Two years passed. Each day blurred into the next, the same routine, the same suffering that never left.
Ren dragged a mop across the stone floor, his eyes wandering up to the jagged ceiling of the cave. He closed them for a moment.
'I want to be free, to fly like a bird.'
With a tired sigh, he opened his eyes again and froze. A guard was pushing a trolley, collecting garbage. Hope flickered in Ren's chest.
'I can escape in that.'
He forced himself to keep working, inching closer with every pass of the mop.
'If I can just get a good look, maybe I can plan something.'
At last, he reached it. The trolley was sealed in iron sheets, its surface cold and damp with rust. His hands shook as he glanced around, then slowly lifted the lid. His breath caught.
'It's big enough… it could carry two people inside.'
Suddenly, pain exploded through his chest. He was hurled back to the ground, gasping, saliva dripping from his mouth. The room fell silent. All eyes turned toward him.
The guard stormed forward, face twisted in rage.
"You little rat! How dare you touch that!"
Ren covered his head in terror as the man raised his boot. But before the strike landed, Fin darted between them. The guard's kick slammed into him instead.
Fin staggered, clutching his side, and forced his voice steady. "Sir, forgive this kid. I'll make sure he never does it again."
He pulled Ren to his feet, slapped him hard, then shoved him forward with sorrow hidden in his eyes.
Three hours later, they were back in their cell.
The guard locked the gate and walked away. Fin rounded on Ren, gasping with fury.
"What were you thinking, going near that trolley?" He grabbed Ren's face, tears glimmering in his eyes. "If I hadn't stopped him, who knows what they would have done to you?"
Ren winced, his cheek red and swollen. "I know. I was careless. But…" he forced a laugh, "you've got too much strength. My cheek's still throbbing from just one slap."
Fin let go with a frustrated sigh. "Idiot."
They sank to the floor. After a moment, Ren whispered, "I found a way out."
Fin turned his face away. "Don't joke about that."
"I'm not joking, Fin."
Fin looked back at him, eyes narrowing. "Then tell me. How do you plan to escape?"
Ren drew in a deep breath. "The trolley."
Fin's expression darkened. "Are you insane? You just got caught and beaten for looking at it."
"That's why we need a plan."
"A plan? With what? We have nothing!"
Ren laid a hand on his shoulder. "I know you're scared for me. But if we don't try, we'll die here."
Fin shoved his hand away and lay down. "Get some sleep. Your brain's gone rotten."
Ren turned the other way, bitterness stinging his chest.
The next morning in class, the teacher announced, "There will be an auction soon. Those who are not bought will be punished."
Ren's heart dropped. Fin glanced at him once, then quickly looked away.
After the bell, Fin slipped out, pushing through the crowd until he reached the senior class.
"Hey," he whispered to one of the older boys. "I need to ask something. Quick."
The boy gave him a weary look. "Make it fast, before the guards notice."
"What happens if no one buys you?"
"They beat you. Or dispose of you. Worthless ones don't last."
Fin bowed. "Thank you."
As he turned away, fear hollowed his chest.
'What should I do? My friends… they'll be killed. There has to be a way.'
His thoughts churned as he walked into the canteen. Ren was waiting at a table.
Fin got his food, sat down across from him, and said quietly, "Ren… we'll do it. But not to run away. To save everyone."
Ren stared at him in shock. "Everyone? Fin, we can barely escape ourselves."
"You and I will go first. Find help. Then we come back for them."
Ren exhaled, exhausted. "Fine. But we'll need a plan."
Fin smirked. "I already have one."
"What is it?" Ren leaned closer.
"I'll tell you when we gather the others."
Ren's brow furrowed. "Who?"
"Darik, Bran, Mira, Edrin."
Ren's voice hardened. "We don't know them well. What if they betray us?"
"They won't. I'll make sure of it. Just tell them to meet us during cleaning duty."
Ren nodded reluctantly. "Alright. I'll ask."
He walked nervously toward the four.
'What do I even say? How do I ask?'
Edrin, dark-haired with steady gray eyes, noticed him first. Darik, broad-shouldered and wild, sneered. Bran, wiry and sharp-eyed, stared. Mira, soft-featured with watchful eyes, tilted her head curiously.
Ren stopped at their table. They all looked at him.
Edrin broke the silence. "What do you need, Ren?"
Ren swallowed hard, stammering. "I… I wanted to… say…"
Bran snapped, "Spit it out already!"
Ren flinched. "Come meet Fin and me. During cleaning duty."
Edrin studied him, then gave a calm nod. "Alright. We'll come."
Relief flooded Ren's chest as he turned away.
'That was nerve-racking.'
Behind him, Darik muttered, "Why agree to that? Ren's always been trouble."
The others looked at Edrin. He placed both hands on the table. "Because I saw his eyes. Something important is going on."
Before they could say more, a guard passed, sneering. "Pathetic brats. Only useful to fill my stomach. Should've been killed already."
The group fell silent until he left. Darik gulped down the last of his gruel. "Fine. But if this goes bad, I'll beat the life out of Ren, and Fin too."
Bran chuckled. "Beat Fin? Did you forget what happened last time you tried?"
Mira laughed with him. Edrin only sighed.
The bell rang.
Edrin rose. "Let's go. Take the equipment, act natural. Don't let the guards suspect."
Bran and Darik grinned. "Don't screw it up like always," they said together, then burst into laughter.
Mira shook her head with a smile, but kept her eyes sharp as always.
They walked the corridor. Edrin's face was distant, lost in thought.
'Escape? Could they really be planning that? No one's insane enough.'
Mira nudged his shoulder. "Don't overthink. We'll be fine."
He gave a tired sigh. "I hope so."
They gathered their mops and stepped into the grand hall. Golden carvings lined the walls, chandeliers glittered above. Slaves scrubbed every surface until it shone.
Edrin's heart sank.
'Every year, new decorations, all for this. Selling children like cattle.'
Mira's eyes widened. "Wow… this place is beautiful. What's it for?"
Edrin's voice was heavy. "It's the auction hall. Where they sell us."
Mira's shoulders drooped. "I don't want to be separated from you all."
"Neither do I," Bran muttered.
Darik clenched his fists. "If I were stronger, I'd kill every last one of them."
"Come on," Edrin said quietly.
They moved forward. At the far side of the hall, Fin and Ren were waiting.
Mira pointed. "There. That's them."
The four approached.
And at last, they stood face-to-face.