Hotel Blue Moon (Inspired by Hotel Del Luna)

Chapter 13: Everything and Nothing

(Some events in this story are loosely based on folktales and legends, none of it is intended to be offensive to the religion or belief anyone might follow.)

1994, March 7

"Do Hwan? Where are you?" A female voice echoed in the mansion, a woman was running around the halls, giggling. She called out Do Hwan's name one more time, checking behind the curtain. 
Do Hwan inside the closet, covering his mouth to prevent himself from laughing. The footsteps were now closer to the closet, and a voice exclaimed. "Hm.. he is not anywhere.. where did he go?" Do Hwan stifled a laughter. The closet suddenly opened by a woman in a green dress. Do Hwan giggled uncontrollably. 
"Mom! You found me again!" The woman scooped little Do Hwan in her arms, planting kisses wherever she could. Do Hwan squirmed, giggling. "Mom!! I'm ticklish!" He said, laughing till his belly hurt.
Do Hwan's mom carried a giggling Do Hwan to her room, and plopped him on the bed. Do Hwan screamed, laughing. The woman too fell down on the bed, her expression happy. Slowly, however, her smile faded, as she looked serious.
"Do Hwan?" She turned to face him. Do Hwan looked at his mom, grinning. 
"How much do you love me?" She asked, pinching his cheeks. Little Do Hwan hummed, thinking.
"This much" He extended his hands to his sides, accidently hitting his mom with his right hand. She pretended to be hurt, which made Do Hwan laugh even more.
"Do Hwan, you have to promise me something."
"What, mom?"
"No matter what happens," She said, ruffling his hair. "No matter what your dad says, you should never fall in to a dark path." 
"I don't understand, mom." He said, getting up. The woman sighed. 
"You're a little kid now, so it will be hard for you. But I know, you will be a strong young man someday, and you will understand mom's words, okay?" Do Hwan nodded. 
"Mom, why ae you telling me this?"
"Mom has to go somewhere, Do Hwan. Until I come back, promise me you will be safe, okay?" 
"Can I come too?" He asked, tilting his head. The woman fought back her tears.
"It is too far away, Do Hwan. When I come back, I'll take you too." Do Hwan seemed convinced. 
The woman leaned to hug Do Hwan. He hugged back, and felt a kiss on his forehead. The woman's tears flowed, despite her trying hard not to cry.
"I love you, Do Hwan. I love you so much."
"I love you too, mom." The woman hugged tighter.
Little did Do Hwan knew, that would be the last time he saw his mother. Alive at least. 
Their house was packed with people, some crying, some silent but his dad looked cold. As if he had no emotions about his wife, Do Hwan's mom dying. He greeted people, accepted their condolences, but he somehow seemed off to Do Hwan. He slowly slipped from the room, much to his father's dismay and ran to his room. He hid in the closet, clutching his hands, as if in prayer.
"Mom finds me every time we play hide and seek. She will find me this time too." He said to himself, and lied down. He fit perfectly in the small closet, and didn't know when he fell asleep. When he woke up after a few hours, he was disappointed that his mom didn't find him yet.

*

"You want the full story, Detective?" Do Hwan asked, lips pursed.  Ae Ra looked nervously at Yi Sook, who looked back at Ae Ra and nodded. 
"Of course, if you're comfortable that is." Do Hwan sighed. 
An awkward silence filled the room. Yi Sook was looking at Do Hwan, expectantly, while Ae Ra looked back and forth between Yi Sook and Do Hwan.
Just then, the massive doors to Do Hwan's office swung open. The trio looked up startled, to see Mr. Ha running into the room. Do Hwan stood up, confused.
"Sir! There is.. Something wrong.." Now all three stood up, surprised.
"What happened, Mr. Ha? What is wrong?" 
"The moon tree.. I was standing there and.."
"Moon tree?" Ae Ra and Yi Sook asked at the same time. Do Hwan waved his hand at them.
"I was just looking at it and I noticed something. You have to come, now!" Do Hwan rushed out the door, with the rest close behind. 

They stormed down the stairs, into a garden with a beautiful tree in the center, blossoming with flowers Ae Ra and Yi Sook had never seen. They both looked at each other, while Do Hwan went near the tree, inspecting.
"What did you see, Mr. Ha?" He asked, almost impatiently.
"Look.. here!" Mr. Ha went behind the tree. Do Hwan went with him while Yi Sook and Ae Ra took careful steps towards them. Do Hwan looked somewhere at the base of the tree, frowning. Ae Ra noticed it and looked to find a small patch on there, black in color.
Ae Ra took a step closer, to find a small rot on the tree. She looked at Do Hwan, confused.
"Does Ma Go know?" Do Hwan asked, in a whisper. Yi Sook walked closer to Do Hwan.
"What does this mean?"
"There is a rot on the tree, over here." Mr. Ha answered for Do Hwan. Ae Ra was seriously confused.
"Why is that an issue?" Yi Sook asked, raising an eyebrow. Do Hwan continued to stare at the rotten flesh on the tree. Mr. Ha sighed.
"The Moon tree is in existence since the beginning of time. This is the first time something like this has happened."