Chapter 109: The Dream
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Su-Jin blinked against the blinding light. She raised one hand to shield her eyes from the dazzling sun and glanced around bemusedly.
There was something rather strange about the place she was in, but she couldn't say exactly what came off as odd.
Could it have been the lack of sounds or wind? The fact that everything seemed to be frozen in place, lifeless like an oil painting? Or perhaps it was the oppressive sense of solitude that made her feel uncomfortable?
Just as her vision was slowly getting used to the environment, Su-Jin saw a patch of vibrant green. A large field stretched as far as her eyes could see.
Su-Jin took a deep breath, trying to calm her rapidly beating heart.
There was a subtle scent of lilac and gardenia mixing with the smell of freshly cut grass. The blend of fragrances tickled Su-Jin's nose, making her smile in delight.
She paused, taking a deep whiff of that all too familiar scent, basking in it while her mind exploded into a kaleidoscope of emotions.
As her senses were violently jerked awake by the sweetness of the flowers, Su-Jin's consciousness began to sway. She felt like someone who had taken a sudden dive into a pool of cold water. She was falling, deeply, rapidly. She was heading towards an unknown place, one that both excited and terrified her.
In that far away place lilacs and gardenias blossomed, spreading their beauty for no one but Su-Jin to see. It was like a spectacle without an audience.
Those were her mother's favorite flowers and, for that reason, Su-Jin had always associated them with her mother's persona. Even after so many years she could still see with her mind's eye her mother's beautiful face and radiant smile. She remembered how the woman's eyes would always carry a gentle and loving gaze. How her skin would always be enveloped in a sweet perfume that could calm and soothe Su-Jin's mind.
Before Su-Jin could envision anything else, she felt a soft touch on the side of her face. Something light and silky, almost like a feather, floated through the air, tapping against her cheek for one moment, before landing at her feet without a sound.
Su-Jin blinked her eyes in confusion, staring blankly at the white, square object. The fabric looked of high quality. The color was like that of fresh snow against a patch of verdant green. A light blue spot in a corner was the only color that tinted the pure white surface.
After several seconds, Su-Jin finally moved.
She bent her knees and brought her face closer to the ground. She extended a hand, pinching a corner of the square piece of fabric. As she did so, Su-Jin couldn't help but admire the softness of the material, taking note of how good it felt between her fingers. It was almost like she was holding a fluffy lump of cotton.
At some point during her childhood, she used to think that clouds were made of cotton. She was sure that if it was possible to touch one, it would probably feel exactly like this, just as soft and ticklish.
"What is this handkerchief doing here?" Su-Jin wondered aloud.
Oddly enough, her voice sounded a little muffled, but she didn't seem to realize. She was too absorbed in admiring the object in her hand to pay attention to anything else.
There was something covering one corner of the small piece of fabric.
Using her fingertips, Su-Jin could feel something protruding out of the fabric.
In order to see what it was, she twirled the handkerchief in her hand until the object laid flat in her palm.
That's when she saw it.
Three letters were staring up at Su-Jin.
K. J. W.
The initials were intricately sewn onto the handkerchief with a light blue thread. Both the color and the beauty of the pattern represented a glaring contrast to the pure, simple whiteness of the handkerchief.
Judging by the exquisite needlework, whoever stitched those letters had put their entire heart into it. As though they had tried to seal a little part of themselves inside the handkerchief.
With a jolt of surprise, Su-Jin clutched the handkerchief tighter, almost crushing it between her fingers. Her heart began drumming against her chest and her breathing quickened.
She couldn't explain the feeling, but she could sense her mind struggling to remember something.
But what?
Before she could answer her own thoughts, Su-Jin felt her legs aching. She had been squatting for a while and her muscles were now protesting.
A wave of dizziness swept over her as Su-Jin struggled to straighten herself up. She stumbled on her feet, taking two steps forward before she could finally regain her balance.
Then, looking at the vast expanse that surrounded her, Su-Jin contemplated what to do.
Should she walk ahead or should she just stay where she was?
