Hotel Blue Moon (Inspired by Hotel Del Luna)

Chapter 22: Tears of War

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

That's how Ae Ra called Detective Han, much to the disdain of Chan Seong. He had no choice but to follow this plan of theirs, yet he was bothered that this is what they had come to. Han, however, did not believe a single word Ae Ra said, and only agreed to come when she mentioned Yi Sook being hurt. 
Ae Ra sat next to a fuming Chan Seong and cleared her throat. Chan Seong nodded, acknowledging her.
"I know you think we made a mistake by calling Yi Sook's team." Ae Ra's voice cracked. "You should know we have no choice."
"I understand that there is nothing we can do and that's what makes me mad." Chan Seong sighed. "When people get close to the Hotel, they get hurt. You and I know that more than anyone." Ae Ra nodded wordlessly. Chan Seong continued.
"For the record, I am not mad at you. I.. am mad at myself." Chan Seong hesitated in his words. Ae Ra turned to him.
"Chan Seong, whatever happened, it's none of your fault!" Chan Seong shook his head.
"I was the one who sent you to the Hotel. I reassured you that nothing will happen, and I wasn't able to protect you or Yi Sook and.." Chan Seong paused, his eyes tearing up. "Do Hwan came into Aghui's clutches to save my life, and..  he turned into her puppet because of me."

Ae Ra fell silent hearing Chan Seong speak, only looking at him. The silence disappeared with Ae Ra's words.
"You think everything that happened is your fault but honestly, it isn't. I have myself to blame, more than you." Ae Ra paused. Chan Seong opened his mouth to disagree but stopped. 
"If we just blame ourselves right now, we have to fight another battle within ourselves. All this blame will do nothing but twist our minds, and lose ourselves." Ae Ra clutched Chan Seong's shoulder. 
"I recognized my path as soon as I decided to set foot in Hotel Blue Moon. Staying on this path, however, is harder than I thought. I have so much fear that when I close my eyes, that's all I see." Chan Seong seemed enticed in Ae Ra's words. "But right now, I want to live. Maybe I am too greedy, but if this greed will keep my friends safe, then I will be greedy. We have to fight back." 

Chan Seong extended his arm around Ae Ra's shoulder and enveloped her in a hug. Ae Ra closed her eyes, the tears filled in it trickled down her cheeks. "Let's get through this together." Chan Seong whispered in Ae Ra's ear. Ae Ra nodded, hugging him tighter. 

*

Detective Han walked into the bleak visitor's room with a hardened face. Rows of empty steel chairs lined in front of him, he realized that the hospital is mostly empty. He spotted Ae Ra sitting in the chair far back, holding a cup with steam rising above it. Ae Ra looked up, and when she spotted Detective Han, she set her cup down and rushed to him.
"What happened?" He questioned, despite Ae Ra telling everything over the phone. He shook his head, correcting himself. "Everything you told me is true? Detective Kim is.. Is he gonna be okay?" 
"The doctors told us that he should be observed for a while. As far it is concerned, he is doing better." 
"Who did this to him?" Han clenched his fists. Ae Ra looked down at his feet. Surprisingly, his hands were holding Ae Ra's shoulders. "I told you over the phone that it was hard to explain... What makes you think I can explain it better now?" 
"No, I just.. I don't know." Han sighed. "He called me just a few days back and told me things were going to change and he could get hurt."
"Wait.. he told you?" Ae Ra was surprised. Detective Han nodded. 
"I just didn't think this would happen a lot sooner than I thought. A part of me didn't believe me, of course, but.." Han rubbed his eyes, exhausted. 

Chan Seong came around the hall and saw Ae Ra and someone standing with her. Judging by his clothes and kept hair, he deduced that this is one of the detectives Ae Ra mentioned. Ae Ra saw Chan Seong coming towards them and got the man's attention towards him. 
"Chan Seong, this is Detective Han Hyunjin from Yi sook's team." She introduced. Hyunjin extended his hand towards Chan Seong who took it. 
"Goo Chan Seong. I am sorry to meet you in a circumstance like this." 
"Yeah me too." Hyunjin shrugged. "I am ready to offer any help I can, please just say the word."
The atmosphere grew awkward soon after, so Han talked to Ae Ra, getting up to date on the issue. Ae Ra started warned Hyunjin about how unbelievable all of this would sound, but he was ready to know more about what was going on. As soon as Ae Ra said Do Hwan's name, Hyunjin whole body stifened immediately.
"Wait, Kim Do Hwan?" Ae Ra's eyes widened in surprise at Hyunjin's question.
"Do you know him? How do you know that name?" 
"Yi Sook told me to check him out a while back and.."
"Did you find anything?" Ae Ra asked, curious. Hyunjin shook his head, but a look of realization dawned on his face.
"I was supposed to meet one of the retired officers today.. at 4 pm." Hyunjin checked his watch. "He recognized his name and offered to look at files for me."