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𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙲𝚛𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝙼𝚊𝚗 | 𝙿𝚛𝚘𝚕𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚎

| 𝘈, (𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵) 𝘍 | 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳, 𝘏𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳, 𝘚𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘎𝘰𝘳𝘦 

| 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘪 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 |

↳ 𝘗𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 - 𝘑𝘦𝘰𝘯 𝘑𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘬𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘹 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳

↳ 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘺 - 𝘠/𝘕 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦. 𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘠/𝘕 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘥𝘥 𝘰𝘤𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘵.  

𝘏𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦.  

𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘯, 𝘠/𝘕 𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴.

(𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 "𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘯" 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴)

𝘛𝘢𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵 - 𝘖𝘱𝘦𝘯 (𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘴𝘬)

𝘞𝘒 - 6.4k

𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘷 | 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵

𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵 | 𝘔𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵

There was a Crooked Man

And He walked a Crooked Mile

He found a Crooked Sixpence

Upon a Crooked Stile

-

Y/N groaned and threaded her fingers through the locks of her hair when getting the last stuff put away. It wasn't all much, especially with a girl like her, but she didn't move into this apartment empty-handed. She still had a few boxes to bring after selling the little furniture she had when moving out of her previous home. She couldn't keep up with rent, and the landlord was a bastard. Either she agreed with his deal of pleasure or to get out. And she chose the latter. Even if she was depicted as a "people-pleaser," she knew her place. She thinks. But that's why she was in the small apartment, on her knees and placing the last cleaning supply under the sink. A loud groan left her mouth when closing the door and leaning her head against it. Her best friend, Kim Jane, released an exaggerated moan and stretched her arms high up in the air. "Finally!" she yelled out, making her newlywed husband, Kim Namjoon, flinch at her loudness. "Things look tidy in here." 

"Don't yell so loud," Y/N covered her ears jokingly and got up to her feet. She slightly stumbled back but caught her balance and walked up to the newlyweds to get so close to them.

But when she got close to them, Jane punched the tired girl's arm slightly. "That should be that," Namjoon brought himself in the middle before Jane could say anything to make the two childhood friends bicker that'll, possibly, last for ten minutes. A small ability the two shared for growing up together since diapers. Jane always ends it by saying she's older. A funny inside joke between them as they were both hours apart and being born across the hall from each other. And their mothers made sure they had millions of playdates to stay connected as excuses for wine and the little girls running around. "Is there anything else we can help with, Y/N?"

There were a few seconds of Y/N thinking if she did need something from them. It wouldn't hurt, as he did offer. But her mind drew to a blank. "Nah, I'm fine," she shook her head with a slightly crooked smile. "Sorry for making you guys help me move. . ." she rubbed the back of her neck. "And thanks for showing me the place, Jane. I'll have to pay you back sometime!" 

Hearing the last sentence, Jane jumped on Y/N and tangled her arms with Y/N's. "We could go out drinking then!" she suggested in a heartbeat. "Go to a karaoke bar and sing our lungs off while Namjoon can show his rapping skills."

"I look forward to the drinking," Namjoon chuckled, ignoring the last part his wife had mentioned. Though he couldn't help but blush at the mention, it was something he loved to do and had only started making music from the push of the two girls telling him that he was amazing. When he blushed, he looked out of one of the two small vertical windows to see the moon coming up and the red and orange sky kissing the ground goodbye. "Would you look at that. . .it's getting late." the two girls looked out the window to see that it was getting late. "We'd better get going." he pinched his wife's top and pulled her away from her best friend. 

"Yeah, you should probably get home," Y/N agreed when seeing the sky now fully dark. "Be careful, you two." after one last hug with the newlyweds. They left with goodbyes.

She was left with silence, having her look around at this new home. It was mainly a studio room with a tiny hallway that passed the door to a computer room and a bathroom across each other. Y/N can't lie but wished that the computer was brought into the big room and had a small bedroom where her full-sized bed would most definitely fill almost half of the room. But it was furnished by the past tenant, so she only messed with it a little. A sink in the far left corner connected to a countertop that extended out, allowing her small stove to lay with little surface to let her cook. Next to the countertop was her old minifridge and an old pantry cabinet that was already here with dishes. Same T.V. that was kept. A dresser in the opposite corner with her landline phone and small decorations. And her bed was in the right corner closest to the door, and two sofas faced each other with a table in between to take up some space in this lonely apartment. The only thing that bothered her was a large crack in the wall between the T.V. and dresser that could knock the clock off if it extended more. 

Something caught her eye. "Huh?" Y/N had to do a double-take to realize there was an item on the table that wasn't hers. And it made her sigh. "Of course, Jane forgot her license." it was always a habit of Jane to do such a thing. Fortunately, it was always her forgetting stuff at Y/N's place, wherever she lived, Namjoon's workplace, or their apartments. So she hasn't gotten anything stolen. . .yet. "Let's hope they haven't left yet." 

Y/N grabbed Jane's license and began to jog lightly to the door, opening it up and jogging again through the small hallway. Her hand cupped the doorknob. "What's with that place, seriously?" Jane's voice was heard clearly through the space under the door. "It's filthy! It's practically falling apart!" she could hear Jane moving her arms around and hands smacking her thighs. "What were you thinking?! She wanted to move for a change of pace, and that will not help her, you hear?"

"Look, what can I do?" Namjoon didn't raise his voice or show any tone of arguing. "She's not the richest person, y'know? And not many places come with furniture. . .besides, you told me to look for a place, right? Don't come complaining to me now."

The top rows of her teeth captured her bottom lip so she wouldn't make a sound. ". . .you're right," Jane spoke quietly. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to help Y/N out. . ."

A few sounds of movements, and it was known to Y/N clearly that Namjoon went in for an embrace. "I know," he also spoke quietly. Quietly, but softly. "Look, I should be sorry. We'll pay her a visit sometime."

The sounds of steps went away, and Y/N slowly let go of the doorknob. "The license can way, I guess," she told herself, placing it in her wallet once fishing it out. Her tired eyes showed presence. "Should sleep this off. .maybe I'll feel better in the morning." she let out a sigh, walked back into the room, changed into her pajamas, and placed her old outfit into a small basket she had placed next to the dresser. Before she could think of raising herself to her feet, the landline phone rang. Her eyes moved up to see the thin wire hanging off, giving her a moment to stand up, pick up the white phone, and place it against her ear. "Hello?" Nothing, but there was a breath. "Hello? Who is this?" she leaned closer to the green screen to show that similar number that made her heart almost stop beating and clench up. "Jeongguk?" but he was the one to hang up the phone, and she slowly placed it back in its spot. Stumbling back slightly, Y/N placed a hand on her forehead and tried to take a deep breath, but it failed. "Sleep. . .I need to sleep and call it a day. I should take it easy for my first day in the new place." 

