Static Screams

◌T̴̙́ẁ̶̻ō̶̝ ̸͈͂a̷̻̽ṅ̸̘ḋ̷̗ ̴̞́t̴͇͛h̷̟̎r̷̳̄e̸͍̕ḙ̸̽ ◌

The night before.

The neon lights of the bar adjacent to Cheonggyecheon stream flickered rhythmically. Inside, the energy was electric, filled with laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the lively beats of K-pop resonating through the space. Seonmi and Taewon leaned against the gleaming wooden bar.

Seonmi, moved gently to the rhythm of the music, her smile brightening the room. Taewon noticed the booming speaker and with a cheeky grin, he playfully smacked it. Instead, a sudden jolt surged through him, causing him to stumble back, his face reflecting mock horror.

"Whoa!" he exclaimed. Seonmi bent over to look.

"Let's dance!" she exclaimed, her voice bubbling enthusiastically. Taewon couldn't resist the sparkle in her eyes. He grasped her hand, and they navigated through the crowd, joining the wave of people swaying in harmony.

The dance floor thrived with energy; bodies spun around them, a vibrant mix of laughter and motion. Seonmi twirled and Taewon couldn't help but spin her more quickly in their dance. As the night progressed, they became lost in the music that made it feel like they were the only ones around.

"Do you like this song?"

"Of course I do!"

But as midnight approached, they felt the need to take a break. "Let's go outside for a moment," Taewon suggested, his breath warm with excitement. They maneuvered through the crowd and stepped into the cool night air, the noise of the bar muffled behind them.

The moment they stepped outside the vibrant nightclub sounds faded into silence, and the laughter and music fell when the door closed. Seonmi looked around, her brow furrowed in confusion. "You'd think it would be busy on a Saturday night, wouldn't you?" she asked, offering him a cigarette.

"It usually is." Taewon shrugged, leaning against the cool brick wall, crossing his arms as he took in the emptiness surrounding them. A gentle breeze stirred, tousling Seonmi's hair and making her shiver slightly. Taewon took off his jacket and slung it over his girlfriend's shoulders.

"Thank you."

The alley, lit only by the dim glow of streetlights, felt both intimate and isolating. Seonmi stepped closer to Taewon, seeking warmth as she wrapped her arms around herself. "It's eerie out here," she murmured.

Yet in that quiet moment as the world faded away, they discovered a stillness that felt almost magical between them. Seonmi turned to Taewon, her heart fluttering as their eyes met. "It's like we're in our own little bubble."

Taewon smiled, scrunching his nose. "Maybe we are."

"On that note...let's just go home, Taewon. I want to sleep. Have you had a good night?" Seonmi asked.

"I've had a great night."  He said linking his arm into hers as they walked. "Are your feet hurting? I can carry you," Taewon offered, his gaze fixed on the shadowy path ahead.

"I'm tipsy but I'm not that drunk," she managed a small smile.

They walked cautiously, their footsteps echoed against the slick cobblestones. Suddenly, a soft screeching sound erupted from behind and the couple flinched.

"What was that?" she whispered, her breath hitching in her throat.

"I...I don't know," Taewon replied, a note of alarm creeping into his voice. He hesitated for a moment, the hair on the back of his neck standing. "Let's keep moving."