Eun-woo walked quietly around the house until he reached a clearing where the grass thinned out, revealing a patch of damp, dark soil. The fog wasn't as thick as it had been in previous days, allowing him to better see the twisted trees surrounding the place and the grass and bushes sticking out of the ground.
He knelt beside a line of small insects moving slowly across the ground. They were tiny, about the size of a marble, bright red, and carried a kind of leaf on their bodies that seemed part of their anatomy. The leaf pulsed faintly, as if it were breathing.
Eun-woo watched the insects with curiosity, fascinated by their orderly way of moving and the way their small legs sank into the wet mud.
He knew he needed to talk to Rhys. He could no longer carry the weight of unanswered questions, doubts, and the tension that kept them both in limbo. He had to face it.
And then, as if his thought had been heard, Rhys appeared at his side.
Rhys didn't say anything. He just stood there, avoiding Eun-woo's gaze.
Eun-woo felt his throat close. He didn't know what to say. He didn't know whether to look at Rhys, reproach him, or remain silent. So he looked away at the insects and reached out to touch one.
As soon as he did, a sharp sting pierced his finger. The insect had quickly latched onto his skin and began sucking his blood with a thin, almost imperceptible structure that emerged from beneath the blade.
Rhys immediately knelt beside him and, firm yet gentle, pulled the insect from his finger. He tossed it away as blood began to drip from his finger.
"They're not doing anything wrong," Eun-woo said, finally looking at him.
"They're sucking your blood."
Eun-woo frowned.
"They're hungry."
"You can't give your blood to just any mutant thing that crosses your path," Rhys replied angrily.
"It's my blood."
"Then suit yourself."
Rhys stood up angrily, he couldn't believe Eun-woo was so careless.
"Fine," Eun-woo replied.
"But put on a sweater first," Rhys added, offering him his sweatshirt.
Eun-woo took it with both hands and slipped it on carefully, threading his arms through the sleeves as if the fabric might tear.
They fell silent again.
Rhys stood beside him, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Eun-woo, still kneeling on the damp earth, watched him silently. He wanted to say something—anything—but the words caught in his chest.
And then, the door of the house swung open.
"I have the keys!" Jae ran out excitedly. "I'm driving!"
Rhys looked disapprovingly at the door where Caelan stood smiling.
"It was the only way to please him," Caelan excused himself.
"What's wrong?" Eun-woo asked as he stood up.
Rhys hesitated for a few seconds before answering, as if sorting the words in his head.
"I know you want answers," he said plainly. "And you deserve them. But... there are things that are hard to explain to you. Things I don't even know how to begin to say, so I'm going to take you to a place where they can explain it to you."
Eun-woo looked at him calmly, without reproach, but firmly.
"Okay," he replied. "But there are some questions only you can answer. No matter how many people I know or how many explanations they give me. There are some things only you know."
Rhys was silent.
He knew it was true. He couldn't avoid Eun-woo anymore. He couldn't keep protecting him with half-truths.
"We'll have that conversation," Rhys finally said. "You and me. Alone. I promise."
Eun-woo nodded. He didn't say anything else.
Rhys extended his hand, and Eun-woo accepted it without hesitation. They walked together through the forest. In the distance, the military vehicle was waiting on the side of the road.
Jae had already settled into the driver's seat, his feet on the dashboard and a triumphant smile on his face. Seeing them approach, he rolled down the window and waved exaggeratedly.
"Get in! Come on, come on!"
Rhys and Eun-woo settled into the back of the vehicle. Minutes later, Caelan pulled up the sidewalk and took the passenger seat, giving them a knowing look.
"And Rong Ye?" Eun-woo asked, noticing his absence.
Caelan turned slightly to answer him.
"It's safer for him to stay in the house."
Eun-woo looked down thoughtfully as the engine roared and the vehicle began to pull away from the shelter.
The road trip was short, no more than half an hour, but for Eun-woo it seemed much longer.
Sitting by the window, he pressed his forehead to the misted glass and watched the changing landscape in silence. At first, the forest slowly crept past on both sides of the road, but soon the trees were replaced by cracked concrete structures, multi-story buildings with broken windows, and faded graffiti on the walls.
The streets were riddled with potholes and cracks, and the lampposts were barely standing. People were on the sidewalks. Men and women with threadbare clothing and grime on their faces, some arguing loudly, others just sitting there staring into space. Barefoot children ran through the rubble, dodging puddles and shards of glass, laughing as if the world weren't falling apart.
