Caged (Chapter 27)
Title: Caged (Chapter 27)
Characters/Pairings: Kyuhyun, Sungmin, eventual!KyuMin, Siwon, Han Geng, Hyukjae, Donghae, eventual!Eunhae
Rating: R
WARNINGS: Implied sex/rape, disturbing situations, physical abuse/torture, language
Genre: au, angst, drama
Summary: It is a world full of dirt, abuse, selfishness and greed. It is an even worse world for a slade. A slade is a type of slave that is trained for a different form of manual labor. In today's terms, a prostitute of sorts. However, slades are purchased permanently and for one master only. Each slade has their own form of training, their own past, their own story. When four slades are forced to accept the idea that there is a world outside of their own, do they dare try to escape? Do they even have enough of their old selves left to be able to?
~~~~~
Siwon and Hankyung walked into the basement with four trays of breakfast. All of the slades were still asleep.
Siwon walked up to Kyuhyun's and Sungmin's cage door and unlocked it instead of waking the two slades up. He placed the trays on their desk and moved to the pair on the bed.
The two slades were facing each other, completely intertwined. Kyuhyun's head was tucked against Sungmin's chest, his arms wrapped around the elder's back. Sungmin's face was tucked comfortably in Kyuhyun's hair, his arms holding Kyuhyun close to him.
They looked so peaceful that Siwon didn't want to wake them; however, today was the day.
“Kyuhyun? Sungmin?” Siwon said softly as he knelt down beside the sleeping slades. Neither of them moved, so he reached out and shook Kyuhyun's shoulder gently. “Kyuhyun?”
Kyuhyun twitched slightly, groaning at being woken up. But he felt so warm and safe, so he tucked himself back into Sungmin.
“Kyuhyun, don't go back to sleep.” Siwon spoke up a bit louder.
“Huh?” Kyuhyun said, surprised to hear Siwon's voice. He turned slightly, trying his best to remain in Sungmin's grasp. “What are you doing?”
“I need to wake you guys up. We are leaving today.”
Kyuhyun's eyes widened and he began to sit up, causing a still sleeping Sungmin to stir.
“Relax.” Siwon said, putting a hand to the slade's shoulder. “We aren't leaving now, Iljun is still here. But soon. It's happening Kyuhyun.”
“What?!” Kyuhyun's and Siwon's attention were drawn to the cage next to them. Hankyung was crouched down next to Donghae's and Hyukjae's bed, obviously telling them the same thing Siwon was telling Kyuhyun. Sungmin also finally woke up with the exclamation.
“Shh. We are leaving soon.” Hankyung repeated. Upon hearing how soon they were all to leave, Hyukjae had sat up in, shouting in disbelief.
He just couldn't believe that it was actually happening. He had been so nervous and so scared to ask help from Jungwoo. And even once Jungwoo agreed to help, there was always a voice in the back of his head that said it could never happen. But now, now it was happening. He had done it; they were going to be free in 24 hours.
Hyukjae grasped at his chest, still in shock, as Donghae flew up in bed and pulled the slade into a tight hug.
“You did it Hyukjae.” Hankyung confirmed with a wide smile on his face; he too was going to be free because of the brave slade's actions.
“We just need all of you to eat all of your breakfast, okay.” Siwon said sternly, getting to his feet and speaking for everyone in the room to hear. “You will need all the strength you can get...and we aren't exactly sure when we will be able to get a full meal once we leave.”
Kyuhyun nodded as he rushed out of bed and grabbed the two trays from his desk, bringing them back to the bed to help Sungmin eat.
“We are going to leave right after lunch, if Iljun has left by then. You will need to eat all of your lunch, as well, understand?” Siwon announced.
“Right after lunch?” Sungmin whispered in disbelief.
“Just a few hours, Sungmin.” Siwon responded with a gentle smile on his face. “Eat your food, and get ready. We will be back later.”
“Kyuhyun...” Sungmin mumbled, staring at the ceiling once he heard the double doors close behind the guards. He had tried to sit up, but he was too sore to get up on his own.
“I know.” Kyuhyun responded. He had begun to pick at the breakfast trays, but he let his hands rest on his lap as he took in the entirety of the situation. “You're going to be free, Sungmin. We are going to be free.”
All four of the slades sat in silent disbelief. For nearly the entirety of all of their lives, they had been brainwashed into believing there was no other future for them besides being their master's slades-freedom was never an option. It was hard for them to believe, it was hard for them to accept that it was actually going to happen-they were all going to be free.
~
Jungwoo was currently in his room searching for as many backpacks and carry-on bags that he could find.
