Guiyang, Guizhou | September 2025 | 07:30 PM POV: Jetdoe
“Drink more water. I’m telling you, you’re scratching yourself way too much.”
I spoke up, glancing at my younger brother with a mix of concern and annoyance. It struck me as odd that someone as obsessed with cleanliness as Sawn was now constantly applying menthol balm and clawing at his skin like a mangy monkey.
We had left the trucks at a rest area outside the ring road. If we dared to drive those massive trailer trucks into the inner districts of Guiyang—where the smart checkpoints were packed as tight as sardines—we’d likely be hauled off to jail before we even caught a glimpse of the airport.
“It’s dark now. Tan must have walked quite a distance by now, right?” Sawn craned his neck, peering after the backs of the three figures disappearing into the blinding thicket of city lights.
“It’s good that they’re gone. We’ve done our best. The trucks are damaged, time’s been wasted, and we had to drive a massive detour... We’re cursed with bad luck, man,” I grumbled as I usually do, but deep down, I felt a sense of awe. “But I have to hand it to that North Korean girl’s spirit. Even while she’s on the run for her own life, she still decided to just walk off to see her friend through.”
“I really like Natalie, Bro.”
Sawn blurted it out softly while humming by Michael Jackson, the artist he idolized so much. The music from the radio of the stationary trailer truck drifted lingeringly beneath the shade of a large rain tree. Tiny leaves showered down, carried by the mountain wind that swept the damp mist of Guizhou against our faces, making the air feel chillingly cold.
“I just hope Tan doesn’t bring those two girls back to us again,” I said, casting my gaze toward the cluster of shimmering silver skyscrapers standing majestically before us.
This city was as grand as a futuristic empire, but to someone like me who’s seen a lot of the world, it looked strangely cold and lifeless. Everything was so strictly regulated that human nature felt as if it were being imprisoned by an invisible ruler.
“I want Tan to bring them back,” Sawn replied with that typical dim-witted look in his eyes.
“Even if they came back, you wouldn't dare talk to Natalie anyway. A guy like you is destined to be alone, you loser!”
I mocked him out of habit, though deep down I knew it wasn't easy for someone like Sawn to actually like someone. It’s just a shame that whenever he finds the right one... he ends up empty-handed every time.
“The flight leaves at ten, you know. If that intern girl screws up and gets caught... we’re the ones who won't be going home.”
“I really like Natalie, Bro. But when I’m near her, I’m speechless... Help me out here, will you?”
“I’m not helping. You’re annoying, and you were just laughing at my ‘4-Stab’ theory,” I snapped back, though I couldn't help but chuckle seeing him squirming like a figure eight.
“Fine, I believe your theory now! Hahaha!” This kid is always a pain, but he does listen when I teach him about women—that the courage to approach is a man's ultimate right.
“I want a love like yours, Bro. The kind of love you have for Aueng. Love without conditions, a rugged kind of love that everyone else completely misunderstands,” Sawn said, poking right at my sore spot.
“Jetdoe! I love her my way, so stay out of it.” I pointed at his face, ordering him to stop. My love is about admiration and waiting for the day she decides to spend her life with me until we’re old. It’s not something for this kid to joke about in a critical moment like this.
“But those three are really beautiful, Bro,” Sawn continued his daydreaming. “The North Korean girl is scary, with eyes as cold as snow. And Pai Pai is just too perfectly beautiful... I think I like Natalie's style. Her skin is glowing like dewdrops on a flower petal.”
“Forget it. You won't land her. She’s flying to Switzerland at ten,” I cut him off to bring him back to reality. “And another thing... Loweis played us for fools. Are you sure you’re not involved with him?”
I felt like I’d lost face, being tricked a second time. Anger began to simmer in my chest. If I got caught for something I didn't even know about, I’d never forgive myself.
“I didn’t know, Bro! He just showed up out of nowhere, saying there was a secret mission...” Sawn rolled his eyes, lost in thought. “We haven’t seen him in years, not since he left the army back when we went to fight in Iraq.”
It had been so long I’d almost forgotten. Loweis had been mysterious since his soldier days. After that incident, he just vanished.
“How long has it been? Can you remember?”
“This isn't the first time he’s tricked us, Bro. The first time was around 2015, when the Iraqi army was trying to take the city back from ISIS. Remember now?”