In the end, Su-Jin decided it was best to move, rather than stay put. Being in a strange and unfamiliar place made her feel restless. And the emptiness of the place, the lack of any sign of life only brought her uneasiness.
Although it didn't seem like there was much to explore, at least it was better to stay on the move. Maybe that way she would be able to find her way out of that lush field.
With that in mind, Su-Jin picked a random direction and kept on walking. Her steps never faltered, until she finally felt her feet growing numb.
Just when she thought about stopping, Su-Jin unexpectedly saw the scenery change. With each step that she took, her environment changed drastically.
Su-Jin's movements halted.
Surprisingly, she found herself out of the large grass field.
A thick forest surrounded her on all sides. Tall and sturdy trees created a barrier between the small spot she was standing on and the rest of the woodland. She was thus confided in that narrow space.
The light was beginning to dim as the sun slowly fell across the sky. Su-Jin glanced up with a start.
She had been so focused on walking that she hadn't noticed how late it was. In just a little bit the sun would be gone and the night would settle over the land. And if that wasn't scary enough, she just had to be stranded in the middle of a forest with no exit in sight.
With her heart thumping wildly in her chest, Su-Jin began to walk hurriedly. Maybe she could find some shelter upfront.
As though to answer her silent pleas, the universe granted her a chance.
After walking for some time, Su-Jin noticed the lines of trees were beginning to thin. She was getting closer to the edge of the forest. Now, if only she could find a place to stay the night...
Along with that thought came another surprise…
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Su-Jin blinked against the blinding light. She raised one hand to shield her eyes from the dazzling sun and glanced around bemusedly.
There was something rather strange about the place she was in, but she couldn't say exactly what came off as odd.
Could it have been the lack of sounds or wind? The fact that everything seemed to be frozen in place, lifeless like an oil painting? Or perhaps it was the oppressive sense of solitude that made her feel uncomfortable?
Just as her vision was slowly getting used to the environment, Su-Jin saw a patch of vibrant green. A large field stretched as far as her eyes could see.
Su-Jin took a deep breath, trying to calm her rapidly beating heart.
There was a subtle scent of lilac and gardenia mixing with the smell of freshly cut grass. The blend of fragrances tickled Su-Jin's nose, making her smile in delight.
She paused, taking a deep whiff of that all too familiar scent, basking in it while her mind exploded into a kaleidoscope of emotions.
As her senses were violently jerked awake by the sweetness of the flowers, Su-Jin's consciousness began to sway. She felt like someone who had taken a sudden dive into a pool of cold water. She was falling, deeply, rapidly. She was heading towards an unknown place, one that both excited and terrified her.
In that far away place lilacs and gardenias blossomed, spreading their beauty for no one but Su-Jin to see. It was like a spectacle without an audience.
Those were her mother's favorite flowers and, for that reason, Su-Jin had always associated them with her mother's persona. Even after so many years she could still see with her mind's eye her mother's beautiful face and radiant smile. She remembered how the woman's eyes would always carry a gentle and loving gaze. How her skin would always be enveloped in a sweet perfume that could calm and soothe Su-Jin's mind.
Before Su-Jin could envision anything else, she felt a soft touch on the side of her face. Something light and silky, almost like a feather, floated through the air, tapping against her cheek for one moment, before landing at her feet without a sound.
Su-Jin blinked her eyes in confusion, staring blankly at the white, square object. The fabric looked of high quality. The color was like that of fresh snow against a patch of verdant green. A light blue spot in a corner was the only color that tinted the pure white surface.
After several seconds, Su-Jin finally moved.
She bent her knees and brought her face closer to the ground. She extended a hand, pinching a corner of the square piece of fabric. As she did so, Su-Jin couldn't help but admire the softness of the material, taking note of how good it felt between her fingers. It was almost like she was holding a fluffy lump of cotton.
At some point during her childhood, she used to think that clouds were made of cotton. She was sure that if it was possible to touch one, it would probably feel exactly like this, just as soft and ticklish.
"What is this handkerchief doing here?" Su-Jin wondered aloud.
Oddly enough, her voice sounded a little muffled, but she didn't seem to realize. She was too absorbed in admiring the object in her hand to pay attention to anything else.
