HideLand

🟠 chapter 12 :

We began slipping one by one through the broken wall. The tunnels lay ahead of us now.

"Raynar, show us the tattoo."

Raynar had told me before that the tunnel map was tattooed on his body, drawn by his father. He rolled up his sleeve to show us.

"Here it is wait, no, this one's outdated. It's from thirty years ago. Also… it's upside down. The correct map is on the other arm."

"And how old is that one?"

"Twenty years."

Damn it, we're relying on ancient maps. I just hope nothing major has changed in the tunnel structure over the years. Either way, we have no choice.

I took off my shirt and grabbed a piece of charcoal I'd hidden in the food storage room.

"Alright, now it's my turn."

Ren looked at me, puzzled.

"Takeru-dono, what are you doing? We should be running."

"Hold on, Ren. Raynar, draw me the tunnel path that leads directly beneath the reception building of the city."

Everyone was stunned. No one expected that I wasn't just planning to escape. I was the only one who stumbled upon critical information and I'd be a fool to just run away. I don't want to be just another fugitive.

"What the hell are you talking about, you idiot?! Run before the guards come!"

The other two prisoners panicked, though they had nothing to do with this.

"If you want to escape, the way is clear. The only one I need here is Ren."

Ren looked at me, shocked. He clearly wasn't expecting this. But I still needed his skills—they'd come in handy. And besides, this was for him too. He's in the same situation I am. Raynar stared at me with wide, confused eyes.

"Wait, Takeru… why are you doing this? Didn't we agree to escape together?"

"I get how you feel, but don't worry. You have to break your family's curse and become the first one to escape this prison. And don't worry I want freedom too. We'll meet again on the outside, soon."

Even if this wasn't what he expected, things had come too far to back down now. No need to start a dumb argument. Honestly, what more could I do for him? He had the map. The guards were sedated. This was his once-in-a-lifetime chance. Still, he clearly hoped we'd meet again outside.

"Alright. Promise me you'll make it out."

"Of course. I promise. Now go get moving!"

Raynar finally nodded and continued down the tunnel alone. The two other prisoners followed. That left me and Ren—with the path that led to the reception building. Now all we had to do was wait. Ren seemed confused by everything.

"Takeru-dono, I trust you and all, but… why are we still here?"

"We're waiting for a guard to wake up and follow us."

"What? Are you insane? Why would we want them to chase us? Aren't we supposed to escape?"

"Ren, trust me. I know what I'm doing. If we escape to the outside, we'll just become wanted criminals. I didn't go through all this just to get captured again."

Ren looked at me skeptically but decided to trust me anyway. We waited for a while… and then we heard footsteps from beyond the broken wall. The guards were awake.

"You there! Stop right now and come back here!"

Now that the guards were up—it was time to put on our little show.

"Alright, Ren! Let's run!"

We took off at full speed. Two guards were already on our tail. We followed the map I'd drawn on my shirt. More guards started to appear—either the gum's effects were wearing off, or someone had woken them. Either way, it didn't matter. Wait… they're catching up. Damn it—I'm too slow. We can't let them catch us now.

"Takeru-dono, get on! I'll carry you!"

"What?!"

Ren grabbed me with one arm like a sack of rice.

"Use your skill, Ren! We've got to make it to the target point!"

"Leave it to me!"

Suddenly, Ren's speed surged—he was like a freakin' Bugatti Chiron. We pulled far ahead of the guards in an instant.

"Slow down, Ren! Don't get too far ahead!"

"Got it!"

The guards were gaining again, and we were almost at the spot.

"Ren, turn right and go straight!"

"Okay!"

The chase continued for a bit longer—until we finally reached the place.

"This is it, Ren! Right here! Stop!"

The guards were

getting closer. The moment of truth had arrived.

Now we'd see what was waiting above us.