CHAPTER 10
Loud cries from the whole servants and silent cries from the masters are the only sounds that can only be heard. Everyone was crying for what reason. I don't know, I don't have any idea.
I gasp as soon as I open my eyes. I'm still in this hallway and the banging sound from them is already gone. I noticed the blood all around me and under the door. I still hear them crying in agony and I don't know why. I pushed myself up and I winced in a burning pain in my back. I remember Barbie getting me then her friend stabbing me multiple times. They're trying to kill me or so Barbie wants me dead.
I cough and more blood keeps coming out from my mouth. I can taste the metallic flavor in my tongue. I open the door and all nine of them were seating there while crying but after seeing me. They were shocked.
"You alive?!" Seulji gasp, standing up and running to me. She hugged me as she cried. Jaemen, Juyeon, and Xion too. They hugged me as if they miss me.
"How are you not dead?" Seulji asked after pulling away from me.
I shrugged. "I don't know either."
We're shook once the crying gets louder. We all looked at each other. "What is that?" Juyeon asked with a frown.
They all wear their mask again while I? Hiding my face as possible and my soaked in blood appearance. We walked through the dark hallway and manage to go into the living room where we find all of them gathered there. We noticed master Lee sadly looking at master Yangs who laying down on the couch, eyes closed, and looking very lifeless. Is he dead?
"Am I seeing things? Do you think the younger Yang is dead?" Sichen asked.
"But the masters can't be dead. They can regenerate and they can't die." Doyoung said.
"How master Yangs die? Who poison him?"
Now, it all clicked to me. The reason why I'm still alive is that I still have seven lives. I have eight lives but since Barbie killed me, master Yangs can be killed too. I have them to live and they only have me, so if I die, one of them will gonna die. Meanwhile, I, still alive because I still have eight lives. Is that the reason why they hurt every time I'm in pain?
"What are you doing there? Snooping around the masters? Have respect to the dead master will you?!" The conductor who hired me screeched and pushed us towards the living room.
I don't want to get caught yet but the conductor is keep pushing us until we all stumble on where master Yangs was laying. I stumble right in front of master Yangs' face. I gasp and quickly sat up, just when I noticed them fall silent.
I winced when someone violently grab my arm and turned me around. I saw master Han's angry face. He looks pissed than before and I can't help but cry.
"You're being careless don't you think? Let yourself killed then live again?"
"So, you're here all along?" I heard master Yang say and pursed his lips. "We thought you escape."
"Get away maids! All of you! Get back to your room!" Master Yang ordered and master Han pulled my hair. I winced in pain. He pushed me down on master Yangs. All the servants and even the maids I'm with leave us all alone.
"Now, there's only one way to make your life back to eight again." I didn't speak, just crying in fear again. "Grab his hand and insert his index in your lock!"
Master Han made me kneel in front of master Yangs before removing the belts and ripping my bloody clothing. With his nails, he opens my stitch again. I bit my lips hard, preventing them from making any sound. I see master Park walk to master Yangs, making him sit and grab his hand. His index turned into a key. I shook my head violently, I don't want this. No, there's no way I let myself be claimed by the dead!
"No! Please!" I cried. Master Park only smiled at me before inserting master Yangs key inside my wound. I scream out of pain as I cried messily. Master Han grabbed my neck from behind and start choking me.
"I'll kill you this time what do you think?" He asked. They continue doing something horrible and painful to me. The pain is too much for me to handle until I finally passed out.
-
I gasp as I woke up and hurriedly sat up. I winced once the shooting pain burns my back. I looked around to find myself inside of what seemed like a children's room with creepy toys all around. I even realized that I was inside of the huge dollhouse. Everything around me was a toy and it was covered in moisture and molds. I hissed and start to crawl out of the dollhouse but I stop when I saw the door just opened. I see master Yang enter inside with a box in his hands. I felt something grasp my ankle and I found myself being dragged outside from the dollhouse. I whimpered in pain as soon as my wounds rubbed roughly against the floor.
"Tonami, what I told you? Don't drag him like that. He's not a toy. He's your mommy."
What? I tried to get up but I fall back every time.
"Aww...look at your mom. He's hurt. Don't worry, daddy will help mommy."
I can hear master Yang's footsteps nearing me until he stops on top of my head. I looked upon him and the pretty doll beside him. It's more like a child than a doll. It's really pretty but creepy because of how old it is with full of scratches. "Mama." Said the doll and help me get up.
