Jung-Hwa and the Beiste

By A. E. Berbres

The monster is loose and it is time to run. But where will you run to?
"Straight into it's arms."

Will our heroes survi- jkjk this is a story about two dorks discovering each other and falling in love all while discussing consent and taking it very seriously~

Content warning: both characters have experienced abuse in the past, rape mention

• Language: English
• Publisher: A. E. Berbres
• Release date: Feb 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393567486

Book preview

Chapter 1

I STRETCH AND YAWN as I get up. My flat looks really nice after cleaning it, yesterday. Sure it's one room but what more can a person need.

I get up and lean left to look out the window, it seems to be a nice day, so I'm going to cook myself breakfast.

Ok... There's one thing that's negative about living in a one roomer. The smell of my fried bacon and eggs, sinks into my sheets.

I look at my bed and sigh lightly, getting up from my half finished breakfast. I take the sheets and hang them out on my balcony.

Please God, don't let them fall.

I didn't take you for being religious.

I inwardly punch myself and look to my left.

Good morning Mrs O'Donnelly.

Could I wave any more awkwardly?

Morning, I'm surprised you're here.

I laugh and knit my eyebrows Why?

Because you're an hour late.

oh no... Oh nonono.

I hastily put on my jacket and take the stairs, 4 steps at a time. My knees will hate me when I'm sixty.

I run out the door and immediately make a U-turn.

Good morning Sennacherib! Sorry I couldn't buy you breakfast. Clink.

Oh... That's fine, Daya dear. I'll make sure to put this to good use. He shakes his cup, lifting it and making the coins rattle. Where are you off to in such a hurry, anyways?

Daylight savings time. I shrug and book it down the street.

COME ON COME ON COMEONCOMEON. The traffic refuses to clear up. This might be the first day I risk a collision..... No.

I stamp my foot frantically.

Oh dearie, you young'uns must learn to slow down.

Mrs McKay. Good morning to you. I smile quickly and... opening, go.

Oh, Daya dear?

.....frick.

Yes? Smile, Daya, smile.

Could you help me carry my groceries home?

I wa-

Unless you're busy of course.

I sigh and smile, reaching my hands out.

... Of course not Mrs McKay. Here, let me take that bag from you. How are your grandchildren?

Oh fine. My dearest, Imeda is becoming a bit thinner though...

But what about her chubby cheeks?!

Yes I'll miss them too, but at least she's healthy.

AS SOON AS I'VE HELPED Mrs McKay, I nearly crash into the lamp post on the corner of my work.

Morning Frank.

Morning Daya. he chuckles so the whole construction platform shakes Sleeping in today?

Not according to my clock. I chuckle back and walk inside..... And there she is.

Reneé... Good morning. I try to smile but I can't help but feel guilty.

I see her frown at me and sigh, so I nervously chuckle Oh dear, I'm not going to like this, am I?

I'm sorry Daya but...

Mrs McKay needed help with her groceries again and I forgot to change the cloc-

Daya.

Her tone feels like a punch to the gut and my movements seize completely.

You know that you are very valuable to us...

Yes and I love working here, I feel like I'm truly making a difference!

But-

I gulp.

-Daya.... We can't have an employee who can't keep deadlines. I know. I know. You're helping people and they always need help. But Daya, this is not a sustainable business model.... I'm truly sorry.

I- I understand. I smile and get up Thank you for letting me have the opportunity. It was great working here. I bow slightly.

I can give you a letter of recommendation. But I'm afraid that's all I can do for you.

Thank you. I smile and turn, because the lump in my throat is growing bigger. If you could send it to my address, I would appreciate it. Goodbye.

Goodbye Daya, and good luck. I truly hope you find happiness.

Thank you. I close the door.

Ahoy Daya, break already?

Oh, hi Frank. I quickly wipe my tears.

Oye, you ok there, sonny?

Well no, but I will be fine.

What happened?

I got fired. I shrug.

Oh..

I chuckle nervously, feeling guilty.

But I will be fine, don't you worry, I'll get a new job soon!

That's the spirit! I'd offer you one but we're full, I'm sorry. He glances up to the people working above him, hammering at a steady pace.

That's very generous of you, Frank.

Good luck, Daya!

The same to you!

I'M WALKING SLOWLY, I can't keep up my fast pace. Just get home... If you get home, then you can cry.

Blasted light. I'm about to kick the pole but stop myself, I just sigh heavily.

Hello Daya dear, no work today?

Oh Mrs McKay! No. I chuckle and smile widely I got fired.

Oh no, it isn't because I had you help me, is it?

Of course not, it was going to happen regardless. Don't you worry.

Those bastards, I can give them a piece of my mind if you want me to!

