The lady watched carefully as the cards were turned over, but the symbols seemed ominous the way the Shaman’s face crinkled in despair, “I am sorry but the luck is not in your favor.”

Scooching forward, the woman dropped to her knees, “Please! I need a husband.”

The Shaman pushed the bowl forward, “A contribution to the spirit world may help your favor.”

The woman furrowed her brows and nodded furiously, “Anything.” Emptying out her wallet, the woman sat back down, “What can I do?”

Reaching behind her, the shaman pulled out a necklace, “Take this on every date. Before the 10^th day, your true love will come.”

“What if it doesn’t come after the 10^th?”

The shaman shook her head, “It will come.”

The woman looked at the necklace in astonishment, “I will wear it diligently!”
“Yes yes when it does work return the necklace as it will be of no use to you after the man is captured. Bad luck will come upon you if it is not returned.”

The madam stood up and shook the shaman’s hand, “I promise to. Thank you so much.”

The shaman watched the woman leave before sending out a long sigh, “You will have to help her.”

A pale male figure came out of the shadows, “you are exploiting my powers.”

The shaman shooed him on, “Go follow your necklace and I will help you I promise.”

The man shook his head, “it has been nearly a year of empty promises.”

The shaman turns to look the spirit in the eyes, “but you bring in so much money. Also what is your hurry? I am not sure the afterlife is much more fun than this. Also look at how many people you make happy.”

“You only care about money.”

The shaman smiled brightly, “can you blame me? It is how the world works. Now shoo.”

The spirit disappeared through the walls as the shaman packed away her money, “Ah I am so tired.” Looking out the window, the sun had set long ago, “I should stop taking customers so late at night.”

Taking off the bright-red costume she wore for the readings, the shaman packed her things and left the room she rented.

The cool night breeze was unusual for the oncoming of summer but the shaman didn’t mind. She got used the coolness that surrounded her from a young age. It must have been when she was around 3 years old when she saw her first spirit. At the time she didn’t know that her playmate wasn’t alive until her family grew concerned with her talking to walls. It was then that another shaman said she possessed the gift of talking to the spirit world and that she would need to learn how to control her abilities. Of course her parents were not as accepting to this ability of hers so the elder shaman her as her own. She taught her how to help the good spirits and how to ward away the bad ones, but she was also helpful in showing how to make money with her abilities in hopes of aiding the living.

After 10 years, the grandma died and she fully took on the responsibilities of the shop and dealing with spirits. At times it was hard and stressful because the spirits needed a lot of care to deal with problems unsettled before their passing but she knew it was her responsibility to take care of them or they linger around.

“Please help me!”
The shaman jumped as a bloodied spirit came up to her. It was hard to look as half of the face was missing, “I ah…”

“Please help! My baby!”

The shaman looked around, “Where?”

The spirit pointed over to the woods. Hurrying, the shaman jumped over the side of the road and saw a car in the ditch and a bike nearby. Making her way to the car, the shaman heard a baby crying so she approached the car carefully. Her heart churned as she saw the bloodied spirit’s body unmoving in the drivers seat of the car, “My baby.”

Turning her attention to the backseat, the shaman found a baby unharmed. The shaman tried to avoid the broken glass on the door to open it and pulled the baby out of the car. Just as she closed the door, the shaman found a girl on the ground meters away from the mangled bike. Rushing over with the baby, the shaman went to the girl trying to find out if she was still breathing but with the baby in hand, she had a hard time seeing if the girl was alright. Knowing she needed help, the shaman called the police, “Yes I need assistance. There was an accident with two victims and a baby. It seems the passenger in the car has passed and I have her baby. A girl in her twenties is also involved but I don’t know her condition. My name is Jung. Jung Sooyeon.”

Hanging up the phone, Sooyeon looked at the girl on the ground until the spirit popped up in front of her, “My baby.”

The shaman gave the spirit a reassuring smile, “she will be taken care of I promise.”

The spirit turned bright as a flashing light and disappeared just as the ambulance and police cars arrive, “Are you the one that called?”

“Yes. The baby was in the car with her and the other girl is on the side near the tree.”

