The Alien and the Cursed Star

Nathaniel was surprised to see that Sabrina had come to visit her father. Nurse Mandy, who was assigned to care for him, greeted her warmly and quickly took charge of the situation. From the way Sabrina looked last night, it did not seem like she had any intention of visiting him. But maybe—she still cares.

Her father was asleep.

Sabrina sat quietly by his bedside, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest. She couldn't remember the last time he had hugged her — the last time his arms had felt like home. Everything had changed so quickly. The warmth she used to know was gone, replaced by a coldness she couldn't understand. It was confusing. Painful. He had once been the sweetest father, her protector… and then, without warning, he became someone else. Distant. Dismissive. Like a stranger wearing her father's face.

Suddenly, her father stirred and opened his eyes, looking at her with a hint of confusion.

She remembered the warmth in his gaze, the gentle way he used to smile at her—smiles so full of love that even his eyes seemed to smile. But something had changed. The familiar tenderness was gone, replaced by a distant, unfamiliar look. She searched his face, hoping to find traces of the father she once knew—the one who used to hold her close, whose presence felt like home.

"Maria?" he mumbled, his voice barely audible, as his gaze shifted in and out of focus.

Sabrina stiffened. Her father's expression had changed again. It was as if a different person was looking at her.

"You must be dead. I saw you... dead." His voice trembled, and his eyes darted around, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.

It wasn't the first time.

Every visit, he said the same thing.

You're dead. You're supposed to be dead.

And every time, it tore through her like a blade.

She swallowed hard, forcing down the familiar ache. "I am dead, Father," she said quietly, her voice laced with sorrow and bitterness.

"Dead inside."

Her father's face twisted in further confusion. "F-father?"

Sabrina closed her eyes, the pain seeping into her chest.

"Our daughter is also dead. She is dead. I saw her... dead. She must be dead... She needs to die... just like you."

Her father's words were starting to break apart, as if the reality he once knew was crumbling before him. Sabrina could barely hold back the tears, but she bit her lip and stopped herself. She couldn't let him see how much it hurt.

Without another word, she turned and walked out of the room, heading straight for the hospital garden. She needed a moment. She needed air. As soon as she stepped outside, she reached for a cigarette.

Nathaniel was right behind her. "Sabrina," he called softly, he saw what happen earlier in the room.

Sabrina took a long drag, the smoke swirling around her. Nathaniel did not say anything at first, just standing there quietly as he watched her. But she could feel the weight of his gaze. He was worried and she did not like it. People being pitiful. She is not a pity.

She could feel the sadness in the air, but it wasn't the time to talk about it. Not now. Not yet.

But then, a sudden noise interrupted the silence—a shout, followed by the unmistakable sound of a slap.

"I told you to do what I want!" A father's voice rang out, full of fury.

"But, father, I do not want to! I love mama more, and I will do what she wants!" A girl voice was trembling but defiant.

"You disrespectful child!" her father snarled, raising his hand.

The slap echoed through the garden, and the girl froze. The pain wasn't just physical—it was emotional too. "I'm your father! You'll obey me!" he yelled, grabbing her by the collar, lifting her off the ground.

"Father, it hurts." the girl gasped, her hands gripping his wrist weakly.

Nathaniel's did not hesitate to help. He rushed toward them, his voice firm as he intervened, trying to separate the daughter from her father. "Sir, please, let go of her."

The father's eyes narrowed, with a forceful push, Nathaniel managed to pull the father back, easing the girl away from the painful grip.

The girl trembled in their arms as the nurses wrapped her in a gentle embrace, trying to calm her sobs, trying to offer the warmth and love she so desperately needed.

Nathaniel had just managed to restore order, but his eyes were drawn to Sabrina. She stood still—cold, unmoving—her face unreadable as she stared at the man who had tortured her daughter. Not a flicker of emotion. Not rage. Not sorrow. Just silence.

