<p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">본 이야기는 지인 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">Y</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">군의 미스터리한 실화에 기초하여 작성하였습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:11pt;"><font face="바탕"> </font></span></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">한때</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">스트레스를 엄청 받을 때가 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">월급이 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">4</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">개월간 밀린 상태</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">핸드폰 요금도 밀려 독촉전화가 오고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">회사는 경영난이 심각한데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">야근은 필수라고 몰아세웠다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">설상가상</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">부모님은 생활비를 왜 안주냐고 재촉하시는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">... </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">정말 도망 갈 곳이 없었던 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">2014</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">년 여름이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">아직도 그 생각만 하면</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">,</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">...</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">에휴</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">한숨이 나온다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">지난 일이지만 정말 지옥 같은 날들이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">정말 가기 싫은 회사</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">그러나 가야만 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">그렇게 투덜투덜 횡단보도를 걷고 있는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">갑자기 승용차 하나가 뛰어들었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">운전자도 놀라서 브레이크를 밟았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">그러나 이미 차와 내 무릎은 접촉한 후였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">번호판이 날아 갈 정도로 큰 충돌이었고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">결국 가까운 병원에 이송되었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">응급실로 가서 엑스레이를 비롯한 여러 검사를 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">의사는 아픈 부위를 꾹꾹 누르면서 나에게 물었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">아프지요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">?”</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">순간</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">뒤통수의 핏줄이 빠직했지만 고개만 끄덕였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">이후</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, 4</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">인실에 입원했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">그리고 아픈 통증을 참아가며 회사에 전화를 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">과장님</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">출근길에 교통사고가 나서 입원했습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">자세한 건 결과가 나오면 말씀드리겠습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.”</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">그러나 과장은 이 상황이 뭔가 불만인 듯</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">,</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">하필 이런 상황에</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">휴</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">알겠다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">...”</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">솔직히 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">‘</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">괜찮니</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">? </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">많이 안 다쳤니</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">?’ </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">라고 한 마디 할 줄 알았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">스트레스가 빡</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">정말 막말로 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">‘</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">빡 친다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">’</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">는 말이 저절로 나왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">한 숨을 쉬며</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">누워있는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">... </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">이상하게 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">4</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">인실에 혼자 있어서 고요했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">에이</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">아 몰라</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">이참에 푹 쉬자</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">꼬우면 지네들이 자르겠지</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">..”</span></font></p> <p><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:11pt;"><font face="바탕"> </font></span></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">그렇게 혼잣말하며</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">텔레비전을 보려고</span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">리모콘이 있는 반대편 침대로 가려고 하는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">...</span></font></p> <p><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:11pt;"><font face="바탕"> </font></span></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">갑자기 침대 아래에서 꼬마 하나가 확하고 튀어나오는 것이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">어찌나 놀랐던지</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">잡았던 리모콘을 떨어트렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">개념없는 꼬마</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">잔잔한 마음에 돌을 던져서 너무 화가 났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">따끔하게 한 마디 해주려고 꼬마를 찾는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">... </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">이 병실에는 아무도 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">...?</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">병실에는 나 혼자 있다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">문은 닫혀있고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">열린 적은 본적도 들은 적도 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">참 기가 막히고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">코가 막힐 일이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">‘</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">설마 귀신은 아이겠지</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">피곤해서 그런 걸 거야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">...’</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">당시에 불면증에 시달리고 있어서</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">허영을 본 거라고 생각했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">일을 하면서 생활비를 구해보려고 정말 발악을 하던 때라</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">잠잘 여력이 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">그렇게 불쌍한 자신에게 주는 위로는 잠밖에 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">이상하게 마음이 편해지며</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">눈이 감겼다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">타다다닥</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">타다다닥</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">”</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">누군가 뛰어가는 소리가 들렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">별로 대수롭게 생각 안했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">왜냐하면 너무 피곤했기 때문이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">타다다닥</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">타다다닥</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">”</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">슬슬 신경이 쓰이기 시작했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">눈을 떴다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">하지만 여전히 홀로 남겨진 병실일 뿐</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">나 이외의 사람은 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">거 참</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">...”</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt;"><font face="바탕">평소에 신경이 매우 예민해서 작은 문제만 있어도 </font></span></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">잠을 못 자는 타입이기 때문에 핸드폰 게임을 하며</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">결국 밤을 샜다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">이윽고 아침이 밝았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">간단한 검사를 받고 다시 병실로 들어왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">굉장히 피곤했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">링거를 맞으니 나도 모르게 스르르 잠이 들었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">그런데 잠시 후에</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">부스스 소리 같은 것이 났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">순간적으로 눈을 떠서 옆쪽을 바라봤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">웬 아저씨가 입원을 했는지</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">환자복으로 갈아입고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:11pt;"><font face="바탕"> </font></span></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">안녕하세요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">? </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">저는 허리를 살짝 다쳐서 입원하게 된 정 아무개입니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">학생은 어쩌다 다리를 그렇게 다쳤나요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">?”</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">안녕하세요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">저는 교통사고로 입원 했습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">그리고 학생 아닌데요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">?”