- As Within, So Without

Hyunji stumbled.

Weak.

Disgustingly weak.

That was all she could tell herself.

How disappointing that she dies like this. What an idiotic way to go out.

These weren't her thoughts, Hyunji realized as she slouched against a wall. Her muscles were getting weak.

To think I wasted my time like this, said the voice.

Hyunji frowned in confusion. She felt intensely drunk, like her brain was jumping on a trampoline. Her muscles began to give out and she slid to the ground. Something was wrong with her vision. It was…narrowing.

Someone stepped in front of her, looking her in the eyes.

Min-jun.

She smiled. He was safe.

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

Her brother was all she cared about. For so many years she had protected her brother. Her parents had left five years ago now, and Hyunji had fended for herself since then, all while raising Min-jun.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

"Look at me, Hyunji," Min-jun said, holding her face. She tried to keep her eyes open, but they kept fluttering closed. Her brother turned to Kenji. "What's wrong with her?"

Kenji looked on the verge of tears. "I thought I was saving her…."

"What do you mean? What did you do?" Min-jun screamed.

"I killed Terry. He was…rabid. Full of some kind of drug. His blood got all over her. I didn't know this would happen!" Tears were streaming down Kenji's face now.

Min-jun turned back to Hyunji. "Sis. You gotta fight it. You're strong. Don't let it win. Please…just keep your eyes open."

Hyunji heard the words, but they didn't seem to be processing anymore. Her brain felt fried and empty. It was getting hard to hang on to consciousness.

Tick. Tick.

Her memories were fading. Everything was fading. Time was running out.

Who am I? She wondered.

A pathetic, mortal human, responded the voice. Give up already. Know the pain of death.

She stood, using every last bit of her energy. She didn't know what her goal was, besides wanting to defy the voice.

Survive. I want to survive, she thought.

"Hyunji! Sit down, please!" Min-jun pleaded, grabbing her arm. Her legs began to give out and she fell back into his arms.

"Kenji…you motherfucker," she mumbled, almost incoherently.

She looked down and chuckled. Her veins were becoming thick and purple. She began to cough, trying to get any of the remaining liquid out of her mouth. Blood spattered across the wall, mingled with the purple liquid. Her lungs burned.

Tick.

Thump. Thump. Her heart had begun to slow down, and her muscles began to relax.

She inhaled a deep breath. Then everything was still. Quiet.

Min-jun was saying something, but no noise sounded from his mouth. Kenji had fallen to his knees, his face buried in his hands.

At least she would die surrounded by family.

Her eyes began to close, until no light remained. Only darkness.

Hyunji descended into the void.

*******

The drug began to spread. Originating in the eyes and mouth, the substance traveled throughout the woman's body, coursing through her veins. The molecules fed on cells, growing stronger as they consumed. It was a type of parasite, rooting itself in the brain.

The body's functions began to shut down as the substance reached them. First was the kidneys, liver, and pancreas. Then it attacked her heart, until it no longer beat. Finally, the lungs, tearing them apart cell by cell.

Only her brain remained, and that it would save. The parasite felt strong now. But it still wanted more. More sustenance.

*******

Looking at Hyunji, I knew I had to do something. Her body had grown pale, and her veins had turned a sickly purple. "Help!!! Uncle, we have to do something!" I screamed, watching as my sister faded from the world.

"It's over, Min-jun," Uncle Kenji said to me. He was still sitting on the ground, his katana covered in a purple liquid. I noticed for the first time the other corpse in the room. A headless, rotting mess. How had all of this happened?

I should've stayed by her side. She would still be alive.

I sat in disbelief, holding onto her hand as the others rushed in the room and gathered around, completely surprised by the scene in front of them.

Shaking, I picked up Hyunji's limp body and sat her against the wall. A purple liquid trickled from her bloodstained mouth and down her throat. I placed a hand there, checking for a pulse.

Nothing.

"She's dead," I said, though the words died in my throat. I still held her lifeless hand.

I watched as Jade walked over. He was crying, just like Kenji.

Where are my tears? Am I not sad? No, I feel sad. But more so, I'm in shock.

My muscles felt tense, and my breath was short. The tears would probably come later.

"No," Kenji mumbled, standing. He frowned as if he were coming to a realization. "No…no. Don't do this to me. NO!" His hand was wrapped around the katana.

I wondered what he meant as I felt an intense pressure on my hand.

Kenji dashed towards Hyunji and I. There was a splatter of blood, and I fell backward. My stomach turned over, and I was throwing up. I still held Hyunji's hand, but it had separated from her arm. Shaking the hand off, I pulled myself to my feet.

Kenji was standing in front of Hyunji, holding a shaking katana. "Don't make me do this," he said in a hushed tone.

I watched in disbelief as Hyunji stood up. Blood dripped from her severed wrist, but she didn't seem to notice. A growl emanated deep within her throat.

"What're you doing?" I screamed. I charged forwards.

Kenji slashed once again, aiming for Hyunji's head.

Before the slash made contact, I tackled him at the waist. We tumbled to the ground, and I pulled the sword from his grasp. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Look behind you, Min-jun," Kenji tried to explain.

I glanced over my shoulder, where Dante, Sofia, and Jade had backed into the corner of the room. Hyunji stood in front of them, baring her teeth. Her skin had started to turn purple now, matching the color of her veins.

She turned toward me, and I realized that her eyes were empty. Soulless.

I felt empty inside. Hyunji was dead. What was I thinking? The substance…it must've taken control of her. That was the only explanation.

Hyunji screamed and charged forward. I stumbled backward and fell, landing hard on the ground. Something caught my eye. A shiny revolver barely a meter away. I scrambled over and picked up the gun. My sister was just behind me, a hungry look on her face. Hyunji growled and stepped toward me.

I fired the gun.

Hyunji lost her balance and tumbled to the ground, a bullet hole in the center of her forehead. Any normal human would've died from it. She still moved.

I walked closer, shooting the rest of the rounds into her face.

My sister, no, the thing that possessed her body, let out one final screech.

She didn't move again.