Doctor Demon

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....

Jina, Junho and Minki were on the terrace of the penthouse. Minki sat next to Jina while Junho sat on her other side. Junho carefully listened to the whole story about how Minki was killed and now that he had completed his work, he needed guidance on what to do.

"Hmm," Junho nodded. "To be honest, if his last wish has been fulfilled, then he really should be moving on."

Minki was confused. "Moving on?" he asked.

"Old man, Minki doesn't understand what that means," Jina interpreted. "Can you tell him?"

Even though Junho could not see Minki, the ghost could listen to the old man clearly. Junho cleared his throat and began to explain.

"Moving on means that you can go to the Afterlife," Junho said in a gentle tone. "The place where people go after they pass away. I know that maybe you'd want to stay here with your friends but do remember one thing. Your friends will grow up and start to live their own lives one day. They'll have friends, families and do their own work. You'll remain in their memories but they won't be able to see you nor hear you. If you choose to stay now, then you'll only feel sad over it. While they'll grow older, you'll remain in this state for eternity. Take our advice and move on."

Minki was scared and gripped Jina's arm. The latter patted his palm to reassure him.

"Minki, grandpa is correct," she told him. "I know you're scared but that's okay. Everyone is scared to know what comes after death. We are scared as well. But trust me when I say that seeing everyone move far away from you will be scarier. Haeji will grow up one day and have her own life. Your culprits have been punished. I know you might have had many aspirations and your life was cruelly taken away from you. But if you move on to the next phase, you'll be at a better place far away from all the bad people. And it will be peaceful there."

"But...I won't be able to come back!" Minki said in a sad tone. "What if it's a scary place?"

"I can't tell," Jina admitted sadly. "But you're a good soul. You'll be in good hands, I'm sure of it."

From Jina's tone, Junho could tell that the kid was scared to move on. He did not blame the child; even grown ups were afraid of death.

"Minki," he began. "Don't you worry at all. Your loved ones here will remember you for your bravery. As long as they remember you, you'll be happy and at peace. Here, you'll feel very lonely and isolated. Even if Jina can see you, there'll be an empty void. It'll not be the same as being around people of your age."

"What if they forget me?" Minki asked Jina.

"We'll remember you for sure!" Jina said. "And I'm sure Haeji will remember you as well. She might not be able to see you but she'll definitely remember you."

She patted his head in a gentle manner. The boy was conflicted but it was the best they could do. If he stayed back, he would only hurt himself more and that was worse than death. 

Minki thought about the time he was on the street when no one could see or hear him. He was never ignored like that when he was alive and that moment was very scary for him. People passed by him, not even sparing a glance at the little ghost who was trying to get their attention. They felt like aliens to him and he did not belong in their world. Even now, he felt that he was stuck between two worlds, not here nor there. He remained in an unending limbo with no escape.

"I'll...I'll move on," he finally said. "I don't know what's gonna happen to me but I'll move on to this Afterlife place you're talking about. It might be scary but at least I'll belong somewhere and not be stuck in between two worlds."

Jina smiled. She turned to her grandfather and whispered, "He's ready."

"Would you like to leave now or do you need some time?" Jina asked. She expected the ghost to say he wanted time but Minki shook his head.

"I want to leave now," he said, trying to sound brave. "If I delay, I might not wanna leave. Can you help me leave now?"

Jina expressed his request to Junho. The old man nodded and said, "Wait here then."

He went back inside and emerged a few minutes later with a vial of holy water. 

"What's he going to do?" Minki asked, feeling hesitant.

"He's going to purify you with some holy water and then you'll be able to move on," Jina explained. "My grandfather is a skilled exorcist. He has done this many times."

"W-Why can't you do it?" Minki stammered. "You can see ghosts, right?"

"Seers like me will fall weak if we try exorcism," Jina revealed. "It's too risky for us because of our overwhelming abilities. Which is why only an exorcist or shaman can purify souls."

"Tell him to stand in front of me," Junho ordered. Jina nudged Minki. The boy trembled a little but went to stand in front of the old man who was smiling.

"He's standing on the spot," Jina informed her grandfather. "He's scared."

"It'll be okay," Junho told the boy. "Don't worry at all."

With that, he sprinkled some holy water in the direction where Minki stood and muttered under his breath.

"Oh you who seek release from your earthly bounds, purify your soul and ascend to your fate," he chanted. Junho repeated the chant three times, still sprinkling the water on the boy.

A light began to erupt from within Minki's heart. He was startled but to his surprise, it did not hurt. On the contrary, it was a pleasant feeling as if he was really happy and satisfied. The light was growing brighter until it engulfed his entire body. 

Jina watched as the boy turned around to wave her goodbye.

"Thank you…" he said. His voice was hollow and he was starting to disappear, fading until he was completely gone. They stood there for a while, silently praying for the child.

"He's in a better place now," Junho said. He looked at Jina who was crying a little.

"What happened?" he asked, startled by her tears.

"Nothing," she sighed. "I just remembered Shinho."

She looked up at the sun, remembering the day Junho had heeded to his request and helped him to move on.

"He's probably up there in the sky now, huh?" she asked.

Junho was silent for a while before replying, "Who knows? Sometimes fate works in the strangest ways."

He patted his granddaughter's head in an attempt to comfort her. "Let's go in," he said. "Yoonmin has a crush on a girl and we want to pester him about it!"

Jina shook her head in dismay. Sometimes she wondered who was the kid in the family and who was the adult. 

"I'll join you in a while," she said with a smile. Junho nodded and went back inside to continue his childish feud with the twins. Jina stood there for a while, staring at the spot where Minki had disappeared. She then took out her phone and texted Hobin.

"It's done," Jina wrote. "Minki's soul has been released."