I remembered other things more clearly... I tried to recall, piecing the story together. All I could remember was that there were beautiful women from all over the world who willingly volunteered to be an outlet for those turbaned warriors. I had captured many of them as prisoners for Sawn and the guys in the team to carry out an Execution. They were all stunning. We in the assassination team always called it that...
“Five of us went in back then. Joseph and James died in the cave. That time, he lied and said higher-ups ordered us to take out the leader of the ‘Sons of the Dust’—even though Loweis was the only signals officer in the team!” Sawn turned to me, emphasizing the point again.
“Jetdoe... I remember now! Those ‘Sons of the Dust’ guys don’t even exist in the records!”
“Exactly! He tricked us into a cave that was like a labyrinth, filled with piles of bones and massive treasures... every step was a trap, like some ancient wisdom had built it.” Sawn rattled off the words without stopping.
The images in my head began to sharpen. Amidst the vast desolation of the desert, where the heat was so intense it distorted the air, that Kabbalah tree stood tall like a nightmare. Its leaves weren't green but were geometric crystalline plates overlapping until they looked like human muscle fibers and skeletons... The ten circles glowing with a strange light began to rotate slowly. The sound of the crystalline leaves grinding against each other went like the final breath of someone dying.
"Don't go near it!" Loweis shouted a warning, but it seemed to be too late...
The moment we stepped into its radius, the surrounding heat vanished, replaced by a "creeping chill" that seeped deep into the marrow. It wasn't the cold of ice, but the cold of a void trying to wrench the soul from the body. My vision blurred as I saw those 22 paths shifting like the tentacles of a monster constricting its prey.
"It's not a tree... it’s a soul pump!" Sawn blurted out, recalling that horrific memory.
That time wasn't a battle that could be won with guns or bombs. It was an ancient mechanism programmed with advanced mathematics and energy that humanity has yet to reach. If we had struggled in the wrong direction even slightly, our bodies would have become mere soulless shells, left as monuments beneath the shadow of God’s electrical circuit forever.
“The cave went down nearly 40 meters, through the sand into a hollow of solid rock. It was so deep and long you couldn't find the end of it…” Sawn spoke softly, his eyes trembling as if he were drifting back to that day… “What’s suspicious is, how did Loweis know there was a cave right there?”
Sawn’s question was like throwing a rock into a minefield. Anyone who had been there knew how brutal the desert climate was. Just maintaining enough consciousness to walk through the sandstorms and the sun that scorched your skin until it practically sizzled was nearly impossible... To walk straight to a specific coordinate and say, ‘The entrance is down here,’ was no coincidence.
“If you weren’t strong enough, or weren’t well-prepared... death was the only outcome,” Sawn emphasized in a raspy voice.
“I remember him carrying a thick book, like some ancient scripture. At night, he’d take that book of his and strike strange poses, as if he were aligning himself with the stars.” The memories of sleeping on the sand beneath the starlight gradually became clearer.
“Seven days in that hell... it haunted me. Do you still remember when James and Joane died?” Sawn’s voice began to fade, the memories flowing out as his nails dug in and scratched his skin until red welts appeared.
I lifted my water bottle to take a drink. Images of my fellow assassination team members drifted clearly into view. James... that giant Scotsman who was braver than any mortal, and Joane, the dark-skinned Brazilian with eyes as quick as a leopard’s. Both were so close to Loweis they followed him everywhere, only to leave their bodies behind.
“I remember now... the fifth day when we wandered into that secret passage.” I exhaled heavily. “The spiral staircase was so deep it felt like it reached the Earth's core. At the end was a heavy stone door with a statue of two entwined snakes... one with red eyes and one with blue, hoods flared as they’d been threatening intruders for three thousand years. Our breath began to turn into white mist because of the freezing air.”
“That’s the one, Bro! Their heads went flying because they didn't believe Loweis,” Sawn grimaced, his eyes filled with horror.
“They were too bold...” I grunted. “Loweis spread out that ancient scripture and ordered the eye of the giant blue snake to be turned. But those two thought red meant fortune, typical of those power-hungry fools.”
The moment James’s hand twisted the large red snake eye, the dimly lit room felt as if it were sliced by a razor-sharp wind. A single . No sound of machinery, no billowing smoke.
