<p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;"> 누군가를 저주 해본 적이 있는가</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">저주는 미워하는 사람에게 재앙이나 불행이 일어나길 바라는 마음이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">그렇다고 저주를 한다고 해서 그것이 일어나던가</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">대부분이 잘 먹고 잘 살고 있더라</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">하지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">그럼에도 불구하고 저주에 걸린 사람이 분명 존재하고 있다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">저주를 받은 당사자가 흉을 당하기도 하고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">흔히 내려오는 말처럼 세대에 걸쳐서 저주가 이어지기도 하더라</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">누군가는 저주라고 말하고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">누군가는 인과응보</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">(</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">因果應報</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">)</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">라고 하더라</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><font size="3" face="바탕"> 김성대<span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span>이룰 성<span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">(</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;">成</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">)</span>에 큰 대<span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">(</span><span style="letter-spacing:0pt;">大</span><span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">)</span>를 써서 크게 이루라며 할아버지가 자신의 이름을 지었다고 했다<span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span>녀석이 반장선거에 나와서 했던 말이다<span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span>이름 때문인지 몰라도<span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span>반장이 되었다<span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></font></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><font size="3" face="바탕"> 녀석에게는 병이 하나 있었는데<span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span>시력의 문제였다<span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span>다행스럽게도 일상생활에 지장은 없었다<span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span>녀석의 말에 의하면<span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span>자꾸 동쪽 방향을 바라보면<span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span>아주 멀리서 점 하나가 보인다고 했다<span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span>흥미로운 것은 눈을 감아도 보인다고 했다<span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span>처음에는 아무도 믿지 않았다<span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span>그러나 녀석을 아무 방향에 세워놓아도 정확하게 동쪽을 집어냈다<span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span>마치 살아있는 나침반 같았다<span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></font></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><font size="3" face="바탕"> 성대는 성격이 징그럽게 착했다<span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span>부잣집 귀하디귀한 외동아들임에도 불구하고<span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span>화장실 청소를 비롯한 난감한 일을 자청했다<span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span>또한 형편이 어려운 친구들의 도시락을 매일 싸오기도 했다<span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span>작은 것 하나에도 나눌 줄 아는 녀석을 누구라도 안 좋아할 수 없었다<span lang="en-us" style="letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></font></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;"> 고등학교를 졸업하고 성대와 나는 서울로 올라갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">학교는 달랐지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">녀석과 사는 곳이 가까워 서울생활이 심심하지 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">물론 녀석은 신촌 근처의 고급 오피스텔에 살았고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">나는 좁디좁은 원룸을 간신히 얻어 살았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">그러던 어느 날</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">녀석이 지친 몰골로 나를 찾아왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">안 먹던 술을 사왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">마시지도 못하는 술을 홀짝홀짝 마시는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">분위기가 심상치 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">무슨 일이고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">무슨 일 있는 거가</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">?”</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">녀석은 한 숨을 쉬며 손가락으로 어딘가를 가리켰다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">나는 그곳이 고향에서 가리키던 동쪽임을 직감했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">자세하게 말하자면 동남쪽이지만 말이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">어떻게 알았냐면</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">항상 녀석과 늘 그런 장난을 쳤기 때문이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">사람이 보여</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">처음에는 그것이 무슨 말인지 몰랐다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">단지 고민이 있어서 나를 찾아 온 줄 알았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">가령 말 못할 연애문제라든지</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">영장이 나왔다든지 그런 것 말이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">하지만 이내 녀석의 표정이 굳어졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">마치 무서운 것을 본 것 마냥</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">어릴 적부터 동쪽 저 멀리서 보이던 점이 말이야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">점점 가까워지는 기분이 들었어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">당시에는 콩알만 한 크기라서 체감 할 수 없었는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">지금은 형태를 알아 볼 수 있을 정도로 보인다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">그런데 그게</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">녀석의 말은 동쪽에서 보인다는 점이 어릴 때보다 지금이 훨씬 가까이 보인다는 뜻이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">그때까지만 해도 그것이 왜 심각한지 알 턱이 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">솔직히 별 것 아니라고 생각했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">도대체 그것이 뭐가 문제인가</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">동쪽으로 안 보면 그만 아니냐며 영혼 없는 위로를 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">하지만 녀석은 이상했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">이유는 모르겠지만 불안함을 감출 수가 없었던 것 같다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">친구야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">별 것 아니면 다음에 이야기 하자</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">다음 날에 아르바이트도 있고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">시험기간이라서 녀석을 빨리 보내고 싶었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">말을 끊어버려서 기분이 나빴을까</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">문을 박차고 