<p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">쇼와 초 무렵, 유바리의 어느 탄광에서 있었던 이야기다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">혼슈에서 개척민으로 넘어온 광부 A씨는, 폭발사고에 휩쓸리고 말았다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">목숨은 겨우 건졌지만, 전신에 화상을 입어 중태였다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">옛날 일이다보니 변변한 치료도 받지 못했다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">그저 온몸을 붕대로 감은 채, 아내가 기다리는 함바집 단칸방에 옮겨졌다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">데리고 온 의사는 [크게 다쳤지만, 오늘 밤만 넘기면 목숨은 건질 수 있겠지. 무슨 일 있으면 부르러 오시오.] 하고는 집 주소만 알려주고 돌아가버렸다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">그날 한밤중.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">촛불 한자루 어스름한 아래, 머리맡에서 홀로 간호하던 아내가 문득 정신을 차리니 현관에 누가 온 것 같았다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">아내가 나가보니, 많은 사람들이 서 있었다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">그들은 이렇게 말했다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">[우리는 A씨와 같이 일하는 동료들이오. 오늘 큰 재난을 만났으니 정말 안타깝게 됐습니다. 당장이라도 병문안을 오고 싶었지만, 공교롭게도 일이 많아 멈출 수가 없어 이렇게 밤 늦게 폐를 끼치며 찾아오게 되었소. 부디 우리에게도 A씨 간호를 돕게 해주시오.]</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">아내는 혼자 불안하던 차에, 따뜻한 제안을 받아 감동한 나머지, 방에 다 들어오지도 못할만큼 많은 동료들을 기쁘게 맞이했다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">그들 각자 한명씩, A씨에게 말을 걸고 격려해주고는, 방안에 앉아 아내에게도 따뜻한 말을 건넸다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">아내는 몽땅 안심해버리고 말았다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">그들 중 한사람이, [나는 의술에 조예가 있으니, 진찰해 보겠네.] 하고 말을 꺼냈다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">보아하니 탄광에서 일하는 사람이라고는 믿어지지 않을 정도로 버젓한 신사였다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">누군가의 지인일까.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">[몹시 심한 화상이지만, 나는 심한 화상을 치료하는데 능통하네. 오늘밤 안에 의술을 행하면 A씨는 금세 나을게야.]</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">아내가 그 말을 거스를리 없었다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">그리하여 어스름 가운데, 신사의 치료가 시작되었다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">치료는 거친 것이었다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">신사는 [화상은 눌어붙은 피부를 뜯어내는 게 가장 좋은 치료법이네.] 라고 설명하면서, A씨 몸을 감은 붕대를 벗겼다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">그리고는 A씨의 피부를 아무렇게나 뜯어내기 시작했다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">광부들 사이에서도 강건한 신체를 가졌던 A씨지만, 여기에는 견뎌낼 수 없었다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">A씨는 너무나도 심한 고통에 절규하며, [차라리 죽여다오!] 라고 울며 외쳤다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">아내는 허둥댈 뿐 아무 것도 할 수 없었다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">너무나도 처절한 남편의 절규 앞에, 아내는 자신도 귀를 막고 울부짖기 시작했다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">신사는 [여기만 참고 넘기면 된다네. 금방 편해질거야.] 라고 말하며, 눈썹 하나 움직이지 않고 작업을 이어갔다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">어느 정도 시간이 흘렀을까.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">어느새인가 A씨의 절규는 멎고, 정적이 감돌고 있었다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">신사는 아내에게 [걱정 끼쳤지만 이제 괜찮네. 금세 건강해질거야.] 라고 말한 뒤 자리에서 일어섰다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">아내는 몇번이고 몇번이고 고개를 조아리며, 바깥까지 신사를 배웅했다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">먼 하늘이 희미하게 밝아온다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">곧 새벽이다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">방으로 돌아오니, 아까까지 좁은 방에 미어터지게 들어차 있던 문병객들이 하나도 없었다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">아내는 이상하다고 여기기보다는 불쾌했다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">돌아간다면 한마디 인사라도 하고 가면 좋을 것을.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">지친 아내는 A씨 머리맡에 앉아 좀 쉬려고 했지만, A씨의 안색을 보고 경악했다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">새벽 햇살 속에 보이는 A씨의 안색.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">그것은 마치 납덩이 같은 색깔이었으니까.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">아내는 A씨에게 매달려 다시 오열할 수 밖에 없었다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">소란을 들은 이웃집에서 의사를 데려왔다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">의사는 A씨 모습을 보자마자 아내에게 호통을 쳤다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">[누가 멋대로 환자를 건드린게야!]</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">A씨를 감싸고 있는 붕대는, 누가 봐도 비전문가가 매어놓은 듯 허술했다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">붕대를 벗긴 의사는, A씨의 몸에서 눈을 돌렸다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">끔찍하게 피부를 뜯겨 죽은 시체가 있었으니.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">너무나도 괴기스런 사건이라 경찰이 불려왔고, 반쯤 정신을 놓은 아내에게서 어떻게 사정을 청취했다고 한다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">허나 그날 밤 나타났다는 사람들도, 그 신사도, 탄광은 물론이고 주변 마을 어디서도 짐작 가는 곳이 없었다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">이야기를 들은 어느 사람은, [그건 여우 짓일 것이네.] 라고 말했다고 한다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">여우에게 사람의 상처 딱지나 화상 자국은 신묘한 약으로 쓰인다는 것이다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">어느 지방에서는 화상을 입거나 딱지가 앉은 사람이 산에 들어서면 여우에게 홀린다는 전설이 내려온다고 한다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">A씨의 아내는 눈이 나빴던데다, 하루 종일 울었던 탓에 눈이 부어있었다고 한다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">여우는 그걸 노렸던 것일까.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">안타깝게도 그 이후 아내가 어떻게 되었는지, 이 이야기의 채집자는 기록해두지 않았다.</p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;"><br></p> <p style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;background:0px 0px;font-family:'돋움', dotum, sans-serif;">출처: <a target="_blank" href="http://vkepitaph.tistory.com/1357?category=348476" target="_blank">http://vkepitaph.tistory.com/1357?category=348476</a> [괴담의 중심 - VK's Epitaph]</p>