Season one, chapter seven

"Loving you had consequences"

Athena was aware of Mun's diligent efforts, as he tirelessly trained without taking breaks. Observing this was slightly concerning, yet Thea could empathize as she had gone through a similar experience when she initially joined the team.

However, in contrast to Mun, Thea had a significant burden placed on her shoulders at a very early stage in life; she was merely a child when this situation unfolded. The memory of her extreme fear upon awakening from a precisely five-month coma, still lingers in her mind. At first, she doubted the doctors' words upon regaining consciousness, but soon enough, she experienced the truth firsthand as she accepted the abilities granted to her by Hyun-ki, whom she fondly refers to as her guardian angel.

Initially, she faced immense challenges in adapting to her unfamiliar surroundings among total strangers, who were not her kin. This led her to weep incessantly for the loved ones she had lost. Although the group offered solace, they inadvertently made her feel inept and excessively emotional. However, these unfavorable encounters ultimately proved to be mere hurdles misplaced on her journey.

Ultimately, she eventually came to terms with the tragedy of losing her family and concealed that painful reminiscence deep within her heart. Even though she has managed to move on, discussing it remains difficult as the pain still lingers. Memories of her once beautiful family, now tucked away in her heart but forgotten by her mind, continue to haunt her. Only the negative and sorrowful memories persistently invade her thoughts, as there is no one else capable of helping her erase her traumatic past.

Thea sat alone on the isolated bench in the midst of the dim and chilly night, keeping one hand nestled inside the pocket of her gray jacket while firmly gripping a small carton of juice she had recently purchased. In the chilling air, her flowing curls swayed to the side, and she shivered momentarily before releasing a lengthy sigh of exhaustion.

She was fatigued by her current existence, indeed she was, but it now fell upon her to safeguard individuals from those malevolent entities, even if it resulted in sacrificing her own life, that was the cautionary message conveyed by Wi-gen, and Thea willingly embraced it, without any hesitation, as there was nothing significant remaining in her life that compelled her to stay.

"It's really pleasant to be able to appreciate evenings like this," she mused to herself, gazing at the scenery before her. "Sipping on a juice box and relishing the sight, although it would have been more enjoyable if it were alcohol."

She let out another deep breath, taking a small sip of the juice through the narrow straw. However, her action ceased when she noticed that there was no longer any liquid remaining in it. Thea grabbed the tiny straw and skillfully twisted it into the shape of a heart, hoping it would somehow improve her emotional state.

"I think it's time to go" Having expressed this, she stood up from her chair, taking her hand out of her jacket's pocket, relishing the sensation of the chilly air once again.

She walked leisurely, desiring to prolong her journey to the restaurant. She craved extra moments of solitude in order to contemplate her thoughts and newfound emotions towards a particular young man. Unable to resist, she found herself grinning at the image of his smile, an automatic response triggered by the fascinating circumstances that brought them together.

Despite being aware that she was beginning to have emotional attachments to a specific boy with black hair, her heart was not yet prepared for such feelings.

She came to an abrupt halt while descending the stairs after realizing that her wallet was not with her. She discovered that it was not in the pocket of her jacket, and presumed that it might have slipped out when she stood up from the bench.

Even though she observed the absence of people in the surrounding area, she quickly hurried back to her original location. This was due to the potential risk of someone lurking nearby who might attempt to steal her wallet, which held the most significant memory of her life.

"Found it" She expressed while grasping the wallet, glad that nobody else had seized it. A sense of relief washed over her as she smiled, sensing a significant burden being lifted from her shoulders

"Park Athena?" inquired an unfamiliar voice situated just a few meters away from her

Thea glanced up when she heard her name, but immediately regretted it upon recognizing the person. It was Lee Su-ho, her former lover, her closest companion, the person who meant everything to her. Her heartbeat quickened and tears welled up in her eyes.

The boy she once loved, the boy who left her years ago to tend to his father's needs, the one who relocated to the United States for a span of five years, the one who ended their relationship without providing any justification, the one who left her heartbroken and instilled a fear of embracing love once more.

Thea had a sudden recollection, she found herself beside her mother at the airport, observing the sight of her supposed boyfriend ascending the escalators with tears streaming down his face, as he glanced back at her with a melancholic smile.

He assured, 'I'll be back,' before vanishing completely amidst the bustling crowd. Subsequently, they spent several months engaging in late-night calls owing to the time difference between their respective cities. With cheerful expressions, they exchanged daily updates. However, everything changed when Su-ho ended their relationship abruptly and severed all connections with her. Su-ho's unexpected decision left Thea devastated and bewildered, as she could never comprehend the reason behind it.

Years after they broke up, Thea experienced an accident that caused her to completely forget about the boy who had left a significant impact on her life, until recently.

Thea felt fear and confusion, unsure of how to react when the boy came towards her in a rush; he had transformed from the young boy she used to know into a grown man, appearing more sophisticated and appealing than he did five years ago.