나가버렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">문제는 이후부터 녀석을 볼 수 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">전화를 해도 받지 않았고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">몇 번이나 집을 찾아갔지만 만날 수 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">우편물이 가득 쌓인 걸 보니</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">집에 없는 것이 분명했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">나 역시 일상의 덫에 걸려 허덕대다가 영장이 나와서 입대했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">남들 다 하는 기나긴 군 생활을 마치고 고향에 갔을 무렵</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">녀석의 소식을 우연히 접하게 되었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">나는 귀를 의심했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">녀석이 정신병에 걸려서 몇 년간 본가에만 있다는 것이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">믿겨지지 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">설마 군대를 가기 싫어서 일부러 정신병에 걸린 척이라도 한 것일까</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">아니</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">녀석에게 예외란 단 한 번도 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">당장 녀석의 집을 찾았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대의 고등학교 친구인 영민이입니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">우리 집과 비교가 안 될 정도로 거대한 규모였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">입구에 들어서면서 값비싼 도자기들이 나열 되어 있었고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">거실에는 박제 된 동물들 때문에 동물원이 연상 되었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">특히나 눈을 부릅뜬 채 거대한 호랑이가 있었는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">아무리 죽은 것이라지만 눈빛에 기가 죽어 고개가 절로 돌려졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대집의 가정부가 두 손으로 공손하게 성대의 방을 가리켰다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">조심스럽게 방문 앞을 다가갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">내 영민이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">니 집에 있다는 소식 듣고 제대하자마자 왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대의 방에서 뭔가 부산스러운 소리가 났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">잠시 후 터벅터벅 천천히 발걸음 소리가 나더니</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">문이 열렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">코를 찌르는 고약한 냄새가 방 안에서 흘러나왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">방문을 완전히 열자</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">냄새보다 더욱 커다란 충격을 받았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">예전의 모습은 온대간대 없고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">온 몸이 말라버린 노인이 한 명 서있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">너무 놀라서 나도 모르게 뒷걸음질을 쳤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">하지만 성대는 나를 보고 반가웠는지</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">내 손을 덥석 잡으며 눈물을 흘렸다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">오</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">오랜만이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">영민아</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">녀석의 목소리가 쉬어있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">당황했지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">분명 성대가 틀림없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">임마야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">도대체 우째 된 거고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">무슨 일이 있었던 거야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">?”</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">오랜만에 만나는 친구의 모습이 그렇게 변한 것이 안타까웠다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">눈물이 났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">도대체 무엇이 녀석을 이렇게 만든 것인가</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">한참을 녀석과 이야기를 나누었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">듣는 내내</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">소름이 돋기도 했고 이해하지 못함에 답답했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">어릴 적부터 보이던 그 점이 서서히 가까이 왔다고 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">스무 살 어느 날</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">작은 점에서 사람의 형체로 보이기 시작했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">처음에는 설마</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">사람일 리가 없다고 생각했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">그러나 하루</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">이틀 시간이 지나면서 사람의 형체가 더욱 선명해졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">괴롭고 무서웠다고 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">왜냐하면 멀쩡한 사람의 모습이 아니었으니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">말이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">그것이 무엇인지는 모르겠지만 불안해서 나의 자취방을 찾아왔던 것이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">이후 동쪽으로 시선을 안 두려고 노력했지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">어떻게 안 볼 수가 있겠나</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">문제는 눈을 감으면 더욱 선명하게 그것이 보인다고 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">도대체</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">그게 뭔데</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">도대체 뭔데 네가 그러는 거고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">?”</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대는 갑자기 </span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">‘</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">스윽</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">’</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">하고 돌아봤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">그러더니 갑자기 온 몸을 사시나무 떨 듯 떨어댔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">가까이 온다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">가까이 온다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">가까이 온다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">알 수 없는 소리만 반복했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">나는 성대의 손을 잡았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">임마야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">정신 좀 차리바바라</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">거칠게 숨을 몰아쉬던 성대가 다시 내 손을 꽉 잡더니</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">상기 된 표정으로 나를 쳐다봤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">저</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">저기 동쪽에 귀</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">귀신</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">너도 보이지</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">그치</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">?”