The sound of heavy, ragged breathing filled the air—rapid and spiraling out of control. The surroundings were a blur of chaos, punctuated by faint, distant screams of agony. In one corner, a lifeless body slumped against the wall, drenched in pooling blood.
His gaze shifted forward. A man was swinging a knife, stabbing his victim without mercy. The relentless strikes sent blood splattering everywhere—soaking his clothes and staining both of his hands crimson.
"Jo… Jo…" A weak voice struggled to escape his lips as his right hand reached out, trembling, trying to grab the man. But his strength was gone.
The boy caught in that killing frenzy looked young—perhaps no older than fifteen. Slowly, he turned around, staring straight at the one watching him. His face was twisted with visible anxiety, as if he were terrified of what those eyes were witnessing.
"Hyun Jin! Hyun Jin!" A voice suddenly shrieked, urgent and demanding. "Wake up! Hyun Jin, wake up!"
The scream echoed loudly, shattering the horrific scene into pieces.
His vision blurred, as if the world around him was slowly sinking into darkness. Yet, the voice remained, persistent and calling out to him.
"Hyun Jin… Hyun Jin…" The gruff, frantic male voice from before suddenly shifted into the soft, warm voice of a woman. "Hyun Jin, wake up."
Hyun Jin jolted awake, his eyes snapping open. His breath hitched for a moment, as if he had just been pulled from the clutches of a soul-crushing nightmare. His eyes darted around the room, remnants of terror still lingering, before landing on his mother sitting calmly by his bedside.
"Huff… huff…" Hyun Jin's chest heaved, his breath coming in short gasps as he tried to calm his racing heart.
"Hyun Jin," his mother called softly, her voice thick with affection. "Get up and get ready to help me. It's almost dawn."
Her gentle tone acted like a soothing balm, quieting the chaos inside his soul.
"Eh? Why are you sweating so much? Did you have a strange dream?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry.
"It's nothing, Mom… I didn't dream of anything," Hyun Jin replied, trying to hide the truth from her.
"Oh, alright then. Hurry up and help me in the kitchen," she said with a faint smile, slightly relieved by his answer. "But if you ever feel like talking about it one day, just let me know, okay? I'm always here to listen."
Hyun Jin could only offer a hollow smile. As soon as his mother stepped out, he slowly climbed out of bed and grabbed his towel and toiletries.
Before heading out, Hyun Jin opened the shutters of his bedroom windows one by one.
The morning light began to pour in, illuminating the dim room. Although a small smile played on his lips, the shadows of that nightmare remained fresh, haunting the corners of his mind.
"Ugh... why do I look so terrible this morning?" Hyun Jin muttered, slapping his forehead as he stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. His hair was a mess, still damp with the cold sweat from his nightmare. His eyes were a bit puffy, but he forced a small smile to shake off the lingering fear.
The sound of the shower filled the room. As he lathered up, the morning sunlight streamed through the small window, bringing warmth into the space. The scent of soap and the fresh morning air provided a sense of peace that stood in sharp contrast to the darkness of his dream.
"La da la dada, la da da da!"
Suddenly, Hyun Jin's voice echoed loudly throughout the bathroom. He sang cheerfully, as if trying to push away the horrific images and replace them with morning energy.
"Here he goes again..." Hae Rin, his younger sister, sighed while shaking her head. She looked annoyed but amused at the same time—already used to her brother's daily "concerts."
"Yep, the show has started," their mother added with a wide grin. She held back a laugh while busy preparing supplies for their food stall. The morning atmosphere felt warm and full of love.
"Sunlight is hitting my face, I'm cruising at my own pace, got nothing but good vibes today..." Hyun Jin's voice grew louder. He even started dancing a little and tapping on the bathroom wall, completely ignoring everyone outside.
"Oppa!" Hae Rin shouted from outside, losing her patience.
"Yeah? What?" Hyun Jin replied casually. He knew he was annoying her, but he did it on purpose just to tease her.
"CAN YOU STOP SINGING SO LOUD? YOU'RE NOISY!" Hae Rin yelled at the top of her lungs, emphasizing every word.
Hyun Jin smiled to himself, holding back his laughter. Even though he had just woken up from a terrifying dream, the cheerful morning, the sunlight, and his family's antics made everything feel real again. For a moment, the dark shadows felt far away, replaced by a sense of peace settling in his heart.
-----
Far down the road, the sound of bicycle tires crunching on the gravel broke the morning silence. As soon as Hae Rin stepped out of the shop, she spotted two teenage boys pedaling furiously, looking as if they were in the middle of a race heading straight for her.
"OII!!! HAE RIN!" one of them shouted, waving his hand high in the air.
Hae Rin quickly turned around. "Eh, Ji Hwan!? Hurry up and get over here!" she yelled back, a bright, sweet smile lighting up her face.
