To the end

19

Fractured ties & the new hope

The sun streamed through the curtains of the empty dining room, its golden light contrasting with the heavy silence hanging over the house. Kim sat alone at the table, absentmindedly stirring his coffee. The warmth in the cup did nothing to soothe the chill in his chest. For the first time in years, his home no longer felt like one.

Venice and Leiah had not spoken to him since the argument about Ken. Their absence was like a shadow, looming at every turn. They didn't greet him in the mornings, didn't ask for help with homework, and their laughter-once the melody of the house-was nowhere to be heard.

Kim sighed, glancing at his phone. He'd spent the night thinking about the letter and what lay ahead at Thargen, but the guilt over his children's silence gnawed at him. Was I too harsh? Did I lose them?

The sound of footsteps broke his thoughts. Venice and Leiah stood in the doorway, their faces unreadable. Kim's heart skipped a beat.

"Do you want something to eat?" he asked softly, trying to bridge the distance.

Leiah shook her head. "We just want to talk."

Kim gestured for them to sit, but they remained standing. Venice, always the braver of the two, spoke first. "We don't understand why you're so angry, Papa. We're not trying to hurt you."

Kim placed the cup down, bracing himself. "It's not about anger, Venice. It's about respect. Decisions like this-calling Ken 'Dad'-they aren't yours to make. Especially not behind my back."

Venice frowned, his young face creasing with frustration. "We just wanted to feel like other kids.... You're all we have, and you're always so... alone."

Leiah chimed in, her voice breaking. "We thought Ken made you happy. He made us happy. We're sorry we didn't tell you, but... why can't you move on from Dad Vegas?"

The mention of Vegas struck like a dagger. Kim's fingers curled into fists. "This isn't about moving on. Vegas is-" He stopped, his throat tightening. "You wouldn't understand."

Venice's eyes filled with tears, his tone hardening. "You're selfish, Papa. You only care about what you feel, not about what we need. Ken was good to us. He was kind. He cared when you didn't. And now you're just pushing him away like you push everyone away!"

Kim's hand tightened around the mug, his knuckles white. "Stop. Please. Can we just stop talking about this topic?"

Venice frowned, his young face hardening. "Why? Because it hurts you? It hurts us, too, Papa! Do you know how hard it is at school? Kids laugh at us because we don't have a mom. Now we don't even have Ken, and you're always busy or angry. We just wanted someone to care about us."

Kim's jaw tightened, his voice low. "You think I don't care? I have done everything to protect you, to give you a life where you don't have to face the pain I've faced."

Venice's tears brimmed over, but his voice didn't waver. "Protect us? Or protect yourself? We're not stupid, Papa. We know you're still holding onto Dad Vegas. You can't move on, and now you're punishing us because we tried to."

Leiah nodded, her tears silent but constant. "We're sorry if it hurt you, but why can't you just let us be happy? Ken wasn't replacing Dad Vegas. He was just... here when we needed someone."

Kim's control slipped, his voice rising. "Vegas is not replaceable! You don't know what you're talking about, and I'm not having this discussion anymore. End of topic."

Venice stepped back, shaking his head. "Fine. Don't talk about it. But we're still going to miss Ken. And no matter what you say, Papa, we think he was better for us than you are right now."

Kim flinched as if he'd been struck. "Venice, that's enough-"

But the children turned and left, leaving Kim in the suffocating silence of his own emotions. He gripped the edge of the table, breathing heavily. For the first time in years, he felt truly alone, the echoes of his children's words ringing in his ears

Vegas sat in the cold, damp basement, his wrists bound tightly by the cold metal cuffs. The dull thud of footsteps echoed from the hallway outside, and he tensed, waiting. The guards had been getting more aggressive lately, and each day felt more suffocating than the last. But today, something was different. Today, it was finally happening.

Thant walked into the dimly lit room, his footsteps silent against the stone floor. His face, usually calm, was filled with purpose. He quickly knelt beside Vegas, who looked up at him with a mix of exhaustion and desperation.

“It’s time,” Thant whispered, his voice low but firm. “My father is leaving for the island today. He doesn’t know about the plan, but the guards will be distracted. This is our chance.”

Vegas met his gaze, the weight of the situation settling on his shoulders. “Thant, you’re sure? This could go wrong. What if they catch us?” he asked, his voice laced with doubt. The thought of trying to escape had been terrifying for so long, but now, with Thant’s words, hope flickered in his chest.

Thant’s eyes hardened with resolve. “It won’t go wrong. I’ve made sure the route is clear. You just need to trust me.”

The sound of a distant door opening echoed through the basement. Thant’s eyes narrowed, signaling that they didn’t have much time.

“Come on,” Thant urged. “We have to move now. My father is leaving soon, and when he does, there will be less security around the mansion.”

Vegas nodded. His heart was hammering in his chest as he slowly stood, shaking off the stiffness from sitting in the cold for so long. He had never been so close to freedom, and the feeling both terrified and exhilarated him. But there was no turning back now.

“What’s the plan?” Vegas asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“The guards will be focused on my father’s departure,” Thant explained as he unfastened the cuffs, his fingers steady. “They’ll be busy preparing for his boat. That’s when we move. I’ll guide you to the exit, but after that, it’s on you. There’s a boat waiting for us.”

Vegas swallowed hard. “And when we reach the dock?”

“I’ll be there. You’ll be free,” Thant replied, his tone unwavering.

The heavy silence in the basement was suffocating as Vegas took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. This was it. There was no more waiting, no more hoping. He had to escape, or he would die in this place, a prisoner forever.