The paramedics rush over to the other victims to assist them as Sooyeon answered questions until the police took the baby into their custody as the child services arrived. Sooyeon watched on as everyone involved was taken away in the ambulances.

“What happened?”

The shaman jumped as the girl that was once laying on the ground next to the car appeared next to her with blood rushing down from her forehead, “You can see me? Were you in the ambulance?”

The girl looked up at the woman lost, “I don’t know…my head hurts.”

Sooyeon watched the girl carefully taking in her pale skin and beautiful appearance wondering if this was a spirit or not, “Do you need something?”

“A ride home?”

Sooyeon didn’t know if the spirit/person was serious or not, “Where do you live?”

The girl continued to hold her head in pain, “I don’t know.”

Sooyeon looked around to see if any police were still there to help the woman or if she had to herself, “Umm I don’t know where you live either. How about we go to the police station?”

The girl nodded, “kay.”

Sooyeon reached for her keys to unlock the door but the woman was already in her car, “I think she is a spirit.”

Clicking the unlock button, the shaman entered her car and drove off to the nearest police station. She looked over several times at the other girl wondering if she would disappear once she found her home or not.  Whatever this spirit wanted, Sooyeon was hoping to get this over with so she can go back to her place and get some sleep.

“Hello? Is anyone here I can ask about the accident a few miles away?”

The men at the desk were busy playing phone games as they pointed to the back, “Ask for Kang.”

Sooyeon nodded and ushered the injured spirit with her, “Is Kang here?”

A man near the back raised his hand but his attention never turned from the computer he was on, “Excuse me I have the girl from the bike who was injured with me.”

The man stopped typing and turned his attention to the shaman, “where?”

Sooyeon looked around and her spirit was missing, “Ah well I mean do you know her name or where she lives. I have something of hers.”

“You were the woman that called in the accident right?”

Sooyeon nodded, “Yes.”

The man sighed as he went through the box of evidence, “I found a school card. This might belong to that girl.”

Sooyeon took the card and saw the picture to be exactly like the girl, “Kim Taeyeon. Seoul University.”

The man nodded, “Yep. If you see her you can give it to her.”

Sooyeon look confused, “Wasn’t she in the ambulance?”

“Ah yes she might have been.” Sooyeon was about to leave when the detective spoke again, “And tell her she will need a new bike. It looked damaged beyond repair.”

“I will thank you.”

The shaman went around the police station wondering where her spirit went until she saw her near a vending machine eating candy, “How did you get that?”

The spirit looked confused, “I was hungry…so are you taking me home?”

Sooyeon rubbed the back of her head, “Well I still don’t know where you live but I know your name and what school you attend. We can find your address when we visit the school tomorrow.”

“So I am?”

“Kim Taeyeon.”

The girl smiled, “I have a nice name.”

“You do…so umm just disappear until tomorrow.”

The girl blocked the shaman, “I need a place to stay.”

Confused, Sooyeon looked at the girl strangely, “No you don’t.”

“Yes I do. I can’t just stay here and wait for you. Take me home with you and then you can get rid of me once I found my home.”

Sighing, Sooyeon didn’t want the spirit to keep following her but it seemed like she didn’t have any other choice, “Fine. Let’s go to my house.”

Smiling happily, Taeyeon walked with Sooyeon back to the car and they drove off. Sooyeon kept stealing glances at the girl who looked more real than a spirit but there was nothing to indicate that she wasn’t a spirit. Sometimes spirits looked and acted so human-like that it could become difficult for her to distinguish one from another. Interacting with the human world was also normal. Things getting moved or people feeling a touch on the shoulder were common interactions spirits would make with the living. Usually harmless but there could be evil spirits that are able to hurt humans too.

“You never told me who you were.”

Sooyeon laughed, “how can you get in the car of someone you didn’t know?”

Taeyeon shrugged, “I don’t know. I seemed to be attracted to you…I mean you are letting me stay at your place and find my home. Only nice people would do that.”

