Texting The Dead
1.1 The First Message
📱 [Chatroom: DeadInside99 & UnknownUser_00]
DeadInside_99
Who is this?
UnknownUser_00
You know who.
(Typing bubble appears.. disappears.. appears again... then stops.)
DeadInside_99
This isn't funny.
UnknownUser_00
You always say that when you're scared
(Ha Jun-seo's hands froze over the screen. His heart pounded. That phrasingㅡtoo familiar. Too specific.)
DeadInside_99
Do you know me?
DeadInside_99
I don't know what sick joke this is, but stop.
UnknownUser_00
I miss you.
(His fingers twitched. His throat felt dry. The number... it was one he knew by heart. But it was impossible. Because Min-jaeㅡ)
DeadInside_99
You're NOT him
UnknownUser_00
Why won't you believe me?
DeadInside_99
Because Min-Jae is DEAD.
UnknownUser_00
Then Why do I remember this?
['UnknownUser_00' has sent you a photo attachment.]
*OOC! IMAGE ABOVE IS NOT FROM ANY WORK OR MANHWA. IT IS AI GENERATED, I BLURRED THE EYES BECAUSE IT LOOKED WEIRD AND THOUGHT IT'D FIT WELL INTO THE CONCEPT. THANK YOU.*
(Jun-seo’s stomach twisted as he clicked on it. His vision blurred. It was a selfie—from their last sleepover. Min-jae laughing, holding up a bag of chips. A photo that had never been posted. One that should’ve been buried with him.)
DeadInside_99
WHAT THE HELL???
UnknownUser_00
I told you. It's me.
DeadInside_99
No this is a trick..
UnknownUser_00
Check your closet.
(Jun-seo’s breath hitched. The closet door was slightly ajar. Darkness stretched inside like a hungry mouth.)
UnknownUser_00
Please, Just Check.
(His heart slammed against his ribs. His fingers tingled, Every instinct screamed at him to ignore it. )
(Then, his phone vibrated again.)
UnknownUser_00
Don't scream.
(A slow, ragged breath echoed from inside the closet.)
(Jun-seo stumbled back, nearly dropping his phone. The door creaked open... an inch... two inches...)
DeadInside_99
WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!
UnknownUser_00
I need your help..
DeadInside_99
JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!
UnknownUser_00
I didn't just die in that accident.
UnknownUser_00
Someone killed me.
(Jun-seo’s vision swam. His phone slipped from his grasp, hitting the floor with a hollow clunk.)
['UnknownUser_00' is typing...]
Name: Ha Jun-seo (Our MC)
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Personality: Witty, skeptical, curious, but a little reckless. He loves horror stories but never believed in ghosts—until now.
Likes: Horror movies, late-night chats, solving mysteries.
Dislikes: Being ignored, staying offline for too long, his phone battery ying.
Habits: Tends to overanalyze text messages, bites his nails when nervous.
CURRENTLY: [ALIVE.]
Online Profile:
Username: DeadInside99
Status: “Ghosting or getting ghosted?”
Profile Pic: A pixelated skull emoji.
Name: Kim Min-jae (Our Mc's Best Friend)
Age: 20
Gender: Male
Personality: Chill, sarcastic, protective of Jun-seo, but low-key terrified of ghosts.
Likes: Online gaming, conspiracy theories, junk food.
Dislikes: Jump scares, people who type “K” instead of a full reply.
Habits: Sends voice notes instead of texts, falls asleep mid-chat.
CURRENTLY: [DƏÆD.]
Online Profile:
Username: AFK_Minjae
Status: “I’m online, but am I really?”
Profile Pic: A low-res meme of a screaming cat
"Unknown Number"
Age: ???
Gender: ???
Personality: ?? oddly personal in their messages.
Likes: ???
Dislikes: ???
Habits: Sends messages at 3:00 AM, texts in a mix of old-style Korean and glitchy symbols.
CURRENTLY: [€££@£.....]
