The Korean Krueger Effect (Spy)

 Synopsis: A notorious bounty hunter known as "Freddie Krueger" is hired to capture two North Korean defectors in Seoul. The mission, intended to be his last, forces him to confront the true cost of his chosen profession.

This was my entry into the 2025 NYC short story competition. I had to use the following prompts:

Genre: Spy, Location: Skyscraper, Character: Bounty Hunter

James looked in the mirror and sighed. He was 38, but the life he had chosen had taken its toll; he could easily pass for over 50. He gently touched the most recent scar on his right cheek, wincing as he recalled the final blow that had delivered it—the last defiant act of a desperate man. Exiting the bathroom of the back-street coffee shop, he grabbed his black coffee from the counter and sidled into the booth where they always rendezvoused.

“So?”

James scoffed. “We’ve been working together for a long time, and still, no time for pleasantries?” He looked his employer in the eyes, his hard look softening slightly. The gentleman leaned forward, stroking his sleeked-back hair thoughtfully. “In our line of work, it’s best not to get acquainted. Who knows how long you are going to last, after all? That’s why you still call me ‘the gopher.’ You know I’m just a go-between, although I will say you look like shit” he added, eyeing the fresh scar James sported.

James rolled his eyes before taking two packages from his flowing black coat and tossing them casually onto the table. The gopher immediately grabbed them, peering inside. “Tongue? Check. Body prints? Check! Excellent! The RGB has been on the tail of this traitor for a long time. No one turns their back on North Korea and gets away with it. Can you believe they still try? Even with your infamy on the streets, you know why they call you Freddie, right?”

“Because I have such a great voice” James responded dryly. The gopher laughed heartily “The nightmares you have given to would-be directors in fear of facing you will last a lifetime”

James laughed softly as he accepted the new envelope, peering inside to ensure it was, as usual, stuffed with cash. He looked around the dimly lit coffee bar before placing the money where moments ago he had a victim's tongue. Taking a deep breath, he began,” Just glad to do my part, but this is my last job, I have enough to retire now, not peacefully of course, the screams and pleas for mercy will haunt me forever, I hope your boss can accept my decision?” James knew it wouldn’t go over well.

The gopher took a long draw on his cigarette, lost in thought, before he began softly “I knew you were the main for this job, that day you pulled me from the wreckage ten years ago, I saw that determination in you, you would finish something no matter what, I knew you would save me, we thank you for your service….” His voice trailed off, but there is one last job...” His tone implying James wouldn’t be given a choice in taking it

With that, he dramatically threw some Polaroids onto the table. James picked them up, examining them, noting a good-looking man and woman, both presumably in their late teens or early twenties.

“A brother and sister,” the gopher continued. “Escaped through China two years ago.”

“So what? It’s just another capture. Get any hunter to do it,” James replied

The gopher stood up, and leaned closer blowing smoke into James's face, he barked: “They have some videos we would rather not be made public. The boss considers this a top priority. The latest intel says they have made it into South Korea and have already passed the immigration screening. As such, the South Korean government considers them citizens. This job won't be easy, it requires the best. The payment is substantially more than previous jobs. It will give you enough to retire and ensure your brat is taken care of.

James stood up, slamming his hand on the table at the mention of his child, then slowly sat back down.  He thought back to the last time he checked on Emily, wishing he could be part of her life, rather than watching from afar. Tina was doing a good job, but even from his vantage point last time out, he could see the bags under her eyes, raising a child as a single working mum was taking its toll.

They locked eyes again “So, one last job?”

“You know they sometimes call it Square 63?” Jung-ho said happily. “And it was completed in 1985. For a long time, it was the biggest building in South Korea.”

Mi-ran slapped her older brother. “You are such a geek.” They both laughed, but it was true. Jung-ho had always been studious. He loved studying, in particular architecture and the history of buildings. It was why he had dragged Mi-ran to Yeouido Island in Seoul to see Building 63.

It had been two years now since they fled North Korea. They had endured two hellacious and torturous years, but they were finally in South Korea. They had undergone rigorous processes from the South Korean government to prove they weren’t spies and finally felt they could breathe easily.

“You see that?” Jung-ho said in wonder. “That’s the Han River. So cool, right?”

