Chapter 39

The night is silent. Mina didn't utter a word ever since she drag the girl away from Akira and Jihyo. The air around them is awkward, far from the usual comforting atmosphere. Chaeyoung was trying to come up of what to say to the woman. Will she apologize? or say thank you? Either way, she did not know why Mina looked so pissed.

Additional to her problem, the ability she just discovered from remembering her memory. Another, the guilt that has been pricking her since she woke up. Finding out that she was one of the reason why Mina and Akira is in this state makes her feel worse. She let out a silent sigh, they're walking on her Jeong unnie house direction.

"Why you didn't tell me?" Mina broke the silence. Chaeyoung blinked from the sudden question.

"About what?"

"About your eyes. You are one us." Mina's voice is stone cold. Chaeyoung could actually feel it in her skin.

"I didn't know too."

"How come you don't?" Mina eyed her suspiciously.

"I don't know why but there is a gap in my memory." Chaeyoung lied. She actually regained all of it already. That's the reason why she can access her ability.

"When?"

"I don't remember the time when my first love and I separated." She answered. It was actually half true though she has it back.

"Does that mean it was related to your ex?"

"Maybe? and I told you she's not my ex." She deadpan. Mina ignored her complain.

"But why do you act like you are not surprised at all?" Mina continued to interrogate her. What should I say?

"I honestly am but instead of taking time for being surprised and confused shouldn't we think of what we will do with this?" Chaeyoung gave her a tired smile. Sure, Mina might be the one who fought but this tiredness she's feeling is beyond physicality. Mina seems to understand not to pry on the matter anymore and stayed silent.

"Hey why do it felt like you hate Aki?" Chaeyoung changed the subject. Mina's curious demeanor changed into a heavy one.

"I just did." She answered shortly.

"Why? I mean she's good to us. She even protected me and Jeong unnie when that fake Mina came." She asked. Chaeyoung has the  hunch why since she had a glimpse on Akira's memories.

"But she's our enemy not long ago."

"Is that really the reason? For all I know you're not the type to care." Chaeng teased. Mina frowned and look at her. It's as if she's saying are-you-kidding-me look.

"That was the case before I met you." She answered.

"So it's my fault?" Chae pursed her lips not to laugh, she stopped and pouted. Seriously, she's so honest and here I am who can't tell her anything.

"I did not say that." Mina smirked and they continued to walk side by side.

"Ani but you are implying that." She huffs and acted like she was offended. Mina knew she was acting it.

"It's up to you how you take my words."

"How was it my fault?" Chaeyoung smiled. "Is it because you are scared she might hurt me?" Mina didn't answer instead she just look up on the empty night sky. It looks like rain will come soon.

"Maybe? or maybe It was the desperate need to protect the sole source of life inside." She answered with her voice lower and soft. Chaeyoung felt it again... The guilt. An idea came to her.

"Hey can I hold your hand?" She asked trying to lighten the now gloomy mood. Mina stayed silent and Chae took it as a yes. Softly taking her hand on the colder ones, she sighed in satisfaction. She remembered how this hand used to be so warm, not just on her skin but on her heart too. It still have the same effect but there was additional weight on it.

After touching Mina's hand, Chaeyoung can't help but cry. She saw it. The painful memories and thoughts. Mina might not be able to feel it but Chaeyoung can and it's ten times painful coming from someone you love. Mina noticed the sudden crying girl. Her eyes in trance and glowing in blue.

"Chaeyoung why are you-" Realization hit her. She immediately took back her hand and Chaeyoung snap out of it. "You- you saw my.."

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." For the first time, Chaeyoung thank the heavens for not letting the girl remember her. Maybe she was really selfish after all.

"W-why are you saying sorry? what did you saw? Son Chaeyoung answer me." She shook the girl who is crying silently.

"I- It must be painful." She cried. Mina took her words as confirmation.

"So that was your ability." She looked down to her hand that Chaeyoung touched.

