Around Avery, the air was thick with tension; the quiet buzz of whispers echoed in her ears, but she struggled to piece together what was real and what was a fading nightmare. Her body was alive, yet her mind questioned its existence.

The man dressed like a Joseon dynasty physician leaned closer to Avery, his hands steady as he checked her pulse. “Her pulse is back,” he said calmly, a subtle smile touching his lips. “Her breathing has returned to normal. This truly is a miracle.” Avery’s eyes darted, confused—he was clearly a doctor, but why was he dressed like that? Was this some kind of play? She needed rest, medicine that would soothe her pain and lull her to peaceful sleep, the man reassured softly. “I’ll come back tomorrow to check on her,” he added.

The woman beside Avery bowed respectfully and said, “Thank you, physician.

"I knew he was a doctor.” Avery blinked, her thoughts racing. _Am I acting in a movie?_ she wondered. _But I never auditioned... I can’t be acting._ Then another thought knocked her senses—_Wait... did I travel back in time?_ In a sudden burst of energy, she sprang up quickly, but before she could steady herself, the stabbing pain returned sharply, forcing her to collapse.

The woman beside her caught her immediately. “Maya, you have to rest,” the woman said gently as she helped Avery lie down again. Avery’s mind spun—_Why is she calling me Maya?_ Her eyelids grew heavy, the world dimming around her. _No, I can’t sleep... what if these people are not who they seem?_ she thought desperately, struggling to keep her eyes open. But the exhaustion was stronger; sleep claimed her, dragging her into a deep, unsettling darkness

* * * *

Avery’s eyes fluttered open, but the sudden brightness of the room made her close them again, wincing as light flooded her senses. Slowly, she opened them once more, blinking as she took in her surroundings—an unfamiliar room bathed in soft daylight. A heavy sigh escaped her lips. _I’m still in this strange place,_ she thought sadly. _I thought I’d wake up at home._

Carefully, Avery sat up, the ache in her body reminding her of the ordeal she’d been through. Questions swirled in her mind—how did I get here? And, more importantly, how will I get home? Just then, the woman who had cared for her earlier entered the room, her eyes widening in surprise. “Maya, you’re up!” she exclaimed, rushing forward and wrapping Avery in a warm embrace.

Avery froze, taken aback. Who was this woman? And why was she calling her Maya? The woman’s voice cracked as she whispered, “I thought I was going to lose you,” tears spilling onto Avery’s shoulder. The woman pulled away after a moment, wiping her eyes. “I shouldn’t cry,” she murmured, forcing a smile. “You’re alive, and that’s all that matters.”

With a gentle kindness, she added, “I made breakfast for you. You must be starving since you haven’t eaten since yesterday.” Avery’s gaze remained fixed, unable to speak, as the woman moved to the corner of the room and brought back a steaming bowl of a thick, hearty soup.

This soup, Avery soon realized, was a traditional Joseon dynasty restorative broth—given to the injured to help regain strength. The rich, earthy aroma filled the air, but at the sight of its strange color and unfamiliar ingredients, Avery’s stomach churned violently, and she almost retched.

Avery’s face twisted in disgust as she stared at the bowl of steaming broth the woman placed gently before her. “What is this?” Avery asked sharply, pushing the bowl slightly away. “This is disgusting.”

The woman’s eyes softened with concern. “You need to take this to regain your strength,” she said firmly but kindly. “You’ve been through so much.”

“I don’t want to take anything,” Avery snapped, the frustration bubbling up inside her. The woman blinked, clearly surprised by the outburst. Avery’s heart pounded—not just from her wound but from the overwhelming confusion and fear gripping her. “I want to go home. I don’t want to be here.”

“Maya, what are you saying?” the woman’s voice trembled. “This is your home.”

“This is not my home!” Avery shot back, voice trembling with panic. “And stop calling me Maya. My name is Avery.”

The woman’s face crumpled in sorrow as she whispered, “My daughter has gone crazy.” The word “daughter” echoed sharply in Avery’s ears. Her mind raced. Despite not spending much quality time with her mother, Avery knew at this moment she’d recognize her. But then, a haze of distrust took hold. “What do you mean your daughter? I don’t know you. I’ve never met you in my life. Did you abduct me?” she demanded.

The woman hesitated, then said, “I need to call the physician. It seems you’ve woken up from the dead and started acting strange.” And with that, she left the room.

Avery sighed heavily, sinking back against the pillows as frustration washed over her. _What did I do to deserve this?_ she thought bitterly. _Why would these low-life people try to abduct the almighty Avery?_

Money—it was always about money, she realized. _They want something from me, right? Fine. I’ll give them what they want — but on my terms._

Avery's mind spun, torn between fear and determination, caught in a strange place that wasn’t hers. The name “Maya” haunted her, and the questions multiplied like shadows around her, threatening to drown her in their weight.

Avery slowly sat up, the dull ache in her body reminding her to be careful. Her thoughts immediately went to her face—had those people hurt her precious face as badly as they hurt her body? Driven by a mix of fear and curiosity, she stood up and began searching the room. Thanks to a stroke of luck, she spotted an old, wooden mirror resting against a wall.

