Jinki is right, everyone is right. Working here is like suicide. I wish I didn't see the poster in the first place. I wish I could turn back time now. Jinki and the hyungs are probably worried about me. I didn't even say goodbye to them especially to my older sister Chaewon. Why I'm such a rebel? I know I want to provide for myself, I have debts but the hyung will take care of them. I know how pity I was thought I don't want to prove that to myself yet. But in this kind of situation? I feel sick to myself, feel sorry for the others who work in such a place.
I don't know how terrible this place was yet. I had only been here for an hour, and already, terrible, horrifying things have happened. At every banging and screeched that came from outside the door, I would jump, my heart pounding in my chest. I didn't want to be here.
I clench my phone in my hands. There are only two options I can do. Find a better spot for signal and call the police or find a way out. If we escape, a bunch of cannibals were starting to chase us outside. I jump when the door finally barges open and I can see master Han walking inside. His long and black nails are hanging on his sides. His skin becomes gray and blood starts leaking out from his wounds, soaking him with blood.
Just then, Beom and Yeonjun hurriedly put their paper bag on before bowing politely to master Han.
"Speak." He demands to the both of them with that sinister tone.
"Yes, master Han." Beom said.
"Yes, master Han." Then it's Yeonjun.
I only watched them in fear under the table. I watched as master Han face my bed. I crawled back after seeing his feet dragging him towards my bed.
"Where's the newbie? I want to hear him speak too."
My blood drain after hearing what he just said although his voice turn back to normal.
"He's in the bathroom master Han and I don't think that he can speak." Beom said calmly as possible.
"So you saying that he's mute?"
"Yes, master Han." Yeonjun answered this time. "He only writes to communicate."
Master didn't reply after that and just walk outside of the room, leaving the door open. Beom was in the door and closing it, just when I saw the doll staring at me with its bulging eyes. It does not button anymore but an eye of a baby in yellow. It's staring at me until Beom finally closes the door. My heart began pounding hard inside my chest. If the doll is watching, master Yang is watching too.
I began to tremble, my eyes began to water as my tears rolled down my face. The doll...see my face as master Yang too. He saw my face and he caught Beom and Yeonjun lying too. I began to cry, covering my mouth to prevent my sobs. It's my first day yet I'm already screwed.
Is this the end for me. It's the end for the three of us.
I cried, even more, when Beom pulled me out from under the bed. He helped me sit down on my bed before taking off his mask. He tried to wipe my tears but they still keep on flowing.
"Hey...it's fine now. You don't need to be scared." Beom tried to soothe me but that didn't work. Even it's fine now but it's not. It's not going to be okay as long as we are stuck here.
"T-the...doll...it caught us." I mumbled between my silent cries.
Both Beom and Yeonjun freeze, fear evident in their faces. "We...we're going to die and it's my fault!" I cried harder. Thinking we might be dead by the time being.
"Hey...it's fine." Yeonjun assured but I only shook my head.
This is worst than being kidnapped by the goons and now we're going to die because of my careless act. I just spoke and they hate deep voices. I'm screwed, I am total.
I cried all night but kept my voice to myself as possible. That night Beom and Yeonjun cuddled me overnight to ease my fear, to make me feel safe.
-
The next morning is not quite well. It's still 7 am and the older servants which are the elderly maids; that I didn't even notice that there a elder maids in this mansion. And they wearing a real maid uniform. They yelled and scold us for not being able to move fast and didn't do our work properly.
I scrubbed the floor with number eight while number nine and number four were busy preparing the clothes for the toys. My body is still tense and I'm still nervous about what master Yang will do after catching us with his doll. Beom and Yeonjun never speak to me after that night but I can sense that they were just scared just like me. Maybe they upset because I messed up and now that master Yang caught both of them are lying, masters, will going to punished them soon. Me? I don't know what they gonna do to me. I'm afraid I might end up like the other newbies.
"Ugh! Now, we clean the mansion. What's the occasion?" Number seven hissed while hanging the new dirtied curtain.
"You call this cleaning?" Number eight asked with a mocking tone. Grabbing a handful of rotten flesh before dropping it on the floor and mopping it.
The scent of rotten flesh makes me gag. The horrible smell is worse than yesterday. I stared at the full of black liquid on the bucket. "What's this thing?" I whispered too lowly and I heard number eight gasp. He hurriedly kneels beside me.
