Static Screams

C̶̜̒Ḩ̸̛̞͐Ǎ̴̲͉P̶͉̪̏͒T̵̺̏E̷̪͂̀R̷͖̃͜ ̵̱̮́͊10 ̶̝̫͂̒- | Phase Two |

"Kim must be busy."

Yeonjun blinked at her, mirroring the concern in his warm, chocolate-brown eyes as he studied Haeri. They were nestled in the cozy confines of his apartment, the soft glow of a nearby lamp casting golden light that danced across the walls, creating a serene atmosphere. 

"Are you sure you heard Mina?" he asked, his voice low and careful, a whisper laced with genuine worry. With each passing moment, Haeri felt her certainty ebb away, doubts curling around her thoughts like tendrils of mist.

"I thought I did," she admitted, her voice barely above a murmur, filled with uncertainty. "But now... I'm not so sure...didn't you?"

Desperate for reassurance, she turned her gaze to Yeonjun. His solemn shake of the head only deepened the shadows of doubt that had begun to cloud her mind.

"No, only the white noise," he confirmed softly. "But that doesn't invalidate what you experienced. Our perceptions can be misleading, especially in moments of distress."

He stood as he glanced toward the door. "It's getting late. Can I walk you home?" Yeonjun offered, a hint of protectiveness in his voice. Haeri felt a flicker of relief at the suggestion. Although she hadn't known him for long, the trust that Mina and Jaemin placed in him made it easy for her to open up. There was an undeniable warmth about him, a gentle presence that eased her worries. Their conversations over the past few days had forged a connection that felt remarkably deep, as if they had known each other for years.

As they stepped outside the moon hung high in the sky, casting silvery light on the path ahead. The two walked side by side, the soft crunch of gravel beneath their feet punctuating the stillness of the evening. When they reached her apartment building, Yeonjun hesitated, his expression earnest as he looked at her. "Will you be okay on your own tonight?"

Haeri nodded, summoning a small, reassuring smile. "Yes, I'll be fine," she said, though her heart fluttered with uncertainty. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."

Yeonjun paused at the door, his brow furrowed in thought. "You know," he said, glancing back at Haeri, "I think I should message Jaemin. He's been quiet all day. I'm worried about him." Yeonjun said, pulling out his phone, his fingers moving quickly over the screen. "Just give me a second," he said, glancing back at her with a reassuring smile. "I want to make sure we cover all our bases."

As he typed, the soft glow of his phone illuminated his focused expression. "Okay, done. I'll let you know if he replies," he added, slipping the phone back into his pocket. "I hope you will be okay," Yeonjun replied, opening his arms wide. As he enveloped her in a warm embrace, his head resting gently against hers, Haeri closed her eyes for a fleeting moment, finding solace. "Stay strong." he added.

"You too."

With a final wave, Yeonjun turned to leave, the echo of his footsteps fading into the distance as he descended the stairs.

Alone at her doorstep, Haeri felt a swirl of emotions—uncertainty was the main one.

Once inside her apartment, she dropped her belongings with a soft thud, the sound barely breaking the silence. Reluctantly, she made her way to Mina's room, her mind set on uncovering the truth. The space that once felt like a refuge now loomed ominously, haunted by the specter of unanswered questions.

As she entered Mina's room, the faint scent of lavender lingered in the air, a bittersweet reminder of her friend. Methodically, Haeri combed through the carefully arranged belongings—clothes folded neatly, books stacked on the shelf, photos pinned to the wall—each item a piece of Mina's life, yet also a potential clue. She rifled through drawers, searching for anything.