"Don't get distracted, Ji Hwan! I'm winning this!" Ji Hwan's friend shouted from behind. He began to sprint, his pedaling powerful and full of energy.
"HWANG DOO HO! I'M NOT LOSING TO YOU!" Ji Hwan roared, pushing himself even harder to overtake his friend.
The competition was fierce. However, Doo Ho started playing dirty, a wide smirk spreading across his face.
"Hehehe... Nam Ji Hwan, if you don't let me win... I'm telling Hae Rin that you wrote her name in your History notebook!"
Ji Hwan nearly wiped out on his bike. "You... you were spying on me?!"
"Not spying... I was just being a 'diligent' investigator," Doo Ho replied nonchalantly.
Ji Hwan screamed in frustration, "YOU ARE SUCH A TRAITOR!"
"A traitor with a noble mission!" Doo Ho shouted back as he sped ahead, clearly enjoying every second of teasing his best friend.
-----
"YAYYY, I WIN!! SERVES YOU RIGHT!" Doo Ho mocked Ji Hwan, who was left trailing behind.
"Cough! Cough! You guys are too fast!" Hae Rin coughed lightly, covering her nose as the road dust kicked up from the race hit her face.
"Uhh... oops, hahaha! Sorry about that, my bad," Ji Hwan laughed sheepishly, raising his hand in apology. He felt a bit guilty seeing Hae Rin literally 'eating' their dust.
"Ugh! So annoying!" Without warning, Hae Rin landed a punch right in Ji Hwan's stomach. It wasn't that hard, but it was enough to make him stumble back.
"Ouch! That hurts! Is that my punishment or what?" Ji Hwan groaned through his laughter, still managing to smirk.
"HAHAHA! Serves you right!" Doo Ho roared with laughter, nearly falling off his own bike.
However, Doo Ho's joy didn't last long. A few seconds later, it was his turn for 'punishment.'
"OWWW!! That hurts, man!" Doo Ho shrieked as Hae Rin gave his ear a sharp yank.
"Serves you right! You're just as bad, making jokes at the wrong time," Hae Rin muttered before letting go of his now-reddened ear.
"Hae Rin... don't be so rough with your friends. They're here to help us carry things, aren't they?" her mother's gentle voice cut in. She appeared at the shop door, lugging several items to be arranged on the front shelves.
"Ha, hear that! Auntie is on my side, right? See, I came here with noble intentions!" Doo Ho started buttering her up, still wearing his mischievous grin.
"Shut up," Hae Rin shot back with a sharp glare, though a small smile still played on her lips.
Suddenly, a tiny, soft voice called out from inside the house.
"Big sister... where are you?"
Hae Rin turned around instantly. "Eh? Tae Rin? You're awake already?" Her expression softened immediately. She hurried back into the house, leaving the chaos outside with a warm, tender smile.
"I thought you two were just talking, but you actually showed up," Hyun Jin's mother said with a light chuckle as her son's two friends arrived at the house.
"Hehe... of course we'd help, Auntie. We're Hyun Jin's best friends, after all. Besides, we promised him yesterday that we'd come and help out today," Ji Hwan replied softly while picking up some items and placing them on the table.
"Hmm? Is Hyun Jin doing okay today, Auntie? How is he feeling?" Doo Ho asked as he joined in to help carry the supplies.
"Hyun Jin is doing just fine; he's finally recovered from his fever. He's taking a shower right now," his mother answered with a smile.
"If you two want to see him, feel free to head inside. But wait for him to finish his shower first, okay?"
Ji Hwan and Doo Ho nodded in understanding. They finished up the chores outside before heading into Hyun Jin's house.
"Ugh, what's the date today anyway?" Ji Hwan asked, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"May 8th, 2007. It's Saturday," Hyun Jin's mother and Doo Ho replied in unison.
"Well, that was a complete answer! Hahaha. Thanks," Ji Hwan said with a small laugh.
"But…" Hyun Jin's mother stopped mid-sentence.
"Hmm? What is it, Auntie?" Ji Hwan turned to her, asking gently. Beside him, Doo Ho remained silent, his eyes fixed on her face. His gaze was sharp, as if he were analyzing every flicker of emotion on the woman's face.
The atmosphere in front of the house suddenly turned quiet. Only the rustle of the wind could be heard, growing louder by the second, making the leaves in the yard sway gently.
Hyun Jin's mother took a small breath before looking back at Doo Ho.
"Hmm… you've probably guessed it by now, haven't you, Doo Ho?" Her voice was soft, yet heavy with hidden meaning.
Doo Ho didn't answer immediately. He just closed his eyes for a moment, as if collecting his breath.
"Yes… of course," he finally replied, his voice deep.
"Huh? Know what, Doo Ho?" Ji Hwan frowned, clearly confused. That was why he asked—he genuinely didn't understand what Doo Ho meant.