"You have the deep voice? Man...that's bad. Pretend to be mute as possible okay?" He said in a hushed tone before standing up, going back to his work. I looked at him in confusion, how can my voice be deep? I know my voice is deep but not that deepest. It's actually just right for a guy.
I don't need to be told twice or thrice. I know my voice is a treat for me. I sighed before digging my hand with a basin in the black liquid. I feel disgusted as soon I felt the slummy warm thing against my skin. It feels so sticky and the stinky smell coming from it feels horrible. I raised my hand to take them out of the bucket then dive them on the floor, scrubbing them with it. This feels disgusting.
"This is...really not my thing. I didn't sign up for this." I mumbled lowly and I noticed number seven nodding his head.
"Me either. I thought the work as a maid is normal just like the ordinary houses but truth to be told." He agreed while folding the used curtains and placing them on the basket.
"We've been scam! That's the truth!" Number eight yelled out silently. "I've been stuck here for months now and until now I didn't receive any from them! I want to call the police and file for complaint about this!"
My heart skip as soon as I heard that number eight wanted to call the police. I stopped and my hands began shaking. I still have my phone and if I told him what I'm planning, is he able going to help me? I don't know, what if number four will act like an impulsive? He'll ill-thought-out the plan and do a mistake instead? If my intuition is right then I need to keep this to myself yet.
"Ugh! I hate this dress! It's too simple! I want my skin to be exposed a little!"
We heard Barbie's rants alongside the dining hall. I saw Barbie walking aggressively while number nine and Beom are following him behind. I heard number eight snorts. "Toys don't do the cleanings because they more like toys to the masters unlike us."
"Yeah, and Barbie is taking advantage of that." Eight nodded. "The game for toys is over. It will handle in a few months again."
"Number ten, can you help me put this curtain off?" Number seven asked and I stood up. I will pretend as a mute if this is the only way I keep myself safe.
I walked over to the window, removing the curtains. When lookout. It seemed as though we were on the second story, and there was nothing but trees and mountains for as far as the eye could see. If my intuition is right, we are in the middle of the forest. I stared at the trees and bushes that danced along with the wind. If I wanted to, I could easily leave during the night and call for help for the rest. It wasn't that far of a drop, and I don't think the window was even locked. I can easily hide behind the bushes or upon the tree. My eyes began filled with hope. The freedom is on my reach.
"Maybe not?" I jump when someone suddenly hugged me from behind. I noticed number eight and number seven freeze in their ground but soon, they quickly lowered their head. What? What is happening? Who's hugging me?
"Good morning master Yang." My breath stop as my heart starts to race in fear. The one who hugs me is master Yang? Is he going to kill me now?
I don't want to know, I'm too scared. My fear only worsens every minute. A chill run down my spine when I felt his warm breath against the back of my neck. I could feel his finger tugging slightly the edge of the paper bag or playing with my hair. "You have blonde hair? What a beauty." He hummed as if trying to pet me.
I struggled to keep away from his embrace but he only tightened his grip around me. My eyes began to sting as new tears pooled in my eyes. I want to say 'Please, don't kill me.' but I remember what they told me. Pretend to be mute if I want to live.
"Number ten...I caught you." He whispered through my ear that shivered me. "I see your face."
The fear inside me turn to worsen than yesterday. I shivered in great fear. I couldn't breathe properly as my lungs began to hurt. "Don't worry...I won't kill you yet. You just need to be punished." I squeezed my eyes shut once I felt a soft and warm thing on my nape. It's master Yang's lips, he just kissed my nape. After kissing my nape and reminding me of my punishment, he finally let go and walked to Barbie. Barbie squealed and run to master Yang. Master Yang chuckled and kissed Barbie's cheeks.
I remain standing on my ground, can't even able to move. What punishment I'll be receiving? Is it worst? Worst than being in a game? I'm scared. "Number ten. It's fine. As long as the master said they wouldn't kill you, it's fine. You just need to endure the horrible pain that will come to you. Just like number three experience when one of the masters see his face." Number seven assured and I sighed. Endure the horrible pain? Can I endure that?
Heavy steps from the stairs echoed throughout the entire mansion. We all stop from cleaning to greet master Lee. Barbie quickly stop cuddling master Yang and behaved herself. She's really scared to master Lee. He directly heads to the lobby. Aside from the others, he's more lifeless and more serious.