</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">당최 그 말을 알 수 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">하지만 녀석이 공포에 떠는 모습을 보니</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">전염이라도 된 듯 손끝부터 소름이 돋기 시작했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">무서웠다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">나의 눈에는 보이지 않지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">녀석의 표정을 보니 거짓말은 아닌 것 같았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">저</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">저기 말이야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">검은 옷을 입고 피를 토하며 웃는 여자가</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">가까이 온다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">가까이 온다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">가까이 온다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">아무것도 보이지 않았지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">녀석은 이 방을 벗어나려고 발버둥을 쳤다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">가까이 온다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">삼십 미터</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">가까이 온다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">이십구 미터</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">영민아</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">저기</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">더 이상 이렇게 두면 큰 일이 날 것 같아서 복도로 나가서 소리를 질렀다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">아무도 없습니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대가 이상합니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">구급차 불러야 합니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대의 어머니를 비롯한 가족들과 가정부 몇몇이 급하게 뛰쳐나왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">나는 동쪽을 보고 소스라치게 놀라는 성대를 진정시키려고 안간힘을 써보았지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">녀석의 발작을 막을 수 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">도대체</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">왜 그러세요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">저한테</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">저는 살면서 잘 못한 것이 하나도 없단 말이에요</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">녀석은 허공을 보면서 계속 혼잣말을 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">말을 할 때마다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">위협을 받는 것처럼 벗어나려 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">있는 집 집안이라서 그런지</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">구급차가 얼마 안 돼서 금방 왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">구급대원 몇 명이 급하게 성대를 들 것에 옮겼다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">가는 날이 장날이라고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">하필 내가 성대네 집에 갔을 때 그런 일이 벌어졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">한편으로는 녀석이 군대문제를 피하기 위한 것이 아닐까</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">의심도 가져봤지만 몰골을 보아하니</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">절대 그럴 리가 없었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">초조하게 집에서 기다리기를 며칠 째 지났을까</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대네 집에서 연락이 왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대네 가정부였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">뭐라고 말씀드려야 할지</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">모르겠습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대 군이 자살했습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">지금도 그때의 꿈을 엄청나게 꾼다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">전화기 너머로 가정부의 떨리던 목소리</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">등골이 따끔할 정도로 충격이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">벌써 </span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">30</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">년도 넘은 이야기지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">지금도 생각하면 붕괴되고 있는 건물 안에 있는 느낌이 든다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">장례를 치르던 날</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">세상이 무너지는 것처럼 어지러웠다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">마음을 다 잡으려고 해도</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">쉽지 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">겨우 눈앞에 귀신이 보인다고 해서 자살을 한다고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">이해되지 않을 일이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">나 같으면 보이더라도 외면하겠다고 생각했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">조용히 자리를 지키고 한참을 울고 있는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">아주 난리가 났다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대의 부모님이 대판 싸우고 있는 것이었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">정확히 말하자면 성대의 어머니가 아버지의 멱살을 잡고 마구 때리고 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대 어머니 말로는 하나 밖에 없는 아들을 죽인 건 다름 아닌</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대의 아버지와 할아버지라는 것이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">나를 비롯한 사람들이 눈이 휘둥그레 졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">도대체 무슨 말인가</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">?</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대 어머니는 화가 풀리지 않았는지</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">부엌에서 칼을 가져와 들었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">여러 사람이 마치 경호원이 된 듯 팔목을 붙잡아 손에서 칼을 때어냈다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">그러자 분함에 울분을 토해냈다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">도대체 무슨 일인지 너무 궁금했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">나의 죽마고우인 성대가 도대체 왜 죽은 것일까</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">장례를 마치고 성대 어머니를 찾았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">그녀는 단 며칠 사이에 폭삭 늙어 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대가 왜 스스로 그런 선택을 했는지</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">알고 싶습니다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">아무런 말을 하지 못하는 성대 어머니였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">왜냐하면 말을 하려면 할수록 성대 생각에 울음을 터트릴 것 같아서였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">다만 나에게 눈물을 훔치며 성대가 쓴 유서를 내밀었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">담담하게 녀석이 쓴 유서를 읽어갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">읽으면 읽을수록 더욱 믿겨지지 않았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">무섭기도 하고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">이런 일이 가능한가</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">의문에 의문이 꼬리를 물었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">시어머니가 말했어</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대는 저주를 받았으니까 조심하라고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">...”