Page 288 of Scarbound

A long silence followed.

“Not right now.”

“When you held the glass against your throat, did you intend to die?”

Noeul swallowed. “I wanted everything to stop.”

“Do you have another way in mind?”

“No.”

“Is there anything else nearby that you’re thinking of using to hurt yourself?”

Noeul looked around the bathroom. “The glass.”

“Duri and Ji-Woo are going to remove it. Is that all right?”

A faint nod.

“I need words, Noeul.”

“Yes.”

“What helped you put the shard down?”

Noeul looked first at Ji-Woo, then at Duri. “They stayed.”

Dr. Kim paused. “Then they’re going to stay.”

“You will not be alone tonight,” Dr. Kim said. “Ji-Woo and Duri will remove the broken glass and ask Yujin to secure the medication and anything else you might use to hurt yourself. This isn’t a punishment. It’s only for tonight, while the thoughts are this close.”

Noeul lowered his gaze.

“If the urge returns, what can you do before you act on it?”

He didn’t answer.

“You can say Duri’s name. Ji-Woo’s. Mine. You don’t have to explain. You only have to let someone know the danger is back.”

Noeul rubbed his thumb against his palm. “Duri.”

Duri’s throat tightened. “I’m here.”

“Good,” Dr. Kim said. “Keep the phone beside you. I’ll call again in thirty minutes, and I want to speak with you tomorrow morning.”

Her voice became firmer. “If you begin thinking that you may act again, or if you reach for something and cannot stop yourself, Duri and Ji-Woo will call for emergency medical help. Do you understand?”

Noeul’s face tightened. “No hospital.”

“Staying home depends on whether you can remain safe with their help. I’m not asking you to promise that the thoughts won’t return. I’m asking you to tell them if they do.”

Noeul remained silent for several seconds. Then he nodded.

“Say it for me.”

“If they come back, I’ll tell them.”

“All right. We start there.”