" Does every stories need to warm like morning sun, can't some stories be like the hottest and bright sun of the day that burns through your skin with the intention of harming your whole existence "
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The afternoon sun filtered through the kitchen window, where five-year-old Moon was setting cross legged, surrounded by colorful building blocks his small hands worked diligently, stacking one block atop another with surprising precision for a child his age
"Look, Jin! I'm making a castle," Moon called out to his older brother, who lounged on the couch nearby, scrolling through phone
Jin, his older brother, ten years old with dark green eyes that mirrored their mother's, glanced up from his device "Not bad, squirt," he said with a half-smile "But it needs a moat to it "
Moon's dark red eyes lit up at the suggestion "A moat! Yes!" He scrambled to his feet, knocking over several blocks in his excitement, and rushed to grab his blue building pieces
From the kitchen came the rhythmic sound of chopping and the savory aroma of their mother's cooking, seo hummed softly as she prepared dinner, occasionally glancing at the small television perched on the counter
"Jin, please set the table," she called for jin "Your father should be home soon"
Jin groaned dramatically but set his phone aside and pushed himself off the couch. "Come on, Moon you can help too "
Moon abandoned his blocks and followed his brother to the kitchen, where their mother handed him the napkins to distribute as Moon carefully placed each napkin beside the plates Jin was setting out, the television program was interrupted by a news bulletin
"We're receiving reports of an unusual medical phenomenon occurring in several major cities," the news anchor announcing, her voice carrying a note of controlled concern "Dozens of people are being admitted to hospitals with sudden vision impairment authorities are investigating "
Seo reached over and lowered the volume "Such scary news these days," she murmured, more to herself than to the boys
The front door opened with a familiar click "I'm home," called a deep voice from the entryway
"Dad!" Moon abandoned his napkin duties and dashed toward the sound, nearly colliding with his father as he rounded the corner
Sung, tall with striking dark black eyes, sung caught his youngest son and lifted him into the air "There's my little warrior!" He spun Moon around once before setting him down and ruffling his black hair
"How was work?" Seo asked, emerging from the kitchen to greet her husband with a kiss
Sung loosened his tie with a sigh "Busy the office was chaotic today half the IT department called in sick " He rubbed at his eyes "And these contacts are killing me my eyes have been itching all afternoon "
Jin appeared in the hallway. "Dad, can we go and have something like icecream ? You promised yesterday "
"Did I?" Sung winked at Moon "I seem to recall promising someone else it was their turn tonight."
Moon bounced on his toes "Me! You promised me!"
"How about both of you get it ?" Sung suggested, rubbing his eyes again "After I change clothes and rest my eyes for a bit "
During dinner, Moon chattered excitedly about his day at kindergarten, while Jin described a science project he was working on sung listened attentively, though he kept blinking and rubbing his eyes
"Are you alright?" Seo finally asked, with a concerned voice "Your eyes look irritated "
"Just tired, I think," Sung replied "Or maybe some allergies " He pushed his plate away, half-finished "Actually, I'm not feeling great. My vision's a bit... blurry "
Seo frowned and pressed the back of her hand to his forehead. "No fever maybe you should lie down for a bit "
And in the living room, the news was on again, the volume low but audible
"...reports are now coming in from over thirty cities worldwide, Medical officials are describing it as an unprecedented epidemic of sudden-onset blindness symptoms appear to progress rapidly from eye irritation to complete vision loss within hours the WHO has called an emergency meeting..."
"Turn that up," Sung said suddenly, his voice was tight
Seo reached for the remote, increasing the volume as the news anchor continued
"...no known cause has been identified yet
Hospitals are being overwhelmed with cases people are advised to stay home if experiencing any vision problems and to contact emergency services immediately..."
"Dad?" Jin's voice was small, uncertain "Is that what's happening to you ? "
Sung stood abruptly, knocking his chair backward "No, I'm sure it's just..." He stopped mid-sentence, his hand frozen in midair "I can't...the room is getting darker "
Moon watched in confusion as his father stumbled, reaching out blindly seo rushed to his side, guiding him to the couch
"I can barely see outlines now," Sung whispered, panic edging into his voice. "It's happening so fast."
"I'm calling an ambulance," Erina said, her voice trembling as she reached for her phone
"No!" Sung grabbed for her arm, missing "If this is what they're talking about on the news, the hospitals will be chaos Just... just stay with me"
Moon crept closer, tugging at his father's sleeve "Dad? "
Sung turned toward Moon's voice, his eyes moving but not focusing "No, it's alright moon everthing is ok ! " He reached out, finding Moon's small shoulder "I need you to be brave, okay ? "
Jin moved to the window and pulled back the curtain in the street below, a car had mounted the curb, its driver slumped over the wheel a woman stumbled along the sidewalk, hands outstretched, feeling her way forward
"Mom," Jin called, his voice tight with fear "Everyone outside is acting strange like they can't see "
Seo turned up the television volume again the news anchor's professional composure was cracking, with fear evident in her voice
"This is an emergency broadcast reports are now confirming that the blindness epidemic has spread to every continent all sighted individuals are advised to remain indoors and avoid driving emergency services are overwhelmed and..." The anchor stopped, pressing a hand to her earpiece her face drained of color "I'm... I'm being told that cases are now being reported among our own staff here at the station if you can still see, please take care of those around you who cannot stay tuned for..." She blinked rapidly, fear flashing across her face. "I... I think I'm..." The broadcast continued, but the anchor was now staring blankly into the camera, her hands groping for the desk edge
Moon clutched his father's hand, watching as his mother rushed to close the curtains and lock the door jin stood frozen by the window, his young face pale with shock
"Mom?" Jin's voice quavered "Your eyes They're red"
Seo touched her face, blinking rapidly
"Everything's getting fuzzy," she whispered
Moon looked from his mother to his father, then to his brother, dark fear crawling up from his stomach the world was dissolving around him, the grown-ups who were supposed to protect him suddenly were all helpless
"Jin?" Moon's voice was small
Jin came to him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "It's okay, Moon i'm still here big brother is here " But his voice trembled, betraying his fear....