Doo Ho lowered his head slightly, his voice low but clear, as if every word came from a heavy burden.
"That thing… it will haunt him forever, even if he tries to forget it. And that includes you too, Auntie."
Silence fell over them again. Only the sound of the wind brushing against the leaves accompanied them.
"You mean—" Ji Hwan didn't get to finish his sentence.
"Yes. That's right," Doo Ho cut him off instantly. His tone was firm and certain, leaving Ji Hwan speechless.
"Eh, Auntie… please don't cry. Besides, that was a long time ago, right?" Ji Hwan rushed toward Hyun Jin's mother, trying to comfort her with a gentle voice.
Hyun Jin's mother gave a faint smile through her tears.
"Thank you… for staying by our family's side since Hyun Jin was ten years old… until now, when you're both seventeen."
She wiped her cheeks slowly, then pulled Ji Hwan into a hug—tight, like a mother embracing her own son.
Doo Ho, watching from the side, stood still for a moment before walking slowly toward them. He patted Ji Hwan on the shoulder a few times without saying a word, offering only a soft, sweet smile.
"HAE RIN!!! GIVE ME BACK MY PANTS!!"
Hyun Jin's voice thundered from inside the house, so loud that the birds perched on the fence scattered into the air.
Outside, Ji Hwan, Doo Ho, and Hyun Jin's mother jumped in surprise. A second later, his mother cracked a smile… before struggling to hold back her laughter.
"Auntie… why are you grinning like that?" Ji Hwan asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
She turned her head away, her laughter almost bursting through.
"You two should just go inside," she chuckled. "Go see for yourselves."
Ji Hwan and Doo Ho exchanged a confused look before stepping into the house.
The moment the door opened…
"WHAT—?! HAHAHA!! HYUN JIN!! WHERE ARE YOUR PANTS?!"
Hyun Jin was standing in the living room wearing nothing but his boxers, his face beet-red as he screamed at his sister, who was running around holding his pants.
"HAE RIN!! I'M COUNTING TO THREE!!"
Hae Rin looked back and stuck her tongue out. "You could count to a hundred and I still wouldn't give them back!"
Ji Hwan and Doo Ho burst into laughter, literally rolling on the floor, while outside, their mother finally lost it and laughed out loud.
"ARE YOU GUYS BULLYING ME NOW?! SO MEAN!!"
Without another word, Hyun Jin lunged after Hae Rin, who was running like lightning with his pants in hand.
They ran in circles around the dining table—left, right, until they were both dizzy. Hae Rin, unable to take the spinning anymore, let out a small shriek, "I'm dizzy!!" before bolting out the door toward their mother in the yard.
"HAE RIN!! STOP RIGHT THERE!!" Hyun Jin yelled, charging out with a crimson face.
Once outside, he scanned left and right, looking for his sister who had seemingly vanished. Suddenly, he spotted them—a pair of small, cute hands peeking out from behind his mother's back.
"Ha! Caught you!" Hyun Jin pointed dramatically. "Mom, don't tell me you're hiding her—"
Before he could finish, his mother let out a giggle and shifted slightly.
"Oh? Are you trying to defy your mother now?" she teased playfully.
"OF COURSE NOT! But this isn't fair!" Hyun Jin grumbled, half-embarrassed and half-annoyed.
"Run, Hae Rin! Get back inside! HAHAHA!" his mother cheered, signaling Hae Rin, who shrieked with joy and dashed across the living room again, her brother's pants still firmly in her grip.
Meanwhile, Hyun Jin could only facepalm, while Ji Hwan and Doo Ho were back on the floor, dying of laughter once again.
After a long chase, Hae Rin finally started to pant. Her breath grew short, her steps slowed—and eventually, she had to stop.
"Gotcha!" Hyun Jin smirked triumphantly as he snatched his pants back. "Next time, don't try to take on someone as tall as me. You'll always lose, hahaha!"
"Pfft," Hae Rin rolled her eyes. "It took you forever just to catch me. I only stopped because I'm tired!"
Hyun Jin fell silent at her comeback, while his mother just chuckled at the siblings' bickering.
-----
The sun was now low in the sky. Time had slipped away, and the once chaotic house had returned to a peaceful hum. A gentle evening breeze drifted by, carrying the warm aroma of cooking from the kitchen.
[6:40 PM]
After hours of working at the stall together, it was finally time to close up. They would stop at seven. Everyone pitched in—sweeping the floor, tidying the tables, closing up the snack containers—a simple scene, but one full of warmth.
A few minutes later, Nam Ji Hwan and Hwang Doo Ho walked slowly toward Hyun Jin's mother. They looked a bit nervous.
Noticing their reaction, she asked gently, "What is it, you two?"
Doo Ho looked at Ji Hwan for a moment before speaking up.
