It was 11 years ago when it all happened... before you appeared in my life.
The day I lost my mother.
11 years ago... (Flashback)
"Honey, it's time for dinner!"
"Arasseo!" (okay!) I replied, my voice still small and excited.
I was just a kid. I didn't know much, but I knew one thing:
Demons exist.
And my father was out there... somewhere.
I ran downstairs in a pretty dress and a sparkly tiara.
"Princess Ji-hyun has arrived!" I shouted proudly.
My mother giggled and bowed playfully. "Ohhh, you look so pretty. Your Highness."
She pulled out a chair for me to sit.
"I made your favorite!" she said.
"Kimbap!!!" I squeaked
Then—a knock on the door.
"Huh? That's weird," she said softly, then looked at me.
"Stay here, okay, sweetie?"
I sat still at first. But their voices were getting louder.
"I told you to never come here."
So I became curious. I carefully got off the chair and tiptoed closer, trying not to make a sound.
That's when I saw him.
A man standing in the doorway... or something like a man.
His eyes were glowing red.
"Leave now!" my mother shouted.
He didn't move.
Then suddenly—he threw her across the room without even touching her.
A blue glowing orb of magic appeared above his hand. He stepped into the house.
Then… he looked right at me.
And started walking toward me.
"No! Get away from my daughter!"
My mom rushed at him with a knife. But he grabbed her wrist and twisted it until she dropped it.
He stared into her eyes with his glowing ones.
"You leave me no choice," he said, then my mom started rising.
The red glowing orb grew bright and higher.
"...But to banish you for all eternity."
I should've done something.
I could've screamed. Or ran at him. Or grabbed the phone.
But I just… froze.
"Hyun! I need you to run! As fast as you can! And don't look back! Go!!!"
And so I did.
That was the last time I ever saw my mom.
[Little Ji-hyun crying in the rain]
"Jeogiyo? ("Excuse me?") Are you lost?"
I looked up. An old woman stood there, holding an umbrella.
She looked kind.
"Please help me," I cried. "My mom... m-my mom."
She bent down and hugged me tightly.
"It's going to be alright, child."
"OMMA!!" ("MOM!!") I screamed, tears pouring down.
The old woman took me home.
Dried my clothes.
Fed me.
And for the first time since that night, I felt safe…
but never healed from the inside.
The trauma
Too be continued...