You Make Me | Lee Eunhyuk

13

When Jiwon realized, she would have to carry the old man into the locked room, she sighed. She started to approach as Eunhyuk grasped her shoulder gently.

He stated monotonously, "I'll take him," adding, "You might kill him."

Jiwon giggled a little at how serious Eunhyuk sounded, and he too smiled a little.

"I'll come with you" Jiwon added, "I'll..."

"Watch Hyunsoo!" she exclaimed.

She continued, turning to face the boy in the room's corner, whose eyes were no longer entirely dark.

She urged the boy to come over and said, "Let's go."

Despite his best efforts, Eunhyuk was ultimately able to carry the old man thanks to Hyunsoo's assistance while Jiwon calmly went down the hallway and unlocked the doors for them.

The three, together with the obnoxious old man, entered the room. The darkness in the room almost caused Jiwon to trip. Hyunsoo climbed into his makeshift cot as they laid the old man down.

Jiwon remarked, "Hey Hyunsoo."

"Yeah?" he replied.

"Can you do that thing with your eyes on command now?"

She asked while glancing at Eunhyuk, who was also showing signs of curiosity.

"Uh no, not really. I'm not sure why it happened" he answered causing the duo to nod in understanding.

"Well, then, okay. Get some rest, okay?" Jiwon remarked, ushering Eunhyuk to leave with her.

"Yes, you too," Hyunsoo said as he leaned back against the wall.

Jiwon noticed something was strange when Eunhyuk and she left the room. Like her vision darkened and fear started to seep into her veins. Unfortunately, she was familiar with the sensation, and she understood that she needed to go right now.

Jiwon said, "I'm going to go talk to my brother, I'll see you later," without turning to face Eunhyuk as she sped away in the opposite direction.

Jiwon searched the area for a discreet location to sit, avoiding all the tenants and settled on a little corner behind a wall that was heavily shrouded in shadows.

"Does intimidating other people make you feel safe?" a voice that sounded just like hers questioned.

Jiwon said, muttering," Sh*t, it's happening".

"Does it? "The words echoed, and this time a hand raised Jiwon's chin.

Jiwon stared at an entity that resembled herself that had pitch-black eyes. The room she was in faded to darkness. 

Jiwon said hesitantly, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Did you notice the look on your brother's face when you did that? He seemed repulsed by you" the thing said.

Jiwon responded, "No, he wasn't," understanding that this was merely an attempt to get into her thoughts.

The entity continued, "He was, but it's not your fault; it's never been your fault that you're like this."

Jiwon wrinkled her brows, puzzled as to why this thing defending her.

"Eunhyuk and your brother can't keep you safe. They'll end up blaming you for causing all of their problems, just like your parents did."

Jiwon said, "Stop, you're lying to me," as she held back the tears threatening to well up in her eyes. The entity kept making similar remarks, adding salt to the girl's already-open wound of insecurity that had been growing for months.

The thing delicately touched the girl's shoulder and murmured, "You and I both know that I'm not, but Jiwon, I can protect you."

"How?" Jiwon responded immediately.

Before responding, the thing grinned at her and said, "I can help you forget the past, so you can live a happy life going ahead."

Jiwon lowered her gaze and remained mute during the request. It seemed like a good deal, but it was unrealistic. Jiwon was unexpectedly left alone in the dark as the entity's figure vanished, but the darkness was quickly replaced by a well-known scene.

In a house that was so white it seemed sterile, a little girl sat on a luxurious sofa and stared down. It appeared scarcely inhabited since the decor was so spotless. The girl is dressed in a light grey outfit with a diamond necklace and pearl earrings to complement her surroundings. However, the girl's skin was covered with scratches, and her left leg was in a walking boot. Four adults were having a conversation in the room's corner while the small girl fidgeted with her outfit.

Jiwon carefully walked up to the girl who was hardly moving but the sudden loud voices of the adults caught her attention. She made the decision to walk over to the adults rather than stay beside her younger self. Jiwon's mother, father, and two priests were among the adults.

The adults attempted to converse in purposeful hushed tones.

"She's either cursed or a devil's child!" Mrs. Jung stated anxiously. 

"Everything she does brings misfortune to this family! She was really the reason Jihoon died! "Mr. Jung continued.

"How could you say such a thing about a small child?" Jiwon questioned, her eyes withdrawing tears, and being replaced by a sharp glare.

A priest responded, casting worried glances at the little girl, "Ma'am, sir, that's not possible."

Jiwon turned to face the familiar priest, the priest with whom she and her brother had remained in touch over the years. Would he still be alive right now?

The other priest said, "Matthew, keep quiet. I think I have a solution to this problem!"

"Really? Please, father, do something," Mrs. Jung said.

He whispered, "You must keep this child away from you two and your elder child. This is the only way that you can stop the ill luck that this child is spreading from affecting you."

Jiwon felt compelled to stare at the child in pity because she understood that this was the point at which everything went wrong.

"Is that all?", Mr. Jung prompted.

"Yes, if you do what I say, you'll be alright," he added, talking over his colleague who was arguing with him.

"Oh, thank you very much, father!" Mrs. Jung said, "Take this for all of your assistance! "She continued, giving the priest 400 000 won.

"I wish you two and your son nothing but the best." Before turning to depart with his colleague, the priest said, "Please call me if you need anything more."

The parents of the little girl turned to look at her, their faces contemptuous.

Jiwon ignored the expressions on her parents' faces, which she saw much too frequently, and continued to focus on the priest. He was the catalyst for her abuse, which continued for most of her youth. But as the entity reappeared and grabbed the priest's face, it appeared that the memory had become frozen.

"Aren't you hoping he gets punished for what he did? Just for some money? " The entity questioned.

"Yes," Jiwon answered, her previously sound mind betraying her.

"Good," the entity said, stepping over to the girl, "give me your hand, and I'll help you."

Jiwon hesitated before raising her hand to place it, but then she abruptly stopped. Was she going to forget Jaeheon? Eunhyuk?

Jiwon murmured softly, "I need some time to consider —," which made the entity frown.

"No!" It let out a blood-curdling, strangled scream that made Jiwon cover her ears and close her eyes out of anguish.

Jiwon was startled out of her position and realized she had been holding her breath for far longer than she ought to have. As she realized, she was still in the dark area she had previously put herself in, her eyes widened, but then they settled. She was still hyperventilating, and her body was drenched in sweat. The girl eventually lost consciousness from tiredness as the first shock of the scenario subsided.