And that's what got her into bed after turning off the lights. Once her head hit the pillow, tiredness was now in control. So tired. . .in so many sorts of ways. She thought with a yawn coming out loudly. Her eyes closed, but it wasn't long that caused no entry to dreamland when a man's cry appeared loudly. As if it was in the apartment. . .but at the same time, in her head. Really. . .is that somebody crying? she let out a loud groan of annoyance, trying to cuddle into her blanket. But the crying wouldn't go away. Is it one of the neighbors? It wouldn't hurt to ask. . .

Getting out of bed, Y/N placed her feet through her slippers and left the apartment. Light knocks down the row of doors for her, only to get a response from the last door on the floor. "Yes?" A tired woman's voice called out through the door. "Who is it at this hour?"

"Pardon me," Y/N tried to speak politely without the annoyance tunneling through. "It's just. . .I can hear you from my room, even. It's making it hard to sleep. . .would you stop?" her face cringed lightly at the request. Maybe she could've worded it nicely. 

"What're you saying?" The woman's voice was already irking in with her annoyance. "I was asleep until you woke me up! You trying to start something?" Y/N raised her hands in surrender, even if the woman couldn't see through. "You're the girl who moved into 204, right? There's no way you'd hear from there!" 

One of Y/N's hands fell, and the other lay on her shoulder. "I guess so. . ," she agreed slowly, looking down at the ground with a blush of embarrassment. Y/N looked back up at the door. "S-Sorry for waking you! Bye now." she took steps back, trying to bring back to her head what had gone down since the crying. "She's right. . .the rooms are pretty far apart." she looked at her door at the far end before walking down toward it. "More importantly, it was a man's voice." She realized something. When she had left the apartment, the crying had stopped. "Was it just my imagination?" the hand on her shoulder raised to knock her temple lightly. "Think about it in the morning; I need to get some sleep."

Opening the door, she stopped at the sound of water running. Her brow rose in confusion. Walking into the apartment and closed it behind her. Locking the door without looking, Y/N made her way into the bathroom. There was nothing there. Her eyes went to the faucet, and she turned the handle back. Is the faucet busted? She asked herself when feeling the handle was already back. Y/N moved it closer to her to make the water run faster and back in default to stop the water running. Something pushed her chin up like a string, and she noticed how foggy the mirror was. And something was written messily. Under the bed? She read in confusion. Is. . .Is Jane trying to prank me? She was never one to prank.

Walking back out of the bathroom, Y/N went into the main room and walked up to her bed. But she stopped herself from going in. ". . .Under the bed. . .what's down there?" She spoke her thoughts into the air, the writing on the mirror getting the best of her. Y/N got on her hands and knees to look under the bed. And that's when she found something. A ripped piece of paper. Her hands held it delicately as she read. 

-

"Ever since she went away, I've spent every night clutching my sweaty pillow and writhing. I can't say goodbye. What other choice do I have?"

-

"Did the former tenant leave this?" She couldn't help but wonder about the question. But that had to be something for the next day, and she needed sleep.

That's all she wanted.

Sleep.

So, she placed the paper on the table, crawled into bed, and tried to enter dreamland. But the crying back. That sound still? she complained with a slight whine. Where is that coming from? Give me a break, please. I only want sleep.

It was a rough night, and the morning had her being woken up by the ringing of the landline phone. "Why not my cellphone?" she complained, but the ringing of the landline seemed to have gotten louder. "Alright, I'm coming. . .I'm coming." she got up from her bed, went to the landline, and answered. "Hello?" Her tiredness went away, most of it from the doctor's sound. "Oh. . .yeah, thanks for all the—" the doctor cut her off and kept rambling, almost as if judging her for not stopping by in a while. "No, no, I didn't mean. . .just. . .I'm busy with work, so—" and she was cut off again, trying to stay with the doctor of what he was saying. "Yeah, I'll come to visit today." it was her turn to cut off the doctor. "Tell her that for me. Okay, bye."

Y/N changed into a white T-Shirt and worn-out blue jeans, sliding her feet into low converse shoes that were pre-tied, so she didn't have to bother. She grabbed her black jacket and her cross-body bag with her wallet, cell phone, and necessary needs. I really did sleep in till noon. She thought when looking at her phone to see the time. Yeah, I need to go. So much for taking it easy. Y/N jumped when seeing Jane walking down the hallways. Jane seemed to have also jumped at the sight of Y/N's apartment door opening and having her name called out. "I. . .forgot my license yesterday," Jane admitted after calming her racing heart. "Was it on the table?" Y/N nodded, grabbing Jane's license after fishing out her wallet.

"Sorry, I was going to bring it to you, but—"

"Thanks." Jane cuts off Y/N at the sight of the object in question. Y/N gulped lightly, deciding to stay quiet about what she had heard yesterday. The license was returned to its rightful owner, who sighed in relief before taking in Y/N's outfit of the day. "So, you going somewhere?"

"Yeah, to the hospital,"

They stayed silent. "I see," Jane mumbled. "Take care of yourself, love."

Jane patted Y/N's arm before leaving. Well, attempt to leave. "Hey, Jane," Y/N called out, making the said woman turn around with a hum. "Did you. . .did you write something on the bathroom mirror?"

That question made Jane almost take a step back from such a question. "Write on the mirror?" she repeated, wondering if she heard her best friend correctly. "What kind of prankster kid do you take me for, Y/N?" then she said goodbye when getting a text message from Namjoon. Y/N stayed in her stance a little longer, waiting till Jane was out of view before she moved. 

At the hospital, Y/N checked herself in and asked who she was going to see. The doors in front of her made it hard for her to take another forward. But that's what she did, pushing them through to see her ill mother lying in bed in comfort. Y/N took a deep breath and walked to her mother. "Mother. . .it's been a while," she spoke softly, dragging a chair against the wall to sit next to her mother's bed. "Are you doing okay?"

Sound of Y/N's voice, her mother turned her head with a smile. "Oh my," her fragile voice cracked through. "If it isn't, little Miya. You've certainly grown." she had delight in her eyes, and Y/N gave a strained crooked smile the best she could. 

