CHAPTER 26
My heart is thumping inside as we run through the dark hallway. I can't hear anything other than our ragged breathing and footsteps. Every step we took seemed like a ticking time bomb that will explode anytime soon. I don't know what happened next but we almost reached the end of the hallway where the basement was located. But one of the conductors- wasn't Arnika- but the other one, I believe it's her sister Monika- blocked our way. Her skin was almost a grey color, Her hair seemed to be wet, and her eyes were more bloodshot and darker than usual. She become taller than before and was hovering over us. Her eyes landed on the two babies. I and Seulji took a step backward before the other maid step forward to protect us. She just staring us down.
Monika's face tilted to the side and she cackled. She suddenly run to us and before we know it we found ourselves being pushed inside of the vent. I hissed when my head hit Sichen's butt as someone hit my bit with his head. I heard Seulji's protest and she was cursing Juyeon for bumping her buttocks.
"Runaway, fast," I heard Monika say and the sound of closing the vent. Wait, is Monika helping us? But why?
I opened my eyes and looked behind me but I can't see anything aside from Xion's head. But I can see a little outside the vent. I saw Monika smile at us. Even her smile looks like she about was to kill, I knew within that smile that she was happy.
A loud explosion made us flinch and the whole mansion shook. I see Monika blocked herself on the entrance to prevent the fire from coming through here.
"Fuck! Fuck! Crawl away now!" We heard Beom shout.
"Fuck this life!" Seulji hissed and we crawled away.
We hurriedly crawled fast but a strong impact from the explosion that reach the vent stopped us. I hugged Hyeop, bringing him in my chest. The dirty wind almost blinded us and all I could smell was the dust. I can hear them coughing.
"Is everyone okay?!" Beom asked and we said yes in chorus. I looked down on Hyeop but I can't see his face because of the dark. But I noticed that he just waking up.
We continue to crawl but we stop as soon we heard the footsteps above us. I can't see anything, it was pitch black but I felt them stop moving. It didn't take long to hear a deadly screech from above us, and heavy footsteps with sinister grunts. It sounds like master Yang.
"Crawl," I heard Jaemen whimper and we crawled carefully.
Hyeop started moving. No, don't cry Hyeop, please! If you cry, we're dead! I know you parents are already gone but please! They want you to live okay!
I could hear his creaky footsteps, heading right towards us. I could feel my heart race and the terror make my legs and arms weak.
I knew they heard the loud explosion just now and now they were cautious and were going to find us, there was no doubt about it. The masters might as well just be waiting at the end of this air vent for us because we would have to go through everything. But I believe that we have enough strength to get past them. I at least hoped so.
"Very clever..." We heard master Yang say. "Very clever..." He whispered again and again like a broken tape. I only began to worry when the footsteps stopped right above where we were crawling. We heard him chuckle with his sinister voice.
"My dear friend Hwang betrayed me, my little brother Junghwan lied to me, and my very loved one died. And now everything is ruined because of you!"
I jump when master Yang screams above us. The atmosphere around us filled with silence after his outburst. Until we heard something like a million footsteps coming closer to where we are. We gasp, sensing the danger will come. I remember master Leelex have millions of dead insects and I'm sure master Yang create them as his toys despite master Leelex's protest.
My heart skip a beat as soon Hyeop cried out loud. We heard loud, ear-piercing screech that left me dizzy, and the board above us was ripped off, revealing master Yang. He looks more horrible than his usual appearance whenever he gets mad. His skin was as white as a sheet, and he was twice as tall as before, her arms dangling down to his ankles. Red veins are visible in his thin skin and his blood leaking out of him. His stitches open up and sharp teeth dug through each side of the mouth that was supposed to be stitched before. Master Yang's teeth were sharp like teeth of a shark but long and thin, and they dug through his upper lips and chin, blood leaking out. His eyes were all bloodshot red without pupil and iris. His arms stretched and twisted. His neck cracked to the side as his mouth opened to reveal layers of sharp teeth.
We scream and hurriedly crawled ahead while he would rip more chunks of metal off with his mouth and hands. We heard Jaemen scream and when I turned to look at Jaemen I saw him being lifted into the air, his arms and legs being ripped out before he bring Jaemen into his mouth. His mouth wide open and swallow Jaemen whole. I heard Sichen scream. He wanted to avenge Jaemen but Xion keep him going. Sichen gritted his teeth but follow what Xion said.
I held back my tears, hoping I wouldn't receive the same fatal end as Jaemen.
Master Yang lifted a board once again, and this time, he got Juyeon. His nails went through his arm and he screamed in pain as he lifted in the air. I heard Sichen curse out loud before ripping the metal above him with his long knife and attacking master Yang. He attacked from behind and stuck the knife on master Yang's torso. Master Yang screams and drops Juyeon. Juyeon runs and we begin crawling again.
"How about that idiotic Sichen?!" Seulji yelped as she crawled behind San.
I looked up through the crack space Sichen did and see him stabbed right on his chest. While Sichen swung his knife through master Yang's neck, cutting his head. His head rolled somewhere and his body moved aimlessly until it fell on the floor twitching. On his hands was a thumping heart- it's Sichen's heart. Sichen fell after master Yang.
