I leaned against the wall, eyes scanning the room while everyone simmered in confusion and anxiety. The walls hadn't changed, but the air felt thicker—like the house itself was waiting for something.
That's when Sebastian stepped forward, lips twitching in that way that meant he thought he was onto something.
"I have a pretty good idea," he said, turning toward Lucas. "Did Ethan ever leave your room?"
Lucas blinked, caught off guard. "Uhh... I don't remember him leaving," he said slowly. "I... kind of dozed off, I guess? Which is weird. I don't usually crash like that, but yeah. I'm not sure if he left or not."
Sebastian folded his arms, expression darkening. "Then we don't actually know if Ethan stayed in the room the whole time or not. But what I do know is that back on the ship, he and Lyra had a little spat. Pretty intense, too."
I arched a brow. "You mean you're not over her turning you down? Is that what this is?"
That set him off.
"It's not about that, I just feel like Ethan's involved in this—somehow. Something's not right."
Oh? A gut feeling? That's rich, coming from Sebastian.
William moved forward, stepping in before the tension thickened further. "Let's not turn this into a witch hunt. It's not the time."
Ethan exhaled slowly. "If blaming me makes you feel better, I won't stop you. I should've done more, I know. Lyra was my responsibility. But pointing fingers won't help us get out of this. We need to figure out what's going on."
I pushed off the wall slightly. "I doubt whatever's happening here gives a damn about guilt. It's not after confessions—it wants reactions. Panic. Division. And we're handing it over for free."
Right then—click—a soft sound cut through the room. All our heads turned.
The door creaked open. Harrison stepped in, and I immediately saw Ethan tense.
"Wait, don't close the—"
Click.
Too late.
The door vanished into the wall like it had never been there. Harrison blinked, confused. "...What the hell?"
William raised a hand. "Calm down, Harrison. Breathe."
"What's going on?" Harrison asked, already panicking as he turned to face the group.
William explained the basics—being trapped, Lyra's body, the disappearing doors, the lack of answers. His voice was steady, but there was a clipped edge underneath.
I crossed my arms. "And now that you're here, I guess the house thinks we're all nicely assembled for whatever it has planned."
Ethan looked at Harrison. "Where were you?"
Harrison rubbed the back of his neck. "I wasn't feeling great. Stepped out for a bit. Our restroom wasn't working right. Sebastian was half-asleep, so I just went to look for another one."
"How convenient," I muttered, just loud enough to be heard.
Ethan narrowed his eyes slightly. "Did you see anyone when you stepped out?"
Harrison paused. "Actually... yeah. I think I saw someone, but I didn't get a good look. Just a blur. But I did see Ms. Nakamura... talking to the maid."
My ears perked up slightly.
"She was saying something," Harrison continued. "I couldn't hear it, but... the next thing I saw, she went outside. I think someone called out to her. She followed them."
I didn't say anything at first. I just watched the others react, saw the shift in their expressions. Pieces were on the move. Subtle, but deliberate.
"She left the mansion?" I finally said, voice calm. "Alone?"
That sent a ripple through the group.
William's gaze turned sharp. "Do you think she knows what's happening here? Is she going to come back for us?"
Ethan shook his head. "Don't count on it. If she was going to help, she'd be here already. I think... everyone involved in this mess is already in this room."
I glanced around. Everyone was present. Everyone accounted for.
And yet...
Something's missing.
I couldn't put my finger on it, but a tiny itch crawled at the edge of my thoughts. Like a puzzle piece was missing—but...
I didn't say it aloud. Not yet.
I was still turning it over in my head—something wasn't right. Something subtle. Something I couldn't put my finger on.
And then Marcella snapped again.
"I knew it!" she cried. "That maid girl—Anna—she's the problem! I mean, seriously, who lives in a mansion out in the middle of nowhere? It's creepy. It's her fault. We need to go talk to her!"
"How?" I asked flatly, gesturing toward the wall where the door used to be. "Did you forget we're stuck?"
Marcella opened her mouth again, but before she could retort, Kaida stepped forward. Her calm voice cut through the tension like a blade.
"Seriously? Again with this? I don't know what your deal is, Marcella, but you've had it out for Anna from the beginning," Kaida said, arms crossed. "She's done nothing to you. You met her yesterday for the first time, didn't you?"
"Yesterday?" William echoed, brows raised as he turned toward her. "What do you mean?"
Kaida blinked. "When we arrived here. Wasn't it yesterday?"
Ethan's voice was low and firm. "That's not right. We arrived a week ago."
Sebastian frowned. "No, we didn't. We've only been here for like… five, maybe six hours."
"Exactly," I said, nodding slowly. "It hasn't even been a full day. Marcella said the same earlier, too."
Kaida's gaze moved from face to face, something unreadable flickering behind her eyes. "So all of you think this is Anna's fault, huh?" she said quietly. "Fine. Then let's just ask her ourselves."
She turned on her heel, striding to the space where the door had once been. Without a word, she reached out—and to everyone's surprise, the door clicked open.
Before anyone could react, Kaida stepped through and shut it again behind her.
The door vanished.
No one said a word.
---
[Unknown POV]
Kaida moved down the hallway in steady strides. Her expression was unreadable, her thoughts tucked somewhere deep where even the shadows couldn't reach.
Downstairs, soft footsteps echoed. There—Anna, quiet and pale as ever, carrying a tray toward a table in the dining room.
"Anna," Kaida called out.
The maid paused, turning slowly. "Yes, Miss Kaida? Do you need something?"
Kaida walked up to her, gaze sharp but calm. "I just have some questions. Come with me."
Anna hesitated. "I'm not allowed upstairs."
"If there's a problem. I'll explain. I'll say I dragged you. Just come."
Kaida didn't wait for an answer. She reached out, took Anna's hand gently but firmly, and began leading her toward the stairs.
"I really shouldn't," Anna murmured. "Even if I wanted to, I won't be allowed…"
"Don't worry," Kaida said softly. "It's fine."
As she pulled Anna along, Kaida felt resistance—not from the girl, but from something unseen. Like she was tugging against invisible threads, a heavy pressure trying to keep Anna anchored below.
And then… the tension snapped.
Anna stepped forward.
They ascended.
Whatever force had been trying to keep Anna down there, it had lost. Kaida didn't question it—she just kept moving.
Tough girl, if I do say so myself.
---
[First Person]
We waited. Eyes on the wall where the door had been. We were all ready—ready to leave, ready to get out, as soon as Kaida brought Anna back and opened it again.
Then we heard it.
The click of a door.
But it wasn't in front of us.
The sound came from behind.
We all turned at once.
Kaida stood there, hand still on the doorknob. Anna beside her. And before anyone could react—
Click.
The door shut.
And vanished.
"What the hell—" Sebastian was the first to speak. "Did you open it elsewhere?!"
Kaida shook her head. "No. Same door I left through."
"But that was there," I said, pointing to the opposite wall. "Not there."
She looked just as confused. "I followed the exact same path."
I frowned, eyes narrowing. This place… it was toying with us.
Something had shifted
Something was still off.
And I wasn't the only one who felt it anymore.
CHAPTER END.