"Good, you look healthy," Y/N commented, leaning back in her chair. Eyes never left her mother. "Sorry I can't see you very much. . .I've been busy with work. But I took a few days off. . .and I moved to this great room, with furniture and everything!" her hands moved around at her explanation. "It's near your favorite cake shop, too! So when you get better, we can live together." 

"My. . .that's wonderful," Her mother hummed in delight. "Get along with Mihyun, will you? All that fighting you do worries me so much. Maybe I can come to visit you sometime? You like apple pie, don't you? I'll make the best I know how. . ." Y/N's smile faltered as her mother turned to look back up at the ceiling. "Oh yes, they opened a bakery the other day! It smells so wonderful! Maybe I should buy from there." Y/N called out to her mother. At the sound of Y/N's, her mother turned with a confused look. "Oh? Who would you be? Why are you here?" she rose into a sitting position, flinching when Y/N reached to try and lay her back down. "This is my room. . .do you have the wrong room?" Y/N couldn't find anything to say. "Who are you?! Say something, will you?!" she flew out of her bed, going toward Y/N. The daughter stood up and took steps back, almost falling with the chair against her knees. "Get out! I'll have you thrown out!" she began yelling for help. "There's a strange woman in my room! Get rid of her, now!" 

"Mrs. L/N!" a female voice called out, and Y/N turned around to see the main nurse caring for her mother. The nurse came in with a male nurse following along, the two trying to get Y/N's mother back in bed. "Mrs. L/N, don't strain yourself. . .please, go to sleep, okay?"

"Who are you?!" Y/N's mother called out, dragging her arms out of the grasp both nurses tried to do. "Don't touch me! Away!"

The male nurse stayed calm. "Now, calm down, miss," he spoke calmly. "Let's get you into bed. . ."

"I'm sorry, Y/N," the female nurse turned around with a sympathetic gaze. "Leave your mother to us. . .you'll have to leave for today."

Y/N licked her lips and slowly nodded her head in understanding. "Understood," she mumbled, nudging her head toward her mother. "Take good care of her."

She made her way to the door. "Y/N? Is that my sunshine?" Y/N's mother called out, having Y/N turn around in shock. "Where are you going? Why are you leaving me?" Y/N had stuttered out to her mother, but it didn't seem to come out loudly as she thought. "Your flight school exams are coming up. You want to be a pilot, don't you? Your mother has your back." she was shaking in her stance, looking as if she'd fall to the ground. "Please, don't leave me alone. I don't want to be alone here. Sunshine, please. . ."

"Mommy. . ," Y/N teared up, a smile of hope and taking hopeful steps forward. "It's me! Remember? Mom!"

But the first nurse strides toward Y/N to interrupt whatever hope of Y/N's mother's remembrance. "Y/N, please leave for today!" she instructed, pointing at the door. "She's very confused right now."

"But she said my—"

"I said leave!" The nurse pushed Y/N out of the room.

The screams of Y/N's mother echoed through the crack of the doors and into the hallway. Y/N's hands balled into fists, and she relucent walked away. She kept going till she noticed her mother's doctor standing in the middle of the hallway. "Hello, Y/N," he greeted. "Did you see your mother?"

Y/N kept herself from yelling the obvious, as the doctor was there to witness her kidding and kicked her out of her mother's hospital room. "Yeah," she nodded instead. "Though I guess she still doesn't know me." 

The doctor gave her a sympathetic smile. "She's forgotten many things, and she's having trouble controlling her emotions," he informed, and Y/N wanted to bitterly chuckle out. She didn't have to be informed about what she knew. Or she wanted to avoid being informed of what she knew to keep it untrue. "I ask you to be patient. She may get better, so you can live with her again." 

"Thank you," 

The ride home was quiet; the music wasn't entering her ears as she was in too much thought. Y/N was too tired for any of this. And when she entered her apartment to hear a screech from her computer room; she took a deep breath. Trying to channel whatever she had to deal with, whatever it was right now. She walked into the computer room and saw the chair moved in front of the trash can, not in its spot in front of the computer. I know I didn't move the chair. She told herself to keep herself sane. 

But the slight opening of the second drawer caught her attention. 

Opening the drawer, she noticed a leaflet. Y/N picked it up and moved it around to get every detail she could find. It looks pretty old. . .these LL.M. courses are circled. Was somebody shooting to be a lawyer? she heard her tired brain go through ideas. I guess this must be the former tenant's. . .he sure forgot a bunch of stuff. Maybe no furniture is better after all, huh? It definitely would've given her the peace she needed without this happening. 

Going into the room, the landline phone rang. Can the phone not ring once? Even if this was the second day in the apartment, she didn't want to answer the phone or hear the phone ring. Y/N answered it. "Hello?"

"Hey, Y/N," Namjoon's voice spoke through. "How are you doing?"

A voice that made her calm had her shoulders going down in relaxation. "You saw me just yesterday," she sighed with a chuckle. "I'm doing fine, thanks."

"Good, good," Namjoon joined her in the light chuckle. "Call if you're ever lonely, okay? I can come to visit with Jane." 

"By the way," Y/N spoke up after a few seconds. "I got a call from Jeongguk yesterday. We didn't really talk, but. . ." 

Namjoon was silent. "Sorry, I told him your number," he admits. "He said he was so worried about you." 

Y/N's heart warmed up. "It's okay," she assured. But memories reminded her of being here alone. "Tell him I don't need her worry. He should just look out for himself." 

"Alright," Namjoon huffed out. "Well, I'll hang up now." 

The phone was placed back on its spot, and she changed into her pajamas. She spent her evening reading all the books she had brought and the book the previous tenant had left behind. Y/N even made herself some tea to relax to hopefully get herself to sleep. Luckily, it had gotten her to the point of being tired. Too tired to read anymore and not done with her third cup of tea. Y/N moved the blanket to let herself in, but she jumped at the sound of the statics of the bed. She looked over, walked up to the T.V., and tilted her head in confusion. "Why did it turn on by itself? Is it broken?" Her hand reached for the remote, but she yelled when red letters popped up one by one. "What the hell. . .what's going on." 

Y/N walked to the sink and the word that was written on the T.V. screen. Looking around, she noticed something in the faucet. She swore she was able to use the sink when making her tea. Removing what looked like a scrap of paper, Y/N lifted it and flattened it to see if she could read it. 

-

"There was a crooked man, and he walked a crooked mile.

He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.

He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse,

and they all lived together in a crooked little house." 