There was a knock at his door that made him jump. He quickly threw the bags he had found back into his closet before he walked to the door.
“What?” Jungwoo asked harshly, expecting it to be his father. “Oh...”
“Can I come in?” Seri, Iljun's hired nurse asked, a sad smile on her face.
“Of course.” Jungwoo said as he stepped to the side, closing his door behind Seri.
“You're leaving today, right?” Seri asked, immediately getting to the point.
Jungwoo nodded, dropping his eyes to the floor at the sad look in the eyes of who he considered to be a second mother to him.
“Good.”
Jungwoo looked up and caught her eyes. He wished he hadn't-he could see clear tears lining her eyes.
“Come with us.” Jungwoo tried to convince her, again. “We can all get out of here. Come with us.”
“Jungwoo, stop. We both know someone needs to be here to guide Iljun off your trail. This was already decided, Jungwoo. Don't make it more difficult.” Seri said, trying her best to wipe away the tears that had managed to fall.
“But if we all leave, he will have no idea where to look for us. There won't be a need for someone to send him off our trail.”
“But there is a chance he would find us quicker that way, Jungwoo, and you know this. Please stop. It's good enough for me that you are getting away, paving your own future.”
“But-”
“No, Jungwoo. You're not going to fight me on this anymore.” Seri said as sternly as she could, even though her voice cracked.
Jungwoo rubbed at his eyes harshly, caught off guard by the tears that suddenly filled his eyes. When he looked at Seri, he could see that she, too, was now fully crying.
Quickly, Jungwoo moved to Seri and hugged here, tucking his head against her shoulder, finally letting his tears fall.
“It's okay; it will be okay. It's not like we will never see each other again. It will just take a while.” Seri managed to get out through sniffles. As much as Jungwoo looked to her as a second mother, she looked to him as her son. It will be hard to let her son go, but she knows it is only for his best.
“I'll come back for you, Seri.” Jungwoo mumbled against her shoulder. “I promise.”
“I know, Jungwoo. I know you will.”
After a moment, Jungwoo pulled away from the hug.
“I want you to be careful, Jungwoo. Be aware of everything and stay safe, understand?” Seri said, holding Jungwoo at arms length. “Especially...especially from Iljun.”
Jungwoo nodded. “I will. I got...Um..I have something to keep us safe.”
“What? Is it why you went out the other day? What do you have?”
“Nothing...Just know I'll be safe.” Jungwoo didn't want to worry her anymore than he already was.
“Jungwoo...”
“Please don't worry about it.” Jungwoo insisted. “Everything will be fine. Trust me.”
Seri hesitated slightly, but nodded. “Where ever you go, write me and let me know you are alright.”
“I will.”
Seri pulled Jungwoo into another tight embrace. “I love you, Jungwoo. I know I'm not your mother, so this doesn't matter as much, but you've made me so proud of you. Even with Iljun as your father, you've grown into you own person. I'm so proud of you.”
Jungwoo could hear the crack in Seri's voice that indicated she was crying again.
“Seri, you are my mother. My real mother left me by myself with Iljun, knowing what he had become. I love you, Seri. I'll miss you so much. I promise I will come back for you.”
“I know Jungwoo, I know.”
~
It was 11:24am when Siwon and Hankyung came back down to the basement. Between the two, they held three backpacks.
“Here, I want you to fit everything you can in here, but make sure you can still carry it.” Siwon said as he pushed one backpack through the slot in Kyuhyun's and Sungmin's cage door. Hankyung slid two backpacks through Hyukjae's and Donghae's cage door.
“Just one?” Kyuhyun asked when he noticed Hyukjae and Donghae each had their own.
“I want Sungmin to only focus on himself. I don't want him holding a bag. Between Hankyung, Jungwoo and myself, we will pack a few extra things for him, don't worry.”
“What about Sora?” Sungmin spoke up from his position on the bed.
“Who?” Siwon asked with a cock of his head.
“His bunny.” Kyuhyun answered.
“Oh...I...I'll talk with Jungwoo about that.”
“We can't leave her.” Sungmin said sternly. He had never asked for anything, always taking what was given to him, good or bad. But there was no way he was going to leave his bunny here on her own.
“I'll talk with Jungwoo.” Siwon repeated when Hankyung came to his side.
“I'm not leaving without her.” Sungmin said, a bite clear in his voice. Kyuhyun turned to him, slightly shocked at how dangerously serious the elder slade sounded.
Siwon flinched back. “I'll talk with Jungwoo, now.” Siwon made eye contact with Hankyung before leading him through the double doors.
“What should we bring?” Donghae asked anyone who was listening as he stared into his backpack.
