CHAPTER 25
Master Leelex and Sunoo's body was lit with fire. All the masters were quiet as they watched them eating by fire and soon will turn into ashes. But I know deep inside them that they were crying in great sympathy. We could see the masters weakened each time especially master Han and master Park. Those two are near to their dead end.
We all gathered in the room where the two babies were in. Seulji was holding Hyeop and he was looking blankly at her while Junhyuk was still sleeping in the box. The mansion was quiet but we could hear footsteps from outside the room.
"This baby looks like master Hwang," Seulji said as she softly move him in her arms.
"Because it's master Hwang's child," Xion said. "But I wonder who the heck shot Barbie?"
"We wonder too," Jaemen mumbled.
I pulled out the letter and just when master Junghwan went in. He looks even paler and I know that he's exhausted, his skin slowly turning gray and his eyes swollen from all the crying. He looked down on us and when his eyes landed on Junhyuk, he marched towards him and hold him. He sat beside Juyeon and Sichen, leaning on the wall as he stared at his son.
"I can't believe Sunie hyung will leave first before me. He didn't even see his children. I feel bad for leaving him but..." He paused, tears begged to breach though he tried his best not to cry. "It's his fate. Hyunsung has already gone and so he is." He placed a soft kiss on his son's forehead before handing it to Sichen. Sichen even though can't hold a newborn child, held it for master Junghwan. He wipes the tears off of his face.
"I'll join them soon but before I die I'll help you out of here-- help you to save Hyeop and Junhyuk, and end this nightmare."
I felt nauseous and I had a headache. Even I do want to get out of here but what if the masters will be caught us or the servants? I worried that Hyeop and Junhyuk would get taken away. But they would be taken away either way if we didn't leave soon. We gathered here in this empty and cozy room in anticipation to plan of our escape.
I placed the letter in the middle and master Junghwan nods as if he already knew. He mouthed 'wait for me, please.' Before looking us all with determination in his eyes.
He grabbed the letter and flip it over to show the map.
"I tried to distract the elders and you need to kill all the monsters inside of this mansion. That's the only way to escape from here. The only way to break the door open. Don't forget to get what's inside them." He told us.
"What's inside them?" Juyeon asked with his brows furrowed.
"Parts of the pinwheel. You need to complete all the pieces because it's the key to that door. Look," he sighs, leaning to us while we do the same. He suddenly coughed and dark liquid came out from his mouth. We look at him in worry. "The conductor, Arnika always keeping all the possible way locked. You can't escape from just jumping out of the door or window." He gulps before covering his mouth as more black liquid with blood comes out from his mouth. "I'll help you out of here--"
"But you're in a bad shape." Seulji worriedly asked as we saw master Junghwan puke blood.
He only smiled at us before eyeing Junhyuk and Hyeop. I can see his eyes watered again as tears fall shamelessly off his face. "Don't worry...I want to die helping you out. But please, take care of them." He said, his voice is broken. Master Junghwan stood up and told us to grab anything to protect ourselves and to protect Hyeop and Junhyuk.
Master Junghwan stood up and leave the room. We all worried about him but we accepts what will gonna happen to him.
I take the map and put it back under my belt. Juyeon and Yeonjun is the one who heads out to check the servants. The first thing we do is to get the guards killed. Seulji and Xion are holding the babies but Xion hands me Hyeop. He told me to carry him since I'm the youngest, I and Seulji are the weakest among the group and Seulji would complain but the fact is a fact. I watched as they prepared themselves, wrapping sharp objects like knives, crowbars, scissors, and even the pan.
I can't believe it. We're going out at last after three years of staying in this nightmare. But sad to say that Sunoo needs to sacrifice to weakened the masters even though he would die in the end. If we just planned out our escape wisely and do it early then Sunoo is here with us to escape. I sigh, Sunoo, whenever you are- if you can hear me, please guide us and protect us so we could keep your children out of the danger.
I looked down on Hyeop. He's cute and he looks like master Hwang.
"Alright, we're ready," Sichen said as he and San headed to the door. It was nice and we could hear the footsteps anywhere in the mansion. I believe there are only two guards and one caretaker. Two cooks, they twins, one butcher man which is Mr. Lawrence, eight butlers, one gardener, and two conductors. Wait a minute, how about the toys?
Before I could ask that, one of the toys suddenly barge inside. His eyes were bleeding and holes are visible down on his eyes and brows. He ripped the rag off of his eyes and now I can fully see his face. I noticed Yeonjun freeze for a while before shaking his head.
"I heard what you just talking," He sighs, and we just noticed that he was holding a gun. Wait, so he's the one who shot Barbie?
