Chapter 66: TRAPPED BEHIND THE OLD DOOR

Tap! Tap! Tap! Their footsteps echoed in the forest—fast, panicked, irregular. Crunch... crunch... Dry leaves underfoot. Whoosh... The night wind blew hard—hitting their sweat-soaked faces. Behind—far behind—voices could be heard. Tap! Tap! Tap! Heavier footsteps. More of them. They were being chased.

"Don’t stop!" Ms. Lydia called out—her voice firm, but her breath starting to pant. Hff... hff... She kept running in front—her black dress fluttering in the wind. Her high heels, usually graceful, now stepped on the ground unevenly—occasionally tripping over tree roots, but she never fell.

Ella ran beside Mira—her hand gripping the girl’s arm tightly. Hff... Mira was starting to tire—her breath short, her legs starting to stumble. Her usually shiny brown hair was now tangled—clinging to her sweat-soaked face. "Ella... I... I can’t..." Hff... hff...

"You can!" Ella pulled Mira’s arm harder. "Don’t stop! They’re still behind us!"

Behind—Rin ran firmly. Tap! Tap! Her muscles tensed—though her breath was also starting to get heavy. Her usually flowing red hair now clung to her forehead. Her free hand was clenched—ready to fight if necessary. Beside Rin—Luna ran calmly. Her usually half-closed eyes were now wide open—focused forward. Her steps were light—though she was also starting to tire.

At the very back—Fay. The girl ran while hugging her doll—even though her body was small, her steps remained fast. Her empty face showed no fatigue—but her short breath showed she was also almost out of energy. Her tattered doll was still hugged tightly—like the only thing that kept her running.

In front—Ms. Lydia kept leading. Hff... She turned back—making sure all her students were still following. She saw Ella and Mira behind her. She saw Rin and Luna. She saw Fay. Hmm... Beside her—Nora ran alertly. Hff... One hand held the gun she’d taken from the guard earlier. Her pale blue eyes moved quickly—watching the surroundings.

Iris ran beside Nora—her mysterious smile was gone, replaced by a serious expression. Hff... She occasionally turned back—making sure they weren’t too close. Eve ran with difficulty—her glasses crooked, and she had to push them up often. Hff... Her bag containing her laptop hung on her shoulder—swaying with every step. And Aria—Aria ran at the very back with Fay—her hand gripping the edge of her uniform, her eyes glistening. Hff... She wanted to cry—but she held back. She didn’t want to trouble the others.

TAP! TAP! TAP! The footsteps behind were getting closer. More of them. Faster.

"They’re getting closer!" Rin called out—glancing back.

HAAH! Ella turned back—and saw shadows moving among the trees. Hff... There were at least ten of them. Maybe more. They carried flashlights—their light sweeping the forest, searching. Hff... The light swept through the trees—illuminating tree trunks, leaves, and occasionally—their faces. Hmm... Ella could see the guards’ faces—hard, determined.

"We can’t keep running like this," Nora said—her voice flat. "They’ll catch up to us."

"Then what should we do?" Iris asked—her voice starting to panic. She turned back—seeing the flashlight beams getting closer. "They’re... they’re getting closer."

Hmm... Ms. Lydia slowed her steps. She looked around—searching for something. Hmm... She saw a large rock nearby. She saw densely packed trees. She saw a gap between the bushes. Hmm... She saw a small path leading to the left—separate from the main path. Hmm...

"We have to split up," Ms. Lydia said—her voice firm.

HAAH! Everyone turned toward her.

"Split up?!" Mira exclaimed—her eyes widening. "Why?!"

"Because if we stay together, they’ll catch us all," Ms. Lydia explained. "There are ten of us. There are more of them. If we split up—they’ll be divided. We have a better chance of escaping."

"I agree," Nora said—her voice flat. She nodded slightly—her eyes showing no hesitation. "We have to split up."

"But—" Mira tried to protest. She looked at Ella—her eyes full of worry. "If we split up—how will we meet again?"

"Mira," Ella said—her voice firm. She gripped Mira’s hand—tightly. "Ms. Lydia is right. We have to split up. But we will meet again. I promise."

