We left early the next morning.
Jan came to wake me up after she had already dressed. I dragged myself out of bed, my body heavy and tired, then rushed to take a quick shower. My mind was already unsettled, filled with thoughts of the house and the woman we were about to see again.
Once we were outside, we stopped a taxi and left immediately.
As we got closer, the taxi slowed and finally stopped right in front of the gate.
Something felt different immediately.
Yes, this was the same place we came to before, but now the house looked lively—too lively. The atmosphere felt wrong,
I hurried toward the gate and checked the key.
It wasn't locked.
At that moment, the same staff who had opened the door for us the other day appeared again.
My knees weakened.
I staggered and almost fell, but Jan rushed forward and caught me.
"Jina! Oh my goodness, are you okay?" she asked in panic.
I began breathing fast, my chest tightening. The staff stood there silently, watching us without saying a word.
"Please, get us some water," Jan said to her.
Without replying, the staff turned and walked inside smoothly, almost unnaturally calm.
Still gasping, I watched her walk away.
"Jina, what's wrong with you?" Jan asked, holding me tightly.
"Jan… I'm not okay," I whispered. "We need to leave."
My feet were trembling badly.
"Jina—"
"My legs are shaking," I said. "I need to sit first."
"Okay, let's at least go inside—"
"No!" I screamed suddenly. "I can't, Jan. I can't."
I looked around desperately and spotted an empty space near the gate.
"Let me sit here first."
I sat down and stared at the house. Everything about it felt different again—the silence, the walls, even the air.
"Oh no… Jan, please, we need to leave," I said as I stood up again.
"Jina—" Jan called.
Just then, the staff returned with a glass of water and handed it to me.
I didn't want to drink it. Something inside me warned me not to. Instead, I tried to touch her hand secretly.
As my fingers almost brushed her skin, she released the glass immediately.
It fell and shattered on the ground.
I jumped back in shock.
She looked at Jan, then at me. "I'm sorry," she said gently, and walked away.
"Jina, are you okay?" Jan asked again.
I'm already off, I thought to myself as my legs continued to shake.
Within seconds, the woman came out.
Oh no.
She walked toward us calmly, holding her usual glass of red wine. Her thick red lipstick, long gold hair, and confident steps made my heart race.
As she came closer, I stepped back like I had seen a ghost.
Jan greeted her politely, but I didn't greet her. I just stared at her intensely.
"Come inside," the woman said with a smile. "Why are you standing outside?"
Jan went in without a word and looked back at me.
"I'm okay," I told the woman, pretending to check my phone. "My mother is calling. I'll join you soon."
I signaled Jan, but she avoided my eyes.
The woman stood still, watching me.
Suddenly, Jan rushed back out and grabbed my hand.
"Let's go inside," she said.
"Jan, I need to get back," I said quickly. "Something urgent came up. You need to follow me too. We're sorry, ma'am."
"Jina—"
"It's okay," the woman interrupted, staring at me strangely.
"Jan, you can go," she said, without taking her eyes off me.
Jan hesitated, then spoke politely. "We're sorry for anything we might have caused. We just came to check how you were doing."
While Jan spoke, I secretly snapped pictures of the woman and the house.
"It's fine," the woman said calmly. "Thank you for your kindness. You girls can go."
I turned away immediately and walked off without waiting for Jan.
She followed.
When I looked back, the woman was still standing there, watching us.
I quickly stopped a taxi and told the driver to speed up.
Jan stayed silent as we drove away. I turned back one last time—the woman was still standing there, watching until the house disappeared from view.
Only then did I breathe out.
Back at school, I rushed to my room and locked the door. Jan followed.
"Jina, what's wrong with you?" she asked.
"For your safety, avoid that woman and that house," I said.
"She's Eunwoo's mother—"
"She is not human," I interrupted.
"How do you know that?" Jan asked.
"You forgot who I am," I replied. "I may not fully understand my powers yet, but I can feel these things."
"Jina, that woman is Eunwoo's mother—"
"Jan, she is not related to Eunwoo in any way," I interrupted. "Eunwoo has been kidnapped, and it's connected to her."
Jan pulled her hands away.
"So I'm the one deceiving you now?" she said. "Have you ever believed me? Everything you think you saw is in your head."
I froze.
"How did you know I saw something earlier?" I asked.
Ofcourse I know "Jan said looking at me
I over heard you and yoon saying something when I wanted to enter your room so I decided to stay and listen
I heard everything and that's why I accepted to come with you
Jina yoon is decieving you
She is the one that's dangerous and you need to be careful with her"
Jan said looking at me
Watching her closely she is serious
Oh no
What's really going on
I said to my self
And found my self tearing up
Jina"
Jan hugged me
You are my sister and trust me what you saw today is real
What ever you saw that day wasn't and it is all set up
Oh no
Jan,am I a dummy
Why do I always get played and easily deceived
Jan hugged me again
Jina,they know who you are
You trust easily and believe people easily that's why they play with your kind heart
Believe me you need to apologize to that woman and the staff that you broke her glass
Oh no"
Now in deep tears
Jan,I need to speak to my mother
I don't know what am doing any more Jan
Am lost
I said as Jan still hug me
Okay Jina
You can speak to your mother I will be in my room she said as she stood up and leave
Closing my door behind
Tears filled my eyes.
When my mother picked up, I broke down.
I picked up the phone, my hands trembling.
"Mother… I'm not okay," I whispered.
"Jina, what's wrong?" She asked gently, concern threading through her voice.
"Mother… everything isn't fine," I said, my voice breaking. "They keep toying with my emotions. I feel like running away from everything… to a place so far that no one could ever find me again."
"Jina…" mother called softly, her voice full of care.
"I'm tired, Mother," I admitted, my shoulders sagging with despair. "These people… they're really dangerous. Right now, I don't even know what to do or how to help myself. I feel so weak… like I'm of no use."
"Jina, listen to me," my mother said firmly, steadying me with her words. "Whatever you are seeing, it's only meant to confuse your mind and cloud your conscience. You are special. Someone with your kind of strength will endure more than this."
"Mother… the aim is to make me weak, isn't it?"
"Yes, my daughter. They want you tired. They want you to stumble and give up."
"What should I do? I don't even have my powers yet," I confessed, desperation creeping in.
"You can awaken your power without training, Jina," she said.
"How?" I asked, incredulous.
"The power is already within you," she explained gently. "You don't need any instrument to awaken it. You can do it yourself. For now, though, you must be strong. You must stand firm. I am here because I trust you. I know your strength, and I know you can survive this. Don't show anyone that you're defeated—that will only give them joy."
"Thank you, Mother," I whispered, brushing away my tears. "I feel a little better now."
"Yes, Jina," she said. "Stop crying. Remember, your strength and power can move anything—even with just the glance of your eyes. That's why they keep trying to bring you down—it's the only thing they can do. Know this: they cannot harm you. You must remove all fear from your heart."
"Thank you, Mother. I love you," I said softly.
"I love you too, my daughter. Take good care of yourself, okay?"
"Yes, Mother. I will," I promised.
As the call ended, a strange warmth and strength filled me. Somehow… I felt lighter. Stronger.
I lay back on my bed, staring at the ceiling, my heart still heavy—but no longer broken.