Rusted barrels burned in the corners, their small flames struggling to warm the air. Several people were cooking there, stirring pots over the fire.
Some stared at the military vehicle in surprise, their eyes wide and alert. Others quickly hid behind gates or under makeshift shelters, as if afraid of what the vehicle might bring.
Eun-woo couldn't take his eyes off.
As they walked further through the streets, the number of people increased. Soon, makeshift stalls began to appear. Tables piled high with produce, tarps held down with ropes, and torn awnings slung between poles. There was meat hanging from hooks, batteries, wires, rusty tools, wilted vegetables, and live animals in cages made from parts of other cages.
The entire street had turned into a hive of activity. The cries of vendors, strong smells—some spicy, others rancid—lively conversations, and colors dulled by grime.
Eun-woo blinked, amazed. It was all new to him. So far from the labs, so alien to the white corridors, and so different from confinement. Chaotic, yes, but alive.
Jae parked the vehicle far from the market, outside what looked like a collection of old warehouses. The building's concrete was stained with moisture, and some walls had cracks so deep they looked like scars.
Everyone got out of the truck.
Eun-woo looked around, confused by the location. It didn't look like a place where answers could be obtained.
"Why are we here?" he asked Rhys in a low voice.
"You'll find out soon enough." Rhys glanced at him, a small smile playing on his lips.
He took Eun-woo's hand again, as if it would keep them anchored to each other, and they walked together behind Jae and Caelan. They crossed a narrow corridor between two buildings until they reached a huge metal door.
Caelan stepped forward and knocked three times in a precise rhythm. A couple of seconds later, the door opened with a soft creak, revealing an interior that was nothing like what Eun-woo had imagined.
It wasn't an abandoned place, nor was it dusty.
Hundreds of boxes were stacked at different levels, forming narrow aisles. People were coming and going, loading merchandise, checking lists, opening packages, and organizing items. Lively voices could be heard everywhere. Quick jokes, instructions shouted from some corner, and laughter echoed between the walls.
Some people operated forklifts, others loaded boxes onto trucks with rusty license plates and makeshift doors. Women with scarves in their hair laughed among themselves as they sorted clothes, and a couple of children ran among the adults, dodging feet and boxes alike.
And then, a man approached them.
He was middle-aged, with a round face and a kind expression. He wore thick-framed glasses that slid slightly down his nose. His hair was gray, but neatly combed back, and he was wearing a paint-stained denim jacket.
"Caelan! Rhys! Jae!" the man called out, arms wide open as he spotted them.
The man hugged all three of them enthusiastically, patting their backs affectionately. Eun-woo, still holding Rhys's hand, hung back slightly. But the man turned to him with a wide smile. Before Eun-woo could react, he pulled him into a warm, firm embrace.
Eun-woo stood still for a few seconds, bewildered. He couldn't remember the last time anyone had been so openly warm with him. He didn't even know how to return the gesture.
When the man stepped back, still smiling, Eun-woo felt something in his chest loosen. As if, for the first time in ages, he wasn't just a test subject or a burden to be shielded.
There, in the middle of that warehouse full of unknown people, he felt welcomed.
"Who is he?" Eun-woo whispered, turning to Rhys.
Rhys didn't respond immediately. He took a step forward, his gaze fixed on the man with glasses.
"This is Milo," he said finally. "He's the leader of the rebels."
Eun-woo blinked.
"Rebels?"
"This place is called The Burrow," Rhys added. "It's our base of operations. Our refuge."
Eun-woo looked at him, puzzled.
"So, Rhys... aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?" Milo let out a low laugh, crossing his arms.
Rhys hesitated for a moment.
"This is Eun-woo," he said, lowering his voice after a short pause. "We took him from the Research Center."
Milo's expression changed in an instant. His smile vanished, and his gaze locked sharply onto Rhys's.
"He is…"
Rhys, Caelan, and Jae nodded silently.
Milo pressed his lips together. A shadow flickered across his eyes before he turned to Rhys, a trace of reproach in his gaze.
"We need to talk. Now."
Milo raised a hand and stopped a young woman who was pushing a box on a wheelbarrow.
"Tell Gunnar I need an urgent meeting."
The young woman nodded without stopping walking.
"You're coming too," Milo added, pointing at Caelan.
Caelan nodded.
"Stay with Eun-woo," Milo told Jae as he walked away with Rhys and Caelan. "Don't move from here."
Despite the commotion around him, Eun-woo could only watch as Rhys's figure vanished between the crates, taking with him all the answers he still didn't have.