Crimson Gravity

Chapter 4: Gravity

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That night, the sky was crystal clear. The rain had stopped since afternoon, leaving behind the crisp scent of damp earth and streets glistening under the city lights. But in Jisoo’s room, the atmosphere was anything but calm. She stood before her bathroom mirror, staring at her reflection. Her hair was messy, eyes swollen from lack of sleep, and something in her gaze had shifted: doubt, fear, but also… intrigue.

Since their last meeting on the balcony, Jungkook hadn’t appeared again. Not in the hallway. Not on the balcony. No sound from his room. It was as if he had vanished. But Jisoo knew—people like Jungkook never truly disappear. They just watch from the shadows.

And indeed, since that night, Jisoo felt watched.

While brushing her teeth. While opening the door. Even while sleeping, it felt like something… was waiting.

She shook her head, trying to banish the strange thoughts. But when she looked down, she saw something.

In the mirror—for a split second—there was another figure. Not her own.

She turned quickly. Nothing.

Her head felt heavy. She blamed the excess coffee and unfinished thesis. But that night, the nightmares returned.

In her dream, she stood in the apartment hallway. It was empty. The lights flickered. Doors shut tight. She walked slowly, each step echoing like a whisper from another world. Then she saw it: room 309’s door—slightly ajar.

From within, a whisper called her name. "Jisoo…"

She stepped closer. The door creaked open.

Inside… mirrors. Countless mirrors. Walls covered in her own reflection. But none of them looked at her. They all stared behind her.

She turned around—and saw Jungkook.

But his eyes were black. Completely black. And his smile… the same one from that night on the balcony. But now, blood stained the corner of his lips.

Jisoo woke up gasping, cold sweat dripping down her neck. She reached for her bedside lamp and grabbed her water, but her hand trembled.

The clock read 3:47 AM.

She took a deep breath and got up. Her feet carried her to the kitchen to get cold water. But when she opened the fridge, she froze.

On top of the fridge, a slip of paper.

"Sorry if I scared you. Sometimes shadows can't be controlled."

Jisoo froze. That was Jungkook’s handwriting. She knew.

But… how did that note get there?

The apartment had been locked all night. She was sure. No sounds. No intrusions.

Her thoughts spiraled. Fear and curiosity mixing into one.

The next day, Jisoo decided to confront him directly. She waited in the hallway since morning, sitting on the stairs near Jungkook’s room. But the door didn’t open, not even as the sun began to set. No signs of life from the room.

Until twilight arrived, and that door… opened on its own.

Jisoo stood, gazing into the darkness of room 309.

“Hello…?” her voice barely audible.

No answer. But footsteps echoed inside. Slow. Heavy.

Then—the figure emerged. Jungkook. In his dark hoodie. His eyes locked directly onto hers, and this time, Jisoo saw something in them: pain. Deep pain. Like someone who had lost too much.

“Sorry if I frightened you,” he said slowly.

Jisoo wanted to ask many things. But her lips stayed still.

“I just… try to keep my distance. Because I know I carry something that can hurt others.”

Jisoo looked at him for a long time. “What do you mean…?”

Jungkook gave a faint smile. “You’ll understand. But if you choose to come closer… never say I didn’t warn you.”

Then he stepped back inside and gently closed the door.

Jisoo stood there, confused. But one thing she knew for sure: this wasn’t just about curiosity anymore.

This was about gravity. One that slowly… was pulling her into the dark.

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To be continued...