“Clothes and all the water bottles you still have.” Hyukjae answered as he made his way to their shared bureau. Hyukjae somehow jumped right into a survival mindset; where it came from, he didn't know.
Kyuhyun emptied about half of his and Sungmin's bureau into his backpack and moved back to Sungmin on the bed.
“I'll bring your cream, too.” Kyuhyun said as he picked up the cream he had used on Sungmin just after they had finished their breakfast. He noticed Sungmin cringe at the mention of the antiseptic cream. “I know it hurts you, but it will keep you healthy.”
Sungmin nodded in understanding.
“Is...Is there anymore room in there?” Sungmin mumbled, trying to look into the backpack without disturbing his sore body.
“Actually, yeah, a lot.” Kyuhyun said, surprised, himself, at how much room was left. Although as he thought about it, none of the slades owned much to begin with. “Why?”
“Can...Can you fit in Sora's food?” Sungmin asked timidly.
Kyuhyun wanted to protest, wanted to say that somehow, Siwon, Hankyung, and Jungwoo would figure out a way of getting Sora out with them, that they didn't need to worry about it. But the panicked look in Sungmin's eyes changed his mind.
“Of course.” Kyuhyun responded as he moved to the bunny's cage to retrieve the box of food that was kept onto of the cage.
“We won't leave her here, Min.” Kyuhyun said once he returned to the bed and fit the box of food nicely into a tiny pocket.
Sungmin nodded.
“Is...Is there still room?” Sungmin asked.
“Yeah, why?”
“Can you fit a book? I liked when you read to me.” Sungmin said, moving his eyes to his fingers that were fiddling with the blanket.
Kyuhyun chuckled at how shy Sungmin was suddenly. “Sure, Min. Which book do you want? I can probably fit a few.”
Sungmin shrugged. “I don't know. I don't know what any of them are. Just pick the ones that you like.”
“Okay, Min.” Kyuhyun said as he made his way to their bookshelf.
“What are you doing, Donghae?” Hyukjae asked as he fit the last piece of clothing from their shared bureau into his backpack. He had turned his attention to the other slade to see him stuffing things from their desk into his backpack.
“I still have room, and I don't want to leave my drawings. And the paper and pens...I can draw more picture with them. I don't want to leave them.” Donghae responded, not looking up from his task.
Hyukjae was about to protest, but as he made his way to Donghae's side, a picture caught his eye.
“Donghae. What's this?” Hyukjae asked, picking up the picture that caught his attention.
“It's...Um...” Donghae looked at it, but then turned his gaze downward.
“What is this? What is it supposed to be?” Hyukjae asked again, turning to face Donghae.
Donghae just shrugged.
“Donghae. I'm not mad, I just want to know what this is. Please tell me.” Hyukjae felt bad for seemly scaring the slade; he didn't mean to. He just really wanted to know what the younger slade had drawn.
“It's...It's us.” Donghae said as he pointed to his drawing.
Hyukjae looked back at the child-like drawing. The colors were wrong for what everything was supposed to be, but there was clearly a sun, a tree, flowers, a pond with a fish, and a house. In front of the house and next to the little pond were four stick figures. They were in pairs, two stick figures holding hands, while the other pair held hands.
“And this is-” Hyukjae began, pointing to the other pair of stick figures.
“Sungmin and Kyuhyun.” Donghae finished his sentence.
“You drew this?” Hyukjae asked, already knowing the only possible answer.
Donghae nodded timidly.
“That's really going to happen, now.” Donghae said as he pointed to the picture, a toothy grin forming on his lips.
“Yeah. You're right, Donghae. This is really going to happen now.” Hyukjae said as he pulled Donghae into a hug, tucking his head into the younger's neck.
“Do you like the drawing?” Donghae asked, a bit surprised at Hyukjae's reaction.
“I do, Hae. I really do. It's really good.” Hyukjae mumbled into the slade's neck.
~
At 12:16pm, Siwon and Hankyung returned to the basement, this time with four lunch trays.
“We will be leaving really soon.” Siwon whispered to Kyuhyun. Hankyung was doing the same with Hyukjae and Donghae. “Everything is packed?”
Kyuhyun nodded, his eyes wide as reality was setting in a bit more.
“Good. Eat all of you lunch, pack the waters, and be prepared. Once we start, we are going to move quick, understand?”
Kyuhyun nodded, again.
“What about Sora?” Sungmin asked. Siwon had been whispering, but Sungmin had been able to make out his words.
“Don't worry, Sungmin, she is coming with us.” Siwon said with a bit of a smile towards the slade. “Hankyung will be taking care of her.”