-

Y/N licked her lips when reading the mother goose. But she was confused about how it was there. She wanted to question if the previous tenant had placed it there, but she reminded herself that she had made tea three times. "So much strange stuff," she tossed the paper on the countertop. "I should just sleep and forget." she made her way to the bed and placed her head on the pillow. "Moving for a change of pace, huh. . .guess that's not working so well. I appreciate Jane and Namjoon's help, but. . ." 

She closed her eyes, and a little later. . .she heard a kid crying. Is that a kid, I hear? she furrowed her brows, eyes still closed. This late at night? And what kid would live in these beat-up apartments? Her eyes opened up with a few blinks. Maybe they're lost. I should go check.

Y/N got up from her bed and exited her apartment. Looking around, there was no kid, and the crying had stopped. ". . .'Course there are no kids here," she grumbled under her breath, starting to think that she was going crazy. She was repeating in her head to go to bed. 

Walking into the apartment, Y/N paused after hearing a broken glass. She entered the room and saw the tea on the ground, shattered with the liquid sprawled up. Kneeling, she chuckled lamely at herself. "Just a broken cup. . .that startled me a little too much." And her eyes wandered more to find details of the broken cup, but the blood drained out, feeling cold when her eyes caught a detail. "W-Wait, what?!" The liquid was dragged out, spelling "Help Me," making her shake lightly into the ground. Y/N stood up and took steps back in fear. "The tea's spelling out?! Y-You gotta be. . ." she looked around the room and wrapped her arms around herself. "This room is strange. With its voices. . .and T.V.s turning on. What is this?" 

The morning after, Y/N dialed Jane's number on the landline. "Hello?" Jane's tired voice spoke through the phone. 

"Hi, Jane," Y/N greeted, messing with the wire connected to the phone. "It's Y/N."

"Yeah, what's up?" Jane mumbled, the sound of the bed moving. "You sound sleepy. So why wake me up, too?"

Y/N grimaced. "Sorry," she apologized. "I was up all last night. I got to ask you something, is now okay?" she heard Jane hum in a rhythm to let Y/N continue. "Do you know who the previous tenant is?"

"Nah, I don't know," Jane slurred lightly. "You ask the landlady? You curious?"

"Well," Y/N teethed her bottom lip. "Seems like he forgot a lot of stuff. But I'll ask the landlady, sure. Later." she ended the call before Jane could say anything, reminding herself of where the landlady would be. Her outfit was presentable enough. A black oversized graphic-designed hoodie that was lightly falling off her shoulders, leggings, and sneakers. Y/N grabbed her cross-body bag with the needed stuff before leaving the apartment. 

She took quick steps down the stairs and took long strides to the end of the first floor, knocking on the door. "Hello?" An elder woman, the landlady, opened the door quickly after the knock. "Oh, it's miss Y/N. What seems to be the matter?"

"Good morning," Y/N bowed her head lightly. "I just wanted to ask something, you see. . .about the room I'm in. . .can you tell me anything about the person who used to live there?"

Landlady hummed in thought. "Well, you know, these apartments always have people coming and going," she stated, trying to think of the years of tenants in the past. "Now, what was that boy's name. . .I believe he was a man about your age. . .he suddenly left a month ago. Said to leave the furniture and use it, however!"

"You wouldn't know where he went?" Y/N asked with a little hope. 

"I never heard that, no," the landlady shook her head with a sad smile. "Just up and left out of the blue!" she was closing her eyes tightly to try and get deep in her thoughts. "I just can't remember that name! I could rummage through my documents to find the previous tenant if you'd like?" 

Y/N raised her hands before the landlady could turn to enter her apartment. "N-No, there's no need," she assured. "I was just a little curious." she bowed her head at the landlady with a small smile. "Thanks, I'll see you around."

"Alrighty!" Landlady beamed brightly. "Sorry I wasn't useful!" 

She couldn't reassure the landlady as the door was closed in front of her. "A man about my age," she hummed in thought, digging her hands into the hoodie pocket and making her way to the stairs. "I can only wonder what he was like." Y/N removed one hand from the pocket but stopped when noticing black markings under the door. Barely there but noticeable. "Already?" she tightened her eyes shut and took a deep breath to prep herself for whatever was going to happen in a few seconds. 

Y/N opened the door and saw the black markings in a path to the main room. Steps followed into the room to see the markings going into the crack in the wall. At the crack of the wall, she noticed something shining inside. Reaching in, she felt the small item and dragged her arm out before feeling it getting stuck. A brass key. It seemed way too fancy for any locks in the complex. No offense to the landlady. 

Nothing happened for a while as she sat at the table, trying to think of what had happened. "Voices of a man and a kid, the mirror writing, the T.V. turning on, the tea," she listed off one by one, letting out a hasty chuckle. "It's like a poltergeist or something." Y/N leaned back into the sofa and brought her head back to hit the top. "The landlady would've mentioned this kind of thing. . .I think. What's going on here?" her eyes closed, trying to think deeply. "Not that I'd much care if there were ghosts here. Nobody'd be too bothered if they haunted and killed me, either." her hands reached up and covered her eyes. "But I wonder about that scrap of paper—what was the man who lived here like? Did this stuff happen when he was here?" Nothing came to mind, and she swung forward and groaned. "Not much use thinking about it. I'll call it a day. . ." 

Maybe if she took a nap, it would get her mind to function better. Changing into her pajamas, still with the hoodie, Y/N got into bed and snuggled her head into the hoodie. The scent never left, even after washing so many times, which lulled her to sleep. And it seemed to have helped her fall asleep. 

However, it did a little more than needed, as she was woken up in the middle of the night by a strange noise. Y/N got out of bed, looking at the clock. She was confused about the sound, knowing it wasn't from the clock and why it sounded like it was in the house. 

It took her a while to look around, but she could find it in the closet next to the computer desk in the computer room. Was there a radio there? Y/N didn't remember there being one when hanging her tops. But not only did the sound catch her attention but there was also a piece of paper underneath. Not only that. . .but it was an address. "Our Special Place" was titled at the top. 

Y/N sighed, folding the paper and placing it in the hoodie pocket. She closed the closet and went through the door to the main room. But she froze on the spot. No movement in her bones. Finally, her right foot took a step forward, and she was shaking hard in fear. Y/N wanted to scream at the top of her lungs. She -couldn't talk anymore if she did, but she couldn't. 

-

I M   W A I T I N G   F O R   Y O U

-

Blood was written on the wall, and Y/N almost fell to her knees because she felt weak. She was stuttering out questions of what this meant and why it was there. But she wasn't able to complete sentences. Nothing was clear to her. The only clear thing was now that she got her voice back. And from that, she ran out with a scream. 