Hmm... Mira looked down. She didn’t like the idea—but she knew Ella was right. She nodded slowly—though her eyes were still glistening.

"I’ll take Nora, Iris, Eve, and Aria," Ms. Lydia said. She looked at her students one by one—making sure they understood. "Ella—you take Rin, Mira, Luna, and Fay."

Ella nodded. "Yes, Ma’am."

"After we split—don’t stop running until you’re safe," Ms. Lydia continued—her voice firm. "If you find a safe place—hide. Don’t come out until it’s safe. And most importantly—don’t look back."

Hmm... Ella nodded again. "Yes, Ma’am."

"Ella," Ms. Lydia called—her voice soft. She looked at Ella—her sharp eyes now softening. "You’re the class president. You’ve led them all this time. You can definitely lead them now."

Hmm... Ella looked at Ms. Lydia—for a long time. There was something in the woman’s eyes—something like... trust. Hff... Ella nodded slowly. "I’ll do my best, Ma’am."

"I know you can," Ms. Lydia said—her voice soft, but firm. "I hope we meet again."

"I hope so too, Ma’am," Ella replied.

Tap! Tap! Tap! They split up—Ms. Lydia taking her group to the left, Ella taking her group to the right. Hff... Ella kept running—Rin beside her, Mira behind her, Luna behind Mira, and Fay at the very back.

"To the left!" Ella called out—she saw a gap between the trees.

Tap! Tap! Tap! They turned left—crashing through the bushes. Crunch! Branches scraped their arms. Hff... Ella kept running—her eyes searching for something. Something they could use to hide.

"Ella!" Rin called out—from the side. "Where are we going?"

"I don’t know!" Ella answered—honestly. "What matters is we keep running!"

Hff... Mira started stumbling—her legs felt heavy. "Ella... I... I can’t..."

"You can!" Ella grabbed Mira’s hand—pulling her. "We’re almost there!"

"Where?!" Mira asked—almost crying.

"Somewhere!" Ella answered.

Suddenly—

She saw something in the distance. An old building. The building was made of stone—its walls cracked, its roof collapsed in places. An empty house. A long-abandoned building. There were several broken windows—glass scattered on the ground. Hmm... There was a rotting wooden door—hanging crookedly on its hinges.

"There!" Ella called out—she pointed toward the building.

Tap! Tap! Tap! They ran toward the building. Hff... Ella arrived first—she pushed the rotting wooden door. CREEEAK! The door opened—creaking loudly. Hff... Ella entered—followed by Rin, Mira, Luna, and Fay. CREEEAK! She closed the door—slowly.

Hff... hff... They stood inside—their breath panting. The room was dark—only moonlight entering through the cracks in the walls and the broken windows. Squeak... The sound of a rat was heard from the corner of the room. Whoosh... Wind entered through the leaking roof. Hmm... The floor was wood—already rotting in places. Krek... Every step made the floor creak.

"We’re... we’re hiding here?" Mira asked—her breath still panting. She looked around—her eyes widening. "Here?"

"Yes," Ella answered. "For now."

"But... what if they find us?" Mira asked—her hands starting to tremble. "What then?"

"We’ll try our best not to be found," Ella answered. "But if they find us—we’ll fight."

Hmm... Mira nodded—though she was still scared. She bit her lip—holding back tears.

They sat in the corner of the room—waiting. Hff... Ella looked at her friends—one by one. Mira still trembling. Rin clenching her fists. Luna sitting calmly. Fay hugging her doll. There was silence between them—a heavy silence.

"Ella," Rin called—her voice soft. She stood near the window—peeking outside. "Are you sure we can trust Mr. Kai?"

Hmm... Ella turned to Rin. "Why are you asking that?"

"Because... the guard said Mr. Kai is the killer of our fathers," Rin answered. She looked at Ella—her eyes full of questions. "Is that true?"

Hmm... Ella fell silent. She looked at her friends—who were also looking at her. Hff... She had to answer—but she didn’t know the answer.

"I... I don’t know," Ella answered—her voice soft.

