[Manuscript] Alpha (1).docx

8/19/2019 [Manuscript] Alpha (1).docx

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The Awakening || Two Moons ||

c h a p t e r o n e“What?! What do you mean it’s worth nothing? Excuse me, Mr. Kim, but my wor ain’t worth

shit. My editors said it is better than the ast, why am " #aid $ust this?% " scream at my #hone,hoding a crum#ed ban chec in my hand. " beat e&ery deadine' my manuscri#t is too #raised tobe &aued (or a )*month rent. "t’s barey enough (or two months, and " now "’m su##osed to be#aid at east worth + months.

“"’m reay sorry, eo, it’s (or the #ubishing house to decide.% " hear Mr. Kim sigh on theother ine. " (ee my i#s twitch. " hear my own bood #ounding in my ears. My tem#er is getting outo( hand.

“-ine! " guess " can’t do anything about this. o thans, anyway. ye.% " dro# the ca andthrow my #hone on the bed. This is better than yeing at Mr. Kim. " sit in (ront o( my mirror to see aghosty re(ection o( me.

-rustration sowy embraced me. /i(e’s been he these #ast years. 0mma has been here andthere. he’s been running away and bac to a##a (or who nows why and how ong. 1##a ne&erchanged. 2e sti is the same mysterious, i*tem#ered man " grew u# to now as my (ather. 0mmahardy cas, and to be honest, it’s ie a hea&y burden is remo&ed (rom my bac, somehow.

" stand u# and chec my whoe re3ection. Thining at this time o( the day woud be iedrining beer in the morning. " sti ha&e to go to wor, and here " am 4 my bac hair so messy,ight bue eyes with no gow, and sin so #ae. " might ha&e ost a (ew #ounds this #ast wee $ust to5nish that damn boo. That damn book.

There’s nothing e(t (or me to do. " grab my towe and head to the bathroom to tae a codshower. This has been my thera#y. " (ee my body reax under the shower. Sigh. Seo, bear with it alittle more.


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“2ey, beauty, how’s your morning?% eo 6oohyun, my o7cemate and (riend wecomes me toour dim and i(eess o7ce. With no deadine to beat (or my manuscri#t, " wa groggiy to mycubice.

“2i, dread(u morning it is. 8ours? Where are the others?% " as as " reai9ed my other (riendsaren’t here.

“0h, they’re.. somewhere.. " thin?% she stutters. “0h! Terribe morning as usua.%

“8ou three hate mornings e&eryday o( your i&es, huh.% " re#y as " sat down my chair. hesmirs and nods in a##ro&a. The door cics and my two other o7cemates went in.“8uri*unni, 8oona*unnie!% 6oohyun grace(uy cas the two who $ust came. he runs to them

and whis#ered, maing them augh. The two wa&e their hands and " did the same. Those three arethe ony #eo#e " consider (riends. Though we are (ar di:erent (rom each other, there’s $ust someunnown (orce that sienty cics us together. "t’s a setting (eeing " ha&en’t (et (or a ong time.

" turn on my a#to# $ust to see what’s new (or today. My boss woud ha&e e*maied me (or anew scri#t to edit, or some etter " ha&e to (ormai9e. 0#ening my e*mai, there’s no unreadmessage 4 meaning, "’m (ree (or the day. Than the hea&ens.

“2an eo Kyung!% my boss cas me. What now?" stood u# and sees my boss chidishy #eeing at his o7ce door. “" heard you 5nished your

boo, we shoud cee*“;on’t e&en start, Mr. 6ang.% 2e #outs at me. My boss $ust #outed at me. 1 ome on, eo. /et’s drin ater. -inishing the boo means more time to wor here! "’m

gonna see you more o(ten! 6oohyun, 8oona, 8uri, e&eryone! What do you thin? We shoud ceebrate(or eo, right?% he ca#s his hands as the others nodded. “"t’s a dea! We’ go out a(ter wor!% 2eruns bac to his o7ce, and in ess than a minute the door sams oudy, echoing around our 3oor.

“2ey, eo, congratuations!% for what?“ood wor, eo! 8ou wored your ass o: (or that boo!% what’s with these people

congratulating me?“" heard your manuscri#t is highy #raised!% Yes but it wasn’t given its true value. What the

hell with these people? owy my o7cemates circed my cubice with uncom(orting #raises (or my5nished wor. Hpocrites.

“2ey, you’re gonna be one (amous author. ay somethi*“2@T @A!%

" ose my tem#er in a bin o( an eye. "t’s irritating me. o many #eo#e around me gi&es mean itchy (eeing. " $ust want e&eryone to bac o: and et me be. My o7cemates stares wide*eyed atme, com#etey shoced. “6ust. hut. @#.%

“8a, eo.% 8oona comes to me and #us my chin to (ace her. “>am down.%0ne by one, the #eo#e turn their hees and went bac to their own cubices. Aeace, at ast.

The coc stries +, and it’s the end o( another boring shi(t. Mr. 6ang, my boss, dancesawwardy as he waed out his o7ce. 2e beams a smie to my direction and " gi&e u# disagreeing. "guess a (ew drins won’t hurt.

“>ome on adies and gentemen. We’re o: to the nearest bar.%

1s my other o7cemates go dancing, " Buiety sit on the bar stoo and tae a shot o( acohoin (ront o( me. "t burns as it goes down my throat. "t’s an ex#erience "’d o&e to ex#erience o&er ando&er again. " again 5 my gass and too another shot. The bar is dar' the ights are dancing cra9iyacross the room. " ceary do not now why "’m not here o(ten when being here $ust (ees so right.

“eo Kyung?% !o wa.“6onghyun.% 2e sits beside me, smiing. 2is eyes are amost cosed. 2e is de5nitey drun. 2e

touches my e(t chee with his thumb. This is cra".“2ow are you, babe?% What the actual fuck. #abe? $fter leaving me for some gu, ou call

me babe?


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“Cone o( your business. 1nd don’t Dbabe’ me.%“2eeey, eo, don’t be so hard on me.% 2e gigges as his 5nger trace my i#s. “" missed you.%“8ou deser&e it, 6onghyun. Cow get ost. " en$oy being hard on you.% This is totay #issing me

o:. 2e smirs at me and #aces a hand on my thigh.“" en$oy being hard because o( you, eo. 8ou now what " mean, right?% my bood suddeny

rushed through my &eins. 2e wins at me as his hand tra&e u#ward. " immediatey sto# his hand

(rom going any (urther. " can’t 5nd any words to say. This is #ain cra9y.“eo, " now you sti want me, and right now, " woud be reay ha##y i( you et me ha&e you $ust (or tonight.% 2e stands u# and grabs my wrist.

“/et go, 6onghyun.% " try to esca#e his gras# but my e:orts aren’t bearing any (ruit. 2is handis soidy cutching mine.

“Excuse me,% another hand is hoding tighty onto 6onghyun.“Excuse you. This is none o( your business so bac o:.%“Kim 6onghyun, it woud be best i( you ea&e this ady aone.% This man sterny re#ies. "s he

this batstard’s (riend?“" don’t e&en now who you*“" now who you are and " am ca#abe o( anything that woud hurt you. 8our (amiy’s

com#any is amost banru#t, and you do not want to get married to your 5anc. " now you, mister." am ca#abe o( ruining your i(e and nowing who " am woud e&entuay start such #rocess. o youbac o:.% This man, who is he? 6onghyun gares at this man and 5nay reease my hand. "t hurts.

“"’ ne&er (orget this, stranger.%

6onghyun went away the moment the stranger reeased his hand. That ex*boy(riend o( minedeser&es a ic in the ass. This man, mased by the shadows o( this dimy it room, sat beside me.

Thans to the itte ight hanging abo&e us, " 5nay see his (ace.“6ong "n. and you’re wecome.% 1 #ay(u smie is on his (ace.“Thans.%

6ong "n is a &ery exBuisite man. 2e oos so young and yet, there’s this side o( him so many.2is (ace is $ust beauti(u. 2e has a #air o( mysterious and dar eyes, his nose is so 5ne, and his i#sso (u. 2is ga9e is meting. " (ee.. hot at this &ery moment. %amn. What’s happening?

“1nd you are?% 2is is &oice dee#, sending eectricity (rom my ears to e&ery ner&e in mybody. Seo, stop.

“eo Kyung.%“@niBue name you ha&e, eo Kyung.% " stare at him, gawing, actuay. 2e oos at his bac

and to me again. " can’t seem to 5nd strength to oo away.“" beie&e " ha&e to go now, eo Kyung. " ho#e you don’t bum# into Kim 6onghyun again.% "

nod in agreement and in a bin o( an eye, he’s gone. Where did he go? " ha&e to now this man.2is e:ect on me is $ust beyond words. %amn, & need a life.

c h a p t e r t w o The dar sy maes me trembe. The stars are shimmering abo&e me, and yet, " 5nd no

beauty in them. "t is no ordinary night. " am aone again, in this (orest, sitting in the same s#ot asbe(ore. -ear is a " hod, and sowy, it en&eo#es my whoe body. The cod wind embraces me. "ex#ect to see something again, (or the innumerabe time, but at the bac o( my mind, " now regretis at the end. " sit sti in the midst o( the ta trees that haunt me e&ery time.

" (ee a #air o( eyes watching me. " (ee my insides churn in (ear. This acBuaintance, wi it&anish $ust ie be(ore? " oo behind me and there it is * the shadow that ee#s my head s#inning inanxiety. " cose my eyes, nowing it wi be gone the moment " o#en them again. 'lease, be gone.

" hear the grass scrunch. The shadow is waing towards me. owy, " o#en my eyes and seethis being in (ront o( me. "ts (eatures are unco&ered in the moonight as it i(ts its head. $ wolf.


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race(uy, it taes another ste# so that our eyes 5nay meet. The wo(’s eyes are gowing bue, itsshar# teeth ex#osed, his caws scra#e through the ground. My heart begins to #ound harder andouder than e&er, seeing this creature, right in (ront o( me.

uddeny, e&er so suddeny, it hows, a ca to the moon, an im#use. "t oos to me again, itseyes (rightened. "t was towards my side. "t ies down, its body trembing. (h no. &s it afraid like &am? &s it alone like & am? " (ee (ear e&a#orating out o( my system. Maybe "’m not su##osed to #anic

at a. " i(t my hand' with itte strength " #ace it on the creature’s head. 1s " side my hand to itsbac, " (ee its musces trembe at my touch.Fa#idy it $um#s out o( my reach. "t oos at me in rage. " hear a (amiiar &oice in my head,

“ $ wild one. $ wolf not to be tamed.) &t sas. "t grows at me and by then " now what " ha&e to.*un.

The sound o( my aarm brings me bac to reaity. "t’s the same dream 4 nightmare + o&er ando&er (or the #ast G years. "t started when my (ather 5rst e(t home. " was H). " don’t want to go bacto those days. Cot today, not e&er.

My breathing comes bac to norma. My heart cams down. My head is #ounding (rom astnight’s drining. 2e, how did " e&en got home? " sit u# and see a gass o( orange $uice on my sidetabe. There’s a note beside it, so " read. “Cheers to you, missy. Job well done on gettingwasted last night! Here’s to your hangover. See you at the ofce, i you’re coming.Haha! oo, "oon, "uri, Hyun#

" Buicy gance at my coc. "t’s HI== AM. "’m si##ing wor today, it seems. " hurriedy standu#' tae o: a my cothes and barge right into the shower. " need my thera#y.