We continued cleaning until all the masters gathered in the lobby. It's almost night when we have done our work and a man in his 30's came. Clapping his hands together. He's a foreigner I guess based on his height with black hair and absolutely western cowboy mustache. His blue eyes are staring at all of us especially us, the maids with his hunger stare as if he want to eat us. I could see him licking his upper lip then his lip.
"Oh great, the cannibal is here." I heard number eight mumble.
"What a delicious sight." He said with hunger in his tone.
"Not now Lawrence. Where's the food for lunch?" One of the maids asked. The elderly one.
"It's already on the table. Now!" He chirped and clapped both hands again. "The masters want you all to eat already. You know how much they care for you."
As soon as he said that, all the maids even Beom and Yeonjun run downstairs. I struggled up with them despite my legs are still shaking. Their pace was faster than my legs could carry. All the maids are in a hurry as if they don't want this Lawrence guy to be impatient. I was only aware of a few things at the moment. We need to eat as we please because for him this is what the masters want him to do as if he wanted us to gain more weight.
Once we made it downstairs, I could immediately detect the scent of smoke and rot, perhaps worse than before. My nose tingled as the scent ran down my throat, almost puking me. However, the fear only truly swallowed me whole when I realized what we will gonna eat today.
We entered what seemed to be the kitchen. The sight was enough to send chills down my spine and my head spilling with horror.
It was a big room, far much bigger than anyone would expect a kitchen to be in this house. There was a large-long table in the center, with several chairs placed around properly. It is just exact for all of the servants to table in. The only light in the room came from the little light that seeped in through the windows.
Broken plates and shattered glass speckled the floor with bloodstains all around the kitchen floor. At the front of the room, there were the cooks and other servants. The butler, driver, guards, and even their gardener. All of them are not quite look normal in my eyes, they all look thin and pale. Their eyes scream nothing but darkness as if they've been under control. The only difference among us is the two conductors and Mr. Lawrence. They look fresh and young even they are already in their thirties I think.
"What are you waiting for? Take a seat." Mr. Lawrence said, guiding us to the empty seat. They quickly took a seat to each other as if they've been forced to do so, riding along what Mr. Lawrence or the masters want to see.
I was left alone standing awkwardly. I sighed and walked beside number two but once I settled myself uneasy in the chair, number two suddenly elbowed my stitched wound that cause me to whimper in pain. A faint growl from upstairs or more like from one of the masters can be heard. What? What was that? Whose in pain this time?
"Oh my! Master Park is hurt!" One of the elderly maids said and three maids run out from the kitchen.
"Hey! Why did you elbow number ten?" I heard number four scolded, anger is evident in his voice. "You know he hasn't healed yet!"
Just then I noticed number three was standing awkwardly behind me. While the rest of the servants are watching us with entertainment especially Mr. Lawrence. I gulp thickly before standing up and walking to number nine, seating next to him. Number three is finally seated beside number two and number two itself starts to converse with number three. I feel embarrassed for some reason.
"That's the second time." I heard number nine chuckle. "You should know how to stand to the right spot."
"Since we will gonna eat, young maids can take off their mask now." The conductor said.
We take off our masks and I could hear a gasp from the gardener. I looked at him but he only averted his gaze away from mine. That's weird. Why are they gasping for?
"Aren't you cute number ten?" Mr. Lawrence cooed at me but the conductor with long hair scolds him.
One by one, butlers serve the food for us. I thought we are gonna eat normal food but when they placed a bowl before us make me gag. I looked down at what was before me. I could feel my stomach twist and my eyes watered. I can't eat this. I won't eat this!
I quickly covered my mouth and tried not to puke. This is the worst! I won't eat humans!
Inside the bowl was a full of thick blood with pieces of meat. I could even see the eyeball pop up under it with a vein still connected to it. I moved away but number nine held my arm, preventing me. She looked at me with a warning look and mouthed, 'Eat or pain.' I can't do anything and end up facing the disgusting bowl of soup in front of me. I looked at everyone and the servants except us were looking at the food in hunger. The butler placed another plate of food on the table. This time it's not a soup but a lump of human meat and parts of the organs.
"Dig up!" The conductor chirped and with that, the servants start to eat like hungry wolves. Blood flowing down from the side of their mouth, meat and skin stuck in their teeth.
