Chapter 6 : the mystery of library
The air grew colder as I stepped down the narrow staircase.
A faint metallic scent drifted up — sharp and unpleasant. When I reached the bottom, my breath caught in my throat.
There, under the dim yellow light, stood a man. He wore a long coat, gloves, and a surgical mask — like a doctor in an operating room. Around him were glass jars filled with something dark and floating. When I looked closer, my stomach twisted — they were human body parts.
The man's face was hidden, but his posture, his hands — they were old. I had never seen any old man in this house before. Then who was he?
I wanted to run. Every instinct screamed at me to go back upstairs. But if I left now… how would I ever uncover the truth?
I crouched behind a wooden compartment, barely big enough for me to fit inside. My heart hammered against my ribs. Just wait, Realiana, I whispered to myself. Wait until he leaves.
The man turned away, walking toward another corridor. This was my chance. I slipped from my hiding spot and pressed myself against the cold wall, peering into the room.
From here, I could see everything. The place was beneath the house — a secret chamber. Two other doors stood at the far end, and I could almost feel they connected to somewhere else… maybe even another house.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed — sharp and steady.
Tak… tak… tak… tak…
"Are you done?" a rough voice asked.
"Not yet," the old man replied. "Smith, I'll need more equipment. These are all used."
Smith? I gasped before I could stop myself. I clapped a hand over my mouth.
"Did you hear something?" Smith asked.
"No…" the old man said, then paused. "Wait. There's someone in this room."
My blood turned to ice.
Before they could move, another voice called from above, "Hey, guys! Your meal's here!"
It was Jack. He dragged in a man whose eyes and mouth were bound. The man struggled, muffled cries breaking through the tape.
Tears welled in my eyes. I wanted to scream, to run, to wake up from this nightmare. I thought of home — of my brother, of Sasha, my lady-in-waiting. If she were here, she would know what to do.
"Ha ha ha…" Smith's laugh echoed through the chamber. "Let's begin."
"His body looks perfect," he said with excitement.
"Indeed," the old man murmured.
"Please!" the bound man begged, his voice cracking. "Please don't! Take my money — all of it! Just let me go!"
But they didn't listen.
They circled him.
And then… I saw the horror unfold before my eyes.
They killed him — slicing, cutting, harvesting. My hands shook as I covered my mouth, choking back a scream.
"How long will it take?" a voice said.
"Not long. We just need to be fast."
I turned my head toward the speaker — and froze.
Leo.
No. It couldn't be.
But it was.
He stood there — calm, commanding, his eyes sharp as glass.
"It's done, boss," Smith said. "Now we need a girl. A fresh one."
A girl? I whispered, my heart thundering.
Too loud.
Someone turned.
Then the door swung open.
It was Leo.
My whole body trembled. Tears blurred my vision.
"L–Leo…" I stammered.
"Realiana?" His eyes widened. "What are you doing here?"
My voice broke into sobs. "Are you going to kill me too? Like that man? Are you selling people's body parts for money?"
He laughed softly. "Ha… why would I kill you, Realiana?"
"Why are you laughing?!" I shouted, my voice echoing off the cold stone walls. "After everything I just saw — how can you expect me not to ask?!"
His expression changed in an instant.
The warmth vanished from his face.
His voice dropped low — sharp, dangerous.
"My first question," he said, stepping closer, his tone like steel.
"What are you doing here?"