CHAPTER 17
I opened my eyes to see nothing but trees hovering over me and the light that comes from the moon that stands proud above. The only thing I can hear was the sounds from the insects and the water underneath me.
My heart was pounding in my chest, and I tried to speak but nothing came out. The pain was more painful than ever. I shuddered, my body weak, aching, and cold. I pushed myself up and found a little water from the river flowing under me. I began to think everything that happened in my dream was another makeup story, but why does that seem familiar to me.
I looked around and I sighed in relief when I think the masters didn't chase me. I remember they held a weird wedding ceremony. Everything was like a nightmare. I don't want to remember and then, there's Barbie giving birth to master Hwang's child and the monster under the ground. I manage to escape and fall to the cliff. Now, I'm here alone in the forest. I lost my trail to the bridge I saw earlier. I'm glad the masters didn't chase me, maybe they got tired of chasing me and pour their attention on the new member of the family, Barbie, and their child. Somehow I feel a little uneasy about it. A new child means a new monster. Should I go back there and kill it? No, let the police handle this. I don't have any strength to fight or enough weapons to kill those monsters.
I didn't have time to think about anything else before I began to get up and run. I can feel the sticky feeling on my forehead. I'm sure it was my blood from the fall. My whole body is aching and also my head but I can't stop. Now that I can able to go home after months of struggling. I don't care about my past. It's not worth remembering. Remembering that means I want to stay with them forever, together. I don't want to. I rather kill them then.
I walked in zigzag through in this dark forest. I can't run anymore. My stamina have reach its limits and my body was aching from the fall. I don't know where I'm going but I just followed the small river. My hopes up thinking that I can go home.
I walked, climb onto to cut trees that blocking my way then stumble and walked again. After three hours I can hear the river from here but not just a river but also pop music that I always hear whenever I went to the grocery. I stumble and run, until I saw camps with students I guess on the bonfire with the teacher or ranger, telling them nice stories.
I looked around to find a way to get down but I can't see anything. I guess jumping into the river is the only option. I take a deep breath before jumping down into the river.
I swim up and towards the people camping beside the river.
"Help! Help me!" I begin screaming. They seem to hear my cries and one of the students quickly run to me. He won't care if he gets wet. He help me out from the water and began crying in joy. I finally escaped? I can be safe now.
"Woah! You look hurt so bad. What happened to you?"
"Why do his clothes look so old and dirty?"
"Yikes! He stinks!"
I heard them talking among themselves and instead of feeling insulted, I feel relieved. At least I know that they are true people and not the masters.
"We will bring you to the campsite okay? And we get some help." The ranger said and help me get up.
"I'm safe right? I'm already safe, right? I can go home right?" I asked, my voice was shaking in cold.
The ranger nodded and give me a genuine smile. "Of course you are. I assure you but now please come with me." He said.
"I'll come with you!" The student who helped me said and they both help me walk.
They bring me into the patrol car and drive one hour before we get into the campsite where forest rangers were napping. The ranger and the student helped me out of the car. They are shocked to see me in such a horrible state. I didn't talk, I just let my tears slide out from my eyes. They guide me inside the post office and let me a seat. A woman ranger get into the telephone and called for an ambulance. The student who helped me was just standing there in the doorway. My worries came back again, thinking it might be master Yang or his younger brother. But when he sighs and walked to take a seat beside me I know he wasn't them.
"I know that uniform. You came from that sick place right?"
I nodded. Did he know? "Did you...went there before?" I asked and he nodded.
"We just passed by because my sister wants to gain more viewers to her channel."
Wait, is he talking about Seulji?
"As we went inside, some weirdos took us. He made me as their maid while my sister is a toy." He said with a hint of sadness in his voice. No, so it wasn't Seulji. I was wrong. "I tried to escape with her but the masters will always catch us and punish us. They torture me while they do something to my sister."
He washed his hand over to his face and sighs again. "The servants force us to eat human flesh or the toys will hurt us. I and my sister thought that they were just normal insane people but when I saw it in my very eyes, I know they aren't just insane people but a monster. I manage to escape but my sister didn't because she fell in love with the masters' actions towards her."
He paused and shook his head. "She told me to get lost and come back home without her. I assume she snap out of it and went crazy in love over to the masters. I didn't escape that time. I want her to come with me. I love my sister so much."
I watched and hear him telling his story in that sickening place. He sounds like he was about to cry. "I know this time she was next. She was next to get pregnant of one of the children of the monster."
"Are you talking about Barbie?" I asked and he suddenly stop. He looked at me and nod, tears start flowing out from his eyes. "I manage to escape because the masters were too caught up with Barbie's birth."
"So, it finally happens huh. I wonder which woman among the toys will be next if the birth was successful."
I think it was successful because the masters didn't chase me or notice that I was finally escaped. "I assume that you'll be next."
