𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐫 || 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐖𝐨𝐧

Chapter 1

Wonwoo grimaced as his calf cramped, and he tried to stretch his leg in the confines of his seat as the bus trundled along the road. He’d been traveling for days, and it was beginning to feel as if he’d never reach his destination. His stomach ached, reminding him of how long it had been since he’d last eaten. The last of his cash had gone to his bus ticket, and he hadn’t dared use his ATM card since he’d taken off. No one could know where he was going.

He huddled tighter into himself and rested his head against the window, watching the passing scenery. It was an hour before dawn, the world full of gloom and shadows.

The man next to him snored loudly, and Wonwoo covered one ear with a hand, shutting his eyes and trying to imagine he was somewhere else. Somewhere that didn’t smell of unwashed travelers and stale cigarettes.

He woke as the bus creaked to a halt, the PA crackling loudly as the driver spoke. “Trailbarn Station, final stop. Everybody off.”

The man beside him got up and lumbered away, but Wonwoo stayed seated a few more minutes as the rest of the bus passengers pushed their way off. Only when the bus was almost empty did he stand, grabbing his backpack and making his way to the front. The cool air gushing in from the open door made him shiver, and he paused a moment to zip up his jacket for some meager protection from the elements.

“If you’re continuing on to Kellinch, better get a move on,” the driver warned. “They’re about to leave without you.”

But Wonwoo’s ticket had taken him as far as it could. He was on his own from here.

“Thanks,” he muttered, climbing out and walking in that direction. If they did manage to track him as far as the bus, he wanted them to think he had journeyed onward. The harder he concealed his final destination, the better.

He made as if to join the line for the second bus but ducked around the side of the block that housed the station’s bathrooms instead. He waited there for a few minutes, tugging out his phone as he tried to get his bearings. Before he’d left, he’d removed the sim card and turned off every setting that might reveal his location to anyone looking. Then he’d switched it off to conserve power and only turned it on long enough to check the map he’d downloaded. Squinting at the screen, he could see he was still a good distance from his destination. Forty, maybe fifty miles. At least a day’s walk. Probably longer, given he was weak and hungry. What he wouldn’t give for a home-cooked meal. Just like his grandfather used to make on Sundays.

The sound of a bus pulling away jerked him back to reality. He needed to get out of there before someone saw him dawdling. The way out of the bus station led to another road, but from the sound of it, there wasn’t much traffic.

He might be able to hitchhike, but it wasn’t a smart idea so close to his destination. Small towns meant people talked, and a lone omega hitchhiking along the road near the bus station in a place like this would raise eyebrows at best. At worst, it would walk him right into the sort of trouble no omega wanted to be in. His only alternative was to stay off the road. The land around the bus station was mostly fields, though one side was overgrown with thickets. It wouldn’t be fun to walk in, but chances were, no one would notice him there.

After a quick glance around to make sure he wasn’t being watched, he hurried to the station fence and climbed over it. He landed hard on the other side, feeling a twinge of pain in his ankle. He ignored it and crouched, using the fence as cover as he made his way around. The second bus pulled away, the engine protesting every push of the accelerator.

Wonwoo took one last look around and then pushed his way into the overgrown thicket. Branches and thorns scraped at his skin and clothes and tugged at his hair. What a sight he’d make when he finally reached the orchard.