The Strange Record of Lee Hwan: Days Until Graduation
Chapter Title: The Alley Whisper
Several days had passed. Graduation day had finally arrived. The graduation project had been submitted safely, and the professor’s praise still rang in her ears. It was enough to make her stand out among her classmates… She hoped so. It had also been the last exam of the term. Only the graduation ceremony remained now. Most students about to graduate were already rejoicing at the thought of finally escaping school life, while others had already begun their internship. Was the scene so different from the final year of middle or high school? Finally stepping out of the student’s role and into society as a working adult… It was cause for joy, of course, but also for worry. That was only natural. Meanwhile, Hyesu herself had originally been reaching the time to start looking for a job, but sadly her condition had worsened even further than before. She was still tormented by those terrible nightmares. No matter how often she was violated in her dreams, there was still nothing she could do about it. It had been over a month now since she had started suffering like this. She had become completely lifeless, like a corpse. She had no idea how worried her friends were. Even the professor had been worried. Every time, Hyesu would tell them she was fine. After all, the hospital had found no abnormalities. They had only said it might be exhaustion. In the end, the only advice she had received was to visit a psychiatric ward once, and nowhere else. Her body was fine. If something were wrong, it had to be her mind, yet she could never bring herself to enter a mental hospital. She felt like she was going crazy. How was she supposed to explain the nightmares she had every single day? It was too embarrassing. Even in this awakened state, she could still feel that vivid sensation. The horrible tentacles still wrapped around her body and rubbed lewdly against her. Ah! It was so disgusting. Revulsive. She didn’t want to tell anyone about this situation. Not even her close friend. She hadn’t wanted to. Especially not her parents. She had received a call from them after a long time. They must have been worried too, knowing that graduation was approaching. After all, they had to worry about employment. In fact, she had told them she was quitting art during the summer break. No matter how hard she tried, she knew she couldn’t compete with those people who had been born with talent. After long deliberation, she had made her decision. Naturally, her parents had been a little shocked. They already knew how much effort Hyesu had put in. She had entered the university of her choice and was now about to graduate, yet she wanted to quit suddenly? If anything, they seemed even more regretful, but they hadn’t said anything. After all, they knew how much she had tried. Now this life was entirely Hyesu’s own. She had even said she would look for a job in something related to art, not art itself. They hadn’t reacted much at the time, but now that graduation was nearing, they must be more worried. In any case, she was about to leave the shared apartment soon too. Yes, when she returned to her parents’ house, her body would naturally recover, wouldn’t it? Then she would gradually start looking for a job. Ah! And she could even work part-time. Anyway, right now she wanted to rest more than anything else. Yes, she wanted to rest. But the department was holding a graduation party tonight. Since it was the last one… Hyesu couldn’t refuse to spend her final party with her friends. Jia had worried, but Hyesu didn’t want to spend it cooped up at home either. ‘It’s better to forget everything and have fun. The body might recover.’ Yes, staying depressed at home was worse. For a short while, forgetting everything and enjoying time with her friends might be okay. Of course, she still had a lingering cold. //////// The graduation party continued late into the night. Hyesu had drunk alcohol non-stop for the first time in a long time. She had done it to relieve the stress. She quickly became drunk enough to lose consciousness. Yet the night with her department friends had been more enjoyable than she thought. At first she had been a little worried, but it turned out to be even better, and she had completely forgotten any worries or concerns. Especially since she might never see them again like this. Some friends had already found jobs, some hadn’t, and others were about to graduate and enter the army. It wouldn’t be easy to meet like this again, so she wanted to enjoy tonight without a single care in the world. Hyesu had let all her worries go. She had laughed and chatted with her friends for a long time. They had passed midnight. The last subway had already left, and on graduation day so many students were waiting for taxis that it would have been faster to walk. Yes, she would walk. She thought it would also help sober her up. She changed direction and headed home. Between the cold wind, the drunkenness she had felt earlier seemed to clear a little. It wasn’t that cold today. It had even started snowing. The first snow of the year fell faster than she expected. She walked while watching the snowflakes. Thankfully, she soon neared home. And she reached that alley that might be her last. Same as always. This place was quieter than anywhere else. As if she were leaving another world… Even the broken streetlights remained unrepaired, making it even darker. When she reached the end, the same uncomfortable feeling she always felt washed over her. Her body violently rejected it. She prayed not to enter that alley. But… if she turned back now, she would have to go all the way around again, and she didn’t want to. At some point, the snow was falling heavily. Her body shivered and grew cold, so the only thought in her mind was to get home quickly. ‘Never mind. I’ve made it this far.’ Finally, she stepped into the alley. Yes, what could possibly happen? She had been walking this path for four years already. Especially since she still had some alcohol left in her system? A strange courage appeared out of nowhere. Hyesu gathered her courage and entered the alley. Inside the alley it was still quiet. It looked like no one lived there. No lights shone between the houses and villas lined on both sides. Were they all asleep? Checking her phone clock, it was already past one in the morning. But how were there still no lights at all… The deeper the anxiety grew, the more cautious her steps became. One step… one step… She advanced carefully. Her mouth suddenly felt dry. Yet the end of the alley gradually came into view. A faint streetlight light beyond it brought a sense of relief. Thank goodness. Hyesu thought so and put a little more strength into her steps. She wanted to leave this place as soon as possible. Her steps quickened. Thud, thud… She was getting closer and closer to the end of the alley. The streetlight at the end seemed to approach too. So just a little more… Yes, just a little more and she would forever leave this alley behind. As that feeling of relief grew, her wildly beating heart began to calm. At the end of the alley, beneath the pouring light, the snowflakes falling heavily, Hyesu let out a relieved sigh of relief. At that moment. Suddenly, a rough hand grabbed her shoulder roughly! //////// -Gwoeyi- Again. It began to caress her body. Sizzle… It forcibly tore her clothes again. And then it tried to devour her flesh. It was like a starving beast. It got aroused without warning and tried to take her. That desire was like an unquenchable fire. Sadly, Hyesu could not resist. Yes, she knew. She had given up resisting from the beginning. She only hoped this time would end quickly. Sticky and wet tentacles swept over her body like caresses. “Ah…” A lewd moan escaped her lips. It was so tender. As if forcing his sticky saliva onto her body. Because of that saliva, Hyesu’s body was becoming more and more sensitive. Ah! She felt excitement more easily. In the end, Hyesu felt her body growing hot. Ah… Aaaaa… Lustful moans burst out. Soon her body twisted and writhed. Her hot breath puffed from her lips, and soon another tentacle approached and wrapped her body even more tightly. Her legs, waist, hands, even her neck. Twitching and moving, leaving his marks all over her body. Hyesu accepted everything while slumped over.