I furrowed as I stiffens on my seat. "How could I be next? I can't give birth, I'm a guy."
"Just joking but if you are a girl, I assume that you'll be next. You know, don't let them claim you or unlock your insides."
Did he know something about the padlock? "Do you know something about the padlock?"
"My sister has that too but they rip that thing out of her because she doesn't have enough stamina or energy. She easily gets hungry and goes to sleep."
"What is the meaning of that?"
He shook his head. "The masters want new members. They keep murmuring the word nine. But promise me even we don't know each other, don't ever let them get inside you."
A loud bang from outside startled us. The woman who was on the phone told us to stay before she went out. I looked out the window but the student pulled me to the near locker and pushed me in. I don't know what is happening but based on his terrified expression, it's not good. "Here," he hands me a car key. "That's the ranger truck. I know they won't let any of their servants leave the mansion, especially the person they longing for. Once get worst, I want you to run to the ranger's car and drove away from here okay? Even not, just get out of this place!" He said before closing the locker.
I watched him walk to the window and sat on the chair he was seating on earlier. I feel like he knows something. Did he read the journal? Or the file? Did he watch the VHS tape? That's why he manages to escape in the end?
The gunfire died down along with a scream from the rangers. The student didn't run to hide. He just seating there as if waiting for his fate. Soon the door slammed open causing me to jump in shock. The woman, the woman who hired me with the dead body in her hand. She was soaked in blood but despite her horrible appearance, she still smiling. She spits blood on the floor before letting go of the body. She marched towards the student.
"Where is he?" The woman asked with a threatening voice. "You know the masters number thirty-one."
What? He's thirty-one? I watched the student stand up. "How's my sister?! How is Boyoung doing?!"
"You mean Barbie? She's fine. She give birth successfully and the masters were happy about it but not fully happy because twenty has escaped."
"Are they taking good care, my sister?" He asked again.
"Yes, masters especially master Hwang is taking care of his wife and newborn child."
"Then why, why are you still seeking with that boy? Let him be! He is now out of the masters' picture there's my sister and my nephew!" He yelled, standing up.
I clenched the keys in my hands. I don't want to hear any of it. I don't want to be caught and make myself be their plaything. I'm just a thing for them. I don't deserve to be stuck in that place with them. I don't want to. I just want to be with Jinki.
"Where. Is. He." The woman asked again, her voice is more impatient.
"Kill me first before you know it." The student bravely said, glaring at the woman.
"As you wish."
The woman screeched as she run to the student but before he completely disappeared, I could see him looking in my way and smiling, mouthing his last final words. "Cover your face."
The woman tore him to pieces in the corner, leaving me in silent pain. I whimpered and silently went out of the locker. I watched as the woman keep tearing him apart. I can't help but tear up, mouthing him the words 'Thanks.' and 'I'm sorry.'
I hurriedly run out to the campsite and run to the car. I open the door and hopped in, I put the key into the ignition and turned on the engine. As I was going to step the break, she suddenly showed up beside me. Smiling at me widely.
"The masters are waiting for you. Come home now."
"No!" I screamed and hurriedly drove fast. I reach the accelerator and I managed, flying forward and hitting the signboard in front as I passed. I didn't even bother to look back and see if that woman was still chasing me. The only thing that mattered was that I'm out. I was free. I have control of this car and I'm the only one who can think of which way I would go.
I drove at full speed for a while, not seeming to see any sign of streetlight or a street anywhere. I was driving through rocks and woods, narrowly dodging trees. I decided to slow down a bit, looking up at the trees. What if the masters are hiding in one of the trees and landed on the car suddenly? That would be bad.
I noticed the map on the dashboard. I took it and decided not to check it not when I'm still here. Until I finally reach a street with some cars passing. I drove straight and check the map. I see a near town. I can buy gas for my long journey back to the city. I sigh, placing down the map and search anything useful inside. I see can food, a walkie talkie and a phone. I found the ranger wallet and some coins in the passenger seat.
As soon I reached the near gas station. I buy enough fuel and food before going back to my journey again. The people were looking at me weirdly but I didn't mind them. From the back seat, I see a jacket. I grab it and wear it. I somehow feel warm.
I grab the phone and dialed Jinki's number but the line was out of reach. I sigh and decided to just drive.
I can't believe I was finally free but I'm sad knowing the others are still there, suffering. Why is this situation kind of familiar? Seems like deja vu?
"Please don't leave us! Sunie!"
I shook my head. That weird past again. But why, why I feel guilty for leaving? This is the right thing to do, right? I shouldn't feel this way.
"I'm sorry."
I shook my head again. That was in the past, a make-up past. I didn't abandon anyone I didn't. I tried my best to be calm. I looked straight on the road but something catches my eyes in the rearview mirror. I looked upon it and my eyes widen when I see master Hwang, master Leelex and master Han seating on the back with black flowing out from their eyes.
