25
919 Words
The rain continued through the night.
By morning the town looked fresh and clean.
The air felt cooler.
The ground was still wet.
Drops of water fell slowly from the roofs and trees.
Ara stepped outside her house and looked around.
Everything looked peaceful.
But her heart still felt a little uneasy.
She held Jin Woo’s letter in her hand.
“I’m just overthinking” she whispered.
Then she took a deep breath and walked toward the market.
—
The market was quieter than usual.
Some people came late because of the rain.
Others stayed at home.
Minho was already there, setting things up.
“You’re late today,” he said.
Ara nodded.
“I didn’t sleep well.”
Minho looked at her.
“You look tired.”
Ara gave a small smile.
“I’ll be fine.”
Minho didn’t say anything more.
But he kept watching her.
—
After some time, the market slowly became busy again.
Voices returned.
Laughter returned.
Life went on.
But Ara still felt distracted.
Every small sound made her turn her head.
Every shadow caught her attention.
She didn’t know why.
But the feeling from yesterday had not left her.
—
Then suddenly.....
“Ara!”
She turned quickly.
It was the same boy from before.
Holding another letter.
Her heart skipped.
“A letter again?” she asked.
The boy nodded and handed it to her.
“It came early today.”
Ara took it carefully.
Her fingers trembled slightly.
Minho leaned closer again.
“That was fast”
Ara didn’t reply.
She just looked at the letter.
Then she said,
“I’ll read it now.”
—
She stepped aside.
Away from the noise.
Her hands slowly opened the letter.
Her eyes moved over the words.
—
Ara,
I don’t know why, but I felt restless last night.
The rain here was heavy, and for some reason, I kept thinking about you.
I know you are strong, but still… please be careful.
The capital is not as calm as before. Things are changing here.
There are people watching, moving quietly, saying nothing.
I cannot explain it clearly, but I feel like something is wrong.
If anything feels strange there… do not ignore it.
Stay close to people you trust.
I will try to return sooner than planned.
Wait for me.
— Jin Woo
—
Ara’s eyes stopped on the last line.
Her grip on the letter tightened.
A cold feeling slowly spread in her chest.
“…Something is wrong…”
She whispered his words softly.
Minho walked up to her.
“What did he say?”
Ara looked at him.
Her expression was not the same as before.
“He said… to be careful.”
Minho frowned.
“Careful? About what?”
Ara shook her head.
“He doesn’t know clearly.”
Minho crossed his arms.
“That’s strange.”
Ara nodded.
“Yes.”
The uneasy feeling inside her grew stronger.
—
The rest of the day passed slowly.
Ara tried to focus on her work.
But her mind kept returning to the letter.
To Jin Woo’s words.
To that strange feeling.
Even Minho stayed more serious than usual.
He didn’t joke much.
He didn’t tease her.
Because even he could feel it now.
Something was not right.
—
In the evening, Ara decided to close early.
“I’m going home,” she said.
Minho nodded.
“I’ll walk with you.”
Ara shook her head.
“It’s okay. I’ll be fine.”
Minho hesitated.
Then he said,
“Be careful.”
Ara gave a small nod.
“I will.”
—
The streets were quiet again.
The air felt colder.
Ara walked slowly, holding the letter close.
Every sound felt louder than before.
Her steps echoed softly.
Then—
A sudden noise.
Behind her.
She froze.
Her heart began to race.
Slowly…
She turned her head.
Nothing.
No one.
Just the empty street.
Ara let out a breath.
“I’m really overthinking…”
She continued walking.
But her steps became faster.
—
When she reached her house, she quickly went inside.
She closed the door.
Locked it.
Then leaned against it.
Her breath was uneven.
“…Why does it feel like this…”
She whispered softly.
The room felt too quiet.
Too still.
She walked toward the window and looked outside.
The street was empty.
No movement.
No sound.
Just silence.
—
That night, Ara could not sleep.
She lay in bed, staring into the darkness.
Jin Woo’s words echoed in her mind again and again.
Be careful.
Something is wrong.
—
Far away, in the capital…
Jin Woo stood in a dimly lit hallway.
Two officials were speaking in low voices.
“…the order has already been given…”
“…it must be done quietly…”
Jin Woo stopped walking.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Something about those words…
Did not feel right.
He stepped back into the shadows.
Listening.
But before he could hear more…
The voices stopped.
Footsteps moved away.
Jin Woo stood there in silence.
His expression slowly turned serious.
“…What is happening…”
—
Back in the town…
The night grew deeper.
Clouds covered the sky again.
No stars.
No moon.
Only darkness.
And outside Ara’s house…
A shadow appeared once more.
Closer this time.
Slower.
More certain.
A hand slowly reached toward the door.
Then stopped.
As if waiting.
As if listening.
Inside…
Ara finally closed her eyes.
But her sleep was not peaceful.
Because somewhere…
Very close…
Something was already watching her.
- Writer
