3

            It was like watching from a huge screen like you’re the only person inside the theatre, unmoving and anticipating what was going next. The two didn’t share memories and it feels like you’re possessed once in a while and left in a daze, not knowing what has happened. Right now, she watches, her hands clenched into fists, shaking and trying to hold it in.

“You are an idiot, Joohyun! Such a stupid child!”

            Joohyun stayed mum, as she watches her mother in a fit of rage. Twelve-year old Joohyun was afraid of her-especially in times like this where her mother comes home, drunk, her clothes stained with alcohol and other liquids. Her mother would hit her for no apparent reason (there was, actually) other than the former blaming her child for her husband leaving them and falling into poverty.

‘It’s not my fault...I didn’t do anything.’

            Joohyun would have those thoughts as she would commonly hide under her bed inside her room. When her mother would not find her, she would lock Joohyun’s room where Joohyun was, and wouldn’t unlock it until the next day.

“This is for your own good, Joohyun. Don’t make mother angry.”

            Her mother went to the kitchen looking for something to hit her child, while Joohyun stayed in the bedroom, her body trembling in fear, her heart racing and her mind filled with repetitive thoughts, ‘Mother loves me. This is for my own good. I’ll be a good girl.’

There are monsters in real life. Some people are just too blind to see them.

…

            Irene stared at the light blue painted door, her eyes on the name plate besides the door. Room 74. LCP Wendy Son. Maybe she should turn back? She swallowed a lump in , as she wiped her sweating hands on her denim ripped jeans. What was she going to say? ‘Help me, I’m scared of my own self?’

It’s just for today, right? If she doesn’t like where it’s going, she can just dump all of this down the drain in memory lane.

“You can do this, Irene…” She mumbles to herself, raising her shaking hand to knock on the door.

…

            Wendy was staring blankly at the wall of the room, mindlessly stirring the spoon in her coffee mug. Bae Joohyun. Bae Irene. Did she…? She snapped out of her thoughts when a shy, but firm knock was heard on her door. She blinked and frowned. “Oh, she’s here.” Slowly, she got up and looked at her place. Everything was in place and it didn’t look like how a consultant room should look like.

I hope it would be cozy enough for her.

With a deep breath, she opens the door.