"Love will kill you instantly but thank you Sichen for saving us," Seulji mumbled.
I gasped in relief as we ran out from the dark vent, standing up. I was shocked to see half of the mansion was eaten by fire. I looked down on Hyeop when I realized that he still crying. I looked upon the damaged ceiling, there wasn't a ceiling anymore and we feel the raindrop.
Damn! Did you see Sunoo what do we do?! I hope Jaemen and Sichen say hi up there for us down here. I slowly move Hyeop to make him calm down and soon he stops crying. I hope your father master Hwang was watching you.
I heard Juyeon low whimpers. He yelped, wincing as blood heavily flowed from his wound.
"Which part of the mansion are we now?" Xion asked as he help Juyeon to bandage his wound up with his belt to prevent the bleeding from flowing out.
"Dining room I guess," San answered but gasp and suddenly called Yeonjun. Our heads move to Yeonjun.
He's running towards us with blood flowing out from his torso and mouth. He kneels in front of us and hands the part of the pinwheel. San quickly runs to Yeonjun and took the part before helping him up, covering his wound with his hands but Yeonjun stops him- shaking his head.
"It's too late for me." He said and coughed blood again.
"Don't say that! You'll live! We're going to escape here all together!" San said, trying to stop the blood.
Yeonjun shook his head before forming a small smile, spewing blood. "I'm glad that you become my friends." He said almost in a whisper. Yeonjun fell on San, eyes closed but his tears are still flowing out from his eyes.
San was stunned for a while but when he realized that Yeonjun is already dead, he wrapped his arms around Yeonjun- hugging him and crying on his shoulder.
I looked down, listening to San's cries and the other's silent cries. I pushed back my tears, no, I won't cry. I'm a strong grown adult and my mother told me not to cry.
"We expected that now Yeonjun is happy." Xion hissed and wipe the tears off of his face. It's okay to cry but for now, we need to be strong.
San lay Yeonjun down before grabbing the piece of sheet hanging on the chair. He placed it on Yeonjun's face before silently praying for his death. Soon, he stood up and face us. Just when I noticed someone walked in.
Our eyes move to that person.
"How brave you are maids."
It's Arnika. She looks like Monika, no doubt those two are sisters but Monika is much better than Arnika, and Monika isn't bad at all. Arnika pulled out a long-huge machete on her back itself. "I hope you will pass me." She giggled.
Our face paled up and I quickly realized that things wouldn't be as simple as they seemed before we finally get out of here.
"Run to the basement!" San scream and we turned around to run to where the basement was located but when we turned around we see master Park standing in the way. His skin was almost a grey color, much more so than I have ever remembered, red veins easily detected through the thin skin on his face and arms. His hair seemed to be wet, and his eyes were more bloodshot and darker than usual. He looks even more sinister than he ever did before. His leaking blood as well and he cracked his neck and was looking straight to Hyeop and Junhyuk.
"Where's Sunie's child?" He asked with his sinister voice.
"Back to the vent!" Xion shouted and Juyeon crawled first before Seulji. I was about to crawl back after Seulji but master Park immediately jump behind me and snatched Hyeop away from me.
He carried Hyeop with his claws. He's staring at Hyeop with anger while Hyeop is crying again. I can also hear Junhyuk's cries from inside the vent. I run to Hyeop but master Park pushed me away hard. His big claws drooping on the floor and brushing it with his sharp nails, move fast towards me. I thought that was my end but San hurriedly pulled me to the side causing master Park to hit the floor instead.
"Don't do that again!" San hissed, clenching my arm.
"But he'll kill Hyeop!" I cried, thinking about the child.
"Don't worry, we'll get him back." He assured and tapped my neck.
"How then?!" But he didn't answer and looked down, hugging me. I bit my lip and whimpered silently, letting my tears flow down my face. I know, there's nothing for us to survive. We can escape from them but Hyeop will die and Beom too since he's the closest to Arnika.
We watched in horror as Arnika marched towards us with her knife and master Park, opening his mouth wide to eat Hyeop. I cried, my heart clenched and my headache. What do we do now? Is this how it ends? Is this what you want Sunoo?! Master Hwang?! Master Junghwan?! You want us to escape than die in the end?! If you care for us, for Hyeop and Junhyuk, please! Help us! Help your children, please!
For some reason, I suddenly smelled the familiar scent. It's Sunoo's scent. I looked at the fire that slowly eating the whole mansion. The fire slowly moves like it's been controlled and crawled faster to master Park and Arnika. He drops Hyeop as soon the fire consumes him. We gasp in horror and I quickly run to Hyeop despite San's call. I jump and slide onto the floor, catching Hyeop with my spread arms. As soon I catches Hyeop I quickly covered his exposed body with the sheets and hugged him. I cried, I thought I'll lose Hyeop but thank bro- thanks Sunoo for saving him. I know you're watching us.
San runs to me and hurriedly helps me up. We heard master Park's screaming as he tried to kill the fire until he stumble down behind the couch.
