Nightmare Diaries
Illusions

The bus was waiting in front of the school gate. Before we went up there, Ms. Jae, as the person in charge told us to gather first to form three longitudinal rows. So that he can pass on and give instructions.

We will go on holiday to Seongeup Traditional Village which is under the foot of Halla Mountain.

The purpose of this trip is to relieve fatigue after the end of last Sunday's semester exam. This holiday is held exclusively for students in 12th grade, for three days.

No need to linger, We are immediately welcome to take the bus and choose a seat each. I sat down with my friend, call him Ye-Jun. We were classy and sat down so we looked very close. He is friendly and a bit chatty.

The journey to the village is not too far from my city. About two or three hours have arrived. Ye-Jun chattered randomly beside me making the trip not feel bored. Sometimes he sings ria and does not hesitate to invite other friends to come too.

Buses continue to split the city. Because the holiday so travel a little stuck. But we don't mind the important thing that everyone enjoys is safe.

It did not feel like time had passed and we had already entered the foot of the mountain area. Huge trees and winding roads filled the eyes. Until we came to the village. Our eyes were immediately treated by a row of traditional-pattern villages that are said to preserve the dignified atmosphere of the past.

Still maintaining traditional values such as houses with stone walls and thatched roofs with household tools that are also all traditional. Several zelkova and nettle trees that were hundreds of years old stood in the middle of the village.

Our bus stopped in front of a house, greeted by some men one of their most striking, large bodies with thick beards, he seemed to be the head of the village. Bu Jae ordered us to get off interspersed with messages to be polite while in a place where people live.

I was amazed to see such a beautiful and classic scene, like in a fairyland.

The village chief began to introduce himself as well as his comrades. We will be guided by them while in this place.

"Please line according to your respective class. After that, for class leaders please divide their class members into three groups. Each consists of five people. If you can make a random number fair." Bu Jae is back.

"Good, Mom!" We simultaneously answered.

I immediately occupy my own class which is 12 MIPA 3. The class leader, Baek Ho began to make a division with a count of seats. I got the sequence number 3, my other friends who are the same number as me approached.

"Hi Kang Dae, we're a bunch of ya! Please cooperate with him."  It was Boram, the bespectacled female genius who was the throne general champion in succession.

I smiled and returned his greeting. "Hi also Boram!"

Suddenly, a hand reached my shoulder tight almost losing my balance. I looked at who was so close. Ah, apparently the athletic Bong Goo. I put on an annoyed face because of his behavior whereas he only displayed a griny face.

"Don't be angry with Kang Dae. Don't you want to feel this muscle?" He even showed off his muscular build.

I rolled my eyes. "No need." Then I turned to the other two members. They are Areum, the beautiful magazine model and... Ye-jeon.

He waved at me. Luckily I was able to get a group with quality people like them.

After the division of the group was completed, we were immediately directed to the homes of the residents. The house will be our temporary home. The people here are friendly and friendly, they do not even hesitate to offer a house to live in.

"For Kang Dae's group, you're here huh. The owner of this house is Mr. Wong. Practice your manners while in his house." Bu Jae came back to give advice.

We just nodded. After that, we are welcome to enter Mr. Wong's house and unwind there. The activity will start tonight so we have to replenish the energy first.

...***...

A dark atmosphere crept all over the earth, signifying the night had come. The stars scattered everywhere, adorning the sky. We have regrouped, this time in the middle of the forest close to the village area.

We make campfires, spread out mats. Be ready to eat. We sat in a circle. I took out the packaged rice that I bought earlier in the school cafeteria, not forgetting the rantang that contained other side dishes.

"Kang Dae, it looks like it's delicious." Ye-Jun beside me parrot when he sees the roasted chicken soy sauce seasoning.

"You want to?" I offered him a nod that was immediately greeted. I share it with others as well, my food is still a lot so it doesn't matter.

We spend time having fun, playing games and telling stories. Until midnight we stopped, cleaned up the trash and returned to their respective inns.

On the way to Mr. Wong's house, I saw a grandfather with his cane standing beside a large tree that was slightly protruding into the forest .

It's not very clear but I feel like he's watching us. I don't know what that means, I don't know either. It could be that the grandfather was monitoring the situation to be safe because of the mane from the village chief.

But when my eyes accidentally meet Ye-Jun, he also looks towards the grandfather. I was so tired and sleepy that I didn't really care about it and just walked by.

My sleep was disturbed because of the rough Bong Goo, his hand hit my face. I woke up and sat down with an upset face. The five of us slept together on the big carpet.

My eyes swept around. Looks like there's less, oh yeah Ye-Jun's not in place.

"Where is he?"  I got up and started looking for Ye-Jun, my hunch saying he was looking for some fresh air outside.

When I opened the door, I was immediately greeted by a collection of chandeliers scattered in each cottage yard, very beautiful. I also stepped down the path while enjoying the night panorama coupled with a quiet atmosphere that makes calm.

"Ye-June! Where're you?!" I called Ye-Jun, it's been about 15 minutes I've been around but the trunk of her nose hasn't been seen yet. I began to fidget erratically, my mind was also confused everywhere. Moreover, the night was getting late, the sounds of the night animals began to sing merrily reviving the strange atmosphere.

