The Echoes of Nightmares. . .

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Jake stood under the bus shelter, feeling the weight of exhaustion from his day helping Jungwon. The night air was crisp, carrying a hint of the recent rain. Streetlights cast a dim, yellowish glow over the wet pavement, and the soft patter of raindrops falling from rooftops added a rhythmic backdrop to the urban noise.

The bus stop was quieter now, with only a few people around. Parents hurried their children home, and the occasional car honked as it passed by. The neon signs of nearby shops and cafes lit up the street, their reflections shimmering in puddles. Jake pulled his coat tighter around him, shivering slightly as a cold breeze swept through.

He glanced around, noticing the few remaining pedestrians rushing by, their footsteps echoing in the stillness. A mother called softly to her child, urging them to hurry, while a couple walked arm in arm, sharing an umbrella. The distant hum of traffic provided a constant, soothing background noise.

Jake checked his phone, noting the time and wondering when the next bus would arrive. His breath formed small clouds in the cold air as he exhaled, and he rubbed his hands together for warmth. The day's events replayed in his mind, and he felt a strange mix of fatigue and satisfaction from helping Jungwon.

The night seemed to wrap around him like a blanket, offering a moment of solitude amidst the city's noise. He watched as a few more people trickled by, each lost in their own world. The familiar chaos of the city, even at this late hour, provided a comforting backdrop to his thoughts.

As he waited for the bus, Jake felt the weariness seep into his bones. Yet, there was a certain calmness in the night, a quiet reminder that despite everything, life continued to move forward. The ordinary moments, like waiting for a bus in the cool night air, offered a brief respite from the day's demands.

Jake waited at the bus stop for what felt like an eternity. The traffic seemed endless, with cars honking and people rushing to get home. The constant hum of engines and the occasional splash of puddles from passing vehicles added to his growing impatience. Finally, tired of waiting and feeling the chill seep deeper into his bones, he decided to walk home.

Pulling up the hood of his hoodie, he started to walk, the fabric barely keeping the cold drizzle off his face. The streets were slick and glistening under the streetlights, the rain forming small rivulets that ran along the edges of the pavement. His sneakers splashed through puddles, soaking the bottoms of his jeans.

The city at night had a different vibe, quieter but still alive with the distant sounds of nightlife and the occasional murmur of conversations from people huddled under awnings or rushing to their destinations. The cool night air nipped at his face, and he shoved his hands into his pockets for warmth.

As he walked, he passed by closed shops and dimly lit cafes. The neon signs flickered, casting colorful reflections on the wet ground. He could hear the faint music from a bar down the street and the laughter of patrons inside, contrasting sharply with his solitary walk.

He tried to focus on the rhythm of his steps, the steady beat providing a distraction from the cold and his fatigue. The hoodie offered little protection, and he cursed himself for forgetting his umbrella again. The rain wasn't heavy, but it was enough to leave him damp and uncomfortable.

Despite the discomfort, there was a strange sense of peace in walking alone at night. The city felt almost serene, the usual hustle and bustle replaced by a more subdued energy. It gave him time to think, to reflect on the day's events and the strange encounters he had.

The occasional car passed by, headlights cutting through the darkness, and he pulled his hood tighter, trying to shield himself from the wind. His breath formed small clouds in the air, and he quickened his pace, eager to get home and out of the cold.

Finally, after what seemed like an endless walk, he saw the familiar lights of his apartment building in the distance. The sight filled him with relief, and he hurried the last few blocks, eager to escape the rain and the cold night.

As Jake continued his walk, the cold and the fatigue began to take a toll on him. He started to feel worse, his stomach churning violently. He stopped for a moment, leaning against a lamppost as a wave of nausea hit him. He gagged, almost vomiting, and then a sharp, searing pain shot through his head. He groaned, clutching his temples, the pain so intense it made him dizzy.

His vision blurred, and his legs gave way beneath him. He crumpled to the ground, fainting from the overwhelming agony. For a few moments, everything went black.

