Untold Secrets

Chapter Two

Michael came to with a jolt of surprise, bringing his body into a sitting position on the mattress. He was breathing fast, feeling like he had run a marathon just now. His eyes roamed the dark room, feeling himself getting confused before he forced himself to breathe properly.

In and out. In and out.

Finally getting his heart to beat at a normal pace, Michael looked at his best friend asleep soundlessly. He shuddered, chanting the same five sentences again and again. It was part of his therapy, for when he ended up with a panic attack. He had to constantly remind himself that he was safe.

I'm in Samjin, South Korea. I'm at the head villager's house. His name is Kirai.

I am safe.

No one's hurting me.

Relieved, he started getting up. He brushed his teeth and washed his face, all the while fighting against a massive headache making its way to his head. It felt as if he had been drinking shots the night before; which he knew was untrue. So it only meant one thing.

He must have cried himself to sleep out of fear last night.

He hadn't cried in months, not since the first time he'd dreamed of the mysterious girl. Taking a deep breath to calm himself down, he began moving towards the bedroom door, being careful not to step on his sleeping friend.

On his way to the kitchen, Michael got lost a few times before finally locating it. It was a small house, but he was new here and he didn't know where was where. He could smell food in the air, though he wasn't sure what they were. The scent was unfamiliar to him.

He found Namjoon, Kirai's only grandchild standing by the counter, brewing what he guessed was coffee. It was Summer, and the air was scorching hot in the small wooden house, but he accepted the cup of coffee with a small nod of thanks despite knowing he would only drink little. At least he had caffeine. That always helped him get through the day.

He took a sip of the black coffee, feeling a hot trail down his throat, warming his tummy. He felt cozy somehow, the familiar scent and taste keeping him grounded as he struggled to comprehend the events of last night. He was now in a foreign country, living with strangers in a completely different environment than what he was used to; he thought, staring out of the windows. Paddy fields stretched for miles with mountains and blue skies as the background. Every house here was wooden, with trees and flowers surrounding each one.

Despite being a small village, they still had service, though bad, for phones. The internet however, Michael wasn't sure. He'd have to ask Namjoon.

Michael rubbed his hands around the cup, watching as Namjoon began eating unfamiliar Korean dishes for breakfast; the only thing he recognized was the rice cakes. Daniel was in the bathroom, he could tell by the sounds of water splashing about. His mind started planning the schedules for today, just like it always did in the morning - which included visiting Kirai and Min at the doctor's house. He didn't know where that was. He'd have to ask Namjoon that, too. Then, he and Daniel had to do some research on the spirit by interviewing the witnesses of the case. Which also meant he had to charge their phones and cameras that they'd need to record the proofs.

God, he had so much work to do, and it was only day one.

"Hey, Namjoon," He addressed the teenage boy, watching in horror amusement as Namjoon looked up in surprise, accidentally chocking on a big piece of whatever he had been eating, causing him to cough violently. Michael started moving, giving the boy a pat in the back and a bottle of water. Slowly but surely Namjoon recovered, and Michael went back to his seat.