The gate closes behind me with a click that feels… louder than it should.
Like the house heard it.
Like it knows I'm back.
"…great," I mutter. "Just me. Alone. In a haunted mansion. After almost dying yesterday. Love that for me."
Silence.
No answer.
No footsteps.
No voices.
Nothing.
I step inside.
The door shuts behind me with a soft thud—
and suddenly—
the air changes.
Still.
Too still.
Like the whole house is… watching.
"…yeah," I whisper. "Nope. I hate this already."
I walk faster.
Straight to the living room.
Drop onto the couch.
Expensive.
Soft.
Huge.
And somehow—
it feels like sitting in the middle of nowhere.
Niran appears beside me, stretching like he just woke up from a nap in a five-star hotel.
"…so," he says casually.
I stare at the ceiling.
"…so."
"What did she say?"
I sigh.
"…everything."
And I tell him.
Seo-Yeon.
Her story.
Her slipping up—
"Niran… he—"
The way she stopped.
The way she looked at me.
The way she pushed me.
By the end—
my voice feels smaller.
"…I don't trust her."
Silence.
Then—
"…yeah," Niran says.
I turn to him.
"…yeah?"
He nods.
"…that was suspicious."
"THANK YOU."
"Very suspicious."
"I KNEW IT."
"…but."
I freeze.
"…but what."
"She knows something."
My stomach drops.
"…I KNOW."
Silence again.
Heavy.
Then—
CRASH.
We both JUMP.
Like actually jump.
I grab his arm immediately.
"WHAT WAS THAT—"
"…that," he says slowly, "was not normal."
"EVERYTHING HERE IS NOT NORMAL—"
Something drags upstairs.
Slow.
Heavy.
scrrrrrrrr—
We both look up.
"…Ji-Ah?" I whisper.
"…or something wearing Ji-Ah," he replies.
"…WHY DO YOU TALK LIKE THAT—"
"…accuracy."
"…fear."
"…same thing."
We stand.
Well—
he stands.
I attach myself to him like survival instinct.
"…why are you behind me?"
"…you're the ghost."
"…you're the one who can die."
"…exactly."
"…wow."
We walk upstairs.
Carefully.
Slowly.
My grip on his sleeve? Tight.
My dignity? Gone.
We reach Ji-Ah's door.
It's open.
Just a little.
"…she was unconscious," I whisper.
"…she was," he replies.
"…WAS?!"
"…focus."
He pushes the door.
It creaks.
Long.
Loud.
We step in.
The bed—
empty.
Blanket half on the floor.
No Ji-Ah.
My throat goes dry.
"…Ji-Ah?"
Silence.
"…Ji-Ah, this isn't funny—"
Nothing.
The room feels colder.
Like something just left.
I turn slowly.
"…she's not here."
"…clearly."
We step back out.
The hallway feels longer now.
Darker.
Even though it's literally daytime.
"…do you think she woke up and just… left?" I whisper.
"…with demon eyes? No."
"…stop saying that—"
"Don't worry," he says suddenly.
I look at him.
"…what?"
"I'll protect you."
I stare.
"…protect yourself."
"…rude."
"…realistic."
"…I am literally your shield."
"…you're a see-through shield."
"…wow."
We keep walking.
Slow.
Tense.
"…if I survive this," I whisper, "I'm moving out."
"…you're seventeen."
"…I AM TRAUMATIZED—"
"BOOOOO."
We SCREAM.
LOUD.
TOGETHER.
Jump back—
nearly fall—
and there—
she is.
Ji-Ah.
Standing.
But wrong.
So wrong.
Her skin—
darkened.
Like something is underneath it.
Her smile—
too wide.
Too stretched.
Her eyes—
black.
Not fully.
But enough.
Smoke curls faintly from them.
She tilts her head.
And then—
in a voice that echoes from everywhere—
"…why me…?"
My brain shuts down.
"…why me…?" it repeats.
I shake my head.
"…I don't know."
It tilts its head further.
"…I don't know…?"
I panic.
"I DON'T KNOW—"
"…I don't care."
The voice echoes.
Layered.
Distorted.
"I don't care I don't care I don't care—"
"OKAY—WE'RE LEAVING—" I grab Niran.
He grabs me back.
"RUN—"
We run.
In opposite directions.
Of course.
"WHY ARE WE SPLITTING—?!" I scream.
"INSTINCT—?!"
"BAD INSTINCT—?!"
I sprint into my room.
SLAM the door.
Lock it.
Lock it again.
If I could add ten locks—
I WOULD.
I lean against it.
Breathing hard.
"…okay."
"…okay okay okay."
I rush to change.
Because yes—
apparently survival = outfit change.
White oversized shirt.
Shorts.
Comfort mode.
I'm halfway putting the shirt on—
stuck over my head—
when—
"…Min… Juuuun…"
Right behind me.
Echoing.
Wrong.
I SCREAM.
LOUD.
HIGH.
VERY EMBARRASSING.
A hand clamps over my mouth.
"SHHH—SHHH—SHHH—"
Niran.
I yank the shirt down.
"…I hate you."
"Focus."
He looks at the door.
I follow.
A shadow passes.