“Okay.” Sungmin mumbled. He could feel a satisfied and relieved smile form on his face.
“She will be in safe hands, I promise, Sungmin.” Hankyung said as he stood next to Siwon.
Sungmin nodded from his bed.
“But Kyuhyun, I will need you to help me with Sungmin.” Siwon said, going back to whispering.
“I know. I wasn't just going to let him fend for himself to begin with.” Kyuhyun said instantly. The entire time he thought about escaping that morning, it was his plan to be beside Sungmin the whole time, making sure the other was keeping up with everyone.
“Good. We will do this.” Siwon said reassuringly for everyone to hear. “Eat quick. The next time we come down, we will be leaving.”
The slades all nodded in unison as the guards left.
They ate together, in their usual spots; however, this time, they were silent. Each slade was too shocked, too nervous, too unbelieving of what was about to happen that speaking, and even eating, was a challenge.
Once the finished their meal, the slades packed up the water bottles and sat in silence, again. Every once in a while, one would peak at the time on the clock, and a chill would run down his spine. As the time went on, the closer the slades got to becoming free men.
~
At 1:36pm, all four of the slades jumped as the double door swung open. With wide eyes, they watched as Hankyung and Siwon approached the cage doors, keys in hand.
“Get up quickly.” Siwon ordered. As he rushed into Kyuhyun's and Sungmin's cage.
“We are leaving?” Donghae asked as he put on the backpack that Hyukjae handed him.
“Yes, we are leaving now. Move quickly.” Hankyung rushed out as he ushered the two slades out of their cage.
“Come on, Sungmin. I know it hurts, but you need to help me, too, okay?” Siwon said as he struggled to hold Sungmin up on his own.
“I got you.” Kyuhyun said quickly as he moved Sungmin's other arm over his shoulder, helping Siwon to help the slade stand and walk.
“Sora...” Sungmin got out between hisses and pants at having to move too quickly.
“I got her, don't worry.” Hankyung said quickly as he rushed into their cage and grabbed Sora's cage.
“Careful with her.” Sungmin winced out as they made it through the double doors, Hankyung, Hyukjae, and Donghae leading the way.
“Don't worry, Sungmin. I'll take care of her.” Hankyung said as he rushed up the stairs.
In the lobby, the two guards and four slades met with Jungwoo.
“Is he okay?” Jungwoo asked, looking towards Sungmin.
“He'll be fine. We can make it.” Kyuhyun said sternly. He didn't want anyone to think Sungmin was going to slow them down.
“Siwon, you still have the thing I gave you right?” Jungwoo asked.
“It's in my pocket. Why?” Siwon answered.
“How can you use it if you are helping him?” Jungwoo asked. He didn't want to sound like he didn't care. In fact, he did care which is why he wanted Siwon to be able to use what he had given him easily.
Siwon paused a moment, he didn't have an answer.
“We aren't leaving him!” Kyuhyun yelled, glaring at Jungwoo. Had it been about anything or anyone else, Kyuhyun would never have had the guts to stand up so willingly to a master.
“I wasn't even thinking that.” Jungwoo said, taken aback. “Do you think you could carry him on your back?”
Kyuhyun nodded instantly.
“Put your backpack on him, and carry him on your back.” Jungwoo ordered.
Siwon moved carefully, making sure Sungmin wasn't going to fall as he took Kyuhyun's backpack off and put it on Sungmin. He then help the elder slade climb onto Kyuhyun's back.
“You're okay?” Siwon asked once Kyuhyun was standing, carrying all of Sungmin's weight on his back, his arms wrapped around the slade's legs.
“I'm fine.” Kyuhyun said. He was surprised at how light Sungmin actually was.
“Are we ready?” Jungwoo asked, looking around at all of the slades and the guards. Everyone nodded silently, clearly nervous about what was about to happen.
Jungwoo nodded, as well. “Let's go.”
The slades each shared a nervous glance before following Jungwoo of the front door.
Kyuhyun felt Sungmin tense and heard him gasp as they stepped outside for the first time in weeks. Both slades squinted at the sudden brightness that met their eyes.
Even during training, Slades rarely went outside. It was so sunny out and the slades weren't used to it.
Kyuhyun gave Sungmin legs a squeeze of reassurance as he continued to follow the others to a van Jungwoo had waiting. As quickly as he could, Siwon took all of the backpacks and loaded them in the trunk area, while Hankyung put Sora's cage in the back seat.
Everyone turned as Hyukjae suddenly spoke. “Who's that?”
Jungwoo froze as a familiar car drove up to the house. “Shit.”
to be continued...
