Chapter 65: THE PLANNED ESCAPE

Haaah... Ella opened her eyes slowly. Her head felt heavy—throbbing like it was being hit with a hammer. Hff... She tried to move her hand, and felt something cold around her wrist. Hmm... A chain. A rusted iron chain, tied to the stone wall behind her. Its surface was rough—leaving red marks on her skin every time she moved.

She blinked a few times, trying to adjust her eyes to the darkness. The stone walls around her were cracked and mossy in places—dark green moss clinging to the gaps between the stones like small creeping fingers. The floor was dirt—damp, dusty, with some puddles of dirty water in the corner of the room. Squeak... The sound of a rat was heard from the corner of the room—a small shadow running between the cracks in the wall, its eyes glinting under the dim light. Whoosh... The night wind entered through the gaps in the iron bars in front of her, carrying the scent of earth and something else. Something musty. Something familiar. The scent of... blood?

Ella tried to remember. They were camping. They were having fun at the lake. They were... they were having dinner. Then... then what? She couldn’t remember. Her head hurt too much. Hff... She tried to gather her thoughts—but all there was was fog. Thick fog covering her memory.

She turned to the side. Beside her lay Mira—the girl was still unconscious, her face pale, her breathing slow. Hmm... Her usually shiny brown hair was now tangled—clinging to her cold cheek. There was a small wound on her temple—maybe from the impact. Beside Mira, Rin was also still asleep. Her body lay on the ground with her hands tied—her usually tense muscles now limp. Hff... Her usually flowing red hair was now tangled—spread on the dusty ground. In the corner of the room, Luna sat leaning against the wall with her eyes closed. Her silver hair hung over her shoulders—dirty with dust. Her face was calm—as usual. And near the door, Fay lay with her doll still hugged tightly. Hmm... The girl even in her sleep still hugged that doll—like the only thing she trusted in this world.

Ella turned forward, to the cell across from them. Behind the same iron bars, Lydia, Nora, Iris, Eve, and Aria were also still unconscious. Hmm... Lydia lay with her black dress wrinkled—her round hat gone somewhere. Her long hair spread on the ground—mixed with dust and straw. Nora sat leaning—her upright body looked uncomfortable with the chain on her hands. Iris lay with a mysterious smile that was even still on her lips—even though she was unconscious. Eve lay with her glasses still on her nose—crooked, but still there. And Aria—Aria lay with a pale face. Even in her sleep, her hand gripped the edge of her uniform—as usual.

Ella had to wake them, find out what happened, and get out of here.

"Mir..." she called softly, her voice hoarse. Her throat was dry—like she hadn’t drunk in days. "Mira..."

No answer. Hmm... Ella tried again. "Mira... wake up..."

Mira still didn’t move. Hff... Ella tried to reach Mira with her foot—but the chain on her wrist held her back. KREK! The chain rattled harshly—scraping the stone wall. Hff... Ella stopped her movement, then waited—listening.

Chirp... chirp... Just the sound of crickets. Whoosh... Wind. Drip... drip... Water dripping from the ceiling. No other sound.

She tried again—this time softer. "Mira..." she whispered. "Wake up... please..."

Mira still didn’t move. Hff... Ella let out a breath, then looked at her other friends. Rin, Luna, Fay. No one moved. They were all still unconscious.

Suddenly—

Tap... tap... tap... The sound of footsteps. HAAH! Ella immediately closed her eyes—making herself look like she was still unconscious. Hff... Her breath was slow—steady. Tap... tap... tap... The footsteps got closer. Closer. Closer. Hmm... Ella could feel her heart beating faster—beating hard in her chest. Tap... tap... tap...

CREEEAK! The iron door at the end of the room opened. Haaah... Someone entered—their steps heavy. Tap... tap... Ella could hear their breathing—heavy, rough. A man. Maybe two. Maybe more. The smell of sweat—the smell of cigarettes. Hmm... Ella held her breath.

"Look," said the first voice—heavy, hoarse. "They’re still sleeping."

"Good," said the second voice—younger, lighter. "Boss said don’t let them wake up before he comes."

"When is boss coming?"

"Don’t know. He said tomorrow morning. Or noon. He still has business."

Hmm... Ella furrowed her brow. Boss? Who’s boss?

"We have to guard them well," said the first voice. "Boss said they’re important."

"Important? They’re just kids."

"Not ordinary kids. Boss said they’re... bait."

HAAH! Ella held her breath. Bait? For whom?

"Bait for who?" asked the second voice—like reading Ella’s mind.

"For that man. Their teacher. Boss said that man will come here. And we have to be ready."

"Teacher? Why does boss want to bother with a teacher?"

"Because that man isn’t an ordinary teacher. Boss said he’s... dangerous. Very dangerous."

