"Tae, what's going on?" I put my seatbelt in a hurry. Taeyeon is making me nervous. I can feel my heartbeat almost exploding my heart. I sat beside her on the passenger seat while Sunny is sitting on the back.
"They're on search for us. They're coming to get us, Tiffany. We need to get out of here!" She stepped on the gas and I almost bump my head at the sudden force of speed.
I feel so scared. Realization came rushing in my mind that our lives is in complete danger. Taeyeon have to drive as fast as she can or else they'll find us. And if they did, it's gonna be the end for us.
"What the hell is happening? Taeyeon? Tiffany?" I sensed that Sunny is terrified. Her voice is shaking.
"It's not the right time to tell you, Sunny. Later, okay? I promise to tell you everything. Right now you need to buckle your seatbelt and pray that we get there safe." I assured her. I didn't hear a response from her so I assume she got it.
Taeyeon is driving in full speed. The darkness of the night makes it even more terrifying. Luckily, the little lights inside the Ranch is somehow helping me to breathe.
"Open the gates." Taeyeon said on her phone. What the hell!? Why is she using phone while driving this fast? She could've just asked me to call someone for her!
My eyes widened when I saw from a distance that the huge gates of the Ranch is slowly opening and our car is speeding. I held on my seat very tightly. We might not make it! They are opening the gates too slow!
I closed my eyes tight. All I can hear is the car engine speeding fast. I am so scared that we might hit the gates. What if we're too fast and we really hit it? Gosh! We're all gonna be dead!
"Close the gates immediately. Don't let anyone in." I heard Taeyeon commanded to someone. I slowly open my eyes and I saw that we're driving outside of the Ranch now. I sigh in relief.
However, if the inside of Ranch have some lights to comfort my fear, this time, the road is dark. I see nothing but pitch black. The only source of lights we have is the lights from the car. What happened to the street lights? There are clearly light poles in here.
"Why is it so dark? There are light poles here, right?" Sunny asked from behind, worry and fear is evident on her voice.
"Someone turn it off for us." Taeyeon replied in gritted teeth. My eyes widened. Right. Sooyoung knew that we're always out every weekend. And we always tell them that we're just in the Ranch! Why out of all weekends they chose to find us now that we're really at the Ranch!? I mean, we're always at the Shakespeare. This is the first time we're really just inside the ranch. Wow. The timing.
"Where are we going exactly?"
"Safe house. It's 1 hour and 30 minutes away from here. So we need to hurry."
An hour and thirty minutes!? That means it's quite far! I hope we get there safe. I think we could get there for just 45 minutes. Taeyeon's driving so fast. And it scares me because we couldn't see anything around us. It's completely dark. What if something comes out of nowhere in front of us? Oh gosh.
Suddenly, Taeyeon turn right. I almost bump my head and I saw Sunny fell over on the back. "What the hell, Tae!?"
"I'm sorry." She said. I look up to her and I saw her eyes sending daggers on the road. Why does she look so mad? I furrowed my eyebrows.
Once again, she turn right. Where is she going? Is this the way to the safe house she's talking about?
"Tae..."
"Trust me." She clenched her jaw and once again turn right. I'm starting to feel bad about this.
"In 1 minute, I'll turn right once again. Now, I want you girls to keep your eyes wide. We will enter the woods. And I will turn off the headlights." She instructed like a crazy instructor.
"What!?"
"Are you insane!?"
"We have to do this! Now keep your eyes around us. If you saw something suspicious, immediately report it." She didn't even wait us to give our response when she turn right and immediately turn off the headlights. What's more crazy is that she's still speeding the car! We're in the middle of the woods! She could've hit a huge tree or an animal or something in here!
But we decided to trust her. I kept my eyes wide, looking around our surrounding. I can see that Sunny is doing the same thing. While Taeyeon is focus in front of us. I see nothing but the huge trees outside. It's completely dark and Taeyeon's driving fast so I can't really clearly see anything outside. Just when I thought I saw some lights, Taeyeon turn right once again. Why does she kept on turning right though?
Suddenly, she surprised us by stepping on the break. She turn off the engine and I look at her confusingly. We're definitely not at the safe house she's talking about. We're just in the middle of the woods!
"Tae..."
"Shhh! It's okay. Trust me." She held my hand and caressed it using her thumb. It immediately calm my nerves. I felt warm. She gives me this sense of comfort that tells me I'm safe. So I nod my head, showing her that I do really trust her.
Even though it's dark, I can see that she gave me a sweet warm smile before kissing my hand softly. I know it's weird to say this but heck! She gives me butterflies in my stomach even though we're in the middle of the woods for who knows why!
Suddenly, we heard cars around us, they are speeding like hell too! I froze in my seat. I subconsciously held Taeyeon's hand tightly. We all fell in deep silence while listening to the cars pass through us. I jumped on my seat when I saw a few cars drive pass in front of us. They are literally like 6 feets away from us! I look around and just then I realized that there's a small cabin beside us. This is a good hiding spot! Wow. Taeyeon is amazing. Now I know why she turn off the engine. She knew that they are behind us!
