Cursed Mansion [Completed]

13. The shadow...

yibo and zhan have finally uncovered a shocking discovery within the west wing crypt. but that might not be yet the shadow lurking within...

yibo's heartbeat is so loud in his ears. he feel his frantic mind seeking answers ass his body lurches in quick movements through the dark corridors.

'the corpse is alive... the corpse lives and it is coming after me...!' thinks yibo.

zhan's grip on his hand is clamped very firmly- as he pulls yibo along as he runs.

"quickly yibo, we need to exit through the trap entrance!" said zhan.

the footsteps grow louder behind them. yibo's pulse picks up more speed and adrenaline courses through his veins.

he push himself harder to try to keep up with zhan's long strides. the footsteps behind seem ever nearer now.

'the walking corpse is ever closer now... i cannot let it strike me down like in my dreams!' thinks yibo.

yibo and zhan hastily reach the staircase up to the trap door. they both instantaneously see that the trap door is closed. yibo stare on desperately in fright.

"the door is closed." said yibo.

"let's hope it is not locked." said zhan.

zhan pulls yibo along as they both ascend the staircase with quickened pace. they both reach the door and try to open it but it is tightly shut.

a horrific realization of the dire situation hits yibo and he's suddenly pounding on the door desperately.

"Mr. qiren! Mr. qiren! open the door!" shouted yib o.

zhan joins him in his desperate attempt to forcefully open the door but to no avail.

"it's useless trying. i don't think Mr. qiren is anywhere near the trap door." said zhan.

"he ought to be! that was the plan!" said yibo.

as they both await on stairs with the dim glow of the of the oil lantern, the footsteps suddenly resound even closer. in the thick darkness, they can't see a thing.

yibo's hand unconsciously finds zhan's and hold it very tight.

'we are dead today, for sure... we'll be supper for the corpse!' thinks yibo.

nearer... and nearer... the footsteps keep approaching...

zhan abruptly takes yibo behind him as they both await with bathed breath for the unknown. zhan turns back to yibo after a brief moment of surveying the darkness.

"yibo, i want you to listen to me very carefully." said zhan.

yibo stare deep into zhan's eyes.

"whatever happens... whatever it is that is coming after us..." said zhan.

his fingers dig deeper into yibo's arms.

"promise me that you will run... promise me that you will run away very fast and not look back. i will try my possible best to stall it." said zhan.

"what...?" said yibo.

"promise me." said zhan.

yibo nod his head in agreement.

"but you'll run away too, right?" asked yibo.

"if i'm lucky, yes." said zhan.

'i can't believe things have come to this. now, we're subtly saying our goodbyes.' thinks yibo.

suddenly, the lantern light begins to flicker. zhan regards it irritatedly.

"what's wrong with this dratted lantern?! it better not fail us at this dire hour!" said zhan.