Online Profile:
Username: UnknownUser_00
Status: “I Miss you.”
Profile Pic: A static, distorted image.
[Group Chat: 2AM Chaos Crew]
[DeadInside99, 404_NotFound, GhostHunter_Seon, AFK_Minjae]
DeadInside_99
Guys. I need to talk.
GhostHunter_Seon
at 2 AM? Bruh, it better be ghost-related 👀
404_NotFound
If this is another dumb horror story from you both, I'm muting you.
DeadInside_99
I just got a text... from Min-jae’s old number.
(A pause. no one types..)
404_NotFound
..That's not possible.
DeadInside_99
You think I don't KNOW that??
GhostHunter_Seon
WAIT. You mean, like... A scammer? or ACTUALLY Min-jae?
['DeadInside99' has sent a photo attachment.]
DeadInside_99
This picture was never posted. It was taken the night before the accident during our sleepover. Only two people had it. Me and Min-jae.
404_NotFound
...You're saying his ghost texted you?
DeadInside_99
I don't know, but it said something else.
DeadInside_99
"I didn't die in that accident. Someone killed me."
404_NotFound
This is insane. it has to be someone messing with you.
DeadInside_99
Then explain how they knew about the photo?
GhostHunter_Seon
What if it's really a ghost?! LikeㅡMin-jae's soul is stuck because his death was unnatural??
404_NotFound
Or it's someone using his number for a sick joke.
DeadInside_99
Then why did my closet door open by itself?
404_NotFound
Let's assume, just for a second, this is real. what do you want to do?
DeadInside_99
Find out what really happened to Min-jae.
GhostHunter_Seon
Hell yeah. Let's ghost-hunt a murder case.
404_NotFound
this is a bad idea
DeadInside_99
then stay out of it.
404_NotFound
...I'll help. But only to prove this is fake.
GhostHunter_Seon
Ohh were doing this. LET’S GO 🏃♂️
(A notification appears at the top of the screen.)
(Jun-seo’s blood ran cold.)
UnknownUser_00
You shouldn't have told them.
Yoo Ji-won (The Realist)
Age: 20
Gender: Male
Personality: Logical, practical, and always skeptical. The one who tries to keep the group grounded.
Likes: Science documentaries, programming, black coffee.
Dislikes: Superstitions, being dragged into drama.
Habits: Writes essays in text messages, corrects grammar even in casual convos.
CURRENTLY: [ALIVE.]
Online Profile:
Username: 404_NotFound
Status: “Everything has a logical explanation.”
Profile Pic: A loading symbol.
Lee Seo-hyun (The Troublemaker in the friend group)
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Personality: Playful, loves pranks, but low-key interested in the supernatural.
Likes: Paranormal investigation, haunted house challenges, spicy food.
Dislikes: Being proven wrong, people who leave him on read.
Habits: Sends cryptic messages just to mess with people, always adds “👀” at the end of sentences.
CURRENTLY: [ALIVE.]
Online Profile:
Username: GhostHunter_Seon
Status: “👀 You sure you’re alone?”
Profile Pic: A blurry night-vision shot of a “ghost.”
THATS ALLL FOR THIS EPISODE! THANK YOUU!
1.2 Don't Forget Me
[Chatroom: DeadInside99 & UnknownUser_00]
UnknownUser_00
You Shouldn't have told them.
DeadInside_99
What do you mean I shouldn't have told them??
UnknownUser_00
You know how people are. They won't believe you.
DeadInside_99
...So what? I don't care if they belive me.
UnknownUser_00
Yes, You do.
UnknownUser_00
You always do. You act like nothing gets to you, but you hate feeling alone.
(Reading this, Jun-seo swallowed hard. his fingers curled around his phone, heart hammering)
DeadInside_99
Stop saying things only he would know.
UnknownUser_00
But I am him
(Jun-seo's breath hitched. The room felt smaller, air thinner. he wanted to believe it. So badly. but...)