Hmm... Ella furrowed her brow. That man... Kai? They wanted to use them as bait for Kai?

"In that case, we have to be careful," said the second voice.

"Yeah. Now, let’s check the surroundings. Make sure nothing’s strange."

Tap... tap... tap... The footsteps moved away. CREEEAK! The iron door closed. CLACK! The lock turned.

Ella waited a moment—making sure they had really left. Hmm... After the footsteps completely disappeared, she opened her eyes. Hff... She immediately got up—even though her hands were tied. Tap... tap... She walked toward Mira—crouching beside her. Krek... The chain on her hand scraped the ground—making a soft sound.

"Mira!" she called—louder this time. "Mira! Wake up!"

Mira blinked. Hmm... She opened her eyes slowly—still groggy. "Ella...?" Her voice was hoarse. "Where... where are we?"

"I don’t know," Ella answered. "But we have to wake up. Now."

Mira tried to sit up—but her head was still spinning. Haaah... "My head... hurts..." She held her head with her tied hands—her movements clumsy. Hff...

"I know," Ella said. "But we have to wake up. We have to get out of here."

Mira nodded slowly. She tried to gather her strength—even though her body still felt weak. "W-what happened? Why are we here?"

"I don’t know either," Ella answered. "But from what I heard... we’ve been kidnapped. And they want to use us as bait for Mr. Kai."

HAAH! Mira was shocked. "Bait?! For Mr. Kai?!"

"Yes," Ella said. "But we can’t panic. We have to stay calm."

Ella turned to Rin. "Rin! Wake up!"

Rin blinked. Hmm... Her eyes opened—sharp. "Ella...?" She tried to move—and felt the chain on her hands. KREK! "What is this?! Why am I chained?!" Her voice rose—full of anger.

"Calm down," Ella said. "We’re all chained. We have to stay calm."

"Calm?!" Rin pulled at her chain—KREK! KREK!—her muscles tensing. "How can I be calm?! We’ve been kidnapped!"

"Rin," Ella said, her voice firm. "Quiet. You’ll wake the others."

Rin stopped. Hff... She let out a breath—trying to calm herself. "Fine. Sorry." Her hands were still clenched—but she held herself back.

Ella turned to Luna. "Luna. Wake up."

Luna opened her eyes—slowly. Hmm... She looked around—and immediately understood the situation. "We’ve been kidnapped," she said—not a question. Her voice was calm—as usual.

"Yes," Ella answered.

Luna nodded. Hmm... She didn’t panic—unlike Rin. She just sat calmly—waiting for instructions. Her usually half-closed eyes were now wide open—observing every corner of the room. Hmm... She noticed the cracks in the wall. She noticed the gaps between the stones. She noticed the ventilation in the ceiling.

Ella turned to Fay. "Fay. Wake up."

Fay opened her eyes—empty. Hmm... She looked at Ella—then at her doll still hugged. She didn’t say anything. She just sat—hugging her doll tightly. Hff... Her empty eyes stared at the wall—but there was something there. Something like... calmness.

In the cell across—Lydia, Nora, Iris, Eve, and Aria also started waking up. Hmm... Lydia opened her eyes—calm. She sat up—checking the surroundings. Her sharp eyes moved quickly—analyzing the situation. Hmm... She saw the cracks in the wall. She saw the gaps between the stones. She saw the ventilation in the ceiling. Nora opened her eyes—alert. Hmm... She immediately checked the chain on her hands—feeling every link. She felt the rust on its surface. Iris opened her eyes—the mysterious smile still on her lips. Hmm... She looked around—then laughed softly. Eve opened her eyes—immediately analyzing the situation. Hmm... Her eyes behind her glasses moved quickly—noting every detail. And Aria—Aria opened her eyes in panic. HAAH! "WHERE ARE WE?!"

"Aria," Lydia said—her voice calm. "Calm down."

"B-but—"

"Calm down," Lydia repeated. "We have to stay calm."

Aria nodded—though her hands were still trembling. Hff... She bit her nails—a habit that appeared when she was anxious.

Ella stood up—even though her hands were tied. Tap... tap... She walked to the edge of the cell—pressing her face against the iron bars. Krek... The chain on her hand scraped the bars. "Lydia," she called.

Lydia turned. "Ella."

"I heard the guards talking," Ella said. "They said... they want to use us as bait. For Mr. Kai."

HAAH! All the students were shocked. "Bait?!" Rin exclaimed—her eyes widening.

"Yes," Ella said. "They said Mr. Kai will come. And they’re waiting for him."

"So... we’re here because of Mr. Kai?" Iris asked—her voice soft. Her mysterious smile faded a little.

"Seems like it," Ella answered.

