REMINISCENCE

CHAPTER III

THE GIRL BEHIND THE PHOTOGRAPH

KRIS' POV

A girl with long silver hair and gray glassy eyes is standing at the door. She was wearing a violet Victorian style dress and was holding an umbrella.

"You…" She was not supposed to be here.

"Hello."

"Did the council send you?" I asked. Who am I kidding? Of course they know! They know everything.

"No"

I looked at her with surprised all over my face.

"Then, what are you doing here?" Knowing Jin, she doesn't do things without any reasons. She just walked inside the room and picked the broken photo frame at the floor.

"I remember this photo…" then she smiled.

"How can you forget it? You're the one who took that picture…"she was ignoring my question in purpose. She was being unreasonable. I wanted to know what brings him here.

"This was the time when Luhan was already marked as the heir to the throne" she caresses the photo as she speaks. She was still smiling but her eyes told me otherwise.

I was growing impatient. I asked here again what brought her here but she continued to ignore me. She placed the said photo over the bed and walked towards the window and touched the ripped curtains.

"You are still bad at house arrangements Hyung..."

"Jin, what are YOU doing HERE?!" My words are stiff and I was almost screaming but she didn't budge. She kept her smile.

"I know that you know why I'm here Kris-hyung…"

It's my turn to smile now. How can I forget so simple things? Of course she knows. The twoof them are connected. She was also marked as the next "Mother" to the pack. She was fated as Luhan's bride. Even if they are bound to be together, she never forced Luhan to love her. She believed that even the council cannot vigour someone to love another if he doesn't feel anything to that person. She looked at me and she was smiling, but her eyes… it was piercing. Her eyes were now in deep shades of red. It was frightening.

"How did this happen?"

"I… I don't know…"

She turned her head towards the window. The rain started to fall. I looked at her face and the shadows of the rain drop on her face almost make her look like she was crying.

"I want to bring him back…"

"I want him back, too. He's my brother. The only family I have left."

She was now looking at me when I turned my gaze on her. The frightening aura around her was gone. She was smiling at me and it was very warm.

"Don't worry, Hyung… I'll do everything I can to put him back on track…"

"How?"

"By removing the cause of his actions…"

After she said those words her eyes changed its colour to dark brown and her hair dyed itself into claret. She looked the same yet different. She looked like one of them

"His play-time is over."

SO HEE'S POV

The rain was pouring hard. I forgot to bring my umbrella so I guess I'll go home like a wet dog. I turned my gaze towards Luhan. He is still sleeping. I'm really thankful that he is okay. I know that he is a good person so I know he deserves to be treated well.

I stroke his hair and watch him shifted comfortable. I giggled. He almost looks like a child. I wonder how hard it might be to be in his place, to be different. The first time he saved my life was like a faded dream. I never expected that we will meet in the most inadvertent moment, but I was glad. I was glad to meet him.

Loud thunder claps reach my ears. The weather was getting worst. I should go home now but I can't leave him. I promised him I'll stay. What should I do? Mom would be very worried at this time; I didn't tell her where I was. I'm sure Luhan will understand. I'll just tell him when I come back.

Suddenly, somebody knocked on the door and on reflex I turned my head towards it. The door opened and Kyungsoo came in.

"Hyung!"

"Hello So Hee. Is he okay?"he said as he walked closer to me. His head is wet so I stood up to get a towel for him.

"He's better" I replied.

"No need. I won't be staying for long." I looked at him with confusion. He immediately understood the message behind my expression and continued.

"I came here to give you this," then he hand me over a white umbrella, "Your mom called. She was looking for you."

So what I was thinking earlier was right. I should go home now. I glanced at Luhan's direction. He was still sleeping.

"Don't worry, I'll look after him." I turned my head towards Kyungsoo and he was smiling. "If you are thinking about me getting back to him for pushing me and breaking my arms in the process, I won't. Especially now that I know why he acted like that. I couldn't blame him. So I suggest you go home and take a rest."

I smiled. One thing I love about hyung was that he keeps his words. He can be trusted. I told him my thanks, took my umbrella and was about to leave the room when Kyungsoo speak.

