The clinic was a modest building, with pale blue walls and a quiet waiting room that felt oddly comforting. The familiarity of it all soothed some of my nerves. It was hard to believe that the boy I once knew now had his own clinic, treating people who were probably far more broken than I felt.Jerry greeted us at the door, his smile still as warm and charming as I remembered from high school. He looked much the same, just that time had matured him, yet his eyes still carried that same kindness I remembered from our school days."Lana," he greeted, his smile growing as he stepped forward. "It's been way too long.""Jerry," I replied, feeling a genuine smile tug at the corners of my lips. "I didn't expect to see you again after all these years."He gave a light chuckle. "I didn't either, to be honest. But life has a funny way of bringing people back together, doesn't it?"I nodded, my gaze shifting briefly to Jason, who remained silent, his eyes betraying how deeply worried he was."Ho
Sam shouted my name.I remember his voice, urgent, panicked. He was running toward me. I could almost see his face, eyes wild with fear. But the scene kept shifting, morphing into something I couldn't fully grasp. Behind him, the rooftop of our old school loomed, shadowy and distant.Why? Why was it always there, haunting the edges of my memories?My heart started to race, and I felt a jolt of panic rising in my chest.Sam, Naomi, and the rooftop...It didn't make sense. I couldn't piece it together, but the flashes kept coming.I flinched, my body tensing, and suddenly I wasn't in that quiet room anymore. I was back there, on the edge of something I couldn't comprehend."Lana, you're safe. Breathe. I'm going to bring you back now." Jerry's voice snapped me out of it.I gasped, opening my eyes, my breath shaky as if I'd just run miles. The dimly lit room swam into focus, and I blinked, disoriented. My body was cold with sweat, my heart pounding. I felt embarrassed, almost ashamed, bu
Jerry watched as Lana's breathing grew slow and steady, her body finally surrendering to the deep sleep. The tension that had been carved into her face softened as she slipped away into rest, and he quietly draped a blanket over her, ensuring she was warm and comfortable.For a moment, he just stood there, his eyes lingering on her. It had been years since he'd seen Lana, and he never expected that the memories of what had happened would still haunt her so deeply.With a soft sigh, Jerry stepped away from her and motioned to Jason, who had been sitting quietly in the corner of the room, watching over Lana with an intensity that hadn't wavered since they'd arrived. Jason rose, and they both silently left the room, careful not to wake her.Once they were in the hallway, Jerry closed the door behind them and turned to Jason. His expression, usually calm and professional, was now tinged with something heavier. There was a question in his eyes, one that had been building ever since Lana ha
It was around 2 a.m. when I woke up, drenched in sweat, my heart pounding in my chest.Another nightmare.The same one, again and again.Samuel, the rooftop, his voice screaming my name, and then… darkness. I couldn't escape it, no matter how hard I tried. The nightmares had been getting worse since I came back.After the session with Jerry, I swore I wouldn't see him again. He meant well, but I couldn't stand how he looked at me, like I was some kind of patient to be treated. He kept trying to calm me down, offering hypnotherapy, medication.But that wasn't what I wanted.I wanted answers.I threw off the blanket and sat on the edge of my bed, my feet touching the cold floor. The room was quiet, but my mind was loud. Flashes of memories continued to swirl. Samuel, Naomi, the rooftop… but tonight, a memory I had nearly buried deep within the recesses of my mind emerged.I remembered the fear, the raw terror that had gripped me that rainy day. His rough hands, reaching for me, had sent
It was time to stop running from the past.I decided to track down the hospital where the body had been taken. Being in forensics myself, I knew this was my best chance to access the information I needed.Yes, I needed answers. Lying was unethical. It went against everything I stood for, but desperation has a way of blurring the lines. I had no choice.I stood outside the hospital, its imposing structure far more modern than I had imagined. This wasn’t some rundown facility on the outskirts of town. It made sense after all, the school I attended was prestigious, and they wouldn't have sent a body to just any hospital.This place handles serious cases.I headed for the forensic department. It wasn't bustling, which is luckily for me, it seemed like a slow afternoon. I spotted a woman, likely in her early forties, at the front desk. She was flipping through some paperwork, looking bored. This was my chance."Hi there," I said, smiling softly. "I'm Dr. Lana Kang. I work in forensic path
As we finished lunch, I could feel Jason's eyes lingering on me. He wasn't fooled by my actions, but thankfully, he didn't push the subject. We made small talk as he walked me back to the apartment I was staying in."Let me know if you need anything, alright?" Jason said as we reached the corner. His voice was calm, but there was an edge to his words, like he was holding something back, something unsaid."I will," I assured him, but we both knew that wasn't true. Whatever I was about to uncover, I needed to face it alone.We exchanged a brief goodbye, and I watched him walk away. The moment he was out of sight, the weight of the secrets I carried felt heavier. I glanced at my phone, still cradling the unanswered questions swirling in my mind. Jason's concern was genuine, but I couldn't let him know how deep I was getting into this.Not yet.I walked up to the apartment lobby. The sky was growing overcast, mirroring the storm brewing inside me. The missing pieces of the puzzle danced j
