"Where the hell am I?
That was the first thought that crawled into my mind as I opened my eyes to absolute darkness. A cold, unsettling chill crawled down my spine. My body was awake, but my mind couldn't catch up. I found myself in a place I didn't recognise yet, somehow, it didn't feel entirely unfamiliar.
i stood up slowly and searched for the light switch as i could not see anything. When i reached to the light swtich.
Click. Nothing. Click-click. Still nothing.
what the hell why it is mot working ?? Of course. A power outage. Because things aren't weird enough already. great
I grabbed my phone, switched on the flashlight, and flicked on the flashlight. 23% battery. Nice. That's definitely going to last through a supernatural crisis.
I stepped out into what looked like a living room. The air felt heavier and thicker here.
And then I saw it.
A figure. Standing on the balcony.
Just… standing, They weren't facing me. Just… staring into the night sky.
"…What the hell? Who the fuck is that?"
"Hey!" I called out. "Who are you?"
No response.
"Excuse me! Are you… lost? or From the neighbor's party?"
Still nothing.
Nothing. They didn't even flinch. Just stood there, like a mannequin or a ghost too polite to interrupt.
My feet moved before my brain approved the idea. every step it felt like a horror scene of movie, I stepped closer. Flashlight shaking.
"Hello?! Are you deaf ?? cant you hear me for real??
I stopped a few steps away, heart pounding. A part of me wanted to bolt. The other part? Dumb curiosity you know.
"Okay… deep breath," I muttered. "Just ask the dumb question and get it over with."
"…Are you a ghost? Please don't say yes"
Suddenly, the figure moved. Slowly, it turned to face me.
I raised my phone, the flashlight trembling in my hand.
The beam landed on his face.
"Minjae?"
Oh no. Not again.
I shouted, "What the hell is wrong with you? Why weren't you answering me?!"
Of all the people to hallucinate or be haunted by, it had to be him. Fantastic.
He looked… hollow. His eyes were red, his face pale. Like he hadn't slept in years or had just seen hell and walked back without a souvenir. His hand trembled near his chest. His lips moved, but I heard nothing.
"Minjae!" I shouted. "If this is some twisted prank, I swear—"
He didn't react. Just kept staring.
I tried again. "Minjae, seriously, man. Are you possessed or buffering? Speak!"
He suddenly broke.
Tears streamed down his face. A soft, eerie sobbing filled the air.
And then, in a broken whisper, he said it.
"…Jiwoo."
My heart stopped.
What.
How.
He knew my name?
"Nope. Nope. Nope." I backed away, every cell in my body screaming. "This isn't funny anymore."
He stepped toward the balcony railing.
"No, stop. Don't even think about doing that, you idiot"
I rushed forward. "Minjae, wait! STOP!"
But it was too late.
He jumped.
"MINJAE! YOU DUMBASS"
I screamed, reaching out in vain.
And then suddenly, a sharp, loud sound pierced the air.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
My eyes flew open.
I was in bed. My bed. Familiar ceiling. Familiar fan making weird sounds it shouldn't.
Alarm clock: 8:30 AM.
I sat up, my shirt drenched in sweat, heart racing like I'd just finished a horror speedrun.
What the fuck. It was a dream. Just a dream.
But one thing wouldn't leave my head.
How did Minjae know my name?