"But... Mom once said," Mira said—her voice small. She looked down—her eyes staring at the rotting floor. "Mom said Dad went to work in a faraway place. She said Dad would come home when he was done. But... Dad never came home."

Hmm... Rin nodded. "My mom said the same thing. She said Dad went to work far away. She said Dad would come home when his work was done. But... until now, Dad never came home."

"My mom also said something similar," Luna said—her voice soft.

Hmm... Fay just looked at them—but there was something in her eyes. Something like... doubt.

Hff... Ella looked down. She remembered her mother—Tia. She remembered how her mother always smiled. She remembered how her mother said Dad went to work. She remembered how her mother never discussed Dad—always changing the subject. She remembered how she never saw her father again—since eight years ago.

"We... we never saw our fathers again," Ella said—her voice soft. "We never saw them. We were only told they went to work. We were only told they would come home."

Hmm... Mira nodded. "But... they never came home."

"And now... the guard said Mr. Kai killed our fathers," Rin continued—her voice starting to tremble. "Is... is that true? Are... are our fathers dead? Killed by Mr. Kai?"

Hmm... Ella fell silent. She looked at Rin—who was waiting for an answer. She looked at Mira—who was also waiting. She looked at Luna—who was just silent. She looked at Fay—who looked at her with empty eyes.

"I... I don’t know," Ella answered—her voice soft. "I don’t know if that’s true. I don’t know if our fathers are dead. I don’t know if Mr. Kai did it."

"But... do you believe in Mr. Kai?" Rin asked—her voice soft.

Hmm... Ella looked at Rin—for a long time. She remembered everything Kai had done—training them, defending them, protecting them. She remembered how Kai hugged Nora when Nora cried. She remembered how Kai smiled when they won. She remembered how Kai was always there for them.

"I... I want to believe in him," Ella answered—her voice soft. "I want to believe that he’s not a bad person. Because he... he’s always just protecting us."

"But... what if he really killed our fathers?" Rin asked—her voice starting to tremble.

Hmm... Ella looked down. She had no answer. She could only stay silent.

"I... I don’t believe Mr. Kai is bad," Mira said—her voice soft. "Mira... Mira doesn’t believe Mr. Kai killed our fathers. He... he’s always been kind to Mira. He... he always smiles at Mira. He... he always helps Mira."

Hmm... Luna nodded. "I agree. I... I can’t imagine Mr. Kai doing something like that."

Hmm... Fay just looked at them—but she nodded slightly.

"But... we can’t ignore the possibility," Rin said—her voice soft. "We can’t just believe blindly. We have to... we have to find out the truth."

Hmm... Ella nodded. "You’re right. We have to find out the truth. We can’t keep living in doubt."

"So what should we do?" Mira asked.

Hmm... Ella was silent for a moment. She looked at the night sky—full of stars. Hff... She looked at the forest—dark. Hmm... She looked at her friends—waiting for an answer.

"We have to find Mr. Kai," Ella said—her voice firm.

"Mr. Kai?" Rin asked.

"Yes," Ella answered. "He’s the only one who can help us. He’s the only one who can protect us. And... he’s the only one who can answer our questions."

Hmm... Rin nodded. "Okay. I agree."

"Me too," Mira said—her voice starting to firm.

"Me too," Luna said—her voice calm.

Hmm... Fay just looked at them—but she nodded slightly.

"Alright," Ella said. "We’ll find Mr. Kai. We’ll find him. And we’ll ask him. We’ll find out the truth."

Tap! Tap! Tap! The sound of footsteps. HAAH! They were startled. Hff... Ella immediately pressed her back against the wall—peeking through a gap in the door.

Hmm... She saw shadows—the guards. Hff... They were entering the building’s yard. Tap... tap... Their steps were slow—they were searching. Hff... There were five of them. They carried flashlights—their light sweeping the yard.

"They’re coming in," Ella whispered—her voice barely audible.

Hff... Rin clenched her fists. "What should we do?"

Hmm... Ella observed the surroundings. Hmm... She saw something—some empty cans in the corner of the room. Hmm... She saw rotting wood. Hmm... She saw rope hanging on the wall. Hmm... She had an idea.

"We’ll make a trap," Ella whispered.

