I stood frozen, my eyes fixed on the logbook in Jamie's hands. The worn leather cover, the yellowed pages, and the faint scent of old paper wafted up, transporting me to a different time. My mind reeled, struggling to keep up with the revelations.

Jamie's voice was a gentle hum in the background as she explained her findings, but my focus was elsewhere. That symbol - a half-moon partially covering the sun - seared itself into my memory like a branding iron. I couldn't shake it off.

My gaze drifted to Jamie's face, her eyes sparkling with excitement, but my thoughts lingered on the symbol. Where had I seen it before? The familiarity gnawed at me, like a persistent itch.

Suddenly, memories flooded my mind - snippets of conversations, whispered secrets, and hushed warnings. My heart sank, weighing heavy with a sense of foreboding.

"Jamie," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I think I've seen this symbol before."

~A few years ago~

Memories of a simpler time flooded my mind as I gazed into the past. I was sprawled on the couch, a 10-year-old girl with a carefree heart, indulging in the warmth of chocolate chip cookies. The sweetness lingered on my tongue as I mindlessly scrolled through my phone, oblivious to life's complexities.

In the kitchen, my mother stood, her raven-black hair neatly tied back in a sleek bun, revealing the gentle contours of her face. The soft clinking of pots and pans, the aroma of sizzling vegetables, and the warmth of the oven all blended into a symphony of comfort. Her eyes, filled with love and devotion, occasionally darted towards me, ensuring I was safe and content.

Beside me, my father sat, his eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled, his gaze drinking in every detail of his little girl. His presence was a shield, protecting me from the world's harsh realities. The soft glow of the evening sun cast a warm ambiance, enveloping our little family in a sense of peace and serenity.

Time seemed to stand still in that moment, freezing the laughter, the love, and the warmth. But life, as it often does, had other plans.

"엄마? I'm going to the basement." I announced, hopping off the couch and already halfway to the stairs. (Mom?)

"허? 왜요?" my mom replied from the kitchen, her voice warm and inviting. (Huh? Why?)

"I think my duckie is in the store room in the basement," I pouted, my voice laced with determination.

My mom smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Alright, 가서봐" She turned back to her cooking, the sizzle of vegetables and the aroma of Korean chili flakes wafting through the air. (go take a look)

I hesitated, my eyes darting to my dad. "아빠, I hope there aren't any cockroaches, you know how ugly and disgusting they are?" I wrinkled my nose, recalling the creepy crawlies I'd seen before. (Dad,)

My dad chuckled, his hand reaching out to pat my shoulder. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I had the basement cleaned just two days ago. It's spotless, you're safe." His reassuring touch and gentle smile calmed my fears.

I zoomed down the stairs, my heart racing like a cheetah's! My beloved Mr. Duckie, my BFF for five whole years, had vanished into thin air! I'd taken care of him like he was my own baby, feeding him (well, pretending to), bathing him (okay, just wiping him clean), and putting him to bed (on my pillow). And now, because of my silly carelessness, he was GONE!

The basement was a treasure hunt waiting to happen! There was the store room, packed with mysterious boxes and weird stuff Mom and Dad swore were "important." And Dad's cozy work cabin, where secret files and papers lived. I scoured every corner, peeking behind boxes, under piles, and even inside old shoes (you never know, right?). But Mr. Duckie remained AWOL.

Just as I was about to throw a tantrum, I spotted Dad's cabin. Maybe Mr. Duckie had decided to become a secret agent and was hiding there? I pushed open the creaky door and slipped inside.

The room smelled like Dad's cologne and old paper - weird, but cozy. Shelves stacked with files and books towered above me, casting long shadows like giant fingers. That's when I spotted it - a mysterious book covered in soft, brown leather. A gorgeous symbol adorned the cover, reminding me of an eclipse, just like Mrs. Kim explained in class.

"Wowzers!" I breathed. "What's this ancient thingy?"

'Is it a diary?' I wondered, my fingers tracing the symbol's curves. It felt strange, yet super cool. What secrets lay hidden within its pages? Was it Dad's top-secret spy journal?

My curiosity was itching like a mosquito bite! Should I open it?

"YEHA!!" Jamie's scream shattered the fog of memories, yanking me back to reality. I blinked, and the dusty basement transformed into the Tongyeong lighthouse's eerie silence. The same leather-bound book, with the haunting eclipse symbol, lay open on the dusty table in front of me.

My mind reeled, connecting past and present. Seven years ago, in Dad's cabin... and now, here.

Jamie's grip on my shoulders tightened, her eyes burning with intensity. "Where on earth did you see this book?" she demanded, her voice low and urgent.

I felt a shiver run down my spine as our gazes locked. The dim lighthouse lights cast eerie shadows on Jamie's face, making her look like a detective unraveling a mystery.

I took a deep breath, the musty air filling my lungs. "My dad's cabin," I whispered, the words tumbling out. "Seven years ago. I was searching for Mr. Duckie... and I found that book."

Jamie's eyes widened, her grip loosening slightly. "What's Mr. Duckie?"

I smiled wistfully, memories flooding back. "My childhood stuffed animal. But that's not important. What's important is... this book." My gaze drifted back to the symbol. "What does it mean?"

Jamie's expression turned serious. "I think we're about to find out."

"Ms. Moon, wait... there's something more, isn't there? Something you're keeping hidden." He took a step closer, his eyes locking onto mine. "You don't have to carry this alone. Let us in, let us help. I want to be there for you, in every way possible." Jesper continued.

His voice dropped to a whisper, urgency and concern etched on his face.

"That day, when I found the book, I was a kid, I didn't understand the importance of business files and more. I took the book and rushed upstairs back to my parents and showed my dad the book - biggest mistake - I have been clearly told not to enter the cabin but I just wanted to find Mr. Duckie. That was the first time I witnessed my dad's anger, for the first time he got angry at me."

Tears began to form in my eyes. "He grabbed the book from my hand and shouted at me, even though I could feel his love in his scolding. But that moment never left my mind because it was the first time my dad got angry in front of me, it was the first time he shouted at me."

My voice cracked as I spoke, memories flooding back. "I remember feeling so small, so scared. His anger was like a storm, overwhelming and unpredictable. Yet, amidst the fear, I sensed his love, his concern for me."

"Yeha, don't worry, I'll find your parents and bring them back to you, safe and sound. I promise," Seon Ho whispered, his eyes locking onto mine, filled with warmth and determination. His hand brushed against mine, sending a gentle spark of comfort and reassurance.

"Let's open this now." Jamie said.

"Nah, not here, I don't think it's safe."

"Let's go back to our car." I said.