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“Wait,” Jihoon called out. He felt foolish, but what if the detective got hurt and he’d done nothing? So he pulled down a talisman and held it out.

“A bujeok for protection?” Detective Hae asked.

“You know what it is?” Jihoon lifted his brows in surprise.

“My wife used to be obsessed with this stuff.”

“You should take it. Seems like you have a dangerous job.”

The detective chuckled and patted Jihoon’s shoulder. It felt strangely paternal and Jihoon stepped back in sudden discomfort.

The detective gave a final nod. Jihoon folded into a bow.

He leaned heavily on the door after he closed it. He tried calling Miyoung. She’d made him promise to use her number for emergencies only. Jihoon figured this classified as one.

She didn’t answer, and he cursed as he pulled open the door again and hurried out.

•••

Jihoon ran up the hill toward Miyoung’s house. He hesitated at the end of the long drive and glanced at the sky, darkening with dusk. But he steeled himself before starting down the path.

A movement in the trees halted his steps and he froze until he recognized the uniform blazer of his school. Miyoung.

He doubted she had decided it was a good time for a casual hike. She was preparing for a hunt, and if that detective was out patrolling, Jihoon didn’t want to think of what could happen.

“Miyoung!” he called, but she was either too far away or ignoring him.

He hurried after her, wondering how she could move so fast without making a sound.

The path was narrow, filled with large roots and craggy rocks. The steep slope tired Jihoon quickly. He wondered if it was physically possible for a person to cough up their lungs, but truly didn’t want to find out. So he took a short break, leaning against a tree. Up here, the height was dizzying. And the city lay so far below it looked like a toy replica. His break lost him precious time, and when he turned back toward the path, Miyoung was nowhere to be seen.

“Gu Miyoung,” Jihoon shouted. No answer. Not that he’d really expected one.

“Miyoung-ah, if you can hear me, answer,” Jihoon called. His shouting startled something that rustled the underbrush and he skittered back, stepping over the ledge.

He was pulled back onto the path to fall in a heap. Miyoungstood over him, her arms crossed. From the look on her face she wasn’t just displeased, she was pissed.

“What do you want?” she asked.

“They—” He broke off when his voice wavered. He stood, brushing away the dirt that clung to his pants while he tried to gather himself. “They found a body in the woods,” he said finally.

Her expression was unreadable.

“A man who disappeared,” Jihoon continued. “They suspect something, they’re looking for the culprit, they think they’ll attack again.”

Miyoung nodded, the only sign she heard him.

“There’s a cop asking questions.”

“Just because he’s poking around doesn’t mean he knows anything.” Miyoung frowned.

“Maybe you shouldn’t be out tonight.”

“You need to leave this alone. It’s not safe out here for you.” Her hand went to her belly; her eyes darted back and forth as if they saw something he couldn’t. And her skin had taken on a strangely green pallor.

“Are you okay?”

“Go home.” Miyoung didn’t wait for his reply. She retreated back into the woods.