10 years ago, all around the globe, the leaders of every nation agreed to validate a law granting all citizens the right to create a balance in their respective nations, except for one region named Rory, which remained isolated from the world. Even after 10 years, the commoners in this region had no liberty or laws to protect them, leading to their exploitation. They were either subjected to intense labor or sold in the market as slaves. The rebels who stood against the king and nobles were imprisoned, tortured to death, or forced into eternal labor. The country's nobles enjoyed wealth and power, while the workers and commoners starved.
In the evening, in the land of Rory, Carlo, an 11-year-old boy, was gazing out of the window when he suddenly noticed a group of soldiers marching towards his house. In that moment, he ran to his mother to notify her about the soldiers outside. Unexpectedly, they heard the sound of people breaking in. They were frightened by the sudden arrival of the soldiers. One of the soldiers pointed a sword at them and warned them to lay face down on the surface. Two soldiers approached and handcuffed both Carlo and his mother. The soldier informed them that the man of the house was part of the revolt, and since he went against the law, they would face the same fate. Carlo and his mom were surprised.
Later, they were dragged out of the house and saw that the neighborhood had fallen into complete silence. The forces began unloading containers filled with flammable substances. The scene was horrifying for Carlo and his mom as they watched their house burn in the raging blaze.
Three years had passed since that incident, and Carlo had grown in both age and resilience. During his time in prison, he endured nightly whippings and torture at the hands of the guards. A year ago, he received the devastating news that his mother had been transferred to another prison. Helpless to protect her, he was informed a few days ago that his mom had died. The suffering he had endured only fueled his determination to escape.
For months, Carlo meticulously observed the guards' routines and memorized the layout of the prison. He discovered that there was a 30-minute gap in patrol times. He also noticed that the floor of his cell was made of removable wood floorboards. On one fateful night, when the guards were off duty, Carlo seized the opportunity to remove one of the floorboards. Beneath it, he discovered a plenum, a one-foot space between the ground and the floor, which allowed him to excavate the dirt without alerting anyone.
Using the steel plate and bowl he was given for meals, Carlo began his nightly digging. He carefully concealed the floorboards in his blanket and covered the hole with his mattress while he continued his operation. Month after month, he persistently carried out his plan. In the span of eleven grueling months, he created a channel that connected to the drain tunnel, as described by his fellow prisoners.
During his time in the prison, Carlo overheard a guard mention that the tunnel led to the sea. Following the route for hours, he finally caught sight of the bright blue sea. He rested for an hour before using the equipment he had to construct a flotation device that would keep him afloat in the water. With renewed determination, Carlo plunged into the sea, hoping to cross the border of his country.
He swam tirelessly for five hours, battling exhaustion and the vastness of the sea. There were moments when he felt like giving up—his body temperature dropping, his vision fading. The path ahead seemed to be an endless expanse of water. But as he pushed through, he noticed a faint image approaching him. Two individuals emerged, trying to pull him out of the sea. Carlo realized he had been rescued and found himself on a boat. He had successfully crossed the boundary and was now in a foreign land.
THE END