Final
a/n Can I be called the Queen of Cliffhangers? Don't kill me for it :)
Characters/Pairings: Kyuhyun, Sungmin, eventual!KyuMin, Siwon, Han Geng, Hyukjae, Donghae, eventual!Eunhae
Rating: R
WARNINGS: Implied sex/rape, disturbing situations, physical abuse/torture, language
Genre: au, angst, drama
Summary: It is a world full of dirt, abuse, selfishness and greed. It is an even worse world for a slade. A slade is a type of slave that is trained for a different form of manual labor. In today's terms, a prostitute of sorts. However, slades are purchased permanently and for one master only. Each slade has their own form of training, their own past, their own story. When four slades are forced to accept the idea that there is a world outside of their own, do they dare try to escape? Do they even have enough of their old selves left to be able to?
~~~~~
Siwon and Hankyung walked into the basement with four trays of breakfast. All of the slades were still asleep.
Siwon walked up to Kyuhyun's and Sungmin's cage door and unlocked it instead of waking the two slades up. He placed the trays on their desk and moved to the pair on the bed.
The two slades were facing each other, completely intertwined. Kyuhyun's head was tucked against Sungmin's chest, his arms wrapped around the elder's back. Sungmin's face was tucked comfortably in Kyuhyun's hair, his arms holding Kyuhyun close to him.
They looked so peaceful that Siwon didn't want to wake them; however, today was the day.
“Kyuhyun? Sungmin?” Siwon said softly as he knelt down beside the sleeping slades. Neither of them moved, so he reached out and shook Kyuhyun's shoulder gently. “Kyuhyun?”
Kyuhyun twitched slightly, groaning at being woken up. But he felt so warm and safe, so he tucked himself back into Sungmin.
“Kyuhyun, don't go back to sleep.” Siwon spoke up a bit louder.
“Huh?” Kyuhyun said, surprised to hear Siwon's voice. He turned slightly, trying his best to remain in Sungmin's grasp. “What are you doing?”
“I need to wake you guys up. We are leaving today.”
Kyuhyun's eyes widened and he began to sit up, causing a still sleeping Sungmin to stir.
“Relax.” Siwon said, putting a hand to the slade's shoulder. “We aren't leaving now, Iljun is still here. But soon. It's happening Kyuhyun.”
“What?!” Kyuhyun's and Siwon's attention were drawn to the cage next to them. Hankyung was crouched down next to Donghae's and Hyukjae's bed, obviously telling them the same thing Siwon was telling Kyuhyun. Sungmin also finally woke up with the exclamation.
“Shh. We are leaving soon.” Hankyung repeated. Upon hearing how soon they were all to leave, Hyukjae had sat up in, shouting in disbelief.
He just couldn't believe that it was actually happening. He had been so nervous and so scared to ask help from Jungwoo. And even once Jungwoo agreed to help, there was always a voice in the back of his head that said it could never happen. But now, now it was happening. He had done it; they were going to be free in 24 hours.
Hyukjae grasped at his chest, still in shock, as Donghae flew up in bed and pulled the slade into a tight hug.
“You did it Hyukjae.” Hankyung confirmed with a wide smile on his face; he too was going to be free because of the brave slade's actions.
“We just need all of you to eat all of your breakfast, okay.” Siwon said sternly, getting to his feet and speaking for everyone in the room to hear. “You will need all the strength you can get...and we aren't exactly sure when we will be able to get a full meal once we leave.”
Kyuhyun nodded as he rushed out of bed and grabbed the two trays from his desk, bringing them back to the bed to help Sungmin eat.
“We are going to leave right after lunch, if Iljun has left by then. You will need to eat all of your lunch, as well, understand?” Siwon announced.
“Right after lunch?” Sungmin whispered in disbelief.
“Just a few hours, Sungmin.” Siwon responded with a gentle smile on his face. “Eat your food, and get ready. We will be back later.”
“Kyuhyun...” Sungmin mumbled, staring at the ceiling once he heard the double doors close behind the guards. He had tried to sit up, but he was too sore to get up on his own.
“I know.” Kyuhyun responded. He had begun to pick at the breakfast trays, but he let his hands rest on his lap as he took in the entirety of the situation. “You're going to be free, Sungmin. We are going to be free.”
All four of the slades sat in silent disbelief. For nearly the entirety of all of their lives, they had been brainwashed into believing there was no other future for them besides being their master's slades-freedom was never an option. It was hard for them to believe, it was hard for them to accept that it was actually going to happen-they were all going to be free.
~
Jungwoo was currently in his room searching for as many backpacks and carry-on bags that he could find.
There was a knock at his door that made him jump. He quickly threw the bags he had found back into his closet before he walked to the door.
