My Parents Locked Me Up, So I Snuck Out.

Chapters 26-30

Chapter 26: Kana and Nande

The next morning, Ashia woke up early to find supplies for their journey. While she was out, she overheard two voices discussing something strange in the market.

"Did you hear about that girl from the big city? The one who ran away from her family?"

Ashia's ears perked up. She followed the voices until she found two people talking—one was a young man, tall with dark hair, and the other a girl with bright eyes.

"Excuse me," Ashia said, stepping forward. "I couldn't help but overhear. Are you talking about... Mina?"

The two strangers exchanged glances. "Maybe," the guy said cautiously. "Why do you ask?"

Ashia took a deep breath. "Because we need help. Mina's in danger, and we're trying to keep her safe."

The girl stepped forward. "I'm Nande," she said. "And this is Kana. If you're looking for help, we might know a place where you can hide."

Chapter 27: A New Alliance

Kana and Nande led Ashia back to the inn, where they introduced themselves to Mina and Haru. Mina eyed them warily. "Can I trust them?" she wondered, her instincts screaming to stay on guard.

"We know what it's like to be on the run," Nande explained. "Kana and I grew up in the city, but we left when things got dangerous. We can help you stay hidden."

"Why would you help us?" Haru asked, his voice skeptical.

Kana shrugged. "Because we know what it feels like to be hunted. And because no one deserves to live like that."

Mina's chest tightened. "Maybe... maybe they understand."

Chapter 28: Stories of the Past

That night, they gathered around a small fire in the forest, far from any prying eyes. Kana leaned back against a tree, staring into the flames. "So, Mina, what happened to you? Why are they after you?"

Mina hesitated, her eyes flickering toward the fire. "My parents... they're rich. Powerful. They kept me locked away my whole life, controlling everything I did. I tried to run, but they found me. And they'll keep looking until they get me back."

Nande shook her head. "That's terrible. No one should live like that."

Ashia added quietly, "We won't let them take you back, Mina. We'll find a way to keep you safe."

But Mina's doubt lingered. "How long can we keep running?" she thought.

Chapter 29: A Plan for the Future

As the days passed, Kana and Nande helped them plan their next move. "There's a safehouse in the mountains," Kana said one evening. "It's remote, hard to find. We can take you there. You'll be safe."

Mina looked out at the horizon, her mind spinning. "Do I keep running forever? Is this what freedom looks like—always hiding, never staying in one place?"

But there was no other choice. "We'll go," she said softly. "I'll go."

Chapter 30: Ashia's Doubts

One night, as they were preparing to leave, Ashia sat with Haru by the fire. "Do you think we're doing the right thing?" she asked, her voice uncertain.

Haru looked at her, surprised. "What do you mean?"

Ashia sighed. "I mean... we're running. We're always running. What if they catch us again? What if we can never stop running?"

Haru was quiet for a moment before he spoke. "Maybe we will. Maybe we won't. But Mina deserves a chance to live, Ashia. And as long as she has us, we'll keep trying."

Ashia nodded, though the weight of their situation pressed heavily on her chest. "I hope we're doing the right thing."