Haan

Chapter 10 - Eun Ho

Poor Eun Ho was afraid and in pain. I wondered how he got infected. Did Eun Ho unwittingly wandered near Mi Rae? When did he even go near her? Or did Mi Rae unwittingly go within range of the innocent boy? I shook my head at the questions, I would never be able to keep track of everyone all the time.

"Appa, it hurts. I'm so cold."

"Eomma, I'm scared. I don't want to die."

"Hyung, hyung .... where is hyung?"

I heard his pitiful cries even before I reached the front door. Jumping up the few steps onto the small porch, I lay down my blood stained gunny sack on the porch before rushing in. Ajumma and Ajoessi looked up from Eun Ho's small figure as I slid open the wooden frame.

"Adeul, my son, Si Woo is home," Ajumma said softly, stroking her son's feverish forehead. "Everything is going to be o'kay now. Don't worry, Si Woo will cure you."

"Jaebal, please Si Woo-ah. Save my son, I beg you," said Ajoessi his voice cracking a little with emotion. Although he knew that I could cure Eun Ho, seeing his son in pain flooded him with doubts. After all, he had not seen me curing his wife. Ajumma too was trying hard to hold back her tears. Her little boy, their only son had the dreadful plague!

"Ajoessi, I'll try my best, Eun Ho is my dongseang (younger sibling) too," I said as I moved closer. "I care very much for him."

"Hyung, you're here,' whispered Eun Ho in relief. "Quick, magic away the cold and pain. It's poking me from the inside."

'Kenchana Eun Ho, I'm here. You'll be well in no time," I said soothingly although my insides were churning with doubt. I was still learning and experimenting with my newfound healing abilities. I did not want it to fail at this crucial moment. I must heal Eun Ho, I must save my little brother!

Eun Ho looked bad, really bad. Maybe it was because he was a child or maybe the vengeful Spirit wanted to feed better by frightening the boy to heighten his fear. Whatever it was, the plague seemed accelerated. Despite just being infected, Eun Ho already looked like he was in the mid-stages of the disease. Despite being cold, he was sweating under the blankets. Thin greyish blue tendrils streaked across his hands and were already snaking up his neck.

He lifted his head before dropping it back heavily onto his pillow.

"Hyung ... You didn't bring a stick ..."

"No, I didn't. I thought perhaps it would be easier if I used a cat. It would be easier and faster. The stray cat I found is outside in a bag."

"Oh ...."

"It's already dying. I think it got into a fight with another animal and lost."

"You should save it Hyung."

"Anniyo, No. I know you love animals but I'm going to save you. Your life is more important than the cat's."

"But Hyung ..."

"The cat has already lost too much blood and is badly mauled. I can't do anything for it. It will die at any time."

"But ..."

"Hush now, I'm going to make the cold and pain go away. Don't think about anything except getting better, araso?"

He responded to my authoritative tone by quietening down.

Ajumma brought a basin of warm water and a towel. Ajoessi brought in my gunny sack with the injured cat. It's body was mangled and it was bleeding heavily. It was so badly hurt that it had no energy to move or even make a sound. All it could do was breathe and wait for the end.

I better hurry. Transferring injuries into the living was much easier than to the dead. If it died before I finished the job, it would be more difficult for me.

I got comfortable beside Eun Ho and took his small hand in mine. I stroked the dying cat trying to comfort it. Hopefully, it would die faster and in peace instead of waiting in pain to bleed slowly to death. Behind me, Ajoessi held his wife praying for a miracle.

"Close your eyes and think of nice things," I murmured. "You'll be up in no time ..." I said even I focused the strange energy in me.

Gathering the power, I invaded Eun Ho's body carefully. I was surprised to find the plague was strong, stronger than in Ajumma's body. I frowned at the implications but decided to leave it for now. I had to concentrate at the task at hand. Slowly, I made my way to it's twisted core, darkness swirling around me. I took a deep breath and pulled, willing the disease to me. It resisted, the boy's fear was too delicious to let go. With new understanding of the plague from Mi Rae, I devised a new strategy. Since Eun Ho was only afraid for himself, so I lured the plague with more terror.

Letting down my walls allowed my inner doubts and worries free. I let it 'see' my many fears. I was afraid the plague would kill Eun Ho. I was terrified it would kill all I loved, my new found family and friends. The village which I now called home and then, I would be homeless and lost once again. It worked. The black disease gleefully let its hold on Eun Ho go and flowed eagerly to me.

Moments passed and I lost myself in the task. I must get every bit of the disease out. Nothing must be left to spread again. I felt the prickling cold as it took hold of my heart. Trails of ice forged on my chest and spread into my limbs. I could literally feel it snaking into my arms and legs. I trembled at the intense sensations. Why was it so strong and fast?

"Hyung?"

"Kenchana. It's o'kay. I'm o'kay. How are you feeling?"

"Much better. The cold sharp poking is gone and I can breathe now."

"Good," I croaked. Behind me I heard Ajoessi gasp and Ajumma crying softly in relief. Her precious son was saved.

"Rest now," I said as his parents came forward. I left the recovering boy to his parents whilst I turned my attention to the cat.

The poor thing was hardly breathing now, I had to hurry. Quickly I channeled out the dark disease into the dying cat. It's laboured breathing becoming shallower and shallower as the cold and pain left my body. I stayed like that for what seemed forever. There was a bit left when I felt the walls of death spring up between me and the cat and I was unceremoniously kicked out of it. I snapped back into myself, the sudden impact hitting me hard.

"Owwww," I groaned holding my head.

"Si Woo-ah! Kenchana?"

"Kenchana. I'll be alright. I need to go lie down now ..."

"Yes, that's right. Si Woo became dizzy and passed out when he helped me,"said Ajumma. "It must be hard for you. Go rest and Si Woo ...?"

I raised my blurry eyes questioningly at her.

"Gomawo. Thank you for saving my Eun Ho. Thank you for saving my son."

Ajoessi hauled me up to my feet and guided me to my room.

"Rest. I'll clean up and bury the cat. It's dead isn't it?"

"Yes ..." somehow I felt sad at the cat's passing. It was an innocent creature which played a part in saving my brother.

"Don't worry about it. When you get up, I'll ask Jiah to make you some food."

He hugged me briefly. "Gomawo Si Woo. I don't know what I would have done without you. You are an angel, a Saint sent from the Heavens. I'll be forever grateful to you for saving both my dearest wife and my precious son."