I crept up the narrows staircase, each stairs groaning at my weight. At the top a glint silver of golden light shines beneath the attic's door. My heart pounded with fear and impossible curiosity. I reached for the golden doorknob and ease it open.
A soft whisper drifted through the crack, the faint voice ''Uncover the power'' It sounded almost melodic.
My breath caught as a dusty leather bound book, that has the color of autumn as it's cover. The book flipped open by it's own, one by one the pages flickered open as if guided by an Invincible hand.
The book didn't stopped Until it settled on a page headed '' A world full of Magic: Nightmire''
Magic? impossible? I thought. Every bolt in my body wanted me to run downstairs, but still my legs kept me forward.
I heard the voice again more clearer more insistence it sounded like an echo ''Uncover the power...uncover the power...''
Fingers trembling as I reach my hand forward I was able to read the first line.
''Those who seek power, the power within shall be awaken''
I gulped my palms felt warm my heart heavy... I leaned in to read another Line but.. Then a voice behind , warm and familiar shouted ''Ha-Joon-ah!'' It was my mom.
I turned to the door and took a hard breath in and I let it out slowly, When I turned around the book was gone, the lights, the voice. Gone.
''What? that's strange, where did the book go?'' I thought scanning the room, but then I heard another voice familiar '' Ha-Joonie where are you?'' It was Ji-Woo.
I glance at the room and shook my head, maybe I was just hallucinating but it did felt real. I ran downstairs.
END OF POV:
Ha-Joon's pulse thundered in his ears, as he bolted downstairs. His hands slick against the banister as if he had seen something impossible in the Attic-and he had.
At the foot of the stairs, the living room felt unnaturally still, No steps no bickering.
Mrs. Kim sat rigid by the couch, knuckles white, place on the cushion, Mr. Kim's jaw clenched his face looked drawn, at the Sofa Ji-Woo sat fidgeting with her phone and Min-Ju... Is strangely not in the living room
''Where were you guys?, the car were all outside?'' Ha-Joon's voice cracked.
Mrs. Kim's lips trembled '' we-we went out on a walk... we went for shopping..''
Mr. Kim scratched the back of his neck '' Flat tire... so we went on foot..''
Avoiding eye contact ''Yes.. that is what happened..''
Ha-Joon's eye frowned in suspicion, his eyes narrowed as he nod.
''Then where is Min-Ju...?'' Ha-Joon asked, and they glanced at each other nervous, eyes widened.
''Min-Ju is...Min-Ju is...' Before Ji-Woo could finish Min-Ju waltz inside, holding shopping backs.
''Where did you guys... go and left me...?'' Min-Ju said keeping the bags aside.
''Haaa... Min-Ju the bags..'' Mrs. Kim shouted and walked to Min-Ju collecting the bags, she patted his shoulder smiling nervously.
''Ye...'' Ha-Joon's said his tone doubtful and then he nodded, then he remembered the attic incident.
''Okay but I saw something in the attic.. like a light... and a book''
Before he could finish a large buzz came from his phone, his phone's screen blazed with Joy's name.
''Joy..!!'' He breathed hands shaking.
''Ha-Joon-ah.. please *sniffs* please... come to Ironveil street...'' Her voice trembling. She is crying.
''Joy...why are you crying..?'' He asked and everyone's attention turned to him, worried and concern. ''I'm coming'' he hang up the call.
''Ha-Joon what happened to Joy...'' Ji-Woo asked concerned, but he didn't hear her, he just bolted outside. Every steps full with urgency. The evening breeze bit at his face but he didn't notice.
Ten minutes later he skidded into the Ironveil street. Under flickering single lamppost, Joy huddled against the brick wall of an old butcher shop,
Her sheet sleeve was torn, red seeping through her hands trembled, a bruise already blooming through her knuckles. Around her, three rough looking guys silhouettes leaned in blocking any escape.
''Joy!!!....'' Ha-Joon shouted and ran towards her pushing one of the goons aside.