UnknownUser_00
Remember that time you stayed over at my place and had that nightmare?
UnknownUser_00
You didn't tell me what it was about, but you clung to my hoodie like a baby koala the whole night.
(Jun-seo's ears burned. His throat tightened. That... wasn't something anyone else knew. Even he barely remembered it until now.)
DeadInside_99
That doesn't mean anything.
UnknownUser_00
Oh? What about the nickname you gave me?
(Jun-seo silently murmured to himself..)
Ha Jun-seo
fxck, I swear if he actually knows..
DeadInside_99
You don't remember it. You're bluffing.
(He hadn't said that name in months. It was stupid-a dumb joke from when they were kids. Min-jae had hated it but Jun-seo never stopped calling him that, it sounds cringy, but that's because Jun-seo gave him it when they were kids.)
(He was shaking now. becauseno one else knew that. No one.)
UnknownUser_00
I don’t want to be forgotten just like this.
UnknownUser_00
Find out what happened to me.
(Jun-seo's vision blurred. He squeezed his phone like a lifeline, breathing shakily.)
DeadInside_99
How could I forget you?
(His fingers hesitated over the keyboard.)
DeadInside_99
You were the only person who ever really knew me.
(A pause. His screen glitched slightly. The typing bubble appeared... then vanished.)
UnknownUser_00
Then don't let me dissappear.
UnknownUser_00
Thank you..
(His phone screen flickeredㅡthe chat disappeared for a second. When it came back, the messages from UnknownUser_00 was gone.)
DeadInside_99
WHERE DID YOU GO?!
[This user is currently unavailable]
(Jun-seo’s breath caught. A tremor ran through his spine.)
(But this time... he wouldn't let it end here.)
[Group chat: 2AM Chaos Crew]
(DeadInside99, 404_NotFound, GhostHunter_Seon, AFK_Minjae)
DeadInside_99
I'm doing it.
DeadInside_99
Finding out what happened to Min-jae.
404_NotFound
Are you serious??
GhostHunter_Seon
LET'S GOOOOOOOOO
404_NotFound
This is reckless
DeadInside_99
then don't help.
404_NotFound
...I never said that.
DeadInside_99
Good. because we're starting tomorrow.
GhostHunter_Seon
HELL YEAH. GHOST HUNTING WITH DA BOISSSSSSS!!!!
DeadInside_99
it's not ghost hunting..
GhostHunter_Seon
Bro. You got a text from a dead guy.
GhostHunter_Seon
Where do we start?
DeadInside_99
The accident.
404_NotFound
Fine. But if we get arrested, I'm blaming you.
(Jun-seo stared at his screen, pulse still racing.)
(This wasn't a prank. it wasn't a hallucination.)
(Min-jae was reaching out. And he needed him.)
(So for once... Jun-seo wouldn't overthink it.)
(This time, he was going to believe.)
mwahhh thankies for reading this episode!
just kidding. you really thought huh? :)
[Group Chat: 2AM Chaos Crew]
(DeadInside99, 404_NotFound, GhostHunter_Seon, AFK_Minjae)
GhostHunter_Seon
Rise and shine, Ghostbusters!
404_NotFound
it's barely 10AM.
GhostHunter_Seon
And? The ghosts aren't gonna hunt themselves.
DeadInside_99
We're not hunting ghosts.
404_NotFound
ah god, not this again..
GhostHunter_Seon
Your dead best friend is texting you. What do you call it, then?
GhostHunter_Seon
Bro. Even you don't believe that.
DeadInside_99
Whatever. Meet me at the crash site in an hour.
404_NotFound
..We are not going to a crime scene.
DeadInside_99
It's been three months. it's not a crime scene anymore.
404_NotFound
This is a terrible idea..
GhostHunter_Seon
So you're coming?
404_NotFound
...I'm already on my way
[11:30 AM ㅡ The Crash Site]
(The road was eerily quiet. The skid marks were gone, the wreckage cleaned up. But Jun-seo's stomach twisted like that pavement itself still remembered.)