In the midst of the panic, my eyes again crossed with a grandfather beside a tree not far from where I was. He stood behind me with his signature stick.

I followed him too. We arrived at a lake whose water was very clear, vast as far as the eye could see, its ripples reflecting the shadow of the moon. Tulips bloom around the lake.

I saw Ye-Jun sitting alone by the lake, his feet dipped in water. I breathed a sigh of relief and was about to thank the old man but when I looked to the right he had disappeared like he was swallowed by the wind.

Yes, maybe the grandfather was in a hurry and quickly fused from view. If I have a chance to meet again, I will say. I dragged my steps closer to Ye-Jun, without greeting me directly sitting next to him.

"Ye-Jun, why are you out at night? It's dangerous we're in people's villages if anything happens how?"

"I couldn't sleep because Bong Goo's snoring was like a broken machine, pestering my composure. And why are you here? Are you looking for me?"

I felt that at that moment my mind was crazy, either my eyes were abnormal or I just felt tired which caused hallucinations, suddenly I saw Ye-Jun there were two. Yeah, two, like a bunch of twins. I didn't answer, gawking at him.

"Ye-Jun why are you two?"

Ye-Jun's brows were linked, astonished by my question. "What do you mean?"

I repeated the question again. We were confused with each other. Ye-Jun puts his hand on my forehead, thinking I'm sick.

I dismiss it rough, the more my eyes highlight the visual of his body that there are two it even makes a terrible effect.

I rubbed my eyes I could have been wrong but what happened, Ye-Jun's fake body was even more visible and grew to three with a slightly chipped face, covered in blood and showing sadness.

I distanced myself from Ye-Jun, quivering, heartless and cold sweat began to pour out. Ye-Jun who was still confused by my reaction tried to charge an explanation from me, holding onto my shoulder.

Reflexes, I lurched back because of her fear of facing off against Ye-Jun. I throw him away so as not to get close but Ye-jun insists on scattering away.

In the midst of our growing infatuation, suddenly a jet-black figure emerged from within the lake, not one but a swarm rose to the surface gradually.

"Gurgh!!" My head suddenly buzzed. Shadowed views. The objects I saw became stacked, layered, making it difficult for me to establish myself.

Ye-Jun is still clamoring calling my name, everything is so noisy and it is very disturbing. I closed my ears, on my knees. I want to go back to the inn, I want to lay myself on the carpet and sleep.

Right after my eyes returned to normal, things calmed down. I realized the place I was going to was empty. No more black and gosh..Ye-Jun also disappeared.

I was caught in solitude, in the dimness of the moon that still faithfully divided its light. Now, what happened again? Where's everybody? Why does this strange thing keep happening to me?

In a quirk that never found an answer, I caught a grandfather standing behind the trees at the end of the lake. Feeling dejavu, I pay closer attention to that grandfather I met earlier in the same position. I immediately approached the grandfather.

"Grandfather!" My hand was about to grab the grandfather's back until he turned around by himself which automatically made me tense.

The grandfather turned like a monster, with his eyes covered in a completely white color, his tongue sticking out to his neck and wide gaping chest revealing its contents.

I took a few steps back, my throat choked. I turned around quickly, wanting to leave in front of him. But, his hand easily fixed my body, my head lifted he carried into the middle of the lake. The lake that was also suddenly changed, was filled with leeches and small snakes.

I groaned in pain, his hands so forcefully pressing the shoots of my head. My tears began to flow, my breath suffocating. Am I going to die this fast? Ye-Jun where are you, I need you, please come out and save me.

"Take off Kang Dae, you fucking monster!!"

The familiar scream, oh my God, it must be Ye-Jun. Thank goodness you came on time. No, Ye-Jun didn't come alone, but with Mr. Wong.

I didn't have time to think about how they could meet and meet me here because my head was bleeding from the monster's pressure. My vision began to blur, my eyes closed and I did not know what happened afterwards.

***

"Kang Dae, wake up!" Someone patted my cheek, my reflexes awakened. My friends, Bu Jae and Mr. Woo are gathering around me, now that I'm in the cabin.

I immediately flinched and the first thing I looked for was Ye-Jun. As if I knew what I meant, Ye-Jun came and hugged me. He whispered, saying thank God I'm fine.

My mind turned back to what happened a few minutes ago. I hold my head, there's no blood. I fumbled my hair, no one was sick.

No way, the grip of the grandfather's hand was so strong how it could heal in an instant. I asked Ye-Jun about the strange events we had.

But, the answer I got was beyond reason. Ye-Jun never saw the lake or the horrible figure I mentioned. I turned to look at Mr. Wong, waiting for his exposure. But, Mr. Wong instead cast a puzzled look.

They said I slipped in the forest, stumbling on a rock.  Then one of the residents found me lying on the ground and then led me to this cottage. No one was seriously injured just a scuff on the arm.

What the hell is going on? Is that all illusion?

"You better get some rest first, Kang Dae." Bu Jae told me to. Alright, for now I have to recover my body state first, neutralize the mind. If I continue the conversation they will think I'm weird and crazy.

I don't think this village is mysterious.