"How about the other toys?" Jaemen asked and he shook his head.
"Master Kim ate them all. He's eager to survive and escape his death." He said. If I remember, his name was Soohyun.
"The real skeptical here is master Kim. He seems tough at first glance. He nearly killed Sunoo before," Xion shrugged but fear is evident in his voice.
"I'm relieved that you manage to get away," Yeonjun said and smiled before turning to us. "It's now or never, we'll get out of here tonight."
-
We are very careful at every step we took. Yeonjun is in the front while I and Seulji were in the middle. Behind us were Juyeon and Sichen. We can't hear anything aside from the whimpering from the masters. Seulji held the baby close to her, whispering sweet nothings to him. She seemed afraid, nervous, relieved- it's a mix of all the emotions that would come with the thought of freedom. While I was hoping that Hyeop wouldn't cry, if so, that will be the end for us. My head was burning and the sticky, warm air clinging to my lungs. We needed them to be safe, and I don't think I could get myself to leave if anything happened to Hyeop and Junhyuk or either one of us.
"Are you alright? You're trembling too much. You might wake Hyeop up." San whispered who was in my front and I quickly shook my head.
Yes, I am scared but this fear won't help me at all. I need to be brave just like Sunoo. We shakily walked in the dark hallway with only one source of light from the moon that coming through from the blocked windows. My legs were weak and about to give in. It hurt to breathe, and my body ached all over, watching and listening for any sounds of danger. For all I knew, master Kim wasn't in his right mind and he become more skeptical because he knew that he won't last long. He wanted to still be alive and eating humans is the best way he can do to escape from his fate.
My heart jump when we see the door of master Han's room creak open. Yeonjun whispered the hidden word before we silently run to the dark area where no one can notice us. We watched as master Han crawled outside. He's bleeding too much and keeps on vomiting blood. He pants as he crawled weakly towards who knows where? We don't know but I think he's heading towards Sunoo's room. He's crying but instead of the sound of a cry, he whimpering. He crawled two steps, three steps until he fall on the floor. Just then, he begins crying, calling Sunoo and apologizing to him over and over again. Master Han's cries went louder while calling him out. He begged for him to come back, he whispered how much he love Sunoo in the air as more blood leaked out of him.
Hyeop started to make a little noise and I hurriedly calmed Hyeop down until his eyes shut and his breathing once again slowed. I felt afraid just thinking--
My breath stopped once we heard Junhyuk cry loud and Seulji's cursing words. I looked back at master Han again and I feel my heart stop for a moment once I saw master Han was looking in our direction.
Master Han suddenly crawled towards us with incredible speed. His eyes turned all block as his skin was all gray, teeth were sharp and he roar like a monster. We scream and I hugged Hyeop close to me, closing my eyes and waiting for our end but I felt nothing and the place suddenly went silent. I slowly open my eyes only to see master Han's long thin fingers were inches away from my face. Master Han drop limp on the floor with a pipe stuck on his neck. Blood floods the floor to our feet. We quickly move away and just when we saw master Junghwan. I sigh in relief. I thought I'm going to die.
"You don't deserve Sunie!" He hissed and he almost stumble down, San and Soohyun quickly help him. He seems weaker than earlier and blood continue leaking out of him.
Seulji tried to calm Junhyuk down but he won't stop crying. Master Junghwan eyed his son and took it from Seulji. He swung Junhyuk softly while whispering soft words until he was calm and quieted down. He hands Junhyuk back to Seulji before closing his eyes and opening it again.
"I miss him already." He whispered and looked at us. He opens his mouth to speak but stop. We began to hear footsteps somewhere in the hallway, and I scooted further back behind them in fear. It didn't sound like one though. It sounded like many footsteps, coming up from somewhere at a slow pace. I felt uncomfortable with the sound, and my heart sped up in my chest. My mind immediately fell from the twisted footsteps. I glance at master Junghwan, waiting for him to say something about that but it looks like he doesn't know either. We looked around in horror as the footsteps came closer.
"The fuck is that thing?!" I heard Sichen say. We looked at him as he points to the dark hallway. He looks scared while looking in that direction. We followed where Sichen looking at and from the right side of this hallway, we can see two pairs of feet walking to us. But I was confused a bit as I see another pair of feet that were close to the feet that were in the front- walking straight ahead- walking in sideways- same as the other feet that were on the right side. More feet came from the darkness and all they were close to each other and walking in tiny steps but faster. Just when that owner of legs came out from the darkness, we all gasped in horror as I feel like my soul leave me just now. It was the eight butlers and all of them were linked together with their skin. They grunt and growl, scratching the things their slender, long arms will touch. They're all glaring at us. The hoard of footsteps slowly trampled into the hallway, and only then, I could hear the noises of pain. Grunts and whimpers from several of the butlers filled my ears. I could hear them slowly make their way close to us, their feet making an uneven steady beat.