“What?” Jungwoo asked harshly, expecting it to be his father. “Oh...”
“Can I come in?” Seri, Iljun's hired nurse asked, a sad smile on her face.
“Of course.” Jungwoo said as he stepped to the side, closing his door behind Seri.
“You're leaving today, right?” Seri asked, immediately getting to the point.
Jungwoo nodded, dropping his eyes to the floor at the sad look in the eyes of who he considered to be a second mother to him.
“Good.”
Jungwoo looked up and caught her eyes. He wished he hadn't-he could see clear tears lining her eyes.
“Come with us.” Jungwoo tried to convince her, again. “We can all get out of here. Come with us.”
“Jungwoo, stop. We both know someone needs to be here to guide Iljun off your trail. This was already decided, Jungwoo. Don't make it more difficult.” Seri said, trying her best to wipe away the tears that had managed to fall.
“But if we all leave, he will have no idea where to look for us. There won't be a need for someone to send him off our trail.”
“But there is a chance he would find us quicker that way, Jungwoo, and you know this. Please stop. It's good enough for me that you are getting away, paving your own future.”
“But-”
“No, Jungwoo. You're not going to fight me on this anymore.” Seri said as sternly as she could, even though her voice cracked.
Jungwoo rubbed at his eyes harshly, caught off guard by the tears that suddenly filled his eyes. When he looked at Seri, he could see that she, too, was now fully crying.
Quickly, Jungwoo moved to Seri and hugged here, tucking his head against her shoulder, finally letting his tears fall.
“It's okay; it will be okay. It's not like we will never see each other again. It will just take a while.” Seri managed to get out through sniffles. As much as Jungwoo looked to her as a second mother, she looked to him as her son. It will be hard to let her son go, but she knows it is only for his best.
“I'll come back for you, Seri.” Jungwoo mumbled against her shoulder. “I promise.”
“I know, Jungwoo. I know you will.”
After a moment, Jungwoo pulled away from the hug.
“I want you to be careful, Jungwoo. Be aware of everything and stay safe, understand?” Seri said, holding Jungwoo at arms length. “Especially...especially from Iljun.”
Jungwoo nodded. “I will. I got...Um..I have something to keep us safe.”
“What? Is it why you went out the other day? What do you have?”
“Nothing...Just know I'll be safe.” Jungwoo didn't want to worry her anymore than he already was.
“Jungwoo...”
“Please don't worry about it.” Jungwoo insisted. “Everything will be fine. Trust me.”
Seri hesitated slightly, but nodded. “Where ever you go, write me and let me know you are alright.”
“I will.”
Seri pulled Jungwoo into another tight embrace. “I love you, Jungwoo. I know I'm not your mother, so this doesn't matter as much, but you've made me so proud of you. Even with Iljun as your father, you've grown into you own person. I'm so proud of you.”
Jungwoo could hear the crack in Seri's voice that indicated she was crying again.
“Seri, you are my mother. My real mother left me by myself with Iljun, knowing what he had become. I love you, Seri. I'll miss you so much. I promise I will come back for you.”
“I know Jungwoo, I know.”
~
It was 11:24am when Siwon and Hankyung came back down to the basement. Between the two, they held three backpacks.
“Here, I want you to fit everything you can in here, but make sure you can still carry it.” Siwon said as he pushed one backpack through the slot in Kyuhyun's and Sungmin's cage door. Hankyung slid two backpacks through Hyukjae's and Donghae's cage door.
“Just one?” Kyuhyun asked when he noticed Hyukjae and Donghae each had their own.
“I want Sungmin to only focus on himself. I don't want him holding a bag. Between Hankyung, Jungwoo and myself, we will pack a few extra things for him, don't worry.”
“What about Sora?” Sungmin spoke up from his position on the bed.
“Who?” Siwon asked with a cock of his head.
“His bunny.” Kyuhyun answered.
“Oh...I...I'll talk with Jungwoo about that.”
“We can't leave her.” Sungmin said sternly. He had never asked for anything, always taking what was given to him, good or bad. But there was no way he was going to leave his bunny here on her own.
“I'll talk with Jungwoo.” Siwon repeated when Hankyung came to his side.
“I'm not leaving without her.” Sungmin said, a bite clear in his voice. Kyuhyun turned to him, slightly shocked at how dangerously serious the elder slade sounded.
Siwon flinched back. “I'll talk with Jungwoo, now.” Siwon made eye contact with Hankyung before leading him through the double doors.
“What should we bring?” Donghae asked anyone who was listening as he stared into his backpack.
