CHAPTER 19
I took a deep breath and introduced myself as Lee Sunie or known as Sunoo. I was a junior student, fourteen years old. My friends know me as the school sunshine and very sassy for not being afraid of speaking what's in my mind. I generally enjoyed curling up with a book and playing games rather than meeting new friends. But I became very reserved and introverted when our house got raided by unknown people. They kidnapped my parents and soon found them dead in the lake. I live with my cousin and since then I'd been very meek, my voice was small and somewhat muted. I work a part-time job as a seller in a small bakery. It was a terrible job, but I used to try it and learn to speak up for myself. But I was often ignored since I can barely talk to someone. My co-worker insulted me for being like this. That led to my depression. I've messed the day, my entrance exam and I curled up on my bed, sulking in the corner all day without eating anything. My cousin's parents had enough and bring me to the place that I don't want to be.
- Sunie.
I snap out from my memory and breath in and out. I wildly looked around me, everyone was in a panic. I can hear Jinnie's cry and Barbies but I can barely hear of what are they muttering about. Everything was blurry as if I was underwater. I closed my eyes as I tried to chase my breath. I feel like drowning. My lungs are hurting, everything was hurting. I can't move my hands and my legs felt numb. I can't think but one thing is for sure I need to get away from this speculation.
I can feel my tears nonstop flowing down as my eyes begin to sting. I can't keep my eyes open. I closed my eyes and tried to crawl away. I touched my eyes and felt the sticky liquid coming out from them. I slightly open my eyes only to see my hands covered in blood.
"Oh my! Sunoo!" I heard Juyeon say and hurriedly to my side.
"He's crying in blood?!" I heard Seulji gasp.
"He needs to be treated, come on." Beom help me get up and he placed me on his back with the help of Juyeon and Seulji based on what I'm touching right now. I can feel Beom's hair brush against my face and his shoulder.
I don't know where they taking me but I can feel that they lay me down on the floor with a sheet. I tried to open my eyes but it only stinging in horrible pain. I began to cry messily, sobbing hard. All could see was darkness and I can only feel was pain. I could hear Beom speaking to me. He was wiping the sweat and blood off of my face, only for more blood to pool out of my eyes and even to my nose. I'm scared, I've lost a lot of blood. I don't know why I'm bleeding so hard. All I know was I lost control and then flashbacks happens. I felt tired, although I knew I couldn't fall asleep. Because if I did, I might not wake up.
"Dang that cannibal man! He did this to Sunoo!" I heard Juyeon scream.
What? What did he do to me?
I clenched Beom's arm with my shaky hands. He held my hands with his, whispering words that only muffled in my ears. I could hear my heavy breathing and my heartbeat in my ears. I tried to speak but more blood pour out of my mouth.
"Dang! His ears starting to bleed and his nose too!" Juyeon shouted.
"We just need to stop the bleeding," Seulji said.
"We all know Mr. Lawrence is a witch but he can't hurt Sunoo. I think it's the daughter. The daughter is the one who did this to him for hurting her mother." Beom said.
I whimpered and tried my best to open my eyes but the pain increased. I felt something hurt inside me and I began screaming. I curled in pain and held my stomach.
"What's happening?!" Beom asked in worry.
"I don't know! I don't know!" Seulji starts to panic as Juyeon and Beom.
"You studying nursing aren't you?! Why you don't know!" Juyeon yelled out of frustration.
"Yes I'm studying medical but I'm not studying magic alright?!" Seulji yelled back while wiping the blood out of my face. She tried to cover my mouth and nose but Beom scold him that I would die if she do that.
I open my eyes and see Beom had thin streams of tears falling from his eyes as he looked down at his hands, soaked with my blood. "It won't stop," he said lightly to Juyeon and Seulji. "The blood won't stop! What should we do!"
"Why the masters won't help us?! Sunoo is dying here!" Juyeon said.
"He hurt master Hwang's wife and the daughter was mad. This is his punishment." Seulji calmly said.
I gasp for air, tears with mixed blood coming out from my eyes. I'm scared. I'm afraid that this is will my last day on earth. I can't die yet. I need to get the maids out of here first. I need to do my job first. I need to say goodbye to Jinki and my sister before I die. I need...