''Joy are you okay?''
She winced and lifted her hand a little pointing at the goons ''They called me, but when I refused to go... they got angry and '' Her voice hitched ''I'm fine just...''
One goon shamelessly reached her again, Ha-Joon pushed him, put a hand on his pocket and meet the man's gaze.
''Back off... you disrespectful donkey'' His voice shook with fear and something brave that he never felt before.
The thug laughed, and push Ha-Joon aside, He felt a rush of an adrenaline and then with all his might stood up and slapped the thug, the leader on the face.
The thug looked at Ha-Joon fury in his eyes without a second thought, he punched Ha-Joon on the face, and then suddenly blood streamed down his nose. He is shaken as tears streamed down his cheek.
''Ha-Joon-ah!'' Joy shouted standing up her knuckles and knees shaken, tears streaming down her cheeks.
The biggest goon sneers and raised his hand and gave Ha-Joon another strong punch on the face, blood came out again, splashing on his grey hair. He raised his hand again ready to hit what strength left in Ha-Joon.
But a firm hands shot out of no where, pressing the attacker's wrist with enough force to snap tendons.
The man staggered back, eyes widening at the inky black script curling across the hand '' Hope ends here''.
Under the flickering lamplight a boy stepped forward, His eyes glowed a deep red, stretched into thin slits, face covered with mask...In-Su?.
He moved with a prestiguise grace- one swift kick sent the big goon backward, another blow to the second thug's ribs had him clutching his side. The third one ran away pulling his brothers with him.
For a moment everything was still.
Then In-Su turned around, and knelt beside Joy, Ha-Joon clutching his nose starred in disbelief. Joy's face was pale, her hand pressed to her side where she'd been bruised.
''Are you okay?'' In-Su asked voice low but not unkind.
What the helly did he just talk? In-Su just talked? - Ha-Joon thought.
In-Su offered Ha-Joon a crisp white handkerchief ''Here wipe that blood off or you will catch cold''
Ha-Joon starred at the cloth, then at the owner ''You can talk?'' Ha-Joon asked as he wipes his nose with the cloth, but In-Su just nodded.
Joy's eyes brimmed with gratitude, her one's beloved glasses broken '' Thank. .you I-'' She tried to sit up straighter.
In-Su nodded ''Easy let me help you'' He slid an arm around her waist steadying her then he offered Ha-Joon his other hand.
Ha-Joon accepted it, wincing as he straightened, he dabbed at his bloody nose eyes never leaving In-Su.
''I... just saw you... both here...in Ironveil street.. it's not safe for girls...'' In-Su said quietly ''Now I know it's not safe for boys either...'' He teased and Ha-Joon rolled his eyes.
Joy gave Ha-Joon a shaky look then a wink, Ha-Joon nodded trust and relief flooding through him as In-Su guided them away from, Ironveil street's plain lamplight.
-------
After a while, they reached Ha-Joon's front gate, after keeping Joy home. Ha-Joon fumbled with his key, then gave In-Su an awkward, grateful smile.
''Thanks for helping me out'' He mumbled, In-Su raised an eyebrow and nodded TYPICAL. Ha-Joon turned holding the handkerchief stained with blood.
''I will wash it and bring it back for you tomorrow'' Ha-Joon said and In-Su shook his head.
''No...You can keep it'' He said.
Right then, the gate swung open, and In-Su panicked a little, fearing it might be one of Ha-Joon's family, He turned to Ha-Joon gave a quick wave and nod, before walking away. And Mrs. Kim and Ji-Woo did come out.
''Hey who's that...?'' Mrs. Kim asked but all of a sudden the attention went back to Ha-Joon, seeing him with a bloody bandaged nose.
''Oh my gosh! what happened?'' Ji-Woo asked dragging him in.
''Oh, I'm fine no need to worry...''
''come Inside let's see this..'' Mr. Kim said pulling him inside the house.