Lee Seo-hyun
This is creepy as hell.
Yoo Ji-won
I dont get it. what are we looking for?
Ha Jun-seo
I dont know... something.
(Something that would tell him why Min-jae's number was still active. Why the texts knew things no one else should.)
(Why it felt like Min-jae was still here.)
Lee Seo-hyun
Didn't they say he died instantly?
Lee Seo-hyun
So, like... no last words?
[Chatroom: DeadInside99 & UnknownUser_00]
UnknownUser_00
You're here.
DeadInside_99
How do you know that?
UnknownUser_00
Because I see you?
(His eyes darted around. The wind picked up, rustling through the trees. But the street was empty.)
DeadInside_99
This isn't funny..
UnknownUser_00
Who said I was joking?
DeadInside_99
If you're really Min-jae...
DeadInside_99
What were your last words?
(The Typing bubble appeared. then vanished.)
UnknownUser_00
...I called you.
UnknownUser_00
Right before I died. I called you.
DeadInside_99
No, you didn't.
UnknownUser_00
check your voicemail.
(His fingers trembled as he switched to his call history. No missed calls from Min-jae. No new messages. justㅡ)
(His Voicemail box had one unheard message.)
(Timestamp: 11:57PM. The night of the accident.)
(Jun-seo’s stomach dropped.)
DeadInside_99
That's not possible.
UnknownUser_00
listen to it.
(Jun-seo’s pulse roared in his ears. His friends were saying something, but their voices felt distant. his fingers hovered over the play buttonㅡ)
[Voicemail Recording ㅡ 11:57 PM]
Kim Min-jae
"H-Hey... Junseo-ah.."
(His breath stopped. The voice was faint, weakㅡbut undeniably Min-jae’s.)
Kim Min-jae
"...I... I don't think I'm gonna make it."
(A shuddering breath. A noiseㅡmetal scraping, something crunching.)
Kim Min-jae
"I... wanted to tell.. you.."
(The line cracked. His voice trembledㅡ)
(Jun-seo stood frozen. The message ended just like that.)
Yoo Ji-won
You look like you saw a ghost.
(Jun-seo’s mouth was dry. The words barely came outㅡ )
Ha Jun-seo
The night he died. He called me. I justㅡmever got the message until now.
Yoo Ji-won
that's not how voicemails work.
(The silence stretched. No one spoke. Even Seo-hyun looked uneasy now.)
Ha Jun-seo
there's more to this.
Ha Jun-seo
I have to find out what he was trying to tell me.
Lee Seo-hyun
...Well, damn.
Lee Seo-hyun
Guess we really are Ghost hunters now.
(Jun-seo didn't laugh. he couldn't. Because suddenly, this wasn't just about texts from a dead friend.)
(This was something unfinished. Something Min-jae never got to say. and Jun-seo would do whatever it takes, to find out the truth. so Min-jae.. can rest in peace.)
1.3 'Is this Green?'
[Group Chat: 2AM Chaos Crew]
(DeadInside99, 404_NotFound, GhostHunter_Seon, AFK_Minjae)
GhostHunter_Seon
Alright, boys. We're going back to the site. This time we're actually investigating.
DeadInside_99
I'm not waiting.
404_NotFound
I'll meet you there.
GhostHunter_Seon
If you run into any ghosts, don't freak out.
DeadInside_99
Right. no promises.
(The site felt the same as beforeㅡquiet, abandoned. The trees lining the road whispered with the wind, but Jun-seo felt a strange heaviness in the air. His heart thudded against his ribs as they all gathered by the wrecked guardrail. His phone buzzed once, then twiceㅡtexts from Min-jae. His stomach tightened. he couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching him.)
Lee Seo-hyun
So, what now?
Yoo Ji-won
We look for clues.
Ha Jun-seo
there has to be something here..
