Chapter 3: Echoes of Five Years Ago

The city woke slowly, unaware of the storm quietly gathering within its walls.

Nabi stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her scarf. Her reflection looked calm—too calm. Only she knew how tightly fear and anger were twisted inside her chest.

Five years ago, she stood in this same city, helpless and bleeding.

Never again, she promised herself.

“Mumma!”

Dae ran into the room, holding her doll.

“Where are we going today?” she asked excitedly.

Nabi crouched down and smiled, brushing Dae’s hair gently.

“Just a small outing. You’ll stay with Jun Uncle, okay?”

Dae pouted.

“But I want to come with you.”

Jun-seo appeared at the doorway.

“She’ll be safe with me,” he said softly.

Nabi met his eyes.

“I know.”

But something about her tone made Jun-seo uneasy.

The car stopped near an old street.

Nabi stepped out alone.

The buildings here were older, quieter—untouched by time. Her footsteps slowed as memories flooded back.

Rain.

Blood.

Cold laughter.

She stopped in front of an abandoned hospital.

This is where everything changed.

Her phone buzzed.

Unknown Number:

Welcome back, Nabi.

Her grip tightened.

Another message followed.

You survived once.

Let’s see if you’re lucky twice.

Her breath hitched—but she didn’t reply

Instead, she walked inside.

Meanwhile, back at the bungalow…

Jun-seo couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

“Why do I feel like she’s hiding something big?” he muttered.

“You’re overthinking,” Baek-hyun said, sipping coffee.

“She’s strong.”

“She has to be,” Duri added quietly.

“But even strong people break.”

Jun-seo looked at Dae, who was drawing quietly.

“Dae,” he asked gently,

“Do you remember anything about your father?”

Dae paused.

She shook her head.

“Mumma said he’s sleeping for a very long time.”

Jun-seo’s heart clenched.

Inside the hospital, Nabi walked down a dim corridor.

Her footsteps echoed.

A door creaked open behind her.

“So you really came alone,” a familiar voice said.

Nabi turned slowly.

A man stepped into the light—the same eyes, the same smile she had seen that night.

“You look better than before,” he continued.

“But fear still suits you.”

Nabi’s voice was steady.

“I’m not afraid of you anymore.”

The man laughed softly.

“You should be.”

He leaned closer.

“Because this time… you have something to lose.”

Nabi’s eyes darkened.

“My daughter,” she whispered.

The man smiled.

“And that,” he said,

“Is why this game will be fun.”

The hospital smelled the same.

Cold. Empty. Lifeless.

Nabi’s footsteps echoed through the corridor as she stood frozen, staring at the man who had haunted her nightmares for five years.

His smile hadn’t changed.

“You’re quiet,” he said casually, as if they were old friends meeting after years apart.

“Did you miss me?”

Nabi clenched her fists.

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