Jason arrived at Lana’s apartment, his pulse quickening as he found her curled up on the sofa, knees to her chest, her body trembling uncontrollably. Her eyes were wide with fear, and the sight of her so fragile made his heart tighten.Without a second thought, he rushed to her, pulling her trembling frame into his embrace.“Lana,” he whispered, his voice soft but filled with concern. “What happened?”Lana’s voice was barely audible, quivering with terror. “Someone’s been here... I heard the door beeping. I know someone has come in.” Her words broke between sobs, and Jason could feel her panic rising again.He glanced around the apartment, his eyes carefully scanning every corner. Everything seemed in order; nothing was out of place. The apartment was untouched, but her fear was real, palpable, overwhelming. Jason knew that Lana’s fragile mind was starting to play tricks on her. Her paranoia was growing stronger, more dangerous.“Shh,” he murmured, stroking her back gently. “It’s okay
Jerry visited again the next morning, as he promised. Jason opened the door with a quiet nod of greeting. Jerry's eyes swept over the apartment, his expression unreadable, before turning his attention to Lana."She seems stable," Jerry said, his voice low as he set his bag on the table. He approached Lana, carefully removing the IV from her arm. "Her vitals are fine, but she's still weak. Make sure she continues to rest."Jason watched closely as Jerry packed up the IV, then glanced at Lana's sleeping form. "I will. Thanks for coming over, Jerry."Jerry looked up, meeting Jason's eyes for a moment before he nodded. "Just keep an eye on her. If she starts to become too restless, let me know. We don't want her pushing herself too hard." He gathered his things and made his way to the door, pausing for a final word. "She'll wake up soon. Don't let her dive into anything stressful too quickly."After Jerry left, Jason returned to Lana's side. He studied her for a long moment, the soft rise
A quiet café by the lake.That was where we would meet.Nelson drop me at the venue, "Call me if you need anything." he said softly."I can call a taxi too, please don't worry," I said before closing the door."Sure," he said, trying to smile.The hours leading up to it passed in a haze. My hands trembled slightly as I smoothed down my dress.I wasn't sure why I was so nervous.Maybe because, for the first time in fifteen years, I would finally see the man I had loved more than anything.And he was alive.My heart hammering as I scanned the café.The grand glass windows framed the tranquil waters, while soft instrumental music played in the background with freshly brewed artisanal coffee lingered in the air.It was a place of quiet indulgence, yet somehow, as I stepped inside, I felt its echoes stirring in the silence.I was nervous but hopeful, dressed in a way that made me feel like myself again, like the girl who once dreamed of forever with Sam.When I finally saw him, standing by
For the first time in years, I woke up feeling… light.No lingering drowsiness from medication.No heaviness pressing against my chest.Just the quiet hum of the morning, the distant crash of waves against the shore, and the warmth of the sun filtering through the curtains.I sat up slowly, letting the realization settle in.I had slept.Truly slept.Without the aid of pills, without waking in cold sweats, without the weight of forgotten memories clawing at the edges of my mind.Since the day Nelson had taken me to the memorial park. He had stood by my side as I faced the past I never knew I had buried so deeply.The guilt, the unanswered questions, the fear of the unknown.Had finally begun to lift.I stepped out onto the balcony, the ocean stretching endlessly before me. The salty breeze kissed my skin, the crash of waves a soothing melody against the silence.For once, I felt calm.Not healed. Not whole.But calm.Everything was still sinking in. The truth about Naomi, the lies Jaso
"Because I killed him. I killed Bong, Lana!" she admitted with an evil mock.She stood there, the wind whipped around her, catching the loose strands of her hair.Gusts of wind send shivers through my frail body, but rather my lips tremble as I chooses to speak. "You didn't, you didn't...""Lana, I did. I was there." She responded. "I'm the one who removes the evidence; I try to keep him away from you, but my resentment for such an animal, I rather end his life."I feel it back then how my heart break at the truth that the murder of our school security guard who tried to harass me was done by Naomi.Naomi was indeed... trying to protect me.I was hoping it was a hoax, but the truth had been told by Naomi herself tore my heart apart even more."Naomi, why... why did you do that? You could have told me, and I would have been able to help you!""Lana, how could you possibly rescue me? He raped me, destroyed my life, and put my future in jeopardy! Tell me, have any peasants like me gotten
