“Episode 6”
Ray had many things to envy in her life. Grace, who held a Maron doll during lunch. An older sister who willingly gave up the strawberry on the cake to her younger sibling. A father reading bedtime stories in pajamas. Nights invited to a friend’s modest tea party. The list was endless.
Everything here was a first for her. Contact with a man that wasn’t a family member, indulging in rich snacks until her tongue became lazy, learning to read without any cost. Compared to the past, these days were sweet and pleasant.
“After midnight, don’t come out.”
“Yes, I know. Clodan told me.”
“True. And if there’s something you want to eat, endure it and let me know the next day. Don’t go wandering around looking for me for no reason.”
“I understand. Don’t worry.”
Ray knew nothing about ordinary households. Her life had been dull and rigid, with no chance to learn about others’ lives.
“I hope it passes quickly.”
There were times she had just lazed around in bed. However, she could barely swallow a spoonful of soup the next day. It was a foolish method she wouldn’t attempt again.
This time, she borrowed a book from Clodan. Reading had become a hobby lately, helping to ward off gloomy thoughts.
“Now that I’ve started, it’s hard to endure not seeing him already.”
Ray’s gloomy thoughts weren’t much. Going back home was all she wished for once. However, she had already immersed herself in the exciting daily routine. If she went back, she couldn’t muster the courage to smile as before.
Ray tapped the book placed beside the bed. There were a total of ten volumes, books personally selected by Clodan. In truth, Clodan was the reason she developed an interest in reading. Sharing thoughts after reading a book, engaging in nonchalant conversations rather than idle chattering, was enjoyable.
Clodan often smiled. Ray observed him occasionally, and whenever their eyes met, he would playfully smile. When he was in a bad mood, he smiled like a child. Like a mischievous child who broke several windows playing with beans. Ray enjoyed seeing Clodan smile. She didn’t want more, and watching him smile every day was her hope.
“Ray!”
Thump, thump. The door shook as it broke the sweet, melting thoughts. It wasn’t a polite or calm knock. Moreover, it was past the promised midnight, and no one should be outside.
“Open up! It’s me!”
It was Heish. Ray hastily covered herself with a turned-over blanket and opened the door, which rattled like an earthquake.
“Heish?”
A sweet scent of sweat wafted through. Heish was panting. His tired eyes and the disheveled shirt were unfitting for him.
“Oh, Ray.”
“What’s wrong? What happened?”
“You won’t believe it. How much…”
Tears shimmered in his pitiful eyes. Ray, worried, bit her lower lip.
“Did you really… lose Clodan’s money?”
“What?”
Heish, who was about to cry, quickly hardened his face with a sense of shame.
“Watch your words. Who would lose it? Why does that tiny amount matter so much?”
“Tiny amount?”
“Pull yourself together, Ray. Do you know why he treats you so well…?”
“What, because of that tiny amount?”
“Be careful with your words! Who loses something like that? Do you think it’s so important?!”
“Important? Why are you getting so upset, Heish? We’ve come this far without that small amount.”
Note: There is a gap in the text, and some details about Clodan’s response or Ray’s further conversation with Heish are not provided.
“Ray Lisbon! Stop interrupting!”
“Why did you do that? Why do you keep falling for scams repeatedly? Why of all people, Clodan’s… Ah!”
Thump. A sound echoed in the quiet corridor. Flames sparked in her eyes, and her cheek stung. Heish raised his hand, which had just slapped her, and shook Ray’s shoulders.
“Ray Lisbon. Even if you’re shameless, how dare you mock the Araby? Why, because living here, does it seem like that guy genuinely likes you? Hm?”
“Let go of me!”
“That guy is a monster! This place is the headquarters where monsters thrive! Do you know how hard I worked to get you out? I spent a whole day hiding under the dining table!”
The veins in Heish’s red eyes were repulsive. Ray believed that Heish, who had drunk himself into a stupor, was planning a reckless escape. It was the worst-case scenario she had imagined.
“I’m not going. I don’t want to go! You go alone!”
“Are you insane? You’re completely obsessed with that monster.”
Disheartened, Heish made a frustrated expression and said, “I’ve gone crazy. I’ve completely fallen for that monster.”
Ray, desperate to hold back tears, tried to reason with him. “Heish, please apologize to Clodan. Where will you go if you run away this time? Do you think we have a better place to go? I like it here. Everyone is kind and affectionate. And…”
“He’s trying to eat you, that’s why.”
The siblings were both silenced. They judged each other, gave up on persuading, and reached a conclusion.
“Ray, listen carefully. When there are no parents, I am your guardian and caretaker. You don’t have the right to refuse my words. Come with me immediately. This is your only chance.”
“I won’t go. I don’t want to! Go alone if you want to!”
“This is insane. You’re completely captivated by that monster.”
Disappointed, Heish made a bitter face. Ray was the same.
“Heish, please ask Clodan for forgiveness. If you run away this time, where will you go? We might have a better place to go. I, I like it here. Everyone is kind and affectionate. And…”
“He’s trying to eat you, so he says.”
Both were silent, judging each other, giving up on persuasion.
“Heish, why is this happening?”
“Hush. Try to be quiet. What’s that over there?”
Contemplative, Heish pointed to the empty corridor.
“What?”
“That woman, I mean!”
Not even a rat came out for a nightly stroll. Ray, who had been waiting eagerly, sighed.
“Did you drink a lot by any chance?”
“…”
“Heish?”
Heish pressed his chest with one hand, gasping for breath. Ray tried to support him, but he resisted, and with a pitiful snort, he made a nasal sound that sounded mournful.
“Why does it have to be me… Why me?”
Ray wanted to sink into despair. She had known the duration was limited, but the reality of postponing, day by day, because she was afraid of being hated was now hitting her.
The cold from the icy floor, courtesy of Mrs. Merry, crept into Ray’s chilled pajamas. Ray wanted to slump down in despair. She had always been impulsive, but at least she thought she maintained her dignity. But now, Heish, who resembled a beggar, was no different from an alcoholic. He muttered to himself, speaking empty and desolate words.
“Heish, why is this happening?”
“Hush. Be quiet. What’s that?”
Heish, now immersed in meditation, pointed to the empty corridor.
“What?”
“That woman over there!”
Not even a rat showed up. Ray, who had been fooled, let out a relieved sigh.
“Perhaps you drank too much?”
“…”
“Heish?”
Heish pressed his chest with one hand and gasped. Ray tried to help, but he resisted, making a mournful sound with his nose.
“Why does it have to be me… Why me?”
Ray wanted to sink into despair. She had known the duration was limited, but the reality of postponing, day by day, because she was afraid of being hated was now hitting her.
Ray, whose legs gave way, sat down and hunched over. It was time to return happiness. She knew the duration was limited. But postponing, day by day, the reality she was afraid of had finally arrived.
The cold from the icy floor, courtesy of Mrs. Merry, crept into Ray’s chilled pajamas. Ray wanted to slump down in despair. She had always been impulsive, but at least she thought she maintained her dignity. But now, Heish, who resembled a beggar, was no different from an alcoholic. He muttered to himself, speaking empty and desolate words.
The door that blocked the moonlight from the window closed, marking the cursed night.