A small, hopeful smile tugged at her lips as she reached for it, her fingers brushing over the smooth, worn wood. But as her eyes met the reflection in the glass, that smile vanished like a shadow at sunset. What stared back at her wasn’t Avery—the person she knew—but someone else entirely. A face unfamiliar yet strangely vivid stared back, eyes filled with confusion and a haunting emptiness.

Her breath caught in her throat, the weight of the surreal moment pressing down like a heavy fog. The mirror seemed like a portal, showing a version of her trapped between worlds. It was as if her identity was slipping away, replaced by this mysterious, haunting image. Every fragment of recognition vanished, leaving her alone with a reflection that screamed mystery and fear.

Avery’s heart hammered in her chest as she grappled with the mirror’s truth. Confusion twisted into panic—if this wasn’t her reflection, then who was she? Her hands trembled, and a cold sweat broke out across her skin. The room suddenly felt smaller, colder, as if the walls themselves whispered secrets she wasn’t meant to hear. A deep ache settled in her soul, the sense of losing herself terrifying and overwhelming.

Her mind raced, trying to piece together memories and identity, but everything felt fragile, like shards slipping through her fingers. Fear clutched tightly—was she trapped in someone else’s life? Was her real self fading away? The mirror had revealed something unthinkable; Avery was no longer sure who she truly was, and that unknown shadow staring back at her felt both alien and frighteningly familiar.

Avery finally gathered her strength and carefully rose, determination flickering through the weariness in her limbs. Stepping outside, her eyes widened in shock—this was no familiar street, no comforting corner of home. The surroundings were foreign, steeped in the quiet elegance of Joseon era architecture and busy townfolk clad in traditional hanbok. The air felt different, history alive in every stone and whisper.

As she walked unsteadily, people’s heads turned; some stared curiously, others whispered behind their hands, eyes fixed on her. Avery overheard murmurs calling her “the girl who came back from the dead.” Faces blurred past—curious, wary, and strange. Though she had written volumes about this period in history, living it was a whole different reality.

She looked down at her clothing and hands—her body wasn’t hers but that of someone living long ago. Panic and disbelief churned inside her. How did she end up trapped inside this other life? Could she find someone who would believe her truth, or help her unravel this impossible mystery? Every step felt heavier, caught between two worlds, desperate to find a way home while surviving this strange new existence.

Avery moved cautiously through the unfamiliar streets, feeling every eye on her as whispers trailed behind. She knew she couldn’t trust the strangers who eyed her with suspicion and doubt. Yet, she had to reach someone who could understand her impossible story and aid her escape from this trapped existence.

Her thoughts settled on finding a figure of authority—someone grounded in reason and power, like a police officer—hoping their position could grant her protection or even answers. But she understood this would be no easy task; the mindset of this era was rigid, and a young woman claiming such wild tales would be met with skepticism or worse.

Despite this, Avery resolved to seek out a police officer, believing that if she could convince just one person of her true predicament, it might open a path to uncovering the mystery of her body switch and return home. She would use all the knowledge and calm she had left to plead her case, aware that desperation alone wasn’t enough—she needed patience, wit, and courage in this strange new Joseon world.

Avery’s steps faltered as the name “Maya” echoed again in her ears, despite her efforts to ignore it. Confusion and frustration welled up inside her—why did everyone insist on calling her by this name? _I’m trapped in this body, yes, but I am not Maya._ She turned sharply and met the gaze of a young man whose expression brightened at seeing her.

He wore the striking attire of a Joseon royal guard: a deep blue jeonbok (a sleeveless long vest) richly embroidered with intricate gold patterns symbolizing authority and loyalty, layered over a white jeogori (jacket) with flowing sleeves. A black gat (traditional horsehair hat) crowned his head, secured tightly with a silk chin strap. A leather sword belt hugged his waist, from which hung a gleaming short sword, its polished hilt etched with fine designs. His stance was confident but warm, his eyes full of hope.

Avery sighed, wondering why so many eyes lingered on her with such intensity—as if to pierce through her soul. Was she truly that pitiful, or was there something about her presence in this strange body that commanded attention no matter where she went?

"Maya". Avery—felt her heart race as the man softly called her name again. Without hesitation, he closed the distance and embraced her tightly, a warmth and familiarity in his grasp that startled her. Avery struggled against the sudden contact, eyes flashing with anger and confusion. How dare this stranger hug her like they shared a secret bond? What kind of relationship did Maya have with him to provoke such intimate gestures out of nowhere?

“I thought I was going to lose you,” the man muttered, his voice thick with emotion as he held her close.

Fighting to free herself, Avery snapped, “Have you gone mad? Stop! I’m not Maya!” Her voice trembled with frustration, “How many damn times do I have to tell you all? My name is Avery, and I have no idea how I got here!”

The man’s eyes flickered with worry. “Your mother said you woke up speaking nonsense. Have you lost your memory?” He gripped her arm gently but firmly, trying to steady her.

