Voices in your head can be scary

Yang Ji Hye

Ji Hye jumped a little in surprise as Lysander put his hand on her shoulder, tiredness leaving her completely unprepared for it. The touch was back to being awkward now, and it felt a little like the slight relationship they had built had already retreated to the point that it had started at. Are you okay? a part of her wanted to ask him. Or rather, Is this okay? With this meaning whatever direction they had been going in before her spirits stormed in and messed everything up.

She was so sick of being scared all the time and of always having to make way for whatever was trying to shove her aside. But just because she felt that way didn't mean that she could do anything about it. Maybe that kind of stuff happened in movies but the truth was, there was no secret reserve of anything for Ji Hye to draw from. There was just this girl who wasn't exceptionally smart or brave, with a power that really didn't benefit her all that much.

So when Lysander asked her that question Are you okay? she genuinely didn't know what to say. Because while it was polite to say Yes, I'm fine, it wasn't very honest. Yet, on the other hand...

"What is this even?" Ji Hye wondered quietly, under her breath. It was the only correct answer she could see. "I don't know."

Yang Ji Hye

Ji Hye trembled a little as Lysander put his other hand on her shoulder. They were just too close now and she couldn't help but be bothered. Crowding, crowding, crowding. Just like the spirits always did, right?

But his hands were solid and warm, where most spirits were only cool and intangible. She found herself relaxing again in his presence. Not as much as before, and the girl still retained a trace of wariness as well.

So she looked Lysander in the eyes, concentrating enough to actually see their pale green color. And with the din of the spirits' conversations now put to an end by Hitori's appearance, his voice was startlingly clear.

"Let's say that 'this' is me trying to help. Alright?" he said.

Help, was such a funny word. Ji Hye would not, could not anymore, cry because of it. There were only so many tears to be shed and on the inside, her emotions were just as quiet as her spirits.

She didn't reply to Lysander immediately; she wasn't sure why. The thoughts in her head were just flat. It was like the emptiness was echoing back.

You all, Hitori was saying in an imperious tone. There would be no argument from the other spirits, Ji Hye knew. There was nothing to do after hearing that voice but to obey. Come with me now. This matter must be properly sorted out. This, and the Qilin's glare came across even in its tone, applies to every spirit. Now!

The shapes faded from the corners of Ji Hye's vision one by one. And suddenly, so suddenly, it was just her, Lysander, and the voices in his head.

She breathed out and heard it. It was only silence except for their two breathing. And whatever else Lysander was hearing.

Let's say that 'this' is me trying to help. Alright?

Ji Hye was tired and it was quiet. She nodded hesitantly, almost flinching as she did so.

Softly, she said, "Alright."