I was confused when the doll run to my lap and hug me. I was too shocked to move. I just seating lifeless on the floor with a creepy doll hugging me. Her porcelain arms have cracks on them. I'm being hesitant to hug her back and look upon master Yang. He smiled at me and I see his fangs peeping through his lips. I hurriedly looked down on the doll and she was also smiling.
"Mommy can hug Tonami." She said with her telecom voice. I sighed, nodding my head and despite the creepiness I felt, I hugged her.
I jump when I feel someone hug me from behind. I winced as his clothes pressed against my wounds. I shivered once he start planting kisses on my neck down to my back. Just when I realized that I'm shirtless. I heard a loud moan from the other room near this room. It sounds like Barbie.
"Daddy will always love mommy." Master Yang whispered in my ears before licked inside. I flinched and quickly move away from him.
"W-what...don't lick my ear like that," I mumbled. Master Yang smiled at me and Tonami get off my lap and run inside of her dolly house.
Master Yang immediately pinned me on the floor. I looked at him with fear. Is he mad because his younger brother is dead because of me? Did he not make it? Master Yang leaned on my face. "Yang, my little brother make it at least. He killed the one who stab you to steal her life."
I gasp, not believing what he said. Is my intuition not right? Or they can live because I have a lock so if they want to live is-- I shook my head. What do I expect? They are all monsters. "Hey...I'm going to claim you now."
After hearing that, my body automatically moved on its own and immediately pushed master Yang away. I stood up and run to the door but before I have a chance to hold the knob, he quickly catches me. He pulled my hair from behind and slammed me on the wall. "You know dear, my patience is not limited and if it happened to the point I reached my limit, we know that you wouldn’t want to see me get angry."
My eyes began to water and tears quickly makes their way out from my eyes. "It hurts...I can't take the pain. It's too much...please...just let me be in my room."
"No can do. You're going to sleep with me starting tonight. You know, the hyungs are upset because of you and I'm the one who has the heart to forgive you." He said and kissed my shoulder. I can feel him pressing his' on my buttocks. I squeezed my eyes shut as more tears escape from my eyes. I can feel his fingers holding my chin and turned my head to face him. He immediately linked his lips on mine, kissing me in the way that I don't like. "Don't worry, I won't hurt you as long as you be a good wife for me."
He turned me around and linked our lips together again, stealing my air. I gagged by just tasting his tongue inside my mouth. It's horrible just like master Han. I sighed and try myself to calm down. If I ride along, I can able to go to the library. I know this is what they wanted and this is my first plan to know the truth.
I gasp when he carried me up, squeezing my butt. I didn't react at all, I hugged him and buried my face on the crook of his neck. I heard him chuckle. "You're so cute, love. How about we go to my room. Shall we?" he said and I feel him walking.
I heard the door open and just then I heard the moan again and a slapping sound against the skin. Wait, "The heck Hwang? You can't wait? Get a room." I heard master Yang say. "Don't look at them love."
I tightened my hug on master Yang causing him to chuckle and brush my hair. "Don't worry, you're safe with me."
"Are you going to claim him? Please, make it fast. I want to claim him already too." Master Hwang said. "I badly want to claim him already."
"Yes I will, so just enjoy your nighttime with your bitch. I will take care of our love for now. Also...I want to protect him from you guys. I can't let anyone hurt the mother of my child anymore."
"You totally out of it."
"We all totally out of it."
Master Yang continue to walk and when I noticed that we turn to the other hallway I decided to look up. It's not dark here anymore. There's a lamp that is linked to the wall. We passed master Han's room with the door half-open. From over there, I see master Han fucking Barbie in such a brutal way. I don't want to talk about it.
My eyes widen when our eyes meet. I didn't look away because I know this will not last long. But it's just in my thought. I see master Han stumble to get off from the bed and run to us.
"Wait!" He said causing master Yang to stop and turn to face master Han.
"Yes, Han? Do you need something?"
"If I say I need that boy you carrying, will you give him to me?" I heard master Han said and I shuddered. Just thinking with master Han makes my skin crawl.
"I won't. He's mine." Master Yang quickly said before turning away and leaving master Han.
"When you become greedy?! Stupid brat!" master Han shouted but when our eyes meet, he winked at me.
I flushed and buried my face on master Yang's neck causing him to laugh. We passed the library and see it, it's not locked. I started to struggle but master Yang didn't let go of me. "Why are you struggling now?"
"Can I go to the...library? Just for a moment? You can come with me if you want." I asked despite the fear I feeling right now.
"It's forbidden room but I can tour you there. But what will you give in return?"
I didn't think anymore and just kissed him on his lips even within me I dislike it very much. He quickly responded to my kiss. When we parted he already smiling. "I'll let you claim me and do whatever you want."