"You knew that they are behind us!?" I couldn't help but to voice it out.
"Yes."
"How?"
"When I was driving on the road a while ago, I saw a few cars from our back trailing us behind. To make sure, I had to turn right more than 4 times to confirm if they are indeed following us. And yeah. Before I turn to enter the woods I saw them still on our back. Since it's dark and I know every corner of this woods, I decided to turn off the lights so they can't follow us easily. But I know that they are going to search for us no matter what so I hide us behind this small cabin." She explained gently. The more I hear about it the more amazed I become. She's dang clever!
"Who are they?" I was startled to see Sunny's head between Taeyeon and I.
"Gosh, Sunny! You scare me!" I protested.
"The Chois." Taeyeon answered her question.
"What? How do you know?"
"We will tell you everything once we reach the safe house. For now you have to go back to your seat and wear your seatbelt. We will leave now."
"Are you crazy? They are still here!"
"They will search for us until the other exit of the woods. It will take some time before they come back to find us here. And we will take that as our advantage to escape." While speaking, Taeyeon turn on the engine but still with the headlights off.
"Again, keep your eyes wide open. Report any suspicious movements, person, or things you saw around us." She gave us a serious look. I nod my head frantically. I'm scared to death!
With that, Taeyeon stepped on the gas as she drove fast to the direction we went a while ago. I hope they won't notice us leaving the woods.
---
Jessica's POV
Krystal and I are laughing while watching a comedy show when someone barged in. What the hell? How did he enter? I stood up and hide my sister to my back. I won't let anyone hurt her.
"Relax, Jessica. We're here to save you." He said.
"Who are you? And save us from what?" I furrowed my eyebrows.
"I am Mr. Hwang. I'm sure Taeyeon had mentioned me to you. We have to leave now. The Choi family got a lead of your hiding place."
"But what about Taeyeon?"
"We will meet them at the safe house. For now, we need to leave for your safety."
Taeyeon did told me before about Mr. Hwang. I knew that he is Tiffany's father, and that he is helping to solve this case. So without further a do, we followed him inside a car. I saw dozens of armed men with him. They are assisting us.
"Is she safe?" I asked in worry. I can't help it. Taeyeon helped me a lot. She had put my safety first and is ready to accept every blame just to save me and my sister. She have done too much of good deeds for me and I owe her my whole life.
"She needs to be. She's with my daughter. Don't worry. I sent her men to escort them. They will be safe." He said. Although he looks tough, I can sense that he's dying in worry too.
"Let's go!" He commanded and immediately, our car drove fast and more cars drive in front and at the back of us to secure us.
I hope Taeyeon is safe right now. I can't forgive myself if anything happened to her.
Later on, we arrived safely. The safe house is huge. There are men inside and outside of the house, securing us. I went inside hand and hand with my sister. She's so terrified. She's shaking in fear.
"Jessica! Krystal!" I heard a familiar voice call us out. Then I saw Taeyeon's mom at the living room. With a tearful eye, I run to hug her. She suffered a lot. And I miss her so much.
"Auntie!" I hugged her tight and she did the same.
"Thank goodness you're safe!" She said. How can she worry about us if she's the one who's actually the most in danger?
"I'm so happy you're back, auntie." I cried. She's like a second mom to me before. And she'll always be.
"I know. I'm glad too. Krystal, dear." She pull away from me as she hugged my sister.
"Aigoo... You're shaking." She said worriedly. "Come here, let's take a sit. Can someone please get me a towel or a comforter?"
"Auntie, t-thank you for s-saving me that d-day." Krystal stuttered for too much shaking.
"Shhh! Hush, my dear. You are very welcome. I did what I needed to do. For now, you need to calm down. You are safe now." She said calmly. Her voice is enough to soothe us. She's very motherly. And her face have nothing but a sense of comfort and safety.
"How did you escaped, Auntie?" I asked out of curiosity.
"Taeyeon's uncle tracked my whereabouts. The Chois hide me on an abandoned storage. The Kwons have helped to save me." She summarized.
"The Kwons?" I furrowed my eyebrows.
"Yes." She smiled.
"Jessica." At the same time, someone call out for my name. I look up to see a woman with a gun on her hand.
"Yuri." I said in a low tone of voice. She was about to take a step closer when suddenly, Mr. Hwang shouted angrily.
"What!? Where is Tiffany?"
"Mr. Hwang, what's happening?" Taeyeon's mom stood up. She seems very worried.
Mr. Hwang then turn the speaker on and immediately, we heard gunshots from the other line. I stood up to see what's going on. My eyes widened when I saw the caller's id. It's Taeyeon!
"Dad, I'm here. We're trapped. We need back up." I heard Tiffany spoke.
"I'm coming, princess. No matter what happen, listen to Taeyeon's order. We will get you." He said and immediately hang up the phone.
"They are beside the woods near Shakespeare. There are men blocking their way. I will go out with my men to get them. Don't worry, Mrs. Kim. We will save everyone." He said and immediately left with his men.
