Everyone knew about Daehyun…or at least, they acknowledged who he was. He was the chairman’s son who worked in the children’s ward. I’ve never seen him before and I never thought I’d meet him in the emergency room of all places.

I’m months away from becoming a permanent resident here at Samsung Medical Center, and I’m technically the head psychiatrist in charge since my superior is weeks from retirement.

My assistant Minjoon came running to me frantically when the emergency room patients filed in; normally they would get kids with abnormally high fevers, a few broken bones, and a few elderly people with upset stomachs. There would occasionally be a few car accident patients––once, I even saw them wheel in a man with his arm hanging on by a tendon. That’s just the reality of hospitals.

“Chaeyeon! The emergency room needs you to take a look at someone.”

Why?

“There’s a kid in there profusely bleeding out of his wrists. The paramedics reported that he tried to kill himself! They don’t know much about him but his name is Do Kyungchul, a senior in high school. A fellow classmate found him in a music room.”

Of course, I rushed into the emergency ward––and there I saw Kyungchul, a pale and thin boy. I found it hard to believe he was 18 years old; he was small for his age. There was also another person I didn’t recognize standing in front of Kyungchul’s bed. For a second, I thought he was a transfer from another department, but upon reading his name tag, I knew instantly that he was Oh Daehyun.   

I’ve heard many things circulating the hospital. I didn’t know if they were true or not, but I never believe rumors, no matter how realistic they may seem––not unless the truth itself emerges from the subject.

But Daehyun stood there quietly with a clipboard in hand. Why was he so nervous? First day jitters? He’s new in this department; he’s never worked in the emergency room before, and going from the children’s ward to this was a huge jump. I thought that maybe he was a little taken aback by how chaotic the emergency center really was.

I finished up the diagnosis before Daehyun did and even scheduled a consultation date with Kyungchul, but the tense Dr. Oh who stood behind me collapsed before the patient did.

Minjoon struggled quite a bit to carry Daehyun out of the emergency ward. He laid the chairman’s son down on a bed in our office and made a quick call.

“Chairman Oh? It’s Dr. Kim Minjoon...”

“Yes, Minjoon?”

“I’m afraid Daehyun collapsed in the emergency room. He’s under the psychology department right now, resting. I just thought you should know.”

There was a short pause followed by a quiet grumble. “Alright, send him to my room when he’s awake.”

I stood by Daehyun’s side and took his pulse. “Minjoon, he’s in distress,” I said. “His heart rate is really fast and look how pale he’s gotten! Why is he in a cold sweat?”

Minjoon put the phone down. “Do you…think the rumors are true?”

I stole a glance at the sleeping beauty and pressed my lips into a firm line. “You never know… We shouldn’t depend on what others are saying about him. The only person who knows the truth is Daehyun,” I mumbled. “Even if they are…why doesn’t he get treated?”

Minjoon nodded. “Some people don’t like talking about their problems,” he said. Then he sighed and shook his head. “The thing is…when people put off their troubles, the worst can’t be fixed.”

I thought about the countless rumors that permeated through the hospital walls. “Let’s say Daehyun is afraid of death…hypothetically speaking…”

“What about it?”

“If the rumors surrounding his relationship with his father are true, that may add to the reason why he doesn’t tell anyone about himself,” I said. “I’m not sure where this one originated but they say that his father doesn’t believe in his phobia.”

“Really?”

“Apparently, he tried to talk to his father about it before and all the chairman did was tell him that it was nonsense.” I took a seat on a bar stool and put an IV in Daehyun’s arm. “The chairman told him off for it and in the end, he told Daehyun he was an idiot for believing in phobias,” I said quietly. “It’s a shame that some normal beings don’t believe in our kind because those with permanent fears are so rare…”

Minjoon blinked a few times. “Ch-Chaeyeon…do you have a phobia?”

“That’s for me to know and you to wonder.”

-----

Soon enough, Minjoon went off to a meeting and Daehyun woke up from his nap. I saw him walk out of my office with someone he worked with on my way back. I’m not going to lie––I was a bit disheartened by his sudden departure since I had two coffees in hand. I wanted to talk to him, but I guess today wasn’t the day.

I set the extra cup of coffee down on Minjoon’s desk and left to meet a VIP patient who was a few floors away. I left in a hurry but I sure didn’t miss the little note Daehyun left behind.

I appreciate what you did… but I wish I knew the name and face behind that beautiful voice.

I chuckled and shook my head. Sure, there were others working in the psychology ward, but couldn’t he assume that I was Chaeyeon? Being that the desk right next to where he rested held a glass nameplate with my identity on it.

I walked down the halls with my hands in my pocket.

“Oh, Daehyun...”