The Mansion

10. Hong Jisoo

"This place really is huge..." I murmured to myself, knowing that Seokmin is probably too freaked out to comment on anything. 

We decided to go to the built-in gallery, since the paintings and statues can probably soothe ourselves. But Seokmin hasn't said anything since the door got locked.

To be honest, it's good that he's quiet, but not in this situation.

"Say, Shua hyung..." He suddenly addressed me, "Are they ghosts?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why else would the door be locked? There must be ghosts." 

I sighed, "I really don't know. Perhaps they do, although I prefer to trust that there aren't any."

Only silence remained for another couple of minutes, when I suddenly felt an odd sensation from one of the paintings.

Seokmin must have seen me startled a bit. "W-what's wrong?"

"...Nothing, I guess?" I replied as calm as I can. Actually, I am not really that afraid either.

The painting - it's as normal as before. But I swear that it just changed for a second. Words had appeared on it.

GOD CAN'T SAVE YOU.

Very funny, I thought. Of course He can't. I mean, He can guide me, but after all, I am the one who take action and save myself. Whatever God can do, it's finally up to my own decisions.

The particular story is well known - a man drowned to death because he neglected help from three people, who are all images of God.

Suddenly Seokmin grabbed my arm and basically clung onto me.

"H-hyung, I-I think that cat statue just m-moved."

I stared at the statue for a good 10 seconds. Nothing happened. But, if that's a sign? I read slowly approached the statue for its description.

Our guardian who brings bad luck.

What an ironic description, I thought. But, perhaps, it will brings clues on why we are trapped. Perhaps, it's because that we intruded the house, the so-called guardian decided to shower misfortune upon us. Of course, that's only if the description is describing the truth.