by Jeremy Finn
CROSSING OVER
Clouds descend to earth in winter, billowing shinny and smooth.
Spring rises soft as a feather, peach-pink petals drift in the air.
Like a nest of jade snakes, summer hills ebb and flow.
Gold, red, orange; a magnificent sunset caresses the land in fall.
-Seasons of the Taedek Mountains, Author unknown
James stood in his office trying to understand what was wrong. It was cloudy outside, but seemed like the middle of the day. Perhaps that was what seemed odd – it was the middle of the day and no one else seemed to be in the building. What was he doing here alone? Come to think of it, when did he come here and what was he doing just a minute ago? As he was pondering these awkward questions, a sudden burst of light caused him to stumble and trip over a chair. A bright, white and gold light was shimmering just outside the large window and moving slowly toward the building. It had a human form, though its brightness washed out any details like facial features. Just when it appeared to James it would crash into the window, it effortlessly slid right through the glass and stopped just meters in front of him.
“Who…what are you?” James demanded.
“Do not be afraid,” a voice like rushing water uttered. “I am of the Light like you. I am a messenger of the Father of Lights. I have been delayed by the prince of this realm, but I have come to tell you that you must not travel by roads or paths. The dark are hunting you and will seek to seize you along your course.”
“You…you’re a guardian!?” James exclaimed. “Tell me why they want to kill me! Where am I being led!”
“These mysteries are not for me to disclose,” the guardian answered with a tone that denoted finality. “You must heed what I have said and look to the Light for guidance. Have faith, James, and listen to your spirit.”
“James began to utter a protest, but as he stood up to face the guardian, the scene of the loft above Hyuk’s restaurant suddenly enveloped him. He was sitting up in his bed on the floor and Sunga had just jerked her hand away from his shoulder.
“I’m sorry,” she said frightfully, “I just trying to wake you up. It is time to go.”
“No, I’m sorry,” James said as he rubbed his eyes. “I just had a weird dream and you startled me. Sorry to jump like that.”
Sunga smiled sweetly and led James downstairs and out the back door where her father was fastening a tarp covering a pile of something loaded in the back of a small flat bed truck. It was still dark outside. Since Sunga’s father seemed to be in a rush, James was soon seated in the passenger seat of the truck’s cab and saying his goodbye’s to Sunga from the open window. Though certainly nothing like romance had emerged between the two, James could not help but feel some resentment at being jerked away from this pleasant girl so soon, and without any guarantee of ever meeting her again. After Hyuk jumped into the driver’s seat, both James and Sunga began to speak at the same time. Sunga smiled and motioned for James to go first.
“I just wanted to ask you to tell your father that I would like to be dropped off somewhere away from main roadways. In my dream, I was warned about traveling on main roads and public transportation. I know it sounds crazy, but based on the events of the last few days, I plan to take all the precautions I can.”
Sunga relayed the request to her father, who looked quizzically at James, but nodded his understanding.
“And,” James continued, “well, I kind of wanted to just say thank you to you and your father again, and tell you that I really enjoyed spending time with you. You are a very special girl.”
Sunga blushed, “No, no, not special. Just a normal girl. James, remember to follow Light. You will do well.” She slipped a folded piece of paper into his hand. “It is my address so you can write me when you finish trip. I want to hear you are ok.”
“Oh, definitely,” James said. Both exchanged final farewells, and Hyuk took off down the dirt road that wound through a narrow maze of low buildings before linking to the main road running through the town.
James sat awake for a while, watching endless streams of barren fields (apparently the harvest was complete) flow by in the illumination of the little truck’s headlights. He felt sorry for his inability to hold a conversation with Hyuk, but spent his time contemplating the unusual experiences and emotions of the last week and the unknown journey that lay ahead of him. In the end, his experience with Sunga strengthened his resolve to continue his commitment to the Light rather than draw him away from it. Her encouragement and personal dedication to the Light confirmed James’ initial belief that there was something different about these people who fought for this hidden cause. Though a new feeling of anticipation filled James as opposed to the fear and uncertainty of before, he still felt emptiness at leaving Sunga behind, and hoped he would be able to meet her again someday. Before the sun rose over the mountains, which grew closer by the kilometer, James dozed off into a sound sleep undisturbed by odd dreams or bright messengers.
He woke hours later with a frozen cheek. He fell asleep with his face against the window, and the cold outside seeped into his flesh. While working his jaw and trying to regain regular muscle movement on the right side of his face, James took in the view from the cab windows. They were at the base of the mountains that seemed so far in the distance from Ka-pyun. The sun was well over the mountain tops, but a heavy frost still gripped the land, clinging to house windows and blanketing the fields. They appeared to be driving through the foothills of the mountain range looming before them, and there was a complete absence of the watery crop fields he grew so accustomed to over the last week or so. Here, smaller earthen fields alternated with patches of deciduous forest, and small houses were scattered about the hillsides.