"Do you remember?" I whimpered and quickly step the break.
I whip my head on the back seat but I didn't see anyone. Maybe it's just in my imagination. I already have trauma and this is not good. I turned back to the road and start driving again. Right, there's nothing to be worried about. I'm free. I'm finally free.
I held the belt that looped around my waist and was about to take it off but I grasp something. I picked it up and I realized that it was paper. I open the paper and read the letter.
'You think it's over? We won't set you free. We will find you if ever you escaped from this place. We will hunt you down until you snap out of it and seek for our care.'
I furrowed, why this letter seems familiar? Did I read it before? I crumpled the paper and open the window. I throw it outside. What useless junk. You'll never find me monsters. I assure you that.
I continue driving. I know I am still away in Seoul. I need to drive more. I can't stop smiling once I see houses and stores, not trees and wide grassland anymore. I can see people passing with phones in their hands. Cars driving pass and parking-- in short, I'm finally in the real province. I parked the car in front of the coffee shop and took the phone. I open the data and went directly into my account. It's been a long time since I last see the Internet and held a phone with a full battery. I don't know Jinki's number so I'll just go to chat with him. He's not online yet.
I told him that I'm sorry and I'll be home soon. The phone vibrated and Jinki finally replied. I read his reply and I got back struck by what he said.
'Don't come home.'
Then he logged out. The freak was that? What does he mean I'm not allowed to go home? Something's weird. Jinki will never say this. He loves me and pushing me away is not so him. I asked 'why?' before turning off the phone. I remember what happened earlier, I remember what Seulji said. Weapons can't damage them because they can't die. They have infinite lives and even I killed myself to kill them, they still live. If I called for help, is the police can kill them with their guns and rockets?
What if I plant a bomb in the mansion? But I don't want to go back there, but again, Beom and the others need me. They need my help. I need to go back and help them.
'Cover your face.'
I remember what the students said. If I cover my face, what will happen? They can't see me? Or doesn't know who I am?
I was startled when I heard the door from the passenger seat open then close. I quickly looked beside me and saw the little girl.
"Uh...what are you doing here?" I asked. I start to feel uneasy, is this kid isn't a monster right?
"I want to go home. Can you drive me home good sir?"
I didn't respond. I observe her for a while before nodding nonchalantly. The girl smiled at me before fastening her seatbelt. "Can you give the direction?"
She only nodded eagerly. She looks happy to be home again but why does she go to my car? It is just happened to be my car? I began to drive again, following her direction. I noticed that it was going back to where I escaped. Maybe there's another road here?
"What are you doing in the middle of the night kid?" I asked just to ease this anxiety.
"I was searching for my mom because dad told me that she run away. My dad looks devastated and so I pitied him and search for mom." She said. She sounds like a normal kid. I think she's not dangerous but I can't let my guard down.
"Why in my car? Why didn't you head directly in the station?"
"I don't know this place anymore and I just want to go home. Dad told me that people from outside are dangerous."
I nod and continue driving. We filled in silence. I don't want to search anymore.
"Right there!" The girl points to the left which is the path toward the forest, again? Back to that sickening forest.
I continue driving while she keeps on talking. She sounds too excited and she even jumps on her seat. I looked ahead and soon I noticed the mansion, the mansion I badly want to be buried in the fire. "A-are you sure that was your house?" I asked as fear consume me again.
"Yes, good sir!" She said happily. "Stop right here!" She chirped before taking off the seatbelt and opening the passenger door. I waited for her to jump out but she turned around to look at me. Just when I realized that she looks like master Hwang with the mixed of Barbie's features. So, this child is their daughter? But isn't she born earlier? How can she be grown up so fast? She seems like a seven-year-old girl. I know, something wasn't right. I know they aren't normal and it has something to do with their weird ritual earlier. Whatever was going to happen, I don't care.
"You know, I want a brother." She said before running out of the car.
What? If she wants a baby brother then asked her parents not me. I hurriedly closed the door and drove back but for some reason, the engine suddenly died. The freak?! Why now?!
I looked ahead where I can see the mansion. I can see the girl walking up to the stairs and the door open, revealing Barbie. She picked her daughter up and I was expecting her to close the door but she just standing there. She slowly raised her hand and signed me to get in.
That's it. I had enough. I tried to open the engine but it was completely out. I grab the phone and the map before getting out of the car. I'll just find my way out of here again and again.
"Escaping, again and again, will make us hurt you more."
I froze as soon as I heard master Kim's voice behind me. I looked down, swallowing all my fear. That kid! She lured me back here to be captured again!
I raised my both hands. Ok, they got me again. It's always like this. I escape then came back here again. But if ever I can manage to escape again, I'll bring my companions with me this time.