" (ee the cod water run through my body. -inay, " 5nd myse( reax.

1 day away (rom wor is as du as e&er. ood thing, " 5nished my manuscri#t be(ore mydeadine, and " ha&e a ot o( time to conce#tuai9e my next boo. Writing gi&es a itte s#ar buthe, " need more. " need something to mae me ai&e.

ince " woe u#, "’m in (ront o( my a#to#' writing drabbes, $ust 5nding something to woron. The night (as and " (ee my stomach grumbe. " need a bite. " cose my a#to# and 5nd myse(rummaging through my (ridge. gh. " (ee my stomach again. There are those days "’m (amishedie " ha&en’t eaten in wees, and " beie&e today is one o( those. " grab anything and #ace in onebig bow, mix a " got, and 5nay de&ouring the uniey mea in (ront o( me.

1s " tae my ast s#oon(u, the sound o( my #hone ringing echoed around my a#artment. "dash to my room and chec my #hone. Without checing who the caer is, " answer the ca.

“2eo?%“eo Kyung?% a (amiiar &oice s#eas. !ot again.“0mma.%“2ey, how are you, dear?% her &oice as so(t as aways.“"’m.. 5ne.% " tae a dee# breath. " now where this con&ersation is eading to.“>an " come o&er? " missed you.%“Co, i( you come with 1#*“8es, he’s coming with me. 8ou see, dear, " reay want to come see you and he doesn’t want

me to ea&e.. so " insisted he come with me, instead. " now you’re not com(ortabe but, we’re goingto &isit his brother and " #anned on dro##ing by at your #ace be(ore going there.%

“1nd you need some #ace to stay (or a whie be(ore you go away, again.% $s & e-pected.“8es. ut " reay wanted to see you.% " (ee rage buiding u# inside me.

“-ine. 8ou can ha&e the house, "’ ea&e unti you go away.%1 dea(ening sienceJ " hear (aint murmurs (rom the other ine.“0mma?%“8our a##a said.. we’ come to you. 8ou can do.. whate&er you want.% 2er &oice is itte. he

is once again trembing. What did my a##a te her now that she’s this a(raid again?“0mma, are you oay?%“8es.. no, yes " am. ye now, my eo Kyung.% 1nd then the ine went 3at. poor mother.


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Sigh. 2ere it goes again. " (ee sic. My #arents are #aying a &isit. uddeny, " (eecaustro#hobic. My (eet itch to go, to $ust run away. My a#artment (ees so sma' " need to get outo( here. The night goes dee#er, and " 5nd myse( running aong the (amiiar streets o( myneighborhood. "ssues a(ter issues, " begin to (ee choed u#. My tears are weing on the rim o( myeyes, attem#ting to (a. When is this going to end?

" continue running and with my ast strength, dro# down to my nees in the we*nown #ar

" used to hang out in. My egs (ee numb, and my body (ees cod. The ground is dry, and the wind(ees warm. "t (ees good as it touches my now shi&ering body. " hear the trees’ whis#ers as the windbows onto them. " oo u# and the moon has $ust emerged (rom the shadows o( the couds. 1namost gowing, (u moon 4 it is beyond beauti(u.

" sit sti (or a (ew minutes. -eeing a itte better, " stand u# and waed to the nearest bench." sit down and tae a dee# breath. /verthing will be alright.

" obser&e the #ar. " didn’t now " was aone unti " checed. (h, wait. "’m not aone. -aracross where " sit, is a young man, maybe my age, or a itte oder. 2e oos (amiiar. 2e standsmotioness, his eyes #iercing through me * yeow, gowing eyes. houd " oo away? E&en be(ore "had the strength to, he oos away (rom me. "n&ountariy, " turn to oo at where he ooed.

Time sto#s. &t’s him0 " didn’t ex#ect to see him here. " oo bac to the man earier and heis... gone. " stand u#, watching 6ong "n, the man who Dsa&ed’ me ast night, run aong the #aths o(this #ar. 2e’s running, and he oos tired.

“6ong*in.% " whis#er. 2is name ros grace(uy in my tongue. "t (ees good. 2e immediateysto#s and oos to where " am. %id he hear me? &mpossible. 2e sto#s running as our eyes meet, andeeganty was towards me.

“1 #easant e&ening to you, eo Kyung.% 2is eyes are dar, with a hint o( yeow, not as how "remember.

“To you, too, 6ong "n.% "’m ost (or words. This (eeing... 2e stares at me, his #um# i#ssighty o#en, as i( he’s catching his breath (rom running.

“8ou aright?% he ass. " see his 5sts tighten, as he gu#s. 2e oos u# at the sy and " (eeuneasy with his actions.

“"’m 5ne. 1re you oay? 8ou seem troubed.%“"’m. 5ne. ". ha&e to. o.% 2e grits through his teeth. 2e’s trembing. 2is breathing Buicens.

2e wi#es his (orehead with his hands. 2is eyes daren as the seconds went by, but they ne&erooed away (rom mine. 2e is staring straight at me. "t is unusua. "t’s weird, actuay.

“orry to ee# you. o ahead.% 2e nods and runs (ast away (rom me.

8eow. 2e has the same eyes as the stranger " saw earier. "s it him? 0r is it someone ese?E&en in the shade o( darness, " somehow distinguished the stranger’s (eatures. 2is gowing yeoweyes, his #um# i#s, his chiseed $aw, is amost the same as 6ong "n. 0r was " $ust dreaming that?

" thin " ha&e to et a this go (or now. Sigh. "’ ha&e to dea with e&erything when the suncomes u#. My mother, these aien (eeings whene&er 6ong "n is around, though " ony saw him twice,my issues with my #ubisher 4 "’ worry about a o( it tomorrow.

c h a p t e r t h r e e“@nni, ha&e you heard?% " hear so(t murmurs $ust behind my cubice. "’m sitting in (ront my

des, #ied u# with manuscri#ts to chec, and here " am ea&esdro##ing.“8eah. ;o you ha&e any idea who coud ha&e done it?% "t is 8oona’s (aint &oice who answers.“" don’t now, but this one is way too bruta (or.. you now..% " tae a #ee abo&e the thin

di&ider o( my cubice and (rom not so (ar, see my three good (riends, chatting with cu#s o( co:ee intheir hands. eeing this distance, how the he did " hear them? The three immediatey oo at me inshoc as i( they were caught red handed,.


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“What are you three taing about?% " smie, we to not (urther embarrassing myse( (romsnoo#ing. They instanty wa to me, 8oona and 8uri sitting on my tabe, 6oohyun stands $ust besideme as " sit bac to my chair.

“We, ha&e you heard the news, eo*unni?% 6oohyun ass me. " oo at them con(used.“Co idea what we’re taing about? ee. What do you now about what’s ha##ening in the

word, eo?% 8oona as. Feay, it may be embarrassing but yeah, she’s right. " am in no mood (or

anything.“8ou need some i(e, eo.% True. “1nyway, it’s a o&er the news this morning. "t was re#ortedthat there was an anima attac ast night, around midnight.% 8uri ex#ains as she grace(uy ta#s a5nger on her chin.

“Wow. Feay?%“Ceh, unni. "t was re#orted this morning.%“o what’s the matter?% " as. 1s " heard the news (rom them it was sad and shocing, yes,

but what " don’t get is these three’s reaction towards it.“We, the ocas, s#eciay the o7cias are saying it’s an anima attac, but..% 8uri ex#ains, a

hint o( hesitating is shown in her eyes. “We thin it’s not a norma anima attac. " mean.. We, "don’t now but ha&e you heard o( "*;ong ;istrict’s egends?% she whis#ers.

“8eah, " heard it. What does that ha&e to do with it?% " as again. "t’s true that "*dong districtegends are Buite (amous, but " ha&en’t reay ooed it u# yet. 1 " now about these egends are5rst, there were times when massi&e disa##earances ha##en, and #eo#e beie&e it was somesu#ernatura creature that does it' econd, a that were (ound among those who disa##eared weremutiated bodies.. shit. 1s i( an anima attaced them' and third, and the most con(using #art, isthat a these sto##ed when the Kims 5nay rose to #ower.

“We, anima attac? That sounds ie one o( the egends, right?% 8oona res#ondsimmediatey.

“8oona, #eo#e don’t beie&e those egends anymore. E&en i( those egends were true,nothing ie it ha##ened in my ) years o( i(e. Maybe it was some anima attac, a(ter a?% The twostand u# and 8uri shaes her head.

“2an eo Kyung, " thin you ha&e to start beie&ing in the im#ossibe because when thesemysteries re&ea themse&es in (ront o( you, it might be too ate. 0h, and ha&e some i(e. 8ou needit.%

“eo, Mr. 6ang was asing i( you coud stay a itte ater today. 2is 5es need some re&isionand he wants you to do it. 2e said you were absent yesterday so it’ be good that you do it.% 1woman carrying a tower o( (oders in her #etite hands comes to me. "t’s Mr. 6ang’s secretary.

“0ay, "’ do it.%“Thans, eo.% he turns bac and starts waing to Mr. 6ang’s o7ce.

The a(ternoon went by sowy. "t’s su##osed to be the end o( my shi(t but " sti ha&e to stay(or a (ew more hours to 5nish wor. " sit bac my chair, cosing my eyes, trying to gi&e my eyessome rest (or hours being in (ront o( my a#to#. The o7ce is amost deserted, dim ights iuminatingthe ha.

& think ou have to start believing in the impossible because when these msteries revealthemselves in front of ou, it might be too late. " remember what 8uri said this morning. What doesshe mean with it? 1h, it’s a ot to tae in, besides, " thin " woud be grate(u i( these creatures actuay come to me and 5nish this un(ortunate i(e o( mine. That sounds good to me.

" ha&e an idea. " (ace my a#to# again, eagery ty#ing on my eyboard. " ty#e 1l+%ong districtlegends on the search bar and there, a (ew sites o:er good write*u#s about these egends. "continue reading. ome says "*dong district is a #oint o( mystica (orce. ome #aranorma grou#had researched on outh Korea’s #ast and they concuded that the now "*;ong district used to behome to eary witches and the ie. They say a gumiho, a nine*taied (ox, a##eared here in a sha#eo( a woman and caused turmoi among men during the 6oseon dynasty. There is one amateur write*u# that got my attention. "t’s about what #eo#e beie&e are the most common among su#ernaturacreatures in "*dong district. ha#eshi(ters, werewolves. "t says that being human most o( time,these werewo&es ha&e bended in Buite easiy. They were caed sa&es o( the moon.


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Slaves of the moon. That sounds ie a good tite. "t sounds #er(ect (or a boo tite, is it? 1h.-inay, a new idea. Fight, that wi be my next boo. Werewo&es. reat thining, eo. reatthining.

"t’s amost L in the e&ening. " reai9e " am done with a that " ha&e to 5nish (or Mr. 6ang. "might as we go home be(ore the night (as com#etey. " Buicy turned o: my a#to#, grab my bag

and head out the buiding. "t is a (ree9ing a night. " #ued my $acet tighter, somehow to warm mybody (rom the cod. " was ex#ecting the streets to be crowded, as usua, but tonight is di:erent. There are ony a (ew #eo#e waing, and it seems ie e&eryone is in a hurry. " remember mycon&ersation with the three earier. Fight, the news was this morning. "t is dangerous outside.>i&iians were ad&ised to stay at home unti the Danima attac’ case is cosed.

