CHAPTER 21
One week has passed and we still counting until the three months come. Within that week I start to feel weird like something was wrong with my body. Juyeon will always be at my side whenever the masters didn't get me and were busy with their everyday work just like my first day at this place. I'm holding the basin and scrubbing the walls. Doing my real job as a maid. I only have two months before the ceremony and right now, I need to figure out how to plan wisely.
An elderly maid walked past me and accidentally kicked the bucket with discolored water beside me. It fell on the floor as the water flowed against it and spit on the elderly maid's dress.
"The heck twenty?! Can't you see that you are already in the way?" She yelled and I quickly apologized. "Damn kids!" She hissed before walking away.
I stared at the maid angrily walking away. I get back to cleaning the floor. I stared at my reflection through the wet floor. Suddenly, an idea popped into my mind. I stood up and just in time the weird feeling came back again. I felt dizzy all of a sudden. I touched the wall- felt my whole world seems like spinning. I heard the door beside me open and I quickly looked who was it. It's master Park. I quickly bowed my head.
"Are you alright?" He asked in worry and I nodded.
"Yes, master Park. I am fine."
Master Park stared at me for a while before stepping close. He held my chin and move it up to meet his gaze. "Don't forget that you can be pregnant now. Don't dare to fool around and save that shells inside you for Han and the rest of us." He said and leaned close to my face. Before I could pull away, he pressed his lips on mine. I whimpered because he was kissing me violently. I tried to pull away to breathe but he only sneak his arm around my waist and grab my hair.
I could feel his sharpened teeth pressed against my lips as he bit it. I whimpered and manage to pull slightly away from him to breathe but that won't last long when he captured my lips again.
"Ey! Ey! What are you doing Park hyung?"
Master Park pulled away and looked at the youngest master. I could my lips were all swollen and my breath ragged. The youngest master scooted in front of me and wipe my lips. His eyes are full of worry but I can hint at something in his eyes. "Did he scare you?" He asked. "Are you alright?" He asked again in worry and cupped my face.
"What the heck Yang? Is not like I hurt Sunie. I just kissed him you know." Master Park hissed.
"Right, you just kissed him without his permission."
"The heck?!"
The two start barking against each other. I felt my vision spin and my ear got irritated from all the barking. I thrash away from the youngest master's hold but he didn't let me go. My head start to ache especially once I smelled their rotting smell. I feel like vomiting. I quickly covered my mouth.
Suddenly, master Yangs pulled me to the near bathroom and turned me around to face the sink.
"You feel like vomiting yes? Puke now." He told and pointed to the sink. My heart starts to beat fast in fear. I stared at him in horror and he was looking at me with worry. I don't know. I forgot that they aren't human, and they aren't one but they are eight of them. What if, what if master Yangs know that I did something wrong? It's not wrong for me but the masters, it is.
He suddenly chuckled. "Are you scared?" He asked and touched my cheeks.
I stared him in the eyes in fear for a while before shaking my head. I hurriedly excused myself and walked out of the bathroom but the mold I step on almost make me fall. Master Yangs hurriedly run to my side and helped me by caging me into his arms.
"You should be careful next time. I don't want you both to get hurt." He whispered and let me go.
I froze as my heart clenched inside my chest. What does he mean by he doesn't want us to get hurt? I stared back at him in shock. He pecks my cheeks before leaving inside of the bathroom. Did he know?
Wait, my vision begins to spin again. I stumble out of the bathroom, walking in the hallway. I don't understand. How he knew that I did something-- I stop as my breath hitched when soon I realized something.
I run where Juyeon might be. I spotted him right away in the stairway, ranting about how smelly the carpet are. I walked closer to him and called him. He looked up and smiled at me.
"Bad morning again Sunoo?" He said after noticing my troubled expression.
"Where were you that night after Jinnie's birthday?" I asked. My body starts to tremble. Juyeon frowned and looked at me for a while.
"I'm sleeping in San's room since Jaemen and Sichen was you know." He answered and cringe.
"What? You're in San's room?" Xion suddenly intervened. He's carrying an old basket with dirty sheets in it.
Juyeon confusingly looked at us. Yeonjun walked past us when he heard Xion, he also stop and look at us in confusion.