Mi-ran looked where he was pointing and said sorrowfully, “I guess so. Hey, Jungy, are we really safe now?”

Jung-ho looked at his sister, feeling his heart break at the moment. Putting his arm around her, he reassured, “I will always keep you safe, okay? We are gonna build great lives for ourselves here, and we will expose those tyrants and make Appa and Umma proud, okay?”

She smiled at her brother. Right from an early age, he’d always been her hero. If he said they were going to be safe, they were going to be safe. Breaking free from his arm, she gave him a playful slap. “No need to get soppy, nerd. I’m hungry. Can you use that big old brain to find us some food here?” she said, laughing.

Mi-ran looked at her brother as he devoured his steak. “Jung,” she hissed, “try not to eat like an animal. You know we need to make sure we don’t stand out. And in any case, should we really be spending the little money we have on steak? We still owe so much to the broker who smuggled us here.”

Jung-ho snorted mid-bite. It was the best food he’d ever tasted, and it showed. “It’s just one meal, Mi. Let’s enjoy today, and then we will make a plan for the future. I’m gonna get two sojus,” he finally replied several bites later, giving his sister a ruffle on her hair, which always annoyed her. He headed to the bar.

James peered over his copy of The Korean Times, sipping his whiskey as he checked the Polaroids. It was definitely them. Although they might bear a resemblance to South Koreans appearance-wise, they were sticking out like a sore thumb in their mannerisms and actions. James watched them for a while, nursing his whiskey.

They’re just kids. Can I really do this again? Watching them treat a simple steak meal like a royal banquet, James felt a deep pang of remorse. He’d taken so many lives and yet what right did he have to play God?

He swilled his whiskey around his glass, lost in his thoughts. Even if I did nothing but good deeds from now until I die, I wouldn’t tip the balance. I’m a monster, and there’s no going back. A single tear rolled down his cheek as he finished his whiskey. At that moment, he noticed Jung-ho approaching the bar. Glancing at the substantial queue, he realized Jung-ho would be there for some time. This was his chance.

"One more time, then I’m out. It’s done," he whispered to himself as he advanced toward the table where a nervous Mi-ran was tucking into her steak with far more grace than Jung-ho had managed.

"59th floor, overlooking the river. Quite the skyscraper, huh?"

"Hmmm?" Mi-ran looked up, startled. She jolted back. Where moments ago her brother, her protector, her everything had been sitting, now sat a white man with an unkempt beard and a scar beneath his cheek that gave him a menacing presence—whether intentional or not. Despite that, he was undeniably handsome.

Mi-ran stared, wide-eyed, unsure what to do. The horrors she had endured over a lifetime were as fresh in her mind as the steak she had just consumed. She scanned the bar, looking for Jung-ho, but saw no sign of him. Panic rose in her chest. She moved to get up, the man still hadn’t spoken. I’m just going to run, she thought, recalling her brother’s words from their years on the run: If you are in trouble, if you feel scared, just run. I’ll find you.

"Don’t."

As soon as she had gotten to her feet, the stranger spoke.

"Don’t," James repeated. "Under this table, I have a gun pointed at you, and I’d rather not make a scene. Either sit back down, or I’ll blow you to kingdom come and then find your brother and do the same."

The words were chilling. Mi-ran sat back down, momentarily speechless. She and James locked eyes before she broke down.

"Please, I don’t know who you are, but you don’t want us. We’re just two students from South Korea. Please, leave us alone. We don’t have much money, but we’ll give you what we have," she pleaded, her voice cracking, loud enough to draw glances from nearby tables.

James remained silent, watching her. Mi-ran’s breath hitched as she gathered the courage to ask, "Why? Who are you?"

James studied her, his expression unreadable. She was barely more than a child in a woman’s body, but she had been through more than any human should ever have to endure.

"Park? You’re Park Mi-ran, right? And your brother, Jung-ho, is over there?" His voice was calm, and measured. "You’re both coming with me. I’m taking you back home."

Mi-ran stared at him, her eyes wide with horror. "You’re a… You work for…"

"Yes," James interrupted. "I work for the RGB. I’m a bounty hunter, and my job is to take you and your brother home… dead or alive. I’d prefer alive, but that’s on you."

