Veiled Echoes

C H A P T E R 18

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HANA

It was a great day to be in the lab alone. The rain thrummed against the windows, and the stench of acetone roamed around. Four years ago, I had hated the smell, often having to put toothpaste near my nostrils to replace the smell. However, acetone was a scent I had become familiar with after making this my home.

I heaved a deep sigh, flipping through the pages of the toxicology report. The soft jazz playing in the background did nothing to ease the uncomfortable tightness in my chest and I didn't know whether it was this investigation or something else—more specifically, someone else.

I ran my hand through my hair, highlighting the words that seemed blurry to me.

The victim was around my age and was found dead in her apartment. There were no signs of forced entry and no signs of struggle apart from the drugs she had taken that led to her death. Her close family and friends had testified that she was under constant pressure from her mentors, and she had, multiple times, expressed her fears of wanting to kill herself.

All signs of suicide. And yet a feeling gnawed at my gut—something was not right.

She was getting an apprenticeship at the top medical institution. It would've covered her costs and her student loan and would've given her the stability she had yearned for.

So her suicide, just a few days before her graduation, seemed odd to me.

Groaning, I shut the folder and rested my head on the table. I closed my eyes and tried to tune out the noise, yet the jarring headache throbbed against my forehead. Just before I slipped into the darkness, my phone vibrated against the table.

Accepting the call, I placed it near my ear.

"We're outside, girl." Rae's voice came and I couldn't help but feel the disappointment that fell to my stomach.

Who were you expecting, Hana? My voice taunted me in my head, but I dimmed it.

Johan's giggles echoed in the background and a sense of lightness enveloped me.

"Can you wait for me near the reception?" I asked, closing my laptop. "I just have to pack up."

Rae hummed, ending the call. Placing the papers back in the file, I returned it back on the shelf. Once locking everything, I placed back the keys and then with a final scan around the lab, I turned off the lights.

The rain had shimmered around a little, the small sprinkles still falling against the windowpane. Yet the comfort this weather used to bring me once was no longer there—now all I felt was a hollowness and tightness.

Taking a deep breath to put aside this emotion, I stretched my lips into a small smile upon seeing my brother. Johan, with his shoes squeaking against the tiled floor, ran up to me before hugging my legs.

I laughed, bending down to properly hug him. His small arms circled around my neck, and I did the same, embracing the comfort and warmth my little brother provided.

When we pulled apart, I bopped his nose, smiling. "Did you have a good time with Noona?"

Johan glanced back at Rae, whose eyes were on her phone, before meeting my gaze. "Lots! Hyung, Noona and I went to watch a movie."

His eyes widened as he explained the plot of the movie, providing animated gestures. Once he finished his story with a small jump and a clap, he leaned a little closer to me. Yet I frowned upon the mention of someone I didn't know.