"Do you think you...can kill me Sunie?!"
From behind the couch, master burnt claws with smoke coming out from it held the edge of the furniture, revealing not master Park, but a true monster. His skin was black as ink because of the burn and he was twice as tall as before, his arms dangling down to his ankles. His teeth were razor-sharp and his mouth was similar to the leech, blood leaking out from his leech mouth. His eyes were nowhere to be found like his eyeballs melted. His arms stretched and twisted and his hair fell off as smoke came out from his skin. Long-thin tentacles came out from his stitches. He stood up. Master Park was more sinister now that his whole skin was all burnt up.
He grab Arnika's burned leg and dragged her to his mouth, swallowing her whole.
"Run!" Beom screamed and San quickly pulled my arm.
We hurriedly crawled inside the vent, hoping master Park can't catch us here. We scream as soon master Park put his long arms inside the vent. I heard San whimper and when I looked back at him, I see his leg clawed by master Park but he continue to crawl away. I looked straight with tears streaming my face. Hyeop doesn't stop crying as if he can sense the danger that was happening right now. We crawl fast through the vent, ignoring master Park's sinister scream. I know master Park won't last long since his life was connected to master Han and master Han is already gone.
We crawled out where went before the explosion and saw Juyeon and Seulji, standing while looking at Monika. I burst into tears again after seeing Monika's burnt body.
"She's been good to us this whole time," Seulji whispered while holding a letter that I assume came from Monika.
Seulji walked to Monika, kneeling in front of her, and whispered a soft 'thanks' before standing up. "She's the one who shot Barbie. She's the one who saves Soohyun from master Kim and gives her gun to protect himself," Seulji choked, tears rolling down of her face. "She's the one..." And she cried, looking down on Junhyuk who was looking back at him. "She's the one who gives the ointment...for us even it's against the rules..."
Juyeon and Beom calmed her down while we watched her cry in grief. I looked back at Monika again, saying my thanks too.
We decided that it was to move on and get going. Everything seems quiet aside that the mansion is near to give in. We run to the basement just like what is drawn on the map.
We are near the basement when the sudden chills run down my spine. I looked down on Hyeop and caught him looking in the mirror beside me. I eyed the mirror and I almost scream upon seeing master Park. I looked behind me and I was about to scream but San quickly covered my mouth. I noticed the others were also looking at master Kim.
We watched as master Park move very slowly as if trying to identify the objects he would touch. Master Park was moving so slow and his body is trembling.
He took a step forward but will stumble until he fell on the fall. He made a long wince before finally dropping dead, blood leaking out of him.
"I regret..." I heard him whisper.
We remain standing on our ground for a while until San walked to master Park. He kicked him, checking if he was already dead and it seems so. San run back to us and held my arm.
"He's out. Come on," San said and we continue to walk and run.
The words I heard from master Park remain in my mind. Does he regret it? For what? I know Sunoo and the masters have passed and I don't know what is it but I'm sure that master Park regrets everything he did to Sunoo. Maybe, for what he did to us too?
I don't know but I was somehow relieved that he regret hurting everyone especially Sunoo. Is Sunoo will forgive master Park?
I looked ahead. I imagine Yeonjun, Sichen, Jaemen, Soohyun, and Sunoo were with us and we talking about something about where the basement would be? Or how scary this mansion is. But I know, they weren't here and they have never come back. It's only us.
Not long after we reach the basement. We decided to take a break for a while down here. I hand Hyeop to San for a bit and took out the map behind my belt.
"Where are we going next then?" Seulji asked, softly moving Junhyuk.
"Behind the walls, there's a hatch. Down there was a ward and I believe the caretaker is down there." I said as I read Sunoo's instruction. He did say that he saw the caretaker in the ward.
"So, there's a ward underneath?" Juyeon asked and I nodded. I memorize the map so we won't get lost in the middle of running. I hid back the map before taking Hyeop from San. I caught San smiling at me.
"Why are you smiling at me?" I asked with a raised brow.
"You look like Hyeop's mother and I'm the father." He joked and I only smacked him on the head. I heard Seulji's scoff.
"Gay love in the air." She joked and laughed.
"We are all gay anyway," San said with a wide smile.
"Hey! I'm not! I'm straight!" Juyeon immediately protest.
"Once you kiss a boy, you'll regret saying that in front of us instead, you're going to say how proud gay you are." Xion chuckled and Juyeon will roll his eyes. For some reason, I felt a little bit happy to see all of us joking and laughing despite how dangerous the situation we are in right now. At least, even in this situation, we manage to laugh a little. Who knows, this is our last destination.
Xion, Beom, and San grab the mason and pick axe, and begin destroying the wall. After half hour, the wall crushed, and behind it was a hatch.
"We are near..." Seulji whispered and her lips quivered. She covered her mouth and cried in joy.
Yes, we are near to our freedom but things won't be easy as we imagine. Down there, the caretaker was waiting for us. Waiting down there to kill us. And if ever my gut feels right, master Lee or master Kim is also down there.
Things will never be easy in this place.