There was only a concussive force of air that made the surrounding cobwebs shiver, and in an instant, both of their heads detached from their shoulders, hitting the ground with eyes wide and staring, right next to the piles of ancient bones. After our friends' heads fell, Loweis didn't even turn to look at the corpses. Instead, he walked straight to the stone altar as if he had a pre-arranged appointment.
“The cave was that deep, yet it was freezing, even though the sand above was scorching hot…” Sawn spoke with a trembling voice, his eyes staring into the void like someone trapped in a waking nightmare, momentarily forgetting the itch from his scratched welts.
He paused to catch his breath, his throat parched at the memory. “The roots of the tree pierced down to drink from that small stream so hungrily… They didn't look like tree roots; they looked like white veins trying to pump life from beneath the earth to feed whatever was above.”
“Yeah… it was cold enough to freeze the souls of the dead right there,” I muttered, my brow furrowing as the images of that day sharpened in my mind.
Amidst that subterranean chill, the image of Loweis—once a decisive warrior—had changed. He didn’t look like he was conducting a military mission; the way he communicated with the elements and the ancient mechanisms made it seem as if he were ‘performing a rite’ passed down from ancient times. He hadn’t come to fight… he had come to fulfill a covenant far deeper than that.
“Did you take anything back with you? Any of that treasure? I saw Loweis take a blue marble bottle out with him,” Sawn asked, his nails rasping against his arm again out of habit.
I let out a thin smirk and shook my head. “I used to live in a temple, Sawn. I believe in the 'Guardian Spirits' watching over treasures. Some things are fiercely protected by their owners; just making it out alive was a blessing enough. Besides, I didn't want to carry anything extra to weigh me down. Think about walking through a desert so hot it could boil your balls—with just a rifle and a bottle of water, I was already tempted to strip naked. Where would I find the strength to lug around ancient treasure?”
I paused for a moment, thinking back to that 'blue marble bottle' in Loweis's hand. That thing didn't look like a gemstone; it looked like a vessel used to contain 'something' far more important than gold…
“I grabbed a handful—got about ten stones,” Sawn muttered with a smirking grin.
I whipped my head around, staring at Sawn until he flinched. “What the hell did you take?!”
“'Heart of the Desert.' Sixty carats each. A gem dealer in Mo Su, Myanmar, once valued them at 10 million dollars per carat.” Sawn beamed, his eyes sparkling as he recalled the figures in his bank account that had soared so high he stopped counting long ago.
“Whoa! No wonder you have so many luxury cars and enough money to feed a whole crew. Selling just one would last a lifetime,” I exclaimed in spite of myself, looking at my fellow survivor who had now turned into a mysterious billionaire.
Amidst the sound of Michael Jackson's music from Sawn’s truck and the vibration of the road from passing cars, I looked at the face of this multi-billionaire sitting beside me with utter confusion. The surprise was so overwhelming I had to ask him straight out.
“Why the hell are you driving a trailer truck?” I asked, pouring water over his red, rashed arm and rubbing it gently for him.
“I want to be near you, Bro,” he answered flatly, stroking the water across his arm.
“I'm being serious,” I said, emphasizing my voice because I didn't want another smart-ass answer.
“And I'm giving you a serious answer. I promised myself that if there was nothing urgent I had to do personally, I’d stay with you until I couldn't walk anymore.” Sawn’s gaze shifted; it became serious and firm, making me pause.
“Why?”
“You were the first person who reached out to pull me from that living hell the day I was a fugitive. On the battlefield, you saved my life more times than I can count,” Sawn spoke calmly, but his words hit me hard.
“Jetdoe… don't be a prick,” I said, tapping his head with the water bottle.
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“That money… without you, I’d have died in that cave long ago. I wouldn't have had the chance to see a single diamond or a single dollar. The reason I can be the 'Sawn' that everyone fears today is because you're the one who forged me.”
The lyrics of MJ’s from Sawn’s truck radio drifted in…
I had to turn my face away after he hit me with such a direct confession. I didn't know whether to feel proud or happy, but I knew this bastard was making me act all awkward. I had to change the subject…
“Are you sure you saw Loweis grab that bottle?” I circled back into the cave once more.
