Chapter 5: Warning.

The air was biting cold, but it wasn't just because of the season. There was something in the air, an indescribable weight that enveloped everyone present.

The memorial park was packed with people. Parents, friends, teachers, and community members had gathered to honor the fire victims. Framed photographs of those who died were placed on tables covered with black tablecloths. Lit candles illuminated the ground with a warm, flickering glow, while a choir sang softly in the background.

Myeong stood there, surrounded by Ethan, Maddie, Jason, Chloe, Ryan, and Sasha. She felt strange, as if she were floating in a blurry dream from which she couldn't wake. And yet, this time, the feeling of emptiness didn't completely consume her.

Ethan hadn't let go of her hand since they arrived. His presence was an anchor, something tangible amid the chaos of her mind.

"Are you okay?" he whispered softly.

Myeong nodded slowly.

"I don't know," she admitted after a moment.

Ethan squeezed her hand firmly.

"I'm here."

She looked at him and, for the first time in days, felt a hint of warmth in her chest.

As they walked through the crowd, Myeong felt a presence stop in front of her. She looked up, and her heart skipped a beat.

Dylan was there.

The boy looked uncomfortable, his hands deep in his jacket pockets. His gaze was uncertain, but there was also something different about his expression. Something sincere.

Finally, Dylan pulled out a hand and extended it toward Myeong.

"I wanted to tell you..." He paused, lowering his gaze for a second before raising it again. "I'm sorry for everything I said to you. For how I treated you. I was an asshole."

Myeong looked at him cautiously, unsure of what to say.

Dylan took a deep breath.

"You... you saved us. All of us. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't done what you did."

The silence between them stretched for a few seconds. Then, Myeong raised her hand and shook his.

"I forgive you," she said with a small, tired smile.

Dylan nodded and looked away, visibly relieved.

It wasn't long before Maddie, Jason, Chloe, Ryan, and Sasha approached.

Maddie was the first to speak.

"Myeong… I… there's no way to justify how we treated you before all this." She paused, her expression softening. "But I wanted you to know we're sorry."

"Yes," Jason chimed in. "We messed up with you. And we feel like shit about it."

"Forgive us," Chloe whispered.

Myeong looked at them all, noticing the guilt and remorse.

Ryan took a step forward.

"We don't want this to just be a 'sorry' and that's it. We want to make things right."

Sasha, her eyes shining with unshed tears, smiled sadly.

"No one should have to go through what you went through alone, Myeong. We want you to know we're here. We really are."

There was a moment of silence.

And then, without warning, Maddie launched herself into Myeong's arms.

After a moment of surprise, Jason and Chloe joined in, followed by Ryan and Sasha.

Ethan smiled and put an arm around Myeong's shoulders, completing the group hug.

For the first time in days, the weight on her chest seemed to lighten.

"We have a second chance," Maddie murmured.

"Yes," Chloe nodded. "And we won't waste it."

Myeong closed her eyes and allowed the tears to fall, but this time, they weren't just from pain. They were from relief.

Because, after all, she wasn't alone.


The memorial had been emotional, more so than Myeong expected. Although the pain was still there, the feeling of loneliness had dissipated a little. She had people by her side, people who supported her and had promised to take advantage of her second chance.

When the event ended, Myeong and her friends began to leave the park. Ethan was still at her side, his hand firmly holding hers.

"Do you want a ride home?" he asked quietly.

Myeong nodded, but just as they were about to cross the street, she collided with someone.

The impact sent her staggering backward.

"Sorry," she murmured, without looking up.

But when she tried to keep walking, she felt a hand grab her arm.

Myeong tensed, and when she looked up, her breath hitched.

In front of her stood a tall, robust man with dark skin and a black trench coat that reached his knees. His dark eyes watched her with a disturbing intensity.

"You shouldn't have done that." His voice was deep and measured.

Myeong swallowed.

"What?"

The man smiled creepily, leaning toward her slightly.

"You have no idea what you just unleashed."

Myeong felt a chill run down her spine.

"W-Who are you?"

The man slowly loosened his grip, but didn't look away.

"This..." he whispered, his face disturbingly amused. "This is just the beginning."

Fear settled in Myeong's chest.

The man gave her one last look before turning and disappearing into the crowd.

Myeong froze, her heart pounding.

Ethan immediately approached.

"Are you okay? Who was that guy?"

Myeong didn't respond immediately. Her eyes remained fixed in the direction the man had left.

Because, even though she didn't understand what he had meant...

She knew something was about to change.