“Clothes and all the water bottles you still have.” Hyukjae answered as he made his way to their shared bureau. Hyukjae somehow jumped right into a survival mindset; where it came from, he didn't know.
Kyuhyun emptied about half of his and Sungmin's bureau into his backpack and moved back to Sungmin on the bed.
“I'll bring your cream, too.” Kyuhyun said as he picked up the cream he had used on Sungmin just after they had finished their breakfast. He noticed Sungmin cringe at the mention of the antiseptic cream. “I know it hurts you, but it will keep you healthy.”
Sungmin nodded in understanding.
“Is...Is there anymore room in there?” Sungmin mumbled, trying to look into the backpack without disturbing his sore body.
“Actually, yeah, a lot.” Kyuhyun said, surprised, himself, at how much room was left. Although as he thought about it, none of the slades owned much to begin with. “Why?”
“Can...Can you fit in Sora's food?” Sungmin asked timidly.
Kyuhyun wanted to protest, wanted to say that somehow, Siwon, Hankyung, and Jungwoo would figure out a way of getting Sora out with them, that they didn't need to worry about it. But the panicked look in Sungmin's eyes changed his mind.
“Of course.” Kyuhyun responded as he moved to the bunny's cage to retrieve the box of food that was kept onto of the cage.
“We won't leave her here, Min.” Kyuhyun said once he returned to the bed and fit the box of food nicely into a tiny pocket.
Sungmin nodded.
“Is...Is there still room?” Sungmin asked.
“Yeah, why?”
“Can you fit a book? I liked when you read to me.” Sungmin said, moving his eyes to his fingers that were fiddling with the blanket.
Kyuhyun chuckled at how shy Sungmin was suddenly. “Sure, Min. Which book do you want? I can probably fit a few.”
Sungmin shrugged. “I don't know. I don't know what any of them are. Just pick the ones that you like.”
“Okay, Min.” Kyuhyun said as he made his way to their bookshelf.
“What are you doing, Donghae?” Hyukjae asked as he fit the last piece of clothing from their shared bureau into his backpack. He had turned his attention to the other slade to see him stuffing things from their desk into his backpack.
“I still have room, and I don't want to leave my drawings. And the paper and pens...I can draw more picture with them. I don't want to leave them.” Donghae responded, not looking up from his task.
Hyukjae was about to protest, but as he made his way to Donghae's side, a picture caught his eye.
“Donghae. What's this?” Hyukjae asked, picking up the picture that caught his attention.
“It's...Um...” Donghae looked at it, but then turned his gaze downward.
“What is this? What is it supposed to be?” Hyukjae asked again, turning to face Donghae.
Donghae just shrugged.
“Donghae. I'm not mad, I just want to know what this is. Please tell me.” Hyukjae felt bad for seemly scaring the slade; he didn't mean to. He just really wanted to know what the younger slade had drawn.
“It's...It's us.” Donghae said as he pointed to his drawing.
Hyukjae looked back at the child-like drawing. The colors were wrong for what everything was supposed to be, but there was clearly a sun, a tree, flowers, a pond with a fish, and a house. In front of the house and next to the little pond were four stick figures. They were in pairs, two stick figures holding hands, while the other pair held hands.
“And this is-” Hyukjae began, pointing to the other pair of stick figures.
“Sungmin and Kyuhyun.” Donghae finished his sentence.
“You drew this?” Hyukjae asked, already knowing the only possible answer.
Donghae nodded timidly.
“That's really going to happen, now.” Donghae said as he pointed to the picture, a toothy grin forming on his lips.
“Yeah. You're right, Donghae. This is really going to happen now.” Hyukjae said as he pulled Donghae into a hug, tucking his head into the younger's neck.
“Do you like the drawing?” Donghae asked, a bit surprised at Hyukjae's reaction.
“I do, Hae. I really do. It's really good.” Hyukjae mumbled into the slade's neck.
~
At 12:16pm, Siwon and Hankyung returned to the basement, this time with four lunch trays.
“We will be leaving really soon.” Siwon whispered to Kyuhyun. Hankyung was doing the same with Hyukjae and Donghae. “Everything is packed?”
Kyuhyun nodded, his eyes wide as reality was setting in a bit more.
“Good. Eat all of you lunch, pack the waters, and be prepared. Once we start, we are going to move quick, understand?”
Kyuhyun nodded, again.
“What about Sora?” Sungmin asked. Siwon had been whispering, but Sungmin had been able to make out his words.
“Don't worry, Sungmin, she is coming with us.” Siwon said with a bit of a smile towards the slade. “Hankyung will be taking care of her.”
“Okay.” Sungmin mumbled. He could feel a satisfied and relieved smile form on his face.