"Alright." He shortly said before finally letting me go but, in a short while, he hold my hand and tangled it together. "I'll never let you go alright? But first, wear this."
He passed me his coat and I gladly took it. I let go of his hand for a while to wear the coat properly then hold it again. We walked to the library. I held the door and heard him chuckle. I glance at him. "What's so funny?" I asked with a frown.
"I just thought how small you are."
I can't help but rolled my eyes but not in front of master Yang. I can't let him get mad at me especially when I am about to reach my answers. I open the door slightly, peeking inside and see that no one is here. I wonder where is master Kim? I often see him in the library, spending his whole time writing or reading. I stepped inside but master Yang quickly blocked his arms on my way. The heck?
"Kim is his room and by the end of the time, he'll come back. You only have minutes to find what book you are looking for."
I nodded. And I have my time to escape from this place. I step inside and master Yang followed me from behind. I stared the library in awe. I don't have the opportunity to see the whole library because I'm too afraid back then and besides master Hwang quickly dragged me out from here instantly. But right now, I can see and admire the beauty of this library. Everything looked so old, moist everywhere on the dashboards, planks, and woods scattered around the floor with broken shreds from the window. Also, the window is not blocked. I can see the beautiful night and chilling trees outside. I see the reason now why master Kim spend his whole day here. In this room than the garden, it feels comforting.
The familiar cold touched my skin. It's been months since I lasted feel it. The fresh air from nature. I miss it. I miss the outside, the city, and mostly my life in Seoul. Right, I will get out of here with the others. I just need to find the way out. Maybe here in the library.
I walked to the huge bookshelves. Lots of books are here while the others have locks on them. What books I'm looking at? Ah, right. The one about these monsters. The history of this mansion.
"I hate in here!" Master Yang rants. "I can't stay longer. Can you please grab that book already?"
"You can wait for me outside," I said and he hurriedly run outside.
"I'll come to get you when Kim is here!"
I hope not.
I continue my search. I looked at every book but most of it is nonsense. I almost give up not when I noticed a door in the wall. I walked to it, removing the webs and touching the hard concrete. I looked at my surroundings, making sure that no one is following me or watching me. I pushed the door open making a cracking sound. I pushed it again until a dark tunnel greeted my eyes. What does this tunnel lead to? I wish I could have my light with me. If I'm backing now, there's no way I can get here again. This room will be lock or master Kim will stay here long until night.
I heaved a sigh, maybe just maybe the book I'm searching for is in there?
I step inside, closing the door behind me. I can't see but only darkness. I could see nothing, and my heart was pounding heavily in my aching chest. I didn't know where I was going, but I had to go somewhere deep in this tunnel. I couldn't stay here. I couldn't stay still, alone in the flooding darkness. My hand grasps on the wall, making this to guide me to this never-ending darkness. I'm taking a step at a time and every time my feet landed on the old concrete, it would make a creaking sound. I can hear rats running my way. I don't know where I am but I'm sure this is dangerous and going back is a lot dangerous.
I whimpered when I bumped on the wall. I grasp it and it looks like a door. I tried finding the knob until I touched on something that hanging on the wall. I took it and how convenient it is. It's a lighter. I open it up and I almost smiled because I have a light that will guide me to this darkness. On the wall, I noticed a note that pins on it with a needle. I read it.
'Note #1.
Hello. I'm...yeah, this is my first note and I'm having a hard time running away from the masters. They are all crazy. By the time I'm leaving this note, I'm hiding away from them. Here, I'll let my lighter hang in here for the rest who found this tunnel. I hope it will help you. I have candles so do not worry. I'm the first person to die here than you anyway.
- Taehyun'
Whoever this guy, he seems like he's struggling for life. Masters is searching for him and I don't know if he survive. I leave the note there if ever I didn't survive in this place and someone other than me discover this passageway. I twitched the doorknob and pushed it open. I see a room? No, it's more like a basement with a stock of woods and broken types of furniture. I walked down the stairs and closed the door behind me. I shone my light on the dark areas. This looks like a stock room but fully abandoned.
I see the door on the corner. I hurriedly made my way there and open it. I was shocked to find a clean room full of webs and moisture. I didn't know there's a room here?
I walked inside, shoeing the light on every object that can't see. There's a frame on top of the drawer. It's pictures of their mothers I assume. Their mother is incredibly beautiful and they look like them. They aren't wearing hanbok but an England dress. I wonder, is this mansion was owned by their mothers? But where are their fathers? How come eight mothers with eight sons living in the same place?
I decided to open the drawer and saw a journal. It looks like a journal though. I grab it before opening it.