Shadow in the Dark

The subway was crowded with people. Kim Min-jun leaned against the window and closed his tired eyes. The last train of the city, running through the darkness, was transporting weary city dwellers home. That day, the subway seemed to move unusually slowly, while busy people busied themselves with their tasks. However, an inexplicable sense of unease took residence in Min-jun's heart.

To shake off the lethargy, he took out his phone. Suddenly, a story he had heard in an online community came to mind. It was said that entering a specific section of the subway led to strange experiences where time felt as if it had stopped. Passengers who exited that section reported feeling confused about what time it was.

He shook his head and looked out the window again. Beyond the glass, the dark tunnel walls were stained with what looked like spilled paint, and the shapes oddly resembled limbs. Feeling his fingertips grow cold, Min-jun closed his eyes again, but he couldn't shake the sensation of the hair on the back of his neck standing up.

When the subway stopped at an empty station, a few passengers got off, leaving the car somewhat less crowded. The chatter of people quieted, and an awkward silence filled the carriage. Min-jun shivered briefly at the sudden weight of the silence. Suddenly, his attention was caught by his blurry reflection on the floor. It seemed as though the shadow was beckoning him with a small gesture.

His breath caught in his throat. Trying to comfort himself that it was just a dream, he checked his phone again. However, the clock on the screen remained stuck in the same position, not changing its numbers quickly. The people around him were also staring at their phone screens, displaying faces of panic.

Even when the subway started moving again, Min-jun couldn't shake the strange feeling that the shadow was still following him. Anxiety thickened as he lost his grip on the handrail. When he glanced back at the shadow, it was no longer beneath his feet but was now attached to the ceiling, looking down at him.

Min-jun was thrown into a panic and stumbled backward, turning around. Other passengers began to murmur, as if they had seen something too. At that moment, the subway suddenly shook, and a frightening phenomenon occurred as the shadow on the floor seemed to rise. A chilling presence wrapped around his wrist, making it impossible for his heart to beat.

Ultimately, Min-jun struggled to escape the shadow's grip and got off at the next station. He felt a comedic chill along with the thud of his footsteps. However, the shadow remained on the train, disappearing with it.

He stepped outside the station, where a soft light caressed his face. Turning back, he was met with an ordinary view of the city at night. Everything seemed tranquil, but his heart felt anything but settled.

The next day, Min-jun decided to record his experience. He turned on the recorder and suddenly felt a chill run through him as he heard his own voice back. Recorded in his voice was something familiar yet strange. "Still trapped in the shadow," it echoed, and something spread between the words, pointing a finger.