I rushed back to my room, my heart still racing after breakfast.
I quickly locked the door.
Slowly... I opened my hand.
The small key Arin had given me was still there.
I stared at it for a moment.
What does this open...? I whispered.
My eyes moved around the room.
Everything looked normal.
Then... The wardrobe.
Something about it felt strange.
I walked toward it and opened it.
Just clothes. Nothing unusual.
I was about to close it.
but I noticed something at the back.
A small hidden keyhole.
With shaking hands, I inserted the key.
For a second... Nothing happened.
Then the panel inside the wardrobe slowly opened.
Behind it... a dark, narrow passage.
I stepped back, shocked.
A secret path..?
Arin's word echoed in my mind.
"Your only chance.."
I took a deep breath.
I was scared but I had no other choice.
Slowly... I stepped inside.
The panel closed behind me.
My heart started pounded again.
The passage felt endless.
Dark, silent, dangerous.
I walked slowly. Every step felt like a risk.
Then suddenly---
A hand grabbed my wrist.
I gasped.
Before I could react , I was pulled into the shadows.
"Quiet,".... the voice said.
I froze.
It was -- The Boss.
He was standing right in front of me.
Closer than ever before.
How did you get here..? he asked softly.
I couldn't answer.
His eyes stayed on mine.
Then his gaze dropped....
To my hand.
For a second, I thought it was over.
But instead of reacting..
He stepped closer.
Too close.
I could feel his breath.
" You are brave than I thought ", he murmured.
I didn't move.
His hands slowly lifted.
And gently closed over mine.
Hiding the key.
" Don't show this to anyone," he whispered.
I looked up at him.
"Why are you helping me..?"
He didn't answer immediately.
His eyes softened... just for a second.
"Because..." he said quietly.
"You are not like others."
My heart beat faster.
Not from fear this time.
Something else...
Something I didn't understand.
Then suddenly, he stepped back.
"Go back," he said coldly.
"Before someone see you."
Just like that... he was gone.
I stood there... frozen.
One thought repeating for my mind.
Why did it feel like.. he was protecting me.?