Season two, chapter seventy-four

"People come and go,
that's life"

THEA'S FACE CONTORTED in a display of displeasure before she moved quickly towards Gelly, deftly gripping her arm and bending it backwards while delivering a succession of relentless punches to her stomach. Furthermore, with forceful determination, Thea delivered a kick to Gelly's stomach, causing her to writhe in pain on the ground, blood spilling from her mouth as Thea observed her with a stoic expression, eyes ablaze with fury and malice, resolute in her quest for vengeance.

"Let's end it now" Thea released a breath, her injured eyelid oozing blood as she moved forward once more towards Gelly with the aim of concluding the situation. In contrast, Gelly leapt through the air akin to a feline, landing several meters away from the inert form of SuHo lying on the ground "No!" Thea exclaimed in despair at Gelly's malevolent motives, only to have Gelly act swiftly by inserting her sharp gloves into SuHo's chest, resulting in a flow of blood from the wound. In retaliation, Thea raised her hand into the air and unleashed a telekinetic force to propel Gelly away from SuHo, subsequently rushing towards her friend's injured form "SuHo, wake up, SuHo. Stay with me, SuHo," Thea cried, gripping the boy's face with desperation

"What's the matter?" Gelly exclaimed with a hint of amusement in her voice "You wanted to end things" She let out a laugh, provoking Thea, who retaliated with a vicious kick to the face, causing Gelly to fall to the ground. Thea then mounted her and proceeded to deliver two punches, but as she aimed for a third, an unseen power arrested her hand and forcefully repelled her, sending Thea tumbling through the field as though she were a mere object

"Mr. Hwang..." With a combination of shock and alarm, Thea whispered upon spotting the man standing just a short distance away. In an instant, a formidable strength seized her throat, prompting her to frantically grasp at it in an attempt to break free from the hold and restore her capacity to inhale

"I guess you missed me after all" Gelly exclaimed as she stood up from the ground, with a look of contentment on her face, stating "First, let me kill her. Then I'll compliment you" However, Pil-gwang quickly intervened, using his telekinetic powers to restrain her by the neck before she could proceed

Mr. Hwang expressed his frustration with a lack of emotion on his face as he stated "I thought we'd be together forever" Meanwhile, Thea's complexion flushed crimson with the rapid influx of blood to her head, rendering her speechless and under the sensation that her head was on the verge of bursting

"What are you doing?" Gelly inquired, while delicately clasping the man's hand around her throat, her gaze never meeting Thea's, who clenched her teeth in silence

"If you're adamant about leaving me, then there's nothing I can do. But you're too precious for me to just hand over to them" Mr. Hwang spoke with unwavering certainty, his intense gaze fixed on Gelly

"Damn it" Gelly commenced emitting a sinister laugh while being strangled by her purported significant other, questioning "So? Are you going to kill me and then consume me?"

"Just think that you'll be living inside me" Mr. Hwang humorously remarked "Thanks for your power in advance" Thea was then forcefully pulled toward Mr. Hwang by her neck, leading to both her and Gelly being subjected to strangulation. Subsequently, they were forcefully thrown through the air and landed clumsily onto the ground

Thea winced in pain, a trickle of blood running down her forehead as she drew in a deep breath. Slowly raising her head, she was overcome with a sense of urgency. Despite the circumstances, her focus remained entirely on SuHo's welfare.

"SuHo..." Struggling to speak, Thea quietly voiced her concerns as she observed Mr. Hwang's menacing approach towards SuHo, who lay unconscious. Feebly, she extended her hand in a futile attempt to utilize her telekinetic abilities, only to find herself drained of energy. Having exerted herself to the brink, she feared the consequences of further employing her telekinesis, perceiving a potential mental overload

In a moment of despair, she witnessed a sudden manifestation of telekinetic power that propelled the man with great force, causing him to crash into garbage bags. Thea observed the event in amazement, feeling bewildered and confused. Despite this, she quickly left the scene with SuHo.

"Guys, you must come now! Quickly! Hurry up!" While embracing SuHo tightly, Thea spoke urgently into her earpiece, hoping that her colleagues had received her message clearly

As she held SuHo on the dark road, she found herself overcome with emotion, shedding tears and feeling helpless as she struggled to address his injuries.