"Run now!" Master Junghwan said and pushed us to run. Even a few of us doesn't want to, we don't have any choice. Master Junghwan choose to stay and beat the monster and a few of us wanted to help but he refuse.
We run fast as we could through this damn hallway. We head to the stairs but two guards blocked our way but the weird thing is they don't move. They just stood still down on the stairs ways, looking blankly at us while their head was slightly tilted down to the side. The bulging eyes and smile give chills down in our spine as if those were glowing even it doesn't.
"What we do now?" Jaemen whispered.
"Just walked ahead," Xion whispered too.
We carefully walked down the stairs despite our growing fear just staring at them in the eyes. We tried to look away but when we do that, we can hear fast footsteps running closer to us and when we looked back at the two guards, they'll stop but in a different pose. Just like in the games. They'll move if we won't look and they'll stop moving when we stared at them.
We tried to go down while staring at them while their eyes are following our movements.
"We need to kill them right? Then why are we walking away?" Juyeon asked, eyes focused on the two monsters.
"We need to get them to the kitchen," Yeonjun responded and we head to the kitchen. "We will set them on fire."
"But the cooks are there!" I said in fear.
"Don't worry, just leave it to me. Head to the basement fast!" Yeonjun told us but Soohyun quickly intervein.
"What are you trying to do Yeonjun?!" He asked in disbelief.
"Helping you out? Don't worry I'll follow you soon." I heard Yeonjun say but I can sense the sadness in his voice. Wait, what? What is he trying to do?! I want to look at Yeonjun but I couldn't. If I move my eyes away from the monsters they'll move.
"I'll help-"
"No, Soohyun. Just stay with them- " Yeonjun trying to say but Soohyun will cut him off.
"If I say I'll help, I'll help!" Soohyun said and Yeonjun would sigh.
"Stubborn as always. Fine. You guys go without us!"
"Promise us to keep alive!" Beom said, almost like crying.
Even I can't see Yeonjun's face, I can imagine him smiling. "Promise meant to be broken but yeah, I'll promise." He said and his voice broke. Is he crying? "Now, go!"
We hurriedly run to the basement and just in time when the guards move and roared to chase us but Yeonjun and Soohyun will steal their attention.
We run and just run, not even looking back. I'm scared Yeonjun and Soohyun can't make it. I closed my eyes and hope that they'll make it.
-
Yeonjun pulled out his machete and slammed it on the table near him as he see the guards about to chase his friends. The two guards immediately stop and slowly turned their heads towards him. Soohyun picked what seems a rusty and molded bolt cutter. This somehow well helps them cut the locks if there's any and Soohyun knew that there's a bolt cutter anywhere in the house. He picked up the vase and throw it to the other guard. The guard roared and immediately locked eyes with him. Just then, four of them are now having a staring contest.
Yeonjun steps back, signing Soohyun to follow him. Soohyun, from his peripheral vision, see what the maid was trying to demonstrate. Soohyun nod his head and took a step back, slowly and carefully while the two guards are watching them- following every more they create. They both head to the kitchen and Yeonjun can hear the disgusting grunting sound the cooks was creating from inside the cooking area.
"Listen, I'll distract the cooks and you continue watching them," Yeonjun said.
"How can you distract them?!" Soohyun hissed. "That's not a good idea! How about we trap them inside the kitchen and burn them there?"
Yeonjun didn't speak for a while. That sounds too risky. They can die but what else they can do? If it means death is the only way to save the others, then so be it. At least he is worth trying to save their backs, at least they fight before they die.
Yeonjun scooted beside Soohyun and held his hand with his own, still locking eyes with the guards.
"You know, we can die, right? How can we give the parts to others then?" Yeonjun said, gasping for air as he tried himself not to cry.
"Then make it alive!"
Yeonjun chuckled. "Yeah right,"
The door behind them which is the cooking room slammed open and both lads jumped. Even they don't look behind, they can sense that it was the two cooks. Yeonjun whines as he heard the disgusting grunts from the monsters behind them.
Soohyun tried to look behind, slowly and he gasp upon seeing the two huge-fat cooks with their discompose features. They look like melting and they even spew blood.
