chapter thirty 

 000030.

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One minute,            I hear a person banging the closed door. I was so scared. I was never the type of person who loves the dark.

One minute,            and the person spoke, asking me if I was okay.

Flames of hope surged through me. I know that voice. It was her. It was my sister.

Krystal unnie have come to save me--she's here to save me. Is what I thought.

I was waiting for her to speak again. I just wanted to know if she's still there. That I'm not here alone.

But no sound came from outside.

Instead, what I heard were footsteps.

Footsteps slowly walking away from the door.

Little by little. Step by step.

I also hear ragged breathing, but that is not the problem now.

"U-unnie? Unnie!" I banged the door from the inside. No. It's impossible. She must not be thinking of leaving me here right? I know she hates me. I know she does not like me. But I also know she won't just leave me here. I know it. 

I banged the door again. I banged it as hard as I can until I feel pain rushing through the sides of my palm. "Unnie, answer me. You're still there right?" I asked. My lips shivering with a mixture of coldness, fear and something else. I can slowly feel the warm tears flooding my eyes. I'm scared. I am so scared.

"Unnie---unnie it's so dark in here. Please let me out.." I begged her. I know she's listening. I can still hear faint sounds from outside.  I am crying now. I don't know what scares me more. The darkness and the cold gush of wind in this room or the possibility that my sister---my own sister is having second thoughts of saving me. I do not know which is scarier, but I sure know what hurts more.

Unnie, please don't do this to me.

Flashes of memories enter my mind.

I am your sister.

It was a park. The rain was pouring hard. I see unnie's face, telling me she woud be back.

I squint and held my throbbing head.

Then there was darkness. Horrible darkness that made me think of bad memories. The machine started. I remember calling for my sister's name. I see her face when she told me she'd be back. I felt what I felt that time. It was horrible. It was painful.

I silenty called for my sister's name, but I still got no response.

I peeked through the truck's tiny gap and then I see her. My sister is chasing the vehicle. Calling my name. I called her name in response but I know she can't hear me. Oh my God. I just want to be free from all of these. If this was a nigtmare, I would give anything to wake up.

Krystal...Krystal...

I watched her as she slumped into the road, crying as she mouths my name. Unnie...unnie...

My face lightened, still wet with tears but a tiny smile ghosted my lips. I knew it. I knew she never abandoned me. I know she wanted to save me.

"Unnie, UNNIE!" I called for her again. I can hear my seven year old voice doing the same.

Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! There was a shrieking noise, and then everything was black.

I opened my eyes abruptly as if I was awaken from a bad dream--which was a bad idea. Cause I just woke up with another nightmare in front of my eyes.

I heard small fast footsteps inching away from the door.

My sister had left me alone.

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I stare into the dark empty space looking at nothing. Thinking of nothing. Feeling nothing. I can feel hot tears falling down m