Through The Window

2. Nightmare ?

Yujin stirred awake with a groan.
Had he dozed off?

He glanced at the clock—3 a.m.

With a quiet sigh, he switched off the TV and headed to the kitchen. His throat felt dry and uncomfortable, so he poured himself a glass of water and drank it slowly. After that, he made his way back toward the couch—only to freeze.

A soft sobbing sound drifted from his bedroom.

…What was that?

His heart skipped. He turned toward the room and walked over quickly, knocking on the door.

“Wonyoung?”

No answer.

“Wonyoung, are you okay?!” he asked, his voice rising with concern.

Still nothing.

He twisted the doorknob and pushed the door open. Inside, he found her sitting on the floor, knees pulled to her chest, head buried against them—crying.

“Wonyoung?” he called softly.

“Wonyoung… why are you crying?”

She looked up at him, tears streaming down her face, and continued sobbing.

Yujin rushed to her side and knelt in front of her.

“Hey, Wonyoung, look at me… Wonyoung, look at me,” he said gently.

Slowly, she lifted her head.

Without thinking, he pulled her into his chest, one hand rubbing her back in slow, calming motions.

“Shh… it’s okay. Everything’s going to be alright…”

“I-I’m scared, Yujin,” she cried. “My daddy… he’s going to kill me…”

“Shh, no,” he said softly but firmly. “It’s just a nightmare. As long as I’m alive, no one can touch you or hurt you, okay?”

He helped her up and guided her back onto the bed, tucking the blanket around her carefully.

“Rest, okay? We’ll talk tomorrow… hmm?”

She nodded, her eyes slowly closing.

Yujin stepped out of the room and checked the time again.
3:40 a.m.

He let out a tired breath. There was no way he was sleeping now.

What should he do…?

It had been a while since he played his PS5.
Hmm… what game?

Ah. Marvel Spider-Man.

He settled into the living room and started playing. But not long after, a sudden scream pierced the air.

“Get off me! Help!”

That voice—Wonyoung.

Yujin dropped the controller and sprinted to the bedroom. Inside, he saw her thrashing on the bed, crying and screaming.

“Get off me! Help!”

He grabbed her wrist gently, but she slapped his hand away.

“No! Don’t touch me! Someone help!” she screamed, her voice breaking.

“Hey—Wonyoung, it’s me. Yujin,” he said urgently.

“DON’T TOUCH ME!”

“WONYOUNG—OPEN YOUR EYES. IT’S ME. YUJIN!”

She didn’t respond, still trapped in her nightmare.

Without hesitation, Yujin pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.

“Shh… it’s me, Wonyoung. No one’s going to hurt you. Shh… it’s okay…”

She cried and screamed until her voice grew hoarse, then slowly—finally—she began to calm down.

“Yujin…” she whispered.

Relief flooded him.

“I’m here,” he said softly. “What happened? Did you have a nightmare?”

She nodded and buried her face into his neck. He patted her back gently, steady and slow.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked.

“…Will you believe me if I tell you?” she whispered.

“Of course, Wonyoung. I will.”

“…I dreamed something terrible… something disgusting,” she said.

“What was it about?”

“M-my dad…” her voice shook. “He… touched me.”

Yujin felt like the air had been knocked out of him. He froze, shock written all over his face.

“Wonyoung…” he said softly. “I know it’s hard, but… can you try to ignore the dream? If not for me, then at least for yourself.”

She nodded weakly. He gently wiped her tears away.

“It’s still early. Come on, I’ll help you back to bed.”

She shook her head.

“Why?” he asked softly.

“I don’t think I can sleep anymore,” she muttered.

He nodded in understanding.

“Uh… but Wonyoung, it’s already 4 a.m.”

She stared at her fingers, looking sad.

“Did I say something wrong?” he asked.

She shook her head again.

“Then…?” he prompted gently.

She stayed silent for a moment.

“…Can I accompany you?” she finally asked.

He looked at her. “Where to?”

“Just… sit in the living room and watch you play PS5?”

He smiled faintly. “Alright. Come on.”

He held her hand and led her to the living room.

“Wait here,” he said, returning with a strawberry milk and handing it to her.

“Thanks, Yujin.”

He smiled and resumed his game.

A few minutes later, a soft, cute snore reached his ears.

She’d fallen asleep.

He leaned forward, about to lift her—when her eyes fluttered open.

“What are you doing?” she asked sleepily.

“Uh… carrying you back to the bed?” he replied awkwardly.

“No… I don’t want to,” she murmured. “Can’t I just stay here with you?”

“But—”

“Yujin, please…”

“…O-okay then,” he gave in.

She curled up at the corner of the couch while he continued playing.

After a while, he turned his head and watched her sleep.

How could someone look this pretty while sleeping?
No—pretty wasn’t the word. She was cute… and soft… and fragile.

It was already 5 a.m.

He figured he could get at least an hour of sleep.

Yujin lay down on the floor and gently pulled a blanket over her body, making sure she was warm.

Not long after, he drifted off to sleep too.