<div style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:20pt;"><font size="6">달빛 아래 서커스</font></span></div><font size="6"> </font> <div><font size="6">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="3"> </font> <div><font size="3">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="3"> </font> <div><font size="3">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="3"> </font> <div><font size="3">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';"> </span><span>       가족들은 </span><span>모두 읍내로 서커스 구경을 떠났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>나도 무척이나 따라가고 싶었지만</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>오후에 소젖 짜야 하는 일을 해야만 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>우리 집은 산 중턱에서 작은 젖소 목장을 운영하고 있다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>조랑말 한 마리에 수소 한 마리</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>젖소 네 마리뿐인 단출한 농가지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>녀석들에게 나오는 우유만으로도 작은 산동네 사람들에게 제공하기는 충분한 양이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>문제는 소젖을 짜는 일을 온종일 해야 한다는 것</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>우리 집은 새벽부터 밤까지 제대로 쉴 틈이 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>새벽엔 우유를 배달하고 낮에는 마소에게 먹일 꼴을 베고 저녁엔 소젖을 계속 짜야 한다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 이 일을 </span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">5</span><span>살 때부터 시작해서 벌써 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">10</span><span>년 넘게 매일 같은 일을 반복하고 있다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>학교도 가지 않고 낮이나 밤이나 일을 하는 것이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>내 밑에 </span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">4</span><span>명의 동생들도 사정은 마찬가지였지만 부모님은 내가 장남이라는 이유로 가장 일을 많이 시켰다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>어쨌든 나도 이번 서커스만큼은 꼭 구경하고 싶었는데</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;">……   </span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 아버지에게 얻어맞은 눈두덩을 어루만지며 생각했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>애초에 내 팔자에 그런 호사는 어울리지 않을지도 모른다고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>울적한 마음을 달래려 집 앞 언덕에 앉아 버들피리를 불고 있었는데</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>내 앞으로 피투성이가 된 소년이 기어왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>소년은 나를 한번 쳐다본 후 쓰러졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 그를 업고 서둘러 집으로 달려갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">. </font></span></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림" size="2"> </font></span></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">     </font> <div></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span><span>반나절 간의 간호를 받고 나서야 소년은 눈을 떴다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 그에게 빵과 수프를 내밀었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>녀석은 나의 눈치를 살피더니 곧 허겁지겁 먹기 시작했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>생각보다 너무 잘 먹어주었기에 기쁜 마음에 빵과 수프를 더 가져다주었는데 어김없이 다 먹어치웠다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>어지간히 배가 고픈 모양이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>내가 직접 짠 우유도 한잔 가져다줬더니 그것도 끝까지 다 비웠다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.</font></span></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>고마워</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">”</span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2">   </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>녀석은 식사를 마치자 부끄러운지 얼굴을 붉히며 나에게 감사 인사를 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 생긋이 웃어주었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.  </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2">   </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>가볼게</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>고마웠어</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">! </span><span>정말로</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font face="굴림" size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"> </span></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>안 돼</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">! </span><span>이렇게 다친 상태로 어딜 간다는 거야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”</span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font face="굴림" size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"> </span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font size="2">    <span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';"> <font face="굴림"> </font></span><font face="굴림">“</font></span><font face="굴림"><span>이 산을 넘어가면 보안관인 친척이 사는 마을이 있어</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span><span>거기까지 꼭 가야만 해</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”</span></font></font></span></div> <div><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font size="2"></font></span></span> </div> <div><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font size="2"></font></span></span> </div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>이웃 마을 벨 보안관 아저씨는 나도 잘 알고 있는 분으로 정말 좋은 사람이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.</span></font></font></div> <div><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림" size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"></span> </font></span></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>하지만 녀석의 절룩거리는 모양새로 보아 그곳에 도착하기도 전에 쓰러져 버릴 것 같았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.</font></span></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">      </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>그 몸으로 어딜 가려고 그래</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span><span>오늘은 이곳에서 쉬고 내일 가.</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>고맙지만 그럴 순 없어</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span><span>서커스 공연이 끝나면 단장님이 날 잡으러 올 거야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2">   </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>녀석은 자신을 서커스 줄타기 단원이라고 소개했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>매일같이 이어지는 폭력과 학대를 견디지 못해 기회를 봐서 간신히 도망쳤다고 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>간호하며 녀석의 옷과 상처를 살펴보았기 때문에 어렴풋이 짐작은 하고 있었지만</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>역시나 안쓰러운 마음과 동질감이 일었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 머리카락을 들어서 뒤통수에 생긴 큰 상처를 녀석에게 보여주었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><span><font size="2">아버지에게 부지깽이로 얻어맞아서 생긴 땜빵 자국이라는 설명도 해줬다.   </font></span></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>녀석은 나에게 자신의 등을 보여주었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>등에는 심한 매질의 흔적이 가득했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>서로 누가누가 더 많이 얻어맞았나 대회를 열다가 눈이 마주친 순간 피식 웃고 말았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>처음 보는 그 녀석의 웃음이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.     </font></span></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>녀석은 나와 동갑이었고 이름은 베리</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">(Very)</span><span>였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>내 이름은 스트롱</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">(Strong), </span><span>나는 베리에게 딸기를 가져다주며 우리 둘이 합치면 스트로베리라며 살짝 윙크를 해줬다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>베리는 딸기를 먹으면서 웃었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 베리에게 산 너머 마을까지 조랑말을 타고 데려다주겠다고 제안했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>베리는 품속에서 낡은 회중시계를 꺼내 나에게 건넸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 시계를 다시 품속에 넣어 주었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.  </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      “</span><span>괜찮아</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>우린 친구잖아</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.” </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2">  </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>나는 베리를 바라보며 생긋 웃었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>베리는 미안한 표정을 짓다가 딸기를 손에 들고 저글링 하기 시작했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>딸기 다섯 개가 내 눈앞에서 뱅글뱅글 돌았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>베리는 딸기를 천장 높이까지 던지더니 입을 벌려서 모두 받아냈다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>딸기를 우물거리며 손가락으로 브이 자 모양을 하는 베리에게 난 감탄의 박수를 보냈다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.  </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      “</span><span>와</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">~ </span><span>너 진짜 잘한다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>너 서커스 보고 싶다고 했지</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">? </span><span>언젠가 내가 진짜 멋있는 공연을 보여줄게</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"></span></font></font></div> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">      </font>“</span><span>좋아</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span><span>약속하는 거야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">!”</font></span></font></font></div> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림"></font></span></font></font> </div> <div><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림"><span><font size="2">베리와 나는 서로 새끼손가락을 걸고 웃었다</font></span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림" size="2">. </font></span></font></span></span> <div><font face="굴림"><span></span></font> </div> <div><font size="2"><font face="굴림"><span>산행을 대비해 간단히 먹을거리와 옷가지를 챙기고 있는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>현관문 두드리는 소리가 울렸다</span></font></font><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림" size="2">.    </font></span> <div><font size="2"><font face="굴림"><span></span></font></font> </div> <div><font size="2"><font face="굴림"><span>별 생각 없이 문을 열었는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>검은 턱시도 입은 난쟁이가 검은색 중절모를 들며 인사했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.  </span></font></font></div></div></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2">   </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>안녕</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>꼬맹아</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span><span>나는 잭 서커스단의 리퍼 단장이란다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span><span>우리 아이를 찾으러 왔단다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”</span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"></span><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font face="굴림" size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"> </span></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">    <font face="굴림"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">  </span>난쟁이는 자신의 양복 안쪽을 슬쩍 들어 보였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.</span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"></span><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>그 안엔 무수히 많은 단검들이 번쩍이고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>순간 깨달았다</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>이놈은 언제라도 사람을 죽일 준비가 되어있는 잔인한 놈이라는 걸</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>베리를 넘기지 않으면 틀림없이 날 해코지 할 것이 분명했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>난 머릿속으로 빠르게 상황을 판단하며 말했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">. </font></span></font></div> <div><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font size="2"></font></span> </div> <div><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font size="2"></font></span> </div><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"></span> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>안녕하세요 단장님</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span><span>그 아이를 이 앞으로 데리고 오겠습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span><span>잠시만 기다려주시겠어요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”  </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2">   </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>어설픈 미소를 짓고 나는 문을 닫았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"></span><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>숨어서 상황을 지켜보던 베리는 얼굴이 사색이 되어 벌벌 떨고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 베리에게 다가가 몸을 흔들며 낮게 말했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>정신 차려 베리</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">! </span><span>도망가야 해</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>날 저 사람에게 넘기는 거야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">?”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>아니야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>시간을 벌려고 그런 거야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”</span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림" size="2"> </font></span></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>아니</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>이젠 다 끝났어</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span><span>조금 있으면 다른 단원들마저 몰려올 거야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”  </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2">   </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>베리는 모든 것을 체념한 상태로 넋을 놓고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 베리의 뺨을 때리며 말했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.