Mysterious Basement

Every time they sleep on their side with their right ear down, they hear a sound like water dripping under the floor, as if there is a mysterious basement existing underneath...

On the way home from school, they keep thinking about the strange sounds under their bed. The sound of dripping water, moaning, growling, or something else... Could it be just their imagination for the past few months? This time, they are startled by their mother's voice.

"Mai! Take this bundle of vegetables and the fish home to cook. Today, someone ordered several bouquets of flowers, so I need to stay behind to make them in time."

"Okay, Mom. I'll bring you your dinner when it's ready."

They live with their mother and younger sister. Their mother is very skilled, owning a flower and pastry shop outside the market. The flowers are beautiful, the cakes are delicious, and they often flatter their mother about it. And it's true, they really are good. Meanwhile, they and their sister are clumsy and don't know how to do anything but study. As for their father, they never heard more than half a word from him. They heard that he left for another woman and has a happy family with her and their child. He still sends money to support them every month though. Memories of their father and their siblings flicker dimly in their minds. If they were to meet outside, they probably wouldn't even recognize each other.One friend is reluctant to share a scary story, but the other encourages them. 

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Later, strange sounds make the listener terrified, and they imagine it to be the ghosts of the past. The fear becomes too much to bear, and they scream, scaring everyone around them. Eventually, they gain control and calm down. Later, they receive a visit from their friend, who notices the listener's scared appearance. However, it turns out that the listener was only dreaming, causing their friend to mock them. The listener gets angry but decides to let it go and focus on their homework instead.The protagonist hears strange noises at night, but cannot identify their source. 

They suspect it might be a ghost and feel anxious. Later, they learn that their mother is volunteering to care for patients with leprosy in remote locations for three days. The protagonist continues to hear noises at night, causing them to feel uneasy. One night, they hear dripping water and dragging chains, which they believe may be someone imprisoned in the basement. However, when their mother returns, they learn that it was just their imagination and some minor accidents in the house. Nonetheless, they decide to investigate further, considering asking their friend Duy to join them.

"What! Does your house have a real secret basement?"

It looked at Duy as if he was the one who said that and now asked again!

"Well, I heard it and just wanted to scare you. Who knew you were really investigating."

"If you want, I can help. If you don't want to, that's fine. Don't force it!"

Seeing his friend's distressed face, Duy felt sorry for him and wanted to comfort him. But how could he stay at his friend's house when it was getting dark and he was a boy?

"Well, next month my mother will be away, so you can come over and sleep at my place. Just say that your parents let you go to someone's house to study together."

Duy nodded in agreement. He was provoked by his friend, and his manly blood rushed through his body. He only wanted to catch the ghost tonight.The sound of footsteps echoed closer, and it stood still with Duy, barely breathing. Slowly, the basement lid opened, the flashlight shone, and it cast a woman's shadow on the wall... IT WAS ITS MOTHER. Its and Duy's arms and legs were frozen. If a ghost had chased them now, they would have known how to die standing up. Its mother closed the basement lid tightly, and then placed a brick on top of it as if nothing had happened while four pairs of eyes watched her closely.

The basement was exactly like in its dream, even though it had never set foot here before. It thought all basements were built like in movies. Going down the stairs, it rejoiced silently as no drop of blood fell on its head. Smack! Something just fell onto its hair. It trembled and reached up to wipe it off...blood. Duy just looked up at the ceiling, a mouse trapped between the nails.

Why did everything happen just like in its dream, down to every centimeter? It grabbed Duy, making him yelp before being silenced by its hand. Are you crazy, why did you grab me like that out of nowhere! Its friend showed irritation and walked ahead. That means it wasn't a dream. It's real. It looked up at the dark staircase as if wanting to step back. Its friend's trembling voice brought it back to reality.

Her mother told her that everyone has their own secret place in their heart, filled with pain, memories, or love for someone who has passed away. But she knew that she and her siblings all held the key to their father's secret place.