𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 | 𝐉𝐉𝐊

CHAPTER:02

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"Sometimes, the mind clings to the shadows of what was lost, creating a world where pain and love intertwine.

In those moments, a gentle voice can be the light that guides us back to a fragile peace."

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A U T H O R' S P O V

Seoul central mental
health clinic

Dr. Hannah walked down the sterile, white corridors of the treatment center, her heart heavy with concern. The fluorescent lights overhead cast a cold, clinical glow, amplifying the unease that had been growing within her all day.

She clutched the file for Patient No. 402 tightly in her hands, knowing the conversation she was about to have with the head doctor would be difficult.

When she reached the door to Dr. Hwang's office, she paused, taking a deep breath before knocking. The sound echoed in the quiet hallway, and she waited, feeling the weight of her responsibility pressing down on her. Dr. Hwang's voice called out for her to enter, and she pushed the door open, stepping inside.

Dr. Hwang, an imposing figure with sharp eyes that missed nothing, sat behind his large mahogany desk, a thick stack of files in front of him. His expression was one of practiced neutrality, but Hannah could sense the tension in the room. He looked up as she entered, motioning for her to sit.

"Dr. Hannah," he began, his voice calm but authoritative, "I wanted to discuss the progress of our patients, particularly Patient No. 402."

Hannah swallowed, her fingers tightening around the file. "Yes, Dr. Hwang I've been closely monitoring her condition, but..." She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "I'm afraid there hasn't been any improvement. In fact, her condition seems to be deteriorating."

Dr. Hwang's eyes narrowed slightly, the only sign of his concern. "Go on," he said, his tone measured.

Hannah opened the file, revealing a series of notes and observations she had meticulously recorded over the past weeks. She flipped through them, her eyes scanning the pages before she spoke.

"Earlier today, she experienced a severe hallucination. She believed she was at home with her daughter, who...doesn't exist. She then imagined a dense, dark forest appearing out of nowhere, and she was convinced her daughter was in danger. The hallucination was so vivid that she nearly had a panic attack when I tried to intervene."

Dr. Hwang leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers as he listened. His gaze remained fixed on Hannah, but his thoughts were clearly racing. "This hallucination," he said slowly, "was it the first time she's experienced something of this magnitude?"

Hannah shook her head, her voice tinged with worry. "No, sir. She's had hallucinations before, but they've been getting progressively worse. This one was...different. It was so real to her that she was completely lost in it. She couldn't distinguish between reality and her imagination at all."

Dr. Hwang let out a slow breath, his expression growing more serious. "And what steps have you taken to address this? Is she responding to the treatment regimen?"