Mattie rented a car and took Jinny and the twins to the mountains for a nice quiet weekend. After a long five-hour drive, and some help from a bi-lingual navigation system, they arrived at a romantic pension in the mountains. Years ago, when Mattie was in Korea his first time, he made some friends who lived in the Gangwon-do area. One of the many friends Mattie had made during his travels was a nice Korean lady named Sun-a Kang. Sun-a owned a nice place in the mountains of Injea, Gangwon-do. Located close to the border of North Korea and the East Sea. This place was known as Eunbiryung. Eunbiryung was a combination of a café, bar, restaurant and guesthouse all rolled up into one. As soon as Mattie, Jinny and the twins had arrived they went to the kitchen to see Mattie's friend Sun-s. As soon as Mattie stepped into the kitchen and saw Sun-a they both smiled, ran towards each other and embraced in a big hug. They were good old friends and had not seen each other in a long time. Mattie introduced Jinny and the twins to Sun-a and then moved into their small private room to unpack their bags. Sun-a invited them to dinner with some of her friends later that night and Mattie and Jinny proudly accepted the invitation. Mattie and Jinny were very happy. They were truly in love and happy to get away for the weekend and relax. Jinny was also happy to meet some more of Mattie's friends. She noticed that Mattie's friends were very nice and friendly and soon Mattie's friends became Jinny's friends. She could not have been happier. As happy as Jinny was, what was about to happen would make her happier for the rest of her life.

Escape:

on the North Korean Underground Railroad.
Chapter XX

After unpacking their bags Mattie and Jinny, along with the twins, sat down for dinner with Sun-a and her friends. Sun-a was a hard-working lady who ran a tight ship at Eunbiryung. She was busy as usual but always made time for friends. She also had the help of her husband Maddie O'Malley. Sun-a's friend and employee Emma Choi and her boyfriend Jerry Hoffman were there to lend a hand. After having a few drinks Mattie, Jinny, Sun-s, Maddie, Emma and Jerry sat down to eat a home cooked traditional Korean meal. Sun-s, who had known Mattie for many years knew there was something different about him. She knew that he was happily in love with Jinny and she knew they would make a great couple. Once they started eating Emma Choi asked Mattie how he met Jinny. With a smile on his face he told his story. Sun-a and her friends were amazed at what Mattie and Jinny were able to accomplish. After finishing dinner Maddie and Jerry made a fire outside as Jinny, Emma and Sun-a cleaned up. Well into the night they sat by the fire drinking homemade makkoli and beer. As laughter filled the air the three couples continued talking and drinking into the starlit night. All of them were happy to see old friends and meet new friends. Eventually Jinny put the twins to bed and everyone cleaned up before turning to bed. Soon it was just Jinny and Mattie outside by the campfire. Mattie looked into Jinny's eyes and said dangshin uhl saranghabnida, I love you in Korean. Jinny, with tears in her eyes said in English, I love you too. Mattie then dropped to his knee and asked Jinny to marry him. Jinny started to cry and hugged Mattie. She said yes. Walking to their room to settle down for the night Mattie had noticed Sun-a looking out the kitchen window. They smiled at each other and Sun-a gave him the thumbs up. Mattie and Jinny were in love, a love that would last forever.

Early the next morning Mattie was up and had noticed Sun-a's husband Maddie was working. Mattie joined him and helped, then they made breakfast for everyone. As Jinny, Mattie, Emma, Jerry, Sun-a and Maddie were eating Sun-a said I think Mattie has something to say. Mattie and Jinny told their friends that they were going to get married. All were joyful for them and after hearing their story and spending time with them they knew that Mattie and Jinny were a great couple. Happy to hear the news Sun-a offered to host the wedding at Eunbiryung and their new friends were happy to help.

After eating breakfast and helping Sun-a cleanup Mattie, Jinny and the twins headed back to Changwon. Mattie and Jinny were happy and excited about planning their wedding. The following weekend they would go to the American Embassy in Seoul to take care of the marriage license and paperwork to get Jinny and the twins visas to live in America. After many hours of research and a difficult time navigating through the bureaucracy they were officially married. Jinny and the twins had visas to live in American and could eventually become American citizens.

Two month latter Mattie and Jinny went back to Eunbiryung where they had a wedding ceremony with all their friends. Everyone was very happy for Mattie and Jinny and proud to call them their friends. It was an amazing weekend in the mountains of Injea, Gangwon-do South Korea. A weekend that all involved in would never forget. Mattie and Jinny were so happy to be together and ready for the rest of their life. They had Yeong Wonhi Salang, eternal love.

The End

Proudly created, and printed in America on American made paper with American labor.

When I was in young student I had struggled greatly academically. My teachers and fellow students would make fun of my slowly developing mind. It was a very difficult twelve years of government schools for me. I was often told I would never succeed. This haunted me for many years.

It was a cold winters night in the desert of Saudi Arabi in January of 1991 when I decided I wanted to write a book. The laugh of my fellow marines echoed in my mind for the next twenty-five years.

For the next twenty-four years, I never had the courage to write the book I had dreamed of.

But one night about twenty-four years after I announced that I wanted to write, at the International Pub in Changwon, South Korea a friend Hendrik Erasmus told me he wrote a few books. I then told him I always wanted to write a book. He replied "why don't you?" I asked him for advice about writing a book. He paused for a minute then said, "write, instead of playing video games or watching TV, you can just write". "And who cares if anyone likes it, as long as you are happy with what you wrote it doesn't matter".

Well, here's my book. Thanks Hendrik!

Matt Scudieri

Eunbiryung.

By, Matthew Scudieri

Eunbiryung is a dual love story firstly, Yeong Wonhi Salang, (eternal love) a love story about two young people who met in a very unlikely situation. Notwithstanding the language and cultural barriers, they bonded together. After a long and dangerous journey, they fell in love and formed a family that lasted a lifetime. Secondly, Escaped on the North Korean Underground Railroad. A story about a young couple that fell in live during the Korean war. They were then separated by a devastating battle in 1952. Sixty years later their true love would be reunited. In the process the two main characters leave an impression about life, love and happiness on a young couple struggling with cultural differences.

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