In a windowless room, where darkness covered all corners and the sounds of crawling insects could be heard, the girl's eyelashes fluttered rapidly and eyelids slowly lifted. The girl hissed as she felt a sharp pain coming from the back of her head making her feel dizzy. After opening her eyes, she immediately used her fingers to touch her face and looked for any cloth that could be blocking her sight. Nothing.
She gasped in fear and anxiety slowly crept in as she saw nothing, but pitch darkness around her. She couldn't tell whether she had lost her sight or was it the room that was dark. She didn't know where she was or what she should do next because all she could use to support herself is the thick cold wall that she was leaning on.
Her hands wandered around her body to look for anything that could light up or as a tool to face her enemies. What met her cold hands was something warm and soft, another person's limb. Terrified, she retracted her hands slowly as her body trembled and her lowly whispers echoed the room, "Who's there?" she asked.
"Nana, you're awake" the familiar female's voice rang Nana's ears.
"Ya Nuo!"
"Don't move. You're injured" she reminded her not to waste her energy because nobody knew how long they've been locked in this room and when they could get out.
"How did I get here..? And Nuo, are you alright?" she asked with concern as she moved closer towards Ya Nuo's direction.
Ya Nuo wrapped her arm around Nana warming her cold body up and blew hot breathes on Nana's hands while rubbing them.
Ya Nuo: "I'm not hurt, but you lost a lot of blood. Luckily I am in male disguise so I took off the bandage from my chest and used it to wrap it around your head. I'm not sure how you got here, but you most likely got attacked and was brought here."
Nana's breathing pattern was inconsistent due to the cold air that entered the room from outside and the amount of blood loss she had. This felt too familiar. It almost felt as if she traveled back in time to the younger her when she got kidnapped.
Ya Nuo felt Nana's body trembling vigorously as time passed and Nana's consciousness started to fade. Ya Nuo changed positions and hugged her from behind while she sat between her legs. Ya Nuo also took off her uniform jacket and covered Nana from the front while rubbing her body with hers to warm her up. "Nana, do you feel slightly better?"
Nana nodded in response, "Nuo… I'm glad I'm with you now. If you were alone, you would feel very scared wouldn't you?"
Ya Nuo replied, "Silly, I'd rather be alone than have an extra person dragged into this. You probably followed me and got involved right? Do you know how dangerous this is? What if they killed you?"
Nana shook her head, "I would feel worse if I knew where you were going and what you'll be facing and still do nothing about it. Just that now.. I don't know how long till we will be able to get out of here."
Ya Nuo whispered slowly into her ears, "Listen carefully, I can only tell you this once okay? Ever since I planted the app and bug in Hen Qing's phone, I can review her call, texts, and audio records daily. I already knew that she would set this kidnap plan so I purposely came knowing what is waiting for me. I already told my family and Huan Hei about this so they'll know when to come help. I came here to investigate Hen Qing's mother's whereabouts since I heard that she was held hostage. Earlier, I realized that Hen Qing was following us so I had to put on a show to trick her."
Nana: "Really? That's great. I forgot to tell you as well. Before I got knocked out, I already sent out an emergency code to my family group chat. My parents will definitely come find me. We'll be saved soon."
Ya Nuo smiled, "We came prepared. Now, we only need to stick together till that time comes. I know you're getting tired and possibly sleepy, but your body temperature is getting lower so try your best to stay awake okay?"
The chilliness of the room made Nana dry cough a few times, "Then..can I tell you a story?"
Ya Nuo pulled the jacket upwards to cover Nana's neck halfway, "Go on."
Nana: "When I was younger, I was kidnapped and brought to a dilapidated room, where I was starved and dehydrated. My lips were cracked and dried up from the lack of water. It was the same as now, except I was in a room where light exists. The temperature of the room was almost the same as now too. I still remember how my body shivered as if it was covered in cold water with ice all over me. Every second that passed felt like years. From one look, I could tell that the room used to be white, but it was then combined with filthy mud brown, yellow, gray, blue, and other earthy colors. Calling it earthy made it sound significantly better, but I swear, it was the worst experience of my life. What's worse during that time was the daily tortures of the woman from the next room. Her high pitched screams and endless curses filled my ears almost every minute I was there."
Ya Nuo's hand unconsciously tightened around Nana's shoulders. Sensing Ya Nuo's shift of emotions, Nana extended her hand and rubbed Ya Nuo's.
Nana continued, "I.. I was very fortunate that time. I thought that I was going to die and rot in that room, but an angel saved me from despair. When I was about to give up hope, a girl with long hair, ragged oversized t-shirt, and stained beige shorts snuck into the rundown room and placed a finger on her lips telling me to stay quiet. After that, she came to me and told me that there are guards outside the door so she can't help me escape through there. She started knocking on the brick wall and finally a bright smile appeared on her face. She looked at me confidently and started pulling out some loose bricks from the wall. Her pace was quick and efficient as if she was already used to the room."
At this moment, Ya Nuo's heart skipped a beat as pieces of memories started floating out in her mind, "..."
Nana smiled slightly, "After she was done, she hand gestured me to follow her from behind. Each step of the way, she was very cautious and sometimes we had to duck or stick our face flat on the dirt to avoid getting caught. Finally, we reached a small hole that was hidden by tall weeds and could only fit children or small animals. She pointed at the hole and waved her hand. I believed her and crawled out to the other side. When I looked back and tried to convince her to come with me, she shook her head helplessly. Even though we never spoke during the last 30 seconds of eye contact, I felt like she was telling me to leave and never turn back. After that, I continuously ran nonstop until I reached my house and felt my parent's embrace. I tried bringing them to the place where I escaped to look for that girl, but I couldn't remember. I didn't tell anyone what happened and what I experienced. I always hoped and wished for the girl's safety during my birthday and every night before I went to sleep."
Ya Nuo: "That girl is doing good."
Nana laughed lightly, "You don't have to comfort me."
Ya Nuo: "Because that girl is me."
Nana's eyes widened in shock, "Huh?"
Ya Nuo nodded, "You were the girl in ponytails, a strawberry hair clip, pink dress with black leggings and silver slip ons right?"
Nana: "...It's you!!"
Ya Nuo: "The world sure is small huh? Can't believe the cute girl I saved was you, hahahaha"
Nana: "Why didn't you escape with me? That Yang guy is such a bastard to you."
Ya Nuo: "Because I know a kid like me back then couldn't have saved myself from him. I'll end up reported missing or something and eventually, he will find me."
Nana: "...Nuo, I can finally tell you this myself. Thank you for saving me. If not, I might have been dead already."
Ya Nuo's eyes turned wet as the layer of tears were held back, "mmm… you're welcome."