There was something covering one corner of the small piece of fabric.
Using her fingertips, Su-Jin could feel something protruding out of the fabric.
In order to see what it was, she twirled the handkerchief in her hand until the object laid flat in her palm.
That's when she saw it.
Three letters were staring up at Su-Jin.
K. J. W.
The initials were intricately sewn onto the handkerchief with a light blue thread. Both the color and the beauty of the pattern represented a glaring contrast to the pure, simple whiteness of the handkerchief.
Judging by the exquisite needlework, whoever stitched those letters had put their entire heart into it. As though they had tried to seal a little part of themselves inside the handkerchief.
With a jolt of surprise, Su-Jin clutched the handkerchief tighter, almost crushing it between her fingers. Her heart began drumming against her chest and her breathing quickened.
She couldn't explain the feeling, but she could sense her mind struggling to remember something.
But what?
Before she could answer her own thoughts, Su-Jin felt her legs aching. She had been squatting for a while and her muscles were now protesting.
A wave of dizziness swept over her as Su-Jin struggled to straighten herself up. She stumbled on her feet, taking two steps forward before she could finally regain her balance.
Then, looking at the vast expanse that surrounded her, Su-Jin contemplated what to do.
Should she walk ahead or should she just stay where she was?
In the end, Su-Jin decided it was best to move, rather than stay put. Being in a strange and unfamiliar place made her feel restless. And the emptiness of the place, the lack of any sign of life only brought her uneasiness.
Although it didn't seem like there was much to explore, at least it was better to stay on the move. Maybe that way she would be able to find her way out of that lush field.
With that in mind, Su-Jin picked a random direction and kept on walking. Her steps never faltered, until she finally felt her feet growing numb.
Just when she thought about stopping, Su-Jin unexpectedly saw the scenery change. With each step that she took, her environment changed drastically.
Su-Jin's movements halted.
Surprisingly, she found herself out of the large grass field.
A thick forest surrounded her on all sides. Tall and sturdy trees created a barrier between the small spot she was standing on and the rest of the woodland. She was thus confided in that narrow space.
The light was beginning to dim as the sun slowly fell across the sky. Su-Jin glanced up with a start.
She had been so focused on walking that she hadn't noticed how late it was. In just a little bit the sun would be gone and the night would settle over the land. And if that wasn't scary enough, she just had to be stranded in the middle of a forest with no exit in sight.
With her heart thumping wildly in her chest, Su-Jin began to walk hurriedly. Maybe she could find some shelter upfront.
As though to answer her silent pleas, the universe granted her a chance.
After walking for some time, Su-Jin noticed the lines of trees were beginning to thin. She was getting closer to the edge of the forest. Now, if only she could find a place to stay the night...
Along with that thought came another surprise…
Su-Jin blinked against the blinding light. She raised one hand to shield her eyes from the dazzling sun and glanced around bemusedly.There was something rather strange about the place she was in, but she couldn't say exactly what came off as odd.Could it have been the lack of sounds or wind? The fact that everything seemed to be frozen in place, lifeless like an oil painting? Or perhaps it was the oppressive sense of solitude that made her feel uncomfortable?Just as her vision was slowly getting used to the environment, Su-Jin saw a patch of vibrant green. A large field stretched as far as her eyes could see. Su-Jin took a deep breath, trying to calm her rapidly beating heart. There was a subtle scent of lilac and gardenia mixing with the smell of freshly cut grass. The blend of fragrances tickled Su-Jin's nose, making her smile in delight. She paused, taking a deep whiff of that all too familiar scent, basking in it while her mind exploded into a kaleidoscope of emotions. As her senses were violently jerked awake by the sweetness of the flowers, Su-Jin's consciousness began to sway. She felt like someone who had taken a sudden dive into a pool of cold water. She was falling, deeply, rapidly. She was heading towards an unknown place, one that both excited and terrified her. In that far away place lilacs and gardenias blossomed, spreading their beauty for no one but Su-Jin to see. It was like a spectacle without an audience.Those were her mother's favorite flowers and, for that reason, Su-Jin had always associated them with her mother's persona. Even after so many years