Then, she turned away and walked out of the hospital. Her footsteps were quiet, but the weight of her pain lingered in the air long after she was gone.

---

It was cuddling weather — the kind of morning when the sky wept quietly, and the world moved slower. Rain tapped gently against the windows as a gray calm spread through the city.

Nathaniel had the day off. Just the soft hum of rainfall and the rare stillness of being alone.

He brewed himself a cup of coffee, letting the warmth of it soothe the quiet ache in his chest. With the mug in hand, he stepped out onto his balcony, inhaling the scent of rain-soaked air. Across the street, his eyes fell on the large, faded billboard that once held Sabrina's face — the same face that now haunted his thoughts.

Emotionless. Untouchable. A ghost in her own story.

He took a slow sip, his eyes still fixed on the empty billboard, when movement caught his attention. Sabrina had stepped out onto her own balcony.

Her hair was tousled, sleep still clinging to her. She hadn't noticed him — her gaze locked on the same billboard, as if searching for something that had long been lost. She opened a pack of cigarettes, with a flick, she lit one and took a drag.

"Smoking again?" Nathaniel called out, his voice breaking the silence.

She did not flinch. Just raised the cigarette lazily and said, "Can't you see?" without even glancing in his direction.

"Not good for your health." He replied. "And definitely not good for me. I'll be your secondhand smoke."

"Yeah, I know." she said nonchalantly. Then she stubbed the cigarette out against the railing and flicked it away.

She did not say anything else. Did not look at him. Just stared back into the gray sky, her expression unreadable. Maybe she felt his eyes still on her, because a few seconds later, she turned and went back inside without a word.

Later that afternoon, Nathaniel decided to get out of the house. The rain had eased, and he was craving something warm. Ramyeon, maybe. Something simple. Comforting.

As he approached the nearby restaurant, he spotted her again — Sabrina — sitting inside, laughing.

She was with a man. Her head was thrown back, her laughter full and open — so different from the quiet, haunted woman on the balcony earlier. She looked…

Alive.

As if she had never known sorrow. As if the world had never broken her.

Nathaniel stood frozen for a beat. Then he pushed the door open and walked in.

"One ramyeon, take-out," he said at the counter.

But then he heard it — his name.

"Nathaniel!" a familiar voice called out.

He turned. It was Nicole, his co-worker. She smiled brightly and waved him over. Sabrina's laughter paused for a second as she turned toward the sound.

"Uh… hi, Nicole," Nathaniel said, managing a polite, awkward smile. At work, he was different — composed, light-hearted. Outside of it, he barely knew who he was.

"Come eat with me. Perfect timing, I'm alone today." Nicole said cheerfully.

"I already ordered take-out." He replied, trying to escape.

"We can change it to dine-in, sir." The staff offered helpfully.

"Yes! Please change his to dine-in. He is eating with me." Nicole insisted before he could say another word.

Reluctantly, Nathaniel followed her to a table — and, of all places, they ended up seated right across from Sabrina's.

"Can we switch seats?" He asked quietly. He does not want to see or even have eye to eye contact to Sabrina.

"Oh, sure. Sorry if I pulled you out. You did not have plans today, did you?"

"None." He lied. He exchanged seat to Nicole.

"If you're free, stay with me after we eat. Let's go some places."

"Where?"

"To mall. You like going out, right? You're the one who always drags us at lunch break."

That part was true. He always suggested hangouts — but only during work hours, only in the safety of those small breaks. Outside of work, it felt like too much.

"Sure. Sure. It's boring at home anyway." He muttered, offering a weak excuse.

Their food arrived. As they began eating, he couldn't help but overhear the conversation from the other table. He wasn't trying to listen — but Sabrina's voice always had a way of finding him.

"You know," said the guy with her, "you're even more beautiful now, Sab. And congrats on the new book."

"Wow, Haein. I know I'm always beautiful." she teased.

"Gorgeous. We should go somewhere after this. It's been so long since we hung out — just the two of us."

