American Spring Break Horror Book

Chapter seventeen

It was a ten- days visit to South Korea but whatever we have achieved is worth a year. The lessons, the experience, and the excitement are something we don’t take for granted. The most exciting moments were when the twelve of us were subjected to making meals. One day, I shocked my friends when I dared to prepare fries for them. I remember John Paul questioned me about it, but I remained adamant. The results were shocking. “Can you make fries for us?” John Paul kept urging me. To push him away, I pretended I was upset; he had to leave the kitchen immediately. Damian Pena and I were to make dinner for the rest. I was surprised when he confessed that he wasn’t a good cook. He told me he had learned to bake cakes. Surprisingly, Damian requested me to go ahead and prepare a cake. “s**t! You must be kidding.” I told him. “You know, I am a messy and impatient cook,” Damian told me. He wasn’t cooperative. Time was running out, and my friends were hungry for the fries I had promised them. “I hate the tedium of washing and cutting tomatoes.” Damian lamented. He pulled out his wallet and handed me some cash. I couldn’t understand. “Why are you giving me this much?” I resisted. “How dare you.” I pointed out. Damian covered my mouth with his cold hands and led me through the back. I was out of the compound without any of our friends noticing. When I came back, I found Damian cleaning the kitchen sink as he was also setting the table. The rest of our friends were glued to the TV, and no one noticed our trick. Damian’s idea saved me the hassle of slicing onions, coriander, and tomatoes and burning my fingernails on fire. I was happy he came up with the innovative idea that saved my a*s. It was one of the best encounters I had in South Korea. I always looked forward to the days we would partner with Damian, who made it easy on me.

It is the second last day in South Korea, but we are sad that our vacation is ending. Our parents can stop reminding us how they are anticipating receiving us. The feeling is different. None of us wants to go back to the USA. However, we’re happy to have been in control, managed to visit all the daring places, had the time to do all the crazy stuff away from our parent’s surveillance, and realized the values of their friends. The stay has been peaceful and adventurous. Although we are exhausted, there is nothing terrible about it. It is funny that we don’t regret visiting paranormal sites. We are informed that Jeju Island reflects the effects of the Korean War. It is similar to the previous one we saw the other day. We can’t wait to learn and study Korean history on the island. After breakfast, they are to assemble at the bus station. The troop prefers using public transport, particularly the train. When Uncle ChanYeol arrives, he notices that Amber Ray is crying. She informs her friends that she isn’t willing to travel with them the following day. Amber Ray feels terrible about her father’s dementia, burdening them as a family. The vacation was great for Amber Ray’s mental state, but she wasn’t ready to face the kind of life with her mother. Uncle Chan Yeol gives Amber Ray his words. He promises to stand with them. After much persuasion, they set off for Jeju Island, an hour away. Generally, the mood among the twelve friends is sad. They could not imagine they were going back to the USA. “There is a time for everything,” Uncle Chan Yeol encourages them. Jeju Island is a tropical paradise surrounded by a stunning coastline and vast expanses of lush greenery. It’s even gifted with the highest mountain in South Korea, Hallasan. While not knowing about this island’s tragic past may give you peace of mind, doing so would be an injustice to the victims of the Jeju m******e, which took place from 1948 to 1949. The Korean War was tumultuous for the entire Korean peninsula, and even Jeju wasn’t spared. When the South Korean government tried to suppress the separatist movement on the island, they engaged in much brutality. They killed anyone who was deemed to be sympathetic to the Communist cause.

One of the most heinous occurrences in Jeju's history occurred soon before the Korean War began (which began in 1950). The Korean government was concerned about a communist uprising on the island in 1948 and 1949. They dispatched forces to deal with the problem, and between 14,000 and 30,000 people were killed in the ensuing fighting, including women and children. Government forces massacred entire villages, and communists were tortured. All in all, ten percent of Jeju's population was slaughtered. Many of Jeju's caverns, Hallasan Mountain, and other hiking destinations are gorgeous and serve as a haven—and, all too frequently, a site of death—for the island's former residents. Even Jeju International Airport bears the scars of the catastrophe; a mass grave with 388 victims was discovered immediately beside the airport's main runway. As a result, sightings of the victims of the Jeju Uprising are widespread. It is on Jeju Island that the Mul gwishin dwells. Also known as the "water ghosts," they are the souls of people who drowned by accident or suicide in Korea. Because Jeju Island is surrounded by a deep sea and has a fishing sector, they are some of the most terrifying ghosts on the island. Mul gwishin can be identified outside of the water by their pale skin and frequently wet garments.

