Light Between Shadows

Chapter 20: Descent into Darkness

The morning sun struggled to break through the layers of dust that had settled on Hyesoo's apartment, casting pale rays across the cluttered living room. Jaehee stood outside the door, coffee in hand, a gnawing sense of unease eating at her insides. It had been days since she last heard from Hyesoo, and the silence was deafening. With a spare key nestled in her pocket, she took a deep breath, hoping for the best but fearing the worst.

"Hyesoo?" she called softly, stepping inside the dimly lit space. The air felt stagnant, heavy with unspoken words and emotions. The once tidy room was a chaos of scattered cushions, empty bottles, and crumpled papers—an unsettling reflection of Hyesoo's inner turmoil. Jaehee's heart raced as she moved through the mess, calling out her best friend's name, but the silence only deepened her dread.

As she ventured further down the hallway, anxiety clawed at her throat. "Hye? Are you home?" Panic surged within her, each step toward Hyesoo's bedroom feeling like a lead weight dragging her down. When she reached the door, she pushed it open, her breath catching in her throat at the sight that greeted her.

Hyesoo lay sprawled on the floor, her body limp and motionless. Long brown hair was fanned out around her like a dark halo, contrasting starkly with the pale color of her skin. The sunlight, usually warm and inviting, seemed to harshly illuminate her stillness. Jaehee's heart dropped as she rushed to her side, her instincts screaming that something was terribly wrong.

"Hyesoo!" she shouted, shaking her friend gently at first, then with increasing urgency. There was no response. Hyesoo's lips were slightly parted, her chest rising and falling in shallow, uneven breaths. The acrid smell of alcohol mixed with something sickly sweet filled the air, making Jaehee's stomach churn. The reality of the scene began to set in, a chill running down her spine as she realized what she was witnessing.

Frantically, she reached for Hyesoo's wrist, feeling for a pulse. Her fingers trembled as she searched, praying for even the faintest sign of life. After what felt like an eternity, she finally felt it—a weak, erratic thrum beneath her fingertips. Relief washed over her momentarily, but it was fleeting, quickly replaced by a surge of fear. "I need to call for help!" she thought, panic gripping her tightly.

Jaehee scrambled to her feet, her hands shaking violently as she fumbled for her phone. "911, I need to call 911!" she gasped, dialing with trembling fingers, her heart racing as she spoke. "My best friend... she's unresponsive... I think she's... she might be dying!"

The operator's voice was distant, muffled as Jaehee's focus shifted back to Hyesoo, who lay still on the floor. Dropping the phone, she knelt beside her friend, feeling her heart race as she pressed her hands against Hyesoo's chest. "Come on, Hye! Wake up! You have to fight!" She began administering CPR, each compression feeling like a desperate plea for Hyesoo to come back to her.

"Please, please! I can't lose you!" Jaehee cried, her voice trembling with desperation. Each push against Hyesoo's chest felt heavier, filled with the weight of her fear and love for her friend. The sound of sirens grew closer, their distant wails merging with the frantic beating of her heart. "Stay with me, Hyesoo! I'm not ready to say goodbye!"

Finally, the paramedics burst through the door, their faces set with urgency. They quickly assessed the situation, and Jaehee stepped back, her heart pounding as they took over. "We need to get her stabilized!" one shouted, moving with a practiced efficiency that made Jaehee feel both relieved and helpless.

As they lifted Hyesoo onto a stretcher, Jaehee's heart ached at how fragile her best friend looked. The once vibrant girl now seemed so small and vulnerable, wires and tubes connected to her body as they wheeled her away. "Please, don't let her die," Jaehee prayed silently, tears streaming down her face as she followed them to the ambulance.