章 404: Day 5 (8)

Gayoon passed through the cold curtain and stepped into a silent world which reminded her of the World of the Dead. It was so quiet that she could almost hear her heart beating rapidly against her chest. Not even the sound of the wind whoosh by her ears, making her feel as if the whole world had gone deaf.

"Jina?" she called out.

"Mom!"

Gayoon scanned around and saw a large altar up ahead. It stood on a flight of stairs but Jina's voice came from that place. 

"Jina!" she cried and dashed towards the altar, climbing the stairs to find her daughter tied on the large dial. Jina was crying hard, confused and dazed by the strange place she had been kept in.

"Mommy!" she cried hysterically. "Mommy, I'm scared!"

"I'm here, sweetie!" Gayoon assured her and quickly untied her daughter. As soon as she was free, Jina leapt and hugged her mother tightly, not letting go.