In Ten Universes (Catnipz)

Universe 6.0

Minji stood in the elevator, her mind focused on the call she had received. It was an emergency, but something about it felt different. The city lights flickered below as the elevator made its slow ascent, and Minji's heartbeat picked up pace. She had been called to the scene of someone sitting at the edge of a building, and the urgency in her supervisor's voice hadn't helped settle her nerves.

When the elevator doors finally opened, Minji stepped out, her boots clicking against the floor as she made her way to the rooftop access. The air was thick with tension, and she could already see the faint silhouette of a figure at the edge of the roof, their legs dangling down into the abyss.

Minji's steps were quiet but deliberate as she approached. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she kept her breathing steady. She had seen many things in her time as an officer, but this felt different. The girl's posture was calm, almost too calm for someone in such a precarious position.

"Hey," Minji called softly as she reached the edge of the roof, stopping just a few feet away from the girl. The girl didn't move or react, her gaze fixed on the distant city lights far below.

"Are you okay?" Minji asked again, her voice filled with a soft, reassuring tone.

The girl glanced over her shoulder at Minji, and for a moment, their eyes locked. Minji could see the pain, the confusion, but also a strange calmness in her expression.

"I don't know," the girl whispered, her voice barely audible above the wind. "I just want it to stop."

Minji took a cautious step forward, careful not to make any sudden movements that could startle her. "You don't have to do this," Minji said, her voice gentle but firm. "There's always another way. Let me help you."

The girl's lips trembled as she looked down at the ground far below, her legs dangling like she was weightless. Minji could feel the weight of the moment, the raw vulnerability in the girl's stance. The air between them was thick with emotion, and Minji wasn't sure how to bridge the gap.

"I don't think you understand," the girl whispered, her gaze still fixed downward. "You don't know what it feels like to just want to disappear."

Minji's heart ached. She could feel the deep pain in the girl's words, and for a brief moment, she found herself staring at the same scene, the city that looked so peaceful, yet so lonely from this height.

"Maybe I don't," Minji said, stepping closer. "But I do know what it feels like to feel lost. And right now, you're not alone."

The girl looked at Minji then, her eyes filled with so much unspoken sadness. Minji's words hung in the air, and she stayed silent, giving the girl space to process. But the small shift in her posture gave Minji hope, hope that this wasn't the end, but perhaps the beginning of something that might help her find peace.

Minji took another careful step forward, her voice steady but soft as she addressed the girl. "What's your name?" she asked, her tone gentle but insistent.

The girl turned her head slightly, her eyes still distant, as if trying to block out the world. There was a moment of silence before she whispered, almost to herself, "Haerin."

Minji nodded, the name echoing in her mind. She could feel her heart going out to Haerin, the weight of the situation heavy in the air.

"Haerin," Minji repeated, her voice warm, trying to connect with the girl. "If you just step down from the ledge, we can talk face to face. You don't have to stay out there."

But Haerin didn't respond. Her gaze remained fixed on the view below, her body still and unmoving. It was as if her world was spinning somewhere far away, and she couldn't hear Minji's words, couldn't feel the presence of the police officer who was trying to help her.