</font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림" size="2">   </font></span></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>나중에 진짜 멋있는 공연을 보여준다고 약속했잖아</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">! </span><span>정신 차려</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">!”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>하</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>하지만 뭘 할 수 있겠어</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>우린 두 명이잖아</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span><span>또 저 사람은 혼자인 데다 난쟁이고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span><span>일단 저 사람을 제압하고 도망가자</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>안 돼</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span><span>저 사람은 보통사람보다 몇 배는 힘이 세다고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>하지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">! </span><span>우리 둘이 합치면 베리</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">(Very) </span><span>스트롱</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">(Strong) </span><span>이잖아</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”  </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">    <font face="굴림"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">  </span>나는 베리에게 살짝 윙크를 해 보였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>베리는 잠깐 고개를 갸웃하더니 이내 슬쩍 웃으며 말했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">    <font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">  </span>“</span><span>그거 말 되네</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”</span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">       </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>우리는 마주 보고 잠시 웃었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>그리고 나는 작전을 설명했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>내가 문을 열고 그놈을 들이는 순간</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>문 뒤에 숨어 있는 베리가 부지깽이로 녀석의 머리를 후려치고 내가 밧줄로 묶어버린다는 단순한 작전이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><span></span><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"><span>부지깽이를 베리에게 쥐여주고 밧줄을 등 뒤에 숨긴 후</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>나는 심호흡을 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>베리와 눈을 마주치고 서로 고개를 끄덕이고는 문을 열었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">. </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림" size="2">   </font></span></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>단장님 들어오</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;">……</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">”</span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">    </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>순식간에 날라 온 단장의 주먹이 내 복부에 꽂혔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.</span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><span></span><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 그 자리에서 고꾸라졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">. </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림" size="2"> </font></span></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>베리는 소리를 지르며 부지깽이를 휘둘렀지만 단장은 한 손으로 부지깽이를 막고는 간단하게 분질러 버렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">. </font></span></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">  </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>그는 베리의 복부에도 주먹을 날려 쓰러뜨린 후</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>발로 마구 밟아 대기 시작했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.</span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2">    </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>이 은혜도 모르는 버러지 같은 새끼</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">! </span><span>오늘 뒤질 준비나 해라</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">!” </span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">    </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">     </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>무차별하게 밟히고 있는 베리를 보며 나는 일어서려고 했지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>몸이 제대로 말을 듣지 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>일어나</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>일어나</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>일어나</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>일어나</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">!   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>할 수 있어 스트롱</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>넌 강한 아이잖아</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">!   </span></font></font></div> <div><font size="2"><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font size="2"> </font></span></font></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font size="2"><font size="2"><font size="2"><font face="굴림"><span>이를 악물고 일어선 후 녀석의 목에 밧줄을 걸려고 했으나</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>도리어 내 손이 잡혔고 난 식탁 위로 내동댕이쳐졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.</span></font></font></font></font></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림" size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"> </span></font></span></span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"><span>식탁은 박살이 났고</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>녀석은 다시 베리에게 다가가 짚 밟기 시작했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 부서진 식탁 밑에서 쓰러져 있었지만</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>또다시 일어났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>아버지에게 평생을 맞고 살아서 맷집 하나만큼은 기가 막힌 나였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>하나도 안 고맙지만 고맙습니다 아버지</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">!    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 부러진 식탁 다리를 하나 들고 그 난쟁이 놈의 뒤통수를 후려쳤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>식탁 다리는 산산조각이 났고 녀석도 충격을 받았는지 몸을 휘청거렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>그 틈을 놓치지 않고 나는 녀석의 턱주가리를 발로 차버렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>발끝에 느낌이 온 거로 봐서 정타가 제대로 들어간 듯했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>바닥에 떨어진 밧줄을 집어 들어 쓰러진 녀석의 목에 걸었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>순간</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>녀석이 다시 일어나 품속에서 단검을 꺼내어 내 손등을 찍었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 비명을 지르면서도 온 힘을 다해 이마로 녀석의 얼굴을 박아 버렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>단장은 다시 바닥에 내 뒹굴었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.