" start to wa home through the streets o( "*dong ;istrict, a sma town " i&ed in sinceuni&ersity years. " remember how " 5rst came here, a HL year od runaway. ood thing " ooedmature that time that " was abe to con&ince #eo#e "’m ca#abe o( i&ing aone. " ran away (romhome and tried to i&e a good i(e away (rom my #arents, but " guess through a these years, they

$ust now where " am, and they ee# 5nding me and ea&ing me. The tem#erature is getting owerby the second. "t’s a (ew more bocs (rom home and "’ be home in ten minutes.

“2ey beauti(u, mind i( we wa you home?% " hear a man’s &oice. The guy’s #robaby drun." Buicen my #ace, trying to a&oid con(rontations with the man.

“Taing to you, miss.% " hear another man’s &oice, his s#eech is more stabe than the other,#robaby ess drun. " continue waing, catching my breath as it is di7cut in this chi. " hear(ootste#s behind me, am#i(ying my senses. " wa (aster. 6ust then a hand grabs my shouder ands#ins me around. " immediatey ste# bac.

“What’s wrong with you two?% " as sur as the two men grin (rom ear to ear.“0h, nothing’s wrong.% The ta one says, “We $ust need a itte (un be(ore the moon is u#

again.%“8ou woud #robaby end u# being ie the one in the*

“te# bac, you two.% " hear a (amiiar &oice interru#ting what the other man was saying. "turn around to see a &ery recogni9abe (ace.

“6ong "n,% it’s him.“2i, eo Kyung.% 2e smies. “1nd you two, " said ste# bac.% " watch the two again, as they

oo at each other and bac at 6ong "n.“;on’t e&en doubt on running away. ;on’t mae me catch you. Fun.% 2e sterny says. The

two doesn’t mo&e and suddeny one o( them smirs. 2e grabs me by the waist and #us me intohim. " hear a (aint grow behind me, and see the other man unges (orward to 6ong "n.

“C0!%

" sme the usua. " sme the strong scent o( my bed, and (ee the (amiiar so(tness o( my#iow. What ha##ened? " sowy o#en my eyes.

“8ou’re awae. 2ow do you (ee?% "t is 6ong "n’s &oice. 1m " dreaming? " (ee a hand gentystroing my hair. 1s my &ision come into cear, " see 6ong "n’s beauti(u (ace' he is sitting beside me.

“" (ee 5ne, and tired.% " answer bac. 2e nods, and stands u#.“That’s good.%“What ha##ened?%“@h, " sa&ed you?%

“We, that answers my Buestion. " mean, what iteray ha##ened? 1nd why am " here? Theast thing " remember was you being attaced by the*

“8ou’re sa(e, eo Kyung. Co need to worry about earier.%“" (ee (unny. "t’s seems ie " shoud ca it (ate " run into you this o(ten.%“8eah, it’s (unny to me that " aways end u# beside you when you’re in troube.% 1t that

second, " see his smie.“8ou oo good when you smie.%“Than you. " don’t get that o(ten.%“We, "’ say that o(ten, then.%


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6ust then, " hear noc on my door. “6ong "n. "’m here.% " hear a &oice, oud enough (or me tounderstand. " oo at 6ong "n, his smie (ading (rom i#s.

“omeone’s ooing (or you?% " as. 2e oos at me sur#rised.“Wow, you heard that?% he ass. " nod in res#onse.“>rysta cear.% 2e oos at me con(used and immediatey stands u# (rom the bed. " (ee the

bed so(ty bounce (rom the Buic mo&ement. " sit u# as he was out the room.

“/ea&ing aready?%“8es, " ha&e to. ehun’s here.%“ehun?%“8es, the one outside. orry, " ha&e to go. ee you around, and be sa(e, eo Kyung.%

" (oow 6ong "n as he grace(uy wa through the room to my a#artment door. " wa behindhim and (od my arms.

“6ong "n?% " ca him, $ust to say thans and goodbye. 2e turn to me.1s i( my an unnown being controed my body, " 5nd my hands on both his shouders, and

my (ace cose to him. "’m standing on my toes and " iss his chee. 2is eyes are wide, and yet 5rmyoos at me, dee# into my sou.

“Than you, 6ong "n. " ho#e " see you again. oodbye.%2e turns bac again, turns the nob and #us the door o#en. 0##osite him is a young man,

his hair is bonde with streas o( coors, too coor(u ony him might #u o:. 2is eyes were the sameas 6ong "n, mysterious and bright.

“ye eo Kyung. ood night.%

1nd ie that he was gone again. 8ou are such a mystery 6ong "n. & think ou have to startbelieving in the impossible because when these msteries reveal themselves in front of ou, itmight be too late.

c h a p t e r o u r My body is aching but my insides (ee so 5ne 4 as i( " $ust had my best see# since " was H). "

o#en my eyes, and (ee the (amiiar warmth o( my bed. " breathe in and out, and somehow, " (eesomething is di:erent' something (oreign is in this room. " sit u# and scan my room, my tabes aremessy as usua, and random cothes are discarded a o&er the 3oor 4 but one thing is exactydi:erent. There’s a $acet hanging on my &anity chair, $ust in (ront my mirror. "t’s a eather $acet, abac one. " wonder whose $acet is 4 0h. 6ong "n’s. 6ong "n was here ast night. "t must ha&e beenhis. " stand u#, wa to the chair and hod the $acet in my hands. The eather is so(t to touch,ragged and a itte stretched, as i( this si9e is too sma (or its owner. "nstincti&ey, " i(t the cothingcose to my (ace, inhaing a scent so addicti&e, so mesmeri9ing. Hmmm, this is 6ong "n’s. o this iswhat 6ong "n smes ie 4 addicti&e, #assionate, and hot. 6ust hot.

“ood morning, you.% 8oona batanty greets as " sit down to my o7ce chair. Today’s gonnabe better, " ho#e 4 or not. Whate&er. " a9iy turned on my a#to#, checing my e*mai (or new 5es

to wor on. There are (ew etters " ha&e to edit, but a in a, there’s nothing much to do. 1 boringday is ahead o( me. " might as we start with my new boo. 8eah, that woud be a great idea. 1s "sur( on a (ew more sites onine, something too my attention. "t’s a memo, attached to otherreminders on my #astic cubice wa.

“Memo to a I Meeting at H=1M at the con(erence room with Mr. 6ang. 1ttendance is amust.% " hear 8uri’s &oice as she read aoud the note " am hoding.

“1h, what do you thin is that (or?% she ass. “" ha&e no idea. We, " edited some contracts and our de#artment’s re#orts ast night (orMr. 6ang. Maybe its (or this meeting?% “1ah. Weird.% he says as she scrunches her nose as i( smeing something unusua.


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“What’s wrong?% “8ou sme (unny, eo.% “What exacty is (unny smeing?% " as. " try to #u my shirt to my nose and chec i( "sme unusua. " don’t. “1h, mysteries 5nay re&eaing themse&es to you.% “8uri? What are you taing about?% she shrugs and a smir a##ears on her i#s.

“Cothing, eo. 6ust tae good care o( yourse(. 0ay?% “@gh, oay?%he was bac to her cubice with grace, something no norma woman woud ha&e. 8uri is

a wonder(u woman. 8oona, 8uri and 6oohyun are women o( unnatura beauty. They’re di:erent insome way " can’t #oint.

1s the coc stries ten, most o( the writers in my o7ce are in the con(erence room,waiting (or Mr. 6ang. " sowy wa to the room, a #en and #a#er in my hand. " might need it ater. 1s" enter the room, e&eryone was seated aready. " sit beside 6oohyun, since it’s the ony &acant chaire(t. 6ust then, the so(t murmurs turn into sience, and Mr. 6ang aong with two young men in suitscame in. "t too me by sur#rise. " am iteray shoced. My eyes are wide as our eyes met.

6ong "n raise his hand and gi&e me a sma wa&e. " smie. My heart 3utters and myde5nitey my chees are a red. ee. What did 6ong "n do to me? 2e continues to stare at me,athough his ex#ressions were serious and a (orma. “0ay, good morning e&eryone. "’ ee# this short.% Mr. 6ang starts taing as the two mensits down. “This is Kim 6oonmyun, and Kim 6ong "n. Kim 6oonmyun is the new chairman o( our#ubishing house. Kim 6ong "n is his brother.% rother? They don’t oo exacty aie. 6oonmyun, orMr. Kim, or howe&er " shoud ca him, stands u# and was to Mr. 6ang’s side. “ood morning, " am Kim 6oonmyun. 8es, we are the new generation o( the in(amous Kimo( "*dong. 0ur (amiy has been in and out o( "*dong district, and my brother and " decided to stayhere (or good. " decided to buy this com#any in one reason, " am (ascinated with reading. " #an onin&esting in a (ew more business, but (or now " am (ocusing on your com#any. Than you (or yourhard wor and ho#e we’ wor together (or the better. This is my brother 6ong "n, though he is not#articuary in o7ce (or this com#any, " woud ie (or you to meet him.%

“What do you thin o( the new boss?%, “Wow, Mr. Kim oos handsome.% “Which one o(them?% “oth, idiot.% " hear the murmurs o( my o7cemates around the 3oor. E&eryone is taen bysur#rise with the announcement. Cobody heard anything about it unti today. “eo Kyung..% 6ong "n in a suit is damn sexy. " mean it. What the he is with me? “6ong "n.. or Mr. Kim?% “" #re(er you ca me 6ong "n. "’m hungry.% “We there’s a (ood #ace $ust around the boc, or you can try our #antry. There’ssomething there, " guess.% 2is eyes are ooing somewhere ese but me.

“"’m hungry. >ome on.% “Wha* “ 2e drags me by my wrist, tighty but care(uy as not to hurt me. " ower my headas not to embarrass myse( (urther. 6ong "n, the new boss, or the new boss’ brother is draggingsome reguar em#oyee out o( the buiding. Way to go, 6ong "n. 2e’s actuay #retty strong (or hisbody, but we, " don’t now.

o " 5nd myes( standing in (ront o( the buiding, waiting (or a bac car to #u o&er in (ronto( me. " was ased to stay #ut, and here " am (oowing orders ie a good dog, or #u##y, or

whate&er #et that woud best describe me. 1ny minute now, he be here, and though " sti ha&etime to run bac to the buiding , " $ust cant. "ts ie my (eet are stuc here when he said, tayhere. Wait (or me. Waiting (or him (ees ie (ore&er and a(ter that so co caed (ore&er, " see a bac&intage car sto# right in (ront o( me. 6ong "n #ushes the car door o#en (rom the inside. 2e is smiing as he #ees. N/ets go. " thin " need some co:ee.N o " hurriedy come and sit in the car. Theressomething about the way he tas.. 2es dominating, &ery authoritati&e.


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N" thought you were hungry?N " as as " oo at him con(usingy. 2e stares right at me atthat moment and without answering my Buestion, his oos at the windshied and he s#eeds o: tood nows where.