Hmm... Lydia furrowed her brow. "We have to get out of here. Before Mr. Kai comes."

"But how?" Nora asked—her voice flat. "We’re chained. And the door is locked."

Hmm... Ella observed the surroundings. She saw something in the corner of the cell—an old nail sticking out of the wall. Hmm... She looked at her chain. The chain was made of iron—but it was rusted. Hmm... She had an idea.

"Rin," Ella said. "Try pulling your chain."

Rin blinked. "Why?"

"The chain is rusted. Maybe we can break it."

Rin tried—KREK! KREK!—she pulled her chain hard. Hff... Her muscles tensed—but the chain didn’t break.

"Can’t," Rin said—her breath panting. "Too strong."

Hmm... Ella observed again. She saw the nail in the wall. Hmm... She had an idea. "Rin. Try pulling the chain toward that nail."

Rin blinked. "The nail?"

"Yes. Rub the chain against that nail. Over and over."

Rin understood. Hmm... She started rubbing her chain against the nail—KREK! KREK! KREK!—over and over. Hff... Sweat started dampening her forehead. KREK! KREK! KREK! Not long after—KRAK!—the chain snapped.

"YES!" Rin exclaimed. "It worked!" 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ

"Good," Ella said. "Now, help the others."

Rin freed herself—CLACK!—then freed Mira. KREK! KRAK! Mira was free. Rin freed Luna. KREK! KRAK! Luna was free. Rin freed Fay. KREK! KRAK! Fay was free.

"Ella, you too," Rin said.

Ella extended her hands. KREK! KRAK! She was free.

In the cell across—Lydia also found a way. Hmm... She used a stone on the floor to hit her chain—KRAK! KRAK! KRAK!—over and over. Hff... Her slender hands started to tire—but she didn’t stop. KRAK! The chain snapped.

"Good," Lydia said. She freed Nora. KRAK! Nora was free. Lydia freed Iris. KRAK! Iris was free. Lydia freed Eve. KRAK! Eve was free. Lydia freed Aria. KRAK! Aria was free.

Now—they were all free. But still trapped.

"The door is locked," Ella said. "We have to find another way."

Hmm... Lydia observed the surroundings. The cell was made of stone—but there were gaps between the stones. Hmm... And in the ceiling—there was a small ventilation. Hmm... The ventilation was big enough for someone small. Hmm...

"The ventilation," Lydia said. "We can go through there."

"But it’s too small," Rin said. "Impossible."

"For us maybe," Lydia said. "But for Fay—"

All eyes turned to Fay. Hmm... The girl was still sitting—hugging her doll. Her body was the smallest among them. Hmm... Thin—small. Maybe she’d fit through that ventilation.

"Fay," Ella said softly. "Can you go through that ventilation?"

Fay lifted her head—empty. Hmm... She looked at the ventilation—then at Ella. Slowly—she nodded.

"Good," Lydia said. "Fay will go through the ventilation. After she gets out, she can open the door from outside."

"But Fay can’t talk," Mira said. "How will she know what to do?"

Hmm... Ella furrowed her brow. "Fay," she said—looking at the girl. "Listen. After you get out—you have to open this door. Understand?"

Fay looked at Ella—for a long time. Hmm... Then she nodded slowly.

"Good," Ella said.

Lydia and Nora helped Fay up to the ventilation. Hff... Fay crawled in—her small body fit inside. Tap... tap... tap... Her footsteps moved away. Farther. Farther. Hmm... They listened—waiting. Chirp... chirp... Crickets. Whoosh... Wind. Drip... drip... Water dripping. No other sound.

Ella sat on the ground—waiting. Hff... She looked at her friends—who were also sitting and waiting. Hmm... Mira sat beside her—her hands still trembling. Rin stood near the bars—her eyes watching the corridor. Luna sat calmly—her eyes half-closed. Hmm... In the cell across—Lydia sat calmly. Nora stood near the door—alert. Iris sat casually—her mysterious smile back. Eve sat calmly—her eyes observing the surroundings. Aria sat restlessly—her hand biting her nails.

Hmm... Ella looked at the ceiling—toward the ventilation. Hff... She hoped Fay would succeed.

Tap... tap... tap... The sound of footsteps. HAAH! Everyone was startled. Hmm... Ella immediately stood up—pressing her back against the wall. Hff... The others also prepared—Rin clenched her fists. Nora prepared near the door. Lydia stood calmly.

Tap... tap... tap... The footsteps got closer. Hmm... Ella held her breath. Hff... Her heart beat fast.

CREEEAK! The iron door at the end of the room opened. HAAH! Everyone was startled.

