EPISODE 4: "Waking from Shadows"
752 Words
Sung-Hung jolted awake, shivering. Sweat clung to her skin despite the chill. Her heart pounded, echoing the memory of a trembling voice from the night before.
For a moment, reality blurred with fear. She curled under her blanket, small and helpless, trying to shake the lingering dread.
Tears slid down her cheeks. Slowly, she realized she was safe. Just a nightmare. Her alarm buzzed, dragging her back to the present.
She wiped her face, took a deep breath, and tried to steady her racing pulse. Her neck ached from tension; the night had left her exhausted.
Her phone buzzed. It was So-Mi.
“Good morning, So-Mi. Why are you up so early?” Sung-Hung asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“OMG, Sung-Hung! I totally forgot our homework! I woke up early to finish it. Can you send it to me? Pretty please?” So-Mi begged, teasing. “I’ll buy your favorite cookies!”
Sung-Hung let out a small, forced laugh.
“Sure. Give me a few minutes.”
As soon as the call ended, she sank back into her bed. Her chest tightened, and a few muffled sobs escaped before she could stop them.
---
At college
For the first time in years, she was late. Nobody noticed. Nobody cared. But the lingering weight of the night’s nightmare made her feel fragile and exposed.
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Lunch Break
So-Mi placed a packet of cookies in front of her with a triumphant smile.
“Here! Your favorite.”
Sung-Hung stared blankly. They weren’t actually her favorite, but correcting her friend felt too exhausting. She picked one up and nibbled. No taste came — her mind was elsewhere.
So-Mi grinned. “See? Cookies fix everything.”
Sung-Hung forced a small, weak smile.
Inside, nothing was fixed.
---
Evening
She walked to the small garden near her home, rubbing her sore neck. Her body ached from tension, and her mind replayed every unsettling memory.
Woo-jin appeared, waving.
“Hey, Sung-Hung!”
She didn’t respond at first. He frowned and sat beside her.
“I waved at you at college too. You seemed… spaced out,” he said, tapping the bench gently.
Sung-Hung flinched and finally met his gaze, dazed.
“What’s going on with you?” he asked, brows furrowed, voice concerned.
Her lips parted, then closed again. She dropped her gaze.
He studied her silently, soft yet sharp.
“I don’t know what’s going on with you,” he said softly. “But life gets messy sometimes. Still… we don’t lose hope.”
Their eyes met. Her chest loosened slightly. A corner of her lips lifted — a genuine, small smile.
“…Thank you,” she whispered.
He nodded. “You’re welcome.”
A tiny brush against her calf startled her. A stray kitten blinked up at them. Her face lit immediately.
“Aww… look at you.”
Meow. She settled the kitten on her lap, stroking it gently. It melted into her touch, eyes closing in bliss.
Woo-jin’s eyes widened, amused.
“You like cats too?”
She nodded, still petting it. He slid closer, grinning.
“Let me try—”
The kitten sprang away, hiding behind her like a fortress.
He blinked, baffled.
“…What? No way. They usually come to me first.”
Sung-Hung laughed softly. He rubbed his neck, flustered.
“This is weird. Cats always like me.”
“Yeah, sure,” she teased, smiling.
“I should go. Enjoy your holiday tomorrow.” He waved; she waved back.
Warm silence lingered after he left. She gave the kitten one last pat and headed home.
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Next Morning
Sung-Hung woke early, lighter than usual. House chores felt easier, her hands moved automatically, but her mind kept replaying yesterday’s warmth.
While wiping the table, she smiled faintly.
He really… helped me yesterday.
Her shoulders lifted in a small, excited squeeze. She giggled softly, embarrassed by her own joy — but not stopping it.
A free day, no classes. She called So-Mi, hoping for company.
So-Mi replied:
“Good morning 😄💖 I'm busy today, talk later! Byeee 👋”
Sung-Hung typed back calmly:
“Okay. Call when free.”
She dressed, mood intact — lighter, brighter. The sun was kind, the breeze soft. She walked with a small bounce she didn’t notice herself.
A new café, a little farther than usual, caught her attention. She stopped at the entrance. Something — or someone — froze her in place.
Confusion flickered across her face.
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End of Episode 4 😊
- Writer