With a violent push, Avery broke free. “I’m not mad! I know what I’m saying. And who the hell are you?”

The man sighed, his expression softening. “I am Joonsoo, your best friend. We’ve been close since we were young. Don’t you remember me?”

Joonsoo epitomized the Joseon loyal guard—his deep blue jeonbok embroidered with golden dragons, crisp white jeogori beneath, and the black gat perched atop his head. The leather sword belt at his waist held a sword that gleamed under the sunlight, hinting at his noble responsibility and fierce loyalty.

Avery’s mind raced. Joonsoo’s sincerity contradicted everything her heart screamed. Was this truly her life now? Was this strange man the key to understanding her trapped existence or just another layer of the mystery she yearned to unravel?

Avery looked up at Joonsoo, her eyes searching his face, desperate to make sense of the chaos inside her. “The only friend I had since I was young was Riley,” she confessed softly, voice trembling with confusion and a strange hope. “There’s been a misunderstanding—I’m not your friend. I don’t know what happened, or if we somehow switched souls, but suddenly I found myself trapped in this body that isn’t mine.”

Her hand reached out suddenly, gripping Joonsoo’s firmly as if anchoring herself to reality. “You need to help me,” she said, her voice raw and pleading. “I know you’re the only one who can understand this—who might believe me.”

Then, as quickly as she had grasped his hand, Avery let it go. She started pacing slowly to and fro, lost in thought, trying to piece together the impossible reality she now faced. Joonsoo stood silently, staring at her with an expression mixed with pity, sadness, and helplessness. He knew this wasn’t just a simple confusion but something far more profound.

“I seriously need to think of a way to get home,” Avery murmured, tone dropping into a desperate whisper. “I don’t want to be here. I’m not even done publishing my book back where I came from. I haven’t sent the latest manuscript to my editor. And right now, Riley must be worried sick.”

Her mind raced with memories and fears, caught between two lives and torn by the impossible truth that her existence now belonged to someone else’s body in a world she barely understood.

Avery kept pacing to and fro, murmuring to herself as Joonsoo watched silently, concern and confusion etched on his face. Suddenly, she stopped and turned to him. “If I can figure out where I am, maybe I can find a clue to get back home,” she said, eyes narrowing with determination.

Joonsoo tilted his head, puzzled.

“It feels like I’ve gone back in time,” Avery whispered, then straightened and asked, “What year is this?”

Joonsoo stared at her, surprised, then answered, “1392.”

A smile flickered on Avery’s lips. “That’s when the Joseon Dynasty was founded. Now I know where I am. I just need to find a way home.” A spark lit her eyes as an idea hit her. “I need to find a—what is it called? A shaman! Yes.”

Joonsoo’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “A shaman? You want to chase away an evil spirit?”

Avery snapped sharply, “I’m not an evil spirit!” then immediately bit her tongue. “I mean, that’s what shamans do—perform exorcisms—but that’s not what I want.” She shook the thought off, rubbing her forehead. “What do I do now?”

Joonsoo watched her silently, a mix of sympathy and hope in his gaze.

As Avery stood lost in thought, the name “Maya” rang in her ears again, and she sighed deeply in frustration—they wouldn’t even let her think in peace. Suddenly, she spotted the woman who claimed to be Amaya's mother hurrying toward her, breath ragged, accompanied by the physician from yesterday. “Why now?” Avery groaned silently.

The woman approached Maya and Joonsoo, worry etched across her face. “Maya, why did you go out all by yourself? I was worried!” she said sharply.

“Mother". Joonsoo called as he held Maya's mother.

"The physician is here". Maya's mother said to Avery. "We need to go home so he can treat you before your illness worsens—before it becomes something worse, especially here in Joseon.”

Avery snapped back, “This is not my home. How many times do I have to tell you all that? I don’t belong here, so just leave me alone to figure out how to go back. I’m done with this madness.”

But Maya’s mother was stubborn. “You’re coming home with me, even if I have to force you,” she said firmly as she tried to drag Maya away.

“Let go of me!” Avery barked suddenly, breaking free roughly—causing Maya’s mother to nearly stumble.

“Why would you push your mother that way?” Joonsoo yelled, shocked. Avery flinched from his tone.

Snapping at him, Avery said, “Who are you to tell me what to do? She is not my mother, and I don’t know anyone!”

The physician chimed in gently, “I think she’s lost her memories.”

Avery rolled her eyes in disbelief. “How could I lose my memories when I remember everything so perfectly?”

Suddenly, a sharp pain stabbed her side. She flinched, clutching herself.

Maya’s mother’s voice softened a bit. “Maya, are you okay?”

Joonsoo held Avery carefully. “Maya, you need to get treated.”

Despite the chaos inside her, Avery made a decision: to survive and find her way home, she had to play along. She let them help her because pretending to be Maya—the person everyone thought she was—was the only way forward. Still, that name felt oddly familiar, and she couldn’t shake the growing question in her mind.