Just when she thought Taeyeon could be human, she couldn’t help but wonder if she is indeed a spirit. Spirits knew Sooyeon had powers and came to her like a light attracting flies, “I am Jung Sooyeon.”

Taeyeon smiled as she watched the girl drive, “I thought my name was nice but yours is beautiful.”

Sooyeon coughed as she blushed from the sudden compliment. Spirits shouldn’t make her so flustered, “Yea well…thank my parents.”

“What do you do for a living?”

Sooyeon raised her brow side glancing at Taeyeon, “Relationship counselor.” It wasn’t too far from a lie but she couldn’t tell the girl her real profession.

Taeyeon just sat the rest of the car ride smiling and asking random questions. Sooyeon wondered if Taeyeon was lonely or just a chatterbox but the girl couldn’t keep shut.

“This is my place.”

Eying up the humble abode, Taeyeon got out of the car and entered the home with Sooyeon. It wasn’t fancy and was big enough for one person comfortably but the fact that she had a place to herself, meant that Sooyeon made enough to live here.

“I don’t have another bed so sleep in the living room area.”

Taeyeon was bouncing from room to room almost as if she was going through the walls but Sooyeon didn’t know if she was showing spirit powers or if she was so tired that every time she blinked, Taeyeon was looking around the rooms, “I need to sleep so make yourself comfortable.” Although she was tired, Sooyeon did hope the spirit would be gone in the morning.

“Good night!” Called out without an answer being given back. Taeyeon didn’t mind as she found a blanket and curled up on the couch. Taking out the picture ID, Taeyeon stared at it some more admiring the photo, “I wish I could remember you.”

------------------

The next day Sooyeon was very surprised to see Taeyeon going around her kitchen, “She didn’t leave.”

Taeyeon perked up seeing Sooyeon…somewhat awake, “Morning!”

Sooyeon brushed past the spirit and the coffeemaker, “I thought you would leave.”

Tilting her head, Taeyeon didn’t know what she meant, “I thought we are going to the school on this card. You know find my home?”

Sooyeon grumbled a little before putting some bread in the toaster, “How are you so awake?”

Taeyeon thought about it, “I have come to the conclusion, I am a morning person.”

“Well I am not,” Sooyeon said sharply.

Once the food was eaten and the coffee settled in, Sooyeon went about her morning routines as if Taeyeon wasn’t even there. She would do the same with other spirits, however, she knew Taeyeon’s eyes were always watching her so she was a bit more self conscious about walking around her room in only her towel, “You ready yet?”

Sooyeon wanted to laugh at the comical sight of the spirit sprawled on the floor with pleading eyes as if saying she would die of boredom soon, “Yea yea we can go once I find my keys.”

Taeyeon opened her hands, “These keys?”

Sooyeon watched the girl carefully, “where did you find those?”

“On the table. I thought they might be important.” Sooyeon was 80% sure Taeyeon was a spirit once again. She has a knack for finding things which could be useful at her sessions, “Alright let’s go.”

Once again, Taeyeon talked Sooyeon’s ear off the whole ride. Never before had Sooyeon answered so many questions about her personal life to a stranger. “Yes,” she lived alone; “No,” she wasn’t in a relationship; “No parents,” was partially true since they abandoned her; “No,” there were no other siblings; “Cucumbers and melons,” were never allowed in her house; “Taeyeon shut up,” made the rest of the ride much more quiet.

After circling the university twice, Sooyeon was happy she finally found a parking spot and the two went through the university to find the office where she could ask about Taeyeon’s information. Taeyeon was always following closely next to Sooyeon so Sooyeon couldn’t tell if the spirit was passing by people or going through them. She wanted more evidence to make sure she didn’t do anything strange.

“Hello.”

The student worker looked up, “Can I help you?”

Sooyeon handed the student card over, “I have a student card here. This girl got hit by a car and I was wondering if she did indeed go here?”

“This is a recent ID card.”

“Great! Is there any way I could know where she is staying?”

“I am sorry miss. I can’t give you that information.”

“I have the girl right…” Sooyeon turned to see Taeyeon has disappeared which wasn’t surprising. Taeyeon always disappeared when she was talking to someone important.
“Again miss. I can’t just give out that kind of information to you.”

