After Dark (Prompts)

Spellbound - 12

A/N: I initially intended to post a photo here to show you the image of the sinister spirit in my mind but I'm too creeped out. Haha! If you've seen the movie and saw Ju Hui there, it's kind of like that.

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Im Cheol Ryung stirred.

This slight movement made Ha Chae Yoon sit up, watching for signs that he was waking up. For a few minutes every day, she was allowed to come in the room and spend a few minutes with Cheol Ryung to hold his hand and talk to him. 

Finally, there was some response. 

"Hwa-ryung," he groaned. 

Ha Chae Yoon felt dread course through her body. "Cheol Ryung?" she called out, gently as she started calling for the nurse. "Sweetheart? I know you miss Hwa-ryung and would love to see you baby in heaven. But..."

Her voice started to break so she took a deep breath before she continued, "If it's alright, could... could you tell her I'd like to spend some more time with you? Please. Our children need you. I need you. Please. Please."

Hwa-ryung smiled at the man she once loved. "I'm glad to see you so happy, Cheol Ryung. Be happy for the rest of your life."

"Hwa-ryung," he groaned again. "Thank you for helping me find my way back to Chae Yoon."

It took another hour before Cheol Ryung fully woke up. Not finding Ha Chae Yoon beside him, he asked the doctor, "Where's my wife? Please get the Inspector. I need my wife."

Ha Chae Yoon ran to the room when the nurse informed her that Im Cheol Ryung was finally awake and was looking for her. "Hi," Cheol Ryung said weakly. 

"There you are," Ha Chae Yoon smiled back. Holding his hand, she said, "You were calling out to Hwa-ryung earlier. I was so worried that you already wanted to go with her."

"You're not rid of me yet, Inspector," Cheol Ryung said. Closing his eyes, he said, "I'm still so tired, my Love. I want to rest but I want you near me. Can they move us to a regular room?"

Turning to the doctor, Ha Chae Yoon asked if it was possible but they were declined. "Sorry, Inspector but we need to keep him here for a few more days. If the Detective's vitals are stable, then we will move him."

"You heard that? You need to get better," Ha Chae Yoon told her husband. "A few more days."

"Okay," Im Cheol Ryung scowled. That expression made Ha Chae Yoon feel that he was on his way to healing. "How are my kids?"

"Yah! They're my children, too," Chae Yoon reminded him. Turning serious, "They miss you. Su-jin, as usual, doesn't show it and is being the strong big sister but I know she's worried. Soo-hyun hasn't slept well. He's needed lots of hugs from Grandma. I've asked Teacher Soo-ah for some support as well."

Im Cheol Ryung sighed sadly. "I'm sorry to worry all of you. I promise to make it up to you."

"Don't think of that right now. Just get better," Ha Chae Yoon said. 

"How is Baek Jang-mi? Did she make it out?"

"Yes. I think she worried that Tae Gu would throw out her photos of her favorite actor," Chae Yoon replied. "She promised to visit when you're out of the ICU. She's still confined here."

"Tell Tae Gu I'm sorry I couldn't keep her out of harm's way," Cheol Ryung apologized again.

Ha Chae Yoon's heart broke. "Can you stop apologising? This is not your fault. Blame the criminals. Just get better, okay? I want you home."