Min Jin
It seems like not many people got any sleep last night.
The tired faces of my relatives make me smile.
I haven't rested much either, but only because I can't forget Ava and her rainbow.
I'd blocked it from my memories.
And seeing it again hurt.
I grit my teeth and focus on the lawyer who has just entered the dining room.
He gives us a brief glance.
"Mrs. Kim, I hope you've rested."
My uncle's grimace is very eloquent.
"Have you finished breakfast?"
"Enough chit-chat, lawyer! Tell us what we need to do and let's put an end to this farce."
My uncle stands up and approaches the man, his expression serious.
"Yesterday I was too upset about my father's death and didn't pay attention to what he said. But today..." He raises his clenched fist. "Today I'm ready to restore credibility to this family, eliminating unwanted elements."
The door opens and Ava and Rori enter.
Ava's face is twisted in an amused smirk, but I know her. I know she's preparing her own personal war.
Rori's face is drawn, she looks pained, and my instinct is to run to her and hug her.
But I don't want to end up in her sister's jaws on an empty stomach.
"Are you talking about us?"
The unexpected entrance seems to disturb my uncle, who lowers his hand and gives her a venomous look. But he doesn't respond.
"Save yourself the trouble. If it were up to me, I would have left yesterday."
She advances into the room and joins them.
"Lawyer, I've read the letter, but I stand by my opinion. What Old Kim did is a violation of the law. I've already notified the authorities and filed a formal complaint, but given the family relationship you invoked, the judge has asked me for twenty-four hours to issue the injunction."
He gives us a heavy look.
"If by the end of that time, we haven't resolved this situation, the consequences will be grave for everyone."
Some people flinch, many curse under their breath.
"Miss Kim…"
"Allen. Address me by my name, counselor. I will not tolerate association with these people much longer."
Her tone is sharp.
The lawyer gives her a curt nod.
"It's your right to take legal action, but during the time the judge has granted us, you will follow the procedure like everyone else."
They exchange glances, but eventually the girl nods.
"When do we start?"
"Follow me."
We all quickly get up, heading for the door a man has opened for us.
We're led into the library and sit on the various sofas scattered around the room.
"Do you all know how an escape room works?"
Susy raises her hand.
"There are puzzles to solve, riddles to solve, clues to find to leave the room… Does that mean we're prisoners in this library?"
"No, Miss Kim. The area covers the entire house, and they won't be simple riddles, but projects to build. You can do it in a group or individually."
"Then 'we' Kims will band together against the strangers," Seo-Yun sneers. "We'll finish quickly and kick them out of this house and out of our lives."
I shake my head at her stupidity.
If it were that simple, Grandpa wouldn't have called them.
"It's not like that, Mr. Kim. The clues you'll be given and the actions that follow will be up to each of you. There will be individual instructions, because they're linked to specific people, and only the one indicated will be able to take the test."
"What does that mean?"
"You'll have to deal with your secrets, because they're what will lead you to the next phase. Only by solving the puzzle and finding the right solution will you be able to escape this Escape Room."
Ava bursts out laughing, startling my cousins.
Astonished is the right word.
That sly fox of a grandfather of mine has finally decided to punish the misdeeds of these spoiled kids.
And what will he have in store for me?
What kind of test will I be forced to face?
I look up at Ava and meet her eyes.
We'll have to face our ghosts and make them disappear.
Definitely.
The past has come back to pay the price.