“Why are those pursuers so obsessed with me?”If it were Jerome, Simon, or George, I could understand. At Bluebell they were beyond comprehension, but here at Labraham there was a clear motive they could grasp. They harbored grudges over the Bluebell fire incident. They had been burned to near death, and Hue ultimately perished. They sought revenge. But what about the workers?They’d already tortured and violated me long enough. Even if those workers had some collusion with the top-floor boys, not every camp worker joined the gang-rape, and they’d surely realized that, even if I escaped this slaughterhouse, no one would call the police. So why not just let me go? They hadn’t, as far as I could tell, gained leverage over me. Nor had they been promised any real reward—at best a pittance. What possible reason could they have to risk gunshots echoing all the way to the film set over a few lousy coins…BangBangBangThe shots were drawing closer. There was no time for speculation. I had to focus. I squeezed my eyes shut, opened them, and carefully stepped into the layered darkness of the forest, determined not to leave any trace this time.It wasn’t long before something brushed my cheek in the moonlit woods—a branch, or so I thought, but the texture felt wrong. I froze, turned, and saw what I’d mistaken for a twig slam into my face. When it caught my neck, I realized that strange “branch” was a noose. Instantly, the undergrowth beneath me gave way, and I heard the snap of a trap triggering.Before I knew it, I was yanked into the air. My windpipe felt crushed, my eyeballs about to burst.“Ugh—!”A groan escaped like a scream. Blood rushed to my head and my vision darkened. More chilling than the loss of breath was the sensation of the noose tightening, cutting into my flesh. Cold sweat drenched me. Desperately, I clawed at the rope, trying to catch hold of it to pull it off. My arm muscles burned and cramped, but it was useless. My ears rang, my lungs choked, and I could no longer even scream. I could only scratch at the rope with my nails, trying to tear it off my neck.As I struggled, a flashlight beam snapped on directly below me. I forced my eyes downward; the glare blinded me, and my vision flickered black, making it impossible to see. Blinking through the pain, I caught sight of a tattoo: a heavy olive-green crocodile sprawled across someone’s shoulder and back.“,” I realized.“Think you can handle this with ease? Right, Marine?”“Kugh! Urgh!!”“See? True to Devil Docs. Even if you played the part of the bottom, Marine, you’re still Marine!”I couldn’t make out the rest over the thunder in my head. First my face burned hot, like my skull would split, but now my head felt like a useless burden. My tongue lolled grotesquely thanks to the rope pressing my neck, but I didn’t care.I longed for relief. I wanted to break free of this agony, to rest in the kind of peace that comes with not needing to breathe—no, the peace of death itself… My limbs went limp, and I dangled helplessly. I felt something approaching. Instinctively, I blinked and stared up at the moon-dimmed sky. It drew nearer—within reach.“Let him down this instant!”A scream, shrill as a banshee. Simon’s voice.The noose slackened in an instant. I crashed to the ground, coughing violently, gulping air. Dizziness and nausea crashed over me, like I might faint, but neither happened. I squirmed on the earth like a worm.Someone rushed over and collapsed beside me, gathering me into their arms, stroking my cheek, pressing a kiss to my forehead. No one in Labraham had been on my side, but the warmth of that arm calmed me. Those hands wiped my tears, patted my back, coaxing my breath back.When I regained my senses, it was Simon, just as I’d expected. Around us stood half a dozen pursuers with flashlights and shoulder-slung rifles. The one who’d set the noose, now smiling, had the rope draped over his shoulder, looming over me.It was a rabbit drive. Only then did I realize my mistake. I’d thought I led this chase, but I’d been herded—using the pursuers—to the spot where the noose was set.My escape tonight had been impossible from the start. They were far more cunning than I’d supposed, and I’d been arrogant to think they’d never master the forest.The man who set the noose was a Labraham native. With him guiding them, the chase was theirs from the outset. Why hadn’t I remembered? I’d heard he knew every inch of this forest. Desperate though I was, still—I should have known. Cradled in Simon’s arms again, I felt a rage that could burn me alive. Not at Simon, but at myself.“Tie him up.”Simon’s low command snapped me back to reality. The trap-setter smirked and stepped forward. He yanked my wrists behind me, forcing me prone. Nose pressed into dirt, I could do nothing as he bound my arms. No sooner were they secured than he grabbed my hair from behind and jerked me upright, kneeling at Simon’s side. Flashlight beams bathed our faces. Simon knelt too, brushing my tear-streaked cheek.“You ran again, so you’ll be punished when we return.”Simon continued, never ceasing the gentle stroke on my face.“Mr. Acacia (아카시아, Acacia) will cripple you.”“...Acacia-ssi...”I croaked, my voice hoarse from the rope. Simon smoothed my short hair and nodded.“Yes. Acacia-ssi will blind you and pull out your tongue.”“One of those workers chimed in, sniggering:“Tear out his teeth while you’re at it—then he might at least keep his mouth useful.”Simon didn’t react, but I did. I stared straight at Simon and spat through clenched teeth:“Simon… enough of this Acacia bullshit—”My throat gave out. I turned my head and spat on the ground, then tore my lips into a grim smile. Simon’s expression was unreadable, his hand frozen mid-stroke on my cheek.“Tell me how Hue died, you bastard.”Even smiling back, Simon remained motionless—nothing like George. Then again, Simon had never taken the bait. And neither had Jerome. The workers, with no ties to Bluebell, were the ones who fell for it. They hadn’t fully understood my words, but my expression clearly displeased them.A worker beside Simon cracked me across the cheek with his flashlight. My teeth scraped and blood dripped from my mouth. He tapped Simon’s shoulder and jeered:“Why’re you talking like that all of a sudden? You used to be so quiet after a good beating, looked all pretty and obedient.”“Inbred fucker, filthy asshole—when was I ever pretty?” I glared, half expecting another blow—and sure enough, he raised his foot and kicked me in the chest. I flew back, gasping for breath, coughing until I could breathe again. The worker ranted above me until I laughed. The mad laughter silenced him; he just rolled up his sleeve.When the workers finally calmed, Simon rose and the others lifted me, alternating, onto their shoