twenty

"Can I ask why you're talking to a door?"

Both human and ghost lifted their heads to find Kyungha looking at Jihoon with amusement. While Jihoon feared what would happen next, he felt the negative energy from Soonyoung rise. Within seconds, every lightbulb burst leaving everyone in complete darkness.

In the many long years of living with his strange supernatural ability, Lee Jihoon had seen and dealt with a lot of strange shit. When he was nine, a ghost tried getting his attention by writing in blood all over his walls for an entire week until he gave in and helped him. When he was thirteen, a ghost kept giving him dreams of being kidnapped and brutally murdered which left him in dire need of therapy. When he was twenty, he got drunk after a night out and had a chorus of ghosts who followed him around and yelled for help until he sobered up. He never drank again. During it all, he was never scared or anxious, just inconvenienced and slightly traumatized. This time, however, with a legit living murderer in front of him, Jihoon found himself afraid for the first time.

With the busted lightbulbs, it was hard to make out exactly where Kyungha was, but soon he heard an exclamation of pain and he took a chance by using his phone as a flashlight. There, in the glow of his phone's light, was Kyungha being pelted with books from a nearby bookshelf. Jihoon suppressed the urge to laugh as he watched. In his opinion, it was stupid to have a bookshelf in the hallway anyway.

"What the hell?" Kyungha screeched as she was smacked with yet another book.

"Kyungha, what's going on?" Came another voice.

Minghao came into view along with Junhui. They both were stunned by the sight before them. They flinched as another book was hurled at Kyungha.

"It's Soonyoung. He knows what you did to him." Jihoon told her.

Despite being hit constantly with flying books, Kyungha scoffed. "Soonyoung is dead. He couldn't possibly be here."

"But his ghost is, and he's angry at you."

Minghao looked between the two of them. "Kyungha, what's he talking about? What did you do?"

Kyungha dodged another book as she turned back to look at him. "Nothing! This man is insane!"

Soonyoung threw another book, a textbook of all things, straight at Kyungha's stomach, making her double over in pain.

"Why? Why would do that? I thought we were friends!" Soonyoung exclaimed.

"He wants to know why," Jihoon said for him. "He wants to know why you murdered him."

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw both Junhui and Minghao take a large step back. He didn't blame them. Kyungha looked hesitant to say as she stood back upright, but when a book was lifted into the air and was aimed her way, she gave in.

"Alright! Alright! I'll tell you. Just stop throwing the damn books." She pleaded.

The book floated back to the shelf and laid down, signaling Kyungha to continue. She sighed and refused to make eye contact.

"It wasn't supposed to happen. It was an impulsive decision." She started.

Soonyoung's eyes narrowed. "I was murdered because you were bored?"

Jihoon didn't repeat the ghost's words, wanting to give Kyungha the chance to continue, but he had to admit that he was thinking the same thing, and if that was the case, the girl was truly evil.

"I had developed a crush on Minghao. I wanted to be alone with him any chance I got. One night, it was just us. Jun and Soonyoung had early classes so they left early. Minghao and I stayed behind to drink. He was so drunk that he began spilling things. He admitted to me that he liked Soonyoung and wanted to confess to him soon. I was so drunk and jealous. That's when the idea entered my mind and I couldn't shake it. I had to get rid of Soonyoung. So, one day when I was over, I snuck into Soonyoung's room and took his inhaler from his desk drawer. I heard someone coming so I panicked and threw it under Minghao's bed. Then, later that week, I purchased a new perfume, one I knew that would irritate Soonyoung's asthma. I had no idea it would work so well or that he would be dead minutes later." She admitted.

Jihoon and everyone else in the room stared at her in disbelief. The way she described the murder so casually was astonishing. She seemed to have no remorse that she killed her childhood friend over a crush and it was worse that she didn't seem to care. By that point, Soonyoung resumed throwing things.

"I hate you! How could you? I loved Minghao, I was going to confess to him that day, but I would have never let come between our friendship." He ranted.

Minghao ignored the items being thrown and looked at Jihoon. "Is Soonyoung really here?"

Jihoon nodded. "He can hear what you say." He said sensing Minghao wanted to say something.

"Soonyoung," Minghao started. The throwing stopped as Soonyoung gave his friend his full attention. "I'm sorry I never told you sooner how I felt. I'm sorry you got killed because of my feelings. If only I had left practice sooner. I could have saved you."

Soonyoung shook his head. "None of it is your fault. Please don't think that it is."

"He doesn't want you to blame yourself," Jihoon told him.

Minghao laughed bitterly to himself. "How could I not? You died because I had a crush on you."

"It's enough to know my feelings were returned."

When Jihoon repeated Soonyoung's words, Minghao let out a choked-out sob. During the whole commotion, Junhui stepped away and called the police. He only returned to the hallway when they heard sirens sounding from outside. Kyungha looked panicked.

"You called the cops?" She asked Jihoon.

"I did," Junhui admitted as he held up his phone. "And recorded your confession. I hope you go away for a long time. Soonyoung deserved better."

As the police busied themselves by handcuffing Kyungha and getting statements, Soonyoung looked around. He still didn't feel completely at peace. Even when he saw Kyungha in handcuffs, it didn't make him feel any better. Instead, he felt a dark presence looming over him. The demon was there. Slightly scared but also curious, he took the chance and turned so he could finally get a good look at the demon. What he saw wasn't some red firey cartoon guy nor was it some black blob with yellow eyes. It was his own face staring back at him.

*

After the commotion died down, Jihoon and Soonyoung reunited outside the apartment. Minghao and Junhui had decided to stay with some friends for the night, too shaken up to return to the apartment. To their surprise, they found Seokmin waiting for them around the corner. Apparently, he had followed Jihoon but had been too afraid to come inside. He had no idea what had happened, but when he saw the state Soonyoung was in, he knew it was worse than he thought. The three stood in stunned silence for a bit as they tried to process everything that happened. It all seemed so surreal.

"It looks like it's finally over," Jihoon noted softly.

Soonyoung numbly nodded. "Thank God, I don't think I could have taken much more."

Seokmin and Jihoon were in agreement. The whole thing had felt like one terribly long nightmare and now that it was morning they could begin again, but it would look different for each of them.

"She'll be prosecuted rather quickly since it was a direct confession and there's a pile of evidence against her, but it might take a little longer for your case, Soonyoung, since they have to reopen it. However, she will definitely be away for a long time." He looked over at Seokmin. "You are finally free."

As if on cue, the infamous bright light appeared before them and Seokmin and Soonyoung stood to admit it. Jihoon felt his chest tight with a crushing sadness, but he stayed behind to let them have their moment. They deserved it more than anymore. They began walking closer to the light, but Soonyoung suddenly stopped in place, confusing Seokmin.

"Soonyoung?"

"I never did thank you for what you did for me." Soonyoung started. "You risked your life to bring me to justice. You're an amazing friend. Thank you."

Seokmin smiled. "And thank you for helping me in the afterlife. Without your help, I wouldn't be standing here right now."

He held out his hand, asking Soonyoung to walk with him, but Soonyoung took a step back. Seokmin frowned.

"You're not coming?"

Soonyoung shook his head. "Not yet. I still have something to do."

Seokmin seemed to understand as he dropped his hand. "Tell Jihoon thank you for me." He said before disappearing into the light.

Soonyoung watched his friend vanish before returning to the sidewalk where Jihoon was sitting. He sat next to him causing Jihoon's head to shoot up in confusion.

"Why didn't you go?"

Soonyoung shrugged. "Too much traffic. I'll catch the next one." He joked lightheartedly. "I wanted to hang out with you a little longer."

They fell into a comfortable silence for a bit as they stared up into the sky, enjoying one another's company before Soonyoung spoke again.

"I saw the demon, like truly saw him."

Jihoon's eyes widened. "You did? What happened?"

Soonyoung slightly laughed to himself as the events replayed in his mind. "You know, it was all very anti-climactic in the end. I would have thought the way it followed us around and looked over us, we would have had to fight it or something, but it was nothing like that. Once I acknowledged it, it vanished." He revealed. "But there was something very strange about it that bugs me even now."

"What's that?"

"The demon was me, or at least it looked like me. I don't really understand."

Jihoon took a second to put all of the pieces together and thought through what his grandmother used to tell him before coming to a conclusion.

"I think it's because of everything that happened."

Soonyoung didn't seem to follow. "What do you mean?"

"Demons thrive and feed off of negative and powerful energy. You had plenty of it even if you didn't realize it. The closer you came to the truth, the more the demon was fed. Now that you've been released from your mortal life and turmoil fully, the demon no longer had anything to feast on and decided to move on to the next victim." He explained.

"Okay, but why did it have my face?"

Jihoon shrugged. "Sometimes our greatest fear is ourselves."

Soonyoung considered his words, but feeling a little playful, decided to tease the human a bit.

"Are all writers this cheesy?"

Jihoon rolled his eyes but felt playful as well. "Only ones with annoying ghosts following them."

They both shared a laugh, but Soonyoung's faded first as he remembered that he still had one last thing to take care of. He looked at Jihoon who was still laughing. He seemed to notice Soonyoung looking at him and his laughter stopped, sensing something was wrong.

"What is it?"

"I still have one last piece of unfinished business." The ghost deadpanned.

Jihoon groaned as fell back onto the grass. "I don't think I can take much more. I'm an introvert, you know. This whole ordeal is going to take me over three years to recharge. I'm never leaving my house again." He griped.

"All you have to do is listen," Soonyoung promised. "It won't take long."

Jihoon sat back up and waited. Soonyoung gulped and shifted his eyes away from Jihoon.

"Originally, when we first met, I thought you were kinda selfish, rude, and all-around boring." He began.

Jihoon blinked a couple of times, processing the fact he was being insulted. "I'm so glad you think so highly of me." He replied sarcastically. "You've been a joy to be around too."

"Let me finish!" Soonyoung whined.

Jihoon apologized and signaled for him to continue.

"But as we got to know each other more, I realized all of that to be false. You're actually smart, warm, and caring. I've liked being around you. You're the first person since my death who made me feel completely safe. I liked being around you so much that I think I fell for you. I know it could never be though."

Jihoon smiled a bittersweet smile. "Maybe in another life."

"Maybe. For now, we're stuck as unlikely friends." He concluded.

He stood and was greeted by the peaceful bright light once more. He beamed at Jihoon. "There's my ride."

Jihoon stood as well. "I'll miss you." He blurted.

Soonyoung smiled. "I'll miss you more. You have plenty of people to keep you company. Speaking of which, I think your friend likes you."

"Wonwoo?"

Soonyoung nodded. "You obviously like him too." He stopped and pondered for a moment. "You guys would be an odd, but cute match, I think."

Jihoon ignored the ghost's words. "This is goodbye for real, isn't it?"

"I thought you couldn't wait to get rid of me?" When Jihoon didn't reply, Soonyoung sighed.

"Will you at least visit my grave every once in a while?" He asked. When Jihoon agreed, he smiled once more.

Jihoon hesitated for a second, debating his next move. He felt crazy for even thinking of such an idea, but it didn't stop his mind from wondering. Soonyoung, seeming to read his mind, took a step away from the light and toward him.

"We could always try." He said.

Carefully, both of them took a step forward and attempted to embrace each other. To their surprise and delight, it worked and they were hugging each other. Jihoon wasn't sure how it was happening. Maybe his power made that kind of thing easier or maybe it was the unique bond he had developed with Soonyoung over time. Whatever the reason, he was thankful for it, but the moment was gone all too soon when he lost the coldness of Soonyoung's embrace. He leaned back and opened his eyes. The light had disappeared and so had Soonyoung.