That night, after Jack left, the house was quiet. Felin sat alone, deep in thought, while Melin lay on the floor staring at the ceiling. The words of Jack's father—Fedrick—kept echoing in Melin's mind. But more than that, he couldn't stop thinking about the golden chain he saw around Fedrick's neck. It was exactly like the one his father used to wear—a chain Felin had once told them was custom-made, one of a kind.
Melin sat up and looked at his father.
"Dad... can I ask you something?"
Felin turned slowly, his eyes serious. "Go ahead."
"Did you ever own a gold chain… with a lion symbol carved into it?"
Felin's face changed immediately. His hands froze, and for a moment, he didn't speak. "Why are you asking that?"
"I saw it today," Melin replied. "Around Jack's dad's neck. It looks exactly like the one you used to have. You told me it was one of a kind."
Felin stood up slowly, breathing heavily. "Are you sure?" he asked.
"Yes, I saw it clearly," Melin said. "It was on his neck as we left the hotel."
Felin walked to the corner of the room and sat in silence. Memories flooded his mind—his time in the Red Cult, the betrayal, the night he ran away with that very chain still around his neck. The fact that Fedrick had it now could only mean one thing: someone close to him had stolen it—or Fedrick had taken it himself.
"Listen to me carefully, Melin," Felin said finally. "You must stay away from that man. Jack may be a good person, but his father is dangerous. That chain belonged to me. If he's wearing it now, then he knows who we are. He knows we're alive."
"But Jack is my friend—" Melin started to say.
"I know, son. And I'm not asking you to stop being his friend," Felin said, his voice calm but firm. "I'm asking you to be careful. Jack may not know who his father really is."
Meanwhile at the Hotel...
At that same moment, Fedrick sat in his office, turning the chain slowly in his hands. It wasn't just a necklace—it was a warning. A reminder of the man who had betrayed the Red Cult years ago and disappeared: Felin.
He opened a locked drawer and pulled out a file with Felin's picture and details—faded but still clear. His fingers drummed on the desk.
"So… your son is friends with my son," he said quietly to himself. "Interesting. Very interesting."
Back at Home
The next day, Felin called his three sons together. He looked each one in the eyes and said, "There are things about my past that I've hidden from you. Things I never wanted you to know. But it seems time has caught up with us."
"What do you mean, Father?" Celin asked.
"I mean we may no longer be safe here," Felin replied. "We may have to move again."
Melin stepped forward. "No, Father. Let me handle this. Let me be the one to find out what Fedrick knows. Let me protect our family."
Felin looked at him with a mix of pride and fear. "You're brave, son. But you must be smart too. The Red Cult destroys anything in its way."
Melin clenched his fist. "Then I'll find a way to stop them."
The other day
The sun hadn't yet risen over San-Jamb City, but the streets were already alive with whispers, shadows, and quiet tension. Inside a small, hidden apartment near the outskirts, Felin packed what little they had. His heart was racing.
He had made up his mind.
They couldn't stay any longer.
After hearing Melin's report about Fedrick—a known Red Cult leader—wearing his chain and living so close, Felin knew it was only a matter of time before the cult made a move. They had found him.
He couldn't let his sons be caught in the crossfire.
"Wake the others," he whispered to Melin. "We leave before sunrise."
Within minutes, Celin and Kelin were ready, groggy but obedient. Their mother, still unable to hear, held onto Felin's shoulder as he guided her gently through the door. Melin looked back once at the tiny place they had called home, his fists clenched.
They walked through back alleys, avoiding the market, the main road, and most especially the hotel district. Felin had memorized every escape route from his days in the cult. But San-Jamb City had changed—and so had the Red Cult.
What he didn't know was that Fedrick had already sent word.
A Red Cult informant spotted Felin and his family slipping through the narrow streets near the abandoned railway station. A signal was sent. The hunt had begun.
The Chase
As the family neared the edge of the city, sirens suddenly blared in the distance—followed by motorcycles revving and fast-moving vehicles. Red flares lit up the early morning sky. Felin's eyes widened.
"They've found us," he said in a harsh whisper. "Run!"
He grabbed Celin and Kelin by the hand and motioned for Melin to hold onto his mother. Together, they ran through the broken fences near the old train yard. Melin kept glancing behind, catching glimpses of dark vans and men in red hoods spreading out in pursuit.
Suddenly—
Bang!
A warning shot was fired into the sky.
Melin ducked with his mother behind a shipping crate, shielding her with his body. Felin turned sharply, yelling, "Keep going! I'll lead them away!"
"No, Dad!" Melin shouted.
But it was too late. Felin bolted in the opposite direction, drawing attention toward himself. He knew how the Red Cult operated—once they had a target, they never stopped. If he could distract them, his family might escape.
Felin ran through the railyard, vaulting over crates and ducking behind walls. For a moment, it seemed like he might get away. But as he turned a corner—
He stopped cold.
Five red-hooded men stood there, already waiting.
One of them stepped forward slowly. It was Fedrick himself.
"Well," he said calmly, "after all these years. The lion finally comes home."
Felin didn't respond. He knew there was no escape now.
Fedrick gestured, and two men grabbed Felin, shackling his hands tightly behind his back.
"You thought you could run forever?" Fedrick whispered. "You should've stayed buried."
Felin looked him dead in the eyes. "You'll never touch my sons."
Fedrick smirked. "We'll see."
Meanwhile…
Back in the alley, Melin saw the last glimpse of his father disappearing into the fog. He wanted to go after him, but Celin grabbed his arm. "No! He did it to save us!"
Tears welled up in Melin's eyes. He clenched his jaw.
"I won't let them win. I swear it."
They found a hidden tunnel beneath the old train tracks. It led out of the city. Felin's plan had worked.
But now, Felin was gone.
And the only way to get him back… was to fight the cult from the inside.
To Be Continued…