<div><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"><font size="2"></font></span></div> <div><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"><font size="2"><strong>#1</strong></font></span></div> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span>죄를 지은 인간은 죽어서 지옥에 간다고 한다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>살아생전 지은 죄를 지옥에서 고통으로 치르는 것이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>하지만 나는 살아 있는 동안 지옥을 목격했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>그리고 그 지옥에서 뒹구는 각종 인간군상을 발견했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>이미 지옥을 거친 우리들이 죽는다면</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>어디로 가게 될지 자못 궁금하다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font> </div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span>신은 위대한 변덕쟁이이며</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>우리는 단 한치 앞의 미래도 알 수 없다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>하지만 나는 적어도 이것 하나 만큼은 확신할 수 있다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>우리가 지옥에 가</span></font><font size="2"><span>면 그녀를 만날 수 있을 거라는 사실을 말이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>지금부터 하는 이야기는 그 당시 있었던 사건에 대한 회고이며</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>동시에 그녀에게 바치는 보잘 것 없는 속죄이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"><font size="2"></font></span> </div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"><strong>#2</strong></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"><strong></strong></span></font> </div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">1950</span><span>년 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">10</span><span>월 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">38</span><span>선 수복 이후</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>모든 부대가 일제히 북쪽으로 올라갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>당시 강원도 철원에 있던 나는 어느 한 부대의 조사 임무를 부여 받았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>아직 </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">12</span><span>월도 아닌데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>꽤 춥습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>김 중사의 말에 나는 창문을 열었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>후방에 있을 때는 느끼지 못했던 쌀쌀함이 느껴졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>눈이 올까</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>여긴 시월에도 내립니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.” </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>스스럼없이 말하는 김 중사의 옆모습에서 나는 왠지 모를 안도감을 느꼈다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>하늘은 금방이라도 어두워 질 듯</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>해가 지고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>곧 도착할겁니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>창문에 팔을 대고 턱을 괸 채 나는 고개를 끄덕였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>얼마 지나지 않아 김 중사가 차를 멈췄다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>여기서 부터는 조금 걸어야 합니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>차에서 내리자 앞쪽으로 희미한 불빛들과 함께 텐트들이 보였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>언덕길을 오르자 곧 초병들이 보였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>누구냐</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>신분을 밝히려고 하는 순간</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>초병들 사이에서 누군가 걸어 나왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>대대장이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>어서 오게</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>신 대위</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>김 중사는 그 모습이 좀 의아한 듯 나를 쳐다보았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>나는 경례를 하고 위병소 앞으로 걸어갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>충성</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>대대장님</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>작전 준비하느라 바쁘실 텐데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>이렇게 나와 계실 필요 없습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>아니</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>먼 길 오느라 수고하셨으니 이렇게 나오는 게 당연하지</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>대대장은 말과 다르게 우리를 경계하고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>그것은 우리를 경계하는 초병들의 눈을 통해서도 느껴졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>감사합니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>대대장님이 아니어도 상관없으니</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>현장을 안내할 사람 한 명만 불러 주실 수 있겠습니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>김 중사는 이미 초병에게 의무대가 어디 있는지 묻고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>하지만 대대장은 우리를 바로 현장으로 안내 할 마음이 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>그렇게 급하게 가지 마시고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>차라도 한 잔 하시게</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 곤란한 표정을 지었지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>대대장은 막무가내였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>내가 김 중사의 얼굴을 바라보자</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>김 중사는 알겠다는 듯 고개를 끄덕였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>알겠습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>대대장은 김 중사도 같이 오라는 듯 손짓을 했지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>그는 이미 의무대 쪽으로 사라진 뒤였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>대대장은 조금 불편한 표정을 지었지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>곧 아무 일도 없었다는 듯 나를 자신의 텐트로 안내했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span>텐트로 들어가자</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>미리 준비한 것처럼 커피가 나왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>여긴 날씨가 영 추워서 말이오</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>이렇게 차라도 자주 마시지 