The first place she thought of going was Jane's and Namjoon's apartment. And she did. They took her in without questioning. After calming her down, the newlywed couple had her sleep on the couch. Feeling safe with the scent of the hoodie, Y/N slept with ease. No voices, no glass breaking, no electricity turning itself on. . .peace. 

Morning came around, and Jane woke Y/N up before she slept through the whole day. The two ended up starting a conversation when settling at the dining room table. "Did you sleep well?" Jane asked. "Sorry, you had to sleep on the couch."

"Nah, I should be sorry for coming over so late," Y/N apologized instead, trying to take the blame for waking them up so late. 

Jane laughed. "Wasn't expecting it, but don't sweat it," she waved off her best friend. Jane looked at Y/N more. She was taking the detail of the bags under the eyes, paler and tiredness in Y/N's eyes despite having almost eight hours of sleep. "Did something happen? You don't look too hot."

"There's no particular reason," Y/N mumbled, trying to keep it away from Jane. They already saw her panicking, but she never explained what had happened. "Maybe I felt like intruding into the newlyweds' love nest."

"Why you!" Jane raised a hand, threatening to slap Y/N. But the girl only chuckled. She sighed and leaned into her chair. "Seriously, though. You can tell me if anything happens, okay? I'll do whatever I can for you!"

Y/N smiled warmly, even if it was crooked. "I'm glad to know a gal who looks out for her friends," she teased more. 

"You making fun of me?!" Jane growled, controlling herself. She took a deep breath to calm down. "I heard from Namjoon. Sorry about the Jeongguk thing. I told him off for that." Y/N tried to ensure Jane that it wasn't Namjoon's fault and to not worry about it. "It's not about whose fault it is. . .I'm just not happy about it. Don't let it get you down, alright?" She had a look of annoyance, but not at Y/N. "I know you've got your mother to look after, but I think it's time you move on and look for new people!"

The last sentence made Y/N chuckle in pain. "As if a girl like me could find a date," she spoke melancholy. "I'm just some clerk with a mom in the hospital. . .and the guy I wanted to marry ran from me."

Jane rolled her eyes. "Don't be such a sissy," she lightly insulted. "You keep up that moping, and you'll have your own personal rain cloud!" 

Y/N snorted at her best friend. "I'll be careful then," she promised playfully. Her thought went back to the piece of paper with the address. Reading that felt like it was tugging her to it. Something about this previous tenant wouldn't leave her. She wanted to know so much about this tenant. She wanted to find out about this guy, even if it was random. "I'm going to go on a little trip." her eyes went to Jane. "Don't want to waste my vacation, you know." that piqued Jane's attention, asking Y/N where she was going. "Just somewhere I was wondering about. I'll call you when I get there."

"Sweet, send a postcard!" Jane asked but quickly took it back. "Nah, but don't, actually."

The door opened to show Namjoon. "Breakfast's ready, Jane," he informed, looking a bit nervous. He wasn't one to cook. It was mainly Jane who cooked, but he offered so she could check up on Y/N. "Y/N, will you be eating too?"

"Nah, I'm not hungry," Y/N rejected. "I'll be going."

"Come by anytime,"

Even if she dreaded going back into the apartment, Y/N knew she had to. She had to find out about the address and where it was located. Looking through many books and maps, she finally spotted where the address would lead. It was supposedly a place in the mountains, and it would take her about five hours to get there by car. 

Maybe the former tenant went to the place in the mountains. Y/N only wanted to ask him about the room; maybe he'll know something. "Hell, why not just go now," she mumbled her thoughts. "I can't stand this place, anyway." 

Y/N changed her outfit to be more comfortable. White long-sleeve turtleneck that hugged her body and the oversized black hoodie. Ripped light blue sailor jeans that covered her black combat boots. Y/N grabbed her cross-body bag and her galaxy-themed small backpack with snacks and drinks.

After double checking she had everything, she left the damned apartment.

-

Prologue

"Y/N's Room"

End 

Reblog if you write fanfic and would be totally down with your followers coming into you askbox and talking to you about your fic

Bend my ear about my fics. It eases my fears and lets me know I’m not alone in my suffering. I appreciate readers so much.

I DID A THING!

First time editing a photo just so I can match my profile aesthetic xD

~Photo not mine, edits for blue aesthetic is my doing~

Ａｎｉｍｅ  Ｍａｓｔｅｒｌｉｓｔ

𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘦𝘵. . .

𝙴𝚞𝚗𝚠𝚘𝚘 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚢 | 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙾𝚗𝚎

| 𝘈, (𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵) 𝘍 | 𝖢𝗁𝖺𝗍𝖿𝗂𝖼, 𝖧𝗂𝗀𝗁 𝗌𝖼𝗁𝗈𝗈𝗅 / 𝖢𝗈𝗅𝗅𝖾𝗀𝖾 𝖠𝖴, 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗂𝗌 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗒 𝗃𝗎𝗌𝗍 𝖺 𝗌𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗒 𝖿𝗎𝗅𝗅 𝗈𝖿 𝖺𝗇𝗀𝗌𝗍

| 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘪 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 |  

↳   𝘗𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 - 𝖤𝗎𝗇𝗐𝗈𝗈 𝗑 𝖱𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋

↳ 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘺 - 𝘓𝘰𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮.

𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘳, 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥, 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘪𝘤, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘪𝘰. 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘣𝘪𝘰𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘴, 𝘵𝘰𝘰.  

𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 2000𝘴, 𝘧𝘭𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘈𝘐𝘔 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘩.

𝘌𝘶𝘯𝘸𝘰𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘠/𝘕'𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴. 𝘏𝘦'𝘴 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘩.

𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 2000𝘴, 𝘧𝘭𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘈𝘐𝘔 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘩.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴. 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘠/𝘕 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩   𝘌𝘶𝘯𝘸𝘰𝘰, 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭. 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘌𝘶𝘯𝘸𝘰𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩.

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘠/𝘕'𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦. 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘠/𝘕 𝘢𝘯𝘥  𝘌𝘶𝘯𝘸𝘰𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘷𝘦-𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺?

(𝘾𝙖𝙣 𝙗𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙞𝙩𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛)

𝘞𝘒 - 600

𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘷 | 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵

𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵 | 𝘔𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵

˗ˏˋ ꒰ 𝗟𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 ꒱ ˎˊ˗

███ 𝟮𝟬%

████ 𝟰𝟬%

█████ 𝟲𝟬%

██████ 𝟴𝟬%

███████ 𝟭𝟬𝟬%

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲!