Nathaniel stared at his bowl. He couldn't see them clearly, but in his mind, he could imagine her face — that smile, the sparkle in her eyes, the joy she rarely let anyone see.

Nicole glanced at him. "What's with that look? You seem not to believe by your own thoughts."

"Ah… nothing. Just remembered something funny," he said, forcing a laugh.

"Alright. After this, buy me a face mask, okay? People might recognize me. You know your best friend is very famous." Sabrina said with a dramatic flair.

"Yes, ma'am. Madam Famous." Haein laughed.

And then they both laughed together, loud and carefree.

--

The boutique was calm, lit with soft warm lights and lined with muted pastel racks. Nicole ran her fingers along a row of dresses, pausing at a soft pink one.

"I think this one's the best so far." She said thoughtfully, holding it up to her chest in the mirror. "Simple, but it says something."

Nathaniel, standing nearby with a tote bag in hand, gave a slow nod. "Yeah. It suits you."

Nicole looked at her reflection, then smiled just a little. "Okay. I'll try it."

She walked toward the fitting rooms, the hem of the dress trailing lightly behind her. As she disappeared behind the curtain, Nathaniel sat down on a low bench near the entrance, letting the ambient music of the store fill the space.

--

The door chimed.

Sabrina walked in, energy in every step, wearing a white blouse and pleated skirt. Her laughter — light, familiar — filled the air. "This is the store," she said confidently. "I know it."

Behind her, Haein followed, relaxed and smiling. "You're so sure about everything."

"I'm right about a lot of things." Sabrina said, tossing him a smirk.

Nathaniel looked up. Just once. And that was enough.

There she was — unaware of him, full of life, her presence drawing eyes without meaning to. She hadn't seen him yet.

Sabrina browsed quickly and efficiently, her fingers brushing fabric as she passed. She picked out a sleek black dress, glanced at Haein with a raised eyebrow, and made her way to the fitting rooms. He leaned on the wall, casually checking his phone.

A few minutes later, Nicole stepped out in the pink dress. She smoothed it down quietly, walking toward the mirror. "Alright. Be honest."

Nathaniel looked up.

She did not need to spin or pose. Her workmate looked good — and she always did, even without trying. But it wasn't about that.

"It really fits you." He said simply.

Nicole looked at him through the mirror. Her smile was small, almost shy. "Thanks."

She did not say more, and she did not need to. Just a small moment where his words matter to her.

Then the next fitting room door opened.

Sabrina stepped out.

The black dress shimmered subtly in the store lights. She glanced at the mirror, adjusting a loose curl of her hair. Haein looked up and froze.

"Wow!" He said. "You… you always do this. Just casually ruin my expectations."

Sabrina raised a brow. "Is that a compliment?"

"It's a disaster." Haein replied, smiling. "I'll never look at regular people the same way again."

She laughed and turned back to the mirror, but Nathaniel saw the flicker of her eyes toward the setting sun outside the window. Just a glance — no longer than a breath — but it was enough.

He knew what that meant. She was checking the time. Thinking about the change. Thinking about how long she had left.

Nicole stood to the side, still in the dress, giving Sabrina a polite glance before returning to the mirror.

Nathaniel's hands folded together. He did not speak. He did not approach. But his eyes followed Sabrina in that quiet, careful way — not wanting to disturb her, not wanting her to feel seen in the wrong way.

Then came Haein's voice again, easy and teasing:

"Hey. Why do not we go out tonight? Just us. No plans. Just like we used to — clubbing, drinks, music. Come on."

Sabrina hesitated.

Nathaniel could almost hear her thoughts.

She couldn't. She wanted to — maybe more than anything — but not with the transformation looming. And yet, she had to answer.

She gave a bright laugh. "That sounds like a terrible idea," she said. "Which means, of course… I'm in."

And Nathaniel… was still watching the girl who smiled like she had all the time in the world, even though he knew she did not.