[ 12th February 2006 ]
Darkness—something thick and unfamiliar—had wrapped itself around the room, devouring every trace of light.
Geone's eyes fluttered open.
A strange smell filled his nose.
Everything in front of him was blurred… hazy.
"Mom…? Mom!"
His voice echoed through the space, bouncing back louder, almost like mocking laughter.
The darkness around him felt unnaturally alive.
He slowly sat up.
No matter which direction he looked, he couldn't see anything. The height, the width—nothing made sense.
The space felt endless, shapeless.
"Mom!"
He shouted again, louder this time.
No answer.
Somewhere deep inside the darkness, a faint light flickered. He couldn't tell what it was, but even the smallest glow was enough for him to notice.
Geone pushed himself to his feet.
In the dark, he could barely feel his own legs.
"Mom…"
This time, his voice came out softer… almost trembling.
As he walked forward, the room seemed to stretch wider, growing larger with every step.
The light drifted farther away, as if it were escaping him.
Tears welled up in his eyes.
"Mom… why aren't you answering? Mom…?"
His voice trailed off.
His feet felt heavy,Breathing suddenly became difficult.
Then he saw it—
A massive curtain-like shape standing before him.
Where it began… where it ended… was impossible to tell.
He stopped.
Through the fabric, the faint outline of something on the other side was barely visible.
He noticed the source of the light.
A small candle. 🕯️
Geone slowly reached a hand toward the curtain.
Suddenly—
"Go… away… don't come…"
A voice whispered.
Sick. Broken. Shaking endlessly.
Geone's blood ran cold.
He wanted to scream, but his voice betrayed him.
He turned sharply, ready to run—
But something slammed into him.
A hard shove.
Something...black....
Something towering...
He lifted his head—
Its height disappeared into the darkness above..
"AAAAAHHHH—!"
Geone jolted upright.
Awake.
Breathing hard.
His sheets were twisted around him, his heart pounding violently in his chest.
Mrs. Mital burst into the room.
"What happened? Geone—what happened?!"
Geone was still screaming.
She rushed forward and wrapped him tightly in her arms, rubbing his back in slowly.
"It was just a dream," she whispered. "Just a dream. Everything is okay. Look… I'm here."
After a long while, Geone finally calmed down.
This wasn't new.
Sometimes, he woke up like this—screaming from nightmares he couldn't even remember.
– – – – –
11:00 AM.
Geone sat in front of the television.
Today was his birthday.
Sherlock Holmes played on the screen while Mrs. Mital worked in the kitchen, preparing cake, apple pies, and other dishes.
She glanced at him.
"Do you want some butter biscuits?"
Geone didn't take his eyes off the screen. He shook his head.
"No…"
"Why not? You love them."
"Don't want now.."
He hesitated, then turned slightly toward her.
"Mom… I had that nightmare again."
Mrs. Mital pulled the cake out of the oven and sighed.
"Geone… don't you remember what you saw last time?"
Geone left the remote on the sofa and walked into the kitchen.
"No… I tried, but I don't know…"
He scratched his head absentmindedly.
Then his eyes fell on the clock.
11:10.
"Oh—my match! I'm late."
His breath caught.
Without wasting another second, he spun around and ran upstairs to his room.
"Mom! Mom!! Where are my shoes? I can't find them! Mommm! I'm already late!"
Geone's voice sliced through the house .
Footsteps hurried in from the kitchen.
"One minute! I'm coming!"
Geone stood rigid in the hallway, his fingers digging into his palms.
"I told you not to touch my stuff! You always mess everything up—now look! They won't even let me play!"
His mother paused, then exhaled slowly, forcing herself to stay calm.
"Alright, alright. But you never look properly for anything."
She bent down, opened the shoebox by the door, and pulled out his sports shoes.
Geone snatched them without a word and bolted outside.
From the doorway, she watched him disappear down the street. Her shoulders sagged.
"Huh… I just hope he doesn't come home crying."
– – – – –
The field buzzed with noise—shoes squeaking, the ball thudding against the ground. The game was already in full swing.
Geone sprinted straight toward the team captain.
"Sorry I'm late, Toha. Tell me where to stand."