</font></span></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>베리</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">! </span><span>일어나</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">!”     </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>베리가 비척거리며 몸을 일으킨다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>작전 변경이야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">! </span><span>이 밧줄을 끌고 밖으로 나가</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">!”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>너</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>너 괜찮은</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;">……</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>빨리</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">! </span><span>시간이 없어</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">!”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>알았어</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>베리가 단장의 목이 묶여 있는 밧줄 끝을 잡고 문밖으로 달려갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>곧이어 단장도 목에 밧줄이 묶인 채로 끌려나갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>이제 내 손등을 지나 바닥까지 박혀있는 단검을 뽑을 차례였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>어찌나 깊이 박혀있던지 좀체 빠지지도 않았지만</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>이를 악물고 단검을 빼내었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>왼손에선 피가 철철 났으나</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>지혈할 시간도 없이 바로 밖으로 뛰쳐나갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>바깥에선 베리가 단장을 묶은 밧줄을 끌며 마당을 달리고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>그 와중에도 단장은 다시 일어나려는 모양새였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 그의 턱을 다시 걷어차고 밧줄을 베리에게 건네받아 마구간으로 달려갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>마구간 문을 열고 조랑말의 목에 밧줄을 묶고 끌고 나왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">. </font></span></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>미안해 정말</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">!”</span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>나는 말에게 진심으로 사과하면서 말의 엉덩이를 단검으로 찌르고 옆으로 빠졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><span><font size="2"> </font></span></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>흥분한 말을 날뛰기 시작했고</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>그와 동시에 밧줄에 연결된 단장도 끌려가기 시작했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>이 틈에 도망가자</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">!”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>잠깐만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>먼저 네 손 지혈부터 해야 해</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”</span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림" size="2">   </font></span></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>베리는 자신의 옷을 찢어 내 왼손에 감아 주었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>그 순간</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>단검이 날아와 베리의 심장에 명중했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>베리는 그대로 앞으로 고꾸라졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>베리</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">!” </span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>나는 비명을 지르며 베리를 일으켜 안았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>난 괜찮아</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>베리가 가슴팍에서 부서진 회중시계를 꺼내며 말했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림" size="2">   </font></span></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>그보다 빨리 도망쳐야 해</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">!”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"></span><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>단장은 어느새 인가 밧줄을 자르고 우리에게 단검을 조준하고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>그러나 바로 옆에서 조랑말이 날뛰기 시작해 그와 엉키기 시작했고</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>우리는 그 틈을 타서 마당을 빠져나와 산으로 달려갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">     </font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>한참 산을 오르다 보니 어느덧 어스름이 지기 시작하는 저녁이 되었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>잠깐만 쉬었다 가자</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.” </span></font></font></div> <div><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font size="2"></font></span> </div> <div><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font size="2"></font></span> </div> <div><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림"><font size="2">      <span>베리가 기진맥진한 상태로 말했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span></font></font></span></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">     </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>나도 물론 초주검 상태였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>내 왼손에는 아직도 피가 흥건했고</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>손에 감각이 없어진 지 이미 오래전이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>우리 둘은 가파른 비탈길 옆에 있는 소나무 옆에 벌렁 드러누웠다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>서쪽 하늘에서 석양이 지고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>붉게 물든 저녁노을을 바라보고 있다가 베리가 갑자기 킥킥거리며 웃었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">. </font></span></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>너 아까 싸움 잘하더라</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">”</span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">       </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>나는 어깨를 으쓱하며 거들먹거리는 말투로 말했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.</span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>내가 원래 좀 강하잖아</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>단장님이 그렇게 얻어터지는 건 처음 봤어</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span><span>속이 다 후련하더라</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”</span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림" size="2"> </font></span></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>사실 몇 대 더 때려줄까 하다가 봐줬어</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span><span>난쟁이 괴롭히는 것 같아서 말이지</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>베리는 다시 킥킥거리며 웃다가 돌연 진지한 표정이 되어 말했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.</span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>이 산을 넘어 도망갈 수 있을까</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">?”