Chapter 68: THE WATCHTOWER

The night wind blew—hitting his hard face. His eyes stared straight ahead—sharp. Full of burning anger. On his back—the black bag he always carried. Gun. Knife. Rope. Everything was complete. Hff... His breath was steady—even though he was running quite fast. His body moved efficiently—every step calculated.

He had already passed cabin number six. Cabin number five. Cabin number four. Cabin number three—where he defeated the guards. Cabin number two—where he fought eight guards. And now—he was almost at the peak. Cabin number one.

Hff... Kai slowed his steps—observing the surroundings. Hmm... Tall pine trees. Hmm... A trail starting to level out. Hmm... He could see cabin number one in the distance—looking dark. No light. Hmm... Strange. Hff... Kai furrowed his brow. He felt something was off.

Suddenly—

Crunch! A sound from behind the bushes. HAAH! Kai stopped his steps—his eyes narrowing. Hmm... From behind the trees—three men appeared. Hmm... They carried knives—long, sharp. Hff... Their faces were hard. Their eyes were sharp. They had been waiting.

"Stop," one of them said—his voice heavy. The man was tall—with a scar on his neck. "You can’t pass."

Hff... Kai looked at them—coldly. His eyes moved quickly—counting. Three people. Two carried knives. One carried a stick. Hmm... He could handle them. Quickly. But—he didn’t have much time.

"Move," he said—his voice flat. "Or you’ll regret it."

Hmm... The men laughed. Ha ha ha... "Who do you think you are?" the tall man said. "You’re alone. We’re three. You don’t stand a chance."

Hff... Kai didn’t answer. He just stepped forward. Tap... tap... His steps were calm. Not rushed. Not hesitant. Like someone used to situations like this.

HAAH! The men attacked—together. Whoosh! A knife flew toward his face. Hff... Kai dodged—fast. Tap! Tap! He grabbed the man’s hand—twisting his wrist. KREK! The man screamed—HAAH!—and his knife fell. CLACK!

THUD! Kai kicked the man—in the stomach. THWACK! The man staggered—hitting a tree. CRACK! He fell—not moving.

HAAH! The second man attacked—carrying an iron stick. Whoosh! The stick flew toward Kai’s head. Hff... Kai dodged—grabbing the stick. GRAB! He pulled it—hard. HAAH! The man flinched—losing his balance. THUD! Kai kicked him—in the chin. THWACK! The man fell—not moving.

HAAH! The third man attacked—carrying a knife. Whoosh! The knife flew toward his stomach. Hff... Kai dodged—catching the man’s hand. GRAB! He twisted—KREK!—and the knife fell. CLACK!THUD! Kai kicked him—in the back. THWACK! The man fell—not moving.

Hff... haaah... Kai stood in the middle of the scattered bodies. Hff... His breath was panting—not from exhaustion, but from burning anger. Hmm... He looked around—making sure nothing was left. Hmm... Just silence.

Tap... tap... tap... Kai continued his steps—toward the last cabin. Cabin number one.

Tap... tap... Kai arrived at the yard of cabin number one. Hmm... He stopped—his eyes observing. Hmm... The cabin was empty. No guards. No light. No sound. Hmm... Strange. Hff... Kai furrowed his brow. He felt something was off. At the previous cabins—there were always guards. But here—there was no one.

Hmm... Kai stepped forward—carefully. Tap... tap... His hand felt the gun behind his jacket. Hff... Ready. Hmm... He pushed the cabin door. CREEEAK! The door opened—creaking. Hff... Kai entered—his eyes moving quickly.

Hmm... He saw something on the floor. Hmm... A bag. A bag he recognized. Hff... He crouched—picking up the bag. Hmm... Ms. Lydia’s bag. Hff... He opened the bag—checking its contents. Hmm... A wallet. A notebook. A... phone. Hmm...

Kai put down the bag—taking the phone. Hmm... He looked around again. Hmm... He saw something else. Hmm... A book—Eve’s notebook. Hff... He saw something else again. Hmm... A camera—Iris’s camera. Hff... He saw something else again. Hmm... A small doll—Fay’s doll. Hff...

Hmm... Kai clenched his fists. KREK! They were here. They were really here. Hff... His anger burned hotter. Hmm... He had to find them. He had to save them. Hff... He looked around—searching for clues. Hmm... Nothing. Hmm... Just their belongings. Hmm...

Suddenly—

Ring... ring... The sound of ringing. HAAH! Kai turned—toward Ms. Lydia’s bag. Hmm... The sound came from inside the bag. Hff... Kai reached for the bag—taking the source of the sound. Hmm... Phone. Ms. Lydia’s phone. Hff... There was an incoming call. Hmm... Kai looked at the screen—unknown number. Hff... He answered the call.

