Hopeless Shadow

Chapter 4 - Reckless Girl

The rain fell quickly from the sky, causing the streets to become slightly flooded. Normally, people would wait for the rain to stop before heading out, especially when crossing streets that are not only flooded but also filled with fast-moving vehicles.

Park Yerin, however, did not seem to be a normal person. Despite the state of the road, she continued walking, even as the blaring horns of cars began shouting at her. A large car had even stopped right in front of her—braking suddenly. But this did not stop her from continuing her walk.

"Are you trying to die, huh?" The driver's shouting was ignored by Yerin.

The red light appeared, and Soobin immediately ran towards the girl, who had become the center of attention. "Park Yerin!" His voice was hoarse, almost drowned out by the roar of the rain. Before Soobin could reach her, Yerin was already running away.

What was she planning?

Soobin ran after her, only to find her staring at a two-story building. The building had a small alley in the middle, but Yerin didn't go in there. She walked to the side of the building. Soobin hesitated, unsure whether to follow her or not, but his worry for her was greater, so he decided to follow her until the end.

On the side of the building, there was a small staircase leading directly to the roof. Yerin climbed it, and Soobin followed, hiding and observing her from behind.

The heavy rain had stopped, and only a light drizzle remained. Park Yerin collapsed, her head lowered, and she began crying. Seeing this, Soobin didn't know what to do. Should he approach her? Or continue hiding, as he had been?

His anxiety increased when he saw Yerin pull out a small pouch from her backpack, take something small from it, and reveal a cutter. Soobin continued watching, feeling his heart race, as she started to cut her wrist.

"No. Stop right there!"

Soobin was about to approach her, but a voice stopped him. No, it wasn't a voice for him—it was for Yerin. A woman in her thirties approached the girl, who seemed determined to continue her actions.

"I told you to stop, Park Yerin!" the woman shouted, grabbing Yerin's wrist and forcefully taking the cutter from her hand, tossing it far away.

"Are you crazy?!" she yelled again. The woman looked both pitiful and confused at what the girl had just done.

Blood began to trickle down. Panic appeared on the woman's face, and she gently held Yerin's arm. "We need to treat this, let's go down." She ordered Yerin to stand, but the girl remained motionless. Reluctantly, the woman started dragging Yerin down.

Soobin hid behind a small storage area, watching as the two disappeared, leaving him alone on the roof.

In the end, Soobin was just a spectator, unable to do anything. He called himself her protector? He couldn't even stop the girl from cutting her wrist. He was frozen, overthinking everything. What if the woman hadn't come and Yerin had succeeded in cutting her veins? If that had happened, Soobin would never forgive himself for promising to protect her.

"Ah... so that's what happened?" Ahjussi responded after hearing Soobin's story.

"What should I have done? I kept following her but never did anything," Soobin continued blaming himself for not being able to do anything that day.

"I understand what you're saying," said Ahjussi, trying to comfort him. "But if you really want to help, I think you need to show yourself to her."

Yes. Soobin also thought the same. He hadn't shown himself in front of her since he felt rejected. But that couldn't help Yerin at all. He decided he needed to stop following her from a distance and start accompanying her directly. Should he try again now?

While thinking about this, Soobin accidentally saw Yerin walking sluggishly toward a building across the street. The building had just been emptied to be repaired, and students were forbidden to enter.

Soobin immediately felt anxious. He quickly stood up. "I need to go," he said to Ahjussi. Without waiting for approval, he ran towards the building where the girl had gone.

He quickly climbed the stairs, already knowing that Yerin would head to the roof. Sure enough, she was there, walking toward the edge of the building.

No. Don't hurt yourself again. Soobin hoped in his heart. It seemed that his hope was not heard, as he saw her standing at the edge of the building. Then, moments later, without regard for the danger, Yerin deliberately climbed over the railing.

She managed to get past the iron fence, which was about as tall as her legs, gripping the rusty metal. She just needed to let go and jump slightly to fall down below.

No, no. Don't do it!

"Park Yerin, wait!" Soobin shouted, running toward her. But Yerin seemed to ignore him completely.

Soobin was now right behind Yerin, panting to catch his breath. "Wait. Don't let go. Come back down." He spoke carefully. Yet she still ignored him. "Please. Hold my hand. Come back." He extended his hand toward her, hoping she would take it.

But Yerin still didn't listen. Instead, she let go of one of her hands from the railing, but instead of reaching for Soobin's hand, she looked ready to jump.

Soobin was startled and reached out for her wrist.

And yet, nothing.

It wasn't because she suddenly jumped. No. Yerin was still there. But Soobin couldn't grab her hand, it was as if he was trying to catch the air.

Confused, Soobin froze for a moment. Then, hesitantly, he tried again to grab her arm. Again, nothing. He couldn't hold it.

What was happening?

Not believing what he saw, Soobin reached out for Yerin again, over and over. But still, nothing. Every time he touched her, his hand just slipped away.

His panic grew. "Park Yerin, please, move away from there." Soobin had almost lost his voice from shouting, but it made no difference. "Can you hear me? Come back."

Soobin looked around, hoping to find anyone who could help him stop her from doing something reckless. Someone, anyone. His head was spinning as he realized there was no one around but him and Yerin. He couldn't leave to find help and leave her there alone.

Soobin was desperate. His voice was nearly gone from shouting—nothing changed. He wondered, what was really happening to him? Why couldn't he touch Yerin? Why couldn't she hear him?[]