" Buiety sit beside him as he so(ty hums whie dri&ing. " coud isten to him a day. 2ishead woud nod a itte e&ery now and then as i( hes hearing a constant beat in his ears. 2isshouders woud mo&e a itte to the e(t or right. Maybe hes into dancing? 2is 5ngers woud dance

on the stirring whee grace(uy. ince we e(t the com#any, he ne&er said a word, but " (ee &eryoccu#ied $ust watching his itte mannerisms. N8ou now,N he says as a smie a##ear on his (ace, waing me u# (rom some trance " aminto, N" cant oo at you directy since "m dri&ing, but " sense you&e been ooing at me (or someBuite some time now.N " immediatey oo to the (ront. Whats with me? NWe, " dont care anyway, so yeah. 6ust oo a you want.N a cocy smie is on his i#s. "mnot sure i( hes trying to be (unny, because what he said immediatey made me smie. NWow. "ts ie a totay di:erent you when you smie. "t woud be great i( you coud answerme when " ta... ie some natura #erson who answers when he is s#oen to.N Norry, its $ust that* N1h! Were here! a&e the ta ater! /ets go!N 2e runs outside, ea&ing me as " sowycimb out o( the car. The moment " #ushed the door cose, the doors automaticay oced, and " see

6ong "n, a itte remote on his 5ngers, and a big smie on his (ace. " cant he# but smie bac at hiscute acts, and (eeing con5dent, " stride aong the #aring ot to him.

We came in through a big door and into some ca(e "&e ne&er been into. " $ust ne&er wentoutside my a#artment so " ne&er had the chance to (uy tour the district. " sit down on an em#tychair as 6ong "n run to the counter ie a id. 1 (ew moments ater, he is care(uy baancing a trayon his right hand, with two cu#s and a sandwich cut in ha( is on to#. 2e #aces the tray on the tabeand 5nay, sits down $ust across me. 2e oosens his tie, #aces an ebow on the tabe and rest hishead on his hand.

N2eres your co:ee.N he says as he uses his other hand to #ace a cu# in (ront o( me. N8ouneed to oosen u# when youre around me, eo Kyung. Than you (or coming with me, by the way.N

" i(t my cu# and tae a si#. 2e smies as he did the same. " guess " ha&e to tae this u# anotch. "ts about time " now someone new. N"&e ne&er seen you around here, 6ong in.N N1h. yeah. "m (rom somewhere ese. ", we, * No on. "d ie to hear more about you.N N" i&ed here unti " was H). " e(t with my brother and a caretaer and then came bac $ustthree months ago.N N1nd then?N NThats me. Cothings reay good about me, we, exce#t (or money and good oos.N 2esays this with con5dence, and yet " (ee somhow sad about it. N8ou now, this may be too (orward (or you but remember the night you ran into me at the#ar?N2e tited his head a itte as i( trying to remember. "n a (ew more seconds, he nods. N8ou gotmy attention bac then.. ie its 5nay waing u# (rom darness and seeing the sun. 1h. " dontnow. 8oure interesting 6ong "n, " shoud say that.N NWaing u# (rom what?N 2e aughs. N8our choice o( words is interesting. o you reay are awriter. " can see that.N

NThat was the best thing " can come u# with. We, in short, "d ie to now you.N 2is smie(ades as i( the word is ending right in (ront o( him. N8ou might reconsider that. "m not someone to now $ust ie that eo Kyung.N N1nd thats the main moti&ation. Why bother drag me here i( you ee# yourse( (romme?N

NWe, maybe we are aie. The night " saw you at the cub, you got my attention * ooingso strong and yet &ery &unerabe. "ts ie.. o&ing the darness a(ter hating it so much.N 2e sitsbac and crosses his arms across his chest. Nut it doesnt change the (act that "m not someone tonow, to ie, to o&e, or to e&en exist.N


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" smie. Nwe are &ery aie. -u o( se(*oathing and whate&er is negati&e in the word.N 2is (ace turns to con(usion and seriousness. N" shoudnt ha&e brought you here. " shoudha&e sto##ed myse(.N N1nd why is that?N N"( you new me and what "&e done.. you woudnt want me.N NWhy woud " not? Try me, 6ong "n.N " re#y. 2e smirs at me and touched my e(t chee with

his e(t thumb.

c h a p t e r i v e

“6ong "n, we got com#any.% 0ut o( nowhere, a bonde, sim man comes $ust behind 6ong "n.2e instanty #us his hand away (rom my (ace and stands u# to (ace the man behind him. 2e oosbac at me and then bac to the bonde.

“What’s wrong?% he ass, whis#ering, but somehow " hear it ceary.

“They’re bac. We got to do something or the territory’s going to be in chaos. We shoud’&ecome bac earier tha*“ehun, “ he sto#s him, “this is eo Kyung.% 2e (aces me again, smiing, though it oos ie

he’s trying hard to smie . " stand u#, o:ers a hand to ehun, the one who caed to 6ong "n at my#ace the night be(ore. 2e had di:erent coors on his hair the ast time " saw him, and now it was#ain bonde. ehun oos at me with a weird oo, and tits his head a itte to the side and inhaeddee#y.

“2i, eo Kyung% he says. 2e taes me hand and sBuee9ed it. 2is gri# was tight and instantyhe bows his head and #us bac. 2e oos at 6ong "n, and again bac to me.

“ehun*ah, tae her bac to the o7ce. Where’s hyung?%“2e $ust arri&ed home. 8ou better come home now. "t’s reay urgent. "’ tae eo Kyung

bac, or shoud " tae her home, instead?% oth o( them oos at me, anay9ing which is the bettero#tion without asing or ex#aining anything to me.

“oys, " don’t now what are you taing about, but " thin "’ go bac to the o7ce.% " said. 6ong "n immediatey shaes his head.“"’ tae her home.%6ong "n says as he grabs my hand and dragged me, but genty, outside. "

(oowed suit, without Buestions and doubt. " thin whate&er’s ha##ening, "’&e been through worst.

1(ter " get o: (rom his car, he immediatey dro&e away without saying goodbye. My eyes(oowed the trais that his tires e(t, somehow reai9ing that he is gone again, in a bin o( an eye, asusua. "t’s stu#id how a man so distant coud mae you want to $ust now him more and more. "t’sstu#id to e&en thin about trying to now him at a.

" sti wonder what’s the rush is a about. Maybe that’t what the rich guys do. They’re#riorities are a o&er the #ace, and when something urgent comes u#, they run to it withoutthining. " shae head in disbeie(. Kim 6ong "n, such a mystery, but ou want him, Seo. You know ou do. Co. " shoudn’t. That woud be another $ab o( nightmare in my aready wreced i(e...

1nd s#eaing o( wreced i(e, " saw an oh so (amiiar red truc $ust #ared in (ront o( mya#artment. " didn’t notice it when " got o: 6ong "n’s car, but he " wish " didn’t see this at a. They’rehere and " ne&er had the time to get ready.

" was (ro9en in (ront o( my a#artment, thining i( " shoud go in or $ust run away withoutanything. My emotions start to wor through my &eins. houd " be angry? houd " be worried?houd " be scared? 2od, help me. & don’t want to see them again.

“" thin you shoud go in, or "’ drag you.% " heard a stern &oice, cocy and arrogant, thatmade me turn around in de(ense. The man is ta, his hair bac, with sungasses on his eyes. 2eoos bored $ust by how he tits his head to the side, with his arms (oded on his chest.


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“Who are you?% " as, trying hard not to be scared, though " (ee no (ear at a. 6ust a ittecon(used, but damn, " (ee reaxed in (ront o( this stranger.

“eo Kyung*ah, they’re waiting inside.%E&en be(ore " s#it another re#y, " heard the door o#en behind me and there she was, the

most beauti(u woman "’&e e&er seen, my mom, 2an a Eun, running towards me with o#en arms.he immediatey hugs me, and ooed at me with her beauti(u eyes.

“8ou’re a grown u# now, eo. " missed you.% " don’t now to res#ond with such indness. "o&e my mom, but " hated her (or not standing u# to my (ather. he’s ie a dog wagging her tai toanything my (ather says.

“"t has been years, baby. " reay missed you.% he #uts both her hands to my chee. " (eeher cod hands, and " (ee reie( in my heart.

“Tao,% she said to the man behind me, “than you, ungmin is ooing (or you.%“1rasso, omma.% Shit.

" instanty baced away. “What the he? 0mma?! "s he my brother? Wait a sec, he’s amostthe same age as " am! What’s this, omma?% Tao smirs at me and ran to my #orch, and hastiy wentinside, cosing the door harshy.

“2ey, hey. hh. Feax, eo. That’s the reason why " wanted to come &isit you. 8our (ather ishere to chec the district. " begged him that " come so " can see you.. and he said yes. 1re you notha##y?% " oo at her in disbeie(. " sti am in a state o( shoc. " can’t thin ceary. " don’t now whatto thin about and which to res#ond to, 5rst.

“0mma, can you at east ex#ain me anything? 8ou come here with /ee ungmin, and then Tao who cas you omma, who " ne&er met in my entire i(e unti now, and you’re 5ne, which is amirace gi&en that /ee ungmin beat you e&ery singe day!% " saw a hint o( shoc and sadness inmy mother’s eyes. Was " too harsh on her?

“eo, you don’t ha&e to understand. 8ou (ather wi ea&e as soon e&erything is setted herein "*dong. 6ust... $ust i&e as i( we’e not here. 0ay? " reay wanted to see you, it’s been years, baby.

Tao, is your.. eder brother. That’s the ony thing your (ather wants you to now. We’ be gonebe(ore you now it.%

“Twenty*(our years, omma, and it’s ie ne&er new you and a##a at a. " don’t understandanything you do, or whate&er you’ do. That’s why " e(t home! " don’t want to be with any o( you. "o&e you so much, but " hate how a##a treats you. 8ou now that! 1nd you come here, being thegente mother " aways new, doing whate&er a##a wants, but " now the truth o( what he does toyou!% " yeed. My tem#er is getting out o( hand. " remember how my (ather, /ee ungmin, woud dothe same to my mom. " cose my eyes, regretting a the words "’&e s#oen.

“2an eo Kyung, you go inside.% My (ather’s &oice woe me u# (rom my dee# thoughts.“Cow.% " oo at him in anger. " can ne&er (orgi&e him (or what he has done to this (amiy. " oo bacto my mother, her sad eyes #iercing through my sou, sharing the #ain she’s (eeing to my &erycore. " shoud ha&e ne&er sna##ed at her.

“0mma, "’m sorry.% " whis#ered. he smies at me, but e&entuay (aded away when sheooed down.

“" said,% he s#oe again, 5rmer than earier, “go inside now.% " ooed down, and obeyed. "Buiety waed to the house, with my #arents behind me.

When we are 5nay inside, Tao cosed the door, and then rested his bac on the wa. 0mmaimmediatey sits down, being the robot she is with my a##a, as my (ather comes to me, his (ace

angry, his eyes boring hoes to my su, with both his hands cenched. 2e was to me (ast, andthen (or the 5rst time in my i(e, " (et the #ang in my chee. 2e $ust sa##ed me.

“Wi you act ie a teenager (ore&er, eo? 8ou s#ea to a Eun ie that?% he amostwhis#ers.

“8ou now damn we how much " hated you, and how ong "’&e #ut u# with you.% " oostraight to his eyes, trying so hard not to 3inch (rom his shining bue stare. 2e smirs at me, andoos at my mom with #ride in his eyes. 2e oos bac at me hungriy. 2e choes my nec with hisstrong hand, but not so tight that " am sti abe to breathe, but it was di7cut.


