I watched as those pale and bruised feet made their way closer to the bed. I quickly covered my mouth as my vision began to blurry because of the tears.
"You think he's here?" It's a voice of a girl and based on what I can see, she's wearing a black dress. "I feel sorry for him but it's his choice. He choose to be a victim thought he's a newbie," she said and just then, I notice the sharp objects she was holding while the boy she was with was holding a hammer. Needles are all around it.
"Whatever. I just want to get this over."
She began chatting on about something, her footsteps in time with her mumbles. A chill ran down my spine once I heard what she's mumbling about. How she wanted to hurt me, chopped me off if she have the chance, and most of all, she hate whenever there's a newbie here.
"Come out now! I don't want maids will get ahead of us," she hissed, making her way to the right outside the bedroom. My head began to spin from the fear in my lungs.
"I don't think he's here." I heard the boy say.
"Oh really huh? I know exactly where he is if my instinct is right."
The fear I was feeling began to increase when I saw her kneel, ready to look under the bed where I was hiding. I froze in my spot, unable to even move and tears start to flow down on my face. I knew that she was going to look, and I knew this is the obvious idea that I can be found way too easily. I can hear her mumbles turning loud now than before. I began to see her long fingers reaching under the bed. I can't move, my eyes wide open, waiting for my fate. But then I saw it. Number four running along the hallway and heard someone shout, "That's him! Chase him!" As soon as that noise met our ears, the girl stood up and dragged her feet into the hall with the boy.
I sigh in relief but I stayed under the bed for a while, waiting another minute. Thinking what number four did, did he sacrifice himself for helping me? Then, how does he know that I'm here? Did number one tell him?
My eyes widen as soon as I felt someone grab my ankle and before I know it, I was dragged out. I was about to scream but when I noticed that it was number six, and placed his finger up to where his mouth, signing me to be quiet. I sigh in relief.
Number six run to the door and closed it. Just then, we heard another loud noise like something hitting the floor with a huge stick.
He sighs in relief before finally removing the paper bag from his head. I can now able to see his bare face.
Number six quite looks like a bitch but a bit badass who has plush red cheeks, an alluring set of foxy eyes, and an enticing pair of beautiful lips. I would admit that he was really beautiful but a bit looked scary. His hair was black as shadow and it was sticking on his forehead because of the sweat.
"You okay?" he asked but that only led to me crying more. The fear I felt made my body numb, and any other feelings like relief or calmness of mind didn't seem to come to me. I don't know what is happening and I'm too scared to even get out of this room.
Number six senses that I was crying, he walked to me and pats my back as if trying to calm me down. "Ya...it's fine now. Beom...number four took the risk to protect you, you know." His voice is shaking and it is almost like he was about to cry but he force not to.
"Did...number one tell to Beom that you're hiding here."
"Is he...gonna be ok?" I asked in concern. Even on my first day, I already have a friend. I don't know why they're good to me and thinking of sacrificing itself is just...not so appropriate. I'm no one, I'm a rebel who doesn't want any care from anyone. I don't deserve their kindness, I don't deserve it at all. It's like taking advantage of someone to let myself be protective and live.
"That's..." A knock on the doorstop we and number six put his mask on in a hurry. Soon the door opens revealing number one.
"Everyone wanted us to gather down in the library. The masters have something to say."
"Is number four okay?" I asked in concern but number one only looked down on the floor. I can't see and I can't know if he's okay but the silence answered my question. "The toys got him. Knowing that he wasn't you, master Yang is very upset."
Number six covered his face with his hand inside of the paper, and if I knew, his face flushing red right now. My eyes watered and my lip began to quiver. One of the masters is upset because we disobeyed his game? What will gonna happen to number four? To us? I know it's not my fault but number one. I know, but I can't help but blame myself for being clueless. I don't know what is happening and what the toys thingy they talking about but I do know that this is not a normal place for us to work with. It's very dangerous here, the masters even the conductors are not normal. If they taking drugs, we must call the police right now.
A loud sound of a mic echoed through the whole place, filling the whole room to the brim. I looked around, trying to find any source of where's the speaker could be but I can't see anything. Until I found an old toy car near the closet. I'm sure the sound is coming from that toy. I walked closer to it and was to grab the car but number one stop me by holding my wrist.
"Don't. If you touch it master Yang will be mad."
