My Parents Locked Me Up, So I Snuck Out.

Chapters 21-25

Chapter 21: A Shadow of the Past

Ashia was on her way to the small market in her town when she spotted a car creeping down the main road. At first, she didn't think much of it. But then she noticed the emblem—a gold crest on the side of the black car. Her heart stopped. "No... it can't be..."

She froze, her mind racing. "That's one of Mina's parents' guards. They've found us."

Without a second thought, Ashia bolted down the street, clutching the groceries tightly against her chest. "I have to warn them. We can't stay here any longer."

Chapter 22: The Warning

Mina was sitting by the window of Ashia's small house, staring out at the normal life unfolding in front of her. Children played in the street, neighbors exchanged casual greetings. It was all so... different from what she had known.

"This is what I wanted," she thought, though a knot of anxiety still twisted in her stomach.

Suddenly, the door burst open. "Mina! Haru!" Ashia's voice was frantic as she rushed inside, out of breath. "They're here. The guards, I saw one of their cars. We need to leave. Now."

Mina's blood ran cold. "They found me?" she whispered.

Ashia nodded. "We don't have time. Grab what you can and let's go."

Chapter 23: The Escape

They packed what little they had within minutes. Haru, always calm under pressure, led them out through the back door, away from the streets.

"We'll head into the forest," he said. "There's a town on the other side. We can hide there."

Ashia glanced over at Mina, who was silent, her face pale. "Are you okay?"

"I... I thought I was free," Mina whispered, her voice shaking. "But they'll never stop looking for me, will they?"

Ashia touched her arm gently. "We'll find a way. But for now, we just need to stay ahead of them."

They hurried into the forest, the shadows swallowing them as they left Ashia's town behind. Mina glanced back once, her heart heavy. "Goodbye... again."

Chapter 24: Into the Forest

The forest was dense, the trees tall and dark, making the path ahead difficult to see. The three of them moved quickly, but Mina could feel the exhaustion setting in.

"How long have we been walking?" she wondered, her legs aching. She had never been this far from home before, and now they were heading deeper into the unknown.

Ashia led the way, her eyes sharp as she scanned for any signs of danger. "We should be close to the next town," she said. "Once we get there, we'll find a place to hide."

Haru glanced back at Mina. "You're doing okay, right?"

Mina nodded, though her heart was heavy. "I don't have a choice, do I? If I want to stay free, I have to keep going."

Chapter 25: A Place to Hide

When they finally reached the edge of the forest, the lights of a small town flickered in the distance. Ashia breathed a sigh of relief. "We made it."

But Mina didn't feel relieved. "What if they're still following us? What if they find me again?"

They walked quietly through the town until they reached a small inn. "We can rest here for the night," Haru said, knocking on the door.

The innkeeper, an older woman, let them in without asking too many questions. As they settled into their room, Mina sat by the window, watching the streets below.

"I'll never be safe," she thought. "No matter where I go, they'll find me."