It was easier going down the slopes than climbing them, but it still required some effort. Therefore, a few minutes after she left her family behind, Yoon-Yi stopped at the base of the hill to catch her breath.
She looked down and saw people had already gathered along the river bank in order to light paper lanterns. From her high standing, Yoon-Yi could see the lotus-shaped paper lanterns floating across the water, making the river look like a fiery serpent.
Without wasting another moment, Yoon-Yi hurried along the path. When she reached the river, her cheeks were flushed from the effort and her breathing was heavy. But despite all that, she felt happy. Lighting paper lanterns had been a favorite activity for her during festivals. She thought there was beauty in the way those delicate objects withstood fire and water combined, gliding gracefully across the river in order to guide the spirits of the dead.
A gust of wind ruffled her skirt and made her hair ribbon sway in the air. She felt a shiver going down her spine at the thought of spirits being there, watching her closely. Even though she rationally knew it was impossible, the entire atmosphere of the day had made her feel more perceptive of these things. Soon though, the beauty of the place and the rowdiness of the people shook her out of her scary thoughts.
A few feet away from where the path ended was a stone bridge. On the other side there were people selling paper lanterns, food, and jewelry. A lot of people were coming and going in all directions, making Yoon-Yi dizzy trying to keep up with their movements.
Deciding to check out the stalls first, Yoon-Yi crossed the bridge and stopped in front of a middle-aged woman selling hair ornaments, ribbons, and jewelry. They sparkled and glittered in different colors, making it impossible to choose one. Eventually, Yoon-Yi settled for a simple hair ornament in the shape of a red flower. Paying the seller, she moved on towards the next stall. From there she chose a beautiful pink lotus-shaped paper lantern and decided to head towards the river bank.
As she crossed the bridge, the influx of people grew larger, making it difficult to walk without bumping into someone. She was starting to feel slightly claustrophobic, being surrounded by so many people.
Three more feet and you'll be off this damn bridge. Just hang on a little longer. She kept telling herself.
At that moment, she brushed against someone's shoulder, the force of the impact throwing her off balance for an instant.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" she cried out, managing to lean against the edge of the bridge for support.
Before she was able to turn around and see the stranger's face, a sudden gust of wind blew her hair ornament away. It fell into the water, floating gently on the river surface. The flower was visible for a moment longer before it sunk slowly.
'Damn it! I just got that.' She thought miserably.
This whole excursion was starting to feel tiring and far from the happy experience she first thought it would be.
With resentment bubbling in her chest, Yoon-Yi turned her head around in every direction, thinking she might feel better having someone to accuse for her misfortune, but she couldn't see anyone stopping to look at her. The stranger she bumped into had most surely been drawn in the wave of people that was on the verge of engulfing her as well. Swearing under her breath, Yoon-Yi continued her way towards the end of the bridge.
A minute later, she was standing on the river bank, lantern in hand. Holding her breath she lit the small fuse and placed the paper lantern on the water, gently pushing it towards the others. It glided slowly, directed by the evening wind, and soon met with the other beacons of light that people had released.
Looking at her lantern floating away, Yoon-Yi finally started to relax. Thinking of her grandmother and her ancestors, she pressed her palms together and wished for the light to guide their spirits well. After all, tonight they were closer than at any other time of the year.
Suppressing another shiver, Yoon-Yi was just about to turn around and leave when something caught her eye. Right there, just below the water surface she thought she saw something glitter. She squinted her eyes, trying to see through the dark waters of the river. The dusky sky was now reflected in the waters below, making it difficult for her to see anything from where she was standing.
In a sudden fit of curiosity, Yoon-Yi raised her dress higher and got closer to the muddy bank. Her shoes and leggings were now entirely soaked. Ignoring the cooling sensation her feet were feeling due to the coldness of the water, Yoon-Yi advanced until she was knee deep in the river.