I only nodded and head away from that toy. We stand on our ground. Listening to the static sound and loud mic with a long beep. I watched as Six and One sat still and listened with fear written across their faces. It sounded like an intercom, or perhaps a speaker. Suddenly, we heard a voice. It's the voice of master Yang.
"Everyone...master Yang, I, myself want to speak with you." The speaker from the car shut off and six and one took big steps out from the room, leaving me all alone. Not even bothered telling me what's going on.
I don't know what to do so I just followed them from behind. We walked into the hall, watching as they, along with the other maids, made their way quickly down the unstable stairs. They moved like lifeless dolls as they walked down. From downstairs, I immediately spotted the younger one who have the creepy doll. I think he's the one who is called master Yang. He's standing in the middle of the living room while the other two, maybe master Han and master Yangs -his brother- was seating perfectly on the old royal sofa.
Once we made it to the living room, I can immediately detect the scent of rotten flesh and the smell of dirty water, perhaps worse than before. My nose tingled as the scent ran down my throat, gagging me. However, the fear only truly swallowed me whole when I saw the people with black clothes. Standing in front of us while holding a bunch of sharp objects.
"Who's the newbie?" He asked and I began to tremble in fear.
Number nine suddenly pushed me forward with a slight force but that was enough to stumble me down in front of the master.
"Ah...you...number ten." I heard him say. I quickly got up on my feet, just then I heard master Yangs clear his throat.
"It's playtime, doesn't it? Why didn't you play along with us and let one of your companions play instead?" He scowled, glaring through my eyes. I know I did a mistake or I? But I don't know what the rules of the mansion. Number six told me but I think that's wasn't enough.
"He's still a newbie Yang. Maybe he doesn't know the rules yet? No one told you?" It's master Han's turn to ask me. I slightly nod my head.
"Ther--" I stopped when number Six spoke before me. "I told him already...but I didn't tell him the whole rules--"
I gasp in horror when master Yang suddenly hit Six on the face through his mask with the whip with needles all over it. It almost rips the paper bag off. I heard Six hissed and grunt lowly in pain but he remain standing still on his ground. Not able to move an inch but I could see his body shaking in agony. Master Yang giggled before moving away, turning to me again.
"You should tell him." Master Yang said while smiling at me with those scary eyes. What kind of masters are they? Why are they doing this to their helpers? I know, out there. Other masters like them also abuse their servants but this? I think it’s even worse than other abusive bosses.
Six looked down at his hands before bowing politely. "I'm sorry master Yang."
"Now," he starts before walking inches away from us. I tried to help number Six but he only yanked himself away from my grip. Is he mad at me? "since number ten didn't participate in the game and let number four play instead...I'll let only the maids play this game to save their companion."
"Oh...like switching sides?" One of the black-clothed people asked. All I thought was that master Yang would hit her but he only smiled at her, walking closer to her. "Yes my dear toy. Seemed like that." He lovingly answered before kissing her cheek.
I heard number nine whispered. "Attention seeker. Whatta bitch."
I was about to ask her what she meant by that but number one slightly tugged the belt around my waist. I whip my head over him but he only signs me to look straight. "Don't be upset. Master Yangs doesn't want to see someone helping the maids to his former maids. And master Yangs is keeping his eye on you two awhile ago." He whispered and I shivered, eyeing master Yang's brother but he wasn't looking in our direction but to the toys. "He's a jealous master like master Hwang. Greedy."
I don't know what to react but one thing in my mind and that's we all need to get out of here that's for sure. Master Yang clapped his hands together, facing us again.
"The play you're gonna play...you know it right?"
Just then, they all ran up to the stairs, leaving me out alone again. I don't know what to do at first but I quickly ran up to catch them upstairs and followed where are they going until we stop in front of the rusty door. Number three open it and just when I realized it, it was the stairs down to the basement. They all run down to the basement and me, following them behind.
"I hate the toys! Especially that barbie bitch!" Number nine ranted as we ran downstairs.
Number three open the light, filling the basement with a small light. The blub flickered but they didn't mind it and run to the dozens of stock of boxes as if finding something. What are they looking for? Just when I realized once I saw number two took a screwdriver and suddenly stab the nearest number beside him which is number eight. Number eight screams in horrible pain. Wait, what is this? Are they turning against each other? Is this game supposed to be like this?
I whimpered when they began hurting each other as if determined to win. Number six run to me while shouting..."Run or else I'll gonna hurt you!"
