Shin Ryujin

The night was sticky and cold. The house creaked again, but now the sounds were more distinct: quiet footsteps right above her bedroom.

Yeji couldn't take it anymore. Grabbing a flashlight, she went out into the hallway and pulled the rope of the attic hatch. The hatch opened with a dull groan, releasing icy air and the smell of dust. Each step of the ladder creaked under her foot, as if warning her. The attic was pitch dark, and beams and old boxes flickered in the flashlight's beam.

Somewhere in the depths, a strange shadow moved.

And then a quiet, even whisper was heard: Ryujin said in a cold whisper: -Finally... you got up. I'm tired of watching only from the shadows.

-Who's there?! Show yourself!

A silhouette appears in the far corner of the attic. A pale girl steps into the moonlight—her face calm, her gaze cold as morning ice. "You're beautiful when you're afraid... I've been watching you since the first night. You walk softly, but your thoughts are loud."

-You... you were following me?!

-Home is my eyes. The wind carried your steps, the walls transmitted your whispers. I wanted to understand who dared to take my place... but it turns out that I just… like looking at you. - The ghost said with a smile.

-Why? What do you want from me?

• Being liked doesn't always mean wanting pain. Maybe I just... didn't want to be alone again.

(You, Yeji, decided to take a break from the city's troubles and found her. Ryujin was killed in this house a long time ago and made a lot of creaking sounds.)