Family Photo Escape
The good child couldn't touch the forbidden areas, it seemed. I'd checked the angles several times, but each time, a black aura clung to them.
All I was allowed was a lap pillow.
The withered-tree-like legs propping up my head weren't comfortable by any stretch. It felt like resting my head on rough sandpaper. But that wasn't a bad thing—quite the opposite. I actually liked the unique texture.
Savoring that sensation, I rolled my body to the side. I couldn't see the 1st-floor Mom from there, but I wanted to feel that texture on my more sensitive cheek instead of my scalp.
Today, I'm sharing an enviable view. It's not ocean view or Han River view, it's an unbeatable granny lap view~
Oh, and Mom didn't exist originally, but she was newly added this time. Her appearance matches her generous heart~
(Photo of the anomaly, apron-clad and looking like it's just dunked a person)
I wanted to show it to you all too. Anyway, bye~
Oh right, I didn't take the Mom lap view.
Better not post it. I just wanted to brag, but I didn't really want to share. I wanted to keep this sight all to myself.
The sandpaper scraping my cheek feels so good….
"Going straight to sleep is what bad kids do, you know?"
Mom folded her body into an unnatural square, staring at me creepily. Her face only had red eyes, but they gleamed like lasers were about to shoot out.
"Eeeeng."
I whined like a child, but it didn't work. The black-aura Mom was filled with hostility.
"My son is a good boy, so who are you?"
I'd crossed the line, apparently. Being Mom didn't mean she'd allow everything. How was I supposed to know without having one before?
So much I haven't tried yet.
The granny swung her sharp arm. I slipped out of her embrace to dodge the arm that would tear flesh just by grazing it, then pulled the sickle from my inventory and swung.
Clang-!
Metal clashed, and Mom's arm deflected my sickle.
Blades don't cut anymore?
After several revivals, the 1st-floor Mom had grown stronger through modifications in the process. Her appearance had become more appealing too.
"Nice and ripe."
I smacked my lips, and Mom hesitated briefly. I wouldn't miss that gap.
I exploited the pause, attacked with the sickle, then lightly licked her arm with my tongue.
"What are you doing right now?!"
The granny screamed like a refined lady encountering something horrifying.
"Can't do this between hat and child?"
Maybe conscious of my tongue? Mom's movements slowed. Seizing the moment, I jammed the sickle into her eye and swung.
"Sorry, Mom."
I placed my hand on the fallen Mom, but couldn't contain her.
This is not a containable anomaly.
You cannot contain it while trapped in the current anomalous phenomenon.
Tsk. Too bad. For consolation, I licked her arm again. It tasted strongly of metal. No need to worry about Mom's calcium.
"See you again soon, us."
Mom twitched slightly—or maybe not?
I closed and opened my eyes, back on the mid-stairs.
Time had rewound.
"Your tongue's bleeding right now—what happened?"
Did I scrape it licking earlier? Didn't notice in the rush.
"You okay? Next time, should I move with the 1st-floor Mom?"
"No. That's not okay. I want to take that role myself."
Being alone with Mom is my little happiness. Can't let anyone take it.
Nahee placed a worried hand on me and said,
"No need to push yourself…."
I grabbed her hand and replied,
"This is my happiness. I like anomalies. This one's my type too."
"You're polluted now, clouding your judgment. I'll definitely fix you back to normal. At least—"
"How many times do I say I'm normal now?"
Nahee gave up persuading and shared info.
No hidden basement or attic. Just a normal house, no oddities.
Doors wouldn't open, breaking windows didn't lead outside.
"Seems impossible to exit, or some condition's hidden."
Exiting without removing Mom was on hold.
"Unchecked spot is Mom's room on 2nd floor. Find anything odd there?"
Memory fuzzy. Just lay on Mom's lap—how would I know?
"No. Remember lots of drawers, but didn't open."
"Gotta check there."
I shared my info too.
"Turns hostile if not acting like good child? Got it, will use that."
To check Mom's room, headed to 2nd floor this time.
"Aigoo~ My babies!"
More human speech than before. Intelligence rises with revivals, it seems.
"What's that toy? Where'd you pick it up! Bad! Bad! Put it down now!"
Jeongchan stowed the sickle, Nahee set her mace down.
"Good job. Now hug Mom!"
Four-armed Mom spread arms to welcome them. Jeongchan toddled over for a hug. Nahee hesitated before the anomaly.
Instinctual revulsion—like dodging a toad's jump or fleeing a cockroach.
"Not coming? My child isn't a bad kid who avoids Mom…"
The anomaly's creepy voice. Nahee squeezed eyes shut, hugged like Jeongchan. Rough exterior scraped limbs, drawing blood.
Creepy look, urge to rip nose from stench, rising disgust. If she'd eaten, she'd puke.
Jeongchan, buried deep in the embrace, was admirable. He even naturally cooed to please it.
"Wanna stay like this forever, Mom. Ah, Mom's scent is so good."
"Hohohohot! Son, what do you want to eat today? Tell me, I'll make it!"
Maybe his mental pollution's a blessing.
Nahee stuck out her tongue at Jeongchan's son act.
"Mom, wanna play in your room."
"Yeah? Go with Mom?"
"No, you said you'd make what I want most. Can't you do that now?"
"Sure. But gotta go in Mom's room when she's gone?"
Warm tone, but aura turned hostile. Jeongchan saw it.
Something's here.
"Just like Mom's room."
Jeongchan casually blew a kiss on her cheek.
Kids try this to get their way.
Blood poured from his kiss-lips. He ignored it, continued.
"Can't I? Promise no mess."
"Okay, kiss earned it. Mom'll call when food's done."
Before thoroughly searching the room, Mom's voice came.
"Kids!! Come down for dinner!"
Already? Good kids obey.
As Jeongchan turned, Nahee grabbed him.
"Voice too close. Jeongchan-ssi. Not from 1st floor."
"Then?"
"Trick from the unchosen Mom."
Jeongchan turned naturally while walking. Another Mom smiled, awaiting reaction.
"Voice not reaching all along???"
She laughed. Jeongchan ignored her, searched room.
"No chill?"
"Yeah. Feeling vanished suddenly. Noticed in bathroom mirror."
They whispered, rummaged vanity. Found family photo.
"This…!"
Similar to the one from anomalous phenomenon. Difference: Jeongchan and Nahee in it.
"This family photo's key to escape."
Remove us bound as family, maybe escape. Not 100% sure—could erase existence forever.
"Erase?"
"Yes, noted details in memo. If fail, someone behind finds way."
Erased faces with pen. Closed and opened eyes—not mid-stairs.
A family photo with hidden faces fluttered before me.
◈ A family photo taken by a wealthy family with a private mansion. Hallucinations mimicking family voices occasionally heard on the mansion's stairs where they lived.
◈ Warning: Staring too long swallows you into the mansion in the photo.
Anomaly 'Cheerful Family Photo (Replica)' contained.
Despite long time inside, outside time hadn't passed. Meant I could catch hidden Amryuhoe agents.
"I'll take point this time."
Nahee led. Time to move. Extracting Mom from photo later.
Wait just a bit.