But—it wasn’t Fay standing in the doorway. Hmm... A man. HAAH! The man—tall, thin, with a hard face. He wore dark clothes—leather jacket, long pants. In his hand—a gun. Hff... The man looked at them—his eyes narrowing.

"So you’re awake," he said—his voice heavy. Hmm... He stepped in—Tap... tap...—his gun pointed at them. "Good. Boss wants you to stay conscious."

HAAH! Ella held her breath. Hff... She looked at her friends—Rin clenching her fists, Luna calm, Fay who... HAAH! Fay! Where’s Fay?!

Hmm... Ella held herself back from turning toward the ventilation. Hff... She had to distract the man. She had to give Fay time.

"W-who are you?" Ella asked—her voice deliberately trembling. Hff... She looked at the man—her eyes deliberately frightened.

The man smiled—a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "I’m your guard," he said. "And you—" he looked at them one by one— "you’ll be perfect bait."

Hmm... Ella swallowed. Gulp... She had to stall. She had to keep the man here—while Fay... Hff...

"F-for what?" Ella asked—her voice still trembling.

The man laughed. Ha ha ha... "For your teacher. The man who killed your fathers."

HAAH! All the students were shocked. HAAH! Rin opened her mouth. Hmm... Luna furrowed her brow. Hff... Iris raised her eyebrows. Hmm... Eve stared at the man sharply. HAAH! Aria held her breath. Hff... Even Lydia—Lydia looked at the man with an unreadable gaze.

"What do you mean?" Ella asked—her voice no longer trembling.

The man smiled wider. "You don’t know? Your teacher—Kai Arden—he’s the man who killed your fathers. Eight years ago. He killed them all."

HAAH! Ella froze. Hff... She looked at her friends—who also froze. Hmm... Rin clenched her fists—hard. KREK! Luna closed her eyes—slowly. Hff... Iris looked at the floor—her smile gone. Hmm... Eve stared at the man—her eyes narrowing. Hff... Aria bit her lip—holding back tears.

Ella looked at the man—for a long time. Hmm... She wanted to say something—but no words came out. Hff... She could only stand there—frozen.

The man laughed again. Ha ha ha... "So you didn’t know," he said. "Interesting. Your teacher—the killer of your fathers. And he hid that from you."

Hmm... Ella clenched her fists. KREK! She wanted to be angry. She wanted to argue. But—Hff... She couldn’t. Because—Hmm... Because it might be true.

Suddenly—

CREEEAK! The iron door at the end of the room opened again. HAAH! Everyone turned. Hmm... In the doorway—Fay stood. HAAH! Her doll still hugged tightly. Her hand held a key—which she’d taken from the guard sleeping in the front room. Hff...

The man turned—his eyes widening. HAAH! "WHAT?! YOU—"

But Fay didn’t wait. Tap! Tap! Tap! She ran—small, fast. Hff... She threw the key to Ella—CLACK!—then ran to the corner of the room. Hff...

The man raised his gun—CLICK!—cocking the trigger. HAAH!

"RIN!" Ella shouted.

Rin moved fast. TAP! TAP! TAP! She lunged at the man—THUD!—hitting him. THWACK! The gun fell—CLACK!—sliding on the ground. Hff... The man fell—THUD!—hitting the wall. CRACK!

Ella opened the cell door—CLACK!—and the cell door across. CLACK! Everyone was free.

"Run!" Ella shouted.

They ran—Tap! Tap! Tap!—passing the man still lying there. Hff... Nora grabbed the fallen gun—CLACK!—and took it. Hmm... They passed the corridor—dark, narrow. Tap... tap... Their footsteps echoed on the stone walls. Hff...

They passed the kitchen—Crunch...—passed the dining room—Tap... tap...—and finally reached the front room.

HAAH! Fire. The fire was still burning the curtains—CRACKLE! CRACKLE!—smoke filled the room. Hff... They covered their mouths—Hmm...—holding their breath.

"This way!" Lydia said—she pointed to the back door.

Tap! Tap! Tap! They ran—passing the fire. HAAH! Heat. Hff... Smoke. CRACKLE! They kept running—until they finally reached the back door.

CREEEAK! The door opened. Whoosh... The night air greeted them—cold, fresh. HAAH! They ran out—into the forest.

"Don’t stop!" Lydia said. "Keep running!"

Tap! Tap! Tap! They ran—passing trees, passing bushes. Crunch... Dry leaves. Whoosh... Night wind. They kept running—not looking back.

In the distance—they could see light. Hmm... Fire. The house was starting to burn. HAAH! But they didn’t care. They kept running.

Ella looked back—once. Hmm... The house—now burning. Hff... She looked forward again. Tap... tap... tap...

"We made it," she whispered softly.

"Not yet," Lydia said. "We have to find Mr. Kai."

Hmm... Ella nodded. "Yes."