Page 53 of Perfect Happiness
What did Yuna do to Dad?
Part 2: Who Is She?
Chapter 4
Jiyoo lay on the bed at the cabin.The night sky was tinted red.Down the street, dogs barked.A loon was nearby.This wasn’t the loon call Jiyoo was used to.It sometimes sounded like weeping, or groaning, or screaming.The cries weren’t coming from the wetlands, but from beyond the wall.
The attic.
Jiyoo sat up and looked around, as though under some powerful spell.She didn’t see any loons.She saw nothing that could make a sound on its own, not even a cricket.The loon called again.This time it sounded like gurgling.The source of the sound had moved downstairs.
Before Jiyoo knew it, she was walking down the stairs.She took one step after another, but the steps seemed to go on forever.Was she under yet another spell?No matter how far she went, she couldn’t reach the bottom of the stairs.She started counting steps but would lose count and have to start over again.And then the loon went silent.
A voice came from outside the front gate.
Jiyoo, let’s go.
Jiyoo stopped on the stairs.She had heard this voice a long time ago.She remembered the words clearly.This is what Father used to say to her.He would say it before taking her to the playground.But they weren’t going to the playground.It sounded like he wanted to take her to the Half Moon Marsh.
Jiyoo, let’s go.
The voice was getting quieter.Father seemed to really want to go to the Half Moon Marsh.No, he was already there, heading to the gorge.Jiyoo unconsciously reached out into the empty air.
No, Father.Don’t go beyond the Half Moon Marsh.
Her voice didn’t form into words.It merely echoed inside her head.Jiyoo started running down the stairs.By the time she realized she had misstepped, her body was already tumbling through the air.But even as she fell, she called out to Father.
Don’t go!There’s a cliff!
Jiyoo’s long tumble only ended once her body fell to the floor of the kitchen.Jiyoo tried to lift herself up, but her body wasn’t listening.She couldn’t move a single finger.Lying face down on the cold wood floor, she could hear Mother’s voice in the darkness.
Jiyoo, what are you doing there?
Jiyoo couldn’t see Mother.All she could sense was a fishy smell.Jiyoo answered:
A loon is calling from beneath the attic.
Mother spoke in a cold whisper.
All the loons are in the Half Moon Marsh.
Jiyoo still couldn’t see her.Jiyoo shouted in frustration.
No!Father is at the Half Moon Marsh.
It’s okay.It’s just a dream.It’ll go away when you wake up in the morning.
Jiyoo shook her head.
No.Father is calling me from the Half Moon Marsh.
“It’s okay, child.It’s just a dream.”
This time, a different voice was calling out to Jiyoo.It sounded distant, as though it were coming from another world.It was Auntie’s voice.Jiyoo wanted to hear what Auntie said again.
Right?This isn’t real.It’s just a dream.
Jiyoo couldn’t open her mouth.Nor could she open her eyes.She couldn’t escape the dream.A powerful force was keeping her in the dream.Auntie’s voice cut out like a dying radio.