Slow.
Dragging.
scrrrrr—
I grab his arm.
Hard.
"…why is it still here."
"…I don't know."
"…great."
"If it was like me, we could talk—"
"IT IS NOT LIKE YOU—"
"…obviously."
I groan.
"…now I have a nice ghost and a psycho one."
I grab his shoulders.
"I AM SEVENTEEN—"
"Finally."
"THIS IS TOO MUCH—"
"Agreed."
I grab my phone.
"…I'm calling my mom."
"Yes. Good idea."
I lift it—
and freeze.
She's there.
Right in front of me.
I can't breathe.
I point.
Silently screaming.
Niran squints.
"…what."
I gesture wildly.
"…you want chocolate?"
I shake my head violently.
"…a hug?"
"—"
"…you need me?"
I glare.
"READ THE ROOM—"
Then—
a giggle.
Soft.
Broken.
"…why… why didn't you tell me…"
Niran slowly turns.
Sees her.
Turns back.
"…why didn't you tell me."
"I WAS TRYING—"
"CALM DOWN—"
"SHE'S RIGHT THERE—"
Too late.
She steps forward.
Slow.
Dragging.
Then—
she looks down.
At my bed.
At—
Mr. Fluffington.
"No."
"No no no no—"
She lifts him.
Not touching.
Just controlling.
"…put him down."
She tilts her head.
"…why…?"
"BECAUSE HE'S INNOCENT—"
"…innocent…?"
"…not anymore."
RIP.
His head comes off.
Clean.
Silent.
"…no."
My voice breaks.
"…NO—"
"MR. FLUFFINGTON—!"
I collapse dramatically.
Full grief.
"HE HAD A FAMILY—"
"…he was a penguin."
"HE HAD DREAMS—"
"…he was cotton."
"I LOVED HIM—"
"…okay fair."
The ghost giggles again.
"…why… why… why…"
Then—
gone.
Just—
gone.
Silence.
Then—
everything goes insane.
Objects lift.
Chairs.
Books.
Curtains whipping violently.
Lights flicker—
then—
DARK.
"…it's daytime," I whisper.
"…why is it night."
The windows—
black.
Like the sun is gone.
"…we're trapped," Niran says.
I turn slowly.
"…what."
"…we're trapped."
Processing.
Not processing.
Then—
I SCREAM.
"NOOOOOOOOO—"
The house echoes it back.
"nooooo… noooo… noooo…"
And somewhere—
very close—
very wrong—
the ghost whispers again—
"…why…?"
I don't even remember how we got there.
One second—
the house is losing its mind.
The next—
I'm shoved into the guest bathroom with Niran, the door locked behind us like it's the only place left in the world.
My back hits the wall.
Hard.
"…okay," I breathe. "Okay okay okay—"
"Call someone," Niran says immediately.
I nod.
"Right—right—"
My hands are shaking so bad I almost drop my phone.
I call Ara.
It rings.
Once.
Twice.
Three—
No answer.
"…pick up," I whisper. "Pick up pick up pick up—"
Nothing.
I hang up.
Text her.
Come home now.
A second later—
I'm coming.
I exhale so hard my knees almost give out.
"…she's coming."
Niran nods.
"…good."
And then—
everything hits me at once.
The silence.
The fear.
The image—
Mr. Fluffington's head—
I sniff.
Once.
Twice.
And then—
"…he didn't deserve that."
Niran blinks.
"…what."
"MR. FLUFFINGTON—" my voice cracks. "HE WAS INNOCENT—"
"…he was a stuffed penguin."
I step back.
Hurt.
Betrayed.
"You don't get it."
"I really don't."
"She killed him—"
"…good."
Silence.
I freeze.
"…what."
"It's good she killed that penguin."
I stare at him.
Wide-eyed.
Tears still on my face.
"…you're dead to me."
"…I'm already dead."
"THIS IS DIFFERENT—"
I turn away dramatically.
Wiping my tears.
"…I can't believe this."
"…you're crying over cotton."
"HE HAD PERSONALITY—"
"…he had stitching."
I sniff harder.
"…you're heartless."
"…I don't have a heart."
"…you know what I mean."
Before he can reply—
my phone buzzes.
I'm here.
I freeze.
"…she's here."
Niran straightens instantly.
"…tell her where we are."
I type fast.
Guest bathroom. Come quietly.
Sent.
"…stay close," he says.
"I AM GLUED TO YOU—"
"…I can tell."
I take a breath.
Then—
I open the door.
Slowly.
Carefully.
And step out.
The house is… normal.
Completely normal.
Lights steady.
Furniture still.
No floating.
No darkness.
No chaos.
If I didn't see it—
I'd think I imagined everything.
"…nope," I whisper. "Nope nope nope."
I walk forward slowly.
"…Ara?"
No answer.
"…Ara—?"
Then—
I see her.
Standing near the stairs.
Uniform still on.
Hair slightly messy.
Eyes wide.
"MIN-JUN—"
I rush to her—
grab her wrist—
"COME—"
She doesn't argue.
I drag her straight back—
into the bathroom—
slam the door shut.
Lock it.
She blinks at me.
"…why are we in the bathroom."