With a gasp, she saw something silvery on the bottom of the river, right in front of her feet. She bent down and grabbed the metallic object. Just as she was retreating her hand, a rather strong current hit her legs, making her lose her footing. She scrambled to regain her balance, but it was futile. With a loud splash and a yelp, Yoon-Yi fell straight ahead in the cold water.
She moved her hands frantically, trying to reach the surface, but the clothes were dragging her down below. Still, grasping the metallic object, Yoon-Yi kicked the water, trying desperately to push herself upward. Something was strange though. It was as if the river suddenly got deeper and no matter how much she tried, she couldn't swim, as if a strange force was pulling at her body.
Yoon-Yi felt her lungs starting to burn with the need for air, her thoughts were becoming hazy and she was just about to lose consciousness when suddenly cold, blissful air hit her face like a slap. She gasped and coughed, splashing through the water. She gulped the air hungrily before attempting to swim towards the riverside. With a strong lurch, a wave pushed her out, as if the river itself was expulsing her.
'Yeah, well, I didn't like you very much either.' She thought through the fogginess caused by the lack of air.
Thankful to all the saints and spirits for helping her survive, Yoon-Yi got to her feet and looked around. Hoping to see someone willing to help her, she turned on the spot taking in the surroundings.
Then, panic made her freeze in place. She was alone on what seemed to be a very deserted riverbank. There was no human being on sight, no lanterns lit on the water and, as far as she could see, no town nearby. The area looked slightly familiar, but foreign at the same time.
Taking a shuddery breath, she took a few steps away from the bank, thinking she might try to reach the bridge. Her brain was desperately trying to connect the scene in front of her with anything that was familiar. The river, the bridge, the stalls, and the town. She was starting to feel cold as well. The wet clothes clung heavily from her body, making her advancement difficult.
Not really seeing where she was going, Yoon-Yi tripped several times. With another jolt of panic, she noticed it had grown dark outside. The sky was now dark blue, with soft tinges of purple where the sun had set.
'I wonder what time it is now. The sun is gone, but the sky isn't completely dark, so I'd say around eight or maybe nine?'
She stopped, looking apprehensive at a dark forest that was beginning to loom over the riverside. It stretched as far as the eye could see in the ever-growing darkness of the night.
'Where the hell am I? Where is the town?' Yoon-Yi kept asking herself, starting to feel dread sipping in her mind.
In the meantime, the moon had started to rise and was now bathing the entire area in a milky white light. For some inexplicable reason, her mind thought of something she once heard in a Korean drama.
At that time she just thought the words sounded cool, but being here in this deserted place, with nothing but the moon as a source of light, suddenly made her think of those words very differently.
Shaking violently and scared out of her wits, Yoon-Yi clenched her hands into fists. That is when she realized she was still holding the thing she picked up from the river. Raising her hand, she gaped at the object in her hand. A beautiful silvery hairpin was glittering in her palm, reflecting the moonlight in different shades of white and silver. A delicate red flower was fitted at one of its ends, while the other end looked sharp enough to stab someone to death.
Then she heard noises coming from the distance. It shook her out of her daze, and she strained her ears, trying to hear better. It sounded an awful lot like horses galloping. Sure enough, moments later she saw two dark spots on the horizon, closing in fast along the riverside.
'Why on earth would someone be riding a horse around here?' she asked herself, rather stupidly.
Yoon-Yi remained rooted to the spot, gaping helplessly just as the figures were nearing her with frightening speed. As if through a haze, she heard someone yelling and she flinched. One of the riders was shouting at her to move away. She tried to duck, but it wasn't fast enough. Her legs got caught in the wet fabric of the skirt and she tumbled down the rocky riverbed. She felt hot pain at the side of her head and the next second she blacked out.
When she finally came through, her head was pounding and she squinted her eyes, trying to see through the blur. The moon was now higher up, covering the entire area in its eerie white light. A metallic sound came from somewhere close and a moment later, her eyes caught the sight of something silvery reflecting the moonlight.
With a gasp of horror Yoon-Yi realized she was now face to face with the tip of a long sword. Its blade looked sharp enough to cut through bone and she involuntarily shuddered.