<p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">*</span> </p> <p> </p><p></p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> ‘</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">이 </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-weight:bold;font-size:11pt;">하마</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">는 반려동물의 외로움을 먹습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.’</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 며칠 전</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수는 </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-weight:bold;font-size:11pt;">외로움을 먹는 하마</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">라는 물건을 구매했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">한손에 들어오는 크기의 새까만 원형 플라스틱 제품이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">제품의 작동 원리는 간단했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">목표로 하는 대상을 하마로 촬영한 뒤 대상의 거주지에 비치하면 작동했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">습기를 빨아먹는 타사의 제품처럼 하마도 빨아들였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">습기가 아닌 외로움을</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> ‘</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">주의 사항</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">반려동물이 아닌 사람에게는 사용하지 마십시오</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.’</span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 연수는 하마에 적힌 사용 설명서를 읽으며 시선을 내리깔았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그의 눈에 뒹굴거리는 삼색 고양이가 들어왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. ‘</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">야옹</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">’ </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">하고 불만 섞인 울음소리가 곧바로 울렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">벽에 걸린 </span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">LED </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">시계가 </span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">23</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">시를 가리키고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">또 권 부장에 의해 야근을 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">미안해</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">몽이야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">이걸 쓰고 나면 외롭지 않을 거야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 찰칵</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">- </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">몽이 사진을 찍고 작동 스위치를 누르려던 찰나였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 따르릉</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">- </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">핸드폰 벨이 울어댔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수는 자켓 품에 하마를 도로 넣고 핸드폰 액정을 주시했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 지영이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">삐이이</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">- </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">커피 포트기가 성을 내며 절정을 향해가고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> </p><p></p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 삑삑삑삑</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">- </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수가 도어락의 비밀번호를 누르자 문이 열렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">문 너머로 팔짱을 낀 지영이 서있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">오늘따라 지영의 키가 더 커보였고 가로로 뻗친 눈매는 날카로워보였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 몇 분간의 정적이 흘렀다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수가 입술을 다시다 입을 열려던 순간</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">지영이 말했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">헤어지자</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">아니</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">바퀴벌레 잡아달라며</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">?”</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그랬지</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">근데 넌 나를 바퀴벌레만큼이나 신경 쓰니</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">?”</span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 연수의 말문이 턱 막혔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그랬다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">잦은 야근과 게임 동호회 활동으로 지영에게 소홀했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연락마저도 제때 안했으니 그녀가 서운한 것이 사실이리라</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">오늘이 무슨 날인지는 알아</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">?”</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">어어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그게</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">아</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">! 2</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">주년이구나</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">?”</span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 지영의 눈썹이 찡그려졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수는 머릿속을 이리저리 굴리며 정답을 찾으려 애썼지만 역부족이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">시한폭탄이 째깍째깍 하고 카운트다운을 하고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">내 생일이잖아</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 펑</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">- </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">하고 머릿속에서 폭탄이 터졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">지영아</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">요즘 내가</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">...”</span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 지영은 대꾸하지 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그녀는 방에 들어가 부스럭 소리를 내더니 박스를 들고 나왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">가져가</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그동안 네가 나한테 줬던 거</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그동안 고마웠다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 지영은 더 할 말이 없는 듯 등을 지고 섰다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">살짝 옆으로 휜 지영의 등이 눈에 들어왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수는 망설이다 품에서 하마를 꺼내들었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">곧장 스피커를 손바닥으로 막고 연수의 뒷모습을 찍었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">찰칵</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">...