American Spring Break Horror Book

Chapter thirteen

Play is the highest form of research, Albert Einstein claims. The troop had the best day ever. Spending time at the park was a good choice for the day. They were impressed to find the same games they loved playing in Ohio. Della Roberts was the happiest as he made friends with other younger boys his age. Although he looked drowsy, he remained active during the day. Everyone was keen to observe Della Roberts, not because he was the youngest but his restlessness. That evening, they were excited as the park wasn’t scary at all. It looked more like a typical day in Ohio. In the evening, they were full of fear, remembering the previous day they had visited. Uncle Chan Yeol did not stop warning them about visiting those contaminated sites. Unfortunately, none of them heeded the advice. It all fell on a deaf ear. The following, they were going to see ‘the independence gate" close by; Uncle Chan requested to rest a bit longer as he would first visit the garage. They were exhausted and indeed required the rest. They couldn’t hesitate to appreciate Uncle Chan Yeol for being mindful.

Sino- Japanese War

During the Japanese colonial rule, Korea was officially known as Chōsen, although the former name continued to be used internationally. In South Korea, the period is usually described as the "Imperial Japanese occupation.” According to the Chosun Ilbo, the term was derived from a North Korean one referring to South Korea as under "American imperial occupation.” Although often considered obsolete, other words include "Japanese Imperial Period" or "The dark Japanese Imperial Period.” It was termed ‘dark’ due to its Korean impact. Historically, the Sino- Japanese war led to the death of civilians, soldiers, and other children, destruction of property and land, displacement of families, and economically destabilizing South Korea’s economic base.

According to history, between 1910 and 1945, Korea was administered as a component of the Empire of Japan. Joseon Korea had entered the Japanese sphere of influence with the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1876, a complicated coalition of the Meiji government, military, and corporate officials. It began a process of integrating Korea's politics and economics with Japan. The Korean Empire, founded in 1897, became a protectorate of Japan with the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1905; subsequently, Japan administered the country indirectly through the Japanese Resident-General of Korea. Japan legally conquered Korean Empire with the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1910, without the agreement of the previous Korean Emperor Gojong, the regent of Emperor Sunjong. Upon its conquest, Japan declared that Korea would henceforth be officially designated Chōsen. This name was accepted internationally until the end of the Japanese occupation. The Governor-General of Chōsen controlled the territory in Keijō (Seoul). Japanese control promoted Korea’s Japanization, advanced the industrialization that began during the Gwangmu Reform era of 1897 to 1907, created public works, and crushed the Korean independence movement. The public works included building railroads (Gyeongbu Line, Gyeongui Line, Gyeongwon Line) and improving important roads and ports that encouraged economic development. The averages for the yearly GNP growth rate of Chōsen were comparable to those in the Japanese naichi, ranging from 2.3 percent to 4.2 percent over the 25 years preceding the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Japanese sovereignty over Korea ended on August 15, 1945 with the surrender of Japan in World War II. By the Pacific War, industrial growth and output in Chōsen approached that of the naichi. However, the military forces of the United States and the Soviet Union subsequently conquered this territory. Their division of Korea separated the Korean Peninsula into two different governments and economic systems: the northern Soviet Civil Administration and the southern United States Army Military Government in Korea. These post-war administrative areas were superseded by the current independent states of North Korea and South Korea. With the signing of the Treaty of San Francisco on April 28, 1952, Japan officially renounced the claims of Korea.

Hailey Beryl's Narrative

My faith leads me to believe there is some supernatural being. The experience in South Korea is a confirmation of my past feelings. This entity is so all-knowing and omnipotent that no one can truly comprehend how or why He is responsible for such extraordinary and, at times, earth-shattering occurrences. I believe that apart from God, other forces influence the event of various situations. Sadly, in most cases, they are evil spirits too. The God I put my faith in reveals himself to me as the creator and the Lord of everything in various ways. He controls all of humanity and all animals that walk, crawl, or fly across the world’s surface and handles all the events that occur. God doesn't interfere with the good or the bad that happens. As long as you allow Him to complete your life, He has an ultimate plan for you, just as He does for everyone else. Even though I was raised in a catholic home as a youngster, I can't say I ever really lived my life for Christ. I had to make do with living between walls that were not ideal for human habitation. When I was younger, I always had a strong desire and love to understand other supernatural powers.

I wouldn’t say I have learned much about supernatural powers, but visiting South Korea broadens my mind. It is the sole purpose I enrolled in yoga practices at a tender age. However, I realized that people are drawn to the practice of yoga for a variety of reasons, which makes sense given the fact that there are numerous advantages associated with it. Increased flexibility, increased muscle strength and tone, improved energy, improved balance, and a calming effect on the mind are some of the benefits. On the contrary, I had my reservations which I never shared with any of my friends. Among the twelve of us, everyone who participates in an activity does so for various reasons, none of which are identical to the others. At first, I would show up to yoga class feeling anxious and with a lot on my mind, but I didn’t know that by the end of the day, I would feel different. A feeling that I can’t describe to anyone. It is therapeutic. My daily practice of yoga is not only a form of exercise, but it also serves as an escape for me; it is a place where I can find peace, clarity, and composure. To me, yoga creates a supernatural way that generates peace above everything else. Initially, I thought I would get attached to some yoga classes in South Korea. Unfortunately, we are staying in an apartment, which makes it hard to find one. However, that isn’t an issue. South Korea’s vacation has opened my mind to supernatural powers. Although those creepy sites aren’t for the faint-hearted to visit, they are an eye-opener to me. I will discuss it openly with my friends when I get the courage. Otherwise, I am scared of being called names by some of my friends.

