1.4 Stay with me
Lee Seo-hyun
Okay but. Like. What if he's mad at me now.
Yoo Ji-won
He's not mad. He just doesn't like you near 'his' Jun-seo.
Ha Jun-seo
Guys. Can we not talk about me like I'm not here???
Lee Seo-hyun
SORRY but I just got shoved twice, I think I earned the right to be concerned
Ha Jun-seo
..He won't hurt you
Lee Seo-hyun
...But he could.
(Jun-seo stared at his screen. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, but for once, he didn't know what to say. Could he really promise Min-jae wouldn't hurt Seo-hyun?)
(A part of him didn't want to believe it. Min-jae is still Min-jae, right?)
[Private Chat: DeadInside99 & UnknownUser_00]
DeadInside_99
Are you mad at Seo-hyun?
(a full minute passed. Then another. Just as Jun-seo was about to put his phone downㅡ)
(Jun-seo exhaled in relief. But before he could respondㅡ)
UnknownUser_00
I don't like him too close to you.
UnknownUser_00
I don't like anyone too close to you.
(A sharp chill ran through Jun-seo’s spine.)
UnknownUser_00
Because I can't be.
(Jun-seo’s breath hitched. His fingers curled around his phone. something inside him ached at those words, at how unfair it all was. Min-jae was gone, and yetㅡ)
DeadInside_99
That's.. not my fault..
(Another long pause. Thenㅡ)
UnknownUser_00
But I still won't let them take you away from me, and forget about me.
(Jun-seo’s hand froze over the keyboard.)
[That Night ㅡ Jun-seo’s Bedroom.]
(the glow of his phone screen was the only light in the dark room. Jun-seo lay in bed, staring at the last message Min-jae had sent. His heartbeat was slow, heavy.)
(He should have been scared. He should have been freaking out. But insteadㅡ)
(He felt watched. and he feels totally calm!)
(Not in a bad way. not in the way horror movies made it seem. No, it was something... Familiar. A presence that had been there for years. someone who has always been looking out for him, even when he didn't realize it.)
(And now, even in death, Min-jae was still here. Protecting him. keeping him close.)
(A soft vibration from his phone pulled him back to reality.)
[Private chat: DeadInside99 & UnknownUser_00]
(Jun-seo let out a small, tired laugh.)
DeadInside_99
You're still bossy, even after dying.
UnknownUser_00
You don't listen otherwise.
UnknownUser_00
You're keeping your nightlight on.
(Jun-seo sat up abruptly, his pulse spiking. he whipped his head toward his nightstand, where a dim light glowed faintly.)
(The same light he always kept on when he was alone. The same habit Min-jae used to tease him about. The same light Min-jae had just mentionedㅡ)
(Even though he wasn't here.)
DeadInside_99
How do you know that?
(No reply. the typing bubble appeared, then disappeared. Jun-seo’s throat went dry.)
UnknownUser_00
Because I'm with you.
(A sharp knock echoed from Jun-seo's window.)
(Jun-seo's breath hitched. Slowly, he turned his head towards the dark glass. Outside, the trees swayed, their shadows stretching across his room like reaching hands. his heart pounded in his ears.)
DeadInside_99
Stop messing with me..
UnknownUser_00
(Another knock. This time, softer. Almost... gentle.)
(Jun-seo gripped his phone. his pulse raced. Was this still Min-jae?)
DeadInside_99
If you're here, prove it.
(His bedroom door creaked open.)
(Jun-seo’s stomach dropped.)
[The next morning - Group Chat]
GhostHunter_Seon
Bro wtf why aren't you replying
404_NotFound
Did something happen?
DeadInside_99
I don't know
404_NotFound
Be more specific.
DeadInside_99
I woke up and my nightlight was off
DeadInside_99
And my window was unlocked.
GhostHunter_Seon
AHAHHHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAH BYEEEE GOOD LUCK
404_NotFound
This isn't funny, Hyun.
GhostHunter_Seon
IM NOT LAUGHING, IM NERVOUS.
404_NotFound
Jun-seo. what do you remember?
(Jun-seo hesitated, fingers trembling over the keyboard. His memory was foggy. He remembered the texts. The knocks. The door. But after that...)
DeadInside_99
I think I saw him..
GhostHunter_Seon
EXCUSE ME???
DeadInside_99
I dont know if I was dreaming or not. But I think... I think he was sitting by my bed. Watching me.
404_NotFound
You need to be careful.
DeadInside_99
He wouldn't hurt me.
404_NotFound
You don't know that..
GhostHunter_Seon
If this turns into some possessive ghost boyfriend situation, I swear to godㅡ
(Jun-seo sighed, rubbing his temple. His thoughts were a mess. He didn't know what to believe anymore. Min-jae was protecting him, but now... now it felt like something more.)
(And deep down, Jun-seo wasn’t sure if he even wanted to stop it.)
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