Click!

"Good evening," said the voice on the other end—his voice heavy. Hmm... Kai recognized that voice. HAAH! The tattooed man. The man he’d beaten at the shop.

"You," Kai said—his voice cold. Hff... His hand clenched—tight.

"Ah, you still remember my voice," the man said—his voice full of satisfaction. "Good. I don’t need to introduce myself."

"Where are they?" Kai asked—his voice firm. Hff... He didn’t want to exchange pleasantries. Didn’t want to listen to the man’s nonsense.

"Relax," the man said. "They’re fine. For now."

Hff... Kai clenched his fists. KREK! "If you touch them—"

"You’ll do what?" the man cut in. "Threaten me? You don’t know where we are."

"I’ll find you," Kai said—his voice full of anger. "And you’ll regret it."

The man laughed. Ha ha ha... "You can try. But... if you want to see them again—come to the watchtower. You know the watchtower, right? The one on the hilltop. The one that’s been unused for a long time."

Hff... Kai clenched his fists—harder. KREK! "What’s their condition?" he asked—his voice trembling. He had to know. He had to make sure.

"Their condition?" the man laughed again. "They’re... scared. But they’re still alive. For now."

"For now?" Kai asked—his voice starting to rise. Hff... He didn’t like the man’s words.

"I can’t guarantee anything," the man said. "If you want to make sure they’re safe—come alone. Don’t bring anyone. And don’t try to contact the police. If you break—"

"If you break," Kai cut in—his voice cold and threatening. Every word came out of his mouth heavily—full of burning anger. "If they get hurt—I’ll make you wish you were never born."

Hmm... The man was silent for a moment. Hff... Kai could hear his breath—heavy. "You... you’re threatening me?"

"Not a threat," Kai said—his voice firm. "A promise."

Hmm... The man was silent again. Hff... Kai could hear him swallow. Gulp... "You... you can’t—"

"I can," Kai cut in. "And I will. If they get hurt—one scratch—I’ll come to you. Not to save them. But to finish you. Slowly. Painfully. I’ll make you regret ever kidnapping them. I’ll make you regret ever knowing me."

Hmm... The man laughed—but his laughter sounded nervous. Ha ha... ha... "You’re... you’re just bluffing."

"You think so?" Kai asked—his voice flat.

Hmm... The man was silent. Hff... Kai could hear him swallow again. Gulp... "Fifteen minutes," the man finally said. "You have fifteen minutes. If you don’t come—I’ll hang them."

Click! The call disconnected.

Hff... Kai stared at the phone in his hand—still connected. Hmm... He lifted the phone—high. Then—CRACK!—he smashed it on the floor. KRAK! The phone shattered—into pieces.

Hff... haaah... Kai stood up—his breath heavy. Hmm... He looked around—his eyes blazing. Hff... He grabbed his bag—checking its contents. Gun. Knife. Rope. Everything was complete. Clack! He cocked his gun. Hff...

On the Trail—Toward the Tower

Tap! Tap! Tap! Kai ran—out of the cabin. Hff... He headed toward the watchtower. Hmm... He knew where the tower was. On the hilltop. At the end of the trail. Hff... He had to be fast. He had to save them.

Tap! Tap! Tap! His steps were quick—going uphill. Crunch... Dry leaves. Whoosh... Night wind. Hff... He kept running—not stopping.

Suddenly—

Click! A small sound. HAAH! Kai immediately stopped—his eyes narrowing. Hmm... He looked at his feet. Hmm... Rope. A rope hidden among the dry leaves. Hff... A trap. Hmm... Kai lifted his foot—carefully. Tap... He stepped back. Hmm... He looked around—searching for other traps. Hmm... He saw something on a tree—a large rock hanging by a rope. Hmm... If he pulled that rope—the rock would fall. Hff... Kai smiled slightly. Hmm... He had an idea.

Tap... tap... He picked up a small rock nearby. Hff... He threw the rock—toward the trap rope. Whoosh! The rock flew—SNAP!—cutting the rope. THUD! The large rock fell—to the ground. THUD! The sound was loud—echoing throughout the forest.

Hmm... Kai waited. Hmm... No reaction. Hmm... No guards came. Hff... Strange. Hmm... Maybe they didn’t hear. Maybe they were elsewhere. Hff... Kai continued his steps—carefully.

Tap... tap... He passed the first trap. Hmm... He saw the second trap—a hole covered with leaves. Hmm... If he stepped on it—he would fall. Hff... Kai jumped—over the hole. Tap! He landed safely.

Tap... tap... He saw the third trap—a rope stretched between trees. Hmm... If he passed it—he would trip. Hff... Kai grabbed the rope—cutting it. SNAP! The rope broke. Hmm... He continued his steps.

