"Mom, there's someone in the silo."
A cold silence fell between us as my mother did the dishes.
"Stay away from there, sweetie."
"Why?"
"It's not a person. That's a monster. He wears the smell of blood and death like perfume. There's fire in his eyes and ice in his veins. Remember my warning, Miyoung."
My breath hitched. I fought to break my question out. "Why is there a monster here?"
"He's a shadow person. There are many of them in this world, but they're dangerous. Just as bad as death himself. If you get too close, they'll steal your breath."
My hand clamped over my mouth.
"Stay away from the shadow person, and you'll be fine, Miyoung."
But I didn't listen. When I turned twelve, my gut told me to return to that silo with a flashlight.
My knees trembled as I peeked into the window.
"I told you to stay away," the shadow person told me. He appeared from the side, still the same as before.
My breath came in short bursts as I searched my brain for something to say.
"Why dont you listen?" the man-like figure scowled at me. "I'm a monster."
"Who's to say that being a monster makes you such a bad thing?"
The man narrowed his eyes in my direction. "You don't understand what I'm capable of, do you?"
"My mother said you could steal my breath, but I don't think your as harmful as you want me to believe."
I felt my muscles loosen as tension began to leave me.
He scoffed. "You're brave. If you really knew what I was you wouldn't be here."
"You're a shadow person." I glanced around the inside of the silo. "What shall I call you?"
"Why are you doing this?"
I gave a limp shrug. "It's probably lonely in this silo. I thought maybe I could be you're friend."
"You're peculiar, Miyoung."
"You know my name?"
"Your friend called you back some years ago while you played a game."
"How long have you been here?"
"I've lived on this land for more than a hundred years, but when this silo was built, a devil's trap was painted on the ceiling. It captures most evil things. I can no longer leave this silo with it there."
"I'm so sorry." My heart felt a pinch of sympathy for the monster. "I should probably leave. My mother would be enraged if she knew I was here. Goodbye."
I sharply turned, but stopped at the sound of the shadow person's voice.
"Wonho. That's my name."
