Unit 1: Sofia's Sake — Part 2
Phase 1
Sofia leaned forward and kissed John on the lips.
He froze.
For a moment, he couldn't understand what was happening. He had never felt this kind of warmth—this kind of comfort. Love was something he never trusted, something that had always betrayed him.
A drop fell on his face.
He flinched.
No… not water.
A tear.
It was Sofia's tear.
Only then did he realize the truth—the girl who once blamed him for a crime he never committed was now breaking in front of him. Guilt crushed her from the inside.
"Sorry…" her voice trembled. "Please forgive me. I blamed you for something you never did. I know I don't deserve forgiveness… but please believe me. This time, I won't leave you behind. I won't blame you again. I'll take you home."
She didn't even know how she would escape. She didn't know the way out. She only knew that she meant every word she said.
She cried uncontrollably.
John watched her, completely broken.
Then a voice reached her ears—a voice that gave her a reason to live.
"I… believe you," John said.
She looked at him in shock.
A weak smile appeared on her face. "You just need to do one thing."
John looked at her condition, her shaking hands, her swollen eyes.
"Nothing," she said softly. "Just believe me."
In that moment, Sofia decided she would do everything alone.
They stared at each other in awkward silence, knowing this moment was fragile and temporary.
"I need to go," Sofia whispered. "Before George comes back."
She stepped closer to the door then looked behind and locked it.
Step one was complete.
More than two hours had already passed.
Now, step two.
Sofia needed to understand what surrounded the house.
She avoided the main door—it was too risky. If George returned, she would be caught immediately. Instead, she moved toward the hall window on the left side. If she escaped through the main door and George appeared, there would be no place to hide. The hall window was safer.
She tried the keys.
After a few tense minutes, the lock opened.
As she stepped outside, cold wind pierced her body like a blade. Her breath grew heavy, but the air felt different—like the walls of a cage had widened.
She had a chance to run.
But she didn't.
She studied the surroundings carefully. The house was surrounded by trees, with only one clear path leading forward. The open road felt dangerous. Too exposed.
The trees were safer.
Hide and run at the same time.
Sofia looked back at the house.
Something felt wrong.
There were three floors—but from the outside, she could see that there were no stairs leading to the second floor.
How was that possible?
Before she could think further, she returned inside, closed the window, and locked it.
Then—
The sound of carriage wheels.
Her heart dropped.
Someone was coming.
Sofia ran to George's room, placed the bunch of keys exactly where they were before, then rushed toward the stairs.
When she reached the first floor, the door opened.
Fear exploded inside her.
She ran faster than she ever had in her life.
When she reached her room, realization struck her like lightning.
The door.
Unlocked.
Her hands shook violently as she shut it. Her body collapsed onto the bed. Her mind replayed everything—what George had done to her, what he had said, what he was capable of.
The weight of her mistakes blinded her thoughts.
She pulled the blanket over herself and pretended to sleep.
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Phase 2
A voice woke her.
"Sofia. Come downstairs. Dinner is ready."
George.
She opened her eyes. The moon was already high in the sky.
Too much time had passed.
She looked at the door.
It was open.
Her heart pounded as she stepped into the darkness of the first floor. The house was silent. Heavy. Cold.
Downstairs, George sat at the dining table.
John was beside him.
George smiled—like he knew something.
"Something interesting happened today," George said calmly. "Do you want to know what it was, Sofia?"
Her body turned cold. She couldn't move.
"I'm getting old," George continued. "Today, I forgot to lock your door. You didn't notice, I think. Am I right?"
Relief hit her like a wave.
She nodded slowly.
George laughed.
She sat down and glanced to her right.
John was there.
Their eyes met—then quickly turned away.
Awkward silence filled the table.
Fish was served for dinner.
Suddenly—
"AAAAAAH!"
A scream shattered the air.
It came from George's carriage.
George's eyes shifted sideways.
He stood up, walked to the door, opened it—and closed it.
Another scream followed.
Then silence.
An old man appeared at the doorway, blood covering his face and clothes. George guided him inside and disappeared into his room.
Five minutes passed.
No sound.
The door opened again.
George returned—clean. No blood.
They all sat down.
Sofia was frozen.
"The voice you heard," George said quietly, "was one of my victims. But when a bird stays trapped in a cage for too long… it slowly forgets how to fly."
His voice changed.
"You didn't escape today for only two reasons. Either fear stopped you—or you are planning something bigger. Both are useless."
He leaned forward.
"I gave you many opportunities, Sofia. And you disappointed me."
He knew everything.
The mistakes he made today were not accidents. He wasn't foolish.
He was always one step ahead.
"But now," George smiled, "I see your potential. You can be better."
His eyes darkened.
"You will become my puppet. And you will help me destroy the WINGS family."
Something big was coming.
"Tomorrow," George said, "I will show you something. Be prepared. We are going to DEAD TOWN."
He paused.
"And remember—do not try to escape."
Dinner ended.
"For today," George ordered, "carry John to the first floor hall, then take him to his room. After that, go to your room."
Sofia lifted John onto her back.
He felt light.
Too light.
She realized carrying him wasn't hard—but doing it for long would be.
She placed him on his bed.
A voice stopped her.
"Sofia… can we escape from here?"
She smiled softly.
"Yes."
She left the room, returned to her own bed, and prepared herself.
Tomorrow was going to change everything.
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Next Chapter: ESCAPING FROM PARADISE — next Tuesday.