hwang hyunjin

When teenage maximalism and recklessness got to their heads, they wanted to run away somewhere far away, to get a dose of adrenaline and vivid emotions. They got it by exploring abandoned places. The feeling that they could be caught at any moment, that anything could happen there, was frightening and at the same time strangely joyful, fueling a raw, intense interest in one of the places they hadn't yet had time to explore. It was a medieval castle in the forest—beautiful ruins that begged to be entered, to explore every corner and corridor. The decision was made quickly, without a second thought about safety. Fingers quickly dialed the number that was always first on the list of recent calls. The voice on the speaker sounded sleepy, slightly hoarse. "I found a new place to get nervous," he said with almost childish joy. He tested the safety of new places only by how high they were. Ironic as it may be, after abandoned mental hospitals, schools, and prisons, it was heights he was afraid of.* — Where? — the only word, but with obvious interest and a slight creaking of the bed as he rose. — In the forest. It seemed they had already been everywhere possible. At first, the unknown and the darkness were frightening. The dead air, the deathly silence, in which any sound that wasn’t theirs brought trembling hands and nervous laughter. But later they both loved it. The silence was too loud, and even it had its own sound. *The cool air played with strands of his hair, damp from the shower. He didn’t even try to call him, knowing that he was always thirteen minutes late because he was afraid of the dark and took the longer route, which was lit by lanterns. Footsteps were heard behind him, and then breathless breathing. A hand slid habitually through someone else's light hair, ruffling it. "Let's go." In the darkness, the faint outlines of a once majestic small castle were already visible. No one had ever cared about such beautiful architecture before, but it looked like the first visitors were about to enter.