Her healing powers were thwarted by her frailty, resulting in only a temporary closure of SuHo's wounds as they reverted back to their original state once the purple aura faded from her hands. Overwhelmed with desperation, she held onto SuHo's bloodied figure, her tear-stained face pleading with the heavens to spare him, to not take yet another loved one away from her.

"Thea!" exclaimed Ms. Chu, peering her head out from the swiftly approaching vehicle

Upon the arrival of the vehicle in front of Thea, everyone promptly exited with apprehension and alarm upon observing the injured figure being cradled by the young girl. Thea, in turn, gazed at the members with a sense of vulnerability, evoking a feeling of unease in all present as they witnessed her distress.

"Thea!" Mun exclaimed with concern, the first to approach the girl, dropping to his knees with great urgency to ensure her well-being

"Please save him" Thea beseeched with a trembling voice, her sweat-drenched face causing her hair to stick to her forehead "Please save SuHo!" With tears streaming down her face, Thea cried as she placed her hand over SuHo's wound, desperately trying to stop the bleeding

"What happened?" Inquired Ms. Chu with horror, her heart was filled with sorrow as she observed Thea's appearance and behavior, which was unprecedented in their experience. It was truly disconcerting to see her in this state

Thea watched intently as SuHo knit his brow in discomfort while receiving care from Ms. Chu. His injuries and the blood had miraculously disappeared, leaving him lying vulnerably on Thea's bed, draped in only a blanket. The solitary lamp on the nightstand cast a dim light, heightening the feeling of solemnity in the room.

"He'll be okay" Ms. Chu reassured, gently removing her hands from SuHo's face "Let's keep an eye on him and take him home before it gets late"

"Thank you, Ms. Chu" Thea expressed gratitude to Ms. Chu with a sense of appreciation gleaming in her eyes, feeling uncertain about how she would have managed if Ms. Chu had not arrived promptly to attend to SuHo's injuries

"As for his memory, I erased all memories of Gelly. But won't he be flustered when he wakes up? He won't remember anything" Ms. Chu demonstrated her discontent with a furrowed brow, however, she had no inclination to tackle the formidable task on her own. She did not explicitly request Thea to do it, but Thea interpreted it as a task assigned to her

"I'll try my best to sort that out" Thea affirmed with a nod, fully aware of what needed to be done next "So he won't be startled when he wakes up. I'll settle everything"

"Everything?" Ms. Chu regarded her with compassion, understanding the formidable task that lay ahead for Thea. She then softly comforted Thea by placing a hand on her shoulder, gathered her own things, and quietly left the room to allow them some privacy

Thea's eyes filled with tears once more as she straightened the blanket over SuHo's exposed body. She quickly looked away to conceal her emotions, determined not to give in to her feelings. Recognizing the need for strength, she resolved to end her friend's agony. By doing so, she believed it would protect him from further harm and was ultimately the most prudent course of action.

"Thea..." Upon hearing SuHo's hoarse voice, she quickly redirected her attention towards him, feeling a chill travel down her spine as their gaze locked

"SuHo, are you awake?" Thea exclaimed softly, wiping away the remaining tears on her cheeks. She gently insisted "No, you can't get up yet. Lie down" as she compelled him to recline once more when SuHo attempted to sit up on the bed

"What happened?" inquired SuHo with a hoarse voice and confusion "Where am— what happened to your face?" His tone shifted to one of concern as his eyes scanned the visage of the young woman before him "My memory is vague. I remember that you were in danger"

"You're right" Thea expressed her assent with a forced smile, constructing a plausible but untrue narrative for him to accept "You saved me. You are pretty healthy" Upon recognizing his success in safeguarding her, Suho smiled with a combination of satisfaction and reassurance "You just... got into... a small accident. You collapsed while trying to save me. Thankfully, it happened near my place, so I brought you here"

"There was an accident?" SuHo posed a nearly imperceptible question, his feeble and hoarse tone causing Thea to feel even greater remorse for entangling him in the complicated situation

"SuHo, remember that restaurant... that we wanted to go, but couldn't?" Suddenly, Thea inquired, sensing the gradual loosening of the constriction in her throat