The captain didn't even fully turn.
"You're not playing today."
Geone froze.
"…What?"
His brows knitted together.
"Why not?"
His eyes swept across the court—and landed on a girl standing in his usual spot.
Heat rushed to his face.
"What? You put her there? That's my place! Move her—she can't even play!"
The captain finally faced him, eyes sharp.
"Watch it, junior. That's my sister."
Geone's jaw tightened.
"And she plays better than you. Now move. Don't disturb the game."
Geone clenched his fists.
"You're only saying that because she's your sister! Even if she couldn't play, you'd pretend she can!"
His voice cracked with fury.
"Give it back!" he roared. "That's mine! I always play there!"
Toha stepped forward, chest out, eyes blazing.
"Oh yeah? Or what? You'll hit me? Go on. Let's see how brave you are."
Geone's breathing turned ragged.
"You think I can't…?"
He shoved him hard.
Toha hit the ground.
For one second, everything went silent.
Then—
"Catch him!" someone shouted.
Geone ran.
He didn't stop until his lungs burned.
"I'll never play with them… never…"
His face crumpled as tears blurred his vision.
By the time Geone burst through the front door, his eyes were wet and his vision blurred.
"They kicked me out!" he cried. "They didn't even let me play! Toha did it—and Hira too! I hate them!"
Mrs. Mital rushed over immediately.
"I told you," she said firmly, "to play with children your own age. You always chase after the older boys."
Geone's shoulders trembled.
She studied his face, then softened slightly.
"There aren't any ten-year-olds on their team, are there? Tell me."
Geone's lips quivered.
"They're better…" His voice cracked. "I don't have any… friends."
The last word came out like it hurt.
Mrs. Mital's expression tightened.
She reached up and wiped his cheeks with her thumb.
"Geone…" she murmured, almost tired. "Do you think friends can be bought from a shop?"
Geone sniffed hard, frustration bubbling up again.
"But I don't have anyone!"
She sighed, turning back toward the kitchen.
"Go ask your father," she muttered. "He's out all day, leaving everything for me to handle."
At the mention of him, Geone's head snapped up.
"Did Dad forget my birthday?" he demanded. "Why isn't he here yet?"
Mrs. Mital spread cream over the cake in slow, careful circles,
"He left early," she said. "Medical work. He's visiting different areas."
Her voice softened, but only a little.
"He'll be home before midnight. Now stop crying and go watch TV."
Geone lingered in the doorway, still breathing unevenly.
"…Then what about my friend?" he asked quietly.
Mrs. Mital paused.Her shoulders sank.
"We'll talk about that later," she said at last. "Go to your room. Eat some apple pie."
She glanced back at him, gentler now.
"I will do something."
Geone hesitated.
"Promise?"
She forced a small smile.
"Promise."
Geone wiped his face with his sleeve, jaw set.
"Okay…" he muttered.
Then, stubbornly, he added,
"But you have to bring me a friend. Before tomorrow."
Mrs. Mital didn't answer.
Geone turned and went to his room.
–––––––
12 AM was getting closer, but his dad still hadn't come home.
Geone and his mom, Mrs. Mital, sat at the dining table with the cake, waiting.
Ten candles were melting on it—big blue ones, wrapped with pink ribbons.
The cake's cream was starting to harden.
Geone glared at the cake, his eyes drifting repeatedly toward the door.
They had already called Mr. Mital many times—but no answer.
Mrs. Mital kept trying...
Just then, the doorbell rang.
"Tring.... Tring...."
Geone jumped from his chair, excitement bursting out.
"Dad! Dad's here, Mom!"
He sprinted to the door and pulled it open.
"Happy birthday, my boy," Dad said—voice warm, eyes tired, as if he hadn't slept all night.
Someone else was standing beside him...
Mom hurried over and began to say,
"Why are you so late…?"
But her words stopped halfway.
A small boy was standing beside Dad.
Mom, anxious and puzzled, asked,
"Who is he??"
Dad glanced at Geone once, then at her.
A bit hesitant, he said calmly,
"His name.. is Charleon."
"Charleon…" Mom repeated, surprised.
Continues.....