</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 그러고 나선 작동시킨 하마를 박스 깊숙이 집어넣었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">조금만 더 지켜봐줘</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">별똥별이 떨어지기 전으로 돌아갈게</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 헤어지긴 싫었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그녀를 외롭게 한 건 사실이지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">지영은 다시 뒤돌아서 박스를 들고 방으로 들어갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수는 그녀를 뒤따라가 박스 상태를 눈으로 확인했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">지영은 박스를 교차로 접으며 닫고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">안도하던 연수의 눈에 새까만 무언가 기어가는 것이 보였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 바퀴벌레였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> </p><p></p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">*</span> </p> <p> </p><p></p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 며칠이 지났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수는 게임 동호회 회원들과 술판을 벌이는 중이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">뒤섞인 남녀 무리의 분위기가 무르익고 얼큰히 취기도 올랐다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수 씨</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">저번에 여자친구랑 헤어질 위기 아니었어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연락 안해줘도 돼</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">?”</span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 한 여회원이 걱정 어린 시선으로 연수에게 말을 걸었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수는 핸드폰을 번쩍 들며 의기양양한 표정을 지었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">하루에 한번만 연락해도 충분하던데요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">할 거 다하면서 만나고 있는 지금이 너무 좋아요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그게 정말 가능해요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">?”</span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 여회원이 납득이 되지 않는 듯 어깨를 으쓱거렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수는 잔에 남은 소주를 입에 털어넣고 씩</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">- </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">웃었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> </p><p></p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 연수는 비틀거리며 인도를 걸었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">밤공기는 시원했고 가로등 불빛은 찬란했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수 머릿속에 충만한 만족감이 스며들어왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">구속받지 않고 외롭지도 않은 완전한 상태</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">자유다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">!”</span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 행인들이 쳐다보든 말든 연수는 환호했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 우우웅</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">- </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">핸드폰 진동이 울렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">액정을 쳐다보니 한 사람이 여러 번 전화를 건 모양이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">지은</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">여자친구 지영의 친언니였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">통화 버튼을 누르자 다급한 지은의 목소리가 쏟아졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">! </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">지영이</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">지영이가 사라졌어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">!”</span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 불현 듯 하마의 사용 설명서에 적혀있던 주의사항이 떠올랐다</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> ‘</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">반려동물이 아닌 사람에게는 사용하지 마십시오</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.’</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 도어락 비밀번호를 누르고 문을 열었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">지은이 한발 앞서 지영의 집안으로 들어갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수는 베란다로 나간 지은의 눈치를 보곤 지영의 방으로 들어갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">불을 켜고 방 내부를 눈으로 살폈다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">아니나 다를까</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">우려했던 일이 벌어졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 방바닥에 하마가 산산조각 난 채 방치돼있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수는 지은이 볼 새라</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">황급히 조각들을 주워 책상 아래 놓인 휴지통에 버렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">좋지 않은 타이밍에 지은이 방으로 들어왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">방금 뭐야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">?”</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">아</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">바퀴벌레를 잡았거든요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 지은은 고개를 저으며 지영의 방에 놓인 물건들을 들었다 놓으며 살폈다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수는 핸드폰으로 하마 상담센터 연락처를 검색했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> </p><p></p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 하루가 지났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">김연수 씨 맞으십니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">?”</span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 한적한 카페에 앉아있던 연수 앞에 한 남자가 나타났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">새까만 정장 차림에 포마드 머리</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">하얀 피부와 대조적인 빨간 입술의 남자는 자신을 </span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">K </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">라고 불러달라고 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그는 하마에서 보낸 직원이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">최소 일주일의 시간을 내십시오</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그리고 현재 상황이 심각한데</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">빠른 시일내로 찾지 않으면 이지영 씨는</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">살인을 저지르게 될 겁니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span> </p> <p> </p><p></p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">*</span> </p> <p> </p><p></p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 전라도 군산 앞바다는 은하수가 보인다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">거대한 지네가 별 사이를 떠다니고 별의 탄생과 죽음을 목격할 수 있는 밤하늘</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. 