"I ran here as soon as I got back" He exclaimed tearfully causing his eyes to glisten in the moonlight "And you're here"

However, Thea remained silent, unable to find the right words, and her breath became trapped in her throat. After an absence of five years, he was now standing in front of her, physically present and not just a figment of her imagination as he used to be in her dreams. Su-ho, understanding that Thea would not respond, gently placed his hands on her face. Thea yearned for Su-ho's touch, a longing she always had.

However, things had changed this time. She didn't experience the same emotions she once had years ago when their relationship went beyond friendship. A deep sense of confusion overwhelmed her because another person occupied her thoughts. Yet, Su-ho still managed to evoke a rapid heartbeat, as if she still harbored feelings for him. Su-ho tenderly caressed her cheeks, treating them as though they were his most precious possession.

"Your face is cold" He said as he gently stroke her cheeks, marveling at the captivating beauty before him "You must be cold"

Thea's eyes filled with tears as she blinked, astonished that after all these years of being apart, he would have the audacity to reenter her life in such a manner. Nervously, she gently pulled the boy's hands away from her face, avoiding any direct eye contact.

"Why are you here?" She managed to ask, with an unsteady tone, sensing the lump in her throat growing and realizing that tears were on the verge of surfacing

"Because I missed you" he replied with an expression of deep affection while gazing at her

And my goodness, he certainly did; all day and night, he longed for her deeply, forever remorseful for ending their relationship because he truly adored her, and continues to love her in a way that is beyond anyone's comprehension.

"We broke up so why did you miss me?" Thea demanded, this time bravely meeting his gaze, her tone reeking of indifference

"Even so, I missed you" Su-ho replied with a sorrowful grin on his countenance "As I missed you so much, I thought I might die" As soon as these words escaped his lips, he moved towards her but Thea promptly retreated

"I...I didn't miss you" Thea sniffled, hastily wiping away the tears on her cheeks. She then swiftly turned around and started to flee from the boy

"Athena! Athena!" Su-ho shouted as he chased after Thea, as he had previously released her and wouldn't make the same mistake again

Thea hurriedly descended the stairs, hoping to escape from the boy she believed she had moved on from after five years. However, when Su-ho reached out and grabbed her hand to prevent her from going any further, she couldn't help but experience a peculiar feeling in her stomach.

"Thea! Let's talk for a bit" Su-ho urgently pleaded, with tear-streaked red cheeks

"Let go! I don't want to see you right now" Thea yelled, as she pushed his hand away from hers, not bothering to glance at him

"Then tell me when can we meet again!" he shouted as the girl started fleeing, desiring for her to acknowledge his words. "I don't wish to experience the pain of losing you once more," he murmured softly, observing the silhouette of the girl he had formerly adored vanish into the far-off and dimly lit night

Thea was filled with sadness and resentment as she moved away, resisting the temptation to look back and lose herself once more. Brushing away her tears, she questioned whether her reaction was appropriate. Perhaps she should have embraced him and expressed how much she longed for him.

No, he was undeserving of any of those consequences, particularly in light of his actions. However, Thea couldn't avoid experiencing a sense of guilt in some way.

"Let's die, just die already" she muttered to herself in exasperation while strolling along the dimly lit street "Why did you live, Park Athena? Why did I have to meet him now? Darn it!"

After the momentary escape from Su-ho, she pondered and absorbed the recent events, shaking her head. Did she truly act in that manner? What was the reason behind her unexpected reaction? Why was she questioning herself?

Thea let out a sigh of frustration, realizing she now regretted her decision to go out at night. If only she could reverse time and avoid that situation, allowing her to forget it completely and move forward.

With a bewildered expression and conflicted emotions, she stepped into the establishment. Was her heart filled with joy over his homecoming? She couldn't fathom it, for her current emotional state perplexed her.

"Are you crying?" Inquired an individual holding plates, positioned in front of her, observing the younger one with worry. Thea glanced at the person speaking, meeting the gaze of both Hana and the rest of the group, causing them to pause their actions and show concern towards her

"Thea's crying? what happened?" Ms. Chu asked filled with concern, setting aside the dishes to approach her

"Who is responsible of this? Should I resort to violence?" Mo-tak inquired, his brows furrowed. Thea vigorously shook her head while she wiped away the persistent tears in her reddened and puffy eyes resulting from her intense crying

"Then what happened?" Ms. Chu grasped her gently, as the girl's response was eagerly awaited by everyone present

"It's..." However, when her phone started ringing, she retrieved it from her trousers and a sense of curiosity filled the air as everyone gathered around to catch a glimpse of the caller's name. Thea, however, was taken aback and let out a gasp upon seeing the identity of the caller

"What? Who is it?" Mun inquired with curiosity aroused by the girl's performance, even though Thea promptly rejected the call

Why does she still has his number anyway?

"Why is he calling?" She voiced her curiosity, grabbing the attention of the entire group once again

"'He'?" Mun inquired once more with a hint of what? Could it be jealousy or envy?

"It's no one" However, her phone buzzed once more as she got a message from Su-ho

"Did you get back okay?" As soon as Thea read the message in her notifications section, she switched off her phone.

"Who's 'Lee Su-ho'?"Hana asked curiously as she had taken a look at the contact name

Thea became tense, and her mind was filled with memories once again. However, the group was too concerned and would not dismiss this issue so effortlessly.

