Voices In My Head

Epilogue

Ten Years Later

It had been ten years since the funeral, ten years passed since he died. Life had moved on for MC, but the pain was always there. She had gone back to college with Yoosung, majoring in psychology. When she graduated, MC went on to become a therapist, in hopes of saving more people like Saeran. In the office, she was the most popular, people who had been abused felt like she understood them the best. The ones struggling with their inner demons could confide in her, telling MC that she helped push the demons away. She talked to all of them, using her hurt from the past years as her motivation. Her heart had healed, but there was still a bleeding scar on it.

Today was the day he died. MC sighed and signed her last document for the day. "Hey MC, I'm heading out. Can you lock everything up?" Her coworker asked. MC nodded and turned off the lamp on her desk. "Yeah I can. I won't be in tomorrow, so if any of my patients come in, tell them to call me." She muttered. The coworker nodded and scratched his head. "Are you ever going to respond to the date request? It's been a few weeks since I asked." He tried to make small talk while MC cleaned up her desk. "Look, I can't. Last time I fell in love, my boyfriend died." She snapped while looking up at him. "I know MC but it's been ten years. Can't you at least give someone a chance?" He grumbled. She quickly said no and left her area. The coworker was on her heels, pestering her about a date. "I said no! I will not find another man like him! Stop asking me!" MC cried while facing the guy. Tears streamed down her face, she did not need this pain today. He threw up his arms and left, leaving MC to the silence. She took a few breaths before leaving the office, the wound in her heart opening again with every step.

MC walked the familiar path to her apartment building. She had started walking to work, getting rid of her car. Walking kept her alert, it didn't let her sink into the pain. She made it home and took off her heels. She walked to her bedroom and put on some loose jeans and a red tank top. MC hesitated before walking back to his bedroom, the place where she had cried for weeks on end. She grabbed his jacket, the soft leather was smooth under her fingers. MC hugged it close to her chest before leaving her home.

She walked to the grocery store to pick up roses. She had talked with the manager of the place to keep a specific bouquet in stock. He was Zen's old friend; a friend of Zen was a friend of his was what he said once. She got to the store and went straight to the floral section, grabbing the roses. They were the same ones that Saeran was going to apologize with. The deep red faded into a white once the color reached the tips of the petals. MC paid and left the store, a cloud of gloom was over her.

She walked to the graveyard, taking deep breaths before she entered. The organized rows of headstones mocked her as she walked to a small one under a willow tree. Its long branches hid him from the judging world. MC gave a sad smile to the grave and set the roses down. "Hey Saeran… it's been ten years since you left. I went back to college and became a therapist. I help people like you every day." MC sighed and sat in front of his headstone. The stone seemed to laugh at her. "I'm sorry that I didn't visit in the past few years. I've been busy with my job…" She gulped and tugged at the grass next to her. "People keep asking me out on dates… I always refuse. No one matches how I felt when I was with you." Her voice grew thick with tears as she remembered their ice cream dates. "I miss you so much. It's been hell just trying to keep myself together. I left the RFA the day of the service. Everyone has been doing fine." MC smiled slightly and rested her chin in her hands. "Jaehee's café is doing better, she even opened up another location in the city. Zen's career exploded, he's basically a celebrity by now. He even starred in movies, not just musicals." She looked down at the ground and kept talking. "Yoosung graduated and became a veterinarian, I've never seen him happier. Jumin is as cold as ever. He grew more distant as time grew, he hardly talks to anyone anymore. I still keep in touch with everyone, they visit me at work often. Jaehee brings coffee and treats for me to share with my patients. Zen comes by and talks about how his work is. He even cut his hair, it's not super long. He got it cut to about his shoulders, it looks better like that honestly. Yoosung likes to bring his cat, Lisa, by. She plays with my patients who love animals. Jumin has taken me out to his cherry farm, just for business advice though." MC laughed softly and wiped away some tears that had managed to fall.

