**The Grave Beneath**
Prompt: NCT U FanFiction: The Grave Beneath
The rain drizzled lightly, blurring the neon lights of the city and washing away the remnants of the day. A young woman named Suki stood at the edge of a cemetery, her heart heavy with uncertainty. She had always been the type to avoid places like this, but today, drawn by an inexplicable force, she needed to confront the whispers of the past.
Just a week ago, she had received a mysterious message on her phone: "Meet me where the shadows fall." It was signed only with a single letter—J. There was something familiar about that letter, something that stirred memories she had tried to bury. But as the rain began to fall harder, Suki pushed those thoughts aside and crossed the wrought iron gates.
The world around her was surreal. Each step felt like a trek through time, with the whispered echoes of long-gone lives fluttering around her. As she wandered deeper into the grounds, the silhouette of a figure caught her eye. Drenched in the darkness, it seemed to be waiting at an old grave, illuminated only by the flickering light of a nearby streetlamp.
As she approached, her breath caught in her throat. It was Jaehyun, the boy she once knew from school, one who had slipped away from life too soon, leaving nothing but a tragic headline and a hole in many hearts. His features were shrouded in shadow, and she almost turned to leave when he suddenly turned towards her. The rain had washed away the past, but the pain remained etched in their eyes.
"You came," he said softly, his voice tinged with disbelief. The moment drove a shard of longing through Suki, a mix of sorrow and joy at seeing him again, though in an unimaginable place.
"Jaehyun," she whispered, her heart racing. "I saw your grave—what is happening? How are you here?"
He took a step closer, the rain soaking his hair and clothes, but his presence felt warm, like the first rays of sunlight after a storm. "Suki, I’ve been waiting for you. There's something important I need to show you."
Before her heart could protest, he extended his hand. Hesitantly, she took it, feeling the coldness of the rain against her skin but warmth in the contact that sent a shiver through her. It felt surreal, like stepping into a world where the lines between life and death blurred.
They moved through the graveyard, past tombstones and memories, until they reached a secluded area surrounded by forgotten flowers. There, in the dim light, an old tree stood gnarled and twisted, roots reaching down as if grasping for life.
"This tree," he said, his voice pulling her back into a forgotten time. "It knows everything. You have to listen closely."
Confusion washed over Suki. "What do you mean?"
“Sometimes when people die, their souls linger, unable to find peace. This tree keeps the secrets of those who were wronged, those whose voices were never heard." He leaned against the trunk, eyes scanning the horizon like a guardian of memories. "The night I left, I learned something terrible. Something that needed to be revealed."
As the wind picked up, Suki felt a chill run down her spine. "What do you mean? What happened that night?"
Jaehyun stepped closer, lowering his voice as if the shadows themselves were listening. "It was not an accident. I overheard things that night, things that can never be forgotten. Powerful people were involved, and they wanted to silence me. I couldn't let that happen, so I tried to warn someone…"
Suki's heart raced. She remembered that night all too clearly—the frantic phone calls, the crashed car, the news of his death that shattered their world. "And then… you were gone."
"I need your help, Suki," he urged. "You must uncover the truth. The grave beneath holds the key. You’re the only one who can do it."
She blinked, trying to process his words. "But how? I don’t even know where to start."
“Follow the clues,” he insisted, his grip on her hand tightening. “The people involved are still out there, and they have memories they’ve buried, too. You must find the truth to bring peace—not just for me, but for everyone.”
As she looked into his eyes, she saw the pain, the pleading, and an unwavering hope that resonated within her. The past needed closure, and as strange as it was, she felt a responsibility to fulfill his wish. “Okay,” she nodded, determination igniting within her.
“Good,” he said softly, a smile breaking through his somber demeanor. “But be careful. The closer you get to the truth, the more dangerous it will become.”
With that, the wind tousled her hair, and she heard a nightingale sing in the distance. A sudden warmth enveloped Suki, and before she knew it, Jaehyun's form began to flicker, his edges blurred like the fading light of dusk.
“No! Don’t go!” she cried out, grasping at the air.
“Remember, Suki,” he said, his voice echoing as if carried by the wind. “You’re not alone. Look beneath the surface—I’ll always be with you.”
As the last vestige of his presence melted away, Suki found herself alone in the cemetery, the rain now a gentle patter against the leaves. She touched the old tree, her heart aching for the boy who had been both a friend and a ghost. Steeling herself, she made her way back through the graveyard, feeling as though a door had opened inside her.
With every step, she felt a renewed purpose. Jaehyun’s spirit had awakened something deep within her. The journey to uncover the truth awaited—she would not only seek justice for him but also for a world that had turned a blind eye. The grave beneath had whispered secrets meant to be uncovered, and she was ready to face whatever shadows lay ahead.