13/112

“" say someone o( my ind is too near to you. 8ou stay away (rom strangers, daughter. 8ou’renot su##osed to be touched by anyone, unti " say so.% 2e whis#ers to my ear. Sick bastard.

“ungmin, #ease sto#.% My mom #eads. “/et’s ea&e so no one can come to her. Aease,et’s not drag her into the mess o( your i(e. " beg you.% he cries. ungmin, my twisted (ather, $ustaughed at her.

“8eobo, " ha&e no intention o( bringing her to the mess o( our i(e. he hates me (or that. "t

seems ie she’s intentionay bringing the curse to herse(. o et her be. We’ ea&e now. "’ hear iti( something ha##ens to her.% 2e reeases me as " des#eratey try to catch my breath. 2e was outmy a#artment, (oowed by Tao. My mother comes to me, and hugs me tight.

“0mma, stay here.%“Co, eo. " ha&e to go with you a##a. 1s much as his tem#er is beyond ex#anation, so is his

o&e (or you and "... and " ha&e to be with him. 1ways.%“-ine. /ea&e.% 1nd there she goes, turning her bac on me, was Buicy out my door and

out o( my i(e, (or the hundredth time.

c h a p t e r s i "t has been days since my un(ortunate encounter with my #arents, and that was the ast

time " saw or heard (rom them. "t has aso been days since the ast time " saw 6ong "n. The #ast dayswere oay 4 $ust bac*to*norma oay. "t was the same od du, i(eess days. "’&e been exerting amy e:ort into my new no&e, “a&es o( the Moon%, $ust to ee# my mind (rom being ide. " hate itwhen thoughts $ust stabs me with reaity that my i(e is down the drain, and " ha&e nothing better tooo (orward to. 1s a writer, writing has been an esca#e, but it was ne&er enough. -or the #astdays, "’&e been best (riends with my a#to#, at wor or at home, and was busy ty#ing a " can (orthe new no&e.

Woring on some dra(ts on my a#to# at our dim o7ce, " am started by the oud noise my#hone $ust made. "t’s a ca (rom Mr. Kim, my #ubisher.

“eo, " ha&e good news. 8our no&e was somehow a hit, and they’re gi&ing your royaties. 8ou get your ex#ected #ay. reat, right?% *ight. This is how it should be.

“Thans, Mr. Kim. 6ust dro# the chec in my a#artment. That’s good news.%

“1nd then " saw its goden eyes, ooing straight bac at me. " ha&e*“Woah!% " immediatey cose my a#to# and turn around $ust to see rea goden eyes staring

right bac at me. miing, or shoud " say, smiring, he wins at me.“2i.% 6ong "n says, “" missed you.% "t’s my turn to smie.“2i.%“2i.%“We?%“2i. orry to bother you. What are you writing?% 2e tits his head ie a cute #u##y.“C*nothing. 6ust a (ew drabbes (or my next no&e.% " re#y. 2e bobs his head with a #out in

his i#s. You’re here.“What?%“8ou’re here. What are you doing here?% " as bra&ey.“We, " missed you.% " aughed.“The ast time " saw you, you tod me to Dnot now you’ and then you come here teing me

you missed me. 8ou’re such a 3irt, Mr. Kim.% 2e smies at me and then oos at his bac. "nstanty,our su#er&isor, Mr. 6ang, came in. My three (riends came in a(ter him. 6oohyun, immediatey wa&esat me, and " wa&ed bac. " notice the other two bum#ing ebows at each other when they noticedthat 6ong "n was here. 6oohyun $oined in and aughed at whate&er 8oona $ust whis#ered.


14/112

" notice in an instant that 6ong "n’s breath $ust s#ied, as i( " hear his heartbeat. 2e stared atthe three girs, $ust staring, as i( im#rinting their (aces into his mind. Such a plabo. Mr. 6ang toonotice o( 6ong "n’s #resence in the o7ce and immediatey waed to him and shae his hands.

“Mr. Kim, you shoud ha&e tod us you’re coming.%“Co, it’s oay. "t’s my hyung’s business, not mine. " came here to...% 2e oos con(used,

thining hard about what to say next. “we, " came to te you that eo is Buitting her $ob here.% What the hell?“orry, Mr. 6ang% " immediatey re#y, totay con(used o( where 6ong "n is eading this

con&ersation to. “" ha& e no idea what Mr. Kim is taing about but "’m not*“he is ea&ing the com#any. " taed to hyung, and we’ 5nance her no&es (rom now on.%

2e s#eas (aster and more determined than " am. My three (riends ran to us, (eeing that somethingis wrong. 6ong "n ste#s coser to Mr. 6ang, with hands on his #ocets, and then eans to his ear, as i(to whis#er. My three (riends gares at 6ong "n. They inhae dee#y as i( registering his scent, ande&entuay, #ut on straight (aces.

“6ang. eun. eu. 8ou now damn we how much " hate your ind. " don’t want to doanything with you, and "’m #uing eo (rom this com#any. " now we’re at some #eace treaty orwhate&er what shit that is, but " can’t ris eo under your care. "’m taing her out, you can 5nd are#acement immediatey.% 2e whis#ers in the so(test &oice he can, but (ais e&en so that " hearwhat he said, crysta cear. 6ong "n may be damn hot, but seeing him ie this, it seems ie there’ssomething weird going on with his head.

“6ong "n, what’s wrong with you?!% " tried my best to contro my tem#er, but that woud bethe ast si "’ be abe to master. 2e oos bac at me with his yeow eyes, and immediatey, " (etwea and submissi&e. My whoe being, ready to 5ght and stand u# to him, any strength "’&e buitinside me, $ust disso&ed ie ashes 4 $ust ie how " (ee e&erytime my (ather woud oo at medirecty in the eyes.

“Mr. 6ang, somebody wi come here and wi tae eo Kyung’s stu:. "( you ha&e anyconcerns, you can ta directy to my brother.% 2e smirs, and grabs my hand without e&en ooingat me, and then drags me out the o7ce buiding.

1s soon as we ste# out the buiding entrance, " #ued my hand (rom his gras# and he ooedat me with a his arrogance co&ering his aura. 2e de5netey reminds me o( my (ather. Why can’t "5nd at east one thing to mae my i(e more o( a i(e than this bushit "’&e been (ed since birth?od, e&en 6ong "n seems to be another nightmare waiting to un(od right in (ront o( my eyes and "can’t sto# myse(!

“eo, oo. "’ ex#ain to you, but not now.%“ushit. Cobody EOEF ex#ains anything to me!% 2e grabs my shouders with his two strong

hands, and once again, " (ee my insides churn with (ear. 2e oos straight to my eyes, and suddenyhe becomes the sweet 6ong "n " new.

“eo, " tod you "’m not someone to now, but "’m taing a big ris here. This is the 5rst time. Trust me and "’ #rotect you, oay? There are shadows in this district you woudn’t want toenounter. "t’s either you get bac to that o7ce and tae the riss on your own as they a##ear in(ront o( you, or trust me, and et me #rotect you. " ha&e no other choice but to oo a(ter you. Thisdistrict wi be a whoe mess and " don’t want you to get in&o&ed but he, " had my eyes on you andanyone who wi harm you, harms me, too. " don’t want that.% 2e s#eas with (u authority. 2iswords were a s#ur, " understood nothing but bits o( words about shadows, #rotection, harming him

and me.“Kim 6ong "n, what are you taing about?% " (ee my heart reax in his ga9e. Maybe " shoud

gi&e this a try.“eo, $ust.. trust me. 0ay?%“0ay.%

2e dro&e me home, without any words exchanged between us. The moment " cimbed outthe car, " thought he’ dri&e away immediatey, instead, he cimbs out (rom his seat and was tome.


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“eo, $ust stay home, oay? 6ust write your new no&e. "’ come to you when " ha&e to.. andthat won’t be ong (rom now. "’ mae you understand. "’ ex#ain it to you, but not now. "’m sorry.i&e me your #hone.% " hand it to him and watch care(uy as he #ressed on my screen with suchgrace. " don’t now why " am sti s#eechess with him around.

“2ere. " reay am sorry. " tod you, you’re not su##osed to be in&o&ed with me, but..% heste#s coser to me, (urther enticing me to the s#e he had cast on me, “My instincts are something

not to ignore. "t’s aways stronger than my ogic, eo.%& want nothing else now, & want ou. The (amiiar &oice s#eas in my mind. " try my best tos#ea, e&en i( "’m com#etey (ro9en in his ga9e.

“" thin...% " utter, gathering a my strength to re#y. “my instict tes me the same aboutyou. "t’s stu#id that " met you not two wees ago,% and here & am surrendering anthing & have leftin this broken soul, “and " choose to trust you. -ine, 6ong "n. ut, #ease, te me what’s ha##ening.;on’t ee# me in the dar.

“2ow ironic, because it’s to the dar "’m about to tae you.% 1nd then he swi(ty iss my i#s.“" ho#e you ne&er regret when you tod me you want to now me.%

“My instincts te me one thing, 6ong "n. Cow that " ha&e no $ob, which we woud ta aboutnext time, a " ha&e is you. This is stu#id, but " (ee this is the best decision "’&e made yet.%

“8ou shoud go inside now. The (u moon wi be u# tonight. tay inside.%

" wa to my house, and (or the ast time, " oo bac to 6ong "n who is #atienty waiting unti "go inside my a#artment. " o#ened my door and 5nay, 6ong "n was around his car, went in, anddro&e o:. " oc my doors, not nowing what mystery 6ong "n has brought into my i(e. 2e must ha&eread a ot (rom my dra(t to ta about the (u moon. gh. "’ $ust go bac to writing, and tomorrow,who nows what wi ha##en. Maybe "’ regret this tomorrow. " don’t e&en want to thin about whatha##ened today.

" sit down in (ront o( my des, tae out my a#to# and started ty#ing a my anxieties away.

c h a p t e r s e v e n"t’s < in the morning, and ca:eine is sti icing in my system. "’&e ne&er (et aware o( my

surroundings as " am now. " (ee ie e&en a itte scratch on my (ront (oor, "’ be abe to hear. The airinside my a#artment (ees wrong. "t’s as i( a banet o( darness is trying to 5ght any ight inside.ince 6ongin e(t me here, " ne&er (et cam. When he tod me to stay inside, a #art o( me $ust wantto go out, but his contro o&er me was beyond any ogica ex#anation. There’s something about hiseyes that maes me (a into submission. -or whate&er that authority he has o&er me and my mind," can ne&er ex#ain.

" a9iy ty#e on my eyboard, en$oying the meody the eys mae as " #ress grace(uy. Mywords 3ow non*sto#. " don’t e&en now i( they mae any sense at a. 1s " continue to et my mindcontro o&er my 5ngers, " heard a sma scrunch o( grass outside. " sto##ed ty#ing and et mysenses am#i(y. My sin (ees cod, an instinct aerting o( danger. 1gain, " hear as the grass scrunchoutsid my a#artment. "t’s too near to be somewhere (urther. "t has to be in (ront o( my house.

" stand u#, wa sienty to the ight switch, and discreety turned a the ights in the house.

Maybe whoe&er there is outside wi now that " am aware o( his #resence. " tae a dee# breath. "now "’m ready to Buit my miserabe i(e anytime e&er since " e(t home, but 6ongin said he wants to#rotect me, and that’s something to i&e (or. " thin.