“I know it sounds crazy but she lost her memory. I just need to find her contact information.”

“Hold on a moment.” The worker left for a moment with a few names on a piece of paper, “This is listed as her contact.”

Sooyeon read over the phone number, “relation?”

“Aunt.”

Sooyeon nodded, “Thank you.”

Just as the two were about to leave, Taeyeon showed up again, “You have my address?”

“Where did you come from?”

Taeyeon held up another candy bar, “I was hungry.”

“Is your whole diet candy?”

“I like sweet things.”

Sooyeon sighed, “No address but I have a contact number.”

Taeyeon stopped as she looked at the piece of paper, “Aren’t you going to call it?”

Sooyeon pulled out her phone and dialed the number, “It is disconnected.”

Taeyeon looked sullen, “we will never find me.”

“What about putting your picture up?”

“We do have a picture of me.”

“Or I can take a picture of you.”

Sooyeon held up her camera and snapped a picture towards Taeyeon but when she looked, there was a huge blinding light confirming that Taeyeon must be a spirit but then again Taeyeon didn’t take the candy bar out of , “There is a print shop over there.”

Sooyeon saw the shop and went over with Taeyeon or she thought she did but the girl was gone again, “She seriously likes to run off.”

“Can I help you?”
“I need to blow up this picture and add a message.”

The boy looked at the picture, “Wait why do you have Taeyeon’s card?”

Sooyeon breathed a sigh of relief for someone knowing her, “So you know who she is?”
“Yes. I see her hanging out with a girl named Tiffany. You should talk to her.”

“How do I find her?”

“I think her and Taeyeon were art majors so you can catch her in the Art department.”

“How do I know it is Tiffany?”

“You can’t miss her. She is a very loud American.”

Sooyeon chuckled wondering if Taeyeon and her were both loud and liked talking a lot, “Taeyeon where did you go?” Looking around, Sooyeon found something strange near a big oak tree, “what the hell is she doing now…” walking over, Sooyeon saw Taeyeon ducking down looking at a hole near the trunk, “Taeyeon what are you doing?”

Taeyeon looked up distraught, “this evil squirrel stole my candy bar so I chased after it, but then it ran into this hole.”

Sooyeon rolled her eyes, “I will buy you a new one. I have a lead on you.”

Taeyeon popped up happy, “really?”
“Yes. I need to find someone named Tiffany. Does that ring any bells? She is supposed to be your friend.”

Taeyeon thought for a while but her head started to hurt, “Nope.”

Sooyeon knew by now, her goal would be to find Taeyeon’s home by herself to get rid of the spirit. Taeyeon’s memory wouldn’t come back on it’s own, “Come on she should be in the art department.”

Taeyeon skipped along happily, “instead of candy, can we get something to drink?”

“Sure sure. I think there are vending machines around somewhere.”

On the way to the art department, the two found a vending machine quenching their thirst but Taeyeon spilled her drink on herself so she went into the bathroom to freshen up while Sooyeon waited outside. Luck must have been on her side as a loud voice speaking English echoed through the halls. Not wanting to lose the woman she needed to find,, Sooyeon chased after the voice till she found a girl who looked very American, “Tiffany!” Sure enough, the girl turned, “I found you.”

Confused, “Excuse me who are you?”

Sooyeon reached into her pocked and pulled out Taeyeon’s ID, “I was told you know her?”

“TaeTae!”

Sooyeon didn’t even want to ask about such a strange nickname, “Great you do know her! Can you please tell me where she lives?”

“She is my roommate.”

Sooyeon wanted to jump for joy or do a happy dance for finding a way to get rid of her spirit, “Great! Can you please take me there?”
Of course Tiffany was of sane mind, “Why would I do that? I don’t know you.”

Sooyeon finally figured out her question was very strange but how would she explain that her roommate is dead and haunting her until she brings her home, “Umm I know it might be strange for me to ask that, but umm Taeyeon was in an accident.”

“TaeTae is in an accident! Is she okay?”

“Ah…she has memory loss. I was hoping to get some of her things to you know help with it.”