“I saw it with my own two eyes, Bro. Loweis opened his scripture and spent a good while feeling around a black stone pillar. When a slot in the stone slid open, he snatched the bottle inside... Just a single, old, light-blue bottle, but I’ll never forget it. I’d recognize it anywhere,” Sawn spoke as if what Loweis took was nothing more than a piece of junk.
“He’s managed to play us for fools a second time. Don’t bring this up again. Just keep an eye on him from a distance, that’s enough.”
I stared out into the darkness, unable to fathom why Loweis had to trick me and Sawn time after time. From a financial standpoint, what he got from that cave might be worthless, yet this time he tricked us into getting that North Korean girl out of China, using me as the guide. This woman must be incredibly important to him… but the strange thing is, she didn't seem as close to Loweis as she ought to be.
“Before I came to find you, I took him to snipe some Burmese soldiers in Taunggyi. Damn, Bro, it was a total blast!” Sawn rubbed his arm while changing the subject. He talked about killing people as easily as discussing the weather.
I looked at my close younger brother’s face contemplatively... “Have you ever thought... which battlefield made you feel the most regret?”
Sawn fell silent for a moment... “Afghanistan... fighting the Taliban. We won, but the villagers were still as miserable as ever. In the end, we had to hand the country back to them. I only felt sorry for the women... I wonder how much faith they must have to endure living there.”
“Faith bought with pain can never find peace of mind. Even Yusuf Khan turned his back on it. Tan once told me that oppression is usually the cause of the struggle for liberation, but from what I see, once they win... they just use the same old oppression to rule again.” I didn't want to touch anyone's beliefs; every life has its own path.
“Is there really an end to war, Bro? Does freedom actually exist?”
“Khan gave his heart until there was nothing left but emptiness... That’s why I don’t want to mess with anyone’s beliefs. I know that when faith collapses, it crushes more people than an entire falling building. War ends when the soldiers are dead... and freedom exists only when there are no leaders—because the instinct of a leader is to force people to love them, even when they themselves are evil.”
I looked toward the city of Guiyang once more... “Once Loweis goes back to France, I’ll have him take Tan with him as well. What do you think?”
“Ask him yourself, Bro. Tan studied law; maybe his defeat was just a fleeting emotion. If he has to walk the same road as us, he might not survive,” Sawn said, bringing me back to reality. I fell silent, thinking it over... He was right. Thinking for others has caused more than enough trouble.
“Scratching again? Come here, let me put some menthol balm on for you.” I grabbed him to pull off his shirt and helped dab the balm onto four or five small red spots, but he squirmed away.
“Hahaha! I’d better go find a place to shower. That tickles, Bro!”
“Fine! Loweis is back. Go get your shower quickly so we can get back on the road.”
Around us now, we were surrounded by the darkness of the valley. There were only the headlights from trailer trucks on the road, piercing through the thin veil of mist as they passed. The mountain wind carried the scent of damp earth and dry leaves against our skin, making us shiver with cold. But far off in front of us…
Guiyang shone brilliantly like a floating celestial city. The lights from silver skyscrapers and thousands of massive LED screens sparkled against the deep blue horizon, looking like an endless forest of lights.
It was a prosperity that felt cold and lifeless amidst those futuristic colors. I knew well that millions of Skynet’s electronic eyes were staring intently in our direction, waiting for the moment someone might misstep for even a fraction of a second.
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At the same time... POV: Tan
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The plaza in front of the PARKSON shopping mall in the heart of Guiyang was teeming with young Chinese men and women flaunting their fashion to the max. Pale skin and long legs in trendy outfits paired with an array of stylish, colorful face masks—in my eyes, these modern Chinese girls looked even sharper and more beautiful than Korean girls. The night lights of this mountain city were stimulating the metropolis, bringing it to life in a strange, vibrant way.
“Loweis! What are you planning to do with Juyeon next?”
I asked while sipping coffee from a paper cup from a roadside stall, while Loweis was focused on the coffee pot of an ancient-looking food truck.
“I’ll send her to the police in Thailand first. As for me, I have to return to the office in Hong Kong to verify the information about ‘White Silence’—the part where Natalie said it can only survive within humans... I believe her data,” Loweis replied without looking up at me.