I shakily raised my hands and carefully cover them on my face. Somehow the pain faded and the bleeding stopped, and I found myself seating on the corner of the ward. I looked beside myself and see a young boy. He looks like he was still in his fifteen. He looks like an angel that descent from the sky down to earth, he looks so pure. He smiled at me and held my both hands. He raised it to my face.
"If you feel scared just cover your face, close your eyes, and remember you're happy memories with your love ones." He said with a warm smile that I'd never seen for years. He placed my hands on my face. "Forget everything and start a new life, Sunie."
"Cha Homin!"
I open my eyes once again. I looked around me and found myself in Beom and Yeonjun's room. The bleeding has stopped and the pain somehow faded. I blinked my eyes and looked around. What was that another memory? That innocent young lad, is he Cha Homin? Why do I feel safe with him, I feel at ease after seeing his smiling face in my dream. Who is he? Why do I feel so secure around him?
I can't stop my tears pooling in my eyes again. I closed my eyes and shook my head. Cha Homin, whoever you are, I'm glad you make me feel better. Thank you for your comfort but who are you? What happened to you?
The door opened and Yeonjun went in. He run to me and hugged me.
"Glad you awake now!" He said while hugging me.
I only nodded. The intercom that linked inside the toys made a static sound. Master Yang was asking us to gather in the living room. Yeonjun helped me get up and we walked down the stairs along with the toys. Just like what we used to, we lined up in front of the masters. I see Barbie glaring at me, her damaged shoulder was wrapped in a bandage. Master Hwang was hugging her from behind while their daughter was on master Park's lap.
I looked down at my feet. I feel guilty for hurting Barbie. I don't know what's gotten into me that day. I just,
"Sunie, don't dare to avert your eyes." Master Lee commanded and I quickly looked up.
"Maids, our Sunie did something wrong with Hwang's wife. We got upset because of it." Master Yang said.
"Then...are you going to punish me Yang Jeongsun?" I unconsciously asked as I looked at him without any emotions. He seems taken aback for a second. My eyes landed on master Kim. "Kim Seunghyun," and next to master Hwang. "Hwang Hyunsung?" Then I looked down and murmured the name of, "Lee Fin,"
"You remember our name?" Master Hwang asked and I shook my head.
"Only four names," I replied. Cha Homin told me to forget everything and start a new life. If I keep remembering the me in the past, my life will go worst as it is. Just like what happened yesterday.
Master Han walked to me and held my shoulder. "You must remember your whole past."
No. That won't help me. I didn't say nor react, I just standing lifeless in front of them. Master Han smiled and tapped my cheek before going back to his brothers. This is what they want, they want me to be unstable- if I in the past is completely gone insane, I'll be back to being like that again and this time they'll keep me locked in the ward forever.
If there's anything I could do to escape from here, no, I just need them to escape from here. My life is already done. I'm done.
Three months before the next ceremony and that's the time when they make their escape.
Master Leelex suddenly walked to me. He cupped my face and kissed my forehead, he hugged me.
"Please don't be look like you're going to kill yourself." He said. I smiled and hugged him back. I can't stop my tears from falling. I cried silently and buried my face on his neck.
"What's your show again Sunoo? Are you going to make yourself look like a fucking retard?!" Barbie shouted angrily. "Making the masters pitied you?!"
Master Leelex pushed me softly and turned to face Barbie. "Ashamed of you bitch. You already have master Hwang and as if I will make you pregnant after next two years." He said calmly and Barbie was taken aback and hugged master Hwang, burying her face on his chest.
"I rather kill you." He added and turned back to me again.
"Just shut up your mouth Barbie dear if you don't want one of us to get mad at you." The youngest master said and smiled at Barbie. "You know, master Leelex is too fond to Sunie."
"But he can't--" Barbie tried to protest but master Hwang pulled her away and looked her in the eyes.
"We only want is Sunie." He said and leave Barbie to get his daughter. "He can't give a new life you say?" He added before walking away. But I can notice the smirk on his face while his eyes were focused on me.
