Chapter 5: The Escape
The weight of the night pressed heavily on me as I hurriedly crammed clothes, identification, and the strange job offers into an old, worn backpack. My hands trembled, and my heart raced. The note left no room for hesitation: "Leave now." It was direct and urgent, leaving me with a cold knot of dread in my chest. Beside me, Soojin and Eunji mirrored my panic, frantically throwing their belongings into bags. There was no time to process what was happening.
We scrambled down the stairs with our hastily packed bags, our uneven steps echoing in the still air. The chill of the night bit into my skin as we reached the street. A sleek black car waited under the dim glow of the streetlights, its engine humming with quiet anticipation. Its heavy, armored frame gleamed faintly, and as we neared, the back doors swung open as if on command.
I hesitated, staring at the vehicle. It wasn't ordinary. Everything about it screamed precision, purpose, and danger. Soojin nudged me forward, her voice tight with urgency. "We don't have time to think. Get in!"
Reluctantly, I climbed inside, Eunji right behind me. The doors shut with a finality that made my heart lurch. The interior was dim, almost suffocatingly dark, and separated from the driver by a thick, reinforced wall. The smell of leather and oil lingered in the air, adding to the unease gnawing at my gut.
Soojin gripped my arm tightly, her voice trembling. "Who's driving? Why can't we see them?"
I shook my head, my thoughts spiraling. "I… I don't know. But whoever it is, they're connected to him." My voice quivered, unable to hide the mix of frustration and reluctant dependence.
The driver remained silent, and the quiet stretched on, amplifying the tension. Without warning, the car surged forward, taking sharp turns down side streets and alleys I barely recognized. The ride was relentless and calculated, every twist and turn carefully mapped out.
I glanced back through the tinted rear window, watching our apartment shrink into the distance. My chest tightened with an ache I didn't expect. That home, as simple as it was, had been our refuge. Now, it was gone.
Before I could dwell on my loss, a deafening explosion shattered the silence.
---
The car jolted violently, and a massive plume of fire erupted into the sky behind us. My eyes widened in shock as I pressed my hands against the window, staring at the blazing inferno.
Soojin's voice broke, trembling with disbelief. "Kim… that's our home."
Eunji's breath hitched. "It's gone. Everything's gone."
My throat tightened as I stared at the destruction. My mind struggled to process the reality of what I was seeing. Flames engulfed everything, devouring what had once been ours. My eyes stung, but it wasn't just the smoke or the heat—it was the overwhelming grief and fear.
The driver's voice cut through my spiraling thoughts, sharp and unwavering. "Buckle up. That wasn't a random explosion."
I fumbled for the seatbelt, my hands trembling. "What do you mean?" My voice cracked as the question left my lips.
He didn't answer. Instead, he pressed down on the accelerator, the car surging forward. Through the rear window, I saw shadows emerging from the smoke—sleek black cars speeding toward us. As their headlights pierced the darkness, flashes of light erupted. A split second later, the sound of gunfire filled the air.
---
Bullets struck the car's exterior, the metallic thuds making us flinch. The reinforced armor held firm, but the sound sent shivers down my spine.
"They're shooting at us!" Soojin's voice broke into a panic, and she ducked instinctively.
I clutched the armrest, my knuckles whitening. My chest felt like it would burst from the rapid pounding of my heart.
Eunji's voice trembled. "Are they… are they going to kill us?"
The driver's calm voice cut through the chaos. "The car's bulletproof. Stay down."
I wanted to believe him, but the sheer number of cars gaining on us made it impossible. More vehicles joined the pursuit with every turn. First five. Then ten. Then dozens. Their headlights were like piercing eyes, relentless and menacing.
The car weaved through side streets and back alleys with precision, the driver taking sharp turns that threw us off balance. Every time I thought we might lose them, more cars appeared, their engines roaring like a pack of hunting wolves.
The first RPG whistled through the air, narrowly missing us. The explosion shook the ground behind us, and the car rocked from the force. The smell of burning asphalt and gunpowder filled the air, seeping through the cracks of the armored frame.
My breath came in short, shallow gasps as I looked behind us. At least fifty cars were in pursuit, their weapons relentless.
"They're not stopping!" I shouted, panic creeping into my voice.
"They won't," the driver muttered grimly. "These aren't ordinary people. They'll keep coming until we're dead."
---
Another RPG screeched toward us, but before it could hit, a black SUV appeared out of nowhere. The missile collided with the newcomer, exploding in a burst of fire and sparks.
But the SUV emerged untouched, its sleek, futuristic frame gleaming under the faint moonlight. Weapons lined its exterior—guns, rocket launchers, and glowing laser cannons that seemed straight out of a science fiction movie. Ghostly mist poured from its exhaust, and the emblem of a ghost glinted on its hood.
The driver let out a short, relieved breath. "We've been saved."
I turned to him, my heart pounding. "What do you mean?"
He glanced at me briefly, his tone matter-of-fact. "Ghost Warrior is here. Now, nothing can touch us."
The name sent a jolt through me. Him. Again. My jaw clenched as anger and frustration bubbled to the surface.
I looked out the window, watching as the SUV tore through the pursuers with terrifying precision. Cars flipped, exploded, and crumpled under the onslaught of its weapons. Within moments, dozens of vehicles were reduced to smoking wreckage.
A deep, distorted voice echoed from the SUV's speakers, chilling and commanding. "Serphant, you really got some guts sending these dogs after my people. Do you want me to tear apart your entire empire tonight… like I did Pink Fox?"
The remaining pursuers faltered. One by one, their cars turned and fled, disappearing into the shadows.
Our own car surged forward, leaving the chaos behind. I leaned back in my seat, my chest heaving as adrenaline coursed through my veins. The questions crowded my mind. Who is he? Why does he keep saving me? And why, no matter how much I hate him, does his voice feel so painfully familiar?