I went home after roaming around the Korean art gallery. My decision was final because of the sculpture that I saw. Yeah, it is what it is.
The appliances that I bought were here already, in front of my apartment. I carried everything inside and unboxed them.
After unboxing the appliances I bought, there's only one thing inside my head. Iseul.
Her name kept echoing inside my mind. There's only one way to get rid of it, and it's by finding out what's going on. What are her intentions? Why did she appear on my first night here at Techne Island? Why did she become a... ghost?
I went to the balcony for some fresh air. I'm done organizing my things, I just need to wait for the sun to say goodbye and I'll try to summon Iseul later. I talk as if it's so easy!
"This is crazy." I hissed.
I was talking to myself while sipping coffee. Funny how I listed hundreds of destinations for me to visit. Now here I am, planning things on how I should talk to her.
I should be frightened! But my curiosity overpowered it. It's not everyday I get to live on an island where rumors about ghosts are actually true. Plus, I personally saw her, in front of my eyeballs!
Luke is at work so I didn't have the chance to tell him about my plan. But he might get scared too if I tell him about Iseul, knowing the fact that he was traumatized by her appearance.
This is so impulsive of you, Yohan.
"Here goes nothing."
I took a deep breath and started painting. I sat beside a glass mirror so I could check if she's here already. My hands were shaking, but I gathered so much courage to sketch her face and now I'm coloring it.
"Are you there?" I almost whispered and looked at the mirror beside me.
I'm the only one here. I should try harder. I decided to do a realistic portrait of her. I can still remember the details of her face, neck, and hair from Brent's portrait. This should do.
After two hours I checked the mirror again. She's still not here.
I'm on my second canvas already, and I tried painting her in an impressionist style. After an hour and a half, she's still not her!
Is it because of my piece?
I looked at the two artworks I made, both looked like her. It's already night time, but there's no Iseul in sight. Darn it.
I sighed heavily and decided to take a break. I ate dinner first and drank beer before continuing. I grabbed my third blank canvas and sketched her face again.
"Expressionism and fauvism, if this doesn't work I don't know anymore."
I started painting again. I was rushing, my hands were faster than what I normally do. My eyebrows were furrowed as I paint. I checked the mirror, and felt another disappointment when I only saw myself.
"Ah, bloody hell. This is insane."
I placed my paintbrush on the table. I got my wallet with me and left the apartment with all the frustration that I felt.
"Why aren't you appearing? Is there something wrong with my paintings?"
I walked towards the nearest convenience store. I bought a pack of cigarettes and went to the park. Nobody's here, but there are a few people walking along the streets.
I lit one cigarette and stared at the sky as I inhaled and blew the smoke away.
"I never rushed my work." I said to myself.
I realized how I was rushing to finish the three paintings I made. I usually spend more than four hours to finish one. I never painted in a hurry, as if I was in a race. This is not a good practice for me.
"You're forcing me to appear, that's rude of you."
I felt cold shivers when I heard a soft voice. It was a girl. I immediately glanced at her direction. My eyes widened when I saw Iseul.
She's sitting on a bench beside the one I'm sitting on. She is wearing a black dress, and she's barefoot. Her hair was loose and it was at her waist level. I can only see half of her face because she's looking in front.
She seemed... sad.
"I'm sorry." that's what I said first.
She's here! I don't know what to feel. Should I be happy that after painting three portraits, she finally showed herself? Should I feel scared? Nervous? or Guilty?
"They won't let me rest in peace. People keep on summoning me and I hate this cycle." she said.
"People were summoning you?" I asked.
She looked at me with anger and sadness in her emerald eyes. She was in pain. My chest suddenly felt heavy as I see her expression.
"Yes! And it's been going on for a decade. This curse is just... absurd!"
"Did they try to hurt you?" I sincerely asked.
"I died from murder, kid. Don't ask me that."
"Y-you were murdered?!" I was shocked upon hearing wheat she said. What?! She was murdered? What the heck.
"I don't like repeating things, kid."
I looked away, trying to think about what she told me. I can't believe it. People are trying to summon a girl who was murdered!
Wait, I summoned her too.
"Shit, I'm so sorry, Iseul I... I didn't know. I wanted to ask you something that's why I summoned you."
"You know who I am already. Who would've thought I'd be famous after death?" the side of her lips rose.
"You said it was a curse?"
"You heard that right. My soul's cursed. I've been searching for a way to end it, but I am obviously a ghost for Pete's sake."
I put the cigarette out and walked towards her. I stood in front of Iseul, and she slowly looked at me.
"I'm Yohan and my intentions are pure, Iseul. Let me help you break the curse."