In the realm of dreams

Part 6 - One stormy night

Baek Yoona

With sports day looming I decided to amp up my training. That day after we finished our study session Choi Sooho and I walked down the side of the building to the old gym.

'Enjoy your training session, it looks like it might rain later,' He said before leaving.

It's true; dark clouds were gathering in the horizon. I set up my training session as normal but extending the time for each set. By the time I finished training it was raining heavily. I jumped in the shower, fully intending to make a quick exit from the gym before night fell. The shower cubicle suddenly turned dark. The light bulb went out. I wrapped my towel around me and came out to the gym area. The whole space was darkened so the power must have gone out. Through the high windows on the side I could see lightning that sporadically illuminated the room. I grabbed my phone to turn on the flashlight. It was dead! Dammit. I played music for so long that I drained the battery! Cursing my luck I changed into my casual clothes and dashed for the door. This place felt creepy in this darkness, not to mention the sounds of thunder adding to its eeriness. I wanted to get out of there. I would get soaked in the torrential rain, so I didn't bother drying my hair.

I turned the door handle and pushed it. It didn't budge. I tried again. It was locked shut! I hadn't locked it earlier. I tried to unlock it with my key but the door still didn't open. Dammit! It must be the bolt on the outside. Someone had bolted this door shut from the outside! Who would do that and why? I use my shoulder to push it harder. I can picture the heavy metal bar on the outside. If that is indeed bolted across, there is no way I am getting out of here.

My eyes slowly adjusted to the semi-darkness. I can't tell how much time has passed. I probably finished training around 7. It must at least be an hour since I tried to open the door and failed. So it's probably around 8pm now. There is no reason why someone would come to this old gym on a stormy night. I am stuck here until at least tomorrow morning. I could feel hot tears running down my face. I couldn't even call anyone. What a day to run out of your phone battery. Appa wouldn't be home until 11pm. He has no way of knowing I didn't return home yet. Argh.

I feel all energy drawn out of me. I curl up and sit against the wall with all the windows. It's just a test of patience now. If all had gone to plan by this time I would have changed into my pajamas and curled up on the sofa with a drama on and chomping through my dinner. Oh food. How I crave you! I rest my head on my knees and send out a silent prayer.

I must have dozed off a bit. I opened my eyes to a sudden noise. It's coming from outside the door. I can hear footsteps and definite sounds of metal being moved. Someone's outside! Wait. What if it's a serial killer? Or someone who intends to harm? How would anyone know I am still here?

I grab a baseball bat and position myself across the door. I am not going down without a fight. I just need to swing my bat at the intruder. Suddenly the door bursts open with a loud clang. There is a silhouette of a tall man. I scream.

Choi Sooho

I swung the heavy metal door open and tumbled inside, my mobile in one hand with the flashlight on. In front of me was a shadow girl holding a baseball bat with both hands, her stance wide.

'Baek Yoona,' I called out. 'It's me Sooho.', I raise my hand and point the torch on my face.

She stood for a second and then dropped the baseball bat. She took a few unsure steps towards me until we were just a few inches apart.

'Banjang', she said, before putting her arms around my neck. I didn't know what to do.

'Gwenchana? Are you okay?', I asked.

She pulled back nodding her head. 'I was stuck here, the door was shut from the outside. I thought I would be stuck here all night.' Her hair was messy and her face looked tired.

Poor thing, she must have had quite the fright! What a night to get stranded!

I touched her elbow gently, 'It's okay, I am here now. You can go home now.'

Outside, the rain had no mercy. We had the just one umbrella so we shared. I carried her rucksack on our way to the bus stop.

'How did you.....Why did you come back to the gym'?, She asked.

'I texted you a while ago about the thing we discussed in our study session but got no reply. Then it started raining so much so I called you and found no connection. I called you so many times. I remembered that our usual caretaker is on holiday and I saw a new caretaker this afternoon. I was scared that he might have locked you in not knowing that you train there till late.' I explained. I tried not to expose just how scared I was once that thought entered my mind but I think my voice betrayed me. Despite the weather, I hurried down to the school to check up on her. I don't really know what I would have done if I hadn't found her there. Maybe go to her house.

'Thank you, Sooho,' she said in a soft voice, her eyes were tearing up. I like the way my name sounded when she said it, a warm liquid flowed inside my chest. I looked away from her. If I kept looking at her face I might be too tempted to wipe her tears and pull her to my chest. I wanted to say don't be scared, I am here now. But the words were silent.

'I feel like eating something comforting to warm me up. Ramyeon?' I asked her.

She nodded. She must be so hungry, it's been hours since school ended. We went into the convenience store and got ourselves some instant noodles.

The warm broth has returned some colour to her face. 'Remember to dry your hair thoroughly when you get home.' I said.

'Hmm. Actually Appa won't get home till 11. So he wouldn't have known I was missing until much later. Thank you for coming to get me.'

'Hmm. Remember to always charge your phone okay. And ahem, call me if something like this happens again.'

'Okay Banjang.' She replied.

When we reached her gate, I handed her rucksack over to her. 'Good night,' she said.

'Hmm go inside.' I stood until I could no longer hear her footsteps, then turned around and walked in the direction of my house. I no longer cared about the rain soaking me.