My heart skip a beat. What does he mean by that? I looked back at master Leelex and he pulled me out of the mansion. I don't have any idea where are we going. I just followed him while he pulled my hand. I noticed the roots from the mansion were following us, securing me not to run away. We run to the old cabins that had been part of summer camp that had closed twenty years prior, and the cabins had been there to rot. I saw Mr. Lawrence come out from one of the cabins with a victim in his hand. He was dragging him to another cabin. When we saw us he smiled and bowed his head. My eyes locked to the victim's eyes, he groan under the rag on his mouth.
"What a pleasant morning master Leelex. What's bringing you here?" He asked politely.
"Nothing, just want to have a date with Sunie." He answered, pulling me close to him.
Mr. Lawrence's eyes landed on me and he smiled. "Don't worry twenty, I got rid the gardener. You're safe now and I'm sorry if I scared you that night."
I didn't respond and looked down. I caught the victim was looking at me as if asking me to save him. I was hesitant, I don't have any plan on doing something that will upset the masters. I'm afraid that they will make me remember my fast again.
"My lovely Sunie will forgive the best butcher of the house." Master Leelex happily said and pet my head. "Is that your next meal?"
"Yes, of course. Isn't he pretty like twenty?" He said as he pinched the boy's face. The boy whimpered and struggle.
"He is but not pretty as my Sunie." He said and hugged me, rubbing his face against mine. I hissed and pulled away.
"He sounds fluttered." Mr. Lawrence laughs. They talked for a while while I'm still standing here and the boy keep on groaning.
I fisted my hands together and bit my lip. I don't know what to do. I want to help him but I can't. Master Leelex will be mad if I try and run away.
"What are you up to? Why are you in my territory?" Mr. Lawrence asked, looking around. "Are you gonna do it? Feel free to use one of my cabins."
"I don't know how they do it. I want to do it now but I don't know-how. They won't tell me though."
"Are you serious? He is not Barbie and he's a guy." Mr. Lawrence asked in shock and looked at me.
"I don't want Barbie. I don't like her. I don't want to be like Hwang who regrets it in the end."
I pulled away from him. Master Leelex looked at me and tried to hold me again but I took a step back. I won't let him do that to me! I rather die than give birth to a monster.
"What are you doing? Don't dare run away again!" Master Leelex creased as his eyes sharpened.
"I-I'm going back to the mansio--"
We were all startled once we heard the loud explosion near the cabins. Mr. Lawrence cursed under his breath. I pushed master Leelex away and bump Mr. Lawrence. I took the rifle that he drop and quickly shot him in the leg. I faced master Leelex, ignoring Mr. Lawrence's grunting. I shot master Leelex right on his stomach and he fell on the bushes. I get the knife on Mr. Lawrence's belt and hurriedly cut the rope on the boy's foot. I helped him stand up and run. We can still hear the explosion and I don't know where is that.
"That's...that's the hunters! My father and his companions!" The boy said while we running.
I noticed the roots were chasing us. Fuck! I need a flame blower to burn these roots. We run deep in the forest and found the hunters fighting their lives to the servants?!
I faced the boy and untie his hands. I need to save the maids before going out of here.
"Go without me. I need to save the others first." I didn't let him speak and I run quickly as I can.
The explosion continues and I even step on the trigger and the bombs will explode constantly. I run back to the mansion while the roots are still chasing me but when the explosion got them especially fire, the root will stop for a while. I continue running. I was near the mansion but Mr. Lawrence suddenly jump in front of me. He punched me across the face. I felt dizzy and I stumble to the ground. He snatched the rifle away from me and kicked my stomach. I groan in pain.
"You fucking punk! I will cook you alive this time! I'm sure the masters won't find it. You're very delicious, I knew it."
"No! Please!" I cried out of fear and crawled away from him but he got my feet before starting dragging me back to the cabins.
I scream and begin crying in fear. Is he seriously going to eat me alive? I scream help, hoping the hunters will hear me. Mr. Lawrence carry me and hang me on his shoulder.
"I know you'll be delicious twenty when the first I see you. Nice supple skin, a meaty ass, and thighs." He laughed and smack my butt.