A faint hum of the engine and the sway of the car pulled me from the depths of sleep.My eyelids felt impossibly heavy, my limbs weighed down as if my body had sunk into the seat.The world outside the window blurred past in muted streaks of grey and green, shrouded in the soft glow of the morning light.I blinked, my mind struggling to catch up.The last thing I remembered was sitting at the dining table with Nelson, his voice low as he suggested something. But the memory was hazy, distorted, as if it belonged to someone else.A faint recollection of waking up sluggishly, getting ready with Mrs. Holland's help, and having breakfast darted across my mind, but not quite tangible.Panic coiled in my chest. I turned, my breath catching as I found Nelson beside me, one hand on the wheel, the other resting lazily on the armrest.His face was calm, but there was something guarded in the way his gaze flickered toward me before settling back on the road."You're awake." His voice was smooth, u
The guest room prepared for me was a surprising contrast to the rest of the antique grandeur mansion.The walls were painted a soft, muted grey, with a single abstract painting hanging above a sleek platform bed. The bed itself was low and modern, dressed in crisp silky white linens and a lightweight beige throw.Just clean lines and a calm, unpretentious aesthetic.A small bedside table held a simple lamp with a frosted glass shade, casting a warm and inviting glow.A single potted plant. A touch of green against the neutral palette stood on a narrow wooden shelf that ran the length of the wall.The floorboards gleamed too perfectly, polished wood, and the large window opposite the bed framed the darkness outside. A sheer white curtain drifted slightly with the cool night breeze, adding a touch of softness to the otherwise stark room.The warmth of the bath earlier had done little to ease the tension coiled tight in my chest.I lay awake staring at the ceiling, tracing invisible patte
The winding road felt endless, the hum of Nelson's motorcycle filling the silence between us. The city's glow had long since faded, replaced by the barren fields and a sky bloated with stars, an emptiness of the countryside.Trees lined the path, their shadows stretching ominously under the pale moonlight. My grip on Nelson's jacket tightened as the bike slowed, its headlight glaring at a wrought-iron gate.Nelson pulled off his helmet and reached for his phone. With a quick call, he muttered something I couldn't hear. Moments later, the gates creaked open, revealing a long driveway framed by hedges trimmed to razor-perfect lines casted by a soft golden glow of bulbs.The house at the end of the path loomed, grand yet secluded, with its aged wood and stone exterior.We rolled forward slowly, the bike's engine a low rumble that echoed in the still night. A figure waited by the entrance, an elderly woman, her posture straight and her hands clasped neatly in front of her. She had a calm y
I had been waiting for him.The moment the motorcycle roared into the car park, I knew Nelson had come. Relief swept over me, momentarily silencing the chaos around me.When Nelson dismounted his bike, pulling off his helmet, his eyes locked onto mine, unwavering and steady. "I'm here," he said simply, his voice firm but calm.I took a shaky breath, the decision already made long before he arrived. "Thank you," I whispered.I took a step toward him, my heart racing, but Jason's voice broke through the stillness, trembling and soft, like a whisper cracking under pressure."This isn't your business, Nelson." Jason snapped.Nelson tilted his head, an almost amused expression crossing his face. "Isn't it? But Lana asked me to help, Jason."Jerry, sensing the brewing storm, interfered, his voice calm but firm. "Let's not do this here."Nelson's expression hardened, his gaze locking on Jason. "I didn't come here to fight. But, Lana had asked for help."Jason's head snapped up, his face a mas
The cold concrete of the car park pressed up through my soles as if trying to root me in place, but my body moved forward, and the weight of unspoken words pressing down on my chest.Jason walked slightly ahead, his hand gripping my arm as though he feared I might slip away.Not tightly, but firm enough to remind me that, he was in control.Each step echoed the conflict in my heart.The medication effect had begun to fade, but I remained deliberately slow, dragging my feet as if the weight of my hesitation could anchor me in place.I glanced toward Jerry, who walked beside us with his medical bag slung over his shoulder, his face calm but watchful. His presence was the only tether holding me together, his earlier assurance repeating in my mind.Trust me. Stay calm.I wanted to stop, to refuse to take another step. But the pieces of my past clawed their way to the surface, dragging me back to my final year in medical school at Granata.Back then, I'd been trapped in a relationship with
The first thing I noticed was the soft golden light filtering through the curtains. It was late morning—much later than I ever slept. My body felt heavy, every movement sluggish, as if weighed down by invisible chains.Then Jason's voice broke through the fog."Lana," he called gently. His tone was soothing, warm, yet it grated on my nerves. I blinked, struggling to focus on his face. He sat beside me, leaning slightly forward, a faint smile curving his lips."There you are," he murmured, his fingers brushing my arm. "How are you feeling? Jerry medication helped you rest?"Medication. The word tugged at my hazy memories, the events before I'd drifted off felt distant, like a half-remembered dream.I tried to sit up, but the effort sent a wave of dizziness through me. Jason was quick to steady me, his hand firm on my shoulder."Easy," he coaxed. "No need to rush."I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "Jerry…" I croaked, the name slipping out before I could stop myself.Jason's expression di