Chapter 40: ...Please Save Her.
In the real world.
Jang Eun-woo had been by his sister's side, watching her still unconscious body on the bed. It had been thirty-three long hours since Eun-kyung had fallen into this unsettling state.
Eun-woo's eyes briefly flickered towards the novel resting on the desk, but he didn't want to know what was happening inside its pages. All he wanted was his sister back beside him, for he had been feeling incredibly lonely without her. Despite their playful pranks and constant arguments, he would do anything to bring her back.
As Eun-woo was about to head to the kitchen for some water, his attention was abruptly caught by a peculiar purple glow emanating from his sister's direction. His heart raced as he turned towards her, only to witness her body slowly fading away, disappearing before his very eyes. Fear and shock washed over him, leaving him breathless and bewildered. How could this be happening? Why? What was going on?
Driven by panic and desperation, Eun-woo dashed out of the house and rushed straight to the old bookshop. To his surprise, the shop appeared just as it had on his first visit, which only added to the growing sense of unease. However, he had no time to spare on such peculiarities. His sister had vanished, and the only person who might have the answers he needed was the old man.
He burst into the shop, causing the bell above the door to chime loudly, announcing his arrival. The old man emerged from a corner of the bookshop, wearing a gentle smile upon his face as he looked at Eun-woo.
"You've returned. What can I do for you?" he asked, only to have Eun-woo rush toward him, gripping his collar tightly. The old man's surprise was evident in his eyes.
"My sister vanished because of the cursed novel you gave me!" Eun-woo shouted, his voice filled with distress. He didn't know how to handle the situation, and he swore that if this man didn't provide a solution, he would unleash all his frustration upon him.
The old man's surprise turned into a deeper concern as he examined Eun-woo's face. "You mean her body has disappeared?" he inquired, to which Eun-woo nodded in response.
"Release me. I have a solution. Come with me," the old man said, his voice carrying an air of urgency. Eun -woo reluctantly let go of the old man's collar and followed him towards a stairway that led to an underground basement.
The descent into the basement was abrupt, enveloping them in darkness and sending a chill down Eun-woo's spine. The stony ground beneath his feet felt eerily reminiscent of an ancient prison cell or crypt. Ignoring the unsettling atmosphere, Eun-woo refrained from asking how old the basement truly was.
"I'm going to summon her right now," the old man informed him, his voice filled with determination.
"Then do it quickly," Eun-woo commanded, anxiety lacing his words. The old man nodded and retrieved what appeared to be a small gong, proceeding to walk around the circle of candles placed strategically on the ground. Chanting incantations under his breath, the old man's movements grew more deliberate and focused.
Eun-woo's heart raced as he watched, desperately hoping that his sister would be unharmed. The combination of fear, anticipation, and a glimmer of hope intertwined within him. He clutched his hands together tightly, praying silently for the success of this mysterious summoning.
–––———–—–—–—–—–—
In an alternate world.
A gunshot resounded in the open, alarming everyone present near the barn. The sudden sound brought everyone to a standstill, their gazes fixated on themselves in silence, as each person wondered who was shot.
U-jin and Ji-woo checked themselves for any signs of injury and, finding none, turned their attention towards the criminal who stood in shocked astonishment.
All eyes turned toward a teenage girl who appeared in front of the criminal, leaving everyone perplexed as to how she had managed to pass them unnoticed. Seizing the opportunity, the criminal made a desperate attempt to escape into the barn, only to be intercepted and swiftly subdued by a teenage boy.
Diego cast his gaze upon the crowd and noticed their attention being drawn to a mysterious girl he had never seen before. She stood bravely, facing him, blood staining her chest. She locked eyes with Diego, then fell to her knees, her body weakened.
Ji-woo approached her, halting beside the mysterious girl's side, shock enveloped her as she recognises who she was. How is this possible?
Eun-kyung stared at the bleeding wound, unable to fathom how she had suddenly manifested her physical form in this realm, but one thing was clear - she was rapidly fading away, nearing her demise.
A smile crept upon the Eun-kyung's face as she looked at Diego, silently mouthing the words, "Take good care of her." Diego nodded in response, feeling an unexplainable bond form between them.
Bending down beside Eun-kyung, Ji-woo's shock gave way to overwhelming grief. She couldn't comprehend the events unfolding before her eyes. Before she could voice her questions, Eun-kyung's body began to vanish, eliciting gasps of disbelief from the onlookers.
"Eun-kyung, don't go!" Ji-woo cried out, clinging tightly to her fading presence.
Diego, U-jin, Si-woo, and Mun-hee stood in shock, bewildered by the unforeseen turn of events. How had she appeared in her own body? Eun-kyung turned her head slightly toward U-jin, offering him only a side view. U-jin hurriedly made his way toward her, but she had already completely disappeared.
U-jin stared at Ji-woo, who wept uncontrollably, while Diego approached her, providing comfort through a consoling embrace.