않으면</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>활동하기 힘들 거요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>감사합니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 커피를 마시면서 대대장이 사용하는 텐트를 둘러보았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>전쟁 중이긴 했지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>침대부터 테이블까지 구색이 제법 잘 갖춰진 모습이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>내가 아무 말도 하지 않자</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>대대장은 손가락으로 커피가 든 컵을 툭툭 건드렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>나는 그의 행동에서 묘한 불안감을 느낄 수 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>부대 작전에는 지장이 없을 겁니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>필요한 사항이 있을 경우에는 저희가 먼저 요청 드리도록 하겠습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>그게 말이오</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>대대장은 어딘지 모르게 심기가 불편해 보였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>아무래도 이런 일은 부대의 사기에 영향을 준단 말이오</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>그것도 심각하게</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>그가 하고자 하는 말을 나는 충분히 이해할 수 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>하지만 나 역시 맡은 임무가 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>그렇지만 사람이 죽었습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>아무리 전쟁 중이고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>작전이 있다고 하지만 조사를 하지 않을 수 없습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>대대장은 여전히 손가락 끝으로 컵을 두드렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>엄밀히 말하자면 그 여자는 부대 사람이 아니오</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>사인도 명백하고 말이오</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>내 입장 에서는 이번 조치가 과하다고 생각 되는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>신 대위 입장</span></font><font size="2"><span>은 어떤지 알고 싶소</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>대대장이 말한 과한 조치는 작전부대 변경을 의미했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>원래 선봉 부대로 작전 지역에 투입하기로 했던 것이</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>후방 대기로 변경 된 것이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>전과를 올릴 기회를 처음부터 차단 당한 대대장의 입장에서는 억울할 만도 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>사실</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>말씀드리자면 이번 조사는 국군에서 지시한 것이 아닙니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 품에서 공문 한 장을 꺼내 대대장에게 건네줬다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>그럼 어디서 조사를 한다는 말이오</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>대대장이 공문을 받아 들며 말했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>미군입니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>미군</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>죽은 여자에 대해 미군 측 군종장교가 이의를 제기 했습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>내 말을 들은 대대장은 잘 이해가 가지 않는다는 표정을 지었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>분주하게 움직이던 손가락이 대대장과 같이 생각에 빠진 듯 컵에서 멈추었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>나는 커피를 마셨다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>군종 장교가 무슨 권한으로</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>그 여자에게 세례를 해준 것으로 알고 있습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>단지 그런 이유만으로 작전 중인 부대를 불러들여 조사 한다는 것이 말이 된다고 생각 하시오</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 커피를 다 마시고 컵을 내려놓았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>이의 제기는 군종장교가 했지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>공문 자체는 미군 사령부에서 보낸 것입니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>부대 전체의 기강을 조사하라는 명목으로 말입니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>국제법상으로 문제가 될 수 있습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>그런 말도 안 돼는</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">!”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>대대장이 주먹으로 책상을 내려쳤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>컵에서 커피가 쏟아져 나왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>나는 책상에서 공문을 들어 다시 품속에 집어넣었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>그럼</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>이만 현장으로 가보도록 하겠습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>내가 자리에서 일어나자 대대장이 나를 올려다보았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>신 대위</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>솔직히 말해 나는 하루라도 빨리 전선으로 돌아가고 싶소</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 그 말에 애매한 웃음을 짓고 밖으로 나왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"><font size="2"> </font></span></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"><strong>#3</strong></span></font></div> <div><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"><font size="2"> </font></span></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span>의무대에 도착하자 김 중사가 텐트 밖에 나와 담배를 피우고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>이미 기본적인 조사는 어느 정도 마친 것 같았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>나는 그 옆에 서서 그가 담배 피우는 것을 기다렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>의무대에 오는 길에 본 부대는 전체적으로 조용한 분위기였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>사람이 죽어서 그런 것인지</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>아니면 원래 이런 분위기였는지 잘 구분이 가지 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>의무대의 천막을 들추자</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>환자들이 엉성하게 조립한 야전 침대에 누워 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>그들은 하나같이 처음 보는 얼굴을 경계하는 눈빛으로 나를 바라봤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>기다리게 해서 죄송합니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>김 중사의 말에 나는 텐트에서 나와 고개를 저었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>그는 의무대 옆에 설치되어 있는 작은 텐트 옆으로 걸어가고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>앞에는 초병 둘이 서 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>나는 