Circles. Sweat and circles. Sumi awoke panting. Her eyes scanned the room. The bright yellow wallpaper blinded her. She winced in pain.

What is this place?

Her eyes scanned for familiarity. Small TV in the corner, white coat hanging near the door, packed boxes against a wall, the green futon couch she laid on.

This is… But how?

Then, it hit her again. Sumi crouched over in pain. Grinding and whispering filled her brain. Crush. Crush. Crush.

No! Leave me alone! Get out of me! Get out of me! No!

“Oh good, you’re up,” someone said. Sumi jerked her head upwards. A tall man stood in the kitchen doorway. Sumi froze hard.

“Who are you?” she asked.

“I’m Phil, the flat manager,” he said. Sumi blinked at him.

“How did I get in my apartment?” she asked.

“I found you passed out in front of your door when I was doing my nightly watch. I unlocked your door and got you inside. I just came in to check on you.” The girl sat there and pondered her scenario. But then, she paused.

“Do you smell burning?” the child asked. The manager shook his head.

“No,” he said. Sumi sat up and smelt around.

“Something is burning!” she said. “I can smell it!”

“I don’t smell anything,” he said. Then, it struck her again. The pain in her head grew worse than it was a few minutes ago. She gasped aloud.

“Sumi, what’s wrong?” Phil asked.

So… cold… Scratch. Scratch. Scratch. The smell of burning grew worse and worse. Her pain drummed louder.

Let me go! Let me go!

And then the speeding. Oh god, the speeding. All clawing in her head.

Scratch! Scratch! Scratch! Sumi leapt up and raced to the bathroom.

“Sumi?” the manager asked.

“Stay away!” the girl cried. “Stay away!”

“But Sumi…” he said.

“Go away!” she screamed. “Just get out!” The manager sat by the bathroom door. Cool water ran from the faucet. Sumi took in hard breaths.

Don’t let him take you! Fight back. Block it out.

“It’s too late for that, love!”

Sumi’s eyes drew wide open.

No! Noooo!

A terrible beauty was born.