"What happened?" Ma-ri asked, her voice laced with concern as she noticed the unease on Leehan's face.

"We have a problem," he replied, shifting uncomfortably, his eyes darting around.

"What is it? Tell me, please."

They were still walking when Leehan suddenly stopped, changing their path without explanation. Instead of heading deeper into the forest, which had been their planned escape route, he veered towards a more populated area.

Ma-ri had been silent until now, but his sudden change of demeanor worried her. When she noticed his anxious expression, she couldn’t stay quiet any longer.

"They’re in danger," Leehan muttered, staring at the ground.

"Who?"

"Taesan, Jaehyun, and Riwoo hyung," he admitted, fear evident in his voice.

"W-what? How?"

Panic began to rise in Ma-ri. Just hearing Taesan's name paired with the word "danger" made her heart sink.

"I received a message from Sungho hyung through this device," Leehan explained, pointing to a small communication tool hidden beneath his collar. "It’s coded, but the message was clear- they’re in trouble."

"But where are they? I don’t understand what’s happening!" Ma-ri’s voice cracked, on the verge of tears.

"I’ll explain everything later, but for now, my priority is to get you out of here safely," Leehan said, attempting to reassure her even though he wasn’t certain of the outcome himself.

"What about you and the others?"

"Don’t worry about us. I’ll manage- just please, leave!"

Ma-ri grabbed his arm, forcing him to look at her. "Leehan, tell me honestly. Are they in danger because of me?"

"Um… It’s not like that—" Leehan stammered, but Ma-ri cut him off.

"I knew it," she said, her voice trembling with anger. "I freaking knew it. It’s because of him, isn’t it?"

Leehan hesitated but eventually nodded, understanding exactly who she meant.

Ma-ri’s eyes burned with fury. She had endured so much because of him— years of torment, fear, and manipulation— but she had never complained. However, this time, he had crossed the line. He was threatening her first love, the person she cared for more than anything, and she couldn’t let it slide.

"Let’s go," Ma-ri said firmly, grabbing Leehan's wrist and pulling him along.

"Where are we going?" he asked, stumbling after her.

"I know where he must have kept them," she replied, determination burning in her voice as she quickened her pace.

With that, the two disappeared into the dense forest...

ᯓ ᯓ ᯓ

"Is this our last day?" Jaehyun whispered, his voice barely audible in the dimly lit room.

"Why would you say that?" Riwoo asked, confused by the sudden question.

"He caught us red-handed with his phone half an hour ago. He knows we tried to call for help, and you’re still asking this? Are you serious?" Jaehyun gave him an exasperated look.

"But he hasn’t done anything yet," Riwoo replied, glancing towards the locked door. "It’s been half an hour, and there’s no sign of him."

"What do you think is going to happen now?" Jaehyun asked, his fingers absentmindedly playing with the stuff scattered on the floor.

"I don’t know," Riwoo admitted, his voice calm despite the tension, "I’m just hoping someone comes to help us."

Silence fell between them, but their attention soon shifted to Taesan, who sat silently in the corner of the room. Something about his stillness felt off.

"Taesan, are you okay?" Jaehyun asked, rushing to him as he kneeled down beside him.

Taesan didn’t respond or even acknowledge their presence.

"Taesan, say something!" Riwoo urged, shaking him gently.

But to their horror, Taesan’s body slumped forward, lifeless.

"Taesan! Taesan!" Both of them shouted in panic, their voices echoing in the empty room.

Jaehyun sprinted to the door, pounding on it desperately. "Let us out! Someone, help!"

But there was no response from the other side.

"What do we do now?" Jaehyun asked, his voice trembling.

"Calm down," Riwoo said, though his own hands were shaking. "We need to think. First- we need water. Maybe he’s dehydrated."

"Water? There’s nothing here!" Jaehyun exclaimed, his panic escalating.

"Just sit with him for a second," Riwoo instructed, gently placing Taesan’s head in Jaehyun’s lap.

"What are you planning?"

"An escape," Riwoo muttered, standing up and scanning the room for anything useful.