Footsteps approached the door of the old wooden cabin. Taz opened the door first and stepped in quietly… but the moment he crossed the threshold, a gun barrel was pressed against the back of his neck.
Jack and Yuki stood at the entrance, frozen in place.
The man:"Move one step… and I swear I'll end you right here."
Taz (raising his hands with slight tension, but keeping a small smile):"Easy, Jaro… same old reaction, huh?"
The man slowly lowered the weapon, his face angry and full of resentment.
Jaro:"I told you… don't ever set foot in this place again."
Taz:"I know… and I'm sorry. But I need your help. Just one last favor."
Jaro (angrily):"A favor? After everything you caused me?"
He looks at Jack and Yuki behind him."And who are these? Did you bring me a new disaster?"
Taz:"Just two people who need help… please, listen to me."
Jaro shakes his head in clear frustration, but sits down.Taz sits in front of him and lowers his voice:
Taz:"I need you… to smuggle them out of Japan. To… Russia."
Jaro slams the table with his palm:"Are you insane?! All routes are being watched. The sea is under full tension right now."
Taz:"I know… that's why I came to you. You're the only one who knows the sea."
Jaro lets out a deep sigh, still angry but surrender beginning to show in his eyes.
Jaro:"And why should I help you? You left me to my fate before."
Taz:"I won't defend myself… I'm just asking one last time. After this, you won't see me again."
A short silence… Jaro looks at Yuki and Jack. He sees Yuki's fear and Jack's tense expression.
Jaro:"If I help them… I won't deal with you again. Understood?"
Taz, with a sad smile:"Understood."
Jaro opens an unofficial paper map, marked with winding red lines.
Jaro:"Your trip was supposed to take one day… but impossible.The whole route is monitored:
The eastern coastline has military checkpoints.The northern area has naval patrols every 6 hours.The southern area is controlled by two major gangs… if you get near them, you're considered missing."
Yuki (in a low voice):"So… what's the solution?"
Jaro:"We'll move in a zigzag path through three side regions."
He points at the map:
The First Area — Fog BayThick fog that hides any small boat.But its waves are unstable.We'll need 8 hours to reach the end of it.
The Second Area — The Black PassageA narrow waterway between rocky hills.Radar signals don't reach it.But we must turn off the engine most of the time and push the boat by hand so it won't be heard.It takes 10 hours.
The Third Area — The Open SeaThis is the most dangerous point.We must cross the entire distance without stopping.If we get detected, there's nowhere to hide.It takes 16 nonstop hours.
Jaro:"Which means the whole trip… is almost two full days without sleep.And if you follow the wrong route… that means the end."
Jack listens with wide, uneasy eyes — everything is new to him.Meanwhile, Yuki is sweating from tension…
Inside, Jaro starts packing two bags:simple food cans, water, two light blankets, and a hand-powered battery."Add them to what Taz already gave you."
Jaro:"The night will be cold… don't move too much and don't turn on any lights."
Taz helps arrange the supplies, then walks toward Yuki and Jack…
Taz:"I… won't go with you."
Yuki looks at him with worry:"Why? Come with us… the route is scary, and I…"
She pauses, searching for the words."I started to feel safe when you're around."
Taz smiles with clear embarrassment, then lowers his gaze.
Taz:"I'm tired of running. And if I leave here, they'll chase me immediately… that would put you in danger.But Jaro… he can protect you and get you there."
Jack (in a low voice for the first time):"…Thank you."
Taz pats his shoulder:"Go on, Jack. The world isn't as scary as you think… it just needs courage."
At dawn the next day… the boat slid slowly through the fog.Only the soft sound of water and Jaro tapping on the wood…
Tension filled the air…Every step backward could return them to the facility.And every step forward was the beginning of a new life.
And so the sea journey begins… their escape...
End of Chapter.