I grab her shoulders.
"THE HOUSE IS POSSESSED—"
"…WHAT—"
"JI-AH IS NOT JI-AH—"
"…WHAT—"
"MY PENGUIN IS DEAD—"
"…WHAT—"
Niran sighs behind me.
"…maybe start from the important part."
"THAT WAS IMPORTANT—"
Ara grabs my arm.
"Explain. Slowly."
I inhale.
Then—
I tell her everything.
Ji-Ah.
The floating.
The voice.
The face.
The penguin—
she winces.
"…that's… actually sad."
"THANK YOU—"
"…and terrifying."
"DOUBLE THANK YOU—"
She hugs herself slightly.
"…why is this happening."
"I DON'T KNOW—"
"…why did you call me here?!"
"BECAUSE YOU'RE HER SISTER—"
"…EXACTLY—?!"
We both pause.
Then—
"…fair."
"…yeah."
Silence.
Then—
"…who's going to talk to it?" she asks.
I point at her immediately.
"YOU."
"ME?!"
"YES—"
"WHY—"
"IT'S YOUR SISTER—"
"IT'S NOT MY SISTER—"
"TECHNICALLY—"
"NO—"
"OKAY THEN YOU TALK—"
"NO—"
"YOU—"
"YOU—"
"YOU—"
"YOU—"
"STOP—" Niran snaps.
We both freeze.
Then—
a whisper.
Soft.
Echoing.
"Min… Jun…"
My entire body locks.
"…no."
"Min… Juuun…"
Ara grips my arm.
"…it knows your name."
"I KNOW—"
"…why does it know your name—"
"I DON'T KNOW—"
Then—
"…Niran…"
We both go silent.
I slowly turn to him.
"…it said your name."
He's not looking at us.
He's staring at the door.
Eyes narrowed.
"…that voice."
"…what."
"…it sounds familiar."
My stomach drops.
"…familiar?"
Before I can ask more—
the whisper comes again.
Closer.
"Where… are you…?"
I squeak.
"IT'S LOOKING FOR US—"
"…clearly."
Niran moves toward the door.
"…we're not staying here."
"…WE ARE STAYING HERE—"
"…no."
"…YES—"
He opens the door.
"…come on."
"…I HATE YOU—"
We step out.
Slowly.
Carefully.
The house is quiet again.
Too quiet.
We move to the living room.
"…hello?" I call weakly.
"SHOW YOURSELF—" Ara adds, immediately regretting it.
"…why did you say that."
"I DON'T KNOW—"
The air shifts.
Cold.
Sudden.
Objects tremble.
Then—
lift.
Tables.
Books.
Chairs.
The lights flicker violently.
Ara yelps—
and grabs Niran from behind—
hugging him tight like a human shield.
"PROTECT US—"
"I CAN'T EVEN BREATHE—"
"DO IT ANYWAY—"
"I AM TRYING—"
The voice fills the room.
Louder now.
Angrier.
"I WON'T—"
Echoing.
"I WON'T—"
"I WON'T LET YOU—"
Niran scoffs.
"…wow."
I blink.
"…what are you doing."
"That's dramatic."
"…NIRAN—"
"You're loud for someone who lost."
The air FREEZES.
"…why would you say that—"
The room shakes harder.
Objects slam against walls.
The voice distorts—
angrier—
louder—
"WHY—WHY—WHY—"
"OKAY BAD IDEA—" I shout.
I step forward quickly.
Hands up.
"WAIT—WAIT—"
Everything pauses.
Just slightly.
I swallow.
"…please."
My voice is softer now.
Careful.
"Please… let Ji-Ah go."
Silence.
Then—
"…no."
"…why?"
"…she won't listen."
My brows pull together.
"…what do you mean."
"…I tried."
The voice cracks slightly.
"…I tried to tell her…"
"…but she didn't listen…"
I nod slowly.
"…I'll listen."
A pause.
Then—
she appears.
Ji-Ah's body.
Floating slightly above the ground.
Skin dark.
Eyes black.
Smoke curling.
She steps closer.
"…you will…?"
I nod.
"…yes."
Behind me—
Ara whispers,
"…are you insane."
"…probably."
The ghost tilts her head.
"…I was anchored…"
Her voice is softer now.
Less broken.
"…to her…"
"…she was the last to see me…"
"…but she ran…"
A pause.
"…she didn't listen…"
I nod.
"…we will."
Ara speaks softly.
"…we'll help you."
The ghost giggles.
Sudden.
Sharp.
Then—
she turns.
To Niran.
Her entire expression changes.
Soft.
Almost… fond.
"…my Niran…"
My eyes widen.
"…excuse me?"
"…come here…"
She reaches out.
He doesn't move.
Just stands there.
Still.
Watching her.
Then—
quietly—
he says a name.
"…Lalin."
The room freezes.
The ghost stiffens.
Then—
slowly—
she smiles.
Different this time.
"…so you remember."
My heart pounds.
"…who is that."
Niran doesn't look at me.
"…someone I knew."
I stare at him.
"…knew how."
He exhales slowly.
Eyes still on her.
"…before everything."
And suddenly—
this just got worse.