After coming over a rise about twenty minutes later, Hyuk reached over and tapped James’ leg to get his attention. He pointed ahead and pronounced the name of their destination. Through the mist of morning fog mixed with smoke from wood-burning ovens, James could see the dark outline of a small city. As they neared the city, Hyuk turned off the main road and wound his way around the outside of the developed area. After driving a short distance up a paved road leading into a deep valley just outside the city, he pulled the truck into a small clearing out of view from the road and motioned for James to stay seated. James thought he was going to relieve himself or fix something on the truck, so when he saw him in the rearview mirror striding back down the road toward the city, he began to wonder what the country cook was up to.
After snooping around the area and sitting in the car with the door open for about half an hour, James heard someone approaching on foot from behind. A quick look in the mirror revealed Hyuk panting up the hill with his arms wrapped around a large bundle. James walked out to meet him, and Hyuk pulled him over to the back of the truck. After unfastening some straps and lowering the rear gate, Hyuk dropped the bundle on the platform and began pulling items out. First, he revealed a thick winter jacket, pants made of tough material, gloves, a knit hat, and boots. James was surprised when he realized they were for him, and tried to protest in his limited vocabulary learned from Sunga. Hyuk would not hear of it, though, and made motions that signified cooking and sweeping until James realized the older man was repaying him for his work at the restaurant.
After strong urging from Hyuk, James tried on the clothes and attempted to express they all fit well, even though the pants were just a little too tight at the waist and threatened to drive his underwear into an uncomfortable place with each step he took.
Next, Hyuk pulled out a backpack with several pockets. In these he loaded matches, large bottles of water, a flashlight with batteries, and several large balls of rice, which were wrapped in seaweed and packaged in cellophane. After grabbing some vegetables out of the back of his truck and stuffing them into the pack, he pulled it over James shoulders and helped him adjust the straps.
The bundle now appeared empty, but Hyuk retrieved two more items – a map and a compass. He unfolded the map
and stammered a single word, “where?” While he repeated this, he made walking motions. James got the idea, and felt for the pull in his mind. He pointed in the direction of the pull, which sent Hyuk’s gaze down the depths of the valley. Hyuk shook his head and grumbled, but pulled James to the map, which was a layout of the whole country, and pointed to a little city nestled in the foothills of a large range about three quarters of the way to the bottom of the country. He then took out a pen and lined the map up according to their current position. Once he identified their valley outside the city on the map, he folded an edge of the map over and used it as a straight edge to draw a line running out of the valley in the direction James provided. The line ran up the valley and then directly over the large mountain range running northeast to southwest along the eastern spine of the country before dropping into a coastal plain and then out into the ocean surrounding the southern end of the country. James noticed between the valley and the ocean the line seemed to run through desolate mountainous areas until it hit the coast, where a tiny symbol indicated the only object worth identifying on the map for some distance, a historic site of some sort.
Hyuk suddenly seemed to discover something, and then pointed to the map again. He drew his attention to a road running through the mountains nearly parallel to James’ path and only a few kilometers to the southwest.
“No, no,” James said in Hyuk’s language, and finished in his own, “I can’t go on roads.”
Hyuk seemed to understand, shook his head, and pointed again. This time he drew a line along through the center of the valley and up a hillside until just before it intersected the road, at which point he continued to trace the line just along the northeast edge of the road, and then back toward the straight arrow once the road emerged from the mountains and curved to the west.
James got the idea. Hyuk wanted him to get to within visual range of the road, and then use it as a handrail while he traveled through the mountains. This would ensure he stayed out of sight while guaranteeing a correct course until he emerged from the uninhabited mountains. He nodded his understanding and patted Hyuk on the shoulder. After some attempts at a farewell, Hyuk settled the awkward situation by embracing James in a strong hug and sending him on his way up the valley with a slap on the back. James turned back and waved one last time as Hyuk did a u-turn and sped down toward the city below to continue his routine business. James watched until the truck was gone from sight, and then turned back up toward the valley with a heart full of thanks mixed with regret at parting.
The sun was high in the sky and brought enough warmth, paired with the exertion of climbing the slow incline into the valley, to cause James to doff his thick jacket. As he breathed in the crisp mountain air laced with a smoky odor from the hearths burning in the city below, James actually felt a little bit of excitement concerning the renewal of his journey. He enjoyed the week of relative relaxation, and was fully outfitted with gear and food for the days ahead. Although the road leading through the valley was not extremely long, it took James some time before he reached the end because he allowed himself the luxury of strolling slowly through the picturesque landscape of jagged rock thrusting up on both sides of the road through the nearly leafless trees and occasional conifers covering the scene. A large stream also meandered along the roadside providing the gentle, tumbling melody familiar to those who frequent mountainous areas.
At the end of the road, James found a small cluster of restaurants and several trailheads. A quick look at a tourist map on a wooden placard informed him this was a small mountain park riddled with hiking trails and a few temples belonging to a local religion. James wedged his hand into the tight pants, where he had stuffed his small wad of remaining money, and decided to treat himself to a last meal at a restaurant. It looked as if it would be at least several days before he would have the opportunity for such a luxury again.