𝙎𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚 - 𝙔/𝙉𝘿𝙖𝙯𝙚

𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚 - 𝙔/𝙉

-

𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙀𝙪𝙣𝙬𝙤𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣

Y/NDaze:

Dongmin! Hey

ChaEunwoo:

Hi! And I told you to call me Eunwoo

Y/NDaze:

Trying to get used to it lol

ChaEunwoo:

That's okay

Though the most important thing is that we're seniors! 

So what's up?

Y/NDaze:

Nothing much

What are you up to?

ChaEunwoo:

Nothing, just listening to some music :)

Do you like Coldplay?

Y/NDaze:

Yeah, totally!

Their last album was really good

ChaEunwoo:

It really was!

I'm so glad you like them, they're my favorite

Their lyrics are in my info

Oh! By the way

Are you going to Rocky's party tonight?

Y/NDaze is typing. . .

Y/NDaze:

Maybe, I haven't decided

ChaEunwoo:

You should go! It'd be no fun without you

It's crazy that we're already having end of school parties

Y/NDaze:

Yeah, it really is crazy

The time flew by this year, and college is close by

ChaEunwoo:

I know!

I'm excited to be done with this school if being honest

between you and me

Remember Minhae from our math class?

Y/NDaze:

Yeah, why?

ChaEunwoo:

She won't stop messaging me right now

Y/NDaze:

What is she saying?

ChaEunwoo:

That she wants to talk or something?

I'm not really playing attention. . .

ChaEunwoo is typing. . .

ChaEunwoo is deleting. . .

ChaEunwoo is typing. . .

ChaEunwoo:

Just one more month to graduate

Why does it feel like we're so old?

Y/NDaze:

Haha, I guess it is kind of weird

Did you pick a school yet?

ChaEunwoo:

Eh, I didn't get accepted to my reach

school, so I'm just going to one of the others

But that's okay! Anything's better than high school

Where are you going?

Y/NDaze:

Oh, I got accepted to an art school!

Not sure what type of art, but I've been really 

interested in animation lately

I'm sure I'll figure it out when I get there

ChaEunwoo:

That's awesome! 

You've always been really talented

I'm sure whatever you end up, you'll be great

ChaEunwoo is typing. . .

ChaEunwoo is deleting. . .

ChaEunwoo is typing. . .

ChaEunwoo:

Hey. . .

Even though we're going to different schools,

do you promise you'll be there for me?

-

Y/N looked at the message with wide eyes. Her heartbeat was going faster than normal. She placed her hand on her chest to try and calm it down while thinking of what to say. Her bottom lip unconsciously tucked under her teeth and her hands went on top of the keyboard.

-

Y/NDaze:

Absolutely!

Nothing could ever keep me from talking to you

You're one of my best friends

ChaEunwoo:

And you're one of mine too!

You always will be Y/N :)

Oh wow, it's getting late!

I hope JinJin gets here soon so we can head

to the party

Y/NDaze:

Oh. . .leaving so soon?

ChaEunwoo:

Yeah, as soon as JinJin gets here

Then we're both heading to Rocky's party

If you're coming too, you should probably

leave soon

Will I see you there?

Y/NDaze is typing. . .

Y/NDaze:

Yeah, I will

ChaEunwoo:

Awesome!

I'm going to go get ready and wait

for JinJin

Hopefully Minhae stops messaging me once

I put up my away message :p

See you soon!

Y/NDaze:

See ya

ChaEunwoo is away

𝖠/𝖭: 𝖳𝖺𝗄𝖾 𝗆𝗒 𝗎𝗌𝖾𝗋𝗇𝖺𝗆𝖾 𝖻𝖾𝖼𝖺𝗎𝗌𝖾 𝖨'𝗆 𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝖼𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗏𝖾

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙲𝚛𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝙼𝚊𝚗 | 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙵𝚘𝚞𝚛

| 𝘈, (𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵) 𝘍 | 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳, 𝘏𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳, 𝘚𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘎𝘰𝘳𝘦, 𝘔𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦, 𝘚𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘈𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘵, 𝘔𝘢𝘫𝘰𝘳 𝘋𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘛𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘴

| 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘪 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 |  

↳   𝘗𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 - 𝘑𝘦𝘰𝘯 𝘑𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘬𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘹 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳

↳ 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘺 - 𝘠/𝘕 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦. 𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘠/𝘕 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘥𝘥 𝘰𝘤𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘵.  

𝘏𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦.  

𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘯, 𝘠/𝘕 𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴.

(𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 "𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘯" 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴)

𝘛𝘢𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵 - 𝘖𝘱𝘦𝘯 (𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘴𝘬)  

𝘞𝘒 - 3.1k  

𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘷 | 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵

𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵 | 𝘔𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵

Upon a chair, he stood

His eyes were blank and dead

Without another thought

He went and hung his head

𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘦'𝘴 𝘗𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘝𝘪𝘦𝘸

"Dammit," Jane cursed when the call went straight to voicemail. "Y/N hasn't answered a single call. . .what is she up to, and where?!" she looked down at her phone to see her call history full of Y/N's contact name, "Waifu Material" filled up even with three swipes of her finger. 

"Jane," Namjoon called out quietly, looking down at his phone. "What do we do? I knew we shouldn't have left Y/N alone."

"Namjoon, get a hold of yourself," Jane quickly said, exiting the call history and tapping on Y/N's contact again. 

"How can I be calm about this?!" Namjoon yelled, turning to look at Jane. The wife lightly flinched at the sight of tears pricking from his eyes. It was a bit rare to see him in this state. . .but his friend had gone off the radar from them without any contact or knowledge, just that he was going on a little trip. But after the first day of Y/N not calling Jane, despite saying she would when she got to the place. "Y/N is so worn out from things with her mother and Jeongguk. . .she's even suffering over old wounds. I was always scared for her. Scared that she'd do something, there was no turning back from. I suggested moving to get her mind clear, but that didn't help, now did it?!" 

Jane knew that he was feeling a lot of guilt. He introduced Jeongguk to Y/N in college, which didn't end well, and he suggested she should move for a change, and it obviously didn't end well with the situation they are currently in. "It wasn't a bad idea," Jane whispered, hoping he would think that too. "It was a mistake for me to give the idea of that place to you." it really was Jane's idea as she helped look too. It was Namjoon who pitched the place to Y/N. So where did the fault lie? "Dammit." another curse left through her teeth and tapped on the call button. "I'll call again. If she doesn't answer, we're calling the police." the phone was placed up to her ear, listening to the rings. 