“No no I must see her! What hospital is she at?”

“Ummm you know the one down the street?” Great now Sooyeon was making up lies to this poor girl that didn’t know a thing about her friend’s condition, “before we go, I really need to get some of her things.”

“Sure sure come with me!”

Sooyeon was now getting dragged along with Tiffany. When she passed the bathroom Taeyeon was supposedly in, Sooyeon wanted to stop and grab the girl but Tiffany sure was forceful.

Getting pulled around campus, Sooyeon and Tiffany arrived at a dorm and went up the stairs to their room. Sooyeon was immediately blasted by the pink colors on the one side of the room. Sooyeon secretly wished that was Tiffany’s stuff, “TaeTae’s belongings are over there.”

Sooyeon breathed a sigh of relief that Taeyeon didn’t have the pink side but what would she be looking for? Finding where she lived was achieved but she needed to bring Taeyeon here, “Hey do you know anything about Taeyeon’s family?”

“Yea but they live far away.”

“Do you happen to have their address or something?” Sooyeon should really contact her family.

Tiffany went to Taeyeon’s side and rummaged through a few belongings, “Ah here is her contact book. She was always like an aunty writing things down like this.”

Sooyeon laughed at the stark contrast to the girl who was following her around wanting candy and soda, “Thanks.”

“We need to go now!” Tiffany was starting to push Sooyeon out of the room so they could go to the hospital but Sooyeon had more work to do.

Sooyeon quickly turned around, “Why don’t you go ahead and I will try to get ahold of her parents?”

Tiffany thought for a while, “how do I know you won’t do something fishy while I am gone?”

Sooyeon looked around before spotting a camera, “I am on film. My name is Jung Sooyeon if that helps?”

Tiffany’s worry about her friend was clouding her decision making, “I am calling the cops if anything is missing! TaeTae here I come!!!”

Sooyeon sat down in relief with the obnoxious roommate gone but then she remembered Taeyeon, “Damn I have to find her again.”

Sooyeon propped the door open a bit so she could get back in and went down the lobby, but to her amazement there was Taeyeon, “What hell…Taeyeon how did you find this place?”

Taeyeon shrugged, “You were getting kidnapped so I followed.”

“I wasn’t getting kidnapped. I found your room.”

Taeyeon jumped up and down in joy which was embarrassing as hell but no one else was in the lobby, “Let’s go!”
Sooyeon brought the two of them back upstairs to the room but nothing happened to Taeyeon, “Do you remember anything here?”

Taeyeon walked around the room touching many random things but she was looking at everything as if it wasn’t her own, “No…”

Sooyeon wanted to throw her hands up in defeat, “I have nothing more to offer you. When your friend returns you can have her help you some more.” Walking out the door, Sooyeon was ready to abandon her spirt but she did not make it far, “What the.”

Taeyeon appeared as a flash in front of her, “Please!!! I really want to find out who I am again…isn’t there anything else we could do?”

Sooyeon looked down at the book in her hand, “.”

Taeyeon also looked down, “What is that?”

“You are paying me double my lost wages for the day.”

“Why?”
“Because we are going on a road trip to find your parents.” Sooyeon grumbled in defeat as they both went back to the car.

“How far away are my parents?”

“3 hours.”

“Oh that is not bad. We should get snacks.”

Sooyeon knew the spirit was going to have the time of her life but Sooyeon was regretting every minute of it and thinking of other ways to rid of a spirit. The talkative spirit was just one big headache that she wanted to banish.

----------------------

3 hours later, it was a miracle that Sooyeon didn’t kill the spirit twice. Taeyeon couldn’t keep shut and ate like a monster. Sooyeon had a splitting headache that could split California in two, “I think the house is around here somewhere.”

It was dark by the time the two entered the neighborhood and there were no street signs or house addresses to really indicate where they were but Sooyeon’s GPS was saying the house is at the end of the street, “I will get out and ask if this is the right place.”

Taeyeon remained in the car as she watched Sooyeon approach the house alone.

