The van turned past a welcoming, low white wooden fence. It rolled through a front garden of blue and purple hydrangea. The vehicle came to a complete stop before a grand two-story Victorian-style wooden house.
The exterior was painted a soft cream, contrasting beautifully with the dark grey roof.
An expansive wooden wrap-around porch framed the house, complete with an antique teak rocking chair. It exuded warmth, classic charm, and a quiet, private sanctuary.
"It's beautiful..." I murmured unconsciously, my eyes sparkling with renewed hope.
"After you... my good boy."
Zen stepped out and walked around to open the door for me. He bowed slightly like a true gentleman, extending his hand. I placed my hand in his large palm and stepped out of the vehicle.
The second my feet touched the ground... the freezing, pristine air struck my face.
I took a deep, A chill devoid of the metallic stench of blood... devoid of cigarette smoke... and completely devoid of the scent of terror. There was only the earthy aroma of soil, damp grass, and the faint, crisp scent of pine resin.
I survived... I made it out.
"Let's go inside. It's freezing out here, you'll catch a cold."
Zen wrapped his arm around my shoulders, guiding me up the wooden front steps. The floorboards creaked softly under our weight, a testament to their age, giving the place an enchanting, rustic charm.
Inside...
The foyer was paved with parquet flooring. The walls were adorned with pastel, floral-patterned wallpaper. Most of the furniture was intricately carved dark wood, striking a sharp contrast with the cream curtains and plush wool rugs.
A substantial red-brick fireplace in the center of the living room had already been lit. The fire crackled, warming the room.
"Do you like it?"
Zen asked as he helped slide the heavy winter coat off my shoulders.
"I love it. It is so peaceful. It feels like a fairy tale."
"I chose this place... because it is far away from everything."
He wrapped his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder.
"Far from people. Far from the chaos. And far away from... him."
The unspoken pronoun made my body go completely rigid reflexively.
The final memory of Ren bleeding out on the rug... those utterly shattered eyes... violently flashed in my mind.
"There is no need to be afraid..." Zen whispered against my ear, pressing a soothing kiss to my temple.
"No one will ever find us here. I have prepared everything. New documents. A new name. A flawlessly scrubbed background."
"From now on, Yurin is a new person. Entirely free."
"Thank you, Mr. Zen..."
I turned around and wrapped my arms around his waist, burying my face in his broad, warm chest.
"Thank you for giving me a new life."
Zen stroked my hair with profound affection.
"Go rest. It was a long journey."
"I will head down and make breakfast for us. Is there anything in particular you are craving?"
"Whatever you make. I love everything you cook."
"Such a sweet mouth..." He pinched my nose lightly, an adoring gesture.
"Why don't you go check out the bedroom first? I had it prepared specifically for you."
I nodded, following him up the teak spiral staircase to the second floor.
With every step, it felt like I was leaving that place behind.
Completely failing to notice...
That the sound of the front door Zen had just secured behind us... was
The heavy, multi-layered clack of a highly complex locking mechanism. Something utterly abnormal for a peaceful cottage.
The second-floor bedroom...
The double wooden doors swung open, revealing a spacious and airy sanctuary. The walls were painted a soft pastel blue, contrasting elegantly with pristine white baseboards. Soaring floor-to-ceiling windows welcomed the natural light and the view of the fog-drenched mountains. Sheer white curtains billowed gently from the heater's warm draft.
A king-sized four-poster bed anchored the center of the room, draped in pure white Egyptian cotton—soft. But what completely captivated my attention was...
A corner of the room transformed into a miniature art studio.
A fine-wood easel stood proudly, accompanied by arranged sets of oil and watercolors, and a deep blue velvet stool.
"I remembered you liked to draw,"
Zen said, stepping beside me to admire the artistic nook.
"I saw you sketching in your notebook during our meetings. Your lines were beautiful. So, I set this up for you, just in case you wanted to paint to pass the time."
Tears unexpectedly welled in my eyes.
He remembered. He remembered the minuscule details that even I had nearly forgotten about myself. A jarring contrast to Ren, who could barely remember my favorite food... only his favorite positions in bed.
"Mr. Zen..." Words failed me. I threw myself into his arms, hugging him tightly.
"Why are you crying?" He gently wiped away my tears with his thumb.
"I... I'm just so happy..."
"No one has ever cared about my dreams like this before."
"From now on, you will only receive the best, Yurin. I promise to make up for all the time you've lost." He pressed a feather-light kiss to my forehead.
"Get some rest. Take a warm bath. I've placed fresh clothes in the wardrobe for you. I will come up and get you once breakfast is ready."
Zen exited, shutting the door soundlessly behind him. Leaving me completely alone in this beautiful bedroom.
The moment his footsteps faded, a suffocating silence reclaimed the room.
An inexplicable wave of paranoia immediately clawed its way into my chest. I approached the window... staring down at the garden below.
The dark, looming silhouettes of the trees swayed in the wind.
Thump... Thump...
My heart accelerated. Cold sweat beaded across my palms. The horrific events of that night began to replay in my mind like a broken film loop.
BANG! The deafening gunshot... the blood gushing from Ren's abdomen... the absolutely shattered, agonized gaze he gave me...
"Ghk..."
I clutched my chest, gasping for air. It felt as though an invisible hand was crushing my windpipe. The PTSD was taking hold.
My body had escaped, but my mind was still firmly shackled inside that cage.
I forcefully turned my back on the window, practically sprinting toward the bathroom to escape the hallucinations. The en-suite was equally expansive. Paved with grey-veined white marble. A classic clawfoot tub rested beside the louvered windows. The vanity boasted a gold-framed mirror.
I turned the faucet, letting the scalding water fill the tub. Thick white steam filled the room, providing a veil to hide from my own terror.
I stripped off my clothes and tossed them into the hamper—fabric stained with the dust and tears of Velas City.
I stepped into the water. The blistering heat enveloped my skin. I closed my eyes, letting the water wash away the horrific memories.
It's over. The nightmare is over. I am here... I am safe.
I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling.
An unprecedented sensation of weightlessness washed over me. Yet, within that profound relief... lurked a bizarre, hollow void.
As if something essential had been cut away.
Ren... The name bubbled up in my mind, utterly uncontainable.
How was he doing right now? Was he dying? Had he woken up? How deeply did he despise me?
"Stop thinking about it, Yurin!"
I lightly slapped my own cheeks to snap myself out of the spiral.
"You made your choice. You chose to leave him. Do not look back."
I muttered the words to myself like a madman.
Then, I took a deep breath and submerged my entire body underwater. Holding my breath to sever the chaotic noise in my head. Letting the absolute silence of the aquatic world embrace me.
Repeating to myself, over and over, that this was the true happiness I deserved.
Even if, within that suffocating silence, I could hear my own heart quietly weeping.