Beyond The Glade || Seungin

VI In the heart of the caves

Jeongin and I, still holding the map in our hands, quietly moved through the dense forest. Every rustle, every crack of a branch under our feet heightened the tension I felt inside. Despite the relief that we had avoided immediate danger, I couldn’t shake the constant threat of our parents and the police relentlessly pursuing us.

“We need to find a safe place to analyze the map and plan our next steps,” the boy said, trying to sound calm, though his voice betrayed exhaustion.

I nodded, and my gaze fell on a small clearing hidden deep within the woods. “It’ll be safer there. We can rest and look at the map,” I suggested, trying to conceal my own fatigue.

Once we reached the clearing, we began to set up our things. Jeongin spread the map on the ground, and I tried to relax the tense muscles that still trembled from adrenaline. The map was old and worn, but still legible. It showed winding paths, hidden caves, and a few points that could prove crucial.

“It looks like the ‘Heart of the Forest’ is located in the central part of this cave complex,” Jeongin noted, pointing to one of the markers on the map. “But we need to find a way to navigate through these areas.”

I studied the map more closely and noticed symbols that might indicate dangers or traps. “We need to be careful. It looks like these traps could delay us or, worse, stop us for good,” I said with concern.

Night fell quickly, and we decided to take a break to rest and regain our strength. Our meal was modest, and fatigue was taking its toll. However, discussions about future plans gave us encouragement.

When night finally came, we both fell asleep, though I couldn't call it a peaceful slumber. Nightmares of being chased by our parents and the police left us no moment of respite. As dawn began to break through the darkness, I woke up with a sense of urgency, feeling that we needed to act.

“We need to move,” Jeongin said, this time his voice was firm and unwavering. I knew he was right. The sooner we reached the caves, the better our chances would be of finding the ‘Heart of the Forest’ and escaping to freedom.

We quickly prepared for the journey ahead, gathered our things, and, ensuring we had the map, headed toward the caves marked on it.

The path to the caves was difficult. The trail was steep and full of obstacles, and our exhaustion was becoming more palpable. We had to stop from time to time to rest and check the map, but despite the challenges, I was determined to reach our goal.

Finally, we arrived at the entrance to the caves. It was hidden in dense vegetation and required considerable effort to uncover. As we stepped inside, darkness immediately surrounded us. The cave's interior was cold and damp, and the echo of our footsteps bounced off the walls, amplifying the sense of isolation.

“We need to find a path that leads deeper,” I said, trying to stay calm, though my heart raced faster. “The map shows that the caves have several levels.”

We pressed on, and the caves became increasingly labyrinthine. Narrow passages and corridors required our focus and caution. Occasionally, we had to stop to check the map and ensure we were going in the right direction.

Suddenly, in one of the corridors, I heard voices. I held my breath and hid behind a large rock, signaling for the boy to do the same. The voices were faint but clearly coming from nearby. Someone else was in the caves, which meant new danger.

“We need to be careful and stay quiet,” Jeongin whispered, his voice barely audible. I knew he was right. If someone spotted us, we could find ourselves in serious trouble.

I nodded, and together we began to slowly move toward the source of the sounds, trying not to make noise. My heart raced with each step, and uncertainty filled my thoughts. I knew we had to be vigilant to survive.

When we reached the spot from which the sounds were coming, we saw a group of people. They were unfamiliar to us but were clearly searching for something. They could be treasure seekers or others also looking to find the ‘Heart of the Forest.’

“We need to find a way to get past them,” I whispered to Jeongin. “If they see us, our plans could be ruined.”

With danger approaching more and more realistically, I knew we had to act cautiously. Surviving and continuing our journey to the ‘Heart of the Forest’ depended on our vigilance and skills. I understood that we had to use everything we had to find freedom and uncover the secrets hidden within these caves.