CHAPTER 28
It's only master Kim. I don't know if master Lee can able to survive that earthquake. I know that hallway crashed already. And it hurts to think that Beom is already gone. Only me, Seulji, and San left, add Hyeop and Junhyuk. We stared at master Kim in horror. He seems eager to kill us but why doesn't look like a monster? I mean, he doesn't want to show his true self?
"I don't have any true form...just only these nails. How pathetic." Master Kim talked. The earthquake doesn't want to stop. "But I got speed." He added, smiling at us. He looks more energetic than the other monsters.
"How pathetic, you will die," Seulji said in anger and master Kim will laugh at her.
"If you can kill me then I die and you free to go, live with that two wrenches!" He hissed, grinding his teeth together.
"I know masters can't keep their words," San said before turning to us.
I quickly shook my head, knowing what San planning to do. My eyes watered, my chest shaking and my voice wavering. "No please, don't be a hero." I please, shaking my head. I can hear Hyeop whimpering in my arms while Seulji was crying on my side. "Don't fight with him!" I cried, tears flowing nonstop.
San touched my cheek and pulled me into his arm, hugging me tightly. He squeezed me causing me to burst out in tears. I cried on his shoulder. I don't want San to fight and sacrifice himself too to save us. I don't want San to be gone like the others. Within those years, San is the only person who stays by my side. He's always there for me, save me from the masters' punishment before even that doesn't mention in the story but still. He has done enough for me. It's time for him to stop caring for me- for us.
"Please San hyung, don't do this. We can defeat master Kim- " I tried to say but I choke as sobs escapes from my mouth.
"Even we fight master Kim together, there's no time and you need to keep the babies out of harm." He whispered, brushing my hair.
San pulled away even I don't want him to break the hug. I held his arm with my free hand, clenching it. My heart clenched just thinking San will take the risk. No, no more, please. It hurts so much. I watched as his eyes fell downcast, the emotion leaking from his actions. He cleared his throat, wiping my tears away. I could see the pain; feel the pain leaking from his eyes. He looked as though he had given up for his fate. He looked at me with pity, tears falling from his eyes.
"Please San, don't do this. How about your sister? She's still waiting for your comeback." Seulji said but San didn't look back at her, instead, he remain focused on me.
"I'm badly want to go home, be with my sister, and start a new life with Doyoung." He said with full of sadness. "But if I choose that, we can all die here. We're doing this for Hyeop and Junhyuk."
"Please don't," I mumbled, looking at him.
"Please be safe. Once master Kim attacked me, please run fast as you could to that door alright?" San told but I shook my head. San sternly looked at me, cupping my face with his shaking hands.
He leaned and kissed my forehead before he pulled away. He stared at me for a while and this time he learned to capture my lips. I heard master Kim scoff but I didn't mind. I didn't mind the slight earthquake and the faint explosion. I ignored all the danger that we were in. All I want to feel is San's warmth and his soft lips that pressed against mine, this feeling that I won't feel anymore. San pulled away and smiled, caressing my checks.
"I'll always savor that kiss." He said, smiling with tears flowing out from his eyes. "Don't forget about me okay? I'll always..." His voice began wavering as he speak his last words. "...I'll always love you."
Before I could react, he pushed me to Seulji. I want to go back with him but Seulji held my arm and pulled me away from them. I keep calling San, pleading with him no but he chooses to ignore me. He chooses to leave me.
I cried harder when Seulji pushed me inside of the only room she saw and closed the door. She walked to me and slap me in the face.
"Don't cry! Don't be pathetic! This is what San wanted to do! You must prepare yourself to get out of here you understand?!" Even Seulji was mad, she was still crying- sobbing hard. She harshly wipes the tears away but it won't stop. "It's hard to think that they are sacrificing themselves for us to live. It hurts so much here..." She sniffles, pointing to his chest. "What are they...master Hwang?! What are we...Sunoo?! They are stupid indeed!"
A loud thud was heard from outside of the room and we suddenly stop crying. I can hear San's cry in pain. I want to go and save him but Seulji is stopping me. She told me about Hyeop's safety. I only cried, letting San hurt by master Kim.
"Go now!" We heard San scream.
We took that as a signal. I shakily left the room, my legs weak and about to give in. It hurt to breathe, especially seeing San seating on top of master Kim with blood leaking out from his stomach, soaking his white button-up in blood. He's holding master Kim down while master Kim itself is stabbing him with his nails. Seulji needs to pull my arm to run to the door. My eyes never leave San.
For one last time, our eyes meet. He smiled, tears running down from his eyes. He mouthed, 'Don't look back.'
I want to look at him more but Seulji keeps pulling me. Just then, I noticed San was holding a grenade?! I don't know what happened next but the tunnel we just went to exploded, fire running after us. We almost stumble but we immediately lean on the wall and continue to run. We see the stairs that led us up back in the outside. We run, we didn't look back but I can feel the warmth from the fire behind.
