American Spring Break Horror Book

chapter five

By now, everyone is building castles in the air, imagining how the visit to South Korea may turn out. There is confusion in their minds about whether choosing to visit the haunted places in South Korea is right or wrong. The more difficult questions leave them in complete disarray. For a moment, John Paul wants to seek clarity from his father, but he fears the repercussions and the possibility of being denied the chance to travel. He dies with it. Fearfully but eager to experience a different kind of visit away from the usual ones, they proceed. The discussion in the w******p group makes them yearn to be in South Korea immediately.

Jun Suravi's Narrative

My grandmother, lady Prima was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. On the day I received the news, I couldn't take it all in and was left speechless. My friends in school couldn't understand why I felt terrible about it. However, when I explained it to them, they supported me emotionally, and I appreciated it. Lady Prima was like a mother to me. She took me in after the death of my mother. In her old age, she struggled to make my life better. The news about her health put me in bad shape, and I never wanted to leave her side. When the plan to visit South Korea came up, I was torn apart between staying around with her and going out with my friends. I owe her my life. I share the same fate with my friend Amber Ray although my grandma's condition is not severe. Previously, she had been battling succession cases with her siblings over their father's estate. I have always told Grandma to never allow those issues to affect her mental state, but seemingly they were.

After the school closed, grandma asked me to visit Aunt Kendra, who categorically broke down the news about her devastating condition. As soon as I heard the report, the rest of the day was not business as usual. Aunt Kendra and my cousin told me I'd take a break from staying with grandma as she was transferred to a private hospital for some time. The news about our plans to South Korea became a better choice as it would help me stop thinking and worrying about the state of grandma Prima. It would be good for my mental state. However, she never knew we had subjected ourselves to visiting the haunted places already taking a toll on our minds. Aunt Kendra quickly agreed to it and began preparations. Staying with my aunt put a lot of fear in me. Sometimes I imagined that grandma Prima would not make it, and my worry was whether I would be comfortable moving to a different family. Later, I was perplexed by how they treated me with much care and embrace. I had assumed that grandma Prima was the one with whom I spent most of my time and would never make it to another family. I was wrong. Nonetheless, my aunt became more loving and ensured I got everything just as grandma Prima used to do. During the day aunt, Kendra accompanied us to the hospital to visit grandma Prima, but I was shocked to learn that she could hardly recognize us; I felt terrible. I sat by her side, telling her stories about my swimming competitions as she was my cheerleader. Grandma Prima smiled but could not speak. I thought we agreed, but the doctor informed me that she has challenges with her brain cells, making her quite forgetful. I didn't know what to do with my grandma's condition, but I never hesitated to share the news with my friends. They duly supported me like their own sibling. I was delighted. I'm sure my friends didn't know what to do either. It was also unusual for them to understand how I felt, but their presence meant a lot to my mental state. My aunt Kendra strongly opposed the idea of my spending the majority of my time at my grandmother's side while in hospital. Rather than staying by grandma's side and feeling sorry for herself, she preferred going out with friends. That is how I earned the opportunity to travel to South Korea with the rest. My aunt promised to hire genuine caregivers for grandma Prima. That was a great relief for me. As I plan to travel, I pray and hope to find grandma Prima in good health.Immediately I heard about South Korea: mermaids ran through my mind. Strangely, I received the same feedback from all of them. On the other hand, the girls were deeply in love with Korean actors. I listened to how they fantasized about their good looks and smiled away. I questioned why they were never curious about mermaids, and the response left me in awe. I began imagining what I could do if I encountered a mermaid while swimming. The answer was breathtaking when I threw that crazy question on w******p before my friends. That night, we couldn't sleep because the talk about mermaids built fear in us. Visiting South Korea will be a daring one. Firstly, as a group, we focussed on visiting the haunted sites. Secondly, we were curious to learn about its folklore and were equally amazed by the legends. The session is an excellent, mind-boggling, and memorable session. We never imagined that the choice of creepy sites would turn jaw-dropping. However, we are careful enough not to blow the trumpet before traveling to South Korea. We agreed to travel by the end of the first week after resting. When John Paul came up with the idea to research those folklores and haunted sites, we almost dismissed it. Mermaid mysteries have been around for centuries. They are said to have the upper body of a woman, the lower body of a fish-like being, and to be sexy with beautiful voices that sing to sailors worldwide. They are also said to be able to play musical instruments. There are numerous versions of various sightings and legends from all walks of life, but it remains to be seen whether or not they are authentic, as no one has ever caught one. We have watched numerous movies with that creature and never wish to encounter it. We are a bit scared. For thousands of years, there have been stories of creatures that are part fish and part human. In some Korean stories, mermaids are benevolent and bestow magical powers, but there is usually a high price. In addition to granting wishes, there are stories of mermaids intermarrying with humans and producing hybrid children endowed with magical abilities. There have been several documented sightings of mermaids over the last few hundred years, even into the twentieth century, particularly in areas where old beliefs persist. Although these sightings challenge credibility, they could be related to the exact mechanisms that cause people to see other fantastical figures. While searching on Google, Sandra Roberts could not believe her eyes when she read that mermaids are symbolic. The read claimed that as long as mermaids are associated with the water element, they represent the renewal that water brings. In Korean culture, water symbolizes rebirth and new beginnings because it is essential to life and growth. To Koreans, those who diligently seek the help of the mermaids get immediate