My knees weakened at the thought of Taeyeon in danger. I fell over. Luckily, Krystal is just beside me and the couch is just behind. I can't lose Taeyeon. She's done a lot for me.
"Jessica! Are you alright?" Yuri went to me. She held my arm worriedly.
"You have your men, right?" I asked her in daze.
"Yes. They are here to tighten the security." She replied.
"We are safe here, Yuri. Besides we have the Kim's men around this house. While Taeyeon is out there without a back up! Please tell your men to save her. Please Yuri." I begged her. I don't care how I look like now but all I know is Taeyeon is out there and her life is in danger.
Yuri stared at me for a good few seconds before nodding her head.
"We will leave immediately." She said as she stood up to call her men.
They left like she said. Taeyeon please be safe.
---
Tiffany's POV
Like I expected, we are back to the main road. There is no other way to go in and out of this place other than this road. So we have no choice but to drive here.
"Why aren't you still turning on the headlights, Taengoo?"
"Safety precautions. They could've been hiding somewhere waiting for us for all I know. It's safe not to give them the chance to see us."
"How come they're looking for us now?" I furrowed my eyebrows.
"My uncle and his men got my mom, Tiffany. She's free! We got her and she's safe. But The Choi family is on the search for me now. They wanted to get me in exchange of my mother. And Siwon is looking for you too." She clenched her jaw.
"Wait, what? The Chois kidnapped your mother!?" Sunny is so shock to hear about this.
"Yes."
"Oh my gosh."
We fell in deep silence after that. I see nothing but trees around us. Why is there no single car at all? Is this all planned?
From a distance, I saw few cars blocking the way. Armed men are all over it.
"Tae..." I call out worriedly.
"I see it. Shit!"
"There's a huge tree over there. Let's hide there for now." Sunny suggested while pointing at the huge tree near them.
"Let's do that while waiting for my men." Taeyeon then did what she said. She turn off the engine as she dialled something on her phone.
"Where the hell are you!? There are armed men blocking the road. Hurry and distract them!" She ordered to someone then hang up her phone.
"I'm sorry I can't do anything for now. I do have a pistol but it's not enough to defeat all those men. They are armed with rifles. The number of them is no joke too. The only thing I can do now to make sure your safety is to hide here while we wait for my men." Taeyeon held my hand lovingly as she apologize to me.
"You don't need to say sorry, Tae. This is not your fault. If there's someone to be blame, it's the Chois. Not you. You're nothing but a kind, selfless, lovely person to me. To all of us." This time, it's my turn to kiss the back of her hand. I want her to feel the same thing she makes me feel everytime she kisses mine.
"I love you, Tiffany." She said wholeheartedly.
"I love you, Taeyeon." I replied as we connect our foreheads together, eyes staring at each other, hands clasped together not wanting to let go.
I jumped on my heat when I heard loud gunshots. "Get down!" I heard Taeyeon shouts and the next thing I knew is I'm being push down with her on top of me, trying to protect me like as if I'm not protected enough.
I glanced at Sunny and she's just as down as I was. It turned out, Taeyeon actually pushed her down too. I can see Taeyeon's hand still laying at Sunny's back while her other hand is pushing me down, not giving me a chance to even peek of what's going on outside.
I saw her move a little. She turn on her phone and I was more than surprised to see her calling my father.
"Mr. Hwang, there are armed men in front of us, blocking our way. My men are trying to distract them but I'm worried that it will take some time. By the time they manage to distract them, I'm afraid the Chois may have catch us up. They are literally just inside the woods and they have probably heard the gunshots and is on their way to see what's going on here." She explained to my father. Just then I realized how dangerous this is. Like how much our lives are in danger.
"What!? Where is Tiffany?" I heard my father said.
"Dad, I'm here. We're trapped. We need back up." I spoke to lessen his worry.
"I'm coming, princess. No matter what happen, listen to Taeyeon's order. We will get you." He didn't wait for my response as he immediately hang up. I sighed. Please let us be safe.
The gunshots seems to be non-stop. It's all over the place. And it's very near to us. I know that we're hiding behind a huge tree but we won't take risk. Bullets are everywhere and there's still a chance that it'll hit us. That's why I understand why Taeyeon is keeping us low.
"Clear the way for me. I'm moving." Taeyeon said to someone on her phone. My eyes widened. Is she insane!?
"You can't come out yet, Ms. Kim! They are still on the same spot. There's a lot of them." I heard a man replied.
"Damn it! I can see a few cars on our back. It could be the Chois! Clear the way!" She shouted angrily.
"Tae.."
"Stay low, Tiffany." She ordered in full authority. I was so scared but I'm more worried for her. She sat up and turn on the engine. The same time I saw the headlights from a few cars behind us. They are near!
"Shit!" Without further a do, she stepped on the gas, speeding to the enemies in front.
***
Thank you for reading! ❣️🇵🇭
I'm sorry I haven't been updating for a few days. I was actually on the edge to stop writing. But thank you for always waiting. I appreciate your comments. I realized that writing is the only passion that I'm not ready to give up. Stay safe everyone! We are near the ending. 💛