He let the last sentence hang in the air.

"No. If you take us back, they’ll torture us and kill us anyway. So screw you!" Mi-ran spat through sobs before grabbing the remains of her meal and flinging it at James.

"JUNG!" she screamed and bolted.

She barely made it two steps before the shot rang out.

The world slowed. She was on the floor. How did I get here? And what’s this red? Why is everyone screaming? She struggled to lift her head. Jung-ho’s face came into view. He looked upset. He was crying, but why?

Jung-ho cradled his sister. "No, no, no," he whispered. "Mi-ran, hold on. Please, hold on. I can’t do this without you."

James sighed deeply. He hadn’t wanted to kill her, nor did he want the chaos unfolding in the restaurant. He glanced at his gun, an extension of his own arm for as long as he could remember. He hated it.

He needed to go after Jung-ho. He knew that. But for a few moments, he just sat there, the weight of his sins pressing down on him.

Jung-ho cradled Mi-ran’s head, tears streaming down his face as the world around him blurred into chaos. Mi-ran’s lips trembled. "Don’t cry," she whispered. "We still have to see the Coelacanth… in 63 Sea World. You’ve been going on about it for so long… bu—" She coughed, blood splattering her chin. "Can we see the penguins too? They’re so cute…"

Jung-ho forced a smile through his tears, nodding. "Of course Mi-Mi. I promise."

Mi-ran smiled weakly. "My brother. My hero. But a terrible liar… Come closer."

Her voice grew weaker. The restaurant was emptying, patrons fleeing the bloodshed. "Do one last thing for me, brother… take your own advice… and ru—"

Her head fell limp.

"MI!" Jung-ho screamed. And then he saw him. James. Their eyes locked.

Mi-ran hadn’t recognized him, but Jung-ho knew immediately. He’d heard the stories.

"Fu… fu… Freddie…" he muttered in shock.

He gently laid Mi-ran’s head down, mouthed I’m sorry to his now-lifeless sister, then leaped to his feet and ran.

The elevators were a lost cause—the queues were substantial. People flooded the stairwell. It was his only choice. He bolted toward the throng of people jostling for the exit.

James sighed again before striding toward Mi-ran’s body. He withdrew his knife, wincing as he cut through her tongue. He snapped a few pictures.

It doesn’t get easier, he thought.

But he also knew Jung-ho couldn’t get far.

Jung-ho had gotten to the stairs, where could he go? He was just rushing downward as fast as he could, but he was dealing with panicked guests, he wasn’t moving nearly fast enough “Excuse me” he was practically screaming at everyone as he tried to shove past them. He wasn’t moving fast enough, and he knew it.  James strode purposefully towards the elevator, forcefully shoving anyone in the way to the side, getting into the elevator.  He stared at the buttons, where would he go? He pressed the first-floor button.

Jung-ho was gasping for breath, still shoving people, shouting sorry, he got to the first-floor entry, barely able to breathe he reached for the handle, before pulling back, he had to believe that Freddie had got there by now, would he be on the other side of that door? He looked down, one more set of stairs, Guess I’ll get to see the Coelacanth after all. He thought as he rushed down the final set of stairs

James waited by the front door, it had been thirty minutes or so, and there were very few people left in the building, and the cops would be here any moment.  He scanned the area; the basement was the only place he could be. James marched purposefully to the stairwell, before entering Aqua Planet 63. The scale was telling that he would need to be lucky to find Jung-ho in short order, holding his gun, he began to jog around. “Come out Jung, it’s over” he bellowed, beginning to tire. “20,000 animals here, well 20,001 including you” Jung-ho stepped out from behind the Coelacanth tank, with his arms raised. “You took my sister, and for what? just do it” Tears poured down his cheek as James cocked his gun, he pointed it his Jung-ho’s forehead

The world stood still, Jung-ho looked up, confused, James's hand was shaking on the trigger “I’m sorry” he said, his finger wavering on the trigger. Images of Emily raced through his mind. What would she be like at Mi-ran’s age? Then, images of every life he had taken flooded his memory, and James sank to his knees “I’m sorry” he muttered over and over. Jung-ho, confused for a moment wrenched the gun from James's hand and ran.