“Huh?!”
I watched Juyeon as she moved in a zigzag pattern, skillfully using the crowds of Chinese youths to block the line of sight of the Skynet cameras. I couldn't help but wonder why he planned to hand Juyeon over to the Thai police. Why would he do that?
“Why would you do that? Don't you feel any pity for her? Can I take care of her myself?” I asked him straight out, unable to comprehend what was going through his mind.
“Hahaha! You really are a kind soul, Tan... but don't misunderstand me.” He laughed so loudly I started to feel embarrassed.
“What do you mean?” I frowned, scratching my cheek to hide my awkwardness.
“It’s the simplest way, Tan... Thailand is the only country in this region that doesn't deport defectors back to North Korea. It is a true paradise for fugitives.”
I felt incredibly stupid all of a sudden, despite the fact that I’m a law student. If Loweis hadn't told me, I might never have known such a basic thing.
“Let’s go. I’ve got my coffee.” He quickly tossed his cup and walked toward the plaza, following the group of women.
Suddenly, my eyes met Juyeon’s; she was already standing there waiting. She signaled with her eyes for me to look toward the alley on the right with a cautious demeanor.
“Huh?!”
The shadowy figure there was a blonde foreigner... a thought flashed into my head immediately. Everywhere we went, there was always a blonde Westerner appearing out of place like this!
“Are you planning to meet Natalie again?” I stuffed a cookie into my mouth while my eyes remained fixed on the same spot, though it seemed I might have been mistaken because I saw a Chinese girl standing there talking to him.
“She won't allow direct contact. I’ll have to track her down again. At least I know now that she’s a junior of Dr. Yan Liyin. Either way, I must interview her.” Loweis looked up at the red eye of the Skynet camera as it rotated to follow us.
“Do you really believe her information that much?” I wasn't sure how everyone else felt about Natalie’s story.
“I do. Someone who can name a pathogen that precisely is no mere intern.”
“That’s true!” I nodded in agreement.
“Tan, come here for a moment.” Juyeon pulled me aside, grabbing my arm with a familiarity that made me feel her complete trust.
“I can only walk Natalie this far. You follow her the rest of the way to the subway station and call me when she’s there. Loweis and I will go stand by at the truck. We don’t have much time; Natalie has to be on that plane by ten.”
“Did you see anything else suspicious?” I asked, my voice tensed with stress.
“It’s strange... The suspicious ones right now aren’t government officials. Look toward one o'clock. That person has been watching us since we rounded the corner of the mall. He’s got a Bluetooth earpiece in his ear.”
Juyeon’s warning made me restless. Everything in Guiyang felt like an invisible cage, but in the shadows, there were sewer rats hiding, waiting to maul their prey.
Then, suddenly...
“Ta-da!!!” Pai Pai’s bright voice rang out as her small frame leaped in front of us, breaking the huddle. The cautious atmosphere from a moment ago vanished in an instant.
“Juyeon Unnie! Thank you so much for walking us all this way. Remember! Don’t get sick, wrap yourself in a thick blanket when you sleep, and don’t skip meals... From now on, you aren't allowed to catch a cold or cough, okay? Let me give you a hug!” Pai Pai pleaded endearingly before jumping in for a tight hug.
Natalie followed closely behind... “If you ever find yourself in trouble, please contact me first. Thank you so much for looking after me.”
She embraced Juyeon, and in that split second, she swiftly slipped a paper envelope from her pocket into Juyeon’s hand. “Don't ask, don't wonder. Just stay safe, Unnie. I'll be waiting for you.”
I stood there, stunned by such a warm farewell. Even though I knew Juyeon was a soldier who had undergone rigorous training, being ambushed by such genuine sincerity clearly shook her; I could see her eyes trembling, on the verge of tears.
“Good luck to you too, Natalie. It was a pleasure to meet you. I promise that as soon as I get a job, I’ll pay you back... You should go now,” Juyeon replied with a raspy voice, trying to stay strong as she ordered everyone to move on.
“Let’s go, Unnie. Follow that group.”
Pai Pai urged Natalie, turning to walk away after finishing her goodbyes with Juyeon and Loweis... Not a single word of thanks was left for me. Not a single glance, not even a look back. They walked past me as if I weren't even standing there—as if I were merely thin air, invisible to their eyes.