With tear-filled eyes, Ji-woo looked up at U-jin and uttered, "She's gone," Ji-woo sobbed, her voice trembling with grief and disbelief.
U-jin stumbled backward, disbelief washing over him. He shook his head vigorously, denying the painful reality before him. She couldn't just vanish, she couldn't leave them like this. The shock overwhelmed him, causing his body to convulse uncontrollably. Concerned, Diego rushed to his side, offering support.
Hours turned into days as U-jin remained unconscious, lost in a tumultuous sea of emotions. When he finally regained consciousness, his vision blurred and focused gradually, revealing the sterile environment of a hospital room. Ji-woo sat by his bedside, her head resting on the bed, peacefully asleep. Eun-woo and Diego stood nearby, their eyes filled with a mixture of relief and concern.
Eun-woo approached U-jin with a gentle smile. "How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine worry.
"I'm fine, how long have I been out" U-jin asked to which Eun-woo brought out four of his fingers indicating that four days has passed since that incident.
U-jin nodded weakly, his voice hoarse. "Four days... I've been out for four days," he murmured, struggling to grasp the passage of time.
Diego stepped forward, gently placing a hand on U-jin's shoulder. "Ji-woo's mother, the one behind the kidnapping, is now in police custody," he informed, trying to offer a glimmer of hope amidst the heaviness.
U-jin's eyes widened in surprise. So much had transpired during his unconsciousness. He looked at Eun-woo and Diego, desperate for any news about Eun-kyung.
"Any updates on Eun-kyung?" U-jin inquired, his voice trembling with a mix of hope and trepidation.
Both Eun-woo and Diego exchanged solemn glances, silently shaking their heads. The sorrow in their eyes mirrored U-jin's despair.
"She vanished, U-jin," Eun-woo whispered, his voice heavy with sadness. "Without a trace."
U-jin's heart sank, the weight of his loss bearing heavily upon him. How could Eun-kyung just disappear without a trace? It felt like an impenetrable void had engulfed his soul.
Ji-woo stirred, waking from her slumber. Her gaze fell upon U-jin and she immediately sat up, concern etched across her face. "U-jin, you're awake!" she exclaimed, her eyes brimming with tears.
U-jin held her hand firmly, his voice full of determination. "At least one of you was saved. We won't let Eun-kyung's sacrifice be in vain."
He then turned to the rest, his voice unwavering. "Make sure Madam Hyun receives a lifelong sentence in jail."
"On it," both Eun-woo and Diego said simultaneously, their determination evident as they started to leave.
"Not you, Diego," U-jin said, his voice commanding. Diego's expression turned stiff, while Eun-woo couldn't help but smirk at the slight amusement. Diego understood his place and remained behind while Eun-woo left.
"What's wrong?" Ji-woo asked U-jin, her voice filled with concern.
"Where were you when Ji-woo was kidnapped?" U-jin questioned, his voice tinged with suspicion.
"Are you kidding me? I still came to save Ji-woo!" Diego replied angrily, unable to hide his frustration.
"But not fast enough. I just want to know where you were before you came to the barn to save Ji-woo," U-jin pressed, while Ji-woo watched them both with worry etched on her face.
"I can't," Diego retorted, unable to meet their gaze as he left the room.
Ji-woo looked surprised, turning to U-jin. "He's hiding something," she whispered.
"Don't worry about him. He's going to tell us pretty soon," U-jin assured, his voice filled with confidence.
——–—–—–—–—–—–—–—
In the real world.
As time seemed to stretch on, the air in the basement grew thick with tension. Just as doubt started to creep into Eun-woo's mind, a soft, ethereal light began to emanate from the center of the circle. It pulsated gently, gradually growing brighter and more vibrant, casting a warm glow upon the faces of those present.
Eun-woo's breath caught in his throat as the light coalesced into a figure, slowly taking shape. He recognized her instantly – it was Eun-kyung, his dear sister. Relief surged through him, washing away the doubts and fears that had plagued his thoughts.
Tears filled Eun-woo's eyes as he rushed forward, engulfing his sister in a tight embrace. "Eun-kyung, you're back! I was so scared," he whispered, his voice quivering with a mix of emotions.
Eun-kyung's eyes fluttered open, and a weak smile graced her lips. "My chest, it hurts," she murmured, her voice filled with exhaustion.
Eun-woo looked at the old man in alarm, concern etched on his face. "What does she mean?"
The old man's eyes narrowed as he assessed Eun-kyung's condition. "Something must have happened to her over there," he replied, his voice laced with concern. Just as he spoke, Eun-kyung fell unconscious once more.
Eun-woo felt a rush of panic consume him. "Please, can you help me... Please save her," he pleaded with the old man, desperation evident in his voice.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
CelesteVega
CelesteVega My novel and the characters in it should hate me by now, I'm so sorry for taking a short break from this. Therefore I'm posting two chapters today, although it is not much, I'm hoping that you will all enjoy the chapter.
Thanks for reading.
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