"It's no one" Thea repeated, swallowing the lump in her throat before she could begin to cry once again

"Why were you in tears then? Is there something happening that you are hesitant to share with us?" Ms. Chu gently inquired

"Is there?" Mo-tak inquired, but rather than responding, Thea simply glanced downward. "Thea, it is essential that you verbalize your thoughts so that we can offer assistance."

"I'm perfectly alright, alright? There's no issue with me, it's just...something went into my eyes causing them to become red and swollen," Thea justified, evading eye contact with everyone present, as they were well aware of her deception. "I'm going to rest now, kindly refrain from disturbing me."

"Are you not planning to have a meal?" However, Thea disregarded her completely and swiftly proceeded to her room

Moving away from a circle of companions who were worried about the girl, as it was evident that she was not in a good state. Their understanding of her was such that they could easily discern when she was not alright.

"She appears to be visibly distressed," Mo-tak remarked, placing his hands on his hips as he peered towards the path the girl had walked away

"Indeed, it appears as though she is reluctant to discuss the matter, so it would be best not to insist. We must allow her to confide in us when she feels prepared," Ms. Chu responded with deep compassion for the young girl

"It's definitely because of a guy" Hana added while she proceeded with arranging the plates onto the table

"A guy?" Mun muttered to himself, as he chose to remain stationary while the rest proceeded with their activities

"Do you think she was rejected or something?" Inquired Mo-tak, offering various theories

"It's probably someone from her past" Hana said shaking her head, as she possesses greater knowledge about Thea compared to others present

"Instead of making assumptions, it would be more prudent to allow her to inform us herself," Ms. Chu admonished

Mun stood in place while still gazing in the same direction Thea had disappeared, feeling perplexed by the intense emotions and sensations he was experiencing at that moment.

What on earth was going on with him? Why is he experiencing... jealousy?

How was Thea's condition? Terrible, once again she experienced insomnia last night due to the overwhelming influx of memories from years ago. She questioned whether it was her final encounter with Suho since she no longer resided in her previous location, making it nearly impossible for anyone, except highly intelligent individuals, to trace her whereabouts.

Last night, Hana carried food to her room while everyone was asleep because she was concerned that Thea had not eaten anything throughout the day. Hana decided to stay with Thea to ensure that she consumed all the food. Additionally, Hana informed Thea about Mun's excessive training, expressing how noisy he had become recently. Hana shared that Mun's loud screams had even awakened her in the middle of the night.

Despite Thea being aware that Hana's intentions were to uplift her spirits, she occasionally found herself amazed by the extent to which Hana would bend her own principles in order to bring her comfort, even when she was already content. This could possibly be attributed to the shared experience of both having gone through something similar in the past, which forged a stronger bond between them since Thea joined the team.

"Hello, Ms. Chu" Mun said on the other side of the device. The group was currently heading towards Mun's school because they had come across another evil spirit a few miles from their location

"Mun, we got a case. Come to the front gate now"Ms. Chu explained while Thea, lost in her thoughts, gazed outside through the window

"Okay" he replied as the group parked the vehicle in front of the entrance to the school

Thea remained still, not turning her head, as Mun approached the car eagerly, wearing a wide smile on his face.

"Another evil spirit?" Mun eagerly inquired, almost leaping to his feet

"Calm down and hop in" Ms. Chu exclaimed, gesturing for him to enter the vehicles

Mun wasted no more time, promptly entering the car after opening the door. He sat beside Thea, who appeared to be devoid of any emotion as she stared down at her hands, causing the boy to feel concerned and question her well-being.

Once the car began to move, he placed his backpack to the side and directed his attention towards the girl seated beside him. He felt a sense of curiosity intensify within him, yearning to hold her hand and inquire about her well-being. However, he pondered whether it would be acceptable for him to do so.

Thea gazed through the window as the boy tentatively extended his hand towards the girl's, longing to console her and bring a smile to her face as he always did. Strangely, he discovered that he despised witnessing Thea's sadness, and it deeply pained him to observe that her countenance displayed only sorrow and anguish. If he had the power to do so, he would willingly alleviate her sadness and put an end to her suffering.

"This one's quite heavy. He's probably eaten at least three souls" Hana began to explain. Meanwhile, the boy suddenly halted his hand's movement towards Thea's, directing his gaze forward as though nothing extraordinary had occurred

"What's his level?"

Hana observed Mun's behavior and replied "I'm hoping for two, but it could be three"

"We have to get there before he does anything" Mo-tak stated firmly, gripping the steering wheel tightly and causing his knuckles to turn pale

I'll survive. Somehow I always do...

Author;

For those who have seen True Beauty, Su-ho is introduced at this point. However, for those who haven't watched the show, his identity remains a mystery. Feel free to stay curious!

I have a strong fondness for this chapter as it reflects my unique creativity. It seems to have been influenced by my own inspiration and it stands out as one of the finest pieces I have written thus far. I genuinely hope that you enjoy it as much as I do.

Remember to cast your vote, leave a comment, and follow me to receive more chapters similar to this one :)

Happy reading!

This chapter was edited: 12/26/23 ☑️