Day 1 (1)
Day 1 (1)
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Mina and Haejong were discharged from the hospital the next day. For reasons unknown to Mina, her brother allowed Haejong to recuperate in their house. Minho claimed that this was to repay back Haejong's debt for saving Jina's life and also due to the fact that many of Youngdo's supporters were still out for the blood of the Lin family heir. Hence, Gayoon put him under witness protection program until the danger had passed. After that, Haejong could go home.
In reality, this was done to keep Kanji's spirit as close to them as possible while he sorted out his issues with Mina. Junho also came to live with them for the next five days so that he could keep Anyal away from the family. Mina was still unaware of Kanji's death but she was told about the demon who had possessed and killed her mother. Since she knew its name as well, it would not dare to possess her.
"Slowly," Gayoon cautioned as she supported Mina up the stairs. They reached her bedroom and she gently made Mina sit on the bed. Haejong aka Kanji was given a room downstairs.
"Did he settle in?" Mina asked. "Haejong?"
"Yeah," Gayoon replied. "It's just for a week. Once we catch all of Youngdo's supporters, he'll leave."
"Oh."
Mina did not reply but let out a sigh.
"What happened?" Gayoon asked.
"Just thinking about Kanji," Mina murmured. He had texted her many times and even called but she ignored all. The reason was unfathomable to her but something was not right. Her heart was screaming not to pick up the phone and her family's behavior only increased her suspicions. Whenever she would ask about Kanji, Junho would look away while Minho changed the topic.
"Gayoon, tell me the truth," she begged. "Did something happen to Kanji?"
The detective shifted uncomfortably. "What makes you say that?" she asked in a casual tone.
"I don't know…" Mina trailed off. "He seems so different."
"You need to focus on your health," Gayoon said sharply. "Don't let him get to you and your thoughts. Think about how lucky you are to have escaped death!"
If Kanji had not forbidden her from telling the truth, Gayoon would have spilled the beans right there. But to respect his request, she was forced to hide it.
For how long can we hide this? She wondered.
Mina sensed that Gayoon was unwilling to tell her anything so she did not broach the subject again. Gayoon exited the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
She lay on the bed, trying to connect the dots but her mind was blank. Nothing made sense to her and no one wanted to tell her the truth. It was getting frustrating to be in this stuffy environment which seemed heavy with a mix of grief and anguish.
Feeling irritated, she got off the bed and slowly headed for the stairs. Minho and Junho were out while Jina was at school. Gayoon was probably in her room, doing some work so there was no one else around. The staff were probably in the kitchen, preparing lunch.
Carefully descending the stairs, Mina quietly made her way towards the place where the car keys were kept.
"What are you doing?"
She almost yelped and turned back in fright. 'Haejong' stood there, peering at her with suspicion.
"Oh," she said in relief. "It's just you."
Kanji frowned at her. Mina picked out a key from the cabinet and was walking out of the door. Kanji followed her.
"You shouldn't be going out like this!" he told her.
"I need to get away!" Mina said. "It's too depressing inside the house!"
Kanji caught Mina by the hand and stopped her. "What's going on?" he demanded. "Why are you acting like this?"
"I…" Mina began but she could not explain it in words. "I just need to cool off. Somehow. Anyhow."
She looked at him with her cat-like eyes, silently begging for something.
"Can you come with me?" she whispered. "I can't really trust myself right now."
Her words alarmed Kanji. What was she thinking? Did she find out? That was impossible!
"Alright," he finally said. "I'll go with you. Wherever you want to go."
Mina felt grateful towards him for not asking too many questions. She led him towards her Porsche which was parked in the parking lot of the mansion. They got into the car and she drove off.
She was very careful not to drive fast because the speed might hurt Haejong's back but she lowered the hood of the car, letting the air slap their faces. The cool wind felt nice as she drove towards the highway which led to the beach.
"What is she doing?" Haejong's voice rang in Kanji's head. "Is she alright?"
"She's not," Kanji told him. "And somewhere in her heart, she knows it."
Mina kept on driving towards the beach, not saying anything. Kanji simply watched her, memorizing every bit of her face and etching it into his heart. He did not know if he would be able to remember her face in the afterlife or wherever it was he would end up at. Could he fight to keep his memories of her? Or would he have to give up that as well?
The thought of living in a limbo with nothing but her memories felt good to him. He had heard about the World of the Dead where all those who seek redemption end up at. If not the Afterlife, then maybe he would end up there. If he did, then he would wish for nothing else but to remember her. Just her image was enough for him.
Mina stopped the car in front of the beach. It was a weekday so there were not many people at the beach. In fact, it was nearly empty.
"The beach?" Kanji asked. "You want to cool off here?"
"Kind of," she murmured. Without another word, she got out of the car and began to walk towards the sea, taking off her shoes while Kanji ran after her.
"What happened?" he demanded. "Tell me. I'm here to listen."
Mina stared at him with a blank expression before continuing to walk towards the sea. Stepping on the wet sand, she took a deep breath.
Kanji and Haejong both were confused by her actions. What is she doing? They wondered in unison.
Taking another deep breath, Mina stopped at the edge of the waves.
And let out a loud scream.