assistance. Consequently, other spirits in the water go hand in hand with mermaids. The information about mermaids gave us chills down our spine. Since childhood, each of us has heard about mermaids. Whether their existence is true or false is something no one assures them when they come across mermaids originating from Asia. Haenyo, also known as Korean Mermaids, can dive to a depth of 65 feet (20 meters) and hold their breath for up to two minutes. Despite their strong sense of self-reliance, these female divers were frequently: barred from leaving their communities or exposing too much of their bodies. They were forced to in water but claimed to have mystical powers when in contact with humans. Koreans living close to large water bodies strived to get closer to mermaids as it would give them a great fortune in life. The mermaids came into existence around 1000 BC. A mermaid narrative was first developed in Syria when the goddess Atargatis swam into a lake and assumed the appearance of a fish. Only her lower half was transformed into a fish, as the gods would not allow her to give up her unique beauty. The troop learns that mermaids can live for centuries, far longer than humans, but they, too, must die. As mermaids regain their object of power, they regain their youth and beauty. However, it is possible that mermaids can remain youthful forever. Mermaids are typically depicted as mystical creatures because they are magical creatures. Using magic, mermaids can control nature and defy physics altogether. For instance, mermaids are capable of mind-reading, flying, invisibility, and shape-shifting. "How beneficial are mermaids to humans?" Jun Suravi asks his friends. "Do you think that creepy creature could be of any benefit?" Amber Ray's questions. "I wonder too!" Bridget adds. Messages in w******p keep flowing as the conversation becomes endless. By now, they have learned a lot of information about mermaids but are equally surprised about it. To them, they least imagined that mermaids were real, but the internet's revelation proved otherwise. They were impressed by how much information they were finding out by reading by themselves. They could not believe the achievement. Although it was thrilling, they stayed glued to the internet, eager to learn more. "Mermaids may be kind sometimes but are dangerous creatures." Henry Sayo responds after reading on the internet. "You don't say," Della Roberts is surprised." We should be careful about visiting Korea," Beryl argues. "Why so?" Damian interjects. "Haven’t you read that they are harmful creatures?” John Paul sides with Della Roberts. “There must be a way to scare them away,” Katrina says. “Korean mermaids are usually dangerous to people. They should not be trusted.” misfortune and disasters could befall anyone who interacts with mermaids because their gifts may turn to lure into danger. For example, a mermaid may pretend to help a fisherman catch more fish only to be eaten by sharks. Henry Sayo informs his friends. There is a famous story about mermaids: during the Joseon era, Kim Dam ryeong is saved from drowning by the intervention of a mermaid. As a result of the occurrence, Dam-ryeong names the girl Se-Hwa, which means "a brilliant, sparkling child," in honor of his recently deceased younger sister. When Dam-ryeong is pushed into an arranged marriage, they fall in love despite their cultural differences. For Se-Hwa to live on the land with Dam-ryeong, she must first achieve the age of adulthood, which means she cannot yet transform her fishtail into human legs. She resolves to leave Dam-ryeong forever after hearing the news of his marriage. Nevertheless, Kim Dam- ryeong's passion for Se-Hwa drives him to abandon his wife and dive into the water, searching for her on their wedding night. After saving him from the water, a distressed Se-Hwa immediately erases his memory of her and their love, ensuring he would never look for her again. After many years apart, Dam-ryeong and Se-Hwa are reunited as adults when Se-Hwa is discovered by residents trapped in a cave by a storm and brought before him. Even though Dam-ryeong has no recollection of Se-Hwa, he takes pity on her and allows her to leave. The town's innkeeper, Yang Seung-Gil, aims to use Se-Hwa as a pawn in his monetary schemes, and this angers him. With the help of his materialistic concubine, Hong Nan, Yang schemes to overthrow Dam-ryeong. He plans to murder those in his way. He spreads the false rumor that Dam-ryeong is unsuitable to reign because he is bewitched by an evil mermaid, allowing him to capture Se-Hwa as the community descends into panic. Yang and his concubine are torturing Se-Hwa to collect her tears, which turn into valuable sea pearls. Dam-ryeong saves her. By law, Dam-ryeong returns Se-Hwa to the sea to recuperate while Yang and his concubine are arrested. In Kim Dam-nightmares, ryeong's sees himself, Se-Hwa, and their opponents in the future, and he fears that the same destiny that has befallen him and Se-Hwa will befall them again. To warn his future self that "everything is repeating itself" and that he must safeguard the reincarnation of Se-Hwa from danger, he constructs a time capsule that includes a portrait of himself and a warning to his future self. That "everything is repeating itself." Dam-ryeong vows to assassinate Yang and make public all of Yang's crimes until the court orders his exile and removal from his position. By constructing a trap using lanterns, Yang and his friends led Se-Hwa to the surface as Dam-ryeong was being taken to his exile. Yang's troops attack Se-Hwa with arrows, nets, and harpoons. There is a scuffle between the Yang's men and the guards. Dam-ryeong wants the boat to turn around because of his concerns. A spear hurled by Yang's son impales Dam-ryeong from behind just as he dives into the ocean, saving Se-Hwa. Se-Hwa stabs herself while Dam-ryeong dies in her arms, driving the harpoon deeper into his body. The boats go down, taking Dam- ryeong's possession with them, and Se-Hwa’s bracelet, which Dam-ryeong had given her earlier, slips from her hand as she dies and is lost at sea. Yang and his concubine are executed for their crimes after the surviving officials clear Dam-ryeong of the false accusations. It turns out that Yang had extorted and poisoned a merchant; the merchant's son, Park Moo, avenges his father. The troop reads about an exciting love affair between two people (Kim Dam Leong and Se-Hwa). However, the beautiful lady was a mermaid. Damian Pena is scared as he is fond of falling for attractive girls. As they retire, they can’t stop thinking about the horrible things they read about mermaids. Strangely, an exciting story between two lovers. Bridget Vergara is yet to come to terms with the reason for having beautiful girls in Korea. Although her reasons look silly, her friends agree with her. Koreans are deeply immersed in their customs and beliefs. In many cases, they use folklore to teach children about morals in society.