On a snowy night, 26-year-old Han Jinhee was walking home, clutching a bag of bread and milk from the convenience store. The thick snow blanketed the streets, and the world felt quiet and serene. She anticipated a warm evening at home, but fate had other plans.
As she approached the crosswalk, her phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. It was her friend Yoonhui.
"Hey, Yoonhui! I'm almost there, just a minute!" Jinhee replied, excitement bubbling in her voice as she looked forward to their coffee date.
Lost in the conversation, she almost didn't notice the large truck speeding towards her. The screech of brakes broke the stillness of the night, and in that instant, her world went dark. She thought she had been careful, yet the truck came out of nowhere. Pain coursed through her, tears streaming down her face, but as her consciousness slipped away, death did not claim her.
The next morning, Jinhee woke up in her room, heart pounding with fear. She sat on the edge of her bed, trying to piece together the night before. "Was it all just a dream? I distinctly remember buying something…" she murmured, feeling confused and anxious.
(Story rewinds to the starting point)
Back to that snowy night, Jinhee walked out of the convenience store as usual, bag in hand. She planned to cross the street but got distracted by her ringing phone. As she answered, she became fully absorbed in her conversation with Yoonhui, forgetting the dangers around her. In that moment, the wheels of fate began to turn—a large truck sped towards her, colliding with her.
However, it seemed death had mercy on her, sparing her life. On the edge of death, she gained a mysterious power, escaping fate. The next morning, she found herself reborn in her familiar room, yet her memories of the past remained hazy.
(Back to the present)
"What on earth is happening?" Jinhee wondered aloud, her fear gradually shifting to determination. Since she was alive, she needed to pick herself up and move forward. She reached for her phone to call Yoonhui but realized it was missing. This only deepened her belief that last night's events weren't just a figment of her imagination.
She changed into casual clothes, slipped on her coat, and hopped on the light rail to Yoonhui's workplace. Upon arrival, she nervously approached Yoonhui and said, "Did you wait long for me? I'm so sorry! I meant to be there, but something came up at home, and I forgot to let you know."
Yoonhui frowned, replying, "Do you have any idea how long I waited? Two whole hours! I called you, but you didn't answer."
Jinhee's heart sank, and she awkwardly explained, "My phone fell in water last night. I'm really sorry, I'll have to get a new one."
Yoonhui's concern softened her gaze. "I thought something terrible had happened to you…"
"Of course not! How could I forget you? You're my best friend!" Jinhee teased, throwing her arm around Yoonhui's shoulder, feeling a sense of relief wash over her.
In this snowy rebirth, Jinhee began a new chapter of her life. Though her memories of the past were still unclear, she was determined to embrace the future, seeking the beauty and hope hidden in everyday life. The shadow of death had not defeated her; instead, it strengthened her resolve to cherish every moment with friends.
Feeling hopeful, Jinhee boarded a train to the church. As a Christian, she believed God had given her life again, and the thought of prayer filled her heart with assurance. Faith, she felt, was a power that bolstered her against life's challenges.
Upon arriving at the church, the sky remained overcast, and white snow blanketed the surroundings. She pushed open the heavy doors, inhaling the warm, tranquil air. Kneeling in the sacred space, she closed her eyes and whispered prayers, thanking God for her second chance.
Just as she immersed herself in prayer, a faint sound of footsteps caught her attention. She tensed, turning to see who was there, but found nothing. Perhaps it was just her imagination. As she prepared to continue praying, the footsteps grew clearer, seeming to approach her.
Reluctantly, she stood up and walked toward the door, eager to uncover the source of the sound. However, the moment she stepped outside, she still saw no one suspicious. Only an elderly man was outside, quietly sweeping the snow off a bench.
The footsteps had sounded like someone in dress shoes, while the old man wore only slippers. Had she really imagined it? A wave of confusion washed over her as she asked politely, "Excuse me, did someone just come by?"
The old man looked up and smiled, shaking his head. "No, I haven't seen anyone else here. I just noticed you praying inside."
Disappointed, Jinhee murmured, "Oh, I guess I must have heard wrong. Thank you." She pondered whether the accident had affected her mind and hearing.
Anxious thoughts crept in, and she decided, "I should probably see a doctor." Thus, she made her way to a nearby clinic for a check-up.
At the clinic, the doctor examined her thoroughly and asked about her condition. After a series of tests, the doctor smiled and said, "You're perfectly healthy. Everything looks great!"
Exiting the clinic, Jinhee felt a wave of relief wash over her. She thought maybe she had just been too tense, which caused her to hear things that weren't there. No longer preoccupied with unsettling memories, she resolved to set those doubts aside and return to her warm home, continuing her life.