Chapter 1; funerals , ribcages, hairy feet

"At the moment of life and death,

make a wish with a powerful desire.

A soft-hearted creator might grant you that wish."

- Goblin


Jin Ae never had any trouble in remembering things. Her father often praised her for having a photographic memory, it was mainly one of the reasons on why she decided to pursue her career as a surgeon. Hence, she never needed to question her memory.

Until now.

She blinked away the sleep in her eyes, feeling slightly nauseated as she lifted her head. She could feel the soreness between her shoulder blades, and she found herself in a hunched position. She remembered falling asleep on the cool surface of the cobbled gravestone, and yet beneath her was a piece of log. Her eyes widened as she scanned her surroundings.

Michael.

Oh, Michael.

She remembered attending his funeral. She remembered the slight drizzle that had started when she entered the cemetery, the way people's heads immediately turn to her, on how they slowly crowd her like a school of piranhas. They were itching to extend their hands for her to accept, eyes roaming around her to see how she would react to his death, waiting for something, for anything to happen.

She was, after all, the last person to see him before he died.

But even she didn't get to say goodbye.

She could do nothing but shrink underneath their gazes, occasionally replying with a 'thank you' because she was tired.

She was tired of people looking at her as if she was a ticking time bomb, waiting to explode. Everyone expects her to be hysterical, to explode or to cause a scene. But she knew better, she knew that it wasn't what he would've wanted. She needed to be strong, for his family, for herself and most importantly for him. If he sees her from up there, weeping on the ground until she could no longer breathe, he would probably demand the angels in the afterlife to bring him back to life. She couldn't ask for that, not when he's at peace. So she could only clutch onto her father's arm tighter, as they walk past them.

Her father.

She didn't know what she would've done if he wasn't here with her. She would've probably crumbled. But her father, her Abeoji, have bought the earliest ticket to London and flew all the way from Gangnam to here, bringing nothing but two sets of clothes and barely anytime to think about the little shop he left back home, all just to see her.

The ceremony was short, but she felt as if she had been standing for a week. Watching as they lower his coffin down into the dark. She stood throughout the whole thing, watching with glazed eyes as they bury him underneath the soil. Even after they finished, after everyone left she still stood there. His parents have taken her father out for dinner, hoping to give her some time alone. So there she was, kneeling beside his gravestone, and when she was sure no one was watching her, she cried.

She cried until her rib cage clatter against her chest andher body violently convulse. She could feel her tears stain her clothes, and the dirt digs against her knees, and yet she couldn't care less. Weeks of sadness, frustration, and guilt was released at that hour, and for the first time in forever Jin Ae felt lost. She felt as if she was a boat who was tossed at sea, and now she is wandering aimlessly. That was enough to make her fall asleep, and now she is awake, and she can't remember what could've possibly lead her here.

What should've been neatly rows of gravestones lined above neatly trimmed grass was now replaced by a clearing of wild bushes and looming trees. They were whispering against the wind, and she could feel the chill around her starting to creep beneath the thin fabric of her blouse. Slowly, as if she was an empty glass being filled to the brim, panic consumed her, until finally, the glass couldn't take it anymore, spilling it's contents and realization dawned to her.

I'm in a forest.

She was glad her body still had the strength to move her legs, and she was glad that she had her purse beside her. She quickly checked inside, and she sighed in relief when she saw her phone and wallet intact. She wore the blazer that she had draped over her knees, and she shakily stood up.

Her first instinct was to try for signal, and she was glad her battery was on 95, having the time to charge it earlier. His death was still fresh on her memory, but she shook it off. Now isn't the time to mourn, now is the time to think. How could she possibly end up here?

Focusing back on her phone, she frowned when she found out there was no signal. She shoved it back inside the purse, looking around for a path. At first, it seemed impossible, as the sky was getting dark, but she followed the sun as it sinks beneath the trees, and she found herself onto a clearing. Looking forward, it gave her the idea that she might be in a forest, judging by the soil path laid before her. She tried to silence the questions buzzing in her head, steadying her heartbeat.

She pinched herself, suddenly getting the idea that this might be a dream, but after pinching it thrice she did nothing but create a dull ache at the side of her arm, and she decided that this was far from a dream. Sighing, she wrapped her arms around herself and began walking. Hoping, that she wouldn't be more lost than she already is.

Thankfully, after a twenty-minute walk, she didn't give up and eventually ended up in front of a wooden gate. Behind it stretched out green hills, with houses that occupied the slopes and curves. She squinted, trying to get a good look. This was definitely not London alright, because the last time she recalled the London didn't have a village. They also didn't have houses that looked like …holes? They looked familiar, but she couldn't place her finger on it.

" G-good evening."

The voice startled her, causing her to flinch. Her eyes met a pair of softer brown ones. The man before her tried to look polite, but she could tell that he was hiding his curiosity behind his smile. It was then, did she realized that he was shorter than her and that she had to look down to talk to him. It was strange, yes, but not as strange as his clothing, which resembled the way Europeans would dress back in the middle ages. (Not that Jin Ae know much, she took European history way back in primary school)

When her eyes reached his barefoot, and hairy (would be an understatement) feet, he coughed, and her eyes snapped back upwards shyly. Although, whatever manners he had was quickly tossed out of the window as he looked at her the same way, and when he reached her skirt his eyes simply flickered back upwards, a faint rosy color tinted his cheeks as he cleared his throat, " Excuse me, are you lost ?"

She regained her shock, and nodded, " Yes, I am. I- I don't where I am."

He looked at her in pity, and as if he's internally fighting with himself he looked around fidgeting, before looking back at her. Finally, as if he made up his mind, he shook his head and muttered something about ' Baggins ' and ' being too kind.'

" Do you want to come for tea ?"

Jin Ae, too overwhelmed to ask any more questions didn't bother to think whether this man could be trusted or not. All she knew was that it was better than to stay outside, knowing that anything could lurk in the forest. She was lost, confused and frustrated, so she nodded her head furiously.