" hear the rain suddeny (a on my roo(, maing oud thuds abo&e me. Maybe it’s the rain?Maybe "’m being #aranoid?

3nock, knock.omeone nocs on my door. My de(ense a goes u#. %anger. Cobody woud come to my

#ace at this time. Shit. " (ee my heartbeat Buicen, and my breathing sow.“eo! "t’s us!% " hear a gir’s &oice shouting outside. 4oohun?


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“81! eo! 0#en u#!% Yuri. "t must be my (riends, but why at this hour?2urriedy, " ran to my door and o#en it. My three (riends greet me, their hair and dresses a

wet. " o#ened the door wider so they can come inside. They didn’t 3inch at a.“What are you waiting (or?% They didn’t say a word. “>ome in!% The three smies at me, and

too a care(u 5rst ste# into my house.“orry (or bothering you at this time.% 8uri s#eas 5rst as the other two sette down on my

couch. " wa to my itchen, getting something to heat u# (or the three.“eo, what ha##ened?% 8oona as.“2e, don’t as me. What ha##ened to you? 2ow did you end u# here?% " as. 6oohyun

ooed uneasy sitting on my couch. 2er eyes woud wonder Buicy around my #ace, as i( stayingaert o( sudden danger.

“8a. eo 6oohyun, what’s wrong with you? ;id something ha##en?% my curiosity s#eas e&enbe(ore " thin. 8uri 5nay sits down my couch, combing her hair with her 5ngers be(ore s#eaing.

“" new the Kims wi be sni7ng around. " hate it when " ha&e to shitty things ie this. "t’snot so... (eminine.%she says, not caring i( " hear it or not.

“Kris is going to be so mad, but be(ore that ha##ens, we shoud do something. Mr. 6angwoud ne&er ay a hand on her.% 8oona res#onds. -inay, the co:ee " was bindy trying to mix isdone. " #ut the (our cu#s on a tray, and care(uy wa to my couch, where the three were sittingcom(ortaby.

“2ere. >an at east one o( you te me what’s wrong?% " said, hating being e(t out so much. The three taes a cu# o( their own and again, shuPes their #osition on my couch. 6oohyun is stio&er the #ace, s#iing a co:ee on her white dress.

“1ish!% e curses to herse(. "’&e ne&er seen her as uncom(ortabe as she is now. he taesout a na#in (rom her bag and wi#es the stain. The other two $ust exchange oos to each other,and then to 6oohyun.

“uys? Why are you not taing to me? "t’s getting me #issed o:. Feay.%“8oona, et’s $ust get this o&er with.% 8uri says hastiy, and then e&erything was a bur to me.

8uri came behind me in a 3ash. he was too Buic (or my eyes. What the hell’s happ+ 2erright hand is on my mouth, her e(t arm snaes around my nec.

“eo Kyung, don’t scream.% 8uri whis#ers. " was dumb(ounded. What the he is ha##eninghere? " try to reax and 5gure out i( this is some $oe unti 8oona dro#s the cu# she’s hoding, s#iingthe co:ee on the 3oor, and taing a #iece o( ceramic on her e(t hand. This is no 5oke. " try to mo&e,but 8uri’s hod on me is too strong, stronger than an a&erage woman. 8oona was easiy to me,#aced an arm to my chest, owering her head to meet my ga9e. he oos at me with (eine eyes,bringing u# the (ragment o( ceramic she was hoding and #ress it to my nec.

“0##a tod us you’re an asset,% she smies, “but it’s gonna be easier i( you’re gone. That’shitting two birds with one stone.% " don’t understand whate&er she is saying. he smirs at me and#ress the ceramic harder. " (ee my bood rush down my nec. " try to 5ght bac, but 8uriimmediatey tighten her hod on me. 1t the corner o( my eye, " see 6oohyun breathing hard.

“@nnie....% she murmurs. The other two oos at her, and then bac to me.“8ou don’t sme right, eo Kyung, but who cares, your bood is sti human bood.% 8oona

whis#ers. What kind of bullshit is this?0 "’m stuc, shoced. My body is (ro9en. " watch as 8oona titsher head bac, inhaing dee#y, and 5nay oo bac at me, with her eyes, #itch bac, with &einsaround them #rotruding. he smies at me, and " 5nay reai9e what mystery a o( them are taingabout. This can’t be true. " see (angs resting on her ower i#. My eyes widen, not nowing what to

thin anymore. Shit, no. This can’t be true. What should & do? &s this the end? What the hell should &do?0 Seo, think0

" hear 8uri whis#er again to my ear, “8es, eo. We’re &am#ires. -unny isn’t it? 8ou tod us youne&er beie&ed the egends. We’re rea, eo Kyung, and that’s the ast thing you’ now be(ore youdie.

“@nnie!% 6oohyun suddeny screams. “They’re near. Quic!%


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1nd then it hit me. " (et 8uri’s teeth #ierce through my nec, sucing out my bood. " had no#ower to 5ght. " (ee wea. My mind’s a mess. " can’t thin. " can’t thin. " can’t thin... ;arness..dark+

“122222!!!% " hear 6oohyun scream. " tried my best to o#en my eyes and with the ast o( mystremgth o#ened them. " saw 6oohyun coa#se to the 3oor, eyes wide o#en. ;ead. #reathe, Seo.

4ust breathe and be calm. " watch e&erything in a bur, di99y with the oss o( bood, and with theBuic mo&ements o( the creatures inside my a#artment. " (ainty see our new chairman, Kim 6oonmyun, aong with 6ongin, ehun and two other guys " don’t recogni9e. The two women dash outmy door, the two strangers Buicy ran a(ter them. " hear 6ongin’s &oice caing my name, but theheadache and the darness is o&ertaing my body right this moment.

“eo Kyung, hod on, hod on.% 2e whis#ers. " (ee ight ie a (eather. " (ee the wind bowing," must be outside. “eo, hod on. tay awae.% " tried my best to o#en my eyes, and " saw 6ongin,carrying me against his naed chest. “8ou’ be 5ne. 8ou’re going to be 5ne. 6ust stay with me.% 2egenty whis#ers. 1 " did was nod as he carried me. " tried to #ea to where we were headed, but "got no hint. " see trees, and aso the sy amost gray, as i( the sun $ust rose u#. $ new da, and anew world & am looking at. 1nd then my mind shut down.

c h a p t e r e i g h t;arness. " see nothing but daress. " (ee my body heat u# in an instant, and then coos

down again. " hear mumbed &oices in a distance but " can't seem to mae u# the words " amhearing. My breathing gets ragged, my heart starts #ounding hard.

“Kai, " tod you a hundred times aready. Co human can sur&i&e a &am#ire bite ie that.Kwon 8uri was determined to i her, et aone with the he# o( "m 8oona who basicay amostri##ed eo Kyung’s heart out. 8ou go as 8ixing. 2e’s going to te you the same thing.% " hear anun(amiiar &oice.

“2yung. Aease. hut u#, #ease.% " hear 6ongin’s &oice in a whis#er, (aint and wea.“Kai. 8ou can sto# waiting. "t has been days.% %as? $m & dead?

“2yung, #ease. "’&e waited onger be(ore. This is nothing. "’ stay unti something ha##ens.1s ong as " hear the oud beats o( her heart, "’ stay.% 6ongin s#eas again. abe not, if 4ongin iswaiting.

“1nd then what, Kai?% 3ai?“1nd then.. " don’t now!% " hear a a oud thud. "t must be a hand on a tabe, or on the wa. "

don’t now.“Kai. 8ou now where this wi ead us. "*dong is in danger, s#eciay with the recent attac

on eo Kyung, and it must not be the ast. We don’t want another Danima attac’ ha##ening, not i(it accounts our ind as sus#ects.%

“ut it is our ind! 8ou now that we enough!% 6ongin screams in hate. 2e’s #robaby #issedo:, with the other man re#ying to him as gente and reaxed.

“Kai. " re(use to beie&e that. ehun has been trying to ca to the others, $ust so we cannow i( there are other #acs around the area, and to now i( it indeed one o( us. 2e tod me that

the 1#ha is here. We must be at our best, not to con3ict with them.%“orry, hyung. " can’t thin o( anything right now but eo’s sa(ety.% 6ongin says camy. " (ee

warmth somewhere at the end o( my being. "t must be my hand, and 6ongin’s warmth.“Kim 6ongin.% 1nother &oice comes to my senses. 1nother unnown &oice. “1nother human?

1re we going to ose you again to another human?%“8ixing. ;on’t dare medde in. 1s ong as our eyes are di:erent, you can ne&er be one o( 4“K1"!% The other man, not 8ixing, shouts. “8ou don’t s#ea ie that to my mate! 1s ong as "

am ai&e, " am the a#ha. " choose who comes and goes in this (amiy. 8ou ha&e no right to be rudeto anyone in this (amiy!%


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“6oonmyun hyung...% he whines. So it’s 3im 4oonmun 6 the new chairman, 4ongin’s brother.“uho..% 8ixing’s cam &oice interu#ts. “6ust understand what Kai’s going through. 8ou don’t

need to use your bond to mae him wea. to#.%“"’m not doing anything, 8ixing.%“8ou can’t (oo me, uho. " (ee it when one needs heaing, and Kai is getting a ot o( #ain

added to the #ain o( seeing his mate right now. " now you’re doing something.% ate?

“-ine!% 6oonmyun s#its.“/et’s go and et Kai wait here.% " hear (ootste#s, and then it’s gone, aong with the ast bit o( consiousness " ha&e. " (ee tired, and then " succumbed to the see# that’s been #uing me a thistime.

There " was in the midde o( the (orest again, standing in the o#en ground, where a thetrees surround me. The moon is shining abo&e me, and getting coser and coser as " oo at it. Thewind bows hard, and " (ee cod a o( a sudden. " sit on the grass, (ace u#, uttering a sim#e wish tothe moon.

“ " don’t want to see the creature again. Aease.% ut " sti hear the crunch o( grass behindme. " cose my eyes, trying my &ery best to cam myse( down. 2et read to run, Seo.

" o#en my eyes and care(uy ooed behind me. " see a creature mased in the shadows o(the trees, its eyes gowing yeow. Yellow. Cot the same as be(ore, which was a bue eyed. The wo(owered his head but ee#s his ga9e on me. " shi(ted to (ace the creature, and extend my hand as toin&ite the creature to come to me.

“>ome.% " said. owy, the wo( tae grace(u ste#s towards me, as the moonight 5nayre&eas it’s body. 2is eyes are goden, with ra&en bac (ur co&ering his whoe body, exce#t (or theine o( si&er gray (rom between his eyes s#reading down it’s s#ine and a o( it’s tai. "t wasbeauti(u.

1s it sto#s (ace to (ace with me, " stare at the creature, with my heart racing, mind occu#ied,#ams sweaty, and breathing Buicer than e&er. The creature oos dee#er into me, as its #u#isshrin into (ocus. " see my re3ection its eyes, as we stare at each other. " suddeny see a hint o(bue re3ected in its eyes. $re those m ees? The wo( bins, and then mo&es coser to my (ace,touching the corner o( my i#s with its moist nose. " cose my eyes, not nowing what woud ha##ennext with this ind o( #roximity. abe he’ll bite m head o7, or kill me in a monstrous wa. " (ethe wo(’s breath on my eyes. " waited #atienty unti it goes away, but it ne&er did. 8ine. & can dothis.