1</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">년 전</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수는 지영과 함께 군산 앞바다에서 은하수를 올려다봤었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">눈동자에 별을 가득 담으며</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 그때 홀연히 나타난 별똥별 하나가 밤하늘을 찢으며 내려왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> </p><p></p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> K</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">가 끌고 온 검정 그랜저 차량에 올라탄 연수는 다리를 떨었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. K</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">는 다리 떠는 연수가 못마땅한 듯 헛기침을 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수는 다리떨기를 멈추고 </span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">K</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">에게 물었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">우린 지금 어디로 가는 거죠</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">?”</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">일단</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">지영 씨가 근무했던 회사로 갈 겁니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그 뒤엔 연수 씨가 근무했던 장소</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">마지막으로는 연수 씨의 게임 동호회가 되겠죠</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">특별한 이유가 있나요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">?”</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">하마를 인간에게 사용했을 땐 큰 문제까진 발생하지 않아요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">가벼운 우울감이나 식욕부진 정도죠</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그러나</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">작동중인 하마를 무작위로 파손시킨다면 문제가 커져요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">억제된 외로움이 폭발하게 되면 폭력성을 띄는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그 대상이 외로움을 주는 상대</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">혹은 그 상대를 그렇게 만든 주변인들에게로 향하죠</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">저에게 아무 일이 일어나지 않았다는 것은</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">아마 제 주변 사람들을 타겟으로 삼았다는 뜻이겠군요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> K</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">는 답하지 않고 운전에 집중했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">정지 신호를 받고 차를 잠시 정차한 </span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">K</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">의 눈에 행인에게 몸을 부비고 있는 길고양이가 들어왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">유기묘 같군요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">외롭게 내버려둘 거면</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">책임지지 못할 거면 시작도 하지 않는 게 좋죠</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 연수는 </span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">K</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">의 말에 아무 말도 할 수 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> </p><p></p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 지영은 유리컵을 만드는 중소기업의 경리로 근무했었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수는 대리로 근무 중인 남자에게 지영이 근무하던 책상으로 인도받았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">꺼진 모니터 가장자리로 알록달록한 메모장이 붙어있었고 간이 달력도 놓여있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">달력을 넘기니 연수와 관련된 기념일에 빨간 동그라미가 그려져 있다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">책상 서랍을 열자 연수에게 쓰다만 편지와 접다만 색종이가 보였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">바쁜데도 눈치 보면서 이런 거 하나하나 신경 쓰더라고요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">만나는 남자가 누군지 참 부럽다 생각했는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">아무쪼록 지영 씨 찾게 되면 꼭 돌아오라고 전해주세요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 대리는 아쉬움을 가득 묻히며 말했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">짐짓 말없이 서있던 </span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">K</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">는 핸드폰으로 액정 목록의 스크롤을 내린 뒤 턱 아래에 손을 댔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수 씨</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">매번 지영 씨에게 연락을 못하거나 만남이 취소됐을 때 누굴 많이 거론했죠</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">?”</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">권 부장</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">?”</span> </p> <p> </p><p></p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 삑</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">- </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">출입증 바코드를 찍은 연수는 회사 정문으로 들어섰다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수가 근무 중인 회사는 중소 게임 업체다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그는 이곳에서 기획을 담당했는데 매번 권 부장에 의해 야근을 하게 됐다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 연수는 사무실을 벌컥 열어 부엉이처럼 고개를 돌리며 권 부장을 찾으려 애썼다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">아니</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수 씨</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">오늘 연차 낸 거 아니었어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">?”</span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 이 대리가 의아한 표정을 지었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">설명은 나중에</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">권 부장님</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">아니 회사 사람이 아닌 여자가 여기 들어왔어요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">?”</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그게 무슨</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">...”</span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 꺄아악</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">- </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">고막을 찢는 비명 소리가 부장실에서 들려왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수는 </span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">K</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">와 시선교환을 한 뒤 부장실을 향해 내달렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. K</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">는 품에서 초록색을 띈 용액이 든 주사기를 꺼내들었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">부장실 문이 벌컥 열리자 여사원이 겁에 질린 표정으로 뛰쳐나왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수가 무작정 들어가려하자 </span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">K</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">가 그의 어깨를 붙잡았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">흥분을 가라 앉혀요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 연수는 고개를 끄덕이고는 부장실로 몸을 들이밀었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 횟칼을 든 지영은 권 부장의 목을 향해 칼을 마구잡이로 휘두르고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">지영아</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">! </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">나야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">! </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">내가 잘못했어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">진정해</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">!”