"Where are we going?" He asked his kids wonderingly when he noticed that they were going in the middle of the forest.
Behind the grand mansion lay an expansive forest, a dark and tangled wilderness that Alrich had always felt uneasy about.
Since back then, he had brushed aside any curiosity regarding its depths; there was something overwhelmingly ominous about it, an impression that it harbored an abyss beneath the foliage. One misstep, one careless move, and he believed he would be swallowed by the inky blackness below, and they would likely never return. This unsettling notion was enough to keep him at bay, warding off any adventurous thoughts that dared to tread into that shadowy realm.
Yet today was different. The laughter of his children echoed joyfully around him, breaking through his wary thoughts.
"Come on, Dad! Don't kill the fun! Just you wait! You'll find it out." his son, Zefhan, urged, enthusiasm bubbling over.
Waiting for his response.
"Yeah! Yeah! Brother Zefhan is right, Daddy. Let's go! No need to think about it," echoed his second son, Kidlat, his voice dancing with excitement as a sudden bolt of lightning illuminated the sky.
Alrich was caught between feeling exasperated and amused, an internal struggle that brought a faint chuckle to his lips. With a giving up sigh, he decided to push his panic aside and joined his two joyful children, trailing closely behind them as they heading to the forest they wanted to explore. They trod carefully, their small frames maneuvering through the wild with an innocent grace that made him both proud and anxious.
As they emerged from the entanglement of branches and leaves, Alrich's heart raced at the sight before him. They had stepped out into a clearing—an area untouched, vibrant with the promise of adventure. It was striking how the sun filtered through the canopy, casting patches of light over the ground. Yet, beneath their feet lay an old, gnarled tree, its massive trunk sprawled sideways, acting as a bridge between the known and the unknown place. The forest beyond was dense, the trees standing like sentinels over a landscape that seemed to beckon them forward, hazy with the scent of earth and foliage.
"No way. What is this? Am I dreaming? Is this really true?" Alrich murmured, astonishment washing over him as he took in the scene, struggling to believe the oasis before him was real.
He remained blinking, as if pinching himself would wake him from a fanciful slumber. His children, innocent curiosity shining in their eyes, held his hands tightly, encouraging him to take it all in.
Together they marveled at the mesmerizing surroundings, with the distant sound of civilization creeping closer—a symphony of laughter, chatter, and bright, beckoning lights.
"We're free, Dad!" they proclaimed excitedly, their voices ringing through the air like jubilant bells.
"We're in a new world!" They raised their small arms triumphantly, a gesture that brought a smile of pride to Alrich's face.
As he knelt to meet their eager eyes, tears brimmed at the corners of his own.
" Yes, you're right. Finally… finally, we're finally free," he uttered softly, vulnerability betraying the strength he had tried to embody.
For years he had longed for this moment, dreaming of escaping the isolation that had cloaked their lives. The forest, once a thick prison, had turned into a gateway to liberty.
His heart swelled with gratitude for the two angels in his life. Without them, would he still be lost in the melancholic abyss of despair?
"Yes, Dad/daddy! Dream come true!" they chirped, their smiles radiant, embodying the very essence of hope.
Suddenly, an alarm blared in his mind—a cautionary whisper that their escape could be fleeting.
He forgot that there's still a problem that needed to face. The system that trying to stop them from what they wanted to do.
But, Alrich decided to do what he intend to do. The freedom he want, not only for him, also for his kids.
[ Alert! Alert! The Storyline has been irrevocably altered!]
With determination, Alrich straightened his back, turning to face the twins, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
'It's okay.'
"If I count to three, we will run, okay?" he instructed, his voice resolute yet playful.
The twins' expressions morphed from surprise to excitement at the challenge, their bodies eagerly readying for action.
"On the count of one…" he began, building the tension.
"Two…" the children echoed, grinning with glee.
"Three! Let's run!" he shouted, releasing their hands momentarily as they raced ahead, laughter mingling with the whispering winds of the forest.
The trio dashed forward, the exhilaration of the moment taking over. Sweat began to bead on their foreheads, but they pressed on, their spirits buoyant as they left the forgotten shadows of the mansion behind.
Running felt like freedom itself—a deliberate defiance against the oppressive isolation they had endured for five years.
"Dad, we're finally here!" his eldest exclaimed, halting as they reached a vantage point overlooking the city, vibrant lights twinkling like stars in the burgeoning dusk.
The city pulsed with life; joyous laughter echoed through the streets, families gathered around tables overflowing with food, and the rhythmic honks of cars and the distant rumble of a train filled the air with electric energy.
It was a world he hadn't truly engaged within what felt like an eternity. Memories of old resurfaced, and Alrich felt a stirring of hope.
In the past, his aspirations revolved solely around survival and self-preservation, but now his priorities have shifted. The arrival of his children had ignited a fierce determination within him; he would do anything, sacrifice everything, to provide them with a life filled with opportunity, comfort, and joy.
As he stood there, drinking in the lively panorama, he silently vowed that as long as he breathed, he would remain their unwavering guardian. They were his inspiration, and in their laughter, he found the strength to push forward, ready to embrace whatever the world had in store for them, hand in hand.