𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗢𝗡 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗘'. 𝘛𝘢𝘦𝘩𝘺𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘤

Chapter three

## A Safe Haven

The air hung heavy with the scent of freshly cut grass and the sweet aroma of strawberry milk. Tae, still munching on Cheetos, looked up at me with his big, innocent eyes. "Anyways, where am I gonna stay then?" he asked, his voice soft and hesitant.

"You can stay with me," I replied, my heart swelling with a strange mixture of protectiveness and excitement. I settled beside him on the soft grass, the warmth of his presence radiating through the cool evening air.

"Wait, really?" His eyes widened, the puppy-dog look intensifying. I nodded, a smile tugging at my lips. He threw his arms around me, hugging me tight like a small child. I chuckled, returning the embrace, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. "You're the best Moon Moon," he mumbled into my shoulder.

"Moon Moon?" I pulled back, tilting my head in confusion. He nodded enthusiastically, his smile brighter than the fireflies that danced around us. "Your nickname now."

"I will call you Tae then," I said, returning his smile. He nodded again, taking another sip of strawberry milk. I couldn't help but chuckle at his simple joy, his innocent trust. I ruffled his hair gently, feeling a pang of sympathy for the life he had been forced to live. "Cute," I whispered, finding it impossible to resist teasing him.

He looked at me with those puppy-dog eyes again, a playful smirk replacing his earlier innocence. "Am not cute."

"Yes, you are," I insisted, enjoying his playful resistance.

A comfortable silence settled between us, broken only by the chirping of crickets and the soft rustling of leaves. Then, the fireflies reappeared, erupting from his hands in a breathtaking display of light. They swirled around us, painting the night sky with shimmering patterns. "How did you do that?" I asked, mesmerized by the magical spectacle.

"Are you scared?" Tae asked, his voice laced with concern.

"No, I'm not," I said, my voice steady. I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of wonder, a feeling that this boy, this Tae, was somehow different, extraordinary. I reached out and pinched his cheek playfully, the warmth of his skin a stark contrast to the cool night air.

We sat there, lost in our own world, until a hushed conversation drifted through the air. "We take the videos and we have to show it to him," a voice said, its tone urgent. "Let's go now, if we get caught, there will be a problem."

My heart lurched. I knew those voices. They were the men who had been following Tae, the ones who had threatened him. I jumped to my feet, a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. "Tae, we have to go," I said, my voice barely a whisper.

"What happened?" Tae asked, his eyes wide with fear.

"It's not safe here," I said, pulling him to his feet. "There are bad humans."

"Yes," I confirmed, seeing the fear reflected in his eyes. I took his hand, my grip firm and reassuring. "Come on, we have to go."

"Where are you taking me, Moon Moon?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.

"Somewhere safe," I said, my voice resolute. "Get inside the car."

He looked at me, confused. "How?"

I sighed, my frustration rising. I opened the car door for him, my heart pounding in my chest. He hesitated for a moment before climbing into the driver's seat. I followed, my hand instinctively reaching for the steering wheel.

"Where are we going?" he asked, his voice barely audible.

"I'm taking you with me to my house," I replied, starting the engine.