Legend [YEONBIN] ✓

sixty-five ; yeonjun

“Halmeoni took me to be exorcised once,” I began conversationally.

My mother stared at me in surprise.

“She thought there was an evil spirit inside me, because after you left I wouldn’t eat or sleep. She didn’t realize it was because I was doing an exorcism of my own. I was extracting you.

“But I was so caught up in how you made me feel that I never wondered if it affected Halmeoni.” My words became thick in my throat, but I still pushed them out. “She supported me and worried about me. And I didn’t do anything but punish her for it by never living up to what she wanted for me, just like you.”

My anger clogged my chest, and I gasped to pull in air. It felt like I was breathing mud. Leaning over, I tried to clear my throat. A fog rolled over my vision.

“Yeonjun!” my mother shouted. “Yeonjun-ah, answer me.”

I couldn’t, not even to tell her to leave me alone. I toppled over as my trembling legs gave out.

“Someone call a doctor. Help! My son can’t breathe!”

And with my mother’s cries ringing in my head, I passed out.