Chapter 3: Survival Takes a Struggle
Alex had been a detective for years, so getting Lukas out of prison would have been quite easy for him.
But there was one thing: If he helped him, he'd lose his entire career as a detective and end up in prison for life.
So… was he really going to do it?
"Some carry their burdens alone,
Some find someone to share them with."
A day or two later, Lukas receives a phone call.
Alex: Hey, brother. It's me, Alex.
Lukas: Did you make the plan? How's it going to work? When?
Alex: I can't do this… I'm sorry.
Lukas felt crushed and hung up the phone.
There was no one left to heal his wounds now.
It was like a candle lighting his darkness—
And now… even that had been blown out.
Everything was dark now.
Lukas felt crushed and hung up the phone.
There was no one left to heal his wounds now.
It was like a candle lighting his darkness—
And now… even that had been blown out.
Everything was dark now.
"Sometimes I want to cry without question.
I don't know why…
I wonder, is everything I've lived through this heavy?
Or… is there still worse to come?"
Lukas murmured to himself.
Seeing him like this, Frank asked:
Frank: What now? What's with that face?
Lukas: Nothing. Just leave me alone.
As Frank was walking away, he turned back and said:
Frank: If there's a problem, tell me. I'll help.
Lukas couldn't hold back:
Lukas: Why? Why do you suddenly want to help me? Huh? What's in it for you?
Frank: I know how you feel.
He walked over to his bed, pulled a photo from his bag, and started crying.
Lukas had never seen him like this before.
No matter how much they hated each other, those words hit Lukas where it hurt.
Even though Frank himself was in pieces… he felt pity for someone else.
Days passed, but Emma still couldn't come to terms with her son's pain.
Then… a message came to her phone from an unknown number:
"Mom, I'm here. Come to me. — Your son, Jake."
Emma felt both joy and sorrow.
Because… before she could reach him… they would throw Jake in jail.
But a mother would risk everything for her child.
Even if it meant hiding him from the police.
But… would she tell Lukas?
Even though he wasn't her real son, Lukas had been a true father to him…
She had to tell him.
When Emma arrived at the location Jake sent, she saw her son and hugged him as if they had been apart for years.
Emma: "Why did you do this, son?"
Jake: "I'll tell you everything, Mom. But first… let's get out of here."
When they stepped out of the old, abandoned building, a black car was waiting for them.
Alex was inside.
Jake, looking panicked:
Jake: "Get in, Mom. Now!"
Emma was confused.
She didn't know who Alex was.
Back in prison…
Lukas, overwhelmed by Frank's chatter and his own anxiety, started writing stories to himself.
On toilet paper, with a ten-year-old pen hidden in his torn shirt,
He poured out his pain, his life, his thoughts… onto scraps of paper.
One of Lukas's notes read:
"This man… that man… that broke man.
No income, no hope.
One day… a stranger comes along and ruins what little life he had left."
The more Lukas wrote, the more he felt…
Maybe, just maybe… it was a kind of therapy.
Frank didn't interfere.
In the car, Jake, Emma, and Alex rode in silence.
Emma was holding back, but the tension in the car was so thick she didn't dare speak.
They drove into the deep woods, to an old wooden shack.
Alex parked the car.
Alex: "I'll get some food. Be right back."
Emma: "Jake! Tell me everything. Who is this man? Why did you do that to your father? Tell me everything!"
Jake: "Calm down, Mom. Please."
Emma: "No! Tell me now! Right now!"
Jake snapped:
Jake: "Why don't YOU start, Mom?"
Emma: "What are you talking about?"
Jake: "I found out I was adopted…
That Lukas wasn't my real father…
Right before I shot him."
Emma: "What? How? From who?"
Jake: "Doesn't matter.
But even though he wasn't my real dad… I'm glad Lukas was my father."
Emma stared in shock.
Emma: "Are you insane? If you love him so much, why did you shoot him?!"
Jake: "Because my real father is a bastard.
He threatened me…
Either I kill Lukas… or he kills you…"
Jake broke down in tears before he could finish his sentence.
Emma took his hands gently:
Emma: "It's okay… Calm down. I'm here. Tell me everything… from the beginning."
Jake:
"You weren't there that night…
But you wouldn't understand anyway.
One of the cops… was my real father. That piece of shit.
It all happened so fast.
One night… I got a letter.
Inside… a location.
I went there.
A deep, rough voice called out.
Then this fat man in a suit came towards me…
He sprayed me with something… and I woke up on the ground."
Emma: "What are you saying? Why didn't you tell me this before?"
Jake:
"Because it happened… just seven hours before I shot Lukas.
A few days earlier, Lukas saw a man like this in his dream…
And that man had left a letter for him too…
With a location…
And three days later…
I went through the exact same thing."