"Yes"

"I'd like to go there" With a smile on her face, Thea mentioned while making an effort to remain composed and refrain from shedding tears instantly

"Really?" SuHo inquired enthusiastically, his eyes beaming with excitement as Thea affirmed with a nod

"You booked tickets to a play too on the day. Right?" Thea inquired as she gently pushed aside a few strands of hair that were falling on SuHo's face, who responded with a smile "I'll book them this time. Let's watch it"

SuHo insisted, "No, let me," prompting Thea to scoff and avoid his gaze as tears threatened to well up in her eyes. When he asked "Are we really going together?" with excitement, Thea nodded, unable to speak further for fear of crying. He admitted "I can't believe you're saying that. It just feels so surreal. Meeting you three years ago... and seeing you smile once again. I actually prayed very day... that I'd meet you again" Each time SuHo caught sight of her, he displayed a nostalgic smile tinged with a unique spark in his eyes

"It was a short time, but I... I was extremely happy thanks to you" With tearful eyes and a trembling voice, Thea admitted, her emotions overpowering her as she finally released the knot in her throat "You'll feel better after taking a nap. You won't be in danger because of me anymore. Thank you for everything" With a gentle smile, she extended her hand, pausing briefly before positioning it before SuHo's face to delicately eliminate the recollections they both held, of herself and their story. As tears flowed down her cheeks, she shut her eyes fervently

"When one has lost a friend, one's eyes should be neither dry nor streaming. Tears, yes, there should be, but not lamentation."

The significance of the words Jun-seo used to comfort Thea after losing a friend had never been fully grasped by her until now. Despite being fully aware that SuHo will not retain any memory of her in the future, Thea vowed to always hold him in her heart, treasuring the joyful memories they had created together.

Thea hesitantly retracted her hand and locked her gaze on him, tears cascading down her cheeks. This moment marked the end of her visual connection with him; the lasting image of him would be bittersweet in its intensity.

Thea held a white paper bag in one hand, with the other hand tucked inside the pocket of her brown jacket. She had ventured out to acquire the remaining supplies required for her university studies, mindful of the swift passage of time with only five weeks remaining before classes recommenced. Anticipating limited availability later due to extenuating circumstances, she took proactive measures to ensure she was well-prepared in advance.

However, her actions were driven by a desire to escape from the events of the previous day.

Nonetheless, a feeling of unease washed over her as she detected the sound of laughter emanating from behind. The laughter, which was sweet and melodious, belonged to SuHo. She cautiously turned her head, only to come face to face with SuHo and SooJin. The latter had recently returned from her trip abroad, using the opportunity to also wipe her memory clean.

Thea looked on from afar with a nostalgic grin on her face, witnessing their carefree laughter and smiles, unharmed by Thea's adversaries. They were liberated, content, and beyond harm - what more could she desire?

With a resolute gait, Thea confidently traversed the street upon the signal changing to red, her countenance adorned with a smile yet her cheeks moistened with tears, all while the sounds of her dearest friends' laughter echoed in the distance

"Sorry I'm late" Upon entering her residence, Thea made her presence known by swaying the white bag she carried

"Hey!"

"She's here!"

Everyone swiftly assembled on top of the table, offering forced gestures of hospitality that perplexed her. Nevertheless, she couldn't resist a gentle smile at the image of her boyfriend playfully pretending to use two spoons as spectacles.

"Whats wrong with you guys?" inquired Thea with a raised eyebrow, tilting her head to the side in curiosity

"My back is killing me" Ms. Chu abruptly expressed dissatisfaction, evading the inquiry of the younger woman

"Are you okay?" Hana proceeded to inquire with a sense of apprehension, which left Thea feeling unsure as to whether they were simply avoiding the topic or hiding something

Thea hastily announced, "I will go and leave this in my room," as she displayed the bag in her hand, casting a curious glance at her family

"Okay"

Thea cast a final glance at them before swiftly retreating to her room, acknowledging their secretive behavior and feeling certain she understood the motive behind their peculiar actions.

Thea observed with curiosity as her friends enjoyed their ramyeon, puzzled by the inconsistency between the information provided by Ms. Chu regarding dinner arrangements the previous evening and the meal that was currently being served.