We run-up to the stairs. I didn't mind if my knees go numb after this. We run up fast until we reach the circle shape door like a manhole. Seulji pushed it open with all her might until it finally opened. She quickly climbed out before me. The familiar air and scent from the canal greeted me once I was finally out of the tunnel. Seulji pulled me again, just when we are distanced away from what seemed like a drain led- the fire blazed out from the tunnel. Nevertheless, we didn't stop. We still running until we sense that we are safe for now, we decided to walk. Taking our time to see where we are right now.
I can see tall trees hovering over us and the heavy pour of rain from the sky. The place was dark and the only light that guided us from the darkness is coming from the mansion that burning from afar. We watched as the mansion slowly fell apart as fire continuously ate it whole.
The mansion is gradually being destroyed. We witnessed the huge crack forming faster around the mansion until it crackdown the entirely- even the wards that what's underneath it. I see white smoke coming out deep into the ground where the mansion fell. I believe that smoke is the spirits who are trapped in that mansion and ward, they are all gradually liberated into the air up to the sky.
I sadly smiled thinking San and the other maids- all of my friends who died in the mansion. My heart clenched more and my vision blurred from the tears pooling in my eyes. Just thinking about all the great moments with them made me cry out of sympathy. Yes, it's a nightmare to live in that place with terrible masters but somehow, I want to turn back those times. Those times when we still complete as ten. Those times when Sunoo is still adjusting to the new scenery. Those times when San is always there for me when I'm scared.
I'll never forget the memories when we were all together. Even it hurts to accept that you were gone, I need to accept it. I need to let go and move on. I smiled as I watched the smoke that liberating up to the sky. I raised my free hand and waved at them.
"Go ahead! I know you are all happy there! You didn't even wait for us! You are all stupid! I hope you're happy wherever you are!" I heard Seulji scream and chuckled a little despite her cries. "Hey, Xion! Tell me in my dream if Juyeon admitted that he's gay alright?!" She wipe her tears away and looked at me. "It's finally over..." she said and I almost sighed in relief not when I heard the click from the gun.
Just when I realized that there's another one. The fear came back and I held Seulji's hand. Seulji seems to sense the danger behind us. We slowly turned around and see Mr. Lawrence pointing his gun at us with a faint smile on his smug face. He doesn't look like before, he doesn't look young like the way before. His skin is grey, white hair falling off of his head and he becomes thinner than his usual body size. His teeth are almost rotting and falling, and he smells like a canal. His cheeks are drooping and it seems like his face is changing to a hedous- deform and isolated face. He can't even hold his shotgun properly.
"You think I'll let you live after what you did?!" He screams angrily. "Because of you, my magic is already gone! The book I work so hard on is nothing now but a piece sheet of paper! Useless!"
We both took a step back, deciding to run to the right. I can feel my heart race inside and fear consuming me whole. I held Hyeop close to me and Seulji do the same.
"There's no chance for you, loser maids!"
Mr. Lawrence fired his gun towards us and quickly dodge it by running straight to the side. We heard Mr. Lawrence scream, his voice is also changing into an old man scream. We just run and run aimlessly, don't have an exact destination in mind. We just run, almost stripping from the molds.
Mr. Lawrence continuously fired us until I heard Seulji's yelp. I looked at her but I can't see her face properly because it was too dark. I squeezed her hand and she only give me a slight nod before continuing.
We stop as soon we see a house with a car. The light wasn't turned on but the house didn't look it was abandoned. Maybe the owners were not in the house? We look at each other before running to the house.
I pushed the door open and I sigh in relief when it opened. We hurriedly inside and closed the door. Seulji locked it, just when I noticed her hand covered in blood. I start to worry but Mr. Lawrence didn't give me a chance to ask her when he shot the window beside us. We scream.
I know Seulji was hurt and we can't continue to run like this. I carefully hand her Hyeop and she confusedly carries Hyeop. I can see the pain on her face but despite the pain, she forced herself to carry them both.
"Hide to the bathroom!" I whispered but she didn't move. "Come on! Don't worry, I won't let myself die." I assure her even to myself. I don't know if I'll live but I hope I will and Seulji too.
Seulji nods and heads up to the stairs. I hurriedly head to the kitchen. Searching everything I can use. My eyes stop on the gunshot that hanging on the wall. I don't know if someone lives here but I don't think there's anyone here. The gunshot from Mr. Lawrence is loud enough to wake the people up. I checked the gun if there were any gun bullets left and it seems so. I air the rifle before running to the window, peeking at Mr. Lawrence. I don't know how to use a gun but I played so many RPG games before, maybe I know how to use this. My hands are shaking. I'm gasped for air. The fear only grew as soon I saw Mr. Lawrence going closer to the house. He points his gun towards me and pulled the trigger.
I quickly crouch down, just in time when the glass shattered into pieces. I crawled and seat, leaning my back on the wall. I squeezed my eyes shut. This is not the time to be scared. Even San wasn't here to help me, I know he's always beside me. I know, he's here to guide me, to give me strength to defeat Mr. Lawrence.
If ever I die too. I hope I can bring Hyeop and Junhyuk to a safe place. I opened my eyes and saw San standing in front of me. He was smiling at me. I can't help but cry again but this time I'm happy. Happy, because San is here with me.