I stood stranded in the middle of the PARKSON plaza, surrounded by gaudy lights but feeling an indescribable chill. My duty was to follow their lead and see them to the subway station as Juyeon ordered... but right now, I felt like a stray dog trailing behind owners who never wanted me in the first place.
The mountain wind carried the damp chill of Guiyang, hitting my face and making me hunch my shoulders. This was a stark contrast to the two girls, who walked arm-in-arm, chatting intimately without a care in the world. The lights from the shimmering silver skyscrapers reflected off the polished, spotless pavement, making the path ahead look like a runway stretching out into the loneliness...
“Sigh!...” I let out a long breath, forcing myself to start walking behind them at a distance.
Both sides of the road were lined with futuristic, geometric buildings that looked like they had been pulled straight out of a sci-fi movie. Silent electric cars glided past, one after another; the entire street was devoid of engine noise, with only the whistling of the wind blowing between the gaps of the skyscrapers. Massive LED screens on the building walls flashed graphics showcasing the success of Tame 30 interspersed with modern fashion. Those lights cast a glow onto the faces of the people walking by, who looked impassive and emotionless, as if the entire city were built to “watch” rather than to inhabit.
As I walked, keeping my distance, I felt a creeping pressure from behind. Every time I glanced at the mirrored surfaces of the modern buildings, I began to notice the peculiar behavior of certain men lurking around the street corners.
“Hey! Why are you following us? You want some money too?!”
Pai Pai whipped around to ask with a biting glare before snapping her head back. My face went numb from being insulted over and over again. The image of the envelope of money Natalie had stuffed into Juyeon’s hand just moments ago was still fresh in my mind, but that didn't mean someone like me was so money-hungry that I’d tail them like this.
“Juyeon ordered me to see you off until you’re on the subway. And I don’t want your money... Please, don’t insult me so much,” I shot back, finally reaching my limit.
“I’ll say whatever I want! So what? This is China, my home. Keep in mind that you should be thanking me for not calling the police to arrest you for false imprisonment and physical assault—look, my arm is still bruised!” The “Middle-Finger Girl” remained as volatile as ever.
“Sigh!...”
I was beyond exasperated. If I hadn't given my word to Juyeon, I would have turned back long ago. I kept telling myself it was fine—just cross this road and the mission would be over. But Natalie didn't even bother to glance my way; she continued to walk closely with Pai Pai, chatting away as if I were nothing more than a stray dog trailing behind owners who couldn't care less.
Then, suddenly...
“Screeeech...!!”
The sound of van tires grinding against the spotless pavement erupted with a deafening, ear-piercing roar. It completely shattered the silence of the electric cars that had been gliding by just moments ago. The smell of burning rubber and exhaust fumes hit my nose, making me choke. Large, blonde-haired men swarmed out of the vehicle as if following a rehearsed cue. I recognized them instantly... these were definitely the same Westerners who had been stalking us since the mall!
Neon purple and blue lights from the skyscrapers flickered down, making my vision blur. Guiyang’s nighttime atmosphere felt so different from England or Thailand, where I used to live. It looked so clean and futuristic that it was suffocating.
“Aaah! What is this?!”
Natalie’s scream rang out, sending the surrounding crowds scattering in panic. The two girls struggled with all their might against the savage tugging and pulling of the men. I, still dazed by the situation, tried to pull my wits together.
“Let go of me!” Pai Pai shrieked, thrashing wildly. A thick, coarse hand tried to cover her mouth, but the bratty girl wasn’t going down easily. “Let go! I’m calling the police!”
She swung her leg, landing a precise kick right into the crotch of the man pinning her arms. His face contorted in agony as he collapsed to his knees, clutching himself on the ground. I was momentarily stunned—I didn't think this bratty girl could be this lethal.
The man on the left tried to snatch Natalie's backpack, but she preemptively slammed her forehead into his right eye socket with full force, sending him writhing on the ground as well. Just as Pai Pai was about to be hoisted up again, I decided to lunge forward, delivering a flying kick that made the captor miss his grip. The two girls broke free and immediately bolted toward the crosswalk in the middle of the intersection!
"Out of the way!"
