Hotel Blue Moon (Inspired by Hotel Del Luna)

Chapter 20: When All Is Lost

(This chapter contains mentions and depictions of violence, blood, and death. Reader's discretion is advised.)

Everything came crashing down. The world around Do Hwan, whatever he built around him with the utmost care. Love, friends, happiness, all of that came tumbling down, like a child's playset. He didn't know if it was his fault that he turned out this way, he didn't know if it was any of other's fault either. Or it is the universe hating him or is it the so-called fate?

Whatever it is, it clearly wants him to turn sinister. Who is he to not grant the wish of a higher power?

"Chan Seong!" Yi Sook screamed, running to Chan Seong. Ae Ra rushed, right behind him. He took Chan Seong's head on his lap, while Chan Seong coughed uncontrollably. 
"Is he alright?" Ae Ra asked, kneeling beside him. Yi Sook nodded, but still had his hand over Chan Seong's chest. "Where is Do Hwan?"
Ae Ra looked around, a terrifying image of Do Hwan held by Aghui met her eyes across the stairs. Horrified, Ae Ra ran towards them, despite Yi Sook shouting at her to stop. 

"Ae Ra.." Do Hwan's voice sounded distorted. His eyes glowed red under Aghui's hold. Ae Ra stopped abruptly. 
"Do Hwan, whatever she is doing to you, it's not real, okay? Please.. don't fall under her spell."
Do Hwan's lips opened, muffled voice escaping from it. 
"It is too late, Jung Ae Ra." Aghui's voice came from Do Hwan's mouth. Ae Ra stumbled backward. Aghui cackled, watching Ae Ra's utter disbelief. 
Aghui lifted her hand from Do Hwan's forehead, grinning from ear to ear. Do Hwan fell back, lifeless. She now stared at Ae Ra, who struggled to get up from the floor. Aghui gracefully moved her wrist and her empty hand gradually turned into a sword.
"It is a shame you have to die now. Unless.." Aghui examined the sword, feeling the blade. "You join me too."
"Go to hell." Ae Ra spat at her. Aghui smirked, twisting the blade. 

Aghui prepared to charge at Ae Ra, while a low growl emerged behind her. She turned around and saw that Do Hwan had awakened and was standing behind her, his head lowered. 
"What, Kim Do Hwan?" Aghui slowly tilted her head. Do Hwan looked up, his eyes were now glowing like embers. 
"She. is. mine." He growled. Ae Ra's eyes teared up, and she stepped back in fear.
"Do Hwan, snap out of it!!" Ae Ra managed to scream. Aghui snickered and traced her fingers on Do Hwan's shoulder.
"Make sure to let her suffer," Aghui whispered in Do Hwan's ear. "Remember, she hates you."

*

Yi Sook asked Mrs. Park to take Chan Seong outside the hotel and rushed to find Ae Ra. He found Ae Ra on the floor crawling backward, with Do Hwan inching closer. Aghui sat in what looked like a black throne far behind them.
"KIM DO HWAN! Stop right there!" Yi Sook screamed, aiming his gun at Do Hwan. 
Do Hwan lifted his head, his eyes darting to the gun in Yi Sook's hand. He chuckled, and in one movement, he was holding the gun. Yi Sook didn't have time to adjust his eyes to Do Hwan's speed, but it was too late to try. Do Hwan already had his hand on Yi Sook's skull, seemingly crushing it. Yi Sook cried in pain.
Ae Ra scrambled up and rushed to Do Hwan, holding his shoulder. "Please stop, you are hurting him!!"
Do Hwan flung Ae Ra to the wall. She hit her head hard on the wall and whimpered as she fell. 
"Don't hurt Yi Sook, please Do Hwan. I am begging you, k-kill me instead." Ae Ra mumbled, half crying. 
Do Hwan stopped crushing Yi Sook and threw him away. He turned around and saw Ye Ra on her knees. Smirking, Do Hwan flashed in front of Ae Ra. He lifted her chin with his hand and whispered. "That would be my pleasure."
Seeing Yi Sook whimper on the floor, Ae Ra cried, thinking how she could have dragged him to this mess. "I'm sorry, Yi Sook." She whispered, closing her eyes. 
"Ugh, this makes me sick." Aghui's voice interrupted them. She made a face and got up from her throne. 
"Do Hwan, kill him instead. I told you to make her suffer, right?" She giggled. Ae Ra screamed, charging at Do Hwan, who blocked her with ease. Aghui delighted in Ae Ra's crying, as she gleefully motioned Do Hwan to Yi Sook while holding Ae Ra. 
"No! NO! Do Hwan, you bastard! Leave him alone!!" Ae Ra cried. Do Hwan stopped in his tracks, and turned to face Ae Ra.
"Aghui was right. You do hate me, don't you?" He whispered, looking into Ae Ra's eyes. 
"I will hate you if you do so much as lay a finger on Yi Sook." Ae Ra answered, still crying. 
Do Hwan tilted his head, his eyes welled up but he composed himself quickly. "I don't have a choice." He whispered back.