Despite Uncle Chan Yeol allowing the troop to rest until 11 am, they were up and ready to leave by ten sharp. Amber Ray informs his uncle, who sounded fatigued, and requests them for more time as he is still resting. They gladly take the time to chat with their family members and friends. The condition of her ailing father saddens Amber Ray. She had sent many pictures that she requested her mother to show his father. Sadly, Nina tried, but his ailing father wasn’t feeling better that day. It breaks Amber Ray’s heart. She wasn’t herself. By noon, they were leaving for ‘The Independence Gate’ as friends console Amber Ray about his fatheThe Independence Gate was built in 1894 when the Sino-Japanese war concluded. The war had adverse effects on Koreans as it led to the death of many Chinese, Japanese and other civilians. However, the mode by which execution was done was an injustice to humanity. Generally speaking, war is never good, while peace is always good. Looking back at human history, it becomes evident that battles have been raging since dawn. Though it's been tried, no one has been able to get rid of it yet. It would appear that we are destined to suffer until we find ultimate peace. War is justified by some, who claim that it is a necessity dictated by the laws of nature. The Sino-Japanese war erupted when the Japanese officials disagreed with the Korean officials. The Japanese officials made their point by placing Charles Darwin at the front of the group. He is credited with establishing the principle of natural selection. He explained that there is a perpetual struggle for supremacy throughout everything in nature, whether it be animate or inanimate. Only the strongest will prevail in this battle. As a result, conflict is seen as essential to the advancement of civilization. The Japanese took advantage of Korean weakness and planned for a war that claimed the lives of innocent people.

On the other hand, the Koreans' involvement in that conflict invariably ac massive destruction. They ignored Gandhi's non-violence teachings, which led to the liberation of his motherland from s*****y. They overlook that Gandhi was able to overthrow the British by nonviolent means, so why can't others do the same? They threw in the towel and fought mercilessly with the Japanese. Unfortunately, they suffered the most. Firstly, the loss of millions of soldiers. Injuries, bombings, and destruction of properties and land were the order of the day. Korea wasn’t prepared for the war then but had to reciprocate by protecting itself. Secondly, the Japanese were more powerful as they used highly technical equipment during the war. They had invested heavily in the war, thus its impacts.Wars are a necessary evil, and their atrocities are so many and severe that they cannot be adequately expressed with words. The Sino- Japanese war can’t easily be erased from the minds of Koreans. To date, the world can never forget the atrocities of both great wars. In these wars, there was widespread damage to life and property. Thousands of women were turned into widows, and orphans were created. War breeds animosity and propagates deception: people become selfish and cruel. The enemy of society and human civilization is war. Nothing positive can result from it. Therefore, it cannot be celebrated in any way. It hinders not only progress but also undermines social cohesion. It slows down the rate of human progress. At the end of the Sino- Japanese war, many people were unjustly killed. For instance, many young men were beheaded, leaving their bodily Nationales lying aimlessly on the ground. There were no scheduled funerals for the dead. According to Korean customs and traditions, leaving those bodies unburied would later affect their lives. Many years later, Koreans suffer after neglecting to give the innocent people that died during the Sino- Japanese war a credible send-off. Even after constructing The Independence Gate, the spirits of the innocent soldiers, civilians, and children haunt people to date. Ironically, The Independence Gate was built to serve as an icon of liberation after suffering adversely during the Sino- Japanese War. Still, it was avoided due to the invasion of ghosts and spirits. The unjust death of civilians is the reason for the ghostly attacks at the Independence Gate. Today, The Independence Gate remains standing, and streams of tourists continue to visit the monument while on a trip to South Korea. The twelve friends were not an exception as they were curious to visit the place that had been highlighted in the media, newspapers, and social media handles for quite a long time. While it represents the value of liberty in the country, there are many stories about how goblins reside here and chop off topknots on people’s heads as they pass through the gates. “The place is scary,” Della complains. “Wait, John Paul isn’t scared at all.” Jun Suravi points at him as he walks toward them. They can’t stop admiring his pictures. Moments later, they psyche themselves up and strategize to take photographs at the famous Independence Gate. The photos were great, and the troop looked happy.The place was full of people from all races. Categorically, everyone went straight to the historical gate and posed for a photo. Uncle Chan Yeol was happy that the troop joined other tourists by taking pictures. At first, he was worried that the army would get scared by the urban legend around it. “We honestly imagined that the Independence Gate was insecure?” Hailey Beryl told her friends, who were also shocked by its appearance. “I don’t see anything strange about it!” John Paul dares his friends. He moves ahead and stands beside it, touching and posing for a photo. Many photographers are there, but one has to pay for the services. To grace the event, the photographers placed the pictures on large boards where tourists took them home and hung them on their walls. The charges cost an arm and a leg, but John Paul had to purchase one in memory of their stay in South Korea. “Damn! The pictures are beautiful.” Uncle Chan Yeol praises the pictures.

“Did you enjoy the day’s activity?” he questioned. “Of course.” The troop responds in a chorus manner. “Maybe we should grab some ice cream.” Sandra Roberts requests as Uncle Chan Yeol declines. “No, it isn’t advisable here. He said as he tried to avoid the topic. Strangely, no one was buying the ice cream despite its being attractive. It then rings a bell for them. “The seller must be a goblin!” Della Roberts jokes as the rest burst into laughter. “Remind me what a goblin is….” Amber Ray pleads as she looks lost in words. “It is a Korean ghost...” Della Roberts whispers as they leave hurriedly. “Let us pass by a restaurant for late lunch. “Uncle Chan Yeol tells them. There were endless chats, phone calls, and discussions in the car. Their parents were happy with the feedback they received from their children. So far, none had received any bad reports from them. They were already missing them but were hoping to welcome them in a few days.

Although scared, they were thrilled to take photos standing at the mysterious Independence Gate, bragging to their friends by posting the best on their i********: and f*******: pages. They have a great time in South Korea.