Chapter 67: BOUND AT THE TOP OF THE MAP

After splitting from Ella and her group, Ms. Lydia led Nora, Iris, Eve, and Aria running in the opposite direction—away from the pursuers. Hff... hff... Their breath was panting. Sweat dampened their foreheads and necks. Whoosh... The night wind blew—hitting their hot faces.

They didn’t stop running until the sound of footsteps behind them completely disappeared. Hff... Ms. Lydia slowed her steps—turning back. Hmm... No one was there. Just trees. Just darkness. Hff... She stopped her steps—taking a deep breath.

"Let’s... let’s stop for a moment," Ms. Lydia said—her voice still panting. Hff... hff...

Tap... tap... Nora stopped—immediately crouching down. Hff... She caught her breath—her eyes still alert. Hmm... Iris stopped—her hand supporting her knee. Hff... hff... She tried to catch her breath—though her face looked pale. Eve stopped—immediately sitting on the ground. Hff... She pushed her glasses up—cleaning the sweat on the lenses. Aria stopped—immediately looking down. Hff... Her hand gripped the edge of her uniform—tightly. Hiks... She held back tears.

"Where... where are we?" Aria asked—her voice trembling. Hff...

Hmm... Ms. Lydia observed the surroundings. Tall pine trees. A winding trail. Whoosh... The cold night wind. Hmm... She saw something in the distance—a wooden building. Hmm... A cabin. A cabin made of pine wood with a curved tin roof. Hmm... She recognized this cabin.

"That’s... a cabin," Ms. Lydia said—her voice soft. She stepped forward—carefully. Tap... tap... She approached the cabin—observing from a distance. Hmm... The cabin was empty. No light. No sound. Hmm... She saw a number on the door—written in faded white paint.

"Cabin number three," Ms. Lydia said—her voice firm. She turned to her students. "This is cabin number three."

Hmm... Eve furrowed her brow. She pushed her glasses up—her eyes moving quickly. "Cabin number three?" She looked around—analyzing. Hmm... She saw the trail in front of the cabin—leading downward. Only one direction. Hmm... She saw the trees around it—dense. Hmm... She saw the sky—full of stars. Hmm...

"That means we’re still in our camping area," Ms. Lydia continued. "We... we didn’t go too far."

Hmm... Eve understood. She nodded slightly. "In that case... we can go back," she said—her voice flat. "We can go back to where we were camping. We can look for help."

Hmm... Ms. Lydia turned to Eve. "What do you mean?"

"Look at this trail," Eve said—she pointed to the trail in front of the cabin. "This trail only has one direction—leading downward. On the map we saw earlier—this trail connects the cabins. If we follow this trail—we’ll reach cabin number two. Then cabin number one. Then... our camping spot."

Hmm... Nora nodded. "That makes sense."

"But..." Iris raised her hand. She looked at Eve—her mysterious smile returning—though this time it looked a little tense. "How do we know we’re at cabin number three? We didn’t see the number. We’re just... assuming."

Hmm... Eve turned to Iris. "You’re right," she said. "But look—" she pointed to the trail. "This trail only leads downward. No branches. No intersections. And on the map—only the topmost cabins have a trail like this. Cabin number one. Cabin number two. Cabin number three. If we’re at cabin number three—that means we’re near the peak. And if we follow this trail—we’ll go down. We’ll go back."

Hmm... Iris nodded slowly. "I understand."

"Me too," Aria said—her voice soft. "In that case... we can go back."

Hmm... Ms. Lydia looked at her students. She smiled slightly. "Good. In that case—let’s go back. Let’s follow this trail. Let’s return to the camping spot. Let’s look for help."

Tap... tap... tap... They started walking—following the trail. Crunch... Dry leaves. Whoosh... Night wind. But—suddenly—

Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap! The sound of footsteps. HAAH! Very busy. Many. Ms. Lydia immediately stopped—her eyes widening. Hff...

"Hide!" Ms. Lydia whispered—her voice firm. "Quick!"

Tap! Tap! Tap! They ran—entering the cabin. CREEEAK! The door closed—slowly. Hff... They crouched—hiding behind the window. Hmm... Ms. Lydia peeked through a gap—observing.

Hmm... She saw dozens of men—maybe more. They gathered in the cabin’s yard. Hff... They carried weapons—guns, knives, sticks. Hmm... They spoke in soft voices—but loud enough to be heard.

Suddenly—a man stepped forward. Hmm... Ms. Lydia recognized that man. HAAH! The man with the face tattoo—the man Kai had beaten at the shop some time ago. Hff... His face still looked swollen. There were scars on his cheek. His eyes were red—full of anger.

"That man," Ms. Lydia whispered—her voice barely audible.

"Who?" Nora whispered—her voice flat.

"The man Kai beat at the shop," Ms. Lydia answered. "I saw him."

Hmm... Nora nodded. She clenched her fists—ready.