"Didn't you say we were having chicken soup today?" Thea inquired with confusion, delicately picking up the chopsticks between her fingers

"Well, you see..." As Mun indulged in his ramyeon with the aid of chopsticks, he started to converse, leading Thea to affectionately tousle his hair, resulting in smiles from both of them reminiscent of carefree youth

"Mo-tak has been craving ramyeon since this morning" Ms. Chu quickly interjected, pointing at the detective with her chopsticks and asking "Thats why. Right?"

"Why did you... right! There are days when you wake up and your crave ramyeon. Right?" With a hesitant tremor in his voice, Mo-tak inquired with a grin, prompting Thea to gaze at him with suspicion and unsettling the entire team

"What? Right" Hana acknowledged with a subtle nod, refraining from meeting Thea's intense gaze

"By the way the air feels so fresh this morning" Mun nodded in agreement while avoiding Thea's gaze, as it indicated a desire for further explanation

"It sure does" Hana silently assented, exhibiting the characteristic restraint that was typical of her demeanor. Despite being recognized as the most reticent individual on the team, Thea could discern a palpable undercurrent of anxiety in Hana's tone even from a distance

"On a day like this, we should watch some tv" Mun proposed with fervor, displaying great enthusiasm as he rose from his seat and retrieved the remote control from the countertop adjacent to the dining area

"Yes"

"Yes!"

"Let's watch some tv while we eat"

"Right"

Mun exclaimed, "Cue the show" however, when the television screen illuminated, the first thing that appeared was a basketball game

SuHo loved playing basketball...

"Turn that off!" Mo-tak swiftly spoke while chewing his food, his eyes widened, prompting Mun to promptly act once he understood the information being relayed. Mun pursed his lips and shifted his attention towards Thea, who seemed unperturbed by the circumstances

"That's enough. I'm okay" Thea sighed, setting the chopsticks aside. This confirmed her suspicions about the team; they were only concerned that any little thing could trigger memories of SuHo, SooJin, or any of her friends who had now forgotten her

"Don't lie" Mo-tak cautioned with a furrowed brow "When it comes to friendships—"

"SuHo and SooJin will be okay. And I'll be okay too. So don't worry about me" Thea interjected, her voice sounding serious yet composed. She understood the group's concern for her well-being, but she no longer saw herself as a young child; she was now an adult capable of handling her own issues

"If you're really okay, then can we have the chicken—" Mo-tak hurried to speak with a smile, his eyes shining with excitement at the prospect of enjoying the chicken soup

"Come on"

"Right. The evil spirit's hideout..." Thea interrupted their conversation in order to delve into the most crucial aspect: what she had witnessed in Gelly's memories during their battle

"Were you able to read something?" Mun inquired with curiosity, leaning forward. He was seated to her left, encroaching on her personal space. For a brief period of time, Thea contemplated the idea of kissing him, yet decided against it, taking into account the fact that it had been several days since their last kiss - a thought that had been causing her considerable distress

"It wasn't clear. But their hideout ... looked a little too clean and tidy. It felt like a luxurious resort or a hotel" Thea disclosed solemnly, recounting the exact memory, ultimately leaving everyone pensive yet puzzled "Furthermore, a highly unusual incident occurred in the field," Thea tightened her lips into a firm line, attracting the gaze of the members who observed her with lifted brows and clear interest displayed on their faces

On that evening, she was rescued by an individual who possessed exceptional telekinetic powers. Was this person possibly another Counter? The identity of this savior remains a mystery. Prior to departing with SuHo, the only detail she could recall was the unusual red tracksuit typically worn by Counters. The image of a male figure in the distance, his face obscured by a black mask, lingers in Thea's memory, rendering his identity unknown to her.

Who had come to her rescue?

Author's note;

I truly felt every emotion of Thea; she erased the memories of all her friends, including Su-ah and Tae-hoon. It pains me, hurts me, burns me deeply 😭 I genuinely feel sorry for Thea, but she did it to protect them from being used as bait by their enemies, as she did not want to lose more important people to her.

Question of the day: Day or night? 🌕☀️

Im a night owl 🦉 See y'all in the next chapter! 💕