"No! Let me go!" I scream and tried to kick him but he was too strong for me. He bring me to his cabin, towards into the kitchen where I can see a messy kitchen- where I can see a large wooden table with some kind of thing around the outside of it that reminded me a bit of guttering on a house.
He lay me down on the table, almost throwing me. I tried to get off but Mr. Lawrence will hold me and seat on my stomach, pouring his whole weight on me. I wince in pain. He tied my both hands up on my head with thick rope. When he finished, he finally get off from me. He smiled after seeing me tied on the wooden table.
"The rope isn't enough. Need to find more." He said and walked to the sink and search for another rope to tie my feet.
"Please let me go!" I begged but Mr. Lawrence seems to have no plan on releasing me.
"Thank you for your reckless actions. You give me delicious food. I don't care if you're the masters' precious treasure. As long as they don't know, I'm safe." Mr. Lawrence said and laughed like crazy. "Uh-ha! Found it!"
He get back to me and held my both ankles. I kicked him in the face and he stumble back. He wiped the blood on his nose and punch me in the face, he punch me until I almost lost consciousness. I can see that red again blinking in my vision.
"Then you behave," he simply said and grab my feet. "you can't be hurt if you act obediently." He tied my feet and start scanning me. He touched every single of my body. He even touched the stitches that looped around on my neck, wrist, and ankles. "You're not quite clean but it's fine. You're still delicious and you know what? I'll prepare you for the masters. How will they react after knowing that it was you? I would love to find out but I won't risk my life. I like everything seasoned and prepared perfectly. The masters would love it."
I can't believe I will die and be eaten out by this man and well prepared for the masters. This is bad, I rather kill myself. The sound of scissors snipping caught my attention. He held the belts on my waist and was about to remove them when the door suddenly open and master Leelex barge in with master Han and Master Hwang. He attacked Mr. Lawrence and held him on his neck. Master Leelex was leaking hard while choking Mr. Lawrence. Master Hwang run to me and hurriedly untie me. Master Han open the huge stove and get the pan inside. It was smoking from the bottom, although master Han brought it in with his bare hands. I could see them slowly begin to redden and burn but he doesn't look like hurting, it seems nothing to him. He didn't even flinch or showed any expression like he was in pain.
After master Hwang finally release me, he bring me into his arms while glaring at Mr. Lawrence.
"You think we don't know? Tell us, Mr. Lawrence." Master Han said, his voice becoming more sinister. "What were you trying to do with our Sunie?" He asked with a demanding voice.
Master Leelex let go of him but cornered him still. My body tensed up, seeing something like this scared me. Master Hwang felt my body trembling and he hugged me close to his body. He caressed my hair, trying to comfort me.
"I-I'm sorry masters. He tried to run away from you again and I just wanted to punish him!" Mr. Lawrence excused. "I don't want my masters to waste their energy to punish someone like him."
"Really? How then?" Master Han asked again, running his fingers through the smoking pan.
"I-I will put him inside the oven and--"
Master Han pulled Mr. Lawrence's hair and slammed his face against the steaming pan. I closed my eyes and buried my face on master Hwang's chest. I could feel him embrace me tighter while the hissing sound echoed in my ears with Mr. Lawrence's screams. I somewhat felt satisfied.
"You will put him inside the oven to cook him alive then what? Eat him? Preparing him for us and knowing how could we react after knowing it was our Sunie?! You freak!" Master Han yelled angrily and I can hear Mr. Lawrence's cries go louder. I peeked at him even I can't watch something like this in person.
"He's nothing to you anyway! So why are you still keeping him alive! You already got Barbie and you master Han will have a child with her three months from now!"
"Shut up! Do you think I will make Barbie get pregnant? I'm not stupid as Hwang. For us, nothing is impossible."
He pulled Mr. Lawrence out of the pan. "Don't ever touch him if you still want to exist and to remain your power." Master Han warned and Mr. Lawrence quickly nodded.
Master Han locked eyes on me before walking closer to us. He cupped my face and pressed his lips on mine. I can feel his thumbs caressing my cheeks. While master Hwang kissed the top of my head and my neck.
"We won't let anyone hurt you." He said when he pulled away. "Except us."