The theater wasn't packed, but it hummed with life. Soft chatter drifted through the room like warm air—friends comparing snacks, a couple speaking in hushed whispers near the back, someone laughing a little too loudly. The low buzz of anticipation filled the space, the kind of restless energy that comes just before the lights dim and the screen comes alive.

The movie hadn't started yet. They were early.

At that same moment, Park Soohee stepped off the bus in Seoul and stood frozen in place. All around her, skyscrapers stretched up into the sky in neat, glittering rows, as if each building was trying to outshine the next. The streets overflowed with people, all in a hurry, their eyes glued to their phones, their steps purposeful.

It was nothing like the quiet farms and earth-laden paths of Busan. This city—the heart of South Korea—felt like another dimension entirely.

"Wow..." she muttered, eyes wide. "Will I even survive a day here? If I had to live in Seoul one day... I don't think so..."

She spun once, trying to take it all in—and there it was.

The Lotte World Tower, soaring behind her like a glass needle piercing the sky. It almost seemed to beckon her, calling her name, daring her to step inside and see what lay beyond its magnificent walls.

Her small side bag clutched tight to her chest, Soohee forced herself to move forward, walking into the mall as if she were balancing on rocks across a river. Eyes followed her—she could feel it—but she couldn't tell if it was curiosity or simply the energy of the crowd. Either way, her heart raced.

"Oh my god! This place is so beautiful," she gasped aloud. Even her voice sounded small in a place so big.

The lobby spread like a palace hall before her, chandeliers dropping like frozen waterfalls from high above—hundreds of feet tall, dazzling to behold. Stands brimmed with pastries, trinkets, perfumes. Escalators crisscrossed in silver lines, guiding thousands into another world of luxury.A woman in a red suit, perfect and professional, guided visitors with a bright smile. Soohee walked toward her, nerves fluttering in her stomach.

"H-Hi! I need to go to the movie theater... Can you tell me where it is?" she asked shyly, afraid even of the answer.

"Of course!" the lady said warmly. "The theater is on the 122nd floor. You can take the elevator to your right. Just press 122, and you'll be there in no time."

Soohee blinked. One hundred and twenty-second floor.

Even the elevator ride promised a view she'd never imagined.

She made her way to the elevator, her thoughts spinning as wildly as the beauty around her. Next to her, a young woman and her daughter waited—the little girl about the same age as Soohee's youngest sister.

Her heart ached suddenly. She wished her sisters were here too, to see this magic. One day, she promised herself, she would bring them all here. One day, they would stand inside this tower with her—eyes just as wide, hearts just as full.

The elevator chimed open. BING! She stepped in alongside them.

"Are you here for the movie too?" the mother asked kindly.

Soohee nodded, smiling shyly. "Yes... it's my first time here."

"Oh? Welcome, then," the mother smiled. "Seoul can be a wonder."

The ride was smooth—eerily smooth for how fast they were rising.

122 floors. In mere seconds.

When the elevator doors opened again, she followed the mother and daughter into the entrance of the massive theater. A kind attendant guided her toward her seat: J7.

As she approached, she noticed two impossibly handsome men sitting in seats J5 and J6. One had sharp features, a lip piercing that caught the light, and an aura of casual toughness. The other, softer-faced, with longer hair and eyes full of curiosity.

"Uh—excuse me... can I get through?" she asked, voice barely over a whisper.

Both looked up, stunned like deer caught in headlights."Oh," said the pierced one, quickly standing. "Sorry about that."

The other stood too, smiling briefly as she stepped through and sat down. For a moment, her heart beat out of her chest. She had never sat next to such handsome strangers before. It felt like she'd walked into a drama scene—and somehow been cast as the lead.

The movie began, booming to life with explosions and action scenes.

Soohee had nothing to eat, and her stomach growled softly. She tried to ignore it and sink into the story, eyes glued to the screen, shoulders tense with excitement.

Then, a gentle voice beside her.

"Do you want some popcorn?"

She blinked, stunned. The soft-eyed man was holding out a cup towards her.

"M-Me?" she pointed at herself, unsure.

"Yeah," he chuckled. "It's caramel. You like sweets?"

She nodded quickly. "Yes, thank you so much," she said, bowing her head with gratitude."I'm Taehyung, by the way. Kim Taehyung."

She smiled. "I'm Park Soohee. From Busan."

"Ohh, Soohee. A pretty name," he said easily. "And this is my friend Jungkook," he added, elbowing the lip-pierced man, who grunted a half-hearted "hi" without taking his eyes off the screen.

For a moment, all was well.

Soohee felt, for the first time today, like she wasn't alone in a strange world.Until—A tremor.

Just a soft one. Barely anything. A vibration underfoot, like a sleeping creature shifting.

Taehyung paused, brow furrowed. "Did you feel that?"

Jungkook shrugged. "The subwoofer, maybe?"

The lights flickered briefly. Just a flash.

A few people stirred, but then—silence again. The movie continued. Soohee was still engrossed, munching popcorn mechanically, her eyes wide with childlike wonder.Then—A distant thud.

Somewhere deep in the structure. Muffled, but heavy. As if something... had moved. Shifted.Taehyung stiffened, fingers tightening around the cup.

Jungkook nudged him. "Relax, bro. It's a mall. Not a haunted house."

But for a breath, the air felt wrong.

Uneasy. Charged.

And then—just like everyone else who didn't want their night ruined—they looked away.The movie went on.

They cheered.They laughed.

And far beneath them, something shifted again.This time, unnoticed.Almost like the building was breathing. Waiting.

HELLO LOVELIES, PLEASE READ MY STORY, COMMENT ALL YOUR THOUGHTS, VOTE, FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS AMONG YOUR FRIENDS.

Add this little book to your reading list too.. Love yall....

Enjoy the Galley related to Chapter Three below...