In The Shadows

Epilogue

"Her condition has considerably deteriorated since your last visit."

Jinyoung's face morphed into that of shock and then his neutral blank expression
"Ever since Zoey died she has not been the same."

"I don't want to impose but I think you shouldn't visit her this week. It would be better if we wait and see how she will be responding to visitors." Jinyoung picked an odd tone in Bambam's voice

"Has something happened? You're not telling me something"

There was a pause followed with a deep sigh
"She was.. How do I say.. Volatile"

"Volatile?"

"We all visited her yesterday. She was fine one minute and next she attacked her mom and then threatened to kill herself." Bam voice broke a little
"She wanted to see Zoey and when we told her she not around anymore. She just.. Snapped."

"I just don't know what's happening anymore" Jinyoung slowly moved towards the balcony, looking around with empty eyes.

"How long are you going to stay there?" Bambam cautiously asked

"I can't let go this place." he let out a hollow laugh
"I know she ended her life in this very apartment but its the last piece that is left of her."

"You can't blame yourself for it. Nobody could've known she would do such a thing." 

"Taking her own life is not a Zoey thing."

"And living there while witnessing the whole scenario is not a Jinyoung thing."

"I just" Jinyoung rapidly blinked his eyes trying to steady her voice "If only I hadn't left her be alone in that damn room."
His mind drifted back to the last conversation they had.

"Bam" Jinyoung said frantically

"Hey man! Where's Zoe?"

"You've to come here fast. She has locked herself in her room and I can hear her crying. I can't find the spare key. Get here NOW."

"Oh shit. I'll be there in 20 minutes"

"Its not your fault. Nobody could've known."

"Yeah!"

______________

Sleeping was the hard part for Jinyoung. It was living the nightmare of seeing her falling off her balcony all over again.

He lost the one true love of his life.

Mornings stopped having the same meanings as before but today was slightly different.

Today its time to face everything one last time before burying it for once and for all.

_____________________________

Jinyoung was guided towards the same room. He gave a polite smile to the lady before entering the room.

There she was, Nora, sitting on her bed. Her eyes connected with Jinyoung's and a smile spread across her face.

Clapping her hands together she motioned him to come closer

"Hey Nora" he kissed her head before settling beside her on the chair.

"How have you been?" as usual she didn't respond so Jinyoung took out a photo album.

He passed it to her and the child like glint in her eyes appeared. They were the childhood pictures of her.

Something she couldn't recognise anymore but at the same time it was something keeping her on the brink of reality.

Subtly reminding her who she was without triggering her.