new year's day

She was begging, pleading with him not to give up.

He didn't recognize her.

He didn't remember all of those moments they shared.

But she could live in peace as long as he didn't die in this coma.

As long as he doesn't die from the wretched truck that stole his parents from him.

As the rain came down harder, she stood in front of him.

Protecting him because that's what she knows she can do.

The blinding lights of the truck blocked her vision.

With a tight squeeze shut of her eyes, she turned to face him.

A final embrace. A hug that she had been wanting for a long time.

His warmth enveloped her as he held onto the back of her head.

Suddenly, there was silence.

She turned around to see that he had stopped time.

The raindrops still in mid-air and the truck inches away from making an impact.

She turned back to him with desperation.

Begging him to remember her.

But she knew.

His eyes wandered over her, not in their familiar warmth.

They wandered her form in surprise, shocked that she would stand in front of him.

"Why would you stand in front of me? H-How did I stop the truck?" He questioned, fear on his face.

She could feel her heart breaking.

She gave him a small smile.

"I'll explain it to you. You just need to wake up." She replied.

And then he did.

She let out a sigh as she stretched out her legs.

She had taken up the habit of jogging every morning as a way to relax her mind.

Especially with the number of sleepless nights.

It was also a way for her to escape the depression that was in the warehouse.

Ever since Ma Juseok, the Counters had all been distracted.

All ignoring the obvious pain they felt at the loss of someone dear.

She couldn't help but check in on him whenever she could.

Sometimes she would take Jeok-bong, but sometimes she just wanted to see him alone.

The fight with Ma Juseok was impossible, to the point they had to do something they never imagined.

She had to do something she never imagined.

At first, she felt the effects of having killed someone etched in her mind.

But then she thought about him.

How if she was just a little faster or a little better, he would still be here.

With her. With them. Still a Counter.

But maybe it was for the best.

The last time she saw him was at the park, sketching away on his drawing pad.