Hmm... Ms. Lydia listened—trying to catch the man’s conversation.

"Everyone," the tattooed man said—his voice heavy. "Get ready. Our prey is coming."

Hmm... One of the members raised his hand. "But... what about our bait? They escaped."

Hff... The tattooed man laughed softly. Ha ha... "Bait? They’re just bait. If our prey comes on his own without bait—why do we need bait?"

Hmm... The member nodded. "Okay."

"Spread out," the tattooed man said. "Hide yourselves. We’ll ambush him when he arrives."

Tap! Tap! Tap! The members scattered—disappearing among the trees. Hmm... After the other members left—the tattooed man let out a breath. Haaah... He rubbed his face—tired. "That crazy woman," he muttered—his voice soft. "What does she actually want from all this?"

Hmm... Ms. Lydia furrowed her brow. Crazy woman? Who?

Hff... The tattooed man shook his head—then left. Tap... tap... tap... His footsteps receded. Disappearing among the trees.

Hmm... Ms. Lydia waited a moment—making sure the situation was safe. Hmm... After a few minutes—she stood up. "It’s safe," she said—her voice soft. "Let’s go out."

CREEEAK! The door opened. Tap... tap... They came out of the cabin—carefully. Hmm... Ms. Lydia looked around—making sure no one was left. Hmm... Just silence.

"Ma’am," Nora called—her voice flat. "They... they were talking about Mr. Kai. They said our prey is coming. Did they mean... Mr. Kai?"

Hmm... Ms. Lydia nodded. "Seems like it."

"So... they’re waiting for Mr. Kai," Eve said—her voice flat. "They want to ambush him."

Hmm... Ms. Lydia nodded again.

"But... what about us?" Aria asked—her voice trembling. "They... they said we’re just bait. If Mr. Kai comes... what will they do to us?"

Hmm... Ms. Lydia looked at Aria—gently. "We can’t panic. We have to stay calm."

"But—" Aria tried to protest.

"Aria," Iris said—her voice firm. She looked at Aria—her eyes sharp. "Calm down. We can’t panic. If we panic—we’ll make mistakes."

Hmm... Aria looked down. She nodded slowly—though her hands were still trembling.

Hmm... Ms. Lydia looked at her students. She saw fear in their eyes. She saw doubt. She saw panic. Hff... She had to calm them. She had to keep them calm.

"Listen," Ms. Lydia said—her voice firm. "We can’t panic. We have to think clearly. We have to find a way out. We can’t keep hiding. We have to move."

"But... how?" Eve asked—her voice flat. "They’ve spread out. They’re watching. If we move—they’ll see us."

Hmm... Ms. Lydia furrowed her brow. She knew Eve was right. She had to find another way.

"Ma’am," Iris called—her voice soft. "I... I want to ask something."

Hmm... Ms. Lydia turned to Iris. "What?"

"About Mr. Kai," Iris said. "The criminal said Mr. Kai killed our fathers. Is... is that true?"

HAAH! Everyone turned to Iris. Hmm... Nora clenched her fists. Hmm... Eve furrowed her brow. Hmm... Aria held her breath. Hmm... Ms. Lydia looked at Iris—for a long time.

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

"But... do you believe it?" Iris asked—her voice starting to tense. "Do you believe Mr. Kai killed our fathers? Mr. Kai who was always kind to us? Mr. Kai who always protected us? Mr. Kai who... who’s like family?"

Hmm... Ms. Lydia looked at Iris—for a long time. She didn’t answer. She just stayed silent.

"Ma’am," Eve called—her voice flat. "I... I have an opinion."

Hmm... Ms. Lydia turned to Eve. "What?"

"I don’t believe Mr. Kai is the culprit," Eve said. "Kai is indeed a bit strange. He often panics. He’s often awkward. But... after practicing chess with Kai—I felt something."

"Felt what?" Nora asked—her voice flat.

"Safe," Eve answered. "I felt... safe. That time—Kai and I practiced chess in the old hut. That time—I felt... calm. I felt... protected." She paused for a moment. "So... it’s very unlikely that Kai is the culprit."

Hmm... Nora nodded. "I agree."

"Me too," Aria said—her voice soft.

Hmm... Iris smiled—though her eyes looked a little tired. "I also believe in Mr. Kai," she said. "He couldn’t possibly do something like that. He... he’s very kind to us. We can’t erase his kindness just because of the words of someone who kidnapped us."

Hmm... Ms. Lydia looked at Iris—for a long time. There was something in her eyes—something unreadable. Hmm... She saw Iris as a child who wasn’t yet grown—still innocent. But—Hmm... She also saw wisdom in the girl’s eyes.

"Try to remember," Iris continued—her voice starting to firm. "How much effort did Mr. Kai put in for us? He trained us every day. He defended us from teachers who insulted us. He... he was always there for us. We can’t... we can’t betray him just because of doubt."

