Shadow Dancing | K.TH

Escape

I was really doing this.

The overwhelming anxiety shows in my body, more dramatic and pronounced than usual. Painful tingles spark up my spine and limbs as the said body parts flicker in and out of existence— the movements so violent that I can barely see the red, puckered scars on the exposed skin.

Fresh wounds from the day before decorates the top of faded scars, painting the skin with varying shades of scarlet and crimson. That's not all— ugly bruises that I'd rather keep hidden pokes out from underneath the loose bandages I'd wrapped around the new cuts, most of them already soaked and drying with blood.

To sum it up in a few words, it felt like I was going to die. And imagine this: this was actually considered one of my better nights. There were times that I was immobilized and barely alive— every breath a painful shudder up my sticky throat.

But no more.

I was going to do this, and there was no going back.

The night air is fresh and tinged with a chill that makes me feel alive— a precious feeling that I hadn't had the privilege to feel in a long time.

Bye, father. I hope I never see you again.

The thought is vibrant with life in my mind as I shyly reach out the windowsill, wrapping my hand around the metal bar above. This was the one time my father had forgotten to secure the closet window, and he would pay for his mistake— forever.

Just imagining his face when he realized that I wasn't in for his experiments the next day made me want to burst out in laughter.

My fingers brush against the knife I'd hid against my thigh— a small comfort for my thundering heart. And right now, I needed all the consolation I could get.

I couldn't mess this up.

And then I jump, my lips clamped shut to keep myself from screaming as gravity takes its hold on me, pulling me down, down, down.

This was a lot different than I'd imagined.

And not to mention, the ground was farther than I'd thought it would be.

I barely see the surface of yellowed grass as I curl my body into a tight ball, nearly biting my tongue off as my wounded back meets with freedom.

And just like that, I had escaped from the most highly guarded compound that Korea had ever known.

Even though my back felt like it was about to shatter and I could taste the familiar metal in my mouth, I was grinning so hugely that my lips were starting to hurt.

I shouldn't have known to celebrate so early.

A sudden blare of red sirens light up the quiet night, breaking the tranquil silence that had accompanied the darkness.

Time to go.

Spinning on my heel, I dive into the midst of crowded buildings and alleys— knowing I would have the best chance of survival there. When I glance back, I see black shadows of men—their targets all the same.

To capture a weak, wounded girl—which unfortunately happened to be me.

Ignoring the stings that each stride brought, I weave through shops and houses as fast as I can. Adrenaline pumps through my blood as my feet hits the pavement, which also meant that my body must be glitching in and out like crazy.