I didn't hesitate and run fast as I could up to the stairs, out of the basement. I keep on running, having no idea where to go. I quickly ran up to the nearest door, twisting the knob. It was locked, and so was the next one then another one. Footsteps were nearing me and I looked around wildly, alert of someone might stab me from behind. My eyes began to water as I twisted every door I went to until I went to the last one, and I sighed in relief as I realized I could get it. I opened the door before closing it, never forget to lock it.
I sighed in relief and faced the room I went in to find a hiding spot but I was stood still on my ground. So many toys, not just toys but living things are here. They were few people in this room, wearing nothing but a piece of rag blanket. Their eyes were blindly flooded while their mouth has been sewed in a mess way up to their cheeks. They were all placed in some kind of a toy house. I noticed something on the floor. It's a paper bag. Numbers like twelve to fifteen were written. So, these people are the rest of the maids? They've been played by that monster?
I gasp when I realized when I'm inside master Yang's room.
I cursed under my breath. I need to get out of here as quickly as possible but I can't move. I can't run away without helping these people. I sighed and run to the girl who has seating on a chair with her hands are both sewed. I remove her blindfold and when she saw me, she began crying miserably. Too loud. I immediately hushed her but she's panicking right now. I can't calm her but I need to if I want her to be saved along with others.
"Please calm down. They'll hear you." I tried to be calm as possible but this won't stop her panicking.
My heart peaked when I heard the knob twist. I hurriedly crawled under the bed, covering my mouth. I whimpered through my mouth when the door slammed open, too rough that it almost broke the door. I heard the girl scream and cry even more. I watched as two legs went inside. It's not one of the maids or master Yang but it's...master Hwang!
"The...voice...I heard it...again..." He mumbled despite the girl's screaming. "Where...is it..."
What is he talking about? Voice? What voice? Why he's so riled up with that voice? I watched him as he walked to the crying girl. I tried to see what kind of face his making but I couldn't. If I crawl forward he will notice that I'm here. I can still hear the girl crying nonstop. I understand if she won't stop crying and screaming, she's terrified and has already snapped out of it. I crawled a little bit forward but I wish I didn't. I saw him holding the girl on her shoulders with dark eyes. I watched under the bed in silence although I do want to do something to save the rest of them but I can't. I'm too scared especially since this guy seemed can hear everything in the house.
"Shut up." Master Hwang demands but that doesn't stop the girl from crying until she ends up screaming. "I said shut up! Shut up! I can't hear! Shut up!" Master Hwang shouted and start to shake the girl violently.
To think he's distracted in the girl's scream, I could get out of here without him noticing me. Right, that's would do. I squeezed my hands on the hard-old wooden floor, careful not to make little sounds though he can't hear because of the loud screeching from the girl. I crawled out under the bed fast and carefully, just when I made it out from under the bed I heard someone whimpering. I tried to move forward but it feels heavy like I'd been dragging something in my abdomen. I checked what's that and when I realized that my belt has been tangled on the thread which is sewed on the guy's mouth, I immediately stop. His eyes are sewed too.
I cursed under my breath. Why now?! I looked back on master Hwang and he was still busy with the girl. I get back to my concerned business to carry on. I tried to sit up but the guy only groan louder, whimpering louder. I worked on untangling the threads from my belt. My hands are shaking in fear and my breath turned ragged. I'm close to panicking. I'm scared. I don't know if that master is looking at my direction already. I'm too afraid to even check on him. But I'm somehow glad that I can hear him still shouting the girl.
While I was working on the thread to be removed I checked on him one last time. I could feel the blood drain from my head, my legs beginning to go limp. The world seemed to slow down as I witness master Hwang's right hand has clenched tightly around the girl's neck while the other one was hung up in the air. His nails on his left hand turned black, slowly, it has begun to sharpen. He placed his fingers in front of the woman's face and just a split of seconds, his nails grew long, stabbing the woman's face until his nails pierced her skull. Completely, slicing the girl's skull into many pieces with just one move of his hand. The heck is that guy?! What kind of a monster he is?
I started to panic, fumbling the thread out of my belt not even caring if this guy is hurting more. I should wait until he comes out from this room but I'm too hard-headed to make move without thinking wiser plan. Now that I'm out under the bed, the girl goes limp and silent. Once he turns to my spot, I'm dead. It's all over.
The guy I tangled with kick my stomach causing me to groan in pain. Just when I heard him mumble the word again..."Voice...I heard it."
I move my head to him and just when I realized something.
He's blind.