HEAL ME (RYEJI)

CHAPTER 2

Dr. Hwang suggested that Ryujin should learn how to socialize with her peers. She said that a pet can help with the process. Today on Ryujin's 8th birthday, Jeongyeon adopted a puppy for Ryujin.

"thank you." Ryujin said to her father. She patted the dog's head and he wiggles his tail.

The parents noticed no signs of emotions from the child. They thought maybe she needs time.

"he's cute." Siyeon appeared beside Ryujin. "I like him."

"can I kill him?" Ryujin's words made the parents shocked.

"no. something nice you can't kill." Siyeon then walked away.

"is she talking to you?" Jeongyeon kneeled in front of her as she plays with the pup. Ryujin then nodded as an answer.

"she said I can't kill him."

Jeongyeon sighed in relieve. He caressed her head and smiled.

-

Ryujin visited the doctor again. Actually, her weekly appointment ended last week. She came back because Nayeon got concerned about Ryujin.

"it's okay. If you can't talk to me, you can talk to her." Nayeon rubbed Ryujin's back. Nayeon then nodded at the doctor.

"good to see you, Ryujin." Dr. Hwang led her to another room. "what happened?"

"I'm not wrong." Ryujin looked at her straight in the eyes.

"what did you do?"

Ryujin shook her head. Dr. Hwang didn't understand what happened to the child. She looks more tense than the usual. The doctor decided to talk to Nayeon since Ryujin didn't want to talk. She left Ryujin for a while on the room.

"she refused to talk. Did she do anything dangerous to others?" Dr. Hwang sat in front of Nayeon.

"I often got a call from her school, saying that she's responsible for accidents that happened to her classmates. I don't really believe it." Nayeon sighed. "I'm just concerned about her. Her principal said that she witnessed all of the accident."

"it could be a coincidence. How severe were the accidents?"

"the last kid broke her arm after falling from a slide."

"hm... how's the pet that I suggested you?" Dr. Hwang said as she wrote something on her notes.

"the first time, she thought about killing it. But now she takes care of it."

"ah... that's odd for a child. Does she still talk to Siyeon?" Dr. Hwang sighed.

"she does."

"I thought Siyeon could be a positive company for her. I'm afraid it could lean towards a negative one." Dr. Hwang decided to give the poor child a medication for her hallucination. "here's a prescription for her. I don't usually give medication for children but I thought that this is more severe than my other child patients."

Nayeon read the prescription. Not long after, Ryujin came out of the room.

"can I have this?" she held a thicker book than usual. Dr. Hwang noticed this.

"you really like to read don't you? Of course, you can take that." She smiled. "make sure to bring it back the next visit. I'm starting to lose more books, Ryujin." Dr. Hwang giggled.

-

A year has passed and the parents started to see some improvements from Ryujin. She made a few friends at school and there are no signs of violent behaviors. The dog she raised is also trained well.

"mom." Ryujin called while closing her book. "I want to see Siyeon."

Nayeon didn't say anything. The medication she gave her really works and even though Ryujin made a lot of good progress at school, she's not well at home.

"she didn't see me often. Why did she leave?" Ryujin asked.

"maybe it's better for you to look for other friends. I'm sure Siyeon won't go anywhere if you became a good girl." Nayeon caressed Ryujin's head and kissed it.

"I have friends at school. Siyeon is here with me at home, mom."

Ryujin then noticed her dog barking at her exactly two times. She trained him to do that if he wants to go out.

"wait." Ryujin stood up. The dog that she named Hawk, sat patiently waiting for Ryujin to grab his leash, wagging his tail.

Nayeon can see that Hawk really likes Ryujin. She patted his head and cooed him. Ryujin then came back with a leash and a small bag of treats. She put it on Hawk.

"go." Ryujin then walked out to the nearest park she usually goes.

Hawk sniffs the road and look for a place to take a dump. He found a nearest tree and peed on it. Ryujin gave him a treat after he poop too. She then saw a small bird lading on the ground.

"tsk." Ryujin clicked her tongue. Hawk's ears perked up. "hunt." Ryujin let go of the leash and watched her dog quickly catches the bird and ate it. Hawk came back wiggling its tail. "good boy."

Ryujin went home after a stroll along the park. She then unleashed Hawk and let him followed her to her room. Ryujin took a cloth and wet it to wipe the blood on Hawks mouth.

"boo!"

Ryujin recognized the voice. Siyeon appeared behind Hawk.

"hey. Long time no see." Ryujin looked up at the woman.

"don't you think it's time to eat your meds?" Siyeon pursed her lips, smiling at the child.

"no. I want you to accompany me." Ryujin commanded Hawk to be 'free'. She then crawled on her bed and took one book under her pillow.

"pharmacy book?" Siyeon asked. "you finished your psychology book yesterday."

Ryujin nodded. She then flipped the pages and stopped at one. She showed the book to Siyeon for her to read.

"ah... right. Then don't drink it. You know I also want to be with you, Ryu." Siyeon patted her head.

"okay."

Nayeon opened the door to remind Ryujin about her meds. Ryujin immediately hid the book she stole from Dr. Hwang under the pillow.

"here. Drink it." Nayeon gave the pills to her. Ryujin shook her head no.

"I miss Siyeon. You're mean."

"mean?" Nayeon sighed. "I did this for your own good, dear. I don't want you to get hurt."

"I'm not hurting. When you give me those pills, Siyeon go away and I will never see her in four to five days." Ryujin sternly said. "that's what's hurting me, mom. You took my friend away."

"I didn't mean to do that."