After a relaxing meal of soup made from small river eels and a large bowl of rice, James chose a trail from the park map board. If he followed this trail, it would take him to the ridge that ran along the east side of the highway he wanted to use as a hand rail for his journey through the mountains. The sun was just touching the ridge above, and promised several hours of daylight. James planned to reach the ridge and identify the highway, then he would find a suitable spot in the woods to settle down for the night.
James enjoyed the first part of his climb up the ridge line as he followed a well-marked path by a little temple wedged into a shelf of flat rock between two rock faces. He did not see anyone, but he could hear the sound of chanting and the rhythmic beat of some sort of rudimentary instrument. A light fragrance of exotic spices also emanated from the little building, which was composed of ornately carved wood, and bore the symbols of ancient gods and images of mythic tales. A little farther along, the trail passed by a small waterfall dropping from a craggy lip high above and cascading down a steep rocky surface until it dispersed in a deep pool along the side of the trail. Not long after, though, the trail began to narrow and was peppered with loose rocks. Despite the exertion brought on by the increasing incline and unsteady surface, the disappearance of the sun behind the ridge and the nearing of evening caused James to put his jacket back on and contemplate the gloves as well.
By the time James reached the top of the ridge, he was tired and the forest was cloaked in darkness. The sun had already set and the chill in the air was strong. He sat for a moment on a large boulder hanging over the edge of the ridge and scanned the panorama before him. Sure enough, he could make out the highway far below him in the valley running parallel to the ridge line, just like the map showed. This deep in the country, though, even this road had little traffic. The road lacked street lights, and James only noticed a pair of headlights tracing its course every now and then.
After catching his breath, he continued along the trail until it dipped back down into the valley from which he had come. At this point, he kept himself oriented on the highway and broke off the trail into the woods covering the ridge line. Since the ground was slick with fallen leaves and thick underbrush continually snagged and pulled at James’ legs, he decided after about twenty minutes to make an early night of it and searched for a spot to bed down. After dropping his sack under a little crop of low, gnarled pines providing a thick canopy against wind and sight, he wolfed down a rice ball and some of the snacks and water Hyuk gave him. Although the meal was cold, it seemed the best he had enjoyed in weeks.
With a full stomach and a bank of leaves piled up against his back as a windbreak, James settled down to sleep with his head on his backpack. As he lay in the silence, a small pocket of panic tried to push its way to the surface of his mind, questioning the wisdom of trekking through the mountains in the late fall and reminding him of just how alone he was up here. However, from his perch on the mountaintop he could see a vast land laid out before him and tiny lights twinkling in clusters or alone like islands. This peaceful scene helped him push back feelings of fear and loneliness, and allowed him to fall asleep despite the hard earth beneath him.
Though the first hours of sleep passed undisturbed, James woke around midnight with a chill creeping into his bones. Though the air temperature did not seem to have dropped much, the layers of clothing separating him from the rock beneath gave way to the dense rock’s power to suck the warmth from the less dense body touching it. James turned over and slept for a short time on his other side before the ground’s relentless efforts woke him again. Soon he was lying awake shivering uncontrollably with probably about five more hours before the sun would rise and begin to offer its meager ration of seasonal warmth. He spent the rest of the night drifting in and out of a restless sleep interspersed with attempts to generate warmth, like jogging in place, adjusting positions, or piling up leaves as an insulator against the merciless ground.
Once the sun shed just enough light to illuminate the forest, James packed up and started moving southward along the ridge. Although the first ten minutes were spent shiveri
ng and trying to regain feeling in his limbs, it was not long before the exertion warmed him up enough to draw him out of the frigid misery of the previous night. After a rice ball and some water, he was feeling much better, except for the growing feeling that his time left to reach his unknown destination was running out.
Once the sun rose well above the horizon and James reached the end of the ridge line, he found a flat boulder and unfolded his map. The highway led south perpendicular to several ridges running northeast to southwest. This would make for difficult travel as James would have to dip into valleys and climb ridges over and over again. Worst of all, the last ridge line was very steep and climaxed with a small cliff. The road slithered up the steep incline like a snake and then ducked into a tunnel to avoid the insurmountable cliff. When it emerged again, it ran across a high plateau with moderate hills rolling along its top and eventually eased downhill into the narrow coastal plain separating the mountains from the South Sea. As the road dipped into this plain, it took a turn to the southwest. Since James still felt a heavy pull to the direct south, he knew he would eventually have to leave the side of the highway and follow the pull. Again he noticed a historical marker along the coast in the direct path of the pull, but hopefully his destination would come long before the coastline. What if there was an island off the coast he was being drawn to? James put such worries out of his mind and decided to forge on with hopes that the completion of his travels was near.
As the sun began to dip in the west, though, he was feeling increasingly pessimistic. He already crossed three ridge lines today and was halfway up his fourth. He was exhausted and bruised from slipping on the slick ground covered with dead leaves. Another glance at the map, though, gave him the determination to continue to the top of this mountain. The map showed a ski resort in the valley tucked into the eastern edge of the mountain, and James hoped he might find a warming hut or snack bar at the top of the mountain.
