Jihoon had planned to use his Sunday afternoons for one thing: gaming.
It was his happy time when he didn't have school and his family gave him a reprieve from helping out in the restaurant. He booted up the ancient computer in his apartment and debated whether it was worth it to put on real pants to go to the PC room for a better internet connection. He pulled out a pair from the pile of folded laundry his Mother had left for him. He was wondering whether to bring Shane with him as well but then he decided it would be
The sound of his front doorbell confused him at first. Hardly anyone came upstairs when the restaurant was open below.
Detective Roger stood on the other side.
"Detective. Are you looking for my mother? She's downstairs."
The detective's shrewd gaze took in Jihoon's rumpled clothes and sleepy eyes. "I'm actually looking for you. Your neighbor, Mrs. Rin, told me you were out by the forest a few weeks ago."
"When was that?" Though Jihoon knew already.
"It would have been about two months ago."
Two months ago. When Jihoon had first seen the grim reaper, he hadn't seen him since, and he didn't care anymore.
Jihoon's mind raced. Should he lie? Half-truth, he decided. Easier to tell the truth even if it wasn't full. "I don't remember every night I'm out in the neighborhood, but I'll try to help if I can."
"Do you remember seeing anything strange?" Detective Roger asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Just anything." The detective was being equally withholding.
"No, the neighborhood is pretty quiet after dark."
"Did you hear anything from the forest?"
"Like hikers?" Jihoon asked.
"Like anything." Detective Roger watched Jihoon so closely he felt if he blinked the wrong way, the man would file it away.
"I don't really notice things."
"Are you sure?"
Jihoon kept his expression blank by running through his last gaming battle strategy in detail.
"Sorry, I can't help you."
"Listen." The detective hesitated, then continued. "It's going to sound odd, but I think this is a pattern. There have been other similar attacks."
"Similarities? Like what?" Jihoon asked.
"That's sensitive information," the detective replied, but Jihoon didn't need to hear—he had a good idea.
"But I'm fairly certain there will be another attack and soon. Now, are you sure you didn't see anything?"
"Yeah, I'm sure." Jihoon set his mouth in a stern line like he'd seen his father do before.
Detective Roger dug into his pocket, pulling out his card. "Well, if you do remember anything, then let me know." Jihoon accepted it, making sure to keep his fingers steady.
This detective was getting in way over his head.
"Wait," Jihoon called out. He felt foolish, but what if the detective got hurt and he'd done nothing? So he pulled down a talisman and held it out.
"You should take care. Seems like you have a dangerous job."
The detective chuckled and patted Jihoon's shoulder. It felt strangely paternal and Jihoon stepped back in sudden discomfort.
The detective gave a final nod. Jihoon folded into a bow.
He leaned heavily on the door after he closed it. He tried calling Shane. She'd made him promise to use her number for emergencies only. Jihoon figured this classified as one.
he didn't answer, and he cursed as he pulled open the door again and hurried out.
• • •
Jihoon ran up the hill toward Shane's house. He hesitated at the end of the long drive and glanced at the sky, darkening with dusk. But he steeled himself before starting down the path.
A movement in the trees halted his steps and he froze until he recognized the uniform blazer of his school. Shane.
He doubted he had decided it was a good time for a casual hike. If Shane was thinking what it was, and if the officer was patrolling, then Shane was in danger.
Jihoon didn't want to think of what could happen.
"Shane!" he called, but he was either too far away or ignoring him. He hurried after him, wondering how he could move so fast without making a sound.
The path was narrow, filled with large roots and craggy rocks. The steep slope tired Jihoon quickly. He wondered if it was physically possible for a person to cough up their lungs but truly didn't want to find out. So he took a short break, leaning against a tree. Up here, the height was dizzying. And the city lay so far below it looked like a toy replica. His break lost him precious time, and when he turned back toward the path, Shane was nowhere to be seen.
"Shane Kensington," Jihoon shouted. No answer. Not that he'd really expected one.
"Shane, if you can hear me, answer," Jihoon called. His shouting startled something that rustled the underbrush and he skittered back, stepping over the ledge.
He was pulled back onto the path to fall in a heap. Shane stood over him, her arms crossed. From the look on her face, he wasn't just displeased, he was pissed.
"What do you want?" he asked, his voice even sterner than Jihoon was accustomed to.
"They—" He broke off when his voice wavered. He stood, brushing away the dirt that clung to his pants while he tried to gather himself.
"They found a body in the woods," he said finally.
His expression was unreadable.
"A man who disappeared," Jihoon continued. "They suspect something, they're looking for the culprit, they think they'll attack again."
Shane nodded, the only sign he heard him.
"There's a cop asking questions."
"Just because he's poking around doesn't mean he knows anything." Shane frowned.
"Maybe you shouldn't be out tonight."
"You need to leave this alone. It's not safe out here for you." Shane clenched his fists and closed his eyes.
It was a perfect time to take Jihoon's soul but he just didn't want to
"Are you okay?"
"Go home." Shane didn't wait for his reply. he retreated into the woods. he'd seemed distracted. If she was distracted, that meant he could make a mistake. Jihoon didn't give himself time to think; he pushed through the branches, following Shane deeper into the forest as the sun waned.