"It's okay, not your fault. I can't feel those though." her voice cold as the night. The memories that Chaeyoung saw was the time when Mina was still in the cage.

"Still..." It's my fault. While I was living a good life, Mina was suffering all this time. She saw it, the fight, the wounds inflicted on a child. The torture of those mad people. Hate, fear, and worry came to her. She now understand how her bright and warm unnie turned into such cold murderer.

Chaeyoung brushed her tears away. Mina watched her with softness in her eyes. Those eyes that solely show just for her. She wanted to comfort her but she herself don't know how. Just then, Mina was reminded of something. A very important matter.

"Chae... we need to go."

Chaeyoung looked up to her with still red eyes.

"But first don't touch me or anyone. You understand?"

...

Momo let out a sigh after hearing Mina's words. Looking at the smaller girl beside the ice princess, she showed her a smile.

"I will go check on her but I don't want any disturbance. No one must enter and distract us." Momo crossed her arms and turned to Mina.

"Okay." Mina agreed. Chaeyoung's eyes is still in blue. Considering she's still new on it, she can't control and turn it back to normal.

"I'll be outside. Momo will take care of you." Mina smiled to her. Chaeyoung smiled too and nodded. Momo who saw the rare sight of Mina dropped her jaw. This woman can work wonder. She thought, looking at Chaeyoung. After that, Mina left the room.

"Now we are all alone. I want you to use your ability on me while lying there." She pointed at the capsule looking bed. Chaeyoung hesitated for a bit. She's nervous. They might discover a very bad effect.

"Don't worry I got you." Momo patted her shoulder and showed a warm smile. Seeing the encouragement of the older woman, Chaeyoung inhaled and exhaled. A  determined smile peeks in her lips.

"Okay Momo unnie."

...

The first thing Mina noticed when she left the room is the short haired girl standing at the side. She look like she's waiting for someone and that someone is the girl inside.

"She's busy." She said without sparing the woman a look.

"Who says she's the one I'm waiting for?" Akira tilted her head and smiled. Mina turned to her with same ice cold look and demeanor.

"What do you want?"

Akira scratched her head and bit her lower lips. She wasn't suppose to say it but a certain friend of her wanted her to and Akira wasn't one to say no from a favor. Composing herself, she let out a sigh.

"Hmm I just want to say thank you. That's all." Akira turned around to immediately leave. If only Chaeyoung didn't beg me for this ugh.

Before they arrived, Chaeyoung talked to her about reconciling with Mina and that she should thank her too. At first, she strongly disagreed but Chae bribe her that she will treat her to a very delicious resto around. Akira knew she's not one to back down.

"Wait."

She stopped on her tracks when she heard the girl. Is she going to laugh on me? But ugh it'll be weird to see her laugh. She's not Chaeyeon.

"What?" She asked without turning around.

"Thank you too."

Surprised? yes she is. Akira immediately turned around to see if she heard it right. The ever emotionless witch isn't one to thank someone. I might as well pinch myself. And so she did. Aw it hurts.

"What for?" she blinked in confusion.

"For standing up and protecting her." Mina answered with her still stoic face. Akira smirked knowing her reason. She just confirmed the very weakness of the girl.

"Nah it's okay. She's my friend." Akira smiled widely. Somehow, she felt happy hearing the gratitude from the girl.

"Hmm but if I ever hear that you are plotting something behind us I'll really snap your head open." Mina crossed her arms and stare at her with deadly eyes. Akira mentally rolled her eyes.

"No need to talk gore witch-san." She deadpan.  "Anyways, I won't. When I say she's my friend, that means I value her as much as my life." She heard Mina snorted. Akira wasn't one to be pissed when someone mocks her, so she just played along.

"That's too cringe Akira" Mina commented.

"Says to the one who'll suddenly confess." She teased. Mina frowned from that. "Where I heard it? Chae told me that there was a girl who she's crazily in love with." She shrugged.

