Haan

Chapter 14 - Plans

Despite not being able to sleep last night, I got up impatient to start the day. My head was full of plans and the faster I got moving, the faster I could put them into action.

First a cold bath, then a hot breakfast of thin gruel. It was still dark when I arrived at Dr.Li's place. Min opened the back door to let me in.

Morning came with a spectacular dawn. The sun crept up dispelling the gloomy night with a burst of light over the horizon. Colors flooded back into the surroundings and life returned anew as creatures woke up from slumber.

I told Dr.Li to bring in as many patients as he could. I wanted to cure as many as possible before going to Mi Rae. I wanted to cure everyone in case something happened to me. I was afraid I would lose my unique healing abilities when I tackled the source of the Plague. If I left any infected, they would surely die. Better to save those I could and leave with a clean conscience.

My plan was to transfer the power out of Mi Rae. But was it even possible? Mi Rae was not actually affected by any symptoms nor was she dying from it. It was not the Plague I was planning to transfer but the source itself. At this point she was just an unwilling host for the Spirit's evil power. Surely, it would be different? I had horrible doubts it would work. It could even cost me my life but I had to try.

Knowing those still sick were in the early stages, healing would not be as taxing. I estimated I could move the Plague from as many as three or four people in a day. The more the better.

By the third day, I was done. I practically passed out on my neglected futon. On the fourth day, Dr. Li and Min gave me the wonderful news that the village was clean. There were no more names on their Plague list. Min had done a quick check on everyone, who greeted him enthusiastically, cheerfully confirming their good health.

As instructed, for the last four days Min had asked for anyone having symptoms to come quickly to the doctor's. This was their last chance. The 'Saint' was going away to help another village. I told Dr.Li that I could not continue performing the 'miracles' as my own health was declining and that I 'felt' the healing power diminishing in me. The lie was to explain the Saint's coming absence. I did not tell him my actual plans and concerns. Believing my lies, Dr.Li agreed to my terms. His priority was the people's health and conquering the Plague.

Once Dr.Li and Min pronounced the village free of the Plague, I left for home. Excitement, hope and doubt filled me making my heart feel anxious. What I planned, would it work? I hope it did but also hoped it did not. I wanted to rid us of the Plague once and for all, but I was risking myself and my future with Mi Rae. I sighed at my selfish self. This was not the time to have second thoughts. Be strong, I chided myself. You must consider others. Think of Ajoessi and Ajumma. Think of Eun Ho!

Resolutely, I tidied up my room, folded my futon and put everything in order. It took less than ten minutes. I did not have many possessions.

Eun Ho wandered in then.

"Hyung, why are you putting everything away? Are you going somewhere? Take me! I want to go too!"

I laughed at his enthusiasm.

"Mianhae Eun Ho, you can't follow me," I apologized. Many thoughts ran through my head and many excuses too but in the end, I opted for simplicity. "I can't tell you now but maybe, I'll have the chance later."

"Promise?!" He held out his little hand for our secret handshake. It sealed an unbreakable promise between us.

"I promise," I replied solemnly.

Ajoessi and Ajumma were conveniently not home, I felt bad not being able to say goodbye but it was for the best.

Suddenly I laughed at myself being so melodramatic. If I couldn't transfer the evil power out of Mi Rae, I could just come home to think up another plan.

"Tell Ajoessi and Ajumma ..." I paused, "tell them I said thank you for everything and for treating me as their son. I'll be forever grateful to them."

"You should call them Appa and Eomma then," pouted the six year old, "and you can tell them yourself."

"I, ahhh ..."

"Yes, you should," came Ajoessi's voice from behind startling me. They had returned. "Si Woo, you should call me Appa and Jiah Eomma. Jiah and I have long considered you our son and Eun Ho's brother."

"Si Woo-ah ..." Ajumma said my name as she assessed my clean room. Her voice was filed with emotion and there were tears in her eyes.

She knew, I thought guiltily. She knew what I was going to do and she knew I may not come back. Mothers have scary senses like that.

"Mianhae," I apologized.

"Si Woo," said Ajoessi expectantly, his eyes full of hope.

"A-Appa ..." I stammered, feeling the wonderful word coming out of my mouth, "Eomma ...?"

All three rushed to me. We hugged and cried. It was a bittersweet moment, for when I finally allowed myself to accept them as my family, I had to leave them.

I told them that I had found a solution to end the Plague but did not give the specifics. Assuring my newfound family that I would return if I could, I bid a tearful farewell. My plan was dangerous and I knew it.

-----

I rushed to Mi Rae's house. Unmindful of my weaken condition in my haste and excitement, I collapsed coughing at Mi Rae's doorstep. To my dismay, my crush witnessed my clumsy moment. I had overestimated myself.

"Oppa? Oppa, is that you?"

I cleared my throat self-consciously, getting up and dusting off my clothes. I waved to her small face peeking out a window.

"Mi Rae! Mi Rae, it's me."

"Oppa, whay are you here? It's dangerous."

"Kenchana. It'o'kay. I've got something important to tell you."

She disappeared and the door cracked open. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, may I come in?"

"Are you sure it's safe? The Spirit ..." she asked uncertainly.

"Yes! And I figured something else out too. The Spirit can't infect me! I've never been sick! I think it's because of my healing ability. What do you think?"

"You can't get sick? That's wonderful!"

Mi Rae threw open the doors welcoming me in. She had been lonely and desperately needed some company but had not dared venture out.

We hugged briefly before I held her at arms length. I wanted to see her face.

"Bogoshipo, I've missed you," she said.

I hugged her again. "I've missed you too," I replied caressing her soft cheek.

She blushed shyly, changing the subject to hide her embarrassment. "What was the important news you wanted to tell me?"

I smiled just happy to be with her. Now,maybe I could also cure her. "I think I've found a way to get rid of the Plague."

"Really?"

"Yes, its so simple I wonder why I didn't think of it before. I want to try transferring the Plague out of you."

"Transfer it out? Can you do that? I'm not sick."

"You are, in a way. I don't know if it'll work but I want to try. If I succeed, you will be free! Mi Rae, you will be free!!"

Hope lighted up her eyes and they glisten with tears. "Is it possible? I regret it so much ... If I could go back in time, I would never agree to such horrors."

"Shhh, it's o'kay Mi Rae," I soothed her. "I'll make everything right again." I did not tell her of my doubts. "Everyone is fine now and soon, you'll be free."