-inay, " o#en my eyes and see 6ongin’s (ace right in (ront o( mine, his eyes, cosed. 2is i#swas on the corner o( my i#s, $ust ie the wo( in my dream. 2inting him that " am awae, " smie.2is eyes o#ened, gowing yeow.

“eo.% 2e whis#ers.“6ongin.%

" am now sitting on the couch in the midde o( a huge i&ing room. The was are wooden, anda (ew anterns it u# with candes are hanging on the was. There’s a gass chandeier abo&e me,and a 5re#ace in (ront o( me. The 5re ee#s me warm, des#ite the cod stares o( a number o( menaround me.

6ongin sits beside me, as another man comes inside the room. “"’m here, hyung.% 2e says.Kim 6oonmyun 5nay s#eas, in (u authority, ie a big brother that he is.“E&eryone, " a#oogi9e (or the untimey counci that " caed (or.% He speaks too fomal. "

might augh at him i( "’m not surrounded by the #eo#e who seems to res#ect him a ot.“Kai, what is this?% the man who $ust came in says as he saw me.“Kai?% " whis#er to him. 6ongin oos at me a #resses his i#s, mentay teing me to shut u#.“Kyungsoo. 8ou’re bac.% 6ongin says, as he was swi(ty to the man, Kyungsoo, and hugs

him.“1nd "’m because becaue you caused troube again.% 2e re#ies sweety. They must be reay

cose to share such exchange. The two was hand in hand unti 6ongin breas it and sits bacbeside me. Kyungsoo crosses his arms and ooed sterny at me, with his yeow eyes. " ooed at


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e&eryone, and " reai9e it’s the same with e&eryone, exce#t (or 8ixing’s, which is a hint o( brown, butamost bac.

“o as " was saying,% uho s#eas again, “"’m sorry " had to #u you out (rom your currenttass. 1s you can see, we ha&e aguest here, and as much " wanted to not beie&e it, she’s Kai’smate.% ate. That’s the second time & heard that.

“ut hyung, that’s im#ossibe. he’s not*% 1 ta man res#onds. " saw him with the man

beside me be(ore. They were the two who came a(ter the two &am#ires when " was attaced athome. od, that’s not something nice to remember.“>hanyeo.% 6oonmyun cuts him. “Kai wi sette this on his own. -or now, as the head o( this

(amiy, " shoud te you that... she’s our res#onsibiity now.%“2e, no. " $ust iced &am# ass a wee ago, which is a &ery dangerous thing to do, and now

you’re teing us to #rotect her?! We $ust (ced u# the accords because o( her!% the guy beside>hanyeo res#onds.

“ae, " now it’s too much.% Kai stands u# #uts his hand on his head, as i( trying to 5ght anincoming headache. “"’m sorry (or dragging you a to this mess. eie&e it or not, " don’t now howthis wors. " can’t e&en ex#ain to you how a this ha##ened! 8ou now what ha##ens when yourinstincts 5nd your mate. 8ou now how much #ain >hanyeo had to go through to ee# you out o(his head.%

“2e’s right, ae.% Kyungsoo cuts in. “esides, the accords sti stand and we broe noaggreement. eems ie the three were not with the &am#ire cans in this district. They’re nomads,and whoe&er sent them here is basicay u# to something. That’s something we shoud now. Fight,ehun?%

" e#t ooing bac and (orth to e&eryone who was s#eaing. " was in the midde o( a (amiymeeting, maybe, and he " (ee out o( #ace. " don’t now i( " am in the midde o( &am#ires or&am#ire*hunters,at east, with what they did with the three women who attaced me. " buid mycourage u#, and stand u#. 6ongin is ob&iousy sur#rised with my action as his eyes widen in shoc.

“2i, e&eryone. "’m 2an eo Kyung. "’m sorry (or being the #robem here, but " totayunderstand nothing. >an you #ease bactrac and te me what’s ha##ening here? " sti am o&erthe edge with beie&ing that &am#ires do exist. 1re you guys... &am#ires too?% " as and e&eryoneaughed. “Maybe, not?%

“6ongin,% ehun s#eas this time. “#ease introduce us to your mate so she woudn’t mistaeus (or those hideous, though some o( them oos hot, bood*sucing monsters. " oo at e&eryone assmies 5nay a##ear on their i#s. 6ongin shaes his head, totay 3ustered with the words " stu#idysaid.

“eo, this is my (amiy. 6oonmyun*hyung, or uho, is the head o( this (amiy. 2e’s the hyung. The two guys here are >hanyeo, and aehyun. This one is Kyungsoo, the one " am cosest to, andehun, our youngest.%

“1nd 8ixing?% " as, remembering the time when " heard Kai rudey yeed at the man name 8ixing.

“2e’s.. (amiy to.% uho and 8ixing hed hands the moment Kai uttered the words.“Thans, Kai.% uho s#eas with a big smie. “1nyway, that’s a (or tonight. /et’s see each

other on the next (u moon.%“8es, hyung.% E&erybody res#onds. 0ne by one, they a wa out o( the room, ea&ing 6ongin

and Kyungsoo with me. Kyungsoo whis#ers to 6ongin, and with one 5na oo, 6ongin mo&es out theroom, too, ea&ing me with Kyungsoo.

“8ou now, " don’t understand a thing.% " tod him. Kyungsoo #aced a hand on mine, andoos at me with his yeow round eyes.

“eo Kyung, do you want to stay with Kai? 2e’s been through a ot, and a o( us here ha&eseen through his darest nights. " now his a:ection towards you is too much to bear. We,ourse&es, can ne&er e&ade the ca o( our instincts. That’s $ust how we are. 2e’s bound to #rotectyou and as " ha&e heard (rom ehun, "*dong is going to be turned u#side down. " now you don’tunderstand anything at a, but " as you to trust us, this (amiy who swore to #rotect you, and Kai."t’s ony #ro#er that he ex#ains a this to you. ", on the other hand, must te you that the word isnot as who you new it. "t’s a whoe di:erent word you’re about to see. 8ou shoud ea&e "*dong i(


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you want the i(e you aways had, but staying here woud mean being bound to the mysteries o( ourword.%

“" don’t want to go bac to the (ced u# i(e " had.% Was a " uttered bac. 2e smies at me,and nods.

“eo Kyung, Kai is an ama9ing #erson. 2e’s at his strongest right now because o( you.%“That’s.. good to now.%

“We, then. " ha&e to ea&e now. Kai wi come bac (or you so you can reax now. ye, eoKyung. @nti we meet again.% 2e stands u# and was, ea&ing me aone this em#ty i&ing room.

c h a p t e r n i n e The minutes #assed, and sti, 6ongin was nowhere. 2e didn’t come bac (or me. " bet he’s

not going to come anytime soon, so " thin " must he# myse( into maing my way bac to theroom where " woe u# a(ter the attac. The mansion is reay uniBue. "t smes ie a grass, andhanging on the was were meta ringets.The was behind them oo mutiated as i( the ringets

were constanty #ued with a &ery strong (orce." continue waing, maing my way bac to the room where " was earier. 6ongin ne&er said a

word a(ter " woe u# with his i#s on mine. 2e stood u# (rom the bedside, and e(t the room a(ter. 2ecame bac with cothes, basicay the one "’m wearing now, and some (ood. 2e ony s#oe to mewith one or two words, and then he’ sto# com#etey. 2e must ha&e been shoced. 1s " canremember, they said " shoudn’t ha&e i&ed a(ter the attac. 8uri, who " considered (riend since "came to "*dong, has tried to i me (or a man they caed Kris. Whoe&er that guy is, " shoud te

6ongin about him. ince " woe u#, " ne&er had the chance to ta to anyone about what ha##enedin my a#artment. 1 " did was to isten, isten, and isten to the things they’re saying, notcom#etey understanding a word.

" 5nay 5nd the door o( the room. " shoud $ust as 6ongin what shoud " do next? " can’t i&ewaiting (or whate&er they’re about to te me. " need a i(e, too, not $ust getting ordered and edaround without any idea what’s ha##ening. " 5nay disco&er how door is o#ened R"t has ancient

ocs " don’t now how to o#erate and it too me some time to 5nd the itte e&er to o#en the door.S" #ush the door o#en, 5nding 6ongin ying on the bed, his arms co&ering his eyes. " watch him as hischest sowy goes u# and down as he breathes.

“6ongin..% " mutter. 2e immediatey stands u#, and then sit on the chair $ust beside the bed. "wa to him, with my arms crossed, trying to ee# mse( warm, which " (ai to do. The room is cod,#robaby because o( window that is o#ened.

“Kyungsoo said you’ come (or me... but you didn’t. "nstead " 5nd you here do9ing o:. "waited (or amost an hour there!% " say.

“eo,% he gritted his teeth as he s#oe the words.“6ongin, what’s wrong?% " as, seeing him uneasy a o( a sudden. " ower my se( down,

amost neeing in (ront him, trying to chec i( he’s oay or not. 2is eyes were shut, and he #ace ahand on his head. " so(ty #ace a hand on his chee, $ust to et him now that " am here (or him. 2iseyes sna# o#en the moment my hand touched him, and he Buicy hed my wrist and #ushed it

away.“"’m sorry. " shoudn’t ha&e brought you into this mess.% 2e whis#ers. “" shoud ha&e sto##ed

myse(. "’ tae you somewhere outside the district so you can be sa(e, and "’ be out o( your i(e(ore&er.% 2e mutters, mosty to himse(, as i( he’s $ust thining out oud.

“6ongin, Kyungsoo ased me i( " wanted to stay, and somehow " said yes.% " tod him, tryingtoo him into (eeing better des#ite the miserabe situation we are in, though " ha&e no idea what’sactuay ha##ening.

“C0!% he sna#s. 2e stands u# Buicy and waed across the room. 2e was #anting. " standu# to (ace him and he was $ust standing there, ooing at me. omehow, my ner&es started to wor


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ie be(ore as " (ee my heart getting hea&ier and hea&ier. Whate&er 6ongin is showing me right nowis something "’&e seen be(ore. The (eeings he’s maing me (ee, are (eeing " hated since " saw the5rst time my (ather sa##ed my mother. "’m osing it. "’m osing the ast bit o( cam " ha&e.

“6ongin. Te me e&erything now.% " said, trying to hide the s#ite.“eo, " tod you. "( you new who " am, who " am, and what " did and what " can do, you

woudn’t want me. 1nd.. " hate it! " hate myse( (or being the wrong guy (or anyone. -c this curse!

8ou $ust ea&e this #ace, eo. 8ou’re better o: without me, without us.%“6ongin, " don’t care i( you want me in or out o( your i(e! 6ust te me e&erything and et medecide!% " sna##ed bac. 2e came to me in a 3ash, hoding both my shouders with a tight gri#.2e’s breathing hea&ier now, as i( he’s controing the ast bit o( sanity he has.

“/isten to me! 8ou don’t ha&e to now who " am. "t’s better you new me as Kim 6ongin and "want to ee# it that way! " #ut your i(e in danger and you amost died because o( me! 2ow the heam " su##osed to i&e with it i( " now that " was at (aut?! ;on’t #ush me, eo. My imits can be &eryscary e&en (or my brothers. " hate e&erything that is right now! " ha&e re#onsibitites and " can’tee# myse( away (rom you! 2ow the he am " su##osed to (u5 my duties here in "*dong i( " ha&eto tae care o( you?!%

“usht, 6ongin! to# it with the se(*#ity and a that sht $ust te me what’s wrong!% Mytem#er was rising eBua to his. "( he’s #issed o:, " am, too.