"Yes? Why? If you won't believe me then ask San." He tsked and continue cleaning the stairs.
"Are you sure? Because I'm with you that night with Seulji to accompany the bitch then you even with Sunoo in the bathroom?" Xion said and Yeonjun nodded.
"Yes, I even heard you talking to Sunoo while you crying like shit in the bathroom. I believe you did something since I see you two both naked--" Yeonjun demonstrate the last sentence than spit it out, avoiding embarrassing me.
"He's right since you like Sunoo right?" Xion said.
"You even confessed to me that night," I added. "Y-you even with me all day in the past one week." My eyes watered, thinking the fear that I did something wrong. And for some reason, I felt hurt.
My heart clenched, even more, when Juyeon made eye contact with me while frowning. He shook his head and I felt my heart sink. "No? How can I like Sunoo? I'm not even gay or bi. I like girls--ouch!" Yeonjun quickly smacked him in the head and just when Juyeon realized that he might hurt my feelings.
I immediately wipe my tears as soon they escape from my eyes. I quickly turned around and run back to my room while crying. I slump down on my bed, thinking about those times. So, it wasn't Juyeon but the youngest master? Did he trick me again? He's so cruel! How could he do that to me! And he betrayed his brothers? The child I'll be carrying is supposed to be master Han's child but then he took advantage of it and...
I shook my head. I don't know if master Yangs is an enemy or not because he seems tricking the elder masters even his brother.
I lay down and covered my face. Just then I see myself being pulled away from the nurses inside of the ward and master Yangs is in front of me.
"Sunie hyung! Please help me!" He screamed as he tried to reach me. He was covered in tears and when he reached my arm, he cling onto it like his life was depends on it. He's crying nonstop while hugging my arm. His face was swollen and red, knots and his hair are all over his face. "Please help me! I don't want to be hurt, please! Please! I'm scared!" He said while crying messily on my arm.
My body moves on its own and held master Yangs' hands but the nurse are keep pulling us apart. I know I was screaming, mumbling something but I can't hear my voice. Master Yangs' cry went louder as the nurses pulled him away from me and removed his hands off of me. My heart sank, watching master Yangs look so helpless and scared. We were both crying while calling each other's names. The nurses forced him to pull inside despite his struggling until they fully dragged master Yangs into the room. I still screamed his name, trying to break free from the nurses' grip.
Seconds ago after master Yangs dragged inside, that old man that I assume was a doctor came into view. He was smirking at me while holding what it seems like a syringe with weird liquid in it. I scream again, cursing him angrily while struggling. He only waves his syringe in front of me with a smug face before closing the door from the operating room.
"No!!! Junghwan!!!"
The nurses continued dragging me along the white hallway and throw me inside of my cage room. I immediately stood up hoping to get ahead of them before the door closed but the door already slammed closed in front of me before I could reach it. I clenched onto the small bars and peeped at the nurses that locked the door. I keep on swearing at them angrily.
"Lee Sunie, calm down." A young man, younger than me turned me around to face him. It was Cha Homin. He's also crying. "Please calm down." He said while crying.
I kicked the door angrily and walked to the corner of this room. I slide down on the floor, crying like a mess. I don't know what is happening but I felt my whole heart crash into pieces. I feel guilty for some reason. This is my past right? So, this is what I'm feeling before. I noticed Cha Homin sitting beside me.
"I feel the same way as you Sunie. I can't even do anything to save Junghwan." He said between his sniffles.
"It's my fault! It's my fault!" I repeatedly scream out. "Because of me, he is next!"
"No, it wasn't your fault. Not at all, it was them. Because of them, Park Sungjoon is already in that box and Gong Pil died..."
Cha Homin starts to cry again. I pulled him and we hugged each other in fear and pain.
"You know..." He pulled away from me, he reached my face and wipe my tears. "I like back when were still happy. I like the way when we all smile especially when you smile." His voice broke as more tears keep escaping from his eyes.
He sniffles and looked down at my hands before looking up at me again. He smiled at me and held my both hands. He raised it to my face but I can still his face through the gaps on my fingers.
"If you feel scared just cover your face, close your eyes and only think of your 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 that I couldn't see anything. "Forget everything and start a new life, Sunie." I heard him whisper and I sense something wrong in his voice. He seems sounds hurt.