A young family lived by the shores of Udo Sanho Sea on Jeju Island. Presently, people love spending time at sea to observe the flow of the water and enjoy the cool breeze as some dare to fish. The beauty of the Udo Sanho Sea wasn’t comparable to any on Jeju Island. It is the same reason it receives numerous guests, children, and tourists worldwide. The Udo Sanho Island was one of a kind. A mystical aura surrounded it and cast a magical spell on the passengers.Additionally, travelers moved from long distances to fetch water from the Udo Sanho Sea as they believed it to be ml. Patients who drank the water from the Udo Sanho Sea were mysteriously cured. The belief continued for a while, and most inhabitants depended on seawater for any intervention. Consequently, Udo Sanho Island provided tourists with fantastic memories, from exotic flora and wildlife to turquoise-blue seas and enchanting sunset vistas to moonlit walks on the beach. Spending time at sea was always reminiscing.Many activities were going on at sea. Nothing wrong happened to the tourists and people living around the ocean for a long time. However, one night during Sung Tan Jul, or Christmas festival, a tragedy occurred by the sea. The young family’s eldest son was water skiing on the sea when a dove-like bird with greyish wings descended on him and flew away. The children playing with water in the ocean began screaming for help. Parents came out of their houses to check on their children as the wailing was deafening.

The younger son of the family living by the shores of the sea narrated the ordeal to his parents. They were shocked by the description of their youngest son. It looked like the Mul Gwishin or the water ghost.“Are you sure what you are telling me?” the mother questioned his youngest son. She was in disbelief. The presence of the Mul Gwishin in the sea spells doom. The following morning, they went to the Shaman and sought his intervention as they had lost their son to the water ghost. Indeed, the Shaman confirmed their fears. He categorically informed the residents on Jeju Island that the Mul Gwishin wanted to inhabit the land, and it wanted all the humans to evacuate.

“That is impossible!” a voice from the crowd shouted. “We will not leave our productive land to the Water ghost.” Another person said. The Shaman watched the group raise their voices. He pitied them, for he saw the dangers they were subjecting themselves to. “Listen!” the Shaman tried to intervene to no avail. The crowd was very angry with the demands of the Water Ghost( Mul Gwishin). The residents living close to the Udo Sanho Sea disagreed with the needs. They adamantly vowed to stay in their ancestral land no matter what. The shamans gave up and asked them to leave for their homes.Word spread across Jeju Island. However, the news did not impress the residents. The majority refused those demands from the ‘Water Ghost,’ claiming they were baseless. The shaman lived far away from the shore but requested those close by the sea to move out. However, it fell on their deaf ears. None moved out, and they dared and asked the water ghost to attack them.

Six months later, the occupants of Jeju Island were hit by another tragedy. The water ghost invaded the sea and killed all the women who were fishing. They went back to the Shaman to seek his help, but it wasn’t possible. The Shaman maintained that they must all evacuate. “There is nothing I can do to you!” the Shaman told them.The residents remained firm and refused to leave the island. The Water Ghost became impatient and decided to hover aimlessly on the island to scare away the residents. Strangely, it worked. There was no peace on the island. Children complained of having nightmares, and the deceased relatives kept urging them to evacuate. It was a difficult moment for them. Fishing in the sea became difficult as the majority would spend hours without finding any catch. It was traumatic. Those who dared to stay out until late were found dead. The number of deaths on Jeju Island increased drastically. Eventually, the residents started leaving for other areas as their safety wasn’t guaranteed.

Everything was out of control. The government had to intervene by asking residents to leave. Jeju Island officially became an inhabitant of ghosts, and the dead people’s spirits kept hovering around. The Mul Gwishin( Water Ghost) became violent and ensured no humans occupied Jeju Island. The Water Ghost or Mul Gwishin are most frequently seen in the water, where they utilize their freakishly long arms to grab the unwary and pull them to a watery demise.To date, Koreans are warned of going out in the dark and avoid getting too close to Jeju's sea, lest they find themselves with a deathly pale hand wrapped around their ankle. Places such as caves and hiking spots used as hideouts are hotspots on Jeju Island. Mul gwishin can be found within any body of water, including, sadly, bathtubs. Many residents have claimed that the island continues to be haunted by those killed. Spending the day on Jeju Island was traumatizing. The troop was surprised to learn that the Jeju airport rests on the graveyard where many civilians and Koreans were massacred. The visit to the island breeds fears among them. For a third, they hear about the Water Ghost or the Mul Gwishin. They vividly remember the pictures they saw on the internet describing the water ghost. Strangely, the image doesn’t leave their eyesight.

In the evening, they leave for the apartment in preparation to fly back to the USA the following morning. Uncle Chan Yeol promises to keep them company as they pack.