Every day had begun to feel like  walking through molasses. His head buzzed from numbness and he couldn’t shake the feeling of being outside himself. It was a struggle to wake up  but he couldn’t sleep at night unless he drank himself into oblivion. He was going through a pack of cigs a day. Everyone was excited about the new album but even the pranks between members couldn’t make him laugh. One by one, all the other members tried to get him to talk but he brushed them off.

“I’m fine.” I’m not fine.

The album was nearly complete. There was no denying that whatever pain he was going through had lent a deeper feeling to his voice. The pain was almost tangible and there were parts that moved you to tears. The others were exchanging worried looks behind him but he could see them in the practice room mirror. He moved like an automaton. He felt dead inside.

He wasn’t quite sure how he had gotten to Mapo Bridge. He saw messages of hope that had been posted for people like him but it made him feel more empty. He walked to the railing and looked into the dark water below. His hands were shaking. A tear rolled down his cheek.

Hands and arms pulled him away, brought him to the ground surrounded by his five best friends. He was sobbing now.

“It’s ok. It’s ok. You’re safe.”

“ We’ll find someone who can help, Pilgyo. Don’t leave us.”

They held him and he held on.