Chapter -13 free from the cage

As Seon watched the driver engrossed in conversation, he took his chance. Silently, he dove into the back of the van and covered himself with a stack of empty cardboard boxes. His heart pounded as he remained still, his breath shallow.

After a while, the driver hopped into the van, and the engine roared to life. The vehicle jerked forward, rolling down the road. Seon lay motionless, waiting, listening to the rhythmic hum of the tires against the pavement.

At first, the ride was smooth, following the familiar highways. But soon, Seon felt the change. The van veered off the main road and onto a rougher, less-traveled path. The sudden jolt of uneven terrain startled him. Carefully, he removed the cardboard from over him, taking a deep breath as he adjusted to his surroundings. He lay there in a daze, exhaustion settling over him.

His trance was broken by the sudden chime of a phone. The sharp ringtone jolted him awake. Though he couldn't see the driver from his position, he could hear the man clearly as he answered the call.

"What? The police arrested someone in our village?" the driver's voice rang out, laced with shock. "Why? Oh my god, there's never a single day with good news…"

Seon listened closely, his body tensing.

"Did you hear about that orphanage near my delivery stop?" the driver continued. "There was an accident. Poor kids burned in their sleep. May their souls rest in peace… Poor souls."

A lump formed in Seon's throat. His grip tightened on his bundle.

For a fleeting moment, he considered revealing himself—asking the driver for help. But just as he opened his mouth, the driver's next words stopped him cold.

"I always thought that place was shady. Who knows if it was really an accident?" the driver muttered darkly. He paused, listening to the person on the other end. Then, with a sneer, he scoffed, "Yeah, yeah, poor souls. But what if they were powerful people instead? Would anyone care then? I have a wife and kids waiting for me at home—I don't want to get involved in their shady business and risk my life."

Seon's chest constricted. His heart pounded as the bitter truth settled in. To others, the children at the orphanage were just another piece of gossip. No one truly cared. No one would help.

He swallowed hard, his fingers clenching into fists as he fought back the disappointment creeping in.

As he lay there, lamenting the loss of his fellow orphans, a sudden shift in the conversation caught his attention.

"What? A large group of people in military uniforms stormed the village?" The driver's voice rose in alarm. "They arrested several villagers? Even Ginny was taken? Why? For what reason? Are they criminals?"

Seon's ears perked up. He had never heard of such an event happening before.

The driver cursed under his breath. "Ginny was just playing with the kids yesterday… What could she have done? Did they make a mistake? Damn it. I'm coming back soon. Take care of my wife and kids—I'll be there."

Seon held his breath, his mind racing.

This was unexpected. A sudden military raid in the same village he was being transported to? Something didn't add up. He had two choices—stay hidden in the van and risk getting caught in whatever conflict was brewing, or jump now and escape before things got too complicated.

His fingers tightened around the edge of the van.

What should he do?

The van, which had been moving at a steady pace, suddenly lurched forward as the driver shifted gears. The vehicle sped down the road, causing Seon's entire body to jolt from the unexpected motion. His heart pounded as he clung tightly to his bundle, realizing he had no choice but to stay put for now.

After several tense minutes, the van screeched to a halt. Seon barely had time to steady himself before he heard the distinct sound of the driver's door slamming shut, followed by hurried footsteps fading into the distance. A sharp click echoed—he had locked the van.

Seon remained still, listening intently. The chaotic sounds of people shouting and running outside filled the air. Cautiously, he peeked through the small gaps in the van's wooden slats. His eyes widened as he took in the scene—rows of old brick houses and a crowd of people rushing in one direction.

His grip tightened around his bundle. Something was happening.

Making a quick decision, Seon retreated deeper into the pile of cardboard, ensuring he remained hidden. He stayed like that for several moments, waiting for the commotion to subside. Once silence settled, he carefully pushed the boxes aside and jumped down from the van.

Glancing around, his gaze landed on a large, worn-out sign to his left. It read: Dairy Farm.

Recognition sparked in his mind. His heart pounded as he realized why this place felt familiar—he had seen it before. Not just anywhere, but in the old maps and photos from the Dean's office. Seon had personally drawn a rough sketch of this place in one of his stolen notes.

A shiver ran down his spine.

This was the place.

Forcing himself to stay calm, he quickly covered his face with one of the cloths from his bundle and began moving. He remembered from the map that a half-collapsed building lay two streets behind the dairy farm. That was his next destination.

But what seemed like a short distance on paper was an exhausting journey in reality. His small legs and weakened body made the trek far more difficult than he had anticipated. Every step felt like dragging a boulder behind him. What should have been a quick walk stretched into over an hour of grueling effort.

Finally, the building came into view.

At first glance, it wasn't as ruined as he had expected. The two-story structure still had a roof, though cracks ran along its walls like deep scars. The doors were missing, leaving gaping entrances to the dark interior.

Approaching cautiously, Seon reached out and lightly tapped the wall. When nothing happened, he gave it a firmer kick. Dust rained down, but the structure held. No new cracks formed, no sudden collapse. It seemed sturdy enough.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside.

The air was thick with dust, making him cough violently. Pulling a cloth from his bundle, he covered his mouth and nose before moving further in. Finding a relatively cleaner corner, he knelt down and began brushing away debris.

Once satisfied, he sat against the wall, his body sinking into the rough surface.

And then, exhaustion overtook him.

His eyelids drooped, and before he could process another thought, sleep pulled him into its depths