Hmm... Everyone fell silent. Hff... They remembered everything Kai had done—training them, defending them, protecting them. Hmm... They remembered how Kai hugged Nora when Nora cried. They remembered how Kai smiled when they won. They remembered how Kai was always there for them.

"Iris is right," Nora said—her voice flat. "We can’t betray Mr. Kai."

"Me too," Eve said.

"Me too," Aria said.

Hmm... Ms. Lydia just stayed silent. She looked at her students—one by one. She didn’t comment. She just watched.

Suddenly—

Crunch! A sound from behind the bushes. HAAH! They were startled. Hff... Ms. Lydia immediately turned—facing the source of the sound. Hmm... But—too late. Tap! Tap! Tap! The criminals appeared from behind the bushes. HAAH! They immediately pointed their weapons—guns, knives, sticks.

"Don’t move!" one of the criminals shouted—his voice heavy.

Hff... Ms. Lydia pulled her students behind her back. "Don’t come closer," she said—her voice firm. "You won’t touch them."

Hmm... The criminals laughed. Ha ha ha... "You think you can fight us?" one of them said. "We’re more."

Tap! Tap! Tap! More criminals appeared—from behind the bushes, from behind the trees. Hff... Ms. Lydia counted—there were about fifteen people. Hmm... Too many.

Hff... Ms. Lydia clenched her fists. She wanted to fight. She wanted to protect her students. But—Hmm... She couldn’t. Not with fifteen people. Not with her students behind her.

"Capture them," one criminal said—his voice cold.

Tap! Tap! Tap! The criminals advanced—capturing Ms. Lydia and her students. Hff... They tied their hands. Krek... They dragged them—toward a stage not far from the cabin. Hmm... A wooden stage—made of rotting planks. Hmm... On the stage—there were ropes hanging.

Hff... They were brought up to the stage. Tap... tap... One by one—ropes were placed around their necks. Krek... The ropes felt cold on their necks. Hff... Aria started crying. Hiks... Nora clenched her fists—angry. Eve closed her eyes—calm. Iris—Iris just looked around—her eyes sharp.

Suddenly—

Hmm... The tattooed man—the man Kai had beaten at the shop—climbed onto the stage. Hmm... In his hand—a megaphone. Hff... He smiled—a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. Hmm... He raised the megaphone—to his mouth.

"Kai Arden," he said—his voice echoing throughout the forest. "In fifteen minutes—if you don’t come immediately—I’ll hang your teacher and students."

HAAH! The ropes around their necks felt tighter. Hff... Aria cried harder. Hiks... hiks... Nora clenched her fists—hard. KREK! Eve closed her eyes—controlling her breath. Iris—Iris just looked at the man—her eyes full of anger.

"Ma’am..." Aria whispered—her voice broken. "W-what should we do?"

Hff... Ms. Lydia turned to Aria. She smiled—though her smile looked tense. "Calm down," she said—her voice soft. "We... we can only hope."

"Hope?" Aria asked—her voice trembling.

"Hope in Mr. Kai," Ms. Lydia answered. "He... he’s the only one who can help us."

Hmm... Aria nodded—though she was still crying. Hiks...

Hmm... Ms. Lydia looked at her students—one by one. She saw fear in their eyes. She saw panic. She saw doubt. Hff... She had to calm them. She had to keep them calm—even though she herself was also afraid.

"Listen," Ms. Lydia said—her voice soft, but firm. "We can’t panic. We have to stay calm. Mr. Kai... Mr. Kai will definitely come. He will come for us."

"But... what if he doesn’t come?" Eve asked—her voice flat.

Hmm... Ms. Lydia looked at Eve—for a long time. "He will come," she answered—her voice full of conviction. "I believe in him."

Hmm... Eve nodded slowly. She didn’t ask again.

Hmm... Iris looked at Ms. Lydia—for a long time. There was something in her eyes. Something like... doubt. But she didn’t say anything. She just stayed silent—waiting.

Tap... tap... tap... The tattooed man walked on the stage—checking the ropes around their necks. Hmm... He smiled with satisfaction. Hff... He looked at Ms. Lydia—his eyes cold.

"You," he said—his voice heavy. "You’re the one who brought them here?"

Hmm... Ms. Lydia looked at him—sharply. "You’re the one who kidnapped them?"

The man laughed. Ha ha ha... "We’re just... tools. We’re just following orders."

"Whose orders?" Ms. Lydia asked—her voice firm.

Hmm... The man smiled—a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "You’ll find out... in time."

Hff... Ms. Lydia looked at the man—for a long time. She didn’t ask again. She just stayed silent—waiting.

Hmm... Time kept passing. Five minutes. Ten minutes. Hff... The ropes around their necks felt tighter. Hmm... Aria was still crying. Hiks... Nora was still clenching her fists. Eve was still closing her eyes. Iris—Iris just looked toward the forest—waiting. And Ms. Lydia—Ms. Lydia could only hope.