Waking up to two missed calls from my mom made my heart skip.
I dialed her number immediately, but the call rang out unanswered. A strange unease settled in my chest, yet I brushed it off, convincing myself she might be busy. I decided to get ready for class first and try again later.
Jan had already left early to prepare for school. I stepped into the bathroom and was in the middle of my shower when my phone rang again.
I rushed out, soap still on my skin, water dripping down my arms, hoping—praying—it was my mom calling back.
But it wasn't.
A strange number blinked on the screen.
I answered.
"Jina."
A male voice.
"Yes, who is this?" I asked, my voice shaking slightly.
"Jina, you need to get home now if you still want to see your mother."
My heart slammed violently against my ribs.
I didn't let him finish.
I threw the phone onto the bed, wiped the soap off my body in a rush, barely dried myself, and pulled on the first clothes I could find. My hands shook as I ran out of the room, dialing my mom again and again while moving.
No answer.
Outside, I flagged down a taxi almost desperately.
"Please," I said to the driver, breathless, "increase your speed. It's a matter of life and death."
The driver looked at me through the mirror, nodded once, and pressed harder on the accelerator.
The ride felt endless.
When we finally arrived in front of my house, everything looked… normal.
Too normal.
But then I noticed it.
A black car, parked a little distance away, creeping slowly closer before stopping directly in front of the house. The windows were tinted so dark I couldn't see inside.
My chest tightened.
I paid the driver and rushed inside, screaming.
"Mom! Mom!"
I ran to her room—wide open and empty.
"Jina?"
Her voice came from the kitchen.
I turned and saw her wiping her hands with a napkin. She must have been washing dishes.
I ran to her and hugged her tightly, my arms wrapping around her as if letting go would make her disappear.
She was startled at first, then hugged me back.
"Jina, what's wrong?" she asked softly. "Are you okay?"
Instead of answering, I pulled away and rushed to the window.
The black car was now fully parked in front of the house.
My breath caught.
I ran to the door and locked it quickly.
"Mom," I said urgently, holding her shoulders, "you need to go to your room now."
She looked at me, confused and frightened.
"What is it?" she asked, then glanced at the window. "Who are those people?"
I didn't answer.
I gently but firmly led her to her room and pushed her inside, locking the door from the outside.
"Jina!" she called from inside. "Are you sure you'll be fine?"
"Mom, please," I said, my voice breaking, "no matter what you hear, don't come out. Don't say a word."
Silence followed.
I slipped the key into my pocket and leaned against the wall, breathing hard.
Should I call the police?
Before I could decide, the car doors opened.
Two men stepped out, both in black suits and dark glasses. One had white hair, the other long brown hair tied back. A woman followed them, dressed completely in black, her presence heavy and cold.
They stared straight at the house.
The woman gestured, and they moved toward the door.
My heart pounded so loudly I thought they could hear it.
A light knock came first.
Tap. Tap.
I didn't respond.
Another knock.
Then a hard, forceful knock that rattled the door.
I swallowed, my hands trembling, and walked slowly toward it.
"Yes… how may I help you?" I asked, forcing calm into my voice as I opened the door slightly.
"Please open up," the woman said coolly. "We want to talk to you."
I knew if I didn't, they would break in anyway.
I opened the door fully.
She entered first, her eyes sweeping the room like she already owned it. The men followed. Their hands were filthy, black coats stained with mud.
I looked away and faced the woman.
"Who are you looking for?" I asked.
She examined me from head to toe.
"Hey, lad," she said casually, chewing gum. "You are?"
"I should be asking you that," I replied. "This is my house."
One of the men stepped forward.
"We're looking for the wife of Lee," he said. "Is she around?"
"No," I lied quickly. "She's not home."
Their eyes roamed the room.
The other man moved toward the kitchen. I stepped in front of him.
"Please don't—"
He pushed me aside effortlessly, like I weighed nothing. I fell onto the sofa, stunned.
The woman walked toward my room, opened the door, then turned toward the locked room—my mother's room.
She tried the handle. Locked.
She knocked, pressed her ear to the door.
No response.
She turned back to me. "Open the door."
I stood up, my legs shaking.
"Why are you looking for my mother?" I demanded.
She stepped closer.
"You must be Jina sister " she said slowly. "Kid sister."
My blood ran cold.
They came for me.
The man suddenly kicked the door open.
My mother fell to the floor, crying out in fear.
I screamed and rushed to her, holding her tightly as she sobbed. Something deep inside me twisted painfully.
The woman gestured.
The man grabbed my mother and dragged her toward the door.
"No!" I screamed.
I ran toward him. He shoved me aside again.
This time, something inside me snapped.
A force—like wind, like fire—rose from deep within my chest.
I screamed.
A violent surge exploded outward.
The three of them were thrown back, crashing into walls and furniture.
I stood frozen, staring.
I didn't know what I had done.
I rushed to my mother, pulled her back into her room, and locked the door.
When I turned, one of the men stood up.
His fingers elongated unnaturally. His teeth extended into sharp fangs.
Fear vanished.
Clarity took its place.
Just like fire, I raised my hand.
Sparks burst from my palm.
Flames roared.
The man burned instantly, turning into ashes that scattered like dust in the wind.
The woman and the remaining man stared at me in terror.
The woman stepped closer, her eyes searching my face.
"Who are you?" she whispered.
I didn't answer.
They turned and ran, escaping into the black car and speeding away.
My legs gave out.
I collapsed.
My mother rushed out, screaming my name, holding me as she wiped my face with water until I coughed and opened my eyes.
I cried into her arms.
"Mother… what happened?" I asked weakly. "I don't understand…"
She held me tightly, tears streaming down her face.
"Jina," she said softly, "now I understand the power inside you."
I stared at her.
"Mother… what power?"
She looked at me, her eyes full of truth and fear.
"You have to rest," she said. "When you wake, I'll tell you everything."
I shook my head.
"Mother… is it true I have powers? I know already, but I thought it was all lies."
She held me closer.
"Your grandfather gave the power to you," she said. "But it is still sleeping inside you. Only when you awaken it fully will you command it at will."
I looked at her, breathing slowly.
"Mother," I whispered, "how do I awaken this power?
I am ready for it."