"Could we stay over tonight, Auntie? We've already asked our parents… and they said yes."
The air went still for a moment. The sky had turned a deep orange, the last rays of sunlight illuminating their faces.
Then, Hyun Jin's mother gave a wide, warm smile.
"Yes, of course you can. Hahaha."
Doo Ho and Ji Hwan's faces lit up instantly. They nearly cheered in joy.
Hyun Jin, who had been sweeping in the back, suddenly let out a yell:
"WOOHOO!! PARTY TONIGHT!"
He hoisted his broom high like a victory flag, making everyone burst into laughter.
The twilight felt warm, filled with simple laughter—the kind of laughter that made the day end perfectly.
-----
[12:23 AM]
The house was swallowed by silence. No sound remained except for the gentle rustle of the wind brushing against the windows. Darkness draped over every corner as the household lay deep in sleep.
Hyun Jin opened his eyes slowly. He got out of bed carefully, making sure not to wake anyone, stepping quietly one foot after the other. His throat felt parched, and the urge to use the bathroom pushed him to head toward the door.
Before leaving, he glanced back at his two friends sleeping beside him—Ji Hwan and Doo Ho. A small smile played on his lips seeing them so sound asleep.
"Doo Ho… you even find a way to snore," he whispered under his breath, stifling a laugh.
He made his way to the bathroom. The sound of the running tap and the faint hum of the pipes echoed for a moment before everything settled back into silence.
After washing up, Hyun Jin stood before the mirror. The dim glow of a small nightlight illuminated half of his face. He stared at his reflection for a long time—as if searching for something within himself.
Slowly, his expression shifted into one of confusion. He leaned down, gripping the edges of the sink as his thoughts began to wander.
That dream again… why can't I forget it?
He took a deep breath and whispered softly—his voice barely audible against the night.
"Joo Hyun…"
He paused. His gaze went blank, staring deep into the sink where his shadow reflected back at him.
"How is your life now…? Is everything going well for you…?"
The silence of the house swallowed his unanswered words. Only the slow rotation of the fan accompanied his heavy thoughts.
"I hope so…"
Hyun Jin exhaled heavily, a faint mist appearing on the mirror's surface. His eyes remained fixed on his reflection—melancholy and empty.
Suddenly—BOOM!
A massive tremor shook the entire bathroom. The floor vibrated, the walls creaked, and the ceiling light began to flicker violently. A low electrical hum filled the air, creating a suffocating pressure in his chest.
Hyun Jin jolted, his face turning pale.
"What—what is this?!.
He spun toward the door and twisted the handle with all his might.
"HEY!! OPEN UP!! HELP!!!" he screamed in a panic. But the door wouldn't budge—as if it were locked from the outside.
He began slamming his hand and shoulder against the door.
"JI HWAN! DOO HO! HAE RIN!! MOM!!"
But there was no reply. No footsteps, no answering voice.
Hyun Jin stood frozen, his chest heaving. And then…
A deep, heavy voice rumbled, echoing from every direction.
"HYUN… JIN…"
Hyun Jin froze. His breath hitched.
Then the voice came again, louder this time, resonating within the small space:
"HYUN JIN! HYUN JIN!"
He screamed, covering his ears and clamping his eyes shut.
"Go away!! Leave me alone!!"
The tremors grew stronger. The mirror began to crack inch by inch—crack… crack… crack… filling the room.
And then—CRASH!
The ceiling light exploded, shattering into pieces and sending sparks flying before everything plunged into total darkness.
Hyun Jin's voice was swallowed by the blackness. All that remained was the sound of his own breathing—heavy, rapid, and fueled by terror.
Darkness blanketed the entire space.
Hyun Jin slowly opened his eyes—and beneath the bathroom door, a sliver of brilliant white light began to bleed through.
He stopped. His breathing was labored, his heart racing. The light grew more intense, casting a glow over the cracked floor and illuminating the shadowed walls.
With hands still trembling, Hyun Jin pushed himself up. He stared at the door for a long time… before gripping the handle tightly.
One deep breath.
And—click!
As the door swung open, a blinding light flooded in. It was so intense that he was forced to squeeze his eyes shut.
A few moments passed.
The light slowly faded, receding like a morning mist.
Hyun Jin opened his eyes again… slowly.
And there, standing before him—was something he couldn't believe.
He stood speechless, his body stiff, his gaze empty. He was lost in confusion, having no idea what was happening.
He only hoped that this was just another nightmare that would fade away, just like the ones before.
End of Chapter 1
Author's Note:
He just wanted to go to the toilet, but the universe had other plans😔🙏. But wait... That light doesn't look like a normal bathroom lamp, right?. Hmmm, What do you think Hyun Jin saw behind that blinding light?😯😯😯.
But yeah! BYEBYE, SEE YOU IN THE NEXT CHAPTER!