Stuck In A Monster Loop

I slowly backed away to my desk, retrieved the sticky note, and added a line beneath my earlier note.

[The bathroom is safe. Still, something about it is strange. The sound of claws scratching at the door appeared out of nowhere and vanished just as suddenly. The blood-written "Help me let me out" did the same. I suspect there's another secret hidden inside. Best to keep my distance for now.]

Placing the note back, I pulled out my phone, opened the voice recorder, and tucked it close against my body.

After taking a steadying breath, I opened the door.

To be honest, countless terrifying possibilities flashed through my mind in that instant—monsters lunging at me with bared teeth, or the sight of my family brutally slain.

But when the door swung open, the living room looked perfectly ordinary.

Mom was in the kitchen, stirring something in a wok. Dad lounged on the sofa, eyes fixed on the TV.

My sister wasn't in sight—probably locked away in her room, glued to her phone again.

It was such a normal, harmonious scene that I couldn't help but doubt myself. Was the monster real? Or had I imagined the whole thing?

No. The monster could take human form. Perhaps one of my family members had already been replaced. I couldn't let my guard down, I reminded myself sharply.

Just then, Mom poked her head out of the kitchen and called, "Jason, I need to take a call. Keep an eye on this dish. Don't let it burn."

She wiped her hands on her apron and hurried off toward the balcony, phone in hand.

"Alright, got it."

Until I figured out who or what the monster was, I decided to act normal. No need to tip it off.

The potatoes and braised pork simmered gently on low heat. I gave the pot a lazy stir, added a splash of water, and glanced around.

Nothing unusual in the kitchen. Nothing in the living room either.

I kept my eyes on the food but let my gaze sweep the house in quick, sidelong glances.

Halfway through her call, Mom popped her head in again from the balcony.

"I almost forgot, add some salt and MSG," she said.

"Okay."

I followed her instructions, and by the time the dish was done, she had finished her call. Still, I hadn't noticed anything amiss.

"Strange… maybe the whole monster thing really was just a trick…" I muttered under my breath.

"What are you mumbling about? Set the table, dinner's ready," Mom said, ladling soup as she spoke.

"Alright."

The smell of the potatoes and pork made my stomach growl. I swallowed hard and turned toward the cupboard to fetch the bowls.

And the next second, a piercing scream tore from my throat.

The bowls were gone. In their place were human heads, each the size of a clenched fist.

Stacked one atop another, every head wore the same face… My mother's face.

One by one, the heads opened their cold, malevolent eyes and grinned with feral malice.

My scream shattered into nothingness.

I opened my eyes to a stabbing pain in my arm.

Yanking up my sleeve, I stared in shock at the words carved into my skin:

[[This house has monsters! Every time I'm killed, I'm thrown into a loop and lose all my memories. With each death, I mark my hand.]