Where Our Hearts Linger

The darkness was bleak. The gray storm clouds flushed into the blackened sky, like ashes spread upon burnt-out charcoal. Not one sound, no swishing of the long grass, no birdsong, or even the caw of the crows can be heard.

The grayish grass covered the hills, and dead trees scattered all over the moors, like the shriveled souls reaching out from the deep depth of hell, only to perish on the threshold.

A dark ancient castle spanned the bare land, which was large enough to cover the earth. The gloomy chambers are lit by the moonlight as the only source of light.

In the blink of every second, a soul is ushered in by a male or female agent dressed in black. Leading them to their destined places– either for reward or punishment. The cold atmosphere was enough to send chills down one's spine but they were not bothered.

This orderliness was thrown into a sudden chaos at the horn of a reaper.

" The poltergeist had escaped !!!" it was declared.

" How?" Shin Chan asked the other reapers summoned before him. As the Lord of the afterworld, this had never happened in his 400000 years of reign. He needed answers and an immediate remedy to bring it back before the human world was thrown into havoc.

For all you know, this poltergeist held the deepest of grudges and had been held away for the past 2000 years– if hunched on the souls of bad people he might run out of control.

The great hall was buried in silence with everyone lost on the cause of the event. " I'm not sure, sir," One said breaking off the chill.

" That's absurd~" His voice shook with intensity– roaring out the fire burning down in the Umbrian fireplace. " where is Baek Hyun?" His absence dawned on him.

Among the reapers, he was the only one skilled in the field of hunting down such troublesome souls. He was currently on a mission to the human world and had not returned.

At Shin's command, one rushed out in search of him. Just at the entrance of the main castle, Baek Hyun runs heads on with him.

" Do Jun?" He called, catching on to his intruder who was by now gathering himself up from the floor.

" Oh, Baek Hyun~" His eyes lit with delight.

" Why the rush?...what's going on?"

" Hurry, Shin Chan called for you~" he began, heading on before him as he pulled him along. "the poltergeist had escaped."

" What?" He halted in his tracks, breaking free from his grip. " How did that happen?" he looked at him.

" That's what I don't have answers to~just follow me." The two-headed straight to the quarters where other reapers remained summoned. Their attention immediately shifted to him at his appearance.

" You called for me." He said, taking his stand in the middle of the gathering as he offered a bow of greetings.

" I've assigned you to the human world...you have to bring back that evil soul no matter what. Don't return until you've had him–that's your mission. "

Without hesitation, he adhered to the decreed. Shin knew how tough a battle it was going to be so he assigned Do Jun as his assistant in his endeavor. The two immediately left off to their task.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

Seoul

As usual, Eun Ji stood at the bus stop, among other students and passengers in wait. She had her earpores plunged in her ears, and her eyes fixed on the screen of her phone. Despite the few ruckus around her.

The sun wasn't up yet but it's close. One can tell by the soft morning glow. Not long, the bus pulls up. Everyone immediately glided in, Eun Ji wasn't an exception.

She settles close to the window, staring outside as the bus jerks into motion– hitting the street ahead. Seeing a few ghosts along the street wasn't any new thing to her any longer. She had helped a lot settle their grudges and move on and even befriended one who visited her at home or in the school on break.

It was hard at first, at just 6 years old, she had this strange gift after her father's passing. But through the years, she managed to live along with it so as not to be called an outcast or weirdo.

As the bus drove under the bridge, something above it caught her eye. She thought she saw something unusual but after getting a clear view, it was no more there. Impulsively, she tilts her head in confusion– was she wrong? She thought.

But then, the sudden figure that appeared out of the blue, got her almost jumping into fists– ready to defend herself.

" What the hell was that for?" Eun Ji shot in displeasure, taking note of Hae Su, who had earlier gotten on the bus at the last bus stop.

As the two were talking, a hasty bang at the roof of the bus erupted their ears, jump-scaring them. Breaking everyone into a frantic scream as the bus pulled to an abrupt halt– at the heavy thud of whatever it was that fell on the street.

In murmurs, they slowly huddled out, their curiosity taking the better part of them as they sought the source of the sound. Eun Ji and Hae Su were no different even though the mere thought of whatever it was scared them to death.

The scenery was so devastating and gruesome. Everyone who caught sight of it screamed, a few threw up at the gruesomeness. " What's going on?" Hae Su asked but then the two howled at the sight of the man lying in the pool of blood.

His face was totally configured and a leg crossed beside him. Eun Ji saw a glimpse of a dark shadow, unlike the ones she usually saw, sneak among the nearby trees. Her attention was caught on it but then it disappeared before she could make out what kind it was.

She felt the chill and wanted to leave the scene at that instant.

The place was already packed with EMTs and an ambulance along with a few reporters. Without a word, she pulled Hae Su out of the crowd and headed off to the next bus stop.

Baek Hyun and Do Jun got to the scene but it was too late. Do Jun gasped–the poltergeist had fled off before their arrival and the sight told off his deeds.

" His first victim~ it had started rejuvenating."

" We need to find him before his next victim." Back Hyun said, his gaze cold and determined. " I bet he is not far gone from here~" His eyes carefully scanned around. " He should be somewhere here."

He pointed, suggesting they go separate ways to make it easier and faster. " The first to find him should alert for a backup." He warned.