I immediately remove my hands on my face and see him gasping for air. He's having an asthma attack, he was holding his chest while gasping fast. I quickly held hands despite I'm trembling so hard.
"Cha Homin? Cha Homin?! Are you having an asthma attack again?" I asked but he didn't answer me, instead, he handed me medicine and a card. I took it from his shaking hands even I'm confused.
"Can you do me a favor?" He asked breathlessly. I wipe the sweat off of his forehead and his tears. He's sweating hard. I can't help but cry in pain and worry.
"Anything! Just...just hold on! I'll find your inhaler--"
He grabbed my hands. "I won't last anyway. That old man..." He tried to steady his breath to speak. "...will dispatch me. Please...please Sunie...get out of here alive." I stared at him with tears rolling down in my eyes. He smiled just when the door opened and the nurse get in and dragged Homin away.
"No! Get away from him!" I shouted and hugged Homin close to me. I tried to block them, I tried to protect Homin from taking away but I'm still a child, a manor.
More nurses came in and tried to pull me and Homin away. I keep on holding Homin even he keeps whispering to let go.
Because of the commotion, I'm doing that old man came in our cage-room and kicked me in the face. I fell on the floor because of that hard kick but I didn't let Homin go. We both crying. The doctor kneel in front of us and stuck the knife on my arm. I scream in pain and let go of Homin. The nurses start dragging Homin out of the room.
"No! Give him back!" I scream while sobbing hard. "Cha Homin!"
"Shut it you useless piece of crap!" The doctor kicked me again and I whimpered. "Don't worry, you'll be with him soon. Useless like you deserve to die." He said and slammed my head on the floor. My vision began to fade as my head is spinning. I saw him stand up and said...
"Bring that kid to the wood chipper. We're going to crush him alive."
"Yes, doc,"
"No...please..." I tried to beg.
-
I woke up crying, I looked out the window and see that it was already dark. I sat up and wipe my tears. Cha Homin is indeed my good friend and master Yangs too. Cha Homin died because that old sick doctor killed him just because he's useless? How inappropriate! How could he do that to us! How could he do that!
I clenched the sheet under me and I can't help but cry in pain and grief. Its hurts, it's hurt so much. I fisted my hands. I want to remember, I want to know who master Yangs to me and what happened that day when he dragged him inside of the operating room.
I stood up and head to where master Yangs. I remember what Homin said. He said 'them' is the one who is at fault. The one to be blamed for why that happened to us. I quickly spotted him standing in front of the window while smiling and playing with Jinnie. When he spotted me, he quickly told Jinnie to go to her mother. Master Yangs run to me and embrace me.
When he pulled away I noticed that I was back in the wards again but this time we are in the cafeteria, just the only two of us. There are huge scars on his cheek down to his neck. A while ago he was smiling but right now, his face is sullen, drain tears are visible on his face. He looks like a mess even me, all of us inside of this ward.
From the front of our table, I can see the masters talking among themselves.
I looked back at master Yangs again and everything seems back to reality. I looked around me. I'm still in this mansion with the youngest master embracing me. I pulled him away.
"Yang Junghwan," I called and he was taken aback for a moment. "I remember..." I whispered. "Cha Homin is..."
Master Junghwan smiled sadly and embrace me again. He caressed my hair down to my back as if comforting me.
"He's been a good friend to us." He said. "But that sick doctor killed him because of them."
I pulled away and looked him in the eyes. I can sense anger in his eyes as his brows creased and his eyes sharpened. "Who is it?" I asked but he only held my hands.
"The elders...they're bad and Park hyung is a traitor."
What? Master Park is a traitor? How can he be a traitor? Did he do something wrong back then? "Listen here Sunie. I'll keep you safe okay? I'll keep you both safe." He said, his voice is wavering as tears began to gather in his eyes. "The elders won't find this out."
"W-what are you talking about?" I asked. Even I'm confused I can't help but teared up just seeing him crying again.
"I'm sorry...I'm sorry I take advantage of you...I just..." He said, sniffling. "I just don't want you..." And he started crying silently while squeezing my hands tight. I remember his face when the nurses forced him inside of the operating room. He looks so harmless, he looks pity. "I love you Sunie and you're the only person I had. Brother Yang isn't friendly towards me. We are rivals."