Several knocks later, Sooyeon was introducing herself and welcomed into the home. Taeyeon was surprised Sooyeon didn’t come back out to get her when this was clearly the right house. Getting out of the car, Taeyeon went to the house, surprised the door was open so she went in. The girl looked around and naturally went upstairs. It was natural for her to go to the last room to the left, “Ah this is my room….”

Hearing footsteps coming up to the room, Taeyeon went around quickly to hide, but her fears vanished when Sooyeon entered the room extremely frightened when Taeyeon appeared behind the door, “What the hell! How do you do that sneaking around.”

“I just came in.”

Sooyeon shook her head, “Of course you did.”

“So where are my memories?”

“Really? You remember nothing? I brought you to your dorm and now your childhood home! What more can I do for you?” Sooyeon had finally reached her breaking point.

“I don’t know! I still can’t remember much.”

Sooyeon had it. She was done with their spirit, “I didn’t want to have to do this but.” Reaching for her bag, Sooyeon grabbed a handful of rice and threw it on Taeyeon, “Be gone spirit!” More rice came flying at Taeyeon’s face, “Go to the other side!”

Just as Sooyeon was to get some more rice from her bag, Taeyeon reached out and grabbed her, “What the hell was that for?”

“I am sending you off.” Sooyeon was a bit scared how real Taeyeon felt.

“Wait…did you think I am a spirit?”

“S-sometimes spirits don’t know. Rice is to help you guide you away.”

Taeyeon started laughing as she kept Sooyeon locked to the wall with her hands secured, “why would you think I am a spirit?”

“Because…because….”
Taeyeon was amused at Sooyeon’s bashfulness, “Sooyeon, I am not a spirit.”

“I saw you get hit by the car…and no one knows you are around but me…also you reappear and disappear all the time.”

“That doesn’t mean I am a spirit.”

“Well you may not believe it but I am a shaman and I know a spirit when I see one.” Sooyeon tried to explain.

“A shaman?” Now Taeyeon was very amused, “Then tell me shaman, do spirits do this?” Taeyeon leaned forward and kissed Sooyeon hard.

Sooyeon was so shocked that she just let Taeyeon lay her lips on her unsure to enjoy the tender lips attached to her own or calculate out the possibilities for a spirit to feel so real.

Taeyeon backed away from the kiss, “I really appreciate all your help but you are mistaken. I am not a spirit.”

Sooyeon, “ah…I see that now…”

Taeyeon closed her eyes as brief images of her past came flying back, “Kim Taeyeon…”

“Yes? That is your name. I am Sooyeon.”

Taeyeon backed away and sat on the chair behind her, “No…I remember. I know you are Sooyeon and you found me near the accident, but I didn’t get hit like you said. I jumped from my bike into the woods where I hit my head. I most certainly didn’t die.”

Right then Sooyeon’s world came crashing down of her past day thinking Taeyeon was a spirit. Maybe her past prejudice of working with spirits all the time was blocking her rational that Taeyeon was indeed real, “I see that now.”

Taeyeon started laughing to herself, “I am real!”

Sooyeon laughed along with Taeyeon, “I feel foolish.”

Taeyeon stood up again and went around doing her normal goofy dance moves, “I am alive and I remember everything!”

Sooyeon reached up touching her lips, “I g-guess I will take my leave.”

Taeyeon panicked when Sooyeon started leaving, “Wait.”

“Yes? My services are done and you owe me $400.”

“What the hell?”

“My wages the for the day.”

“Oh yea…” Taeyeon remembered the deal, “How about I make a proposal.”

Sooyeon was listening, “Dinner. You have to have dinner and I will pay until the debt is paid off.”

Sooyeon wanted to smile like an idiot with the thought of seeing Taeyeon in the future, “fine.”

“Great. It is settled.” Taeyeon leaned over and kissed Sooyeon softly one more time, “See you soon.”

Sooyeon was smiling out the door with whimsical thoughts that her spirit was going to stay around much much longer.

~END~

Author's Note

Happy Birthday to our wonderful princess, Jessica Jung!!! Special story made for her special day but I am so tired trying to get this out. I miss doing comical writing :)