(Jun-seo crouched down, examining the dirt, the crumbled bits of rock near the edge. it didn't make sense. why was this place so quiet? wasn't it supposed to feel haunted? instead, there was a sense ofㅡwaiting.)
(Seo-hyun stepped a little too close to Jun-seo, and without thinking, Jun-seo backed up, his foot catching on a small rock. Seo-hyun bumped into him, and Jun-seo felt his shoulder jolt.)
(Jun-seo muttered, rubbing his shoulder. But thenㅡhe felt it.)
(There was a presence behind him.)
(The air seemed to shift, just for a second. he turned around quicklyㅡno one was there.)
Lee Seo-hyun
Jun-seo, you alright?
(Seo-hyun asked, still lingering way too close. Jun-seo gave a slight nod but couldn't shake the feeling.)
(Jun-seo’s phone buzzed again.)
[Chatroom: DeadInside99 & UnknownUser_00]
UnknownUser_00
Don't let them get too close.
UnknownUser_00
I see them.
(Jun-seo's pulse quickened. Them?)
DeadInside_99
Stop texting me and explain.
UnknownUser_00
They'll hurt you if they get too close.
(Jun-seo looked at Seo-hyun, who had stepped right behind him again.)
(He didn't want to seem rude, but there was something in the airㅡan odd chill as Seo-hyun kept trying to hover around him. He stepped back again, but this timeㅡSeo-hyun stumbled, like something had pushed him.)
(Seo-hyun exclaimed, nearly falling to the ground.)
(Jun-seo quickly said automatically, confused. he hadn't even touched him.)
(Yoo Ji-won asked, glancing over.)
Lee Seo-hyun
Yeah, fine. I justㅡ
(Seo-hyun looked around. His eyes narrowed, then he suddenly stepped back from Jun-seo.)
Lee Seo-hyun
did you push me?
(The air grew colder as the wind picked up again. Seo-hyun blinked, staring at the ground, as if unsure whether to say something. he rubbed the back of his neck, frowning.)
Lee Seo-hyun
I swear someone’s messing with me
(Jun-seo felt his pulse spike again. The air was thick, and it wasn't just the weather.)
[Chatroom: DeadInside99 & UnknownUser_00]
DeadInside_99
who's playing with Seo-hyun?
UnknownUser_00
you know who.
(Jun-seo mumbled to himself after seeing the text..)
UnknownUser_00
You're always so stubborn.
UnknownUser_00
I told you not to let them get too close.
(The typing bubble flickered, then disappeared. Jun-seo stared at the screen, his heart beating in his throat.)
Ha Jun-seo
There's something here.
Lee Seo-hyun
Um, Duh. this is a creepy-ass crash site.
Yoo Ji-won
What do you mean?
Ha Jun-seo
Someone's here. But I don't think it's... anyone living.
Lee Seo-hyun
Jun-Seo, are you sure you're okay?
(Seo-hyun said, his voice a little too soft. He’d come even closer to Jun-seo now.)
(And this timeㅡwhen Jun-seo took a small step back againㅡSeo-hyun was pushed again.)
(It wasn't gentle. it wasn't like someone accidentally bumping into him. it was like someone slammed into him, from behind.)
(Seo-hyun's eyes widened in disbelief as he stumbled again, barely catching himself. his eyes darted to Jun-seo.)
Lee Seo-hyun
What's.. going on?
Ha Jun-seo
I swear I didn'tㅡ
(Jun-seo started, but then his phone buzzed again.)
[Chatroom: DeadInside99 & UnknownUser_00]
UnknownUser_00
Stay away from him.
(the message was from Min-jae.)
UnknownUser_00
he's not supposed to get too close to you.
Lee Seo-hyun
Jun-seo.. What the hell's going on?
(Seo-hyun asked, rubbing his chest..)
Lee Seo-hyun
Someone's messing with me, right?
Lee Seo-hyun
I can feel it.
Lee Seo-hyun
You're not... are you doing this?
(Jun-seo felt his stomach flip.)
(But it wasn't him, was it?)
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