POMEGRANATES AND TULIPS: Book 2 (Jeon Wonwoo)

22|Research & deep dives

A sigh escapes my lips as I stare at the ceiling of my bedroom apartment, Christmas this year has left a remarkable imprint. Usually, Christmas and every other holiday for me was just an empty space but after spending it with Wonwoo...all I felt was this overwhelming joy and the need to cry over the silliest thing called receiving a gift. Perhaps it has to do with how I never received a single gift in my childhood, not even a birthday gift so I guess I'm making a big deal out of it.

I turn to my side facing the bookshelf right where I had just asserted the new books, I had rearranged the shelf before bed. I had originally color-coded the books but now they're arranged in alphabetical order, I bite my bottom lip preventing a smile from appearing on my lips. I pull the blanket over my head trying to contain the stupid giggles escaping from my lips, I kick at the mattress unable to contain it any longer

I let out a huff of breath, and sitting up the doorbell rings. My brows furrowed in confusion, it's six-thirty in the morning who in the world is at the door?

I throw the blanket off and slip into the cute black fuzzy fluff cat slippers before stepping out of my bedroom, it was pitch dark in the living room and outside. The only visible light was from the coffee-scent candle, I peeked through the peephole. My heart sunk into the pit of my stomach upon seeing a tall figure dressed in red and a Santa Clause mask, my breath hitched as I saw the person pulling a box out of the black baffle bag. "I know you see me..." The voice sang letting out a vile laugh, I pressed my back against the door and slid down, hugging my knees as tears ran down.

I muffle the small sobs as the person begins to do light tapping on the door, "Lizzy...come on open the door," This person's voice was slightly distorted yet disturbingly bone-chilling. It would remind you of a clown at a child's seventh birthday only creepier, I bite my bottom lip. I shake my head as if they could see me, "I just want to see you...".

The light tapping was now harsh bounding on the door, I closed my eyes and buried my face into my knees. "The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout..." I whisper to myself as the banging gets louder and more violently, I cover my ears. "Down came the water and wash the spider out, out came the sun and dried up all the rain." The vile laughter causes the sobs to spill, "Then the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again.".

Light becomes visible, "Lizbeth?" Wonwoo's voice pulls me out of my little bubble. I gasp feeling a soft touch on my arm, I lift my head. "Hey hey, it's okay, it's just me," Wonwoo says, his voice gentle. I remove my hands away from my ears only to no longer hear the knocking and the vile laughter. I stay quiet just to be sure it's safe to speak, "Why are you up this early?" He asked. I furrowed my brows in confusion, did he not hear the loud banging on the door? Or the disturbing laughter?

I look at the door, "Lizbeth...I need you to say something." Wonwoo says as his hands grab ahold of mine. "You look...confused? Lizzy what's wrong?" He asks, I look at him with tears. "Did you not hear any of it?" I ask, my voice quiet yet filled with fear. "Hear what? What did you hear Lizzy?" He asks, I look at the door and back at him. "The loud b...banging on the door, t...t...the crazed laughter." I sob, and Wonwoo pulls me into his chest. "Lizbeth" He whispers, "There was no knocking at the door," He says. I furrowed my brows more confused than before, I shook my head.

"No no no someone was knocking at the door and they were saying these disturbing things," I cry pulling away from him, Wonwoo's expression was a concerned one. Wonwoo helps stand up, "Lizzy, you just had a bad dream. There's no one outside the door," He says unlocking it. I grab his arm, "No Wonwoo, I...I...I heard it. I...I saw them standing there creepily listening and taunting." I cry. My body shivers, "I'm here Lizbeth if there is someone I'll handle it." He says grabbing my hand before opening the apartment door. But he was indeed telling the truth, no one was standing outside the door. No gift, no creepy person in a Santa Clause costume.