Suddenly—

Tap! Tap! Tap! The sound of footsteps. HAAH! Many. From the front. Hff... Kai stopped his steps—his eyes narrowing. Hmm... From behind the trees—five men appeared. Hmm... They carried weapons—knives, sticks, guns. Hff... Their faces were hard. Their eyes were sharp.

"Stop," one of them said—his voice heavy. "You can’t pass."

Hff... Kai looked at them—coldly. His eyes moved quickly—counting. Five people. Three carried knives. One carried a stick. One carried a gun. Hmm... He could handle them. Quickly. But—he didn’t have much time.

"Move," he said—his voice flat. "Or you’ll regret it."

Hmm... The men laughed. Ha ha ha... "Who do you think you are?" the big man said. "You’re alone. We’re five. You don’t stand a chance."

Hff... Kai didn’t answer. He just stepped forward. Tap... tap... His steps were calm. Not rushed. Not hesitant. Like someone used to situations like this.

HAAH! The men attacked—together. Whoosh! A knife flew toward his face. Hff... Kai dodged—fast. Tap! Tap! He grabbed the man’s hand—twisting his wrist. KREK! The man screamed—HAAH!—and his knife fell. CLACK!

THUD! Kai kicked the man—in the stomach. THWACK! The man staggered—hitting a tree. CRACK! He fell—not moving.

HAAH! The second man attacked—carrying an iron stick. Whoosh! The stick flew toward Kai’s head. Hff... Kai dodged—grabbing the stick. GRAB! He pulled it—hard. HAAH! The man flinched—losing his balance. THUD! Kai kicked him—in the chin. THWACK! The man fell—not moving.

BANG! A gunshot. Hff... Kai dodged—the bullet flying past his ear. Tap! Tap! He rolled—grabbing a rock nearby. Hff... He threw the rock—THWACK!—hitting the third man’s head. THUD! The man fell.

HAAH! The fourth and fifth men attacked—together. Whoosh! A knife from the left. Whoosh! A stick from the right. Hff... Kai jumped—dodging both. Tap! Tap! He landed behind them—fast. GRAB! He grabbed the fourth man’s neck. KREK!THWACK! The man fell. THUD! He kicked the fifth man—in the back. THWACK! The man fell—hitting a rock.

Hff... haaah... Kai stood in the middle of the scattered bodies. Hff... His breath was panting—not from exhaustion, but from burning anger. Hmm... He looked around—making sure nothing was left. Hmm... Just silence.

Tap... tap... tap... Kai continued his steps—toward the last cabin. Cabin number one.

Tap... tap... Kai arrived at the yard of cabin number one. Hmm... He stopped—his eyes observing. Hmm... The cabin was empty. No guards. No light. No sound. Hmm... Strange. Hff... Kai furrowed his brow. He felt something was off. At the previous cabins—there were always guards. But here—there was no one.

Hmm... Kai stepped forward—carefully. Tap... tap... His hand felt the gun behind his jacket. Hff... Ready. Hmm... He pushed the cabin door. CREEEAK! The door opened—creaking. Hff... Kai entered—his eyes moving quickly.

Hmm... He saw something on the floor. Hmm... A bag. A bag he recognized. Hff... He crouched—picking up the bag. Hmm... Ms. Lydia’s bag. Hff... He opened the bag—checking its contents. Hmm... A wallet. A notebook. A... phone. Hmm...

Kai put down the bag—taking the phone. Hmm... He looked around again. Hmm... He saw something else. Hmm... A book—Eve’s notebook. Hff... He saw something else again. Hmm... A camera—Iris’s camera. Hff... He saw something else again. Hmm... A small doll—Fay’s doll. Hff...

Hmm... Kai clenched his fists. KREK! They were here. They were really here. Hff... His anger burned hotter. Hmm... He had to find them. He had to save them. Hff... He looked around—searching for clues. Hmm... Nothing. Hmm... Just their belongings. Hmm...

Suddenly—

Ring... ring... The sound of ringing. HAAH! Kai turned—toward Ms. Lydia’s bag. Hmm... The sound came from inside the bag. Hff... Kai reached for the bag—taking the source of the sound. Hmm... Phone. Ms. Lydia’s phone. Hff... There was an incoming call. Hmm... Kai looked at the screen—unknown number. Hff... He answered the call.

Click!

"Good evening," said the voice on the other end—his voice heavy. Hmm... Kai recognized that voice. HAAH! The tattooed man. The man he’d beaten at the shop.

"You," Kai said—his voice cold. Hff... His hand clenched—tight.

