Echoes in the forest | Minsung

Beneath the Surface

The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The air was cool and fresh, carrying the scent of pine and earth as Jisung made his way to the river. His thoughts were still tangled with the strange events of the previous night, but the crisp morning air helped to clear his mind.

He reached the riverbank, where the sound of rushing water greeted him like an old friend. The river sparkled in the early light, its surface catching the sun like a bed of diamonds. He noticed the boys further downstream, splashing near the coast, their laughter echoing through the trees.

But Jisung's attention was drawn upstream, where the river curved around a bend, hidden from view. He remembered Chan mentioning a waterfall somewhere in that direction, and the idea of finding it, of being alone with his thoughts, was too tempting to resist.

He stripped off his shirt and shoes, leaving them in a pile by the bank before wading into the water. The coldness shocked his skin, but he welcomed it, letting the water wash away the remnants of last night's fears. He swam upstream, the current gentle enough to push against, the sound of the boys' laughter growing fainter with each stroke.

Rounding the bend, he found the waterfall—smaller than he'd expected, but beautiful all the same. The water cascaded down a series of smooth rocks, splashing into a pool that was surrounded by thick vegetation. It was a hidden oasis, untouched and serene.

But something else caught Jisung's eye. Beyond the waterfall, where the water tumbled into a narrow crevice between the rocks, there was a small cave, partially hidden by the spray. Intrigued, Jisung swam closer, the mist from the waterfall cooling his face as he neared the entrance.

He hesitated for a moment, the darkness of the cave contrasting sharply with the bright sunlight outside. But curiosity won out, and he ducked into the crevice, pushing through the narrow opening into the cave.

The inside was breathtaking. The walls were lined with crystals, their surfaces glittering in the dim light that filtered through the entrance. The crystals refracted the light, casting rainbow reflections that danced on the water's surface. Jisung floated in the middle of the small pool, awed by the beauty around him.

He was so caught up in the sight that he didn't notice the presence behind him until he heard the faint splash of water. Jisung tensed, turning quickly to see a figure swimming toward him. His heart skipped a beat as he recognized the face emerging from the water—Lee Know.

Lee Know's expression was unreadable as he swam closer, his dark eyes fixed on Jisung. There was an intensity in his gaze, something that made Jisung's breath catch in his throat. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the only sound the soft lapping of water against the cave walls.

"What are you doing here?" Lee Know's voice was quiet, but there was an edge to it, a hint of suspicion.

Jisung hesitated, his mind racing. "I... I was just exploring," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to intrude."

Lee Know's gaze softened slightly, but he didn't relax. "This isn't a place you should be wandering into," he said, his tone still guarded. "It's easy to get lost... or worse."

Jisung swallowed, the memory of the wolf flashing in his mind. "I'm sorry," he said, sincerity in his voice. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble."

For a moment, Lee Know just stared at him, as if weighing his words. Then, with a sigh, he shook his head. "You really are looking for trouble, aren't you?" There was a hint of something like amusement in his voice now, a softening that made Jisung's heart skip again.