Chapter 11: Sanctuary of Shadows 🌊🏚️
The waves crashed against the hull of the boat, and the distant burning mansion was now nothing more than an orange speck in the vast darkness. Jisong's hands were frozen on the steering wheel, but his mind was trapped in memories that had long since turned to ash.
The Midnight Doctor 🩺💊
The boat pulled up to the edge of a weathered, dilapidated fishing village. Secretary Kim had already arranged a safe house here—a secluded cabin hidden by the mist. Jisong hoisted an unconscious Yeonjun onto his shoulders and carried him inside.
A retired doctor, who owed Kim a life-long debt, was waiting. After hours of tense surgery, the doctor emerged, wiping sweat from his brow.
Doctor: "The bullet is out, but there's a risk of infection. He needs absolute rest and care. But most importantly—he needs peace of mind."
Jisong stood by the window, staring at the black abyss of the sea. "Peace?" he thought bitterly. "How can someone whose blood is mixed with my family's sorrow ever find peace?"
The Silent War 🤐🔥
The next morning, as the first light of dawn crept into the cabin, Yeonjun's eyes fluttered open. He saw Jisong sitting in a nearby chair, reading an old diary—the very one Jisong had snatched from the burning mansion.
Yeonjun (Voice weak and raspy): "That is the record of my father's sins... and the evidence of my sentence."
Jisong closed the diary and turned toward him. His eyes no longer held explosive rage, but a chilling emptiness.
Jisong: "It says here that your father bribed the police to close the investigation after the fire. And you... you started looking for me when you were only ten years old. Why, Yeonjun? Was it for atonement, or to hide your father's tracks?"
Yeonjun: "At first... maybe it was guilt. But when I finally found you, the fear of losing you became greater than the guilt itself." 🥀💔
New Threat: 'The Cleaners' 🕶️📞
Suddenly, Jisong's phone vibrated. A message arrived from an unknown number. It contained a video—every news channel in the city was broadcasting photos of Jisong and Yeonjun.
News Anchor:"Two dangerous fugitives suspected of attacking the Chairman's estate are on the run... police believe they have kidnapped the Chairman's son."
The Chairman had flipped the script. He had painted himself as the victim and the two of them as violent criminals.
Jisong: "Your father isn't just hunting us... he's erasing us. Now we have no home, no identity." 🚫🆔
The Internal Conflict ⚔️🧠
By evening, Jisong faced a choice. Yeonjun was in a deep, feverish sleep. A satellite phone sat on the table. If Jisong wanted, he could make one call, give the police their location, and hand Yeonjun over to clear his own name.
He picked up the phone. His thumb hovered over the numbers. He looked at Yeonjun, whose face was contorted in physical pain.
Jisong (To himself): "If I hand him over, my revenge is complete. But if the police take him, his father will have him killed inside a cell before he can ever testify. Do I become a murderer just to punish the son of a murderer?" 🛡️🤔
The Final Verdict 🤝🌅
Jisong set the phone back down. He walked to Yeonjun's bedside and quietly changed his bandages. Suddenly, in his sleep, Yeonjun gripped Jisong's hand tightly.
Yeonjun (Muttering): "Don't leave... Jisong... please..."
Jisong didn't pull his hand away. He spoke in a cold, low voice that Yeonjun likely couldn't hear:
Jisong: "I won't give you to the police, Yeonjun. Death is too easy a sentence for you. I will keep you alive so you can feel the heat of the fire you started every single day. We will walk together... even if the path leads straight to hell." 🐺🌑