그들의 얼굴을 한 번씩 쳐다본 뒤</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>텐트 안으로 들어갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>김 중사는 그들을 의무대 안에 들어가 있으라고 지시했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>창백한 백열전구 아래 여자가 누워 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>명백한 현장감식 규정 위반이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>대대장이 옮기라고 지시 했다고 병사들에게 들었습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>원래 여자가 사용하던 숙소인데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>아무래도 사람이 많이 왔다 갔다 하는 곳에 있는 게 부담이 됐나 봅니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 누워있는 여자를 내려다 봤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>뚜렷한 이목구비를 가진 여자는 전체적으로 하얀색 톤에 가까운 원피스를 입고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>목에는 예수 그리스도를 상징하는 십자가 목걸이가 걸려 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>나는 어디서부터 잘못됐는지 알기 힘든 부조리함과 범접하기 힘든 기묘함을 동시에 여자에게서 느꼈다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>사인은 뇌출혈이라고 하던데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>내 말에 김 중사는 고개를 끄덕였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>눈에 보이는 외상은 없어 보였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>머리 쪽을 잘 살펴보면 혹이나 피가 난 곳 한두 군데 정도 찾을 수도 있었겠지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>이미 군의관이 확인한 사항을 다시 확인 할 필요는 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>미군 쪽에서도 다시 확인한 사항이니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>맞을 겁니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.” </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>그렇겠지</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>뭐 하는 여자인지는 모르겠지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>미군이라니 그것도 대단한 것 같습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>김 중사가 잘 이해 안 간다는 얼굴로 고개를 저었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>나는 그의 팔을 잡았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>깜짝 놀라 나를 바라보는 그를 향해 조용히 하라는 신호를 보냈다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>발소리를 죽이고 텐트 앞으로 나가 문을 열었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>이미 어두워진 텐트 사이로 검은 형체가 뛰어 가는 것이 보였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>김 중사가 쫓아가려는 듯 자세를 취했지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>나는 그를 말렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>검은 형체는 이미 사라진 뒤였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>텐트 주위를 다시 한 번 살펴본 뒤</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>나는 다시 안으로 들어왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>대대장이 우릴 별로 좋아 하는 것 같지 않아</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>그 말에 김 중사는 대수롭지 않다는 표정을 지었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>저라도 그럴 것 같습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>신원이나 어쩌다 부대에서 일을 하게 됐는지 확인 된 것 있어</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>김 중사는 고개를 저었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>전혀 없습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>병사들이 뭔가 알고 있는 것 같기는 한데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>대대장한테 무슨 소리를 들었는지 도통 이야기를 안 합니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>대대장도 마찬가지야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>그냥 어쩌다 보니 일을 도와주게 됐다는 말만 하고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>좀 협조를 해 주면 편할 텐데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>그럴 리가 없겠죠</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>김 중사가 다시 담배를 꺼냈다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>나는 김 중사가 텐트 밖으로 나가는 것을 보고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>고개를 돌려 다시 여자를 바라봤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>범접하기 힘든 기묘한 느낌 때문에 잠시 망설이던 나는 원피스를 들어 여자의 몸을 확인했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>브래지어를 착용하지 않은 여자의 봉긋한 가슴이 보이고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>그 아래로 반쯤 벗겨진 속옷이 보였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>김 중사</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 김 중사를 불러 여자의 몸을 보여 주었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>그 모습을 본 김 중사는 나와 비슷하게 놀란 것 같은 반응을 보였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>누가 악질적인 장난을 친 건지도 모릅니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>초병이 지키고 있었잖아</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 여자의 사인을 조사하는 과정에서 누군가 손을 댔을 가능성을 생각했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>하지만 그것 역시 가능성이 낮았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>어떻게 보면 미군이 선견지명이 있었는지도 모르겠습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>왼손으로 담배를 만지작거리며 김 중사가 말했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>무슨 말이야</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>딱 정확하게 냄새를 맡았지 않습니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 그 말에 쓴웃음을 지었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>도대체 그 냄새가 자기들이랑 무슨 상관이 있는지 모르겠지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>내 말에 김 중사는 고개를 저었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>아닙니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>그 녀석들 자기들이 옳다고 생각하는 것은 곧 죽어도 지키는 놈들이니까요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>거기다 이 부대 녀석들</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;">…</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>김 중사는 다시 한 번 텐트 주위를 살폈다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>확실히 어딘가 이상한 구석이 있습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>뭔가 숨기고 있는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>속 시원하게 말 해주지 않는 그런 것 말입니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 그를 보고 고개를 끄덕였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>김 중사 말 대로였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>미군이 군단을 통해 이의를 제기한 