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>그럼</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span><span>반드시 산을 넘어서 벨 아저씨 집까지 데려다줄게</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>넌 정말 강한 아이야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span><span>스트롱</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>한 가지 부탁이 있는데 말이야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>뭔데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">?”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>만약에</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>혹시 만약에라도 너 혼자만 살아남게 되더라도 있잖아</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">! </span><span>그런 재수 없는 소린 하지도 마라</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”</span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><font face="굴림"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>하지만 베리는 내 눈을 쳐다보면 끝까지 말했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span></font></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span></span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">“</span><span>만약 혼자가 되더라도 약해지지 말고 끝까지 강하게 살아가 줘</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”</span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">        </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>나는 이 분위기가 어색해서 오히려 더 넉살을 부렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.</span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">       </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>야 인마</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>그런 걱정하지마</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">! </span><span>나에겐 아직 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">287</span><span>가지 작전이 남아 있단 말씀이야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">! </span><span>하하</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">”</span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">    </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">  <font face="굴림">    하지만</font></span> 베리는 웃지 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">      </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>드디어 산을 넘는 마지막 정상 직전까지 올라왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>어느덧 해는 넘어가고 밝은 달빛이 사방을 비췄다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">. </font></span></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">    </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>다 왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">! </span><span>이곳만 넘어가면 금방 마을에 도착할 수 있어</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”</span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font face="굴림" size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"> </span></font></div><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"></span><font size="2"></font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>나는 베리에게 힘을 돋우기 위해 짐짓 쾌활하게 말했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.</span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font face="굴림" size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"> </span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> <span>그러나 베리는 더는 걸을 힘도 없는 듯이 비틀거렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div></div></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 베리를 부축한 채로 산 정상을 향해 올라갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>우리 앞에는 피에로들이 횃불을 들고 기다리고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>낮에 봤던 단장이 만면에 미소를 지으며 우리에게 다가왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.</font></span></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>고생 많이 했겠다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span><span>이 버러지 새끼들아</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.” </span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>빌어먹을</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>거의 다 왔는데</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;">……   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 주위를 둘러봤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>단장을 비롯한 피에로 </span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">10</span><span>여 명이 우리를 둘러싸고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>만신창이가 된 나와 베리가 이들을 돌파해 낼 수 있을까</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">?   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">287</span><span>가지 작전 따위는 소용없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 이미 포기하기 시작했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>베리는 무릎을 꿇고 엎드려서 빌었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.</font></span></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>단장님 부탁드립니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span><span>저는 어떻게 되든 좋으니까 제 친구만큼은 보내 주세요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.” </span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span></span><span>단장은 부드러운 미소를 지으며 말했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.</span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>그렇겐 안 된단다 베리야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span><span>너희 둘은 세상에서 가장 잔인한 죽임을 당하게 될 운명이란다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”</span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>단장은 이기죽거리며 품 안에서 단검을 꺼내 횃불에 달구기 시작했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 눈을 질끈 감았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>끝이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.  </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>단장님</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">! </span><span>마지막으로 부탁이 있습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>베리야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>한 번만 더 아가리를 놀리면 정말로 후회하게 될 거란다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>마지막으로 줄을 타게 해주세요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span><span>정말 멋진 쇼를 보여 드리겠습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”</span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>단장이 껄껄거리며 웃기 시작했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>주변에서 구경하던 피에로들도 낄낄거리며 휘파람을 불었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>좋아</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>그것만큼은 허락해 주겠다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.” </span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>단장은 선심 쓰듯이 말했고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>곧이어 산 정상에 있는 나무와 나무 사이에 기다란 줄이 연결됐다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>베리는 줄에 오르기 전, 나에게 살짝 다가와 말했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.