"You got my back right?" I asked but when I blinked my eyes, he was gone.
Right, I'll take that as a yes. I stood up and run to the door but it suddenly violently opened. Mr. Lawrence pointed his gun but that wasn't a gunshot anymore but a pistol. He pulled the trigger and shot me but I quickly dodge it. I run to him and he shot me again, and again as I run to him, screaming in agony. I pushed him with full force outside the house. We both stumble down on the grass. He hissed angrily, getting his gun that flew away when he stumble. I grip his collar and punch him in the face. He cursed and tried to punch me too, his knuckles landed painfully on my face. But I ignore it and keep on punching him. He scream angrily and kicked me away. I fall on the molded grassy ground with heavy rain pouring all over us. Mr. Lawrence crawled to where his gun lay.
I hurriedly get up and I winced from the pain that shot through my entire body. Just when I noticed that I have a shot on my stomach and shoulder. But ignore it, I ignore the pain. I get my gun and point it to Mr. Lawrence.
Without hesitation, I pulled the trigger, shot him on his head- one time, two times, three-time until the gun shell emptied. I panted, my breath ragged and I can feel the pain rushing through my entire body. My lungs burn and I feel my whole being is about to give up.
I stared at Mr. Lawrence, making sure that he was completely dead. What I'm thinking? Of course, he is dead. His head is already blown out because I rained him bullets.
I touched my stomach and wince. I gasp for air again, my lungs stung and my body too. I throw the gun away, deciding to go to Seulji, calling her but she didn't respond at all, all I could hear was the cry from Hyeop and Junhyuk.
I painfully climbed the stairs, head to the bathroom to check on them. I opened the door but they weren't there. I checked the bedroom and found them laying on the messy bed. Seulji laying carelessly on the edge of the bed, eyes closed, blood flowing out of her- staining the bed. Beside her were Junhyuk and Hyeop. I painfully walked to Seulji. I shake her but she won't wake up, checked her pulse. I shakily sigh, my lips quivering. I closed my eyes before hugging Seulji.
"Thank you for everything Seulji noona," I whispered and kissed her forehead. She's been a great and kind noona despite her bad mouth. But I know that's how she shows her love for us.
I walked to the closet and took out a new sheet. I placed it over to Seulji. My eyes move to the two siblings. I stood up and replace their sheet with a new pair. I grab the car keys and write a note. I put it inside Hyeop's sheet. I painfully carry them both and walked out from the house and to the car.
I placed them behind before I jump to the driver's seat. I put the key into the ignition and step the accelerator, going forward and leaving the house, leaving this place. I can't see anything but trees and farms. It was also dark outside. I cough with blood. I don't know how long I will stay. I hissed, pain shot through in my entire body again. I couldn't see anymore from the pain and the fear in my eyes. I blink, trying to stay awake, to stay alive not until I arrive in the city. I glance at Hyeop and Junhyuk behind from the mirror before looking straight at the road again.
It was just Hyeop, Junhyuk, and I.
I cough again and this time I can't stay my eyes open. I feel sleepy. I can't...I'm sorry.
I finally close my eyes letting the car go where it decides. In seconds, it swerved and crashed into a tree, the car shutting off immediately, glass shattering everywhere. And darkness hugged me.
"You did a great job Doyoung."
-
The gardener stared Doyoung dead on his seat. He move to the back seat and took Hyeop and Junhyuk, both were crying. He smiled just saying them. He looked back at Doyoung again and salute his braveness.
"You did a great job Doyoung." The gardener said and walked to his truck.
He carefully placed the siblings on the passenger seat, noticing the letter that Doyoung put in. He smiled again, thinking not to touch it for now. He closed the door before running to the driver's seat and jumping into it. He sighs, closing the door beside him. He opens the engine and drives away from their nightmare.
The gardener looks straight ahead, remembering all how this starts, remembering how this nightmare turned like this.
He moves his hand and tapped the siblings to calm them down, still looking at the road. A few seconds ago, his phone rang. He turns on the speaker before answering the call.
"Where were you?" The gardener chuckled after hearing the angry voice from his boss.
"Driving home?" He answered. The siblings soon stop crying.
"In this hour?! My goodness! Didn't you forget about the missing people-"
"I know that and I'm sure there are no more people will be missing." He cut her off. His phone suddenly vibrated and he see the notification that popped on his screen.
"How can you be so sure? Tell me!" Her voice was demanding but the gardener will laugh it off. "Even you're crazy yet you're too kind."
"Thank you, Mrs. Choi." He thanked, thinking how kind this old lady was to him when he manage to escape and this lady found him on her farm. She took care of him.
"Just be careful of your way back home okay? I'm worried about you Gong Pil."
"Don't worry, I'll be safe." Then he hangs up.
He turned back on driving. "I'm the only one left huh?" He whispered and drive ahead.
A small smile crept on his lips. All of his friends left him knowing that he died but even though he's the only one left, he'll make sure those memories will go on and the siblings are the ones who will carry that.
-
END