"What do you mean?" Namjoon asked, looking confused. "Why would the room be. . ." he soon realized what she meant, turning his head away from his wife. It didn't take him long to know what she meant, and he groaned in frustration. " Don't tell me ghost stories at a time like this! Always talking about how you 'see things,' and—"

"Y/N?!" Jane stood up from her chair, the other hand on the table to keep her balance. Half a second after hearing her best friend breathe, Jane knew it was Y/N. "Y/N! Where are you?!"

"Central. . .hospital," Y/N whispered into the phone. The sound of wind brushing through almost took over her voice. "It's. . .a state over."

Jane's brown eyes blinked, not thinking she would hear this. "W-Why are you way over there?!" She stuttered out. "Listen, I'll find you, so wait for me!" 

Y/N let out a sob. "Don't come," she pleaded. "Please, don't. . .leave me alone." 

And a few beeps came after. "Y/N? Hey, Y/N!" Jane yelled and removed the phone from her ear to see the Y/N ended the call. She grits her teeth before taking a breath to calm herself down so she doesn't do anything. "He's in another state? It'd probably take about a day to get there on my motorcycle." Jane looked at her husband and walked up to him. "I'm going to get Y/N."

She tried to give Namjoon a kiss goodbye, but he placed his hand on top of hers when she cupped his face. "I'm going with you," he declared, having Jane stop leaning in. "Y/N is my friend, too! I can't just ignore her at a time like this!" 

Jane looked into his eyes for any other emotions, but the same guilt and worry stayed with an additional determination to find his friend. "Alright," she surrendered. "Let's go."

Now the story's not yet over

For this tale is mythed and old

Go hide under the cover

There's something not yet told

After leaving in the morning, they had gotten to the hospital Y/N mentioned in the call. "Y/N's car," Jane pointed at the lone vehicle. "She's got to still be here." she reached over for Namjoon's hand. "Come on, Namjoon. It's dark. Let's stay close together."

The two went to the door and opened it, entering it. The moment they entered, Jane stopped walking, Namjoon bumping into her, and she looked around at what she heard. "Were those footsteps?!" she looked around some more before her eyes saw the staircase. "They were from upstairs. . .is that you, Y/N?!" she looked back at her husband. "Come on." she dragged Namjoon to the staircase and jogged up. 

Everything felt normal, but the sound of a cat mewling had changed Jane's route to the third floor. She brought Namjoon to the room she heard the meow from and felt sick to her stomach at the sight of a mama cat dead with her kittens stillborn. "My god," Namjoon brought his hand up to his mouth to keep himself from gagging.

"Don't look, Namjoon," Jane spoke, not being able to rip her eyes from the dead cats. "It's not good for your health. . ."

"That's awful," Namjoon wasn't able to look away, even if Jane tried to turn him. "You don't think Y/N—"

"Why would he do something like that?!" Jane was quick to defend her friend. "Must've been some crazy dude." the smell was getting too much for her, so she pulled Namjoon out. There was nothing in that room. Curtains were opened, but there was nothing special, nothing written on the mattress. 

On the fourth floor, Jane saw a dark figure. "Who's there?!" she called to the figure, holding Namjoon's hand tighter. "What're you doing there?!" the figure turned around, and it showed a tall male with fluffy hair. A bit dressed up for an abandoned hospital like this place. "A-A boy? Hey, what're you doing in this old place?"

"You hate sissies like me, don't you," he guessed, his deep voice echoing into the walls. "But your friend. . .she's important to you, right?" 

The male walked around the newlywed and was stopped by Jane. "Hey!" she yelled at him, glaring at this man. "Who the heck are you? What's this about?" He knew about Y/N. Why did he know about Y/N? And how did he know they were friends?

"Go see her," The male said, not looking at them, and walked down the staircase. 

Jane huffed, still glaring at the sight where the man used to be. "Man, what the hell was that?" she shook her head, looking up at Namjoon. "Some people." Namjoon only looked at where Jane was looking but didn't say anything. Jane found that a bit odd but pulled Namjoon back down to the main floor. There was nothing, so maybe the other side of this door would lead her to Y/N. And when she opened the door, she saw another figure down the small hall. "Someone else? Y/N?!" she took steps closer to the figure with Namjoon. "Hey! Who're you?!"

The figure turned around, and it showed another male with orange hair and brown eyes. "Yo!" he greeted with a wave and walked closer to Jane and Namjoon. "Hey. . .she's your friend, right? Go on and save her. Tell her the truth."

"The. . .truth?" Jane repeated slowly. "What?"

"I'm counting on ya!" the male smiled and walked away. 

"Uh," Jane looked around Namjoon to watch the male open the doors and walk through. "Why are there so many people here? I don't get it." she grabbed Namjoon's hand and pulled him to the staircase. But she never noticed the look on Namjoon's face as he followed her. It went on till they got to the third floor and heard a kid singing. 

"There was a crooked man, and he walked a crooked mile!" the kid sang. 

Jane peaked over the corner. "A kid?" she had to be going crazy. "D-Don't tell me a kid's wandering here?"

They walked down the hallway to see a kid dancing around. "He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile!" The kid kept singing. "He bought a crooked cat! Which caught a crooked mouse!"

"K-Kid," Jane called out to the child. "What're you doing?"

"And they all lived together! In a crooked little house!" The kid continued. "Then he had a crooked thought: Why is crookedness my lot? Why must I be crooked instead of being not? So the crooked man would cry, and he couldn't fathom why! He was sad all the time, and he sighed! And so he—" the kid cut himself off and turned to look at the married couple. "Miss Y/N's waiting for you! Go see her!" 

And the kid skipped away. "What was with that kid? Why'd he know Y/N?" Jane looked up at Namjoon. "Did he meet her?" she sighed and shook her head. "Forget about it! Let's go, Namjoon." she took steps away but noticed her husband wasn't following her. "Namjoon?" she turned around to see his fists clenched. "What's up?"

"Stop it," his arms were shaking, showing his frustration with her. "Are you teasing me?! Don't you know this isn't the time for that?!"

"Teasing?" Jane raised a brow, crossing her arms. "What do you mean, teasing you, Namjoon?" this is not something she'd make up. Why would he think that?

"Just who do you keep talking to?!" Namjoon raised his voice. And that's when Jane figured out what was going on. "Stop trying to spook me. . .I know there wouldn't be anyone here! We just need to find Y/N, no jokes."

"So that's it," Jane spoke under her breath. "Namjoon. . .go and leave the hospital." She gave him a smile. "Sorry for, uh, trying to spook you. Don't worry. I'll find Y/N." 

