Page 30 of Vicious Spirits

“Good, but first, you must wake up.”

“What?”

“Wake up.” Halmeoni’s voice faded into an echo. Then the pain came. A throbbing in the back of Somin’s skull. She let out a low groan as she opened her eyes. And as her vision cleared, she made out Junu’s foyer.

She was sprawled across the tile floor. And when she lifted her hand to the back of her head, she felt a lump that throbbed as she pressed it.

Somin stood slowly and saw Junu’s unconscious form. Was he still breathing?

She leaned over him, and before she could check his pulse,Junu’s eyes flew open. He reached out, lightning quick, pulling her head down until her face was centimeters from his.

“You saved my life,” he mumbled. “My hero.” Then he planted a hard kiss on her. Before she could react, he fell back to the floor with a thud, unconscious.

Somin stood, warily nudging at his ribs with her toe.

“Ya,” she said with another nudge. He didn’t move.

She nudged him again, so hard it could be called a soft kick. His head wobbled a bit, but he didn’t wake. She saw his swollen eye and winced, admitting to herself that he probably wasn’t faking it.

Not seeing any other choice, she hoisted Junu up, flopping his weight over her, piggyback style. His limbs were so long that his hands batted at her legs as she walked. She heard his feet dragging on the floor behind her. But it was the best she could do. He’d probably be pissed at her when he woke up. Claim that she scratched his floor or something. But it was really his fault for growing so tall.

When Junu was unceremoniously delivered onto his bed, Somin gave a grunt of discomfort and bent over to stretch her back. What should she do now? Probably just leave. But she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Not because she cared about Junu, she told herself. But he had put himself in harm’s way to protect her. She owed it to him to stick around. At least until she could assure herself he was going to be okay.

But first she needed something to help with her throbbing headache. She found medicine in the bathroom and took twice the dosage suggestion. She winced as she poked tenderly at the lump on the back of her head and went in search of ice.

When she returned to the bedroom, Junu lay flat on hisback, his hands crossed over his belly. It should have made him look stiff, like a body being prepared for eternal rest. But instead, he looked calm and peaceful. Young, like he truly was a high school or college student. Not for the first time, Somin wondered how Junu had come to exist. The stories said that dokkaebi were made from things. Like vases or pots. But Somin had a hard time believing the lively, sarcastic, often infuriating being that was Junu had come from anything as cold and lifeless as a vase.

“Stop staring, byeontae,” Junu said without opening his eyes.

Somin jumped, her fist clutched against her heart. “I was just checking on the patient. And I’ve confirmed he’s just as annoying as when I left him. So I’ll be going now.”

“Stay,” Junu said, opening his eyes now. He watched her earnestly.

“Why?”

He smiled. “Would you believe me if I said I’m afraid of monsters?”

She didn’t answer, but she dragged the armchair from the corner of the room closer. There was no way she’d sit on his bed. Knowing Junu, he’d take that as an invitation for something.

“What are you thinking?” he asked, watching her intently.

“I was actually just thinking about how dangerous you are. A boy who’s never been told no.”

That pulled a laugh out of Junu, but oddly, it had a bite of bitterness to it.

“Am I wrong?” she asked.

“Does it bother you?” Junu said instead of answering. “Theidea that I get whatever I want. Or—” He paused with a suggestive grin. “Is it the fact that you know you want to give me everything I want?”

“I don’t want or need to give you anything,” Somin retorted, standing, finally ready to storm out of this place.

“Thank you,” he said, and it stopped her. “For saving my life.”

She turned back toward him. “You said that already.”

Junu smiled. It wasn’t like the mocking grins he usually gave her. It was small and thoughtful. “Sorry about that. I think my whole life was flashing before my eyes. I was delirious.”

“Now, that I can believe,” Somin said, and sat on the edge of the bed before she realized what she was doing. She started to stand again, but Junu’s hand came to rest over hers.

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