"A trap?" Mira whispered—her eyes widening.

"Yes," Ella whispered. "We can’t fight them directly. Too risky. But we can make them get stuck."

Hmm... Rin understood. "What should we do?"

"Rin—help me lift these wooden planks," Ella whispered. "We’ll put them near the door. Luna—arrange these cans on the floor. When they come in—they’ll trip. Mira—take that rope. We’ll tie it between the planks. Fay—guard the door. If anyone approaches—knock three times."

Hmm... They all nodded. Tap... tap... They started moving—slowly, carefully. Crunch... Wooden planks lifted. Clack... Cans arranged. Krek... Rope tied.

Hff... Ella observed their work. Hmm... The trap was simple—but enough. Hmm... The cans on the floor would make noise. The planks would block the way. The rope would make them trip.

"Good," Ella whispered. "Now—we wait."

Hff... They sat in the corner of the room—waiting. Chirp... Crickets. Whoosh... Wind. Tap... tap... The guards’ footsteps—getting closer.

CREEEAK! The door opened. HAAH! Two guards entered—carrying flashlights. Hff... The flashlight beam swept the room—searching.

CLACK! One guard stepped on a can. Clink... The can rolled—loudly.

"WHAT’S THAT?!" the first guard exclaimed—he turned toward the sound.

Tap! Tap! He stepped forward—and tripped on a plank. THUD! He fell—hitting the second guard. THUD! They both fell—caught in the rope. Crunch! The rope tied their legs.

"WHAT?! WHAT IS THIS?!" the second guard exclaimed—he tried to get up, but the rope tightened.

"IT’S A TRAP!" the first guard shouted—he tried to reach his gun, but his hands were tied.

Hff... Ella saw that—and she smiled slightly. Hmm... The trap worked.

"Rin!" Ella whispered. "Now! Break the door lock!"

Hmm... Rin understood. Tap! Tap! She ran toward the door—carrying a large rock she’d found in the corner of the room. Hff... She lifted the rock—and slammed it against the door lock. KRAK! The metal bent. KRAK! She slammed it again. KRAK! The metal broke.

CREEEAK! The door closed—and locked. CLACK! The bent metal made the door impossible to open from inside.

"We did it!" Mira exclaimed—though her voice was still whispering.

Hff... Ella nodded. "Come on—out through the window!"

Tap! Tap! Tap! They ran toward the window—already broken. Hff... Rin helped Mira up. Hup! Mira got out. Hup! Luna got out. Hup! Fay got out. Hup! Ella got out. Hup! Rin got out—last.

Hff... They stood outside—looking at the building. Hmm... From inside—the guards’ voices could be heard. BAM! BAM! They tried to break the door—but the bent metal held them back. BAM! BAM! Still couldn’t.

"They’re trapped," Rin said—her voice satisfied.

Hmm... Ella nodded. "For now."

Hff... She looked at her friends—one by one. Mira. Rin. Luna. Fay. They were all still here. They were all still complete.

"We’re still complete," Ella said—her voice relieved.

"Ella," Mira called—her voice soft. "Do... do you still want to find Mr. Kai?"

Hmm... Ella looked at Mira—for a long time. She remembered the doubt from earlier—the doubt that enveloped them. She remembered how they didn’t know if Kai really killed their fathers. She remembered how they didn’t know if their mothers lied.

"I... I still want to find Mr. Kai," Ella answered—her voice firm. "Not because I truly believe in him. But because... I want to know the truth. I want to ask him. Whether he really knows about our fathers."

Hmm... Mira nodded. "Me too."

Hmm... Rin nodded. "Me too."

Hmm... Luna nodded. "Me too."

Hmm... Fay just looked at them—but she nodded slightly.

"Alright," Ella said. "We’ll find Mr. Kai. We’ll find him. And we’ll ask him. We’ll find out the truth. Whatever happens... we’ll face it together."

Tap! Tap! Tap! They started walking—leaving the building behind. Hmm... Behind—the sound of guards still trying to get out could be heard. BAM! BAM! But they were trapped. Hff... Ella smiled slightly. She kept walking—leading her friends into the forest. Searching for Kai.