것도</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>우리가 밤늦게 이곳에 온 것도</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>대대장과 병사들이 우리를 경계 하는 것도 모두 어디에선가 이어져 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>최초 목격자들 좀 불러야겠는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>알겠습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>한 대만 더 피겠습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>김 중사가 담배를 들어 보였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"><strong>#4 </strong></span></font></div> <div><font size="2">   </font> <div></div></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span>미군을 통해 접수된 공문은 이 부대의 기강을 조사해 달라는 내용이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>도덕적으로 문제가 있는 부대와 같이 작전을 하기 제한된다는 것이 그 이유였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>엄연한 월권이었지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>우리는 그것을 거부할 만한 힘이 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>여자는 기독교인이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>출신도</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>여태까지 무슨 일을 했는지도 모르는 이 여자는 어느 날 홀연히 부대에 나타났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>부대에 온 뒤부터 주로 의무대의 일을 도우며</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>주말마다 열리는 임시 교회에 참가했다고 한다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>거기서 친해지게 된 군종장교에게 세례도 받았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>그리고 그 군종장교는 여자의 죽음에 대해 최초로 의문을 제기했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>위병소의 초병들이 지나가다 부대를 방문한 군종장교를 거칠게 막은 것이 화근이 되었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>아마도 초병들이 조금 더 다른 태도를 취했다면</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>여자의 죽음은 그의 눈에 발견되지 않았을지도 몰랐다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>부대에서 여자의 죽음과 자신을 경계하는 눈초리를 본 군종장교는 그 사인이 확실함에도 불구하고 그 사실을 납득하지 못했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>최초 목격자는 두 명입니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 대대장이 마련해준 텐트에서 진술서를 살펴보며</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>김 중사의 이야기를 들었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>의무대 뒤쪽 탄약고 초병으로 근무 교대를 하기 위해 이동하다가 여자를 발견했다고 합니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>시간은</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>거기 적혀 있는 대로입니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>진술서에는 새벽 여섯 시에 발견 했다고 적혀 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>탄약고면 의무대 바로 뒤쪽인데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>기존에 근무 서던 초병들이 여자의 움직임을 보거나 하지는 않았을까</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>그럼</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>그 전 시간대 초병들도 확인 하도록 하겠습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 부실하게 작성되어 있는 진술서를 손에 들고 천천히 읽어 내렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>일부러 지시를 받은 것처럼</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>간단한 내용만이 적혀 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>김 중사는 어떻게 생각해</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>어떤 걸 말입니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>진짜 사인</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>그는 잘 모르겠다는 듯 어깨를 으쓱였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>솔직히 말하면 정말 모르겠습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>어느 한 놈이 정말로 장난치려다 이렇게 된 거라면</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>누군가 소리라도 들었을 건데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>하나같이 입을 맞춘 듯이 행동하니</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;">…</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>그렇게 말하던 그가 피식 웃었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>어쩌면 대대장이 범인일지도 모르고 말입니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>그 말에 나도 피식 웃었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>일리 있네</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>그럼 최초 목격자들부터 한 명씩 부르겠습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>그래</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>그리고 여자가 사용했다는 물건들 좀 확인해 봐야 할 것 같습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>여자의 물건들은 여자가 사용했던 숙소에 하나도 남아 있지 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>나는 김 중사를 보면서 고개를 끄덕였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>그럼</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>들여보내겠습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.” </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>김 중사가 텐트를 나가고 얼마 지나지 않아</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>최초 목격자 중 한 명이 텐트에 들어왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>추</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;">…</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>충성</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">!”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>일병 계급장을 달고 있는 병사는 사뭇 긴장한 듯 떨고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>나는 난로 위에 있는 주전자를 들어 커피를 탔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>마셔</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>그리고 앉고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>가</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;">…</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>감사합니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>그는 아직 학생인 듯 앳된 얼굴을 하고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>자리에 앉고서도 아직 불안한 듯</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>눈을 돌려 좌우를 살폈다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>이름이</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>이</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>일병 이성우입니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 두 장의 진술서 중에서 그의 이름이 적힌 진술서를 앞으로 가져왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>목격한 