Namjoon realized what had gone down. "W-Wait! I'm staying with you!" he rejected her idea. 

"If anything happened to you, I'd be putting two family members in danger," Jane walked up to him and wrapped her arms around him. "Please, just trust me."

Namjoon wrapped his arms around his wife in response. "Alright," he gave in, placing a loving kiss on top of Jane's head. "Please, come back quickly."

And they separated. "Just wait for me, Y/N," Jane rolled her shoulders, went into the hallway the kid was standing next to and continued down the small hallway to see emergency stairs. She walked up till she was at the top to see two closed doors. And she saw something through the windows. "Y/N! What are you doing out there!" she ran through the door and saw her best friend standing at the edge of the roof, back facing her. "Y/N."

"Jane?" Y/N responded with her broken voice, not turning or moving her head. "Why. . .why are you here?"

"Came to pick you up," Jane answered. "I'll ask for a good explanation later. For now, you're coming home."

Y/N sighed. "Forget about me," the back of her head showed to be lowered with a shake. "Just. . .leave me alone."

Jane took a step forward, calling out the name, but Y/N turned around.

There once was a Crooked Man

Who had a crooked smile

And if you've lived his life

He'll send you through a trial

"Stay away!" her voice echoed from how loud she yelled, and Jane felt her blood drain to see Y/N pointing a gun against her temple. "I'm. . .I'm hopeless."  tears were falling, and her E/C couldn't meet Jane's. "I keep walking, but I see nothing. I'll never. . .ever be happy. I'm. . .I'm a crooked man. No matter what, that's what I'll be. And those are the only things I'll have!"

"Y/N?!" Jane took a careful step forward but noticed something wasn't right. "Wha—What's that?!" she saw two transparent arms around Y/N's body. One hand on her chest, gripping where the heart is. And the other arm held Y/N's wrist steady to keep the gun against her temple roughly. 

"Agony," Y/N's voice broke more. "Living is. . .agony. Nothing will go how I want it. . ." the hand dug the gun deeper into her head. "So right here, right now!"

The only thing Jane could do right now raised and punched Y/N across the cheek. "You damn monster!" she screamed, kept punching where she saw the arms. "Get away from Y/N!"

"H-Hey! Ow!" Y/N blocked her body from the punches. "St-Stop! Ow!" she grabbed Jane's wrist and pushed her off. "That hurt! Stop, you moron!" 

"Y/N!" The tears were now blasting out of her ears, and she jumped onto her friend. "You're back with us?!"

"Don't say that like I went nuts!" Y/N tried to push Jane off, but the girl stayed on top. "I've been sane from the start!" 

"Like hell!" Jane glared when removed from Y/N. The two now sat close across from each other, Jane sitting between Y/N's legs with her legs over to keep her there. "If that's the kind of thing you'd do sane, I'll have to beat you up 'til you promise not to!" she gently pushed Y/N's chest. "Now, about this stuff you've been doing. . .you better tell me everything that happened!"

"Taehyung, Hoseok, and Bunny," Jane hummed, remembering seeing the three when coming up to the roof. "And that crooked monster."

"Oh, so you believe in the monster?" Y/N asked, taking a light drag of the cigarette. "That's my occult fanatic."

"Well, you see, it's not exactly fanaticism," Jane commented. "Don't I always tell you that I 'see things?' You and Namjoon never believe me." she crossed her arms with a huff in annoyance, but she smiled when she got a small crooked smile from Y/N. "Anyway. About Taehyung, Hoseok, and the kiddo. I think I met them."

Y/N blinked, removing the cigarette from her lips. "That's ridiculous," she had doubt in her tone. "Bunny, maybe, but Taehyung and Hoseok wouldn't be here." 

Jane looked at her friend, giving her a look. Is she seriously doubting Jane after what she went through? "Listen up, Y/N," she had a serious look. "People's consciousnesses. . .they sorta stick around in places."

"More of your occult shtick?"

"You seriously making fun of the occult after this?" Jane raised a hand as a threat, only slapping Y/N's shoulder. "Just listen, and no jokes!" she sighed and leaned back, hands against Y/N's legs. "So you've had it pretty similar to the guy who used to live in your room, right? Shattered dreams, a bad breakup, family trouble. . .when I first looked at the place, it was fine. But once you moved in, I had this strange feeling from you and from the room. I'd have to guess the guy's consciousness was a perfect match with you. Got to be why you wanted to meet the guy, too."

"So you're saying. . .he's calling me?" Y/N asked, flicking the cigarette before taking a drag before it was gone. 

"Some people are softhearted to the core and always sympathize with others," Jane continued. "And they get taken advantage of the most."

"Taken advantage of?" Y/N repeated, "Look, don't I barely know the guy?"

"You know a little from that stuff he left," Jane pointed out. "And that was all stuff you could identify with. So, what would you think of a guy who's the spitting image of you? Would you hate them or like them?"

Y/N thought about the question and threw the cigarette. "I don't know," she suddenly lost the craving for nicotine.

"I'm guessing both," Jane watched the cigarette burn. "Same as him. Think back. The crooked man tried to kill you—tried to drag you with him. But on the other hand, weren't there people who relied on you? Who wanted your help?" Y/N looked at her hands on her lap, looking to be remembering the memories flooding in. "He hated you, but he liked you. He thought he could share in suffering with you. So he was seeking your help. And that's why. . .you met those people. That's what I'm thinking. . .honestly, I'm not sure if it's right."

"It's not quite right," Y/N admits, leaning back into the iron fence. "He wasn't seeking my help. He. . .he helped me. Got me back on my feet." but when she moved, she let out a hum in confusion. "There's. . .something in my pocket." she dug her hand into her pocket and brought out a piece of paper. "When did I pick this up?" she unfolded the paper to read. "An address. . .and I don't think it's that far." she folded it and put it back into her pocket, looking at Jane with a determined look. "I'm going. I have to meet him."

Jane stayed silent for a couple of seconds. "You could always not," she said softly. "What if something happens?"

"I feel like if I don't go. . .the crooked man will follow me forever," she said honestly. "So I'm going."

Y/N untangled her legs from Jane and stood up. She began her way to the door, stepping over the burning cigarette. "Y/N!" the said girl turned around to see Jane getting up and walking up to her. "You come back to us safe! I. . .I don't want to go to my friend's funeral."

"Yeah, I know," Y/N smiled, holding her hand out. "Thanks." the two grasp hands and lean into each other for a hug. 

-

Scene 4

"Central Hospital - Jane -"

End