Gone But Never Forgotten

Chapter 6

Lay rises up the last step and moves closer to Chen’s room, careful not to make a sound. I follow him even though he gives me a sharp look. He presses against the wall, reaching for the doorknob, and gently pushes it open. A moment later, he sticks his head inside.

“What?” He whispers, more to himself than to me. He goes further to investigate, and I follow him into the room. He turns around to face me. “There’s no one here. How can there be no one here? Someone had to move that door. There has to be someone here.”

The hair on the nape of my neck stands on end. Maybe there is, I think to myself. But we just don’t know it.

“There must be an explanation for this,” Lay says, rubbing his neck. “There must be something wrong with the foundations, and it is affecting the door. That’s why it keeps moving.”

“Right,” I agree, wanting something logical, something rational to hold on to—even if I didn’t believe it myself.

Lay looks up at me. “Who was that man you had with you? The one that started working as we left?”

“Byun Baekhyun,” I tell him again. “Why?”

“Maybe this house is too empty,” Lay says. “It’s giving us the jitters. That’s all. Do you think he has someplace to stay?”

I blink. “I don’t know. I don’t think so. He said he was new in town…”

“We should invite him to stay. He can take Chen’s old room. Then maybe things will calm down and we can stop seeing things.”

I’m not so sure—and I am hesitant to invite another complete stranger into the house. Chen had made me promise…

Chen smiled and brushed my hair away from my face. “I love you,” he said quietly.

My face reddened as he laid his hand on my cheek. “I love you, too,” I whispered, nervous but thrilled at saying the simple but powerful words. His smile broadened, and he kissed my forehead.

“He Jin,” he said, tilting my chin up. “Will your brother approve of us?”

“He already does,” I replied. “You know he likes you, Chen.”

“It’s impossible not to,” he teased, kissing my nose. I smiled and snuggled closer into his chest. He wrapped his arms around me and sighed happily. “I love you…” His warm brown eyes peer into mine. “He Jin, please promise me something.”

“Anything,” I said. My pulse began to quicken.

“Be mine always,” He said. “I will never, ever leave you. I never want you to leave me, either.”

My eyes widen. “Chen…”

“Promise me,” Chen insisted gently. “Please, He Jin. Promise me that you won’t let anyone replace me if anything happens to me.”

I smiled. What could possible happen to him that would make me want to replace him? I nodded. “I promise, Chen.”

“I don’t know, Lay,” I start.

Lay cuts me off. “No, I’ve made up my mind. We should invite him to stay. It’s a sign of good hospitality, and it will help bring down our jitters.” He goes back downstairs and reaches for his jacket.

My eyes widen. “You’re leaving?”

“I’m going back to offer that Byun Baekhyun a place to stay,” Lay corrects. “I won’t be gone long.”

“Lay!” I stare at the door as it closes behind him. My pulse races. He just wanted to get out of the house! He’s my big brother; he can’t leave me while I’m scared! I realize how childish I’m acting and take a deep breath.

Then someone else takes a deep breath, too. 

I yelp and whirl around. "Who's there?!" I cry, looking around. I see a shadow out of the corner of my eye. I quickly run, following it. "Hey!"

It darts up the stairs, and I sprint after it. By the time I reach the top, it is already gone, and I am out of breath. As I lay my hands on my knees and gasp for air, I hear a creaking noise. I raise my eyes just to see the door of Chen's bedroom open up.

My heart pounds, but I have to go see. I climb up and step through the open door. "Who's there?" I ask the empty room. "Show yourself now!"

His bathroom door slams shut. I jump and move towards it. "Hey! Come out of there now! Stop hiding!" I push on the door, and it easily opens, making me fall through. "Oof!"

I look up and sigh. The bathroom is empty, too. I stand up and check my appearance in the mirror. As I brush my hair away from my face, I freeze and stifle a scream.

Chen stares back at me, standing behind me in the mirror. I glance next to me where he would be, but there is nothing there. Only his reflection. His eyes are hollow, and his face is pale. His eyes bore into mine. I am frozen where I stand, my heart pounding at the sight of him. 

"Im...possible," I whisper, staring back at him.

His lips move slightly, but I understand what he says. His voice is clear but soft, barely a whisper, in my ear. 

"He Jin."

Tears fill my eyes. "Chen," I say, my voice cracking. His reflection almost smiles at me, and it moves barely. His hand reaches up and touches my reflection's shoulder. I feel it on my own as if he was actually standing beside me.

His eyes harden for a fraction of a second. "You promised," he says. He looks almost...angry. My eyes widen as he reaches for the mirror as if he wanted to simply step out and get to the real me. He touches the surface--and vanishes.

I quickly run out of the bathroom. My heart is going a million miles an hour. "Chen," I whisper. I run my fingers through my hair. "It's Chen."