내용을 이야기 해 보라는 말에</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>그는 마치 외운 것처럼 진술</span></font><font size="2"><span>서와 동일한 내용을 이야기 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>나는 그에게 몇 가지 질문을 더 했지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>그는 오로지 아는 것이 없다는 말로 답변 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 그에게서 더 이상 확인할 것이 없다는 생각이 들었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>같이 초병을 섰던 병사를 데려오라고 말하고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>그를 돌려보냈다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>얼마 지나지 않아 다른 병사가 텐트에 도착했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>하지만 얻을 수 있는 정보가 없는 것은 마찬가지였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>답답한 마음에 컵에 물을 따라 마시고 있으니</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>누군가가 들어왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>김 중사였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>김 중사 역시 나와 비슷한 표정이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>없습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>내가 어느 쪽</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>이라는 표정을 짓자 그는 고개를 저었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>둘 다 아무 것도 없습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>초병들과 여자 물건 둘 다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>네</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>여자가 쓰던 물건은 물어보니 다 태워버렸다고 하고</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>전 시간대 초병들을 찾아보니 지금 부대에 없다고 합니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>그 초병들이 답을 알고 있겠네</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>내 말에 김 중사가 고개를 끄덕였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>물건을 태웠다는 장소에도 가 봤는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>거긴 아무것도 없었습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>확인해야 할 내용에 비해 대대장의 태도는 너무나도 비협조적이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>그가 숨기고 싶은 것이 무엇인지는 잘 몰랐지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>그 너머에 이 사건의 진상이 있는 것이 확실했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>다만 우리에게는 시간이 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>미군의 요청으로 인해 잠시 후방에 머무르고 있지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>언젠가는 다시 전선으로 돌아갈 부대였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>아무리 미군의 요청이라 하더라도</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>당장 눈앞의 적을 두고 한가하게 부대를 놀릴 지휘관은 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>병사들 이야기를 대충 들어보니</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>앞으로 빠르면 이틀</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>늦어도 삼일 정도 뒤에 전방으로 복귀할 계획인 것 같습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 이해했다는 듯 고개를 끄덕였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>그리고 문득 생각난 내용을 김 중사에게 이야기 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>의무대</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>네</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">?”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>김 중사는 마치 다른 생각을 하다 얻어맞은 사람처럼 대답했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>여자가 일 했던 곳</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>그제야 내 말을 이해한 듯 김 중사는 고개를 끄덕였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>우리는 아직 의무대를 조사하지 않았던 것이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>김 중사와 나는 텐트에서 나와 의무대로 향했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>누군가 우리의 움직임을 계속 주시하는 느낌을 받았지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>정확히 누구인지 확인할 수 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>의무대에 도착한 우리는 낯익은 얼굴을 볼 수 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>이성우였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>의무대 텐트 문 사이로 우리는 그의 얼굴과 이야기들을 들을 수 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>우리의 존재를 눈치 챈 초병들이 그들에게 알려주려고 했지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>김 중사가 막았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;">…</span><span>괴롭습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>네 잘못 아냐</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>인마</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>자책할 것 없어</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>그래도</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;">…</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>그래도</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>아직</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;">…</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>주변에서 이성우를 위로하는 목소리들이 들렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>그는 어느새 흐느끼고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>제가 봤었을 때는 아직</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;">…</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>살아 있었어요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>살아 있었다구요</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;">…</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>나는 김 중사와 눈이 마주쳤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span><span>의무대 안으로 들어가려는 순간</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">, </span><span>누군가 내 어께를 잡았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">“</span><span>이 늦은 시간에 뭐 하는 거요</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">? </span><span>신 대위</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">.”</span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';"> </span><span></span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span>대대장이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';">. </span></font></div> <div><font size="2"><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;font-family:'바탕';"></span></font> </div>