✓LOVER BOY | hwang hyunjin

44. Her Ghost

Yeseul was an excited mess. She could see the horror on the faces of children when Jeongin turned the lights off. The only thing that led their sight were the candles burning on a nightstand. Soji menacingly watched them, her smile an intended crook. "The one who backs out is poo."

Jeongin and Yeseul had to hold in their laugh when their eyes met.

"I'm not a poo." Dae gulped. "I think Nari is scared though." Nari distastefully looked at Dae. He shuddered.

"Okay guys, put your hands on the planchette. No one is gonna push it, okay? Otherwise evil things will kiss you good night today." Jeongin chirped, taking great pleasure in the fear of the kids.

Everyone circled the board. Hands were kept on the planchette, and little prayers were muttered. Yeseul wasn't sure about it, but it was an entertaining idea so far. With all the pumped up curiosity, Soji began asking questions.

"Is anyone here among us?"

Not a lash moved. Silence was harrowing (for the three Musketeers so far).

"Would you like to talk to us?" Jeongin asked.

Nari sighed. Mihi whined. Dae breathed faster. "This is boring." "Maybe the board is broken." "I might need to use the restroom."

"Do you like little children?" Yeseul smirked at the three pairs of eyes.

Although her own mischief soon died out when the planchette moved. With hearts stopped in rib cages, the pointer was on the word no.

The room was flooded with screams. Someone could attest that a murder has taken place. Even the adults had taken to screaming on the top of their lungs. Yeseul could feel goosebumps all over her skin. Jeongin couldn't decide between laughing and shouting. Soji was in plain shock. The children were adding the most to the ruckus.

"CALM DOWN."

Soji's command was entertained deeply. Everyone was silent.

"Let's continue."

Hesitant hands came forward.

"Are you going to hurt us?"

The planchette slid towards yes.

This was a second round of everyone losing their mind. The commotion went on for a good ten minutes. Arguments were started, answers were thrown back. Everyone decided to try again. The game must continue.

"Will you play a game with us?" Jeongin asked.

Everyone verbally attacked him. He stayed collected through the whole thing.

The pointer was on yes.

"We are doomed." Yeseul threw her hands in the air.

Dae started crying. Everyone tried hushing him. He didn't listen. Soji had to carry him away to his parents. The ghost seeking was led again.

"How about hide and seek?" Soji's voice was a mere whisper.

Yes.

"I'm scared." Yeseul confessed.

"Is the ghost going to search for us?" Mihi questioned.

Soji reluctantly nodded. "Seems so."

Last words were spoken. A timer of four minutes was set on the phone, and everyone scrambled off for a secluded place.

Yeseul was running down the hallway, the music was still playing in the ballroom. She caught a glimpse of Hyunjin and his grandma sitting behind the frosted glass. She wished to step ahead to say a greeting, but the last thing she needed was a ghost hunting her in Hyunjin's house.

She turned at a corner, and came face to face with a huge door that was luckily unlocked. Yeseul calculated her steps carefully. Inside was a closet, and in a distance the timer had gone off. She had no other option, so she stepped in the dark place with the clothes hugging her inside.

Yeseul felt her phone vibrate in her purse. She fished it out to let her mind off of the anxiety she was facing.

1 message from Jeongin...

lmao you guys really RAN

wdym aren't you hiding!? ☠️

I'm eating stolen snacks in the kitchen storage 🫣

I'm breathing in musty victorian clothes in a closet

yeah you're definitely the one who is gonna get caught

WDYM
NO
STOP
ILL SHIT MYSELF

careful now. Those clothes are vintage

ARE WE HIDING FROM A REAL GJOST
(seen)

Yeseul's heart was in her throat. Suddenly she was aware of her breathing, the creaking of the floorboard in distance, and the passing chatter. In the midst of it all, she heard the door open. Her heart was pacing faster than ever. She stood against the wall, eyes shut, her fight stance up. Hollow footsteps could be heard approaching.

Her hands clutched at her clothes tight. This wasn't a way of her normal life to tilt into sudden horror.

The closet creaked open, the lights outside blinded Yeseul, and all she did was scream. She suddenly was silenced by a cupping hand. This is where she would die.

"Um."

Yeseul peeked, despite feeling lightheaded.

"Hyunjin." Her voice was muffled in his hand.

"The ghost got you, huh?"

If anything, Yeseul was glad tonight's ghost was him.