She led me to her house.
It was a small apartment — quiet, almost too quiet. No extra shoes at the door. No scattered belongings. No framed family photos on the wall.
It felt… empty.
While I was still looking around, she placed a bowl of ramen in front of me.
"I'm sorry" she said awkwardly. "I can't afford much."
"I'm not picky," I replied. "This is fine."
She sat across from me but didn't eat.
"You're probably wondering if I live alone or if my parents are just at work." She gave a small smile. "I live with my little brother. Just the two of us."
I didn't respond.
"My parents died in a car accident four years ago. I was fourteen. My brother was nine." Her voice didn't shake — but it sounded practiced, like she'd told this story before. "I don't remember everything. Just the phone call. The hospital said their injuries were too serious."
I stopped eating.
"Why are you telling me this?" I asked. "We're not even close."
She blinked. "Ah… sorry. I talk too much, don't I?"
"I'm done." I set the bowl aside. "Now tell me everything."
She looked at her hands for a second before speaking.
"Yesterday. After I dropped my brother off at school, I stopped by the convenience store nearby. When I left, I used the shortcut behind the buildings."
Her eyes met mine.
"And that's when I saw someone standing at the edge of the rooftop."
My chest tightened.
"At first, I thought they were just looking at the view. But something felt… wrong. When I got closer, I realized it was you. So I ran upstairs."
"So it was just coincidence?" I asked quietly.
"Yes."
Silence stretched between us.
"It's up to you whether you believe me," she added. "But I'm telling the truth."
"I'm not satisfied with that answer" I muttered. "But fine."
She stood up. "If you're done, you should go home. Your mom must be worried."
"I'm not going back there."
Her expression shifted. "What do you mean?"
"…Nothing."
She sighed. "Do whatever you want. But you owe me."
Before I could reply, the front door opened.
"I'm home!"
A boy stepped in, dropping his bag on the floor.
"You're back, Aiden?" Lara called out.
"I'm starving. What's for dinner? Let's have curry."
"No. We're eating kimchi."
He groaned — then noticed me.
"Oh. Who's she? Your friend?"
"She's staying here tonight. Clean your room."
"What? Why my room?!"
"Clean it before I throw out your manga."
"Ugh. Fine."
As he walked past me, he gave me a long side-eye.
What's with that attitude? I'm too tired to deal with kids.
While sitting on the couch, I stared at the floor.
I can't stay here forever.
I don't want to be a burden anymore.
"Dinner's ready" Lara called. "Come eat."
"I'm full."
"At least try some" Aiden said. "My sister cooked more because of you."
"I said I'm full."
He frowned. "You're just an outsider who doesn't know how to appreciate people. My sister lets you stay here and this is how you act?"
"Enough, Aiden" Lara cut in. "She already ate. That's why she's full. Lara turn towards me. Apologetic. "I'm sorry about him."
I let out a small breath. "He's right. I'm just an outsider. Don't worry. I'll leave soon."
"Estelle…"
I didn't answer.
I changed into the spare clothes Lara gave me and lay down.
Sleep came faster than I expected.
—
I was standing somewhere unfamiliar.
The air felt cold.
An old building stood in front of me — abandoned, covered in vandalism, as if it had been forgotten for decades. Windows shattered. Walls cracked.
Something pulled me inside.
There was a mark on one of the walls. A strange symbol I couldn't recognize.
Then I heard it.
"Help me… Estelle."
My heart stopped.
That voice.
Aysel.
I jolted awake, gasping. My heart was pounding so hard it hurt. Sweat clung to my skin.
Was it a nightmare?
Or something else?
It felt too real.
Like she was calling me.
"Hey."
I looked up. Lara was standing by the door.
"Did you have a nightmare? You're sweating."
"Nothing."
"It's fine if you don't want to tell me."
Silence filled the room.
She leaned against the wall and spoke softly.
"I used to read poetry when I couldn't sleep."
I didn't respond, but she continued anyway.
"One of my favorites says, 'If you find darkness in your heart after you've sinned, then know that there is still light inside you — and because of that light, you can feel the darkness.'"
I stared at the moonlight spilling across the floor.
"…You'll understand someday," she said.
And for the first time in a long while, I wondered —
Maybe I'm not completely empty after all.