UNKNOWN GUEST

#95 The Witch With High Heels

I paused the vacuum cleaner, turning around. "Did you say something?"

Dr. Cho shook her head, peeling off her rubber gloves. "Nothing. Just said the kitchen is done."

I nodded and resumed vacuuming, quickly finishing the last stretch of the floor. With a satisfying click, I powered it off and tucked it behind the door. Helen let out a small sigh as she glanced at her phone. "I'm heading home, to my parents' place," she said casually, but it was late—too late to let her leave alone, especially after all this.

I frowned, shaking my head. "You should stay the night here."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Whoa. I don't think—"

I rolled my eyes, cutting her off. "Don't turn all red, Dr. Cho. You shouldn't go home right now. Your family's going to worry, ask you a million questions, and you'll have to come up with some excuse. Why bother? Just stay here for the night. I'd be a jerk to kick you out of your own place at this hour anyway."

She chuckled, her cheeks still slightly flushed. "Alright, alright." Then her gaze shifted to the TV, and she asked, "You hungry?"

I cleared my throat, suddenly reminded of the gnawing hunger in my stomach. "I am, but... is it safe to go out at this hour?"

Helen shook her head, a playful smile on her lips. "I've got something for emergencies." She walked toward the kitchen, and curiosity got the better of me, so I followed her. She reached up into a cupboard, pulling down two instant noodle packets with a grin.

"Noodles!" she declared triumphantly, waving the packets like they were some gourmet delicacy.

I let out a dramatic sigh, rolling my eyes. "Noodles. Perfect."

She laughed at my exaggerated reaction and set to work, filling a pot with water and setting it to boil. The steam soon started to rise, the soft bubbling sound filling the quiet kitchen. There was something strangely comforting about it all. Here we were, in the middle of a city, hiding out like fugitives, and yet... we were about to share an impromptu meal of instant noodles like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Helen leaned on the counter, glancing back at me with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You sure you can handle instant noodles, Jason? Or are you too fancy for that?"

I chuckled, crossing my arms. "Please, I'm a survival expert. I can make a five-star meal out of these if I wanted to."

She laughed again, a soft, easy sound that made the moment feel... lighter. As the noodles boiled, the stress of the day seemed to fade away, if only for a little while. It was nice. Simple.

The live telecast of BTS's Epilogue tour finale flashed across the TV screen, the sounds of cheers and music filling the small living room. Dr. Cho sighed contentedly and then chuckled softly beside me. I glanced over at her, curiosity tugging at me.

"What?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

She rolled her head lazily in my direction, a smile tugging at her lips. "We're watching it live. Not in the arena, but on TV."

I let out a small chuckle, turning my attention back to the screen. "See? I didn't forget my promise."

Her laughter rang out again, warm and light, blending with the music. It washed over me like a lullaby, and before I could fight it, my eyelids grew heavy. I sank deeper into the couch, the exhaustion of days without proper rest finally catching up to me. I dozed off, feeling a rare sense of peace that I hadn't experienced in what felt like an eternity.

But the peace didn't last.

That voice returned. The one that haunted my every nightmare, sharp and commanding.