Chapter 1
Author's POV
The night was quiet, except for the soft ticking of the clock beside Sofia's bed. She tossed and turned under her blanket, sweat forming on her forehead.
The nightmare had returned-like it always did. Flashes of blood, a scream, and a pair of lifeless eyes haunted her dreams. Her breath came out shaky as she sat up, clutching her chest.
Without a second thought, Sofia grabbed her phone and called the one person who always brought her comfort-her dad.
"Appa..." Her voice was trembling.
"Again?" he asked softly, already knowing what she was going through. His voice was calm, steady.
Then her father cuts the call and came to her room ,and slowly approaches towards the bed.
She said,"I can't sleep."
"Close your eyes, baby. I'm here. Just breathe with me." His voice was like a lullaby, and somehow, slowly, Sofia drifted back to sleep.
---
Morning light peeked through the curtains, and a soft meow stirred her awake. Luise, her fluffy white cat, gently pawed at her face, insisting it was time to get up.
"Alright, alright," she mumbled with a yawn, sitting up and stretching. She picked up Luise in her arms and made her way downstairs.
The smell of eggs and toast filled the air. Her mother was already in the kitchen, moving silently between the stove and counter, not even looking up when Sofia entered.
"Morning," Sofia said, but received only a nod in return.
Her mom had always been like that-cold, distant. But she was chill towards Sofia's younger brother, Soobin.
But Soobin didn't seem to care. He never chased their mother's love. The only person he ever truly listened to was Sofia.
As Sofia sat at the table with Luise in her lap, Soobin appeared in the doorway, rubbing sleep from his eyes.
"Noona," he said quietly, walking over to her.
"Sleep well?" she asked, brushing his hair aside.
He nodded. "Nightmare again?"
She smiled faintly, not needing to answer. He already knew.
She asked,"how u know?"
He smiled and looked at me,"I heard u screaming."
She looked down at her lap.
But soobin caress her back and said,"it'll be okay noona"
She smiled at him
Their mom came with two plate and served them silently.but soobin felt a annoyed by this and said,"what's up to you!?why ur behaving like this!?" he said in a rude tone.
She kicked him under the table,"soobin behave yourself !"
Then replied,"no!just look why she-"she cutted his sentence .
"Soobin!" She said while getting angry.
Mom left us alone there and went upstairs.
Sofia and soobin was silently eating,but soobin broke silent.
"Why u always shout at me for her?"
She glared at him and said,"bcz she she is our mother.you can't act like this with her!"
Then he stopped and said in alow tone,"sorry."
"Don't sorry to me ,go to mom!"she said .
They both went to our place after having our breakfast.
Sofia's POV
I came to my room and heared the thud noise of the door.soobing is gone for work.Thought today is holiday. but he is doing a part time job.which I hate the most ,seeing him doing work.its not like we are running out of money.Dad is a CEO.and also I am a detective. Mom is doctor.but soobin said he is doing this as a hobby.well I am happy with what he'll be happy with.
I went to downstairs and shouted,"Mom I am going to Linda's cafe!I'll be little late.dont wait!"
She hummed in response.
I pulled out my car ley and sat on my car and went straight to my bestfriend's cafe.
I entered the cafe and saw her already waiting for me.yeah it's bcz today we are going for shopping.
"Yah!you're late today!"linda said with a grumpy look.
I smiled at her and said,"aww baby I see ur angry today,what's with that mood huh?"
She came towards me,"I am on my fucking period!"
I remained silent and said,"Okay miss!shall we go now?"
We both went for shopping .we had so much time there.we bought books,some products and Linda was the kind of friend who could make even the heaviest heart feel lighter, even if just for a while.
I smiled as we walked back to her place, hands full of shopping bags and hearts full of small joys.
"See you tomorrow!" Linda waved before leaving at the gate.
I walked up the steps and pushed open the front door, humming softly to myself. But before I could take another step, Soobin came running from the hallway.
"Noona!" he shouted, eyes wide with panic.
Before i could ask what was wrong, he reached up and cupped his hands tightly over my ears.
And then i heard it-muffled but sharp. Our parents were arguing. Again.
I froze, my body tense. Even with Soobin's hands over my ears, i could feel the vibration of the yelling in my bones. The words were unclear, but the anger was loud enough to shatter my calm.
I hated this. I hated shouting.
Author's POV
Memories rushed in like cold waves-hiding under the table as a little girl, covering her ears the same way Soobin did now. Her father's voice raised in frustration, her mother's colder than ice. The trauma had never really left her.
...She knelt down, pulling Soobin into a hug.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice shaking slightly.
But Soobin knew. He could see it in her trembling hands, the way her eyes avoided the hallway, the way her breath was starting to quicken.
Without a word, he gently took her hand and led her upstairs.
They didn't need to speak-he just knew.
Once in her room, he quietly closed the door behind them and locked it. The noise from downstairs became just a distant hum.
Sofia stood frozen in the middle of the room, trying to steady her breathing, but the panic was crawling up her throat.
Soobin wrapped his arms around her tightly.
"It's okay, noona," he whispered, his voice soft and steady. "I'm here."
She clutched the back of his shirt, eyes shut tight as the tears finally slipped down her cheeks. The anxiety washed over her like a storm, but Soobin held her like an anchor-quiet, strong, and unshakable.
And in that small room, far from the noise and pain downstairs, Sofia could finally breathe again.
Soobin then spoke,"it's done,their done.its okay now .look at me!"
She looked at him,"i-i-need-aa-appa-"I was shaking badly.
Soobin stood up and understood and went downstairs to call dad.
She was sitting alone like a helpless child.but then she heard a soft knock noise.she ran towards the door and opened it.
She saw her dad already standing there, she hugged him like koala.
"Why dad ?why? You promised me you will never do this!why!?she broke down into tears."
Her dad hugged her tightly while saying,"stop darling I can't see you crying look at look me,give last chance baby."
She looked at him then he kissed her forehead and called soobin .soobin came there and he hugged both of us .we snuggled into him.
Author's POV
After all those crazy shits I am finally feeling a little up now.i was scrolling my phone .and my boss called me .I answered his call.
"Miss Sofia?were you sleeping?"
I answered politely, "no sir,anything for help?"
He said in a low tone,"we got another case ,we need you now .can you come?"
I got a little stunned then answered back,"yes sir sure,can u plz send me the location?"
He replied,"it's so nice of you ,I am sending the location."
I answered, "yes sir."
He ended the call and I I the location and murmured to myself,"new case start, get back to yourself Sofia."
I got ready while wearing a black shirt and a black loose jeans with boots.and took all my necessities.
I pull out the car key.and stepped downstairs I opened the door slowly as everyone was sleeping but I heard a voice.
"Where are you going?"
I looked behind,"Mom?"
Mom came towards me,"a new case?"
I looked at her while saying,"yes"
She looked at me,"go safe."
I got a little stunned by her word.
And I left there for the location.
I hope you guys are enjoying plz don't forget to share this story with your friends.
Chapter two is coming soon♡♡