</span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 지영의 귀에 아무것도 들리지 않는 듯</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그녀는 자신의 목적인 권 부장을 향한 칼부림을 멈추지 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">기회를 엿보던 </span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">K</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">가 지영의 등 뒤로 접근해 주사기를 목에 꽂으려했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그러나 눈치 챈 지영이 칼을 뒤로 휘두르는 바람에 </span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">K</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">는 손을 다치고 주사기를 놓쳤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">공교롭게도 주사기는 연수 발밑으로 떨어졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수 씨</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">주사기 이리 줘요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">!”</span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 연수는 주사기를 손에 들고 </span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">K</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">에게 건네려다 방향을 틀었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">지영의 목이 가깝게 느껴졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">이정도 거리라면</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그는 주사기를 지영의 목에다 꽂고 용액을 주입시켰다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">동시에 지영의 몸이 무너져 내렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수는 의식을 잃은 지영을 끌어안았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">미안해</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">더는 외롭게 놔두지 않을게</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span> </p> <p> </p><p></p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">*</span> </p> <p> </p><p></p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 연수는 군산 앞바다의 은하수에 별똥별이 떨어지기 전으로 돌아갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">권 부장에 의해 야근이 발생해도</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">게임 동호회의 회식 참석보다 지영을 우선시했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그녀 또한 예전으로 돌아간 연수의 모습이 싫진 않은 듯 배시시 웃는 날이 많아졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그러나 연수는 어딘가 불편해졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">오늘 우리 </span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">2</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">주년인데 레스토랑</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">...”</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">아</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">미안해</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">오늘 급한 약속이 생겼어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 연수는 </span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">2</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">주년을 기념해 값비싼 레스토랑에 방문하려했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">지영은 그런 제안을 약속이 있다는 이유로 거절했고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 연수는 알 수 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">왜 자신이 서운하지 않은지</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">그래</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">알겠어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 연수는 지영과 함께 방문하려했던 레스토랑에서 홀로 식사를 마쳤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">카운터에서 계산을 하고 나가려는데 레스토랑 정문으로 낯익은 여자의 뒷모습이 보였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">큰 키에 긴 머리</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">살짝 옆쪽으로 굽은 허리</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">이따금씩 나란히 걷고 있는 남자를 쳐다보며 웃는 여자의 얼굴을 봤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 지영이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> </p><p></p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 연수는 자취방 침대에 몸을 뉘이고 천장을 응시했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">몽이가 연수 가슴팍에 올라와 골골거리며 연수의 눈치를 살폈다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수는 몽이를 번쩍 들어 옆으로 옮기고는 몸을 일으켰다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 방구석 어딘가</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">희미하게 위이잉</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">- </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">소리가 들려왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수는 소리의 근원을 찾아 방에 놓인 물건들을 마구잡이로 들었다 놨다 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">한참을 뒤적거린 끝에</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">...</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> ‘</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">이 하마는 외로움을 먹습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.’</span> </p> <p> <span style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 하마였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">하마 몸통에 노란 쪽지가 붙어있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span style="font-family:'바탕';"> 지영이 남긴 메시지였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">연수는 분노가 치솟았지만 하마를 부술 수 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">어느새 나타난 </span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">K</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">가 주사기를 들고 씩 웃고 있었으니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">이지영 고객님이 문제가 생기기 전에 손을 써달라고 하셔서 말이죠</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> K</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">의 싸늘한 말을 듣던 연수는 지영이 남긴 메시지를 되뇌었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span> </p> <p> </p><div class="hwp_editor_board_content"></div> <p> <span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> </span> </p> <p> <span lang="en-us"></span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;"> ‘</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';">떨어진 별똥별이 다시 올라갈 순 없잖아</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';letter-spacing:0pt;">?’</span> </p>