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“What does that mean?” Jihoon asked, but a taxi rolled up the drive and Miyoung jogged to it.

“Go home, Jihoon. Nothing I do is your concern.” She slammed the door closed, and the taxi took off, spraying pebbles in its wake.

20

MIYOUNG BANGED ONthe rusted metal door, grateful for the narrow alleyway and its ability to block out the light of the sun. Her sunglasses weren’t able to hold off her throbbing headache. And, unfortunately, they only protected against UV rays and not ghosts that danced in and out of her vision.

These ghosts had plagued her for the past week. Demons of her past, men who’d sinned in life, and now, as specters, taunted her with threats.

Cannot wait till your soul joins us.

You kill to live; how is that any different from what I did?

Your sins are all that sustain you in life, and when you die, your punishments will be severe!

Miyoung knocked harder, trying to drown out the whispers.

“Okay! I hear you!” a voice shouted from inside a second before the door opened to reveal Junu’s annoyed glare.

“Of course it’s you.” He scowled. “I’m going to have a talk with that shaman. I’m starting to wish she’d never brought you around here.”

“What was it?” Miyoung asked, ignoring Junu’s snarl as she stepped into the foyer. And suddenly, the ghosts were gone. She spun around, searching for them. “Wait, what’s going on?”

“Okay, you’re going to have to ask a full question. These halfinquiries are not making any sense.” Junu still held the door open as if hoping she’d change her mind and leave.

“What was that thing you sold me?” Miyoung asked.

“A talisman,” Junu said slowly, as if she were a child.

“I know that. What does it do?”

“Did you use it?”

“Maybe,” Miyoung said vaguely, unsure if she wanted to share too much information with the dokkaebi.

“You did. And now you’re seeing ghosts. And you’re wondering why they haven’t followed you into my home.”

Miyoung didn’t reply.

“It’s this.” Junu pointed to a golden talisman hanging by his door. “It’s a protection of sorts against unsavory things. I thought it was broken since you’re here.”

“Har-har.” Miyoung rolled her eyes. Her nerves were frayed from a week living with the faces of her victims, following her no matter where she hid. She pulled out her wallet and her fingers trembled. She gripped them together until they stopped. “How much?”

“For the joke? Free.” Junu gave her a saucy wink.

“The talisman.” She refused to react to how he’d purposefully misunderstood her. “How much for it?”

Without waiting for an answer, Miyoung pulled out all the cash in her wallet. Junu eyed the money, but didn’t take it.

“Why did you need the first talisman?”

She glared at him, refusing to answer.

“If you tell me, I’ll give you this one.” Junu pointed to the yellow strip of paper fluttering in the wind.

“I lost something. I needed to put it back where it belongs and Nara said that talisman would open my energy to it.”

“Unless what you lost was ghosts, I don’t think your shaman was telling you the full truth.”