Through The Window

15. He's here

“AAAHHHH GET OFF FROM ME, I HATE YOU, SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME!”

“Go upstairs and check her, Yujin!”

Yujin ran to his room. The moment he opened the door, his heart broke at the sight in front of him.

“GO AWAY! DON’T TOUCH ME! DAD PLEASE STOP! WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO ME! I HATE YOU!” she cried.

“Wonyoung, calm down…”

“GET OFF YOUR HAND FROM ME! I HATE YOU, DAD!”

“Wonyoung, it’s me—Yujin… hey, look at me… Wonyoung, stop.”

“PLEASE DON’T TOUCH ME! I’M SORRY, DAD! BUT PLEASE DON’T TOUCH ME! IT HURTS!”

“WONYOUNG, THIS IS ME, YUJIN—HEY, WAKE UP. I’M HERE. I’M HERE!”

“NO, YOU’RE NOT YUJIN! GET OFF FROM ME!”

Not knowing what else to do, Yujin pulled her into a hug.

“I’M NOT WORTH IT TO STAY ALIVE! I’M DIRTY! NO ONE WANTS A GIRL LIKE ME! GET OFF!”

She kept hitting him, but he tightened the hug as she cried harder.

“Yujin?! What happened to her?”

“She… she has trauma, Mom. She always has this kind of nightmare.”

“Let her go, Yujin. Give her to me.”

Yujin handed Wonyoung to his mother. She hugged her gently, caressing her hair.

“Shhh… shhh… everything’s going to be alright, sweetheart.”

“Yujin… Mommy… he’s here. I saw him standing at the door. He’s trying to rape me again. I’m scared. He wants to kill me!”

“No, there’s no one here, sweetheart.”

“He’s there! He’s standing there! He’s smirking at me!”

“Wony, hey, look at me. I’m here, hmm?”

“He’s behind you, Yujin! He wants to kill me!”

“There’s no one behind me, Wony.”

“Sweetheart, look at Mommy… calm down, okay? Take a deep breath and slowly let it out…”

She followed everything Yujin’s mother told her to do. After nearly an hour, she finally fell asleep in her embrace.

“Help me lay her down slowly.”

“Yujin, what actually happened to her?”

“It’s… family problems, Mom. Her dad tried to… use her.”

“Oh my…”

“She almost tried to commit suicide.”

“Thankfully you met her, Yujin.”

“Tomorrow is my last day off. If I let Wonyoung stay here while I’m at work, is it okay, Mom? Can you watch her for me?”

“Of course, my boy. She’ll be safe with me.”

“Seems like you have to stay in your room tonight.”

“I think so too, Mom.”

“Watch her, okay? I’m going to sleep—your dad keeps calling me. Don’t do something weird, okay?”

“Oh really, Mom?! Now?! What are you thinking?” Yujin whined.

“I’m just joking. I need to go now. Watch her. If you’re playing games, keep your voice down. Don’t wake her—she needs rest.”

“Alright. Good night, Mom.”

“Good night, my boy.”

After his mother left, Yujin sat there quietly.

He couldn’t sleep.

Should he continue playing games? Or just watch her sleep?

She might feel uncomfortable.

Just one game, he decided.

He called Ducky.

They played for hours. By the time it was 2 a.m., Yujin was exhausted.

Since Wonyoung was sleeping on his bed, he sat on the chair instead. Just as he was about to fall asleep, he heard her sobbing again.

He immediately stood up and went to her.

“Hey, Wony… why are you crying? What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

She shook her head, still sobbing.

“Then why are you crying?”

“I’m scared, Yujin…”

“I’m here, Wony.”

“He’s trying to rape me again… it hurts…”

“Come here.”

Yujin pulled her into his chest.

“Shhh… he can’t touch you anymore, okay?”

“He’ll kill anyone who tries to stop him.”

“I don’t care if I die, as long as you’re safe. Sleep, okay? It’s still early.”

“I can’t sleep anymore.”

“You have to sleep, Wony.”

“I can’t sleep if I don’t take my sleeping pills.”

“No, sleeping pills aren’t good if you keep taking them.”

“Sleep. I’m here.”

“Is it okay if I cuddle with you?” she asked softly.

Yujin froze.

“Well… if you want to, then… I’d love to.”

She snuggled into his neck. He hugged her back and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.

“I know I’m doing something that might risk my life,” he thought, “but I don’t regret it.”

“Sleep tight, Wony.”

“You’re warm, Yujin.”

He pulled the blanket over her, wrapping it around them both.

Slowly, they drifted off together.