That's not needed Mrs McKay. It was for good reasons.

Well.... If I hear of any job, then I shall let you know dearie.

Thank you.

Stay strong and good luck. She puts her hand on my elbow, because that's as high as she can reach comfortably.

Thank you, I'll try, good luck to you too.

I stop myself when walking away Do you need any more help?

No dearie.

Alright, good.

I walk away quicker than I would like to... I hope she doesn't take that the wrong way...

I TRY TO JUST NOD AT Sennacherib, because I really don't want to talk but-

Daya, what's wrong?

Oh nothing much Sennacherib. I won’t be able to buy you breakfast for a while.

What happened?

I got fired. I smile and shrug, as I hold both my arms, sort of hugging myself.

They're idiots.

No. No they're not.

Yes they are, they're missing out on someone as great as you!

I smile and try to blink away the tears. I'm going to head in.

Good luck Daya.

I drop the last of my change in his mug.

To you too.

FINALLY IN MY FLAT, I lock the door and the door to the balcony, I water my plants, clean out my breakfast, then promptly lay down in bed.

When I wake up, my pillow is still damp and I can see the faint wet outline of my eyes, nose and mouth. I laugh, my stomach grumbling. But I turn around in my bed and welcome the tears.

This fire burns every inch of me, it hurts horribly. God, what did I do to deserve this.

But all I can do is kill and destroy... So I shall.

I heard there's a wolf warning lately.

"Oh did you now?

Yes, better let farmer Dudarova know.

Yes, best.

Chapter 2

THE ROOM IS DARK, BOARDS covering parts of the window with curtains in front. The small bit of light that manages to come in, illuminates the empty spots of where my plants have been gifted away. Since I can't take care of them... A part of me misses them but then the thoughts come and they take over.

So I try drift off again. When I hear a ringing... I grab a pillow and throw it at the phone to silence it.

I'm trying to sleep. I grumble.

The eviction notice on the fridge stares into my soul, so I turn away.

And the peace only lasted that long because- BANG!

BRO! Where are you?!

I hear his loud springing footsteps, obnoxiously reminding me of his good health.

Mom and dad have been worried sick! He pulls off my covers.

Hey! It's cold!

Are you kidding me? I haven't smelled air this stagnant. since I was a teenager.

I can't help but chuckle slightly and respond;

¨Yeah, I'm surprised you survived.

I could say the same to you with this sta- NO!

I squint with one eye to see what upset him What?

Nipple squad has died!!

I look at my first victim, my succulent that my brother so lovingly called Nipple Squad.

Yeah,,,

If you let a plant die, then you're really messed up. And here I brought a ton of boxes, ready to take them with me.

You were going to save them from me?

"No, I'm gonna save you, from yourself."

Before I can respond, he pulls me up by one arm.

Ow! What's your deal??

My deal? Bro, I know you aint that stupid. He pulls out a pocket mirror and shoves it in my face. Look at yourself, you're a mess.

I know I am.... I thought brothers were supposed to accept each other for who they are.

He raises his left eyebrow and gives me a death stare.

I feel the guilt that has been in my heart, start to seep into my breathing.

I'm fine anyway, I've been eating. I put on my bath robe and walk over to the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee. In the reflection I see my brother look around at the bread bags that I haven't cleaned up.

Quickly he walks over to the window, opens the curtain and tears down the boards.

HEy- AAHH! the light blinds my eyes, making it even harder keep them open.

Bro.... You've literally become a vampire... No. Come here, we're going to Auntie's

What? No! I don't want to.

Stop sounding like a child, this is for your own good.

He's pushing me out the door so I put my hand on his shoulder to block him and look him square in the eyes.

Tomoko. No. Means. No.

His eyes flicker .... Alright. Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry.

He pulls away and starts scratching his head, playing with his hair You haven't talked to mom for weeks my dude, I'm the one who does that, not you.

Can't I be different for once?

You can... It's just, this. he gestures around my room This isn't healthy.

I don't let my emotions betray me and he sighs heavily.

Ok, you know what. I'm sorry. You're an adult. I'm gonna be in the neighbourhood if you need me, so just... Call? Ok? Please?

Ok.

He walks out and I close the door. I lean against it, all my energy is gone, until I hear a clink. I look down and he slides in the spare key I gave him... He gave it back. A shooting pain goes through my heart, no nononono, he's right. It's gone too far.

I hurriedly grab some random clothes and shove them into a bag and I run after him, still in my bath robe.

He looks at me with surprise on his face.

I catch my breath.

Ok. Take me to Auntie's.

He smiles brightly and gestures for me to get in. I sit down, in the front, settling into the familiar feeling and smell of his old Rustbucket. I turn to him, giving him the spare key back.