</font></span></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">        </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>내가 신호를 주면 나무 위로 올라와서 줄 끝에 서 있어</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”</span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">    </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2">      조그맣지만 분명 단호한 목소리였다.   </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>내 친구는 나와 다르게 아직 포기하지 않았던 것이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.  </font></span></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">     </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>줄 위에 올라선 베리는 땅에서의 모습과는 완전히 달랐다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>줄 위에서 몸을 흔들다가 어느새 공중제비로 도약해서 가볍게 착지를 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>그것이 공연의 시작이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>베리는 줄 위에서 리듬을 타며 춤을 추고 노래를 부르기 시작했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>태어나서 서커스를 한 번도 본 적은 없었지만</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>나는 그것이 보통 공연이 아니라는 사실을 알 수 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>그 공연은 일반적인 관객들을 위한 것이 아니었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>광대들을 위한 공연</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>자기들끼리 놀기 위한 판</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>진짜배기를 보여주는 쇼였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>베리는 계속 노래를 부르면서 줄 위에서 리듬을 타 나갔고</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>어느새 그 밑의 광대들도 흥이 나서 몸을 흔들기 시작했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>누군가 북을 꺼내 두들겼고</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>횃불로 저글링을 했으며</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>괴상한 소리를 내며 다들 신명 나게 장단을 맞췄다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>단장마저도 단검을 꺼내 두들기며 춤을 췄다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>나 혼자만이 그 기묘한 서커스를 구경하는 유일한 구경꾼이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>연속으로 공중제비를 돌던 베리가 나에게 윙크를 보냈다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 조심스럽게 나무를 타고 올라가 줄 끝에 서 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>베리가 나에게 다가와 나를 품에 안고 줄을 타기 시작했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>피에로들이 휘파람을 불고</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>손뼉을 치며 호응했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>베리는 나를 안고 줄 한가운데까지 와서 겅중거리며 도약을 하기 시작했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>밑에 있는 피에로들의 환호 소리도 점점 더 커졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>광란의 축제가 절정을 향해 가고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>베리는 나를 바라보며 마지막 인사를 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">. </font></span></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">      </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>친구야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>내가 아까 한 말 기억하지</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span><span>끝까지 강하게 살아가 줘야해</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>베리야 나는</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;">……</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">”</span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>나는 더 말을 잇지 못했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>눈물이 계속 떨어졌기 때문이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.</font></span></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"></span><font size="2"> </font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>베리는 줄의 탄력을 최대치로 이용해서 최고점까지 뛰어올랐다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>마치 하늘을 나는 것같이</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.</font></span></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>그리고 오늘 정말 즐거웠어</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”</span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>베리는 멀리 떨어진 나무의 가지 사이로 나를 던져 버리며</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>마지막 윙크를 해주었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>달빛에 비친 베리의 모습이 눈부셨다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>그것이 내가 본 친구의 마지막 모습이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>쇼는 끝났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 크게 우거진 나무의 가지 사이로 날아가 안착했고</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>곧장 밑으로 내려와 달리기 시작했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>눈물이 계속 흘렀지만</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>다리가 부러질 것 같았지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>숨을 쉬기 어려웠지만 개의치 않고 계속 달려나갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.    </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>마침내 벨 아저씨의 집 앞까지 당도했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.   </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>집은 불이 켜져 있었고</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>들어가 보니 아저씨가 다른 보안관들과 카드놀이를 하고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      </span>“</span><span>오</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>스트롱이구나</span><font face="굴림"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. <font face="굴림">이런</font>, </span><span>부상이 심하구나</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">. </span></font><span>이리 들어와 앉아라</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">.”   </span></font></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font face="굴림"><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">      “</span><span>아저씨</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">, </span><span>베리가</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;">……</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';">” </span></font></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2">      </font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>      나는 더 말을 잇지 못하고 울어버렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>아저씨는 나를 안아주셨다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">.    </font></span></font></div><font size="2"></font> <div></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><font size="2"><span>그리고 그 밤의 서커스도 그렇게 막을 내렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림">. </font></span></font></div><font size="2"> </font> <div><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'함초롬바탕';"><font face="굴림" size="2"> </font></span></div>