“She will be in safe hands, I promise, Sungmin.” Hankyung said as he stood next to Siwon.
Sungmin nodded from his bed.
“But Kyuhyun, I will need you to help me with Sungmin.” Siwon said, going back to whispering.
“I know. I wasn't just going to let him fend for himself to begin with.” Kyuhyun said instantly. The entire time he thought about escaping that morning, it was his plan to be beside Sungmin the whole time, making sure the other was keeping up with everyone.
“Good. We will do this.” Siwon said reassuringly for everyone to hear. “Eat quick. The next time we come down, we will be leaving.”
The slades all nodded in unison as the guards left.
They ate together, in their usual spots; however, this time, they were silent. Each slade was too shocked, too nervous, too unbelieving of what was about to happen that speaking, and even eating, was a challenge.
Once the finished their meal, the slades packed up the water bottles and sat in silence, again. Every once in a while, one would peak at the time on the clock, and a chill would run down his spine. As the time went on, the closer the slades got to becoming free men.
~
At 1:36pm, all four of the slades jumped as the double door swung open. With wide eyes, they watched as Hankyung and Siwon approached the cage doors, keys in hand.
“Get up quickly.” Siwon ordered. As he rushed into Kyuhyun's and Sungmin's cage.
“We are leaving?” Donghae asked as he put on the backpack that Hyukjae handed him.
“Yes, we are leaving now. Move quickly.” Hankyung rushed out as he ushered the two slades out of their cage.
“Come on, Sungmin. I know it hurts, but you need to help me, too, okay?” Siwon said as he struggled to hold Sungmin up on his own.
“I got you.” Kyuhyun said quickly as he moved Sungmin's other arm over his shoulder, helping Siwon to help the slade stand and walk.
“Sora...” Sungmin got out between hisses and pants at having to move too quickly.
“I got her, don't worry.” Hankyung said quickly as he rushed into their cage and grabbed Sora's cage.
“Careful with her.” Sungmin winced out as they made it through the double doors, Hankyung, Hyukjae, and Donghae leading the way.
“Don't worry, Sungmin. I'll take care of her.” Hankyung said as he rushed up the stairs.
In the lobby, the two guards and four slades met with Jungwoo.
“Is he okay?” Jungwoo asked, looking towards Sungmin.
“He'll be fine. We can make it.” Kyuhyun said sternly. He didn't want anyone to think Sungmin was going to slow them down.
“Siwon, you still have the thing I gave you right?” Jungwoo asked.
“It's in my pocket. Why?” Siwon answered.
“How can you use it if you are helping him?” Jungwoo asked. He didn't want to sound like he didn't care. In fact, he did care which is why he wanted Siwon to be able to use what he had given him easily.
Siwon paused a moment, he didn't have an answer.
“We aren't leaving him!” Kyuhyun yelled, glaring at Jungwoo. Had it been about anything or anyone else, Kyuhyun would never have had the guts to stand up so willingly to a master.
“I wasn't even thinking that.” Jungwoo said, taken aback. “Do you think you could carry him on your back?”
Kyuhyun nodded instantly.
“Put your backpack on him, and carry him on your back.” Jungwoo ordered.
Siwon moved carefully, making sure Sungmin wasn't going to fall as he took Kyuhyun's backpack off and put it on Sungmin. He then help the elder slade climb onto Kyuhyun's back.
“You're okay?” Siwon asked once Kyuhyun was standing, carrying all of Sungmin's weight on his back, his arms wrapped around the slade's legs.
“I'm fine.” Kyuhyun said. He was surprised at how light Sungmin actually was.
“Are we ready?” Jungwoo asked, looking around at all of the slades and the guards. Everyone nodded silently, clearly nervous about what was about to happen.
Jungwoo nodded, as well. “Let's go.”
The slades each shared a nervous glance before following Jungwoo of the front door.
Kyuhyun felt Sungmin tense and heard him gasp as they stepped outside for the first time in weeks. Both slades squinted at the sudden brightness that met their eyes.
Even during training, Slades rarely went outside. It was so sunny out and the slades weren't used to it.
Kyuhyun gave Sungmin legs a squeeze of reassurance as he continued to follow the others to a van Jungwoo had waiting. As quickly as he could, Siwon took all of the backpacks and loaded them in the trunk area, while Hankyung put Sora's cage in the back seat.
Everyone turned as Hyukjae suddenly spoke. “Who's that?”
Jungwoo froze as a familiar car drove up to the house. “Shit.”
to be continued...
Final
a/n Can I be called the Queen of Cliffhangers? Don't kill me for it :)