</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;"> 그러니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">...</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;"> 성대의 할아버지는 일제 강점기에 악명 높은 친일파였다고 한다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">조금이라도 일본에게 잘 보이기 위해서 온갖 친일 행위를 다했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">독립운동을 주도하는 조선인들을 때려잡는 건 당연했고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">일본의 군자금을 대기 위해서 강제로 조선인의 재산을 빼었다고 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">그런 적극적인 친일활동으로 일본정부가 주목하는 인물로 평가 받으며 부와 권력을 얻었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">그러던 어느 날</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">여느 때처럼 힘없는 조선인의 재산을 약탈 할 때였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. ‘</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">영기네</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">’</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">라고 불리는 가족이 눈에 들어왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">정확히 말하자면 영기네 엄마가 눈에 들어왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">서방과 아이가 있는 여자에게 흑심을 품은 것이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">처음에는 그녀에게 당신의 첩이 되면 굶어 죽는 일은 없을 것이라 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">하지만 그녀는 지조 있는 여자였고</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">오히려 그런 성대 할아버지에게 부끄러운 줄 알라며 일침을 놓았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">여기에 화가 난 성대의 할아버지는 그녀가 보는 앞에서 남편과 아이를 처참하게 죽였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">눈앞에서 남편과 아이가 잔인하게 죽어 가는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">누구라도 멀쩡한 사람이 있겠는가</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">?</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;"> “</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">내 지금은 시대를 잘못 만나서 아무런 힘이 없는 미천한 몸이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">하지만 죽어서도 네놈이 나에게 한 잔인한 행동을 잊지 않을 것이야</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">네놈 집안에 가장 잔인한 저주를 퍼부어서 네놈 숨통이 끊기기 전에 내가 겪은 고통의 수십 배를 느끼게 할 것이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;"> 영기네 엄마는 자리에서 혀를 깨물어 자결했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">그러나 곧바로 숨통이 끊긴 것이 아니라</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">피를 토하면서 성대의 할아버지에게 다가 왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대 할아버지는 마치 귀신처럼 다가오는 그녀의 모습이 무서웠던지</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">그녀를 향해 총을 쏘아댔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">피가 터지며 온 몸에 넘쳐흐르는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">검은 옷을 입은 것처럼 물들어 갔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">그럼에도 불구하고 계속해서 성대 할아버지를 향해 뚜벅뚜벅 걸어왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">하지만 결국 기력을 다했던 것일까</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">몇 발자국 앞두고 숨을 거두었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대 할아버지는 재수가 없다며 하인들을 시켜 최대한 멀리 시체를 버리라고 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;"> 이후 친일로 쌓은 업적으로 지역 유지가 되었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">초기에는 혹시 모를 저주에 걱정을 했지만</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">거침없이 부와 명예를 쌓은 뒤라 걱정은 사라졌다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">그야말로 대대손손 탄탄대로였다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">하지만 그로인한 저주가 손자인 성대에게 왔을 것이라고 아무도 생각하지 못 했을 것이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대의 유서에는 스무 살 즈음에 한 여자의 모습이 보이기 시작했다고 적혀 있었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">하루</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">이틀</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">... </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">매일이 조금씩 가까워 졌다고 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">그러던 어느 날부터 형체가 뚜렷하게 보이기 시작하면서 그녀는 더욱 빠르게 다가왔다고 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">피를 토하며</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대에게 다가오는데</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">그 모습이 흡사 영기네 엄마 같았다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">아니</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">분명 영기네 엄마가 틀림없다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">그녀가 성대에게 저주를 건 것이 틀림없다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">결국 그녀는 성대의 코앞까지 가까이 와서 성대를 죽음으로 내 몬 것이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">왜냐하면 유서의 마지막에 </span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">가까이 왔다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">더는 견딜 수가 없다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.”</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">고 적혀있었기 때문이다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대의 어머니는 시어머니에게 이야기를 듣고 걱정이 태산이었다고 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대가 어릴 적부터 용한 무당을 찾았다고 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">그러나 성대의 아버지가 병적으로 미신을 싫어하는 성격이라</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">결국 아무런 대책도 준비하지 못했다고 한다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. ‘</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">시대가 어느 시대인데</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">미신에 의지하려고 하나</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">’</span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">라나</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">뭐라나</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">결국 성대의 어머니는 아들이 그녀의 저주에 걸려서 죽은 것으로 여겼다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">그리고 손 한번 못써보게 한 성대의 아버지를 원망했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">몇달 뒤</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대의 부모님은 이혼을 했다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">비극적인 소식은 얼마 안가서 성대 아버지 역시 목을 매고 스스로 숨을 끊었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">순식간에 가세가 기울었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">내가 서른이 넘을 무렵에 성대의 할아버지는 아들과 손자를 잃은 충격에 벙어리가 되었다는 소문을 들었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">현재 내 나이 오십이 넘었으니까</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">얼핏 성대의 할아버지가 힘겹게 산소호흡기에 생명을 연명하고 있다는 소식을 알게 되었다</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;"> <font size="3" face="바탕"> </font><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">성대의 할아버지는 저주를 받은 것일까</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">? </span><span style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;">자업자득의 이치인 것일까</span><span lang="en-us" style="font-family:'바탕';font-size:medium;letter-spacing:0pt;">?</span></p>