"Ah, you still remember my voice," the man said—his voice full of satisfaction. "Good. I don’t need to introduce myself."

"Where are they?" Kai asked—his voice firm. Hff... He didn’t want to exchange pleasantries. Didn’t want to listen to the man’s nonsense.

"Relax," the man said. "They’re fine. For now."

Hff... Kai clenched his fists. KREK! "If you touch them—"

"You’ll do what?" the man cut in. "Threaten me? You don’t know where we are."

"I’ll find you," Kai said—his voice full of anger. "And you’ll regret it."

The man laughed. Ha ha ha... "You can try. But... if you want to see them again—come to the watchtower. You know the watchtower, right? The one on the hilltop. The one that’s been unused for a long time."

Hff... Kai clenched his fists—harder. KREK! "What’s their condition?" he asked—his voice trembling. He had to know. He had to make sure.

"Their condition?" the man laughed again. "They’re... scared. But they’re still alive. For now."

"For now?" Kai asked—his voice starting to rise. Hff... He didn’t like the man’s words.

"I can’t guarantee anything," the man said. "If you want to make sure they’re safe—come alone. Don’t bring anyone. And don’t try to contact the police. If you break—"

"If you break," Kai cut in—his voice cold and threatening. Every word came out of his mouth heavily—full of burning anger. "If they get hurt—one scratch—I’ll come to you. Not to save them. But to finish you. Slowly. Painfully. I’ll make you regret ever kidnapping them. I’ll make you regret ever knowing me."

Hmm... The man was silent for a moment. Hff... Kai could hear his breath—heavy. "You... you’re threatening me?"

"Not a threat," Kai said—his voice firm. "A promise."

Hmm... The man was silent again. Hff... Kai could hear him swallow. Gulp... "You... you can’t—"

"I can," Kai cut in. "And I will. If they get hurt—one scratch—I’ll come to you. Not to save them. But to finish you. Slowly. Painfully. I’ll make you regret ever kidnapping them. I’ll make you regret ever knowing me."

Hmm... The man laughed—but his laughter sounded nervous. Ha ha... ha... "You’re... you’re just bluffing."

"You think so?" Kai asked—his voice flat.

Hmm... The man was silent. Hff... Kai could hear him swallow again. Gulp... "Fifteen minutes," the man finally said. "You have fifteen minutes. If you don’t come—I’ll hang them."

Click! The call disconnected.

Hff... Kai stared at the phone in his hand—still connected. Hmm... He lifted the phone—high. Then—CRACK!—he smashed it on the floor. KRAK! The phone shattered—into pieces.

Hff... haaah... Kai stood up—his breath heavy. Hmm... He looked around—his eyes blazing. Hff... He grabbed his bag—checking its contents. Gun. Knife. Rope. Everything was complete. Clack! He cocked his gun. Hff...

"Hold on," he murmured—his voice full of determination. "I’m coming."

Tap! Tap! Tap! Kai ran—out of the cabin. Hff... He headed toward the watchtower. Hmm... He knew where the tower was. On the hilltop. At the end of the trail. Hff... He had to be fast. He had to save them.

Tap! Tap! Tap! His steps were quick—going uphill. Crunch... Dry leaves. Whoosh... Night wind. Hff... He kept running—not stopping.

Suddenly—

Click! A small sound. HAAH! Kai immediately stopped—his eyes narrowing. Hmm... He looked at his feet. Hmm... Rope. A rope hidden among the dry leaves. Hff... A trap. Hmm... Kai lifted his foot—carefully. Tap... He stepped back. Hmm... He looked around—searching for other traps. Hmm... He saw something on a tree—a large rock hanging by a rope. Hmm... If he pulled that rope—the rock would fall. Hff... Kai smiled slightly. Hmm... He had an idea.

Tap... tap... He picked up a small rock nearby. Hff... He threw the rock—toward the trap rope. Whoosh! The rock flew—SNAP!—cutting the rope. THUD! The large rock fell—to the ground. THUD! The sound was loud—echoing throughout the forest.

Hmm... Kai waited. Hmm... No reaction. Hmm... No guards came. Hff... Strange. Hmm... Maybe they didn’t hear. Maybe they were elsewhere. Hff... Kai continued his steps—carefully.

Tap... tap... He passed the first trap. Hmm... He saw the second trap—a hole covered with leaves. Hmm... If he stepped on it—he would fall. Hff... Kai jumped—over the hole. Tap! He landed safely.

Tap... tap... He saw the third trap—a rope stretched between trees. Hmm... If he passed it—he would trip. Hff... Kai grabbed the rope—cutting it. SNAP! The rope broke. Hmm... He continued his steps.

"Hold on," he murmured again—his voice trembling. "I’m coming. I’ll save you. I promise."