</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">아저씨는 인상이 좋았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">50</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">대 초반으로 보였고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">중장비를 운전하는 기사라고 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">며칠 전부터 허리에 심한 통증이 있었는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">실수로 넘어지는 바람에 더욱 심해졌다고 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">사실 난 무서웠다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">아무리 스트레스가 머리 꼭대기까지 왔다고 해도</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">환영을 볼 정도로</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">환청을 들을 정도로 맛이 가진 않았기 때문이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">아저씨가 온 날</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">나는 오랜만에 마음 편하게 잤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">그렇게 대낮부터 코를 골며</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">푹 자고 일어났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">캄캄한 어둠이 내렸고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">이미 시간은 밤 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">11</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">시를 가리켰다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">와</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">완전 꿀잠 잤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">...”</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">머리가 굉장히 맑아진 느낌이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">심란한 마음도</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">피곤한 몸도 회복이 된 느낌이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">하지만 옆 침대의 아저씨가 악몽을 꾸는지 끙끙대는 것이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">아흐흐으으윽</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">아흐흐으으윽</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">...”</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">굉장히 신경 쓰였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">허리가 아픈 것일까</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">? </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">위험한 상태인가</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">? </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">악몽인가</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">? </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">여러 가지 생각이 들면서도 괜히 방해하고 싶지 않아서 다시 눈을 붙였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">그런데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">...</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">저</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">저기</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.. Y</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">군</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">나</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">나 좀 사</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">살려주게</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">..”</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">나는 깜짝 놀랐다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">몸을 돌려 아저씨 쪽을 쳐다봤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">아저씨가 고통스러워했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">재빨리 간호사에게 연락했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">간호사가 두 명이 순식간에 달려왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">정아무개씨</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">정아무개씨</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.... </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">괜찮으세요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">?”</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">정신이 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">간호사는 아저씨를 흔들어 깨웠다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">그제야 아저씨는 눈을 떴다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">가</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">가위에 눌렸어요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">... </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">허리가 너</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">~</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">무 아픈데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">가위에 눌리니까 꼼짝도 못하고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">...”</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">간호사는 다행이라는 듯</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">이상 있으면 불러달라며 나갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">아저씨는 한결 괜찮은지 한 숨을 쉬고 다시 잠들었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">그리고 새벽 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">3</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">시 즘이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">창가엔 비가 내렸고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">서늘한 바람이 들어왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">나른해진 새벽 저절로 잠이 왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:11pt;"><font face="바탕"> </font></span></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">쿵</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">쿵</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">쿵</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">쿵</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">...”</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">아저씨 쪽 침대에서 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">‘</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">쿵쿵쿵쿵</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">’ </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">누군가 뛰는 소리가 났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">그런데 나는 경악을 금지 못했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:11pt;"><font face="바탕"> </font></span></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">검은 옷을 입은 여자와 아이가 아저씨 허리 위를 쿵쿵 뛰는 것이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt;"><font face="바탕">여자는 신이라도 나는 듯 </font></span></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">소름끼칠 정도 오싹한 표정으로 웃으며 뛰었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">아이도 신이 나는 듯 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">‘</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">깔깔</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">’ </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">웃으며 그녀와 같이 따라 뛰었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">어찌나 놀라고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">무섭던지 나는 졸도를 하고 말았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">이미 그 여자와 눈도 마주치기 전에 이미 나의 눈은 뒤집혔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">“Y</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">씨</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.. Y</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">씨</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">...? </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">주사 맞을 시간입니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">...?”</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">간호사가 나를 깨웠다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">시간이 오전 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">11</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">시를 가리키고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">물리치료 받을 시간인 것을</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">그런데 옆에 아저씨가 보이지 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">아저씨 퇴원했어요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">?”</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">아</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">그분</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">침대에서 떨어져서 크게 다치셨는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">모르셨어요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">?”</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">믿고 싶지 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">웬만하면 허리가 아파서 안 움직이는 사람이었는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">... </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">침대에서 굴렀다니</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">말도 안 되는 소리였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">네</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">? </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">언제요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">?”</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">“</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">아침 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">5</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">시쯤이요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">간호사들이 병실을 돌다가 발견 했습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">저는 그때 근무가 아니라서</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">자세한 정황은 모르지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">아무래도 상태가 심각해서 큰 병원으로 옮겼습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span lang="en-us" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">고통스러워서 엄청 소리를 질렀다는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">환자 분은 모르셨나 봐요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">?”</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">나는 전혀 몰랐다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">바로 그때</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">아저씨 허리 위를 방방 뛰던 여자와 아이가 생각났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">소름이 돋았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">여자의 그 표정</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">그 눈빛</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">... </span><span style="font-size:11pt;">진짜 무서웠다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">덜컥 겁이 났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">또 다시 병실에는 혼자가 되었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">. </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">겁이 나는 마음에 친구보고 문병을 오라고 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">.</span></font></p> <p> <font face="바탕"> </font></p><p></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">그리고 친구 두영가 문병을 오게 되었는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">, </span></font></p> <p><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:11pt;">더욱 기이한 일들이 그때 일어났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-size:11pt;">...</span></font></p> <p style="text-align:right;"><font face="바탕"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">2부에서 계속... </span></font></p>