The Lazy Bodyguard's Blundering Block

In the heart of a bustling city, where the skyline was a testament to human ambition, there stood an opulent mansion. It was here that the wealthy industrialist, Mr. Chen, resided, and it was here that the notorious bodyguard, Jack “The Block” Li, was supposed to provide the ultimate security. Jack was not your typical bodyguard; he was a man of few words, even fewer actions, and a reputation for being the laziest man in the business.

One moonless night, the mansion was abuzz with a party, and the lights were aglow, casting eerie shadows over the walls. Jack, who had been lounging on a chaise longue in the conservatory, was the only one who seemed unaffected by the festivities. The partygoers, dressed in their finest, moved with a sense of excitement, but Jack's eyes were closed, his breathing even, and his only concern was the next sip of his drink.

The mansion's owner, Mr. Chen, was a man who demanded perfection. He had hired Jack because of his reputation, but also because of his unspoken rule that the bodyguard must remain undisturbed during the party. Jack had agreed to this condition, knowing full well that it would be the only way to ensure his paychecks continued to roll in.

As the night wore on, the mansion's staff began to relax, believing that with Jack on duty, the mansion was impenetrable. Little did they know, Jack's laziness was about to create a situation that would shake the very foundation of the mansion's tranquility.

Midnight struck, and the sound of a door creaking echoed through the mansion. Jack's eyes flickered open, but he remained seated, feigning sleep. The door creaked again, and this time, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was a young woman, dressed in a cloak, her face obscured by the night. She moved with a purpose, her eyes fixed on the grand piano in the parlor.

Jack watched, his heart pounding. This was it; the moment he had been waiting for. He would finally earn his pay. With a swift movement, he slipped from his seat and crept toward the parlor. As he reached the doorway, he paused, his hand reaching for the gun tucked in his belt. Just as he was about to make his move, the woman turned and saw him.

Her eyes widened, and for a moment, a mix of fear and recognition flickered in their depths. But before she could react, Jack's foot slipped on a loose tile. He stumbled, his gun falling from his grasp with a clatter. The woman's eyes widened in surprise, and she seized the opportunity to flee, the cloak rustling as she disappeared into the night.

Jack's heart sank. His moment of triumph had turned into a disaster. He retrieved his gun, but the woman was nowhere to be seen. He retraced his steps, his mind racing. Where had she gone? And why was she here?

The mansion's staff, now aware of the commotion, began to stir. Jack's reputation as the lazy bodyguard was at stake, and he knew he had to act quickly. He decided to follow the woman, even if it meant leaving the partygoers to their own devices.

The mansion's grounds were vast, and the night was silent except for the occasional howl of a distant wolf. Jack followed the faint trail left by the woman, his senses heightened. After what felt like an eternity, he stumbled upon a small, overgrown garden at the back of the mansion. The woman was there, crouched by a tree, her cloak now gone, revealing her face.

She was beautiful, with long, flowing hair and eyes that seemed to hold the secrets of the universe. But it was her eyes that terrified Jack. They were dead, hollow, and they seemed to bore into his very soul.

"Who are you?" Jack demanded, his voice steady despite the fear gripping him.

The woman looked up, and for a moment, Jack thought he saw a flicker of recognition. Then, her eyes went cold again, and she spoke in a voice that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere.

"I am the spirit of the mansion," she said. "And you, Jack ‘The Block’ Li, are about to become the next victim of my wrath."

Jack's heart raced. He had heard of the mansion's history, a place where the wealthy had come to relax, only to meet their untimely demise. The legend spoke of a curse, a spirit that haunted the mansion, seeking to punish those who dared to enter its walls.

Jack tried to run, but his feet seemed to be rooted to the ground. The woman's voice echoed in his ears, a siren call that beckoned him closer. He turned, his eyes wide with terror, and saw the spirit reaching out to him, her hand passing through his own.

In that moment, Jack realized the truth. The spirit was not after him; it was after Mr. Chen. The mansion's curse had been awakened, and it was time for Jack to face the consequences of his laziness.

He turned back to the mansion, his mind racing. He had to warn Mr. Chen, but how? He had seen the spirit's hand pass through him, and he knew that he was not alone. There were others, trapped within the mansion, subject to the spirit's malevolent gaze.

Jack's heart pounded as he made his way through the mansion's halls, the partygoers now oblivious to the danger that lurked. He found Mr. Chen in his study, a look of terror on his face as he stared at a portrait of the mansion's original owner.

"Mr. Chen," Jack gasped, "the spirit is real. We must leave now!"

Mr. Chen looked at Jack, his eyes wide with disbelief. "But why? What has happened?"

Jack's voice was filled with urgency. "The spirit of the mansion is here, and it's coming for you. We must leave before it's too late!"

Without waiting for a response, Jack grabbed Mr. Chen by the arm and pulled him toward the door. They stumbled down the stairs, the mansion's staff now aware of the danger and following closely behind.

As they reached the front door, the spirit's voice echoed through the mansion, a chilling reminder of its presence. "You cannot escape your fate, Mr. Chen. You will be mine."

Jack and Mr. Chen pushed through the door, and into the night. The spirit's voice followed them, but they were gone, the mansion's grounds now a silent witness to the bodyguard's greatest failure.

In the days that followed, the mansion was abandoned, the curse of the spirit of the mansion never to be forgotten. Jack “The Block” Li had been fired, his reputation in tatters. But he had escaped, and he lived to tell the tale of the lazy bodyguard's blundering block, a story that would be told for generations, a chilling reminder of the consequences of laziness and the supernatural forces that lurked in the shadows.