An idea popped inside Soohyun's brain and he quickly distract the two cooks by grabbing the molded trashcan made in metal and throwing it to one of the cooks. The cook made a weird scream that even Yeonjun couldn't explain but one thing he can comment, and that's was the most disgusting scream he's been heard in his entire life. Yeonjun noticed Soohyun runs and the two cooks behind them start chasing him while breathing hard under their discomposed mouths that were almost covered by their drooping cheeks. Soohyun run in a circle and pulled Yeonjun inside of the cooking room. Just then, the guards start moving to chase them both. Soohyun and Yeonjun pushed the metal door closed before locking it.
Yeonjun hurriedly to the tanks while Soohyun held the door to prevent them from coming in. Yeonjun opened all the tanks as the gas begin lingering in the air. They need to lure them inside. Both boys nod to each other and run across the massive space. The door almost broke as Soohyun move away from it. The monsters chased them as they run in a circle once again. Soohyun and Yeonjun made it outlast in the cooking room.
But Yeonjun noticed that Soohyun wasn't with him and the lighter he picked from the kitchen wasn't in his hands anymore. He looked back into the cooking area and found Soohyun standing in the doorway.
"The freak you still standing there! Come on!" Yeonjun shouted, running back to Soohyun and trying to pull him out but the lad didn't even move. "The heck Soohyun--"
Yeonjun stopped when Soohyun touched his cheek. He stared at the older in confusion. He has no idea what Soohyun was doing right now, they have no time for this. Soohyun open his mouth but no voice came out, instead of blood. Yeonjun gasped in horror. He looked down on his stomach to see a knife that was pierced through from his back. The cooks got him before he was able to pull Yeonjun that time.
Soohyun screamed in pain and Yeonjun whimpered in terror once the monsters got him, stabbing him, ripping his back. Soohyun was trying to block the monsters from going out. Yeonjun's eyes watered and gasped, he tried to breathe but it hurt too much. It hurts to watch his beloved one dying in front of him- just to save them, him.
"Get out," That's the only words Soohyun can utter before his vision began to fade as his lungs clench, making him hard to breathe along with the horrid pain on his back.
"But..." Yeonjun stuttered, choking on his tears and words. He didn't want to leave. He didn't want to leave, because he knew if he left he would never see Soohyun again. He knew if he left, there's no chance for him to accept his apology. His heart would be broken, and he knew he would never be with Soohyun again unless he died too. If he knew this would happen then he will talk to him more, not avoiding him because of his damn pride. Yes, they have a painful past and Soohyun hurt him too much because he chooses to be a toy but he can't let him die. He can't live without him.
"I'm sorry for what I have done. Leave now please!" Soohyun kicked him out away with his last energy. Yeonjun stumbles and falls flat on the floor.
Soohyun smiled at him one last time. His face was barely visible in the darkness, but Yeonjun could tell he was looking down at him, and in the slight moonlight that peeked through the blocked windows, he saw tears. He slammed the door shut, trying to block Yeonjun from pleading from outside while banging on the door.
Soohyun locked the door and with one last breath, he open the lighter.
Yeonjun still continuously banging on the door not when someone pulled him away from it before a loud explosion happened. The whole mansion shake from the explosion and Yeonjun's can't hear anything aside from the loud beep inside his ear. He opened his eyes and found master Junghwan laying on top of him, eyes closed and it looks like he wasn't breathing. Just when Yeonjun realized that master Junghwan save him from the explosion. He whimpered and tried to move but he soon noticed the wood stuck on master Junghwan's back and it pierced to his stomach down to Yeonjun's torso.
Even master Junghwan save him- sacrificing himself, he knew he'll die soon too. A sparkling light blinds Yeonjun's eyes. He looked down on master Junghwan's bloody hand and see the piece of a pinwheel. The kind master did defeat the guards.
Yeonjun pet their master's head.
"You did a great job. Sunoo will be proud of you if you meet in the afterlife." Yeonjun chuckled. "Hey, tell Soohyun to wait for me okay?" He whispered before removing the piece of wood out of them. Yeonjun didn't scream despite of the pain.
He drop the wood somewhere before placing master Junghwan down on the messy floor with parts of woods scattered around.
"Thank you for everything master Junghwan." He whispered and begin crawling out of the woods.
He cough after seeing the whole kitchen- half of the mansion was destroyed with fire slowly eating the mansion. He needs to hurry and give the parts of the pinwheel to others before he dies of blood loss. Through his journey, he can see the spirits standing in the corner; watching him.
Those spirits who died in this freaking place. The previous maids and toys. The spirits who stuck here.
"Please help us..." Yeonjun whispered, tears rolling down his face.