When he came to, he was still lying on the cold, wet pavement. His body ached, and his mind felt foggy. As he tried to gather his bearings, he noticed a dark figure approaching. The person wore a hoodie pulled low over their face and a black mask, obscuring their features. The streetlight cast an eerie glow on the figure, making them appear almost ghostly in the dim light.

The stranger walked slowly towards him, each step echoing ominously in the quiet night. Jake's heart raced, a mix of fear and confusion flooding his senses. He tried to move, but his body felt heavy and unresponsive. The figure stopped a few feet away, looking down at him. Jake couldn't make out any details, just the shadowy outline of the person standing above him.

The figure's presence felt menacing, and Jake's mind raced with questions and fears. Who was this person? What did they want? The stranger's silence and stillness only added to the tension, making the moment stretch into what felt like an eternity.

Jake woke up, disoriented and groggy, and looked around him. "I am... in a church?" he asked himself, taking in the high ceilings, stained glass windows, and rows of wooden pews. He sat up slowly, realizing he was all alone. Confusion clouded his thoughts as he tried to remember what had happened, who had brought him here, and why no one else was around.

He stood up, wobbling slightly, and began to talk to himself. "How did I get here? Who brought me here? Why is no one around?" His voice echoed softly in the vast, empty space.

Suddenly, a church hymn started playing, the sound filling the room, yet there was still no one in sight. The calming melody of the hymn began to relax Jake, the soothing notes influencing him deeply. He sat back down, letting the music wash over him, feeling a sense of peace he hadn't felt in a long time.

As he sat there, he suddenly sensed someone's presence. When he looked to the side, he saw Heeseung sitting near him, not even looking at him.

"Heeseung," Jake said softly, breaking the silence. "Did you bring me here?"

Heeseung shook his head, still not looking at Jake. "You brought yourself here," he replied calmly.

Jake frowned, trying to piece together the fragments of his memory. "But I don't remember..."

Heeseung finally turned to face him, his eyes intense and thoughtful. "Sometimes, we do things without realizing it. Maybe you needed a place to find some peace."

Jake looked around, the familiar surroundings of the church now tinged with a sense of the unknown. "Peace? I don't even know what that is anymore. My life... it's just a mess."

Heeseung nodded, a hint of understanding in his eyes. "Life can be chaotic, full of things we don't understand. But it's also full of moments that define us. Like this one."

Jake sighed, feeling the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him. "I don't know how to handle everything. The pressure, the expectations... it all feels like too much."

Heeseung's gaze softened. "You're not alone, Jake. Everyone feels that way at some point. You just have to find your way through it, one step at a time."

Jake looked at Heeseung, a mixture of confusion and gratitude in his eyes. "Why do you always seem to have the answers?"

Heeseung chuckled softly. "I don't have all the answers. I'm just trying to figure things out like you. But I've learned that talking about it helps. And finding a place like this... it can help you clear your mind."

Jake nodded slowly, absorbing Heeseung's words. "I guess... I just feel lost. Like I'm wandering in the dark, trying to find my way."

Heeseung leaned closer, his voice gentle but firm. "Then let this place be your guide. Let it help you find the light again."

Jake was about to respond when he blinked, and Heeseung was gone. The sudden disappearance left Jake bewildered, but before he could process it, the nightmare began.

The peaceful atmosphere of the church warped into a twisted version of itself. The pews were splintered, the stained glass shattered, and the once-soothing hymn turned into a haunting dirge. Jake found himself surrounded by grotesque visions of death and decay. Dead bodies littered the floor, their lifeless eyes staring up at him. He screamed, the sound echoing in the distorted space.

He turned and saw Sunghoon, lifeless and cold, lying among the dead. Panic seized Jake as he tried to run, but the door was locked. He pounded on it desperately, but it wouldn't budge.

The music abruptly stopped, plunging the church into eerie silence. Jake turned around, and in the dim light, he saw two shadowy figures standing with a little blond boy. The sight chilled him to the bone.

Jake woke up with a start, his heart pounding in his chest. He was back in his room, drenched in sweat. The nightmare still clung to him, vivid and terrifying. A knock at the door made him jump, snapping him out of his daze.