IT WAS FIXED!!

CHAPTER 5!! (Part 2)

Dunk & Phuwin – Escaping the Trap

The sound of footsteps and shouting echoed through the mansion as Dunk and Phuwin ran down the long corridors. Their hearts pounded in their chests, fear driving them forward. Every room they passed seemed darker, more menacing as if the shadows themselves were closing in.

"We can't keep running forever," Phuwin panted, his breath laboured. "There has to be a way out."

Dunk, still clutching the candlestick tightly in his hand, scanned their surroundings. They were deep within the estate, and the nearest exit was several hallways away, far too close to where the attackers had stormed in.

"There's a back stairway," Dunk said quickly, leading Phuwin toward a narrow side passage. "We'll go down to the cellar. It's hidden—they won't think to look there."

Phuwin nodded, trusting his brother's plan. The adrenaline pulsing through him made every step feel urgent, but he could also feel the weight of his fear threatening to slow him down. Dunk's grip on his wrist kept him focused.

They darted through the door and down the tight, winding stairs that led to the lower levels of the estate. The cool air of the cellar hit them as soon as they entered. The basement was dark, the only light filtering in from a narrow window near the ceiling.

"This should buy us time," Dunk whispered, guiding Phuwin to crouch low behind a stack of old wine crates. "We'll wait here until Joong and Pond come back."

Phuwin wrapped his arms around himself, trying to calm his shaking hands. "What if they don't come back in time?"

"They will," Dunk said firmly, though doubt gnawed at the edges of his mind. He needed to believe it, for both of their sakes.

But then, just as they settled into their hiding spot, the sound of boots on the stairway made Dunk's heart sink. The Ruggiero men were already searching the estate.

Phuwin's eyes widened in panic. "They're coming..."

Dunk's mind raced, looking around for anything that could give them an advantage. He spotted an old cabinet across the room, its door slightly ajar.

"We need to create a distraction," Dunk whispered. "When I give the signal, run for the cabinet."

Phuwin looked at him, uncertain but trusting. "Okay."

Just as the footsteps grew louder, Dunk grabbed a glass bottle from the crate beside him and hurled it toward the opposite side of the room. The crash echoed, and immediately, the men's attention shifted toward the noise.

"Go!" Dunk hissed.

Phuwin moved swiftly, darting across the cellar to hide inside the cabinet, while Dunk crouched behind a different stack of crates. The intruders spread out, their weapons drawn, but they moved cautiously, unsure of what—or who—was waiting in the darkness.