she could still see with her mind's eye her mother's beautiful face and radiant smile. She remembered how the woman's eyes would always carry a gentle and loving gaze. How her skin would always be enveloped in a sweet perfume that could calm and soothe Su-Jin's mind.Before Su-Jin could envision anything else, she felt a soft touch on the side of her face. Something light and silky, almost like a feather, floated through the air, tapping against her cheek for one moment, before landing at her feet without a sound. Su-Jin blinked her eyes in confusion, staring blankly at the white, square object. The fabric looked of high quality. The color was like that of fresh snow against a patch of verdant green. A light blue spot in a corner was the only color that tinted the pure white surface. After several seconds, Su-Jin finally moved.She bent her knees and brought her face closer to the ground. She extended a hand, pinching a corner of the square piece of fabric. As she did so, Su-Jin couldn't help but admire the softness of the material, taking note of how good it felt between her fingers. It was almost like she was holding a fluffy lump of cotton. At some point during her childhood, she used to think that clouds were made of cotton. She was sure that if it was possible to touch one, it would probably feel exactly like this, just as soft and ticklish. "What is this handkerchief doing here?" Su-Jin wondered aloud. Oddly enough, her voice sounded a little muffled, but she didn't seem to realize. She was too absorbed in admiring the object in her hand to pay attention to anything else.There was something covering one corner of the small piece of fabric. Using her fingertips, Su-Jin could feel something protruding out of the fabric. In order to see what it was, she twirled the handkerchief in her hand until the object laid flat in her palm.That's when she saw it. Three letters were staring up at Su-Jin. K. J. W.The initials were intricately sewn onto the handkerchief with a light blue thread. Both the color and the beauty of the pattern represented a glaring contrast to the pure, simple whiteness of the handkerchief.Judging by the exquisite needlework, whoever stitched those letters had put their entire heart into it. As though they had tried to seal a little part of themselves inside the handkerchief.With a jolt of surprise, Su-Jin clutched the handkerchief tighter, almost crushing it between her fingers. Her heart began drumming against her chest and her breathing quickened. She couldn't explain the feeling, but she could sense her mind struggling to remember something. But what? Before she could answer her own thoughts, Su-Jin felt her legs aching. She had been squatting for a while and her muscles were now protesting. A wave of dizziness swept over her as Su-Jin struggled to straighten herself up. She stumbled on her feet, taking two steps forward before she could finally regain her balance.Then, looking at the vast expanse that surrounded her, Su-Jin contemplated what to do. Should she walk ahead or should she just stay where she was? In the end, Su-Jin decided it was best to move, rather than stay put. Being in a strange and unfamiliar place made her feel restless. And the emptiness of the place, the lack of any sign of life only brought her uneasiness. Although it didn't seem like there was much to explore, at least it was better to stay on the move. Maybe that way she would be able to find her way out of that lush field.With that in mind, Su-Jin picked a random direction and kept on walking. Her steps never faltered, until she finally felt her feet growing numb. Just when she thought about stopping, Su-Jin unexpectedly saw the scenery change. With each step that she took, her environment changed drastically. Su-Jin's movements halted.Surprisingly, she found herself out of the large grass field. A thick forest surrounded her on all sides. Tall and sturdy trees created a barrier between the small spot she was standing on and the rest of the woodland. She was thus confided in that narrow space. The light was beginning to dim as the sun slowly fell across the sky. Su-Jin glanced up with a start. She had been so focused on walking that she hadn't noticed how late it was. In just a little bit the sun would be gone and the night would settle over the land. And if that wasn't scary enough, she just had to be stranded in the middle of a forest with no exit in sight.With her heart thumping wildly in her chest, Su-Jin began to walk hurriedly. Maybe she could find some shelter upfront. As though to answer her silent pleas, the universe granted her a chance. After walking for some time, Su-Jin noticed the lines of trees were beginning to thin. She was getting closer to the edge of the forest. Now, if only she could find a place to stay the night...Along with that thought came another surprise