I held back his hands and open my mouth to say something but nothing came out because we heard the intercom make a static sound. I looked around and saw a small speaker that linked on the wall. I looked back at master Yangs again and see him closed his eyes before opening them again. He held my neck and pulled me closer to him, he whispered.
"I'll help you get out of here." He pulled away before looking up at the speaker that linked up on the wall.
Just when I remember all what master Yangs did. When I almost reach my freedom, is he intended to help me all along? But the elder masters will always catch him?
"Our dearest maids and toys. I want you all to proceed to the forest. You already know where is it." It's master Hwang's voice and he sounds so upset. I don't know but the fear in my gut grew just thinking that they knew. "Make it faster, don't make us impatient." Then he end it with a loud static before it turned off completely.
Master Junghwan looked at me again in worry. He knows I'm just an ordinary human being and if ever I got stuck into their trap then I'll be lost. I'm not like them, I don't have any ability to heal myself, regenerate, or do something magical like the masters did. I'm not capable of anything.
"I'll keep you safe, I promise." He said and touch my stomach. I jump a little because of his touch. I looked down at his hands before him. He smiled but that wasn't long before he turned around and walked away.
I heavily sigh, leaning on the wall and touching my stomach. I know master Junghwan is the father, he tricks me from copying Juyeon's appearance. Yes, I'm a bit mad because of what he did but somehow my anger towards him faded away instantly as I remember our past. I didn't fully remember but I know that we three are very close to each other. And the masters are the real monsters. I looked down at my stomach. I'm pregnant? I can't believe it. I still can't believe everything that happens in this place. I shook my head and headed to the forest where they set the traps for the game.
I already masters completely seating at their table while the toys and maids are facing the forest. Wait, are we going to play the game the toys are supposed to play?
"Always late Twenty huh?" I heard master Lee say and I looked at him.
"Let's see if you survive in this game." Master Han said but wasn't looking at me.
I caught master Junghwan was looking at me with worry and I can notice the tears gathered in his eyes. The youngest master is sure a cry baby. I quickly averted my eyes and walked straight beside Seulji. She looked at me in worry as if she knew that I'm pregnant?
"Keep safe buddy." She said and I only smiled in return. I noticed Doyoung was looking at me but when I made eye contact with him, he quickly look away. Is Doyoung want something to say?
"I am so glad the game with the maids is also happening again. Listen here,"
Master Yang explained how the game will be. The rule of this game is to get to the farm where the two conductors are waiting. But that will not be easy as we think because there are a lot of traps hidden in the bushes or leaves. Also, the toys will gonna kill us. It's about killing each competitor to get to the finish line. It's a game against the toys.
"Get ready to die useless toys!" Barbie said as she giggled. I can hear her daughter chanting her name and even telling her to kill all the maids, even me.
"You know, antagonist never wins," Seulji said with a stern look.
"Oh, really huh? The masters won't let anything bad happen to me."
Seulji opened her mouth to speak again but she choose to keep quiet because the masters or the bitch daughter will hear her. She shook her head and thumb's down to Barbie. Barbie will only roll her eyes before looking ahead.
"Ok!, Maids, toys please position." The butler said. All the servants are present to anticipate this awaiting gruesome game for them even Mr. Lawrence is here and was smirking at me as if telling me that I'm not going to win.
"If ever one of you will die, your body will be prepared to the masters." The butler added and Mr. Lawrence make an annoying laugh. "Do your best. Now,"
We were all positioned just like a representative in the sports fest. We heard the butler's loud gunshot signing the game is already started. We all run deep into the forest. I don't know where I'm going but I just run ahead. I can hear them running beside me, near me. I watched the traps I might step on and stop as soon as I see the foothold laying aimlessly on the way with dead leaves covering it.
"Get out of the way freak!" I heard someone say and before I know it, he pushed me down and step on my back. Glad I didn't strip right on the foothold.
I looked up and saw one of the toys running ahead but a while later, a cage fall on him from above. That cage was full of spikes and whoever will cage inside it will be stabbed to death. Just like what I thinking about, that guy stabbed on his head and every part of his body sending him to his death. I stood up and walked ahead, trying my best not to see the body.
"I'm sorry," I whispered as I walked past him.