"Saeyoung left the RFA right after me. He fell off the grid, no one has heard from him in the past ten years. I don't think I could ever forgive him for what he did." MC said bitterly before she heard the crunching of leaves behind her. She jumped up and looked around frantically before she spotted a young girl in front of the willow tree. "Excuse me, is this where Saeran Choi is buried?" The girl asked while walking towards MC. "Yes, it is…How do you know him?" MC asked softly. The girl smiled and held out her hand. "I'm Areum, I met Mr. Choi when I was eight. I loved his tattoo, he was in the grocery store with chocolate and ice cream. I wanted to talk to him more but, my mother had pulled me away. I'm eighteen now and I had something I wanted to show him. So, I asked around before this blonde vet told me that he had died." Areum explained. Her bright eyes smiled when MC shook her hand. "I was his girlfriend before he passed. He lived with me… I haven't visited in years. Today is the day he died…" MC said softly to the girl. Areum placed a hand on her shoulder and gave a comforting smile. "Aren't you a therapist? My friend goes to see one and the description he gave fits you perfectly." Areum asked. MC nodded and looked back at Saeran. Areum went over and patted his headstone gently. "How did he die?" She asked. MC winced as the image of his lifeless body flashed behind her eyes. "He was shot…" Was all MC could say. Areum looked shocked and hugged MC quickly. "I'm so sorry!" MC shrugged and sighed while hugging the young girl back. "Can I show you something?" Areum asked while smiling at the woman in front of her. "Go ahead." MC said while pulling Saeran's jacket closer to her. Areum shrugged her sweater off, revealing a tattoo exactly like Saeran's. The lines were softer, they flowed nicely together. Inside the eye was a broken hourglass, the sand spilled out onto the other lines. MC brought her hand to her mouth before gently touching the image. "That's his… when did you get this?" MC said softly, the tears were returning. Areum explained that she got it for her 18th birthday, his tattoo was a huge inspiration to her, that's why she had gotten it done herself.

MC started crying and hugged the young girl, seeing something of his outside of the tragedy was amazing. Areum hugged MC and asked her if they could talk. She agreed and they walked away from his grave. The pair chatted about Saeran, as if he was still alive. As they walked away from the graveyard, a man watched them. His dark gold eyes and pale skin would've been recognizable to anyone if they looked closely. His black hair swayed in the wind as he walked to the grave. He inspected it, gently running his fingers over the name. He picked up the roses and smiled as a memory flashed in his mind. The man took off his jacket and draped it over the headstone. His arm had black ink on it, the design a much harsher version of Areum's.

"Being a twin is never fun. I'm sorry for doing that to you. I made sure that you left the RFA, they couldn't tell us apart. I've debated telling her the truth, I think it's finally time to tell her. Sleep well…Saeyoung…" The man said before walking away. His spirits lifted when he thought about seeing her again. It had been a long ten years without her. He walked towards his old home, staying in the shadows just in case that she noticed him.

When he reached the apartment, he used his old key to unlock the door. MC was in her bedroom, so she didn't hear the door open. He slunk back to his old bedroom and looked around, everything was as he left it. He left the bedroom and softly knocked on her door.

MC heard knocking at her bedroom door, causing her to jump. She scrambled to get off her bed when she heard another knock. "How did you get inside my house?!" She asked while grabbing an umbrella. There was no response from the door, so she walked closer to it. MC heard footsteps back away from the door, almost waiting for her to open the door. She took a deep breath and quickly opened the door, umbrella ready to attack. The man that stood at her door felt vaguely familiar. His black hair fell into his eyes, obscuring their color. He brushed his hair away, letting MC see their color. The dark golden color reminded her of Saeran. "How did you get in here?" MC asked while holding the umbrella up. The man smiled and held up a key. "I have a key." Was all he said. His short sleeve shirt rode up enough to where MC saw his tattoo. The harsh design clicked in her mind. "Saeran?!" She cried out while rushing into his arms. Saeran chuckled and stroked her hair. "It's been too long MC. I've missed you."

To Be Continued…

The End of Voices In My Head