"Oat... in case something happens..."

"Why do you always say in case something happens?"

"I don't want to, but... this trip might be hard to come back from."

"I... I'm scared I won't make it back."

Sigh- "Just say it."

"If something happens, can you and Joong... look after my parents for me? I don't mean anything big, just maybe give them a call sometimes, check in on them."

"Aren't your parents... gone?"

"Huh? My parents? Joong said they went abroad to escape the conflict... right?"

That's when Oat froze. He remembered Joong had said something like that before...

"Ah, right... I forgot. Too much going on."

"Yeah... just in case."

"Yeah yeah, I got it. You've said it like ten times already."

He drove down an unfamiliar road, the path growing narrower until it led to the edge of a forest. Oat stopped the car, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and got out. He didn't call for Dunk, so Dunk had to quickly follow on his own.

The way into the forest was thick with undergrowth, Oat hadn't taken the main path, but a shortcut. One wrong step and they could easily get lost.

After about fifteen minutes, he stopped, crouched behind a large rock, and pulled a small spear from his backpack, tucking it into the back of his pants. Dunk had nothing on him and just sat beside him, unsure of what to do.

"Take this."

Oat handed him another spear.

"I... I don't know how to use this."

"If anyone shows up, just stab. Don't overthink it."

He shoved the spear into Dunk's hand, then pushed the backpack into a bush to hide it. His footsteps were light as he moved toward a large cave nearby, where a few tall, heavily armed guards were standing.

*Blade slash*

"Stay close to me."

They felt their way along the rocky wall, going deeper inside. Eventually, Oat came to a stop. In front of them was a metal gate, and through it, they could see a stone chamber lying a bit further down. The glow of red fire lit up the entire space.

"Oat..."

"Shh."

Oat quickly covered Dunk's mouth, he'd just heard footsteps coming from the rock wall beside them, where a stairway led down to the chamber.

"That guy's got a tight mouth, huh?"

"I tried everything and he still won't say where the kid is."

"Well, I don't think he's tougher than this thing."

"Hey... where'd you get that?"

"Boss just gave it to me. Come on."

/What thing were they talking about?/- Oat

Oat and Dunk held their breath. They were desperate to know where Joong was, and in what condition, so they stayed completely still. As the two men reached the chamber below, a group of others rolled out a tall wooden pole—over two meters high—right in front of them...

The conversation reached Dunk and Oat. He was desperate to know where he was and what condition he was in, so he stayed completely silent, waiting.

Just as the two men descended into the chamber, a group of others rolled out a tall wooden pole—over two meters high—right in front of them.

"Joong."

"Stay quiet."

Yes... it was Joong. The figure hanging upside down, head dangling low...that was him. From a distance, he was wearing only the same pair of jeans he'd had on that day. His upper body was soaked in red, like he was wearing a new shirt made of blood. His face was so swollen and disfigured from the beatings, it was barely recognizable.

"WATER!"

They dragged out a huge bucket, nearly half Joong's height, and splashed him over and over. Finally, after several scoops, his swollen eyes cracked open.

"Well? You've slept all night, shouldn't be tired anymore. Now talk. Where's that kid hiding?"

One of the two men from earlier stepped up to Joong's face, smirking.

*Joong spat blood.*

" Shit, you spit on me? Alright. You wanna test my patience? Fine—dunk him!"

"Yes, sir!"

They dragged the bucket closer, then lifted Joong's body and shoved him in. Bubbles started rising... until his body began to convulse..only then did they pull him back out.

"Well? Still not talking? Gotta say, you're pretty tough, huh?"

" Fu...ck"

"Oh? Still got the energy to curse?"

"Keep going, boys."

"Yes, sir."

And just like that, they kept dunking Joong into the water, again and again. Each time it happened, Dunk's heart grew heavier. His hands gripped the metal bars in front of him so tightly they ached. He wanted to scream, to run out and yell, I'm here! Let him go!—but Oat still had his hand firmly over Dunk's mouth.

"Damn, he's really stubborn. Alright... let's see if this can fix him."

They dragged the bucket back toward Joong again, and one of them pulled something small from his pocket. It looked like an electric shaver... but the sharp crackling of sparks shooting from it was anything but ordinary—and absolutely terrifying.

"Are you gonna talk now? Where's the boy?"

"JUST... KILL... ME..."

"Shit... fine. Have it your way."

Once again, the bloodied body was hoisted upside down and plunged into the bucket. The man laughed loudly, then lowered the device into the water.

Sparks met water, and Joong's entire body went rigid. He began to convulse violently, the shock so intense that the pole he was tied to had to be held down to keep it from toppling over.

_________
#sapo🇻🇳(14:11 / 300525)