Page 46 of Scarbound

“He didn’t.

“When I saw him, I knew.”

Dr. Kim didn’t interrupt.

“His eyes…” Noeul whispered. “They weren’t focused. I’d seen him like that before… but this time he scared me.

“He turned to me and asked, ‘Where’s Ji-Woo?’

“I told him Ji-Woo was right there.

“But Gong kept staring at him.

“He said…”

Noeul swallowed.

“‘That’s not Ji-Woo.’”

Noeul rubbed his hands together. “He said someone had taken Ji-Woo’s place.

“He thought…” He hesitated before continuing. “He thought Ji-Woo wanted to take me away from him.”

“What did you do?” Dr. Kim asked.

“I tried to convince him he was wrong. I kept telling him…

“‘He’s our brother.’

“He wouldn’t listen.

“When Ji-Woo realized something was happening, he looked up from the game. He asked what was going on.

“I told him everything was fine.

“It wasn’t.

“Gong suddenly rushed toward him.

“I didn’t think. I just moved. I stood between them.”

His breathing became heavier.

“He kept shouting…

“‘Move.’

“‘I have to stop him.’

“He really believed Ji-Woo wasn’t Ji-Woo anymore.

“I tried to hold him back, but he was stronger than me.

“Then Ji-Woo grabbed onto my back. He was shaking.

“And you?” Dr. Kim asked gently. “Were you afraid?”

Noeul looked at her, almost surprised by the question. “I didn’t have time to be.”