I shouted, pushing through the crowd blocking our path, running onto the street with reckless abandon. In that split second, survival instinct took over my brain. I grabbed Natalie's hand with one hand and Pai Pai’s with the other, yanking them along as we sprinted toward the intersection where a bright green 'M' sign flickered in the air.
"Downstairs! Quick!" I spotted the long flight of stairs leading to the subway. It seemed like the safest refuge right now.
"No!" Pai Pai cried out, pointing toward the fountain plaza instead.
A faint warning signal chirped from the cameras mounted on the lampposts. I caught a glimpse of those lenses—they were swiveling rapidly, tracking our every movement. I didn't know what the sound meant or who was commanding them to turn, but that suffocating pressure of being watched by someone at all times made my heart sink.
“Run that way!!” Pai Pai grabbed Natalie’s wrist and sprinted back up onto the pavement.
“Ack!”
Just as I was about to follow, the impact of someone’s heel slammed full-force into the middle of my back, making my bones nearly creak under the pressure.
“Whoa!!” I lunged forward, face-planting onto the freezing concrete floor.
“Ugh! Oof!”
Multiple pairs of boots began raining down kicks onto my torso until I was too breathless to speak. In my blank mind, I tried to think of Bro and Sawn... but in this desperate situation, they were far too away to reach out and help me.
“Do something! I can’t take this anymore!” Natalie turned back to shout at me, her face masked in utter panic.
“Why are you even bother racing with me?! Just go home! You’re useless!”
Pai Pai bared her teeth and barked at me. Those words felt like a slap across the face right in the middle of the intersection... The physical pain from the kicking didn't hurt nearly as much as the sting of being branded like that.
Am I not even in their sight? I risked my life running after them out of pure concern, but in the end, I was chased away like a mangy dog.
I searched my teeth with pent-up frustration. An instinctual rage surged, replacing my fear. I decided to break away and sprint in the opposite direction immediately! Since they didn't want my help, I wasn't going to stand here and let them stomp on me any longer!
Their backs became mere tiny dots amidst the cold concrete forest. My ragged, heavy breathing turned into flickering white mist, like a soul about to drift away. I turned back for just a split second... the image of Natalie trying to support her trembling body and Pai Pai in such a frantic state that she’d forgotten her own wits was so pitiful it made my heart sink.
This city is nothing but a prison made of glass and steel! The people walking past were like robots programmed ‘not to perceive.’ They neatly sidestepped my running path; no one stopped to ask, no one looked with pity. Everyone was fixated on the world within the rectangular screens in their hands, as if looking up to acknowledge a problem would instantly deduct some kind of life points from them.
The cameras on the stark white poles swiveled their necks to follow me steadily. Those shimmering black glass lenses looked like the eyes of an Executioner, recording every single one of my failures.
a synthesized voice in my imagination echoed in my ears.
With every step I ran, the desolation of Guiyang gnawed at my heart. The streets were terrifyingly clean; there wasn't even a trash can to hide in. Everything was transparent yet reinforced like an invisible cage, with strange sensors on every surface, squeezing me until I couldn't breathe.
I stopped running, panting until my ribs felt ready to snap beneath a massive LED screen the size of a five-story building. The vibrant lights from the Tame 30 ads and futuristic fashion flashed against my battered face. It was so bright that it highlighted every smudge of dust on my clothes…
Natalie and Pai Pai turned and disappeared into a narrow alley that looked like the gateway to death, with the blonde Westerners chasing after them like a pack of wolves that had found a choice prey.
“Fine! Go die, all of you! This heartless country! You arrogant bastards!” I cursed out loud, making a Chinese man in a suit flinch and sidestep me with a look of disgust.
I decided to spin around and run toward the main road in the opposite direction. My mind was a blank slate without a plan; I only knew I had to get away from here… But then, my blurred vision caught a shimmering reflection on the mirrored glass of a shopping mall.
In that reflection… a group of Chinese youths were standing there laughing, flaunting their wealth beside a deep blue luxury car. They lived as if the world held nothing but joy, oblivious to the fact that just a few meters away, people were being hunted like dogs.
I stopped abruptly… My eyes remained fixed on that reflection. The resentment from moments ago vanished, replaced by a piercing coldness. I knew now how to help them… and I knew that from this minute onward, my life would never be the same again.
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