2e was suddeny e&erywhere, throwing e&erything in sight. 2e amost ri#s the bed sheet,the #iows, the curtains, e&erything. 2e’s turning this room u#side down. 2e raed the bed with his5ngers. 2e was screaming, totay out o( his mind, unti he oos at me, his eyes were gowingyeow. The moon was shining on the window behind the bed, its ight binding me into seeing 6ongincom#etey. 2e was a shadow in (ront o( the moon, but his gowing yeow eyes, sti iuminating,sti ooing at me. 1nd then he grows. " care(uy tae ste#s towards him in the bed. 2e was stihunched o&er, his hands are 5sted on the mattress, but his eyes ne&er e(t mine. 1s " $oined him inthe moonight and sat down on the bed, " see a shadow o&er his (ace, a (amiiar creature 5ghting itsway to (orm into substance. The si&er gray ining in between his eyes were &isibe, but " sti see

6ongin’s (ace. "t was the creature " saw in the dream " ast had. "t’s him.“1 wo(.% " whis#ered. 1nd so, 6ongin, sti the 6ongin " now, reeased a sigh, and aid his head

on my a#.“This is who " am, eo. This is what we a are, my (amiy, my #ac.% 2e whis#ers, with his

eyes cosed, as i( he’s a(raid to see how " woud react to the news. With the news sti sining intome, " #aced a hand on his head, as i( #etting him into caming. That was Kai " $ust saw, the other(ace o( his.

“;o you want me to stay, 6ongin?% " as.“8es, eo. " want you to stay.%“0ay, "’ stay. 6ust mae u# your mind and te me e&erything. "’m not a(raid o( you, i(

you’re thining that. 8ou sa&ed my i(e countess o( times. " may be a(raid o( the &am#ires whoamost ied me, but not you. " now " can trust you, and your #ac.% 2e #ushes himse( u# to meetmy eyes. -ortunatey, his eyes weren’t gowing as earier.

“" wi te you, but " thin you need to rest now.% 2e says as he touch my nec, draggingaong a scar " ne&er noticed unti it sto#s $ust abo&e the necine o( the shirt " was wearing. “We stidon’t now how you reco&ered and i&ed a(ter what 8oona and 8uri did to you.% Yoona did this tome. “This scar is heaing com#etey, and "’&e ne&er seen any human with such abiities. 8ou’res#ecia, eo.% 2e says.

“Cot as s#ecia as you, 6ongin.% -inay, he smies his sweet smie. “8ou oo good when yousmie.%

“Thans, eo Kyung.. (or this, (or e&erything.% "t’s my turn to smie. “od, you’re beauti(u.%2e whis#ers. “eo, $ust stay in my room (or tonight. " ind o( messed u# your room.% 2e grins andthen aughed when he see the damaged he has done in the room.

“1nd you?%“8ou’re my mate. " can’t stay out o( your sight unti.. we..%“We? @nti what?%“Ce&ermind. 6ust see# in my room. 8ou tae the bed, and "’ see# somewhere.%


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“The 3oor?% " $oed, “ or at my (eet ie a cute itte #u##y?%“8a, eo, "’m a wo(. Cot a dog.% " aughed at his witty res#onse.“8ou’re going to ex#ain e&erything tomorrow?% " as again.“8es. 8es, " wi.%

c h a p t e r t e n

-or years, ast night was the 5rst time "&e se#t we. The ast time was when my mom cameto me, it was two years ago, when she decided to ea&e my a##a (or good. he came to mya#artment, hugging me to see# as she we#t the whoe night. " se#t through her tears. " had nonightmare. Co dreams, $ust a good see#. he tod me " shoud come and hide with her, but e&enbe(ore the sun rose the next day, she went bac, teing me my (ather needs her. The nightmarescame bac that night, and it was ie that e&er since.

/ast night was sweet, actuay. When " entered 6ongins room, " was sur#rised that unie theyoung men o( our generation, he is actuay od*(ashioned. 2e had one side o( his room instaedwith mirrors, ie ones in a dance studio. " remember the time he was dri&ing me to the ca(e, howhis 5ngers danced aong the stirring whee. Maybe he has a thing (or dancing.

1t the corner o( the room was a &iny record #ayer, beside it was a she( o( records, ranging(rom cassica to the music o( the L=s or G=s. " woud ha&e thought that hes too od (or me Rnow "reai9ed, " ne&er ased him his age. ;o they grow od, too? " now (rom writings that &am#ires areimmorta, but how about 6ongins ind?S, not unti " (ound stacs o( >;s $ust beside the she(, withthe atest KAo# abums " ne&er ga&e a damn about. Exce#t (or that, the whoe room was reay od.0n the was, $ust ie outside, were meta ringets. " wonder what are these (or. There were twodoors in his room, and 6ongin ed me to chec them out.

The 5rst room was the bathroom, with &ases o( dried #etas, 5ing the room with an exoticsme. The bathtub was big enough (or two. 2e too out a towe (rom one o( the cabinets, and

handed it to me.N6ust in case you want to tae a shower. 2e says as he hands it to me. " $ust nodded, and re#ied asma thans.

2e then ed me to the other door. "t was oced with high*grade mechanisms "&e ne&er seenbe(ore. 1s he unoc it, the door 5nay swings o#en. The room was sma, ony three to 5&e #eo#emay 5t in. The was were co&ered with thic materias, maybe (oam, and then white eather. Therewere aso meta ringets there. " saw caw mars on the wa, and there " reai9ed that this must bewhere 6ongin e#t himse( when hes in wo( (orm. 2e came behind me and touched the mars.

N" trained here.N 2e said. NWhen the curse o( the moon started to tae me, " was young. "twas #ain(u, my 5rst time. My brothers #ushed me in here, and " had to go through it aone. 0urancestors buit this house, and they s#eci5cay #aced rooms ie these in e&ery room. "t was (or us,when we change. "t somehow shieds the word (rom the dangers o( who we are.N

" turned to him, #acing a hand on his chest. " ooed at him in the eyes, and saw a hint o(

sadness in his eyes. N"t must&e been hard.N " said. 2e smied a itte, and then nodded. Then he continued, Nit was hard (or years, " was ne&er #re#ared (or the #ain that comes with

the change. >hains were a o&er the mansion, so when the (u moon rises and were caught o:*guard, we can chain and hoo ourse&es anywhere.N o thats what the ringets are (or. N" e&entuaygot used to it. " woud (ee in my body i( there wi be a (u moon. " e&en tried not chaining myse(,and " controed the wo( in me. " tamed myse( into not harming anyone, and here " am now. ;o youwant to now anything ese?N

" shoo my head, and so he ed me out, shut the door and oced it again. 2e hed my handand tuced me in the bed. 1s " aid down, his eyes ne&er e(t mine.


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Neo, you tae a rest now.N 2e said. 2e stood u#, too a bunch o( banets (rom under thebed, and aid it down the 3oor. " watched as he aid down, and rested his head on his mae*shi(t#iow. 2e ooed u# to me again.

Nee#, eo Kyung. We can ta tomorrow.N 1nd then he shut his eyes.

" aid down com(ortaby, and ooed at the ceiing as " try to thin o( the new things "&e

earned today. "m i&ing in wo&es den, and " trust them. "t gets harder when " thin about it that "am, so (ar, is attracted to a wo(. My scar woud itch e&ery now and then, but " was com(ortabe.

" (et reaxed in my see# unti " had another nightmare o( wo&es chasing me in the woods. This time, they had crimson eyes. " was #anting when " woe u#, but 6ongin seemed to be in a dee#see#, not stirring at a when " ind o( shoo the bed when i suddeny sat u#. " wi#ed the sweat onmy (orehead, caming myse(. "ts $ust a nightmare, ie a " had be(ore. " tried to go bac to see#,but it was (utie. " sat on the bed, my egs crossed, waiting unti see# cas me bac.

NTaem..N " suddeny hear 6ongin whis#er in his see#. "s he ha&ing a nightmare, too? " ooeddown on him, and saw him stirring, tossing and turning. 1gan he whis#ered, NTaem..N. Who is hecaing to? " as him tomorrow. " saw his chest (ranticay going u# and down.

My heart (et the #ain. " didnt now what was ha##ening but " (et ie " was connected tohim in someway. 2e caed me his mate, but " ne&er new the weird things ie this that woudconnect me to him. o " cosed my eyes, reaxing myse(, and waited (or my insticts to te me whatto do.

Neo..N he caed to me. " ooed at him, and he was sti asee#, sti in his nightmare. "care(uy stood u# (rom the other side o( the bed, and waed Buiety to where he was aying. " satdown $ust beside his waist and touched his (orehead, and wi#ed his sweat o:. 2e stirred a itte, buthe didnt wae u#. 2is arm was stretched and it ooed strong and in&iting... so " gi&e in.

" aid down, genty aying my head on his shouder. 2e stirred again, but this time, his heartbeat sowed down. 2is breathing became norma. 2e was 5nay at #eace. omehow, " too #ride inmy e:ect on him.. and there it came, the rest "&e waited (or. " surrendered myse( to see#, and "didnt dream that night. "n the morning, " (et myse( com#ete with rest, with an arm around me,and a 6ongin breathing on my na#e, sti asee#.

c h a p t e r e l e v e nMaybe that’s how they see#. 6ongin see#s ie a og, not 3inching at a with (rom any

mo&ement " do. Waing u#, " (et we rested. My body (ees 5ne, the scar on my chest is sti here,not sore at a, com#etey heaed. " stand u# (rom 6ongin’s side, and grab the towe he ga&e me astnight. " wa to the bathroom, excited (or the 5rst in my i(e, to tae a cod shower, a ast touch tocom#ete this wonder(u (eeing " ha&e. " wa in, cose the door behind me, and stri# naed andheaded (or the cod water streaming down. " woud o#t (or a bath in 6ongin’s bathtub, but showers

$ust cam me down." cose my eyes as " (ee the water run down my hair, to my chest, to my bac, to my egs

and 5nay #oo beneath my (eet. Today’s when my new i(e begins, it may seem weird thatwerewo&es, once mythoogica creatures to humans, do exist, and "’m i&ing with them under the

same roo(, in the same room, (or that matter. 1s " (ee my body re(reshed (rom the shower, " tit the(aucet hande and en$oyed the ast dro#s o( water unti it sto#s com#etey. " grab the towe on myright, and care(uy wra# around my torso.

The moment " turn around, " saw Kai wide*eyed, in a trance, shirtess, 5xing his #ants as i( he $ust 5nished #eeing. When he saw me ooing wide*eyed at him, he immediatey turned around,and augh hystericay.

“od, eo, "’m sorry!% he says in between his aughs, raising two hands in the air. " don’tnow i( " shoud be o:ended by his continuous gigging. “" didn’t see anything, " #romise!% he saysas he twisted together his two 5ngers on his e(t hand.


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“" hate you. et out!% " ye. 2e aughs again, and was out the bathroom, gigging ie amaniac. 2e’s in good s#irits, unie ast night. That’s something good. " wish it coud be ie thise&eryday.

1s " 5nished dressing u#, " wa out to 6ongin’s room, 5nding him sti shirtess, ying (acedown the matress o( his bed. 2e #ees through the #iow, and then smies. " wa to him and sat

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