"She's in love with me? I thought she loves her first love?" Mina asked, her eyes now more calm. Akira clicked her tongue and shook her head.

"No wonder the girl is so frustrated with her love. The other side was so clueless." She let out a sigh. Mina raised a brow. She didn't know if she should be offended or what.

"Still you should talk about that on your own. I've done my part here, I need to comfort my friend" Akira left and wave her hand.

Mina stood there thinking. Of course she should at least understood the younger woman's actions towards her. It's really hard to notice, knowing and actually feeling it was different. She needs to be more certain to herself.

Did I hurt her without knowing?

...

Momo stood beside the girl with the tablet in her hand. It shows the analyzation of Chaeyoung. The younger girl has her eyes closed and holding Momo's hand. The chemist could feel it, that someone is looking in her head. Chaeyoung probably knows her better than anyone now. This is amazing, her ability sure is useful and it looks like she can mess with someone's consciousness.

Just then, the red sign flashes on the screen. Chaeyoung's temperature dropped instantly, her body trembling and her eyes opened. It was glowing in intense blue, flickering back and fort. Momo rushed to shake the girl.

"Chaeyoung." she called. No response. Oh shit.

"Chaeyoung you have to wake up!" She shook her again.

"SON CHAEYOUNG!"

A loud gasped resounded in the room along with Momo's voice. Chaeyoung woke up and is catching her breathe. Momo let out a sigh, that was seriously dangerous.

"I was-" Chaeyoung blinked and she could feel her body regaining it's control. The numb is fading away.

"You gave me a scare." Momo took out a syringe. "You'll be okay after taking this." She injected the chemical on the pale woman. Chaeyoung could barely feel the needle entering her.

"There you go."

"Momo unnie what happened?" Chaeyoung looked at her in confusion. Momo took the tablet and read the final findings. They fell silent for nearly two minutes. Chaeyoung can't help but felt nervous. The trip to Momo's memory is pretty long.

"You must not use your ability so much Chae." Momo put down the tablet and faced the girl.

"Why?"

"First, I'll explain it to you. You have the ability to enter someone's mind and mess with it by only touching them."

"I can?"

Momo nodded.

"You are actually the only person who can do that here. Mina can't do it. But you know every person who has an ability paid for a good price." Momo's serious face made Chaeyoung understood just by the look of it.

"Like losing emotions?" She asked.

"Hmm Mina lost her ability to feel affection, you know mine right?" Momo smiled to her. Chaeyoung nodded.

"So what is there that I can lose?"

"To be frank, everything."

"What?"

"You see, you are someone who didn't grow in the cage. There, we are enhanced, even though it's actually hell but they have the means to make us live with it." Momo sighed. "The fact that you are not a regular, your body is not used to it. Actually, not everyone can survive the change-"

"I know." Chaeyoung lowered her head. I should actually be dead by now if not for Mina and Akira.

"Then I'll get to the point. If you were to use your ability too much, you will overload and lose your own consciousness. You will fall on a limbo, there is no guarantee that you will wake up." Momo broke the news to her. Chaeyoung was stunned for a moment. She finally have the power to protect but it wasn't enough to save herself. Woah I'm being punished greatly.

"It's okay." She smiled. "But can you do me a favor Momo unnie?"

"Hmm?"

"Don't tell everyone including Mina."

"Chae that's a little hard favor you have." Momo face contorted into worry. Mina will get angry for sure if she'll know that Momo hid it from her.

"Please unnie. I promise, Mina won't blame you." she pleaded. Momo let out a sigh. Why do dealing with livings is so complicated? I'd rather pour some chemicals on dead people.

"Fine." She give in.

"In return we will tell Jihyo unnie."

"We will?" Momo raised a brow. Chaeyoung pouted.

"Okay fine I will."

"That's a deal then."

...

Author's Note:

I made a teaser and I don't know why~ I just did out of whim. Anyways, yey I updated~ let me tell you guys. This story will be painful.