I watched as the maids with me immediately grabbed their spoons, picking up the glop and shoving it sickeningly into their mouths. One of the maids will even give us meats. As we, humans can't do anything but obey them. Some of them gagged, although they refused to spit it out. They were eating fast, as though they were on a time limit. I sickeningly picked up my spoon from the bowl. It was covered in some weird red thick liquid that dripped off on the table. I gulp nervously and slowly stuck the spoon in my mouth. I gagged and quickly spit it out.
"Look at that, the pretty maid can't eat. What a pity, you'll gonna starve to death." One of the cooks said, staring at me while biting seemed to be a leg. I'd rather starve than eat this. I'm not a cannibal like them. I'm not a monster.
I could feel number nine squeeze my arm. I looked at her and she only give me a pitying look on her face. Even she doesn't want to eat this sickening food. "You should eat it before the toys come in here--"
Number nine stop when we heard footsteps coming to the kitchen. She looked at me again. "Eat already!" She whispered in worry but I didn't move. I don't want to eat.
Not long before the two guys; the toys came in. They're wearing black suits and blindfolds like always. When they noticed that I haven't ated yet, they walked towards me and I could hear number nine curses. The two toys stopped behind me.
"Glad you already here. That pretty doesn't want to eat." Mr. Lawrence said. "I bet he wants to starve himself to death so he won't be in here anymore."
Before I could react, one of them grabbed my both hands, bringing them behind me before tying them with a rope. He held my chin and pulled it harshly up so I was looking up. I tried to struggle but in this position, I can't do anything. He force my mouth to open although I tried my best to keep it close but failed. I could hear number nine crying silently beside me along with Beom and Yeonjun. They wanted to stop them but they can't. They can't do anything other than watch me suffer like this.
I noticed the other one who hasn't held me was hesitant for a moment before gripping the spoon and filling it with more blood. I could read his mouth, saying sorry over and over again. Just when I realized that they've been forced to do this. He slammed the spoon back into my throat with a force, shoving it down to my throat. Every shove he does, he will say that he was sorry, restrained my airflow with the spoon, and sickening blood. I could feel it run down my throat. The spoon even touched my uvula that cause me to vomit but the guy who was holding me covered my mouth as if telling me to swallow it. Tears gathered in my eyes and I start crying. I squeezed my eyes shut before swallowing them. He open my mouth again and the other guy constantly shoved another spoonful by spoonful of blood down my throat until the bowl was empty. After they finished they let me go and free my hand. I cough with tears continues to flow down my face. I tried to breathe but every time I inhaled the more I could taste the disgusting taste of blood.
The two guys walked from behind us as though nothing happened.
My throat ached and I could feel the blood was splattered all over my skin and clothes. It was hard to breathe. I can feel number nine pat my shoulder.
"Next time, eat up." She said with sadness filling her eyes.
I bit my down lip hard to prevent my sobs but it can't be helped, a sobs escape from my mouth. I shook my head and cried. This is just too much for me. I can't bear to stay here any longer. I heard them pity me but most of them are mocking me, even laughing at me.
"Hey, it's okay. Just do what they want us to do and you'll be okay." Number nine even number eight tried to soothe my pain with their comforting words but that's not enough for me to calm down. My lungs are burning, my throat is aching as well as my nostrils. What's more when the masters punished me. Thinking that breaking me to the edge. This situation encourages me to escape from this hell along with the others as well.
"I can't...do this anymore," I whispered between my sobs.
"Don't snap it out. You can do this...just endure every pain--"
Out of rage, I slammed my both hands on the table. "I said I can't! How could you say that I can endure it! I'd rather die!" I scream out loud and I saw how number nine jump with my sudden outburst.
Just when I realized how the whole kitchen filled in the silence. I looked around me and caught them staring at me with horror except for the conductor who hired me, she's smiling as though she knows already what's going to happen. I began to shiver and I jump out of my seat, trying to run but the two guys held me.
"Newbie really can't survive long." I heard Mr. Lawrence say.
I freeze as soon as I heard footsteps coming to the kitchen. The masters are coming this way. I noticed the maids hurriedly put their masks on. I tried to struggle but I failed.
"Please let me go!" I begged as more tears came out of my eyes.
"I'm sorry but the order is order." One of them said.
I tried to thrash away again but every time I do that they'll hold me tighter. Until I heard the footsteps already inside of the kitchen. I looked up and I cried even more once I saw master Hwang looking directly in my direction.