A boundless darkness swallowed everything around me.
The only thing I could hear was a boy crying somewhere ahead.
I kept walking forward… not because I wanted to,but because something was pulling me toward him.
My mind was empty.No past. No present. No future.
The sound of my footsteps echoed in the black space, growing faster… louder…
Until I saw a light.
So bright that I instinctively raised my hand to shield my eyes.
The light expanded… grew…until it swallowed the darkness completely.
And suddenly, I found myself standing on the edge of a rocky cliff.
A tall hill stretched beneath me, covered with a green forest.
And on the edge of that cliff…a boy was sitting.
Unknown… yet painfully familiar.
The moment I saw him, tears started falling without permission.
I couldn't speak.
He said softly:
"Kai-chan… do you think if I jump from here, someone will catch me?"
My heart shattered.
My breath broke.
I ran toward him and pulled him into my arms tightly,as if letting go would mean losing him forever.
"Please… please don't jump…if you do, I'll be so alone… please, Souho…"
But the moment his name left my lips,memories struck me violently.
And yet… my arms only held him tighter.
"I don't want to wake up…so don't leave me… don't go…"
He stayed silent.
I knew it was a dream…but I still wanted to see his face clearly.
I leaned in closer…
And he slowly turned around.
His face was pale… too pale.His eyes were swallowed by darkness.
And in his gaze, I saw my own fear.
I stepped back instantly.
That wasn't Souho.
That was a monster.
My body froze.
He came closer…and the darkness followed behind him like a shadow that refused to stop.
He brought his face close to mine.
And covered my ears with his hands.
I couldn't move. I couldn't blink.
"Kai… please don't come closer…" his voice trembled."If you step forward… you'll fall deeper into it…So stay there… and live more… and be happier… okay?"
There was fear in his voice.As if he was the one who was scared of falling.
I wanted to hold him…to tell him I would stay…
But my body wouldn't obey.
He slowly stepped back…
And fell from the cliff.
My eyes snapped open.
I shot up from the bed, gasping for air.
The only thing I was left with…was a nightmare.
The only place where I could still see him.
I whispered under my breath:
"Even in dreams… you can't stay with me…"
I lay back down on the pillow.
Memories scattered inside my mind like broken pieces.
"Ding… ding…"
My phone rang.
Reality pulled me back.
I was still here.
In the hospital.
Dr. Kai.
I picked up the phone.
A nervous voice came through:
"Dr. Kai, patient 127 is in critical condition. Please come to the operating room immediately."
The call ended without another word.
I exhaled slowly.
No time to think.
I pulled back the curtain and got off the bed.
I put on my white coat.
And left the room.
I knew it was operating room number 3.Third floor, two corridors down.
I moved quickly through the hallway and entered the elevator.
A few moments later, I arrived.
I rushed toward the operating room.
Before entering, I followed the routine.
I washed my hands thoroughly.Put on sterile gloves and surgical gown.Adjusted my mask.Paused for a moment.
A deep breath.
Then I stepped inside.
"Doctor, the tumor is advanced. The patient has lost consciousness. We need to operate immediately."
I nodded at Alec.
"Prepare the OR."
The team moved fast.
(SHORT SURGERY SUMMARY)
Anesthesia was administered.A precise incision was made.The tumor was carefully separated from surrounding tissue.Bleeding was controlled.And finally, the tumor was removed successfully.
The heart monitor steadied.
It was over.
For a moment, I just stood there.
And only then did I realize I was still alive.
Behind the glass, doctors and supervisors applauded.
I should have felt proud…
But my face couldn't respond.
I simply turned and walked out.
I took a breath outside the OR.
A strange calm washed over me.
Maybe because I had saved another life.
Maybe because someone got one more day to live.
Or maybe because… this was the only reason I became a doctor.
To save people…so no one else would have to stay alone in the dark like I did.
As I removed my surgical coat…
A hand suddenly grabbed my shoulder.
I turned around.
It was Alec.
A young nurse… still trembling when facing death.
He smiled:
"Doctor… I knew you could do it. You're the best cancer specialist in this hospital."
I gave a small smile.
"You're wrong, Alec…they're the ones helping me."
He looked confused.
But I didn't stay.
I walked away.
For years, I had learned how to smile.
For everyone.At any time.
Not because I was happy…
But because it was the only wayto keep myself from breaking again.
And I was lost in my thoughts…
When suddenly—
someone crashed into me, hard.
It was a little girl she was running as if chasing ticking clock I stood there
watching her vanish into the distance_
just like a shooting star that swiftly fades into the dark
But somehow I knew this was not our last meeting
A feeling i couldn't understand