GEOMBI RETURN | PTG JINHO ✔️

CHAPTER XIX

Uncomfortable is an understatement.

The hard ground against my meat-less back, along with the non- circulating air - I supposed - leave me drenched in sweat.

Before me, I could see red and yellowish flower flaming high like a tide.

Weird. Where in the World is this place?

Trying to sit up, my body no longer responded. I tried again, this time hoping that I have exerted enough force to push myself up.

Failed.

Does nectar smell awful, by the way? I smell burnt instead of sweetness ㅡ the way books usually describe.

"Hui oppa..." my voice got stuck in my throat. Nevertheless, I didn't stop. "Kino-ah", nothing heard as if I went mute.

"Am I dying?" My throat dried to the thought. Nobody is too young to die - I know - but, if my ending is to come to me this soon, I wanted a chance to properly bid everyone goodbye. "Spare me a life. I cannot have an ending like this."

My limbs were overwhelm by numbness. My heart was pulsing strong against my chest. I could feel its irregular beats drumming in me. My hairs were all standing straight as if there's something pulling it. I have never felt anything like this before.

And it scares me.

That was later when I heard footsteps coming for me.

It could not be the dark, selfless grim-reaper readying to knock the door of my life to lead my soul away, right?

Jinho!

The name just flashes into my mind until the step stopped. I hope it is him.

I waited for him to show his face along my blurry sight, but from somewhere beyond my visual field, I heard a voice saying, "Did you get a good sleep, young girl?"

I gulped.

It is not him. The voice sounded too eerie to be his.

I force my eyes open wide amidst the sleepiness that was slowly drowning me. I mentally curse. What is happening to my body? My sense seems to have been busted.

Hang in there, Kang Jiyoung - but the motivation I am hanging on to is slowly ceasing.

"Isn't it warm here? Be glad that I warmed this place up a bit before picking you up. Make yourself feel home." The voice scoffed. I remain still ㅡ for that is probably the best way I have to keep myself safe. "You may thank me later, that is if you can leave in a piece. I doubt you can't even move a finger by now. You inhaled too much of it." He added with a series of hard breath.

That was then when I learnt that I had been drug. His words simply explain how I am slowly losing my sense. The drug is now taking its effect, limping my whole system. So slow as if it's eating me alive.

"Who are you?" I mouthed with much difficulty. He kept the silent as if he wasn't listening but I heard him laugh a moment after. His voice was somehow gruff yet shrilling.

"Who am I?" he mumbled. "It's okay, baby girl. This is the first, and probably the last meeting we would ever had. I have nothing against you, to be honest."

The voice suddenly grew louder. "I made this surprise for her. Will she be here to see for herself how her daughter takes her fault."

Her daughter? I thought, puzzled.

"I'm not planning to go this far to pay for some rant over her little achievement but how could she did that to me, with no mercy? I raise her up to be a good journalist. She promised to do well and strive with her first case so I am to be promoted to be the higher-up. When she finally succeeded, she took everything and grew into a superstar, all by herself. How can a student outgrow their teacher? Does that make sense?"