"I don't know what Kai's reason of breaking up with you… but I'm sure you are also at fault."

His worlds are like sharp knives stabbing my back. Of course he knows. He was Kai's best friend. I wanted to ask him what fault was he talking about but I just found myself tramping out of the room.

I was walking on the hallway but Kyungsoo's words are still ringing in my head.

But I'm sure you are also at fault…

What did I do?

I don't get it. I care for him. I love him… didn't he see that?

I want answers and I know Kai is the only one who can give it to me. I'll talk to him first thing in the morning because right now, I need to go home.

As I was crossing the street, I saw a girl standing at the bus stop. There is no longer any bus available at this time. I also noticed that her hair was dishevelled and wet. She must have been caught in the rain before reaching the stop. Feeling sympathy, I walk over to her direction to tell her that the train is the only available transportation this late. As I reach the stop, I closed my umbrella and approached her.

"Excuse me,"

After hearing me, she turned her head to look at me. I never saw anyone as beautiful as her. Even with her tousled hair and damp clothing, she was still very attractive.

"Yes?" she answered. Her voice was very calm and angelic. I almost envy her because of that but looking at her shaking form due to the cold, I should tell her my intention.

"Are you waiting for the bus?"

"Oh, Yes I was. I've been waiting here for an hour now and I don't see even a shadow of the bus." She answered truthfully. I can see it clearly that she was there for a long time now.

"Sorry but there is no bus available at this moment. The only means of transportation this late is the Train."

She looked at me with disbelief.

"Really?! So I've been here for nothing. Thank you for telling me, Miss. I'm not from here so I don't know that there are no busses available at this time of the night."

She smiled sweetly at me and I almost laugh at her expression. So she was a foreigner. That's why she looks different. Just being this close to her presence was like that of Luhan. Realizing where my thoughts would lead me, I immediately shake the idea off my head.

"Are you okay?" I was surprised when she pats my shoulder.

"Y-yeah… I'm fine. I just remembered someone…"

"Who?"

Her tone changed. It was like decreeing. I looked at her but she was smiling.

"You don't have to answer me if you don't want too."Her tone was back to gentle. Maybe I was just imaging things. I almost forgot! I have to go home now!

"Do you want to come with me to the train station? I can share my umbrella with you" I offered her.

Like a child given a treat, she smiled sweetly at me and nodded her head. I opened my umbrella and ceiled her. We walked together towards the station.

"Do you believe that there are other beings in this world?"

I was surprise of her sudden start of conversation but managed to answer her with so that I wouldn't be rude. All of a sudden, Luhan's image flashed in my head.

"Yes. I guess…"

"Do you think they are evil?"

"No… I think they are okay. They just wanted to be understood…" What am I saying? Now I know she thinks I'm a weirdo now! I look at her and she was just smiling. "Does it sound weird?"

"No. I like what you said. It seems like you know one of the 'other beings…'"

I shook my head. This girl choice of topic is very unusual, maybe because she is not a native. I just erased the thought and answered.

"I don't know any…" I was lying. I know Luhan was one of those other beings. But he is not evil, he is very nice. I don't know but I'm starting to feel strange. I was driven out of my thoughts when she suddenly speaks.

"We're here."

We are at the train station. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't notice that we are here already.

"Thank you so much for helping me."

The station was well-lighted so I can see her face clearly. Her long hair was wine-coloured and her eyes are dark brown. Her cheeks are pinkish and her lips are pink and kissable. She was really stunning.

"You're welcome" were the only words I can utter.

"Can I know your name?" she said while smiling sweetly at me.

"Yoon So Hee."

"Yoon So Hee… you have a nice name…"She said and smiled again.

"Can I know yours?" I asked. She only looks at me and turned her back.

"The next time we meet… I'll tell you." Then she turned her head at me and winked. After that she skipped towards the other side of the station and waved good bye.

She was very different. Next time we meet? How can she be so sure that we will meet again? The way she told me that, it was like she was telling me that it will really happen. I strode towards the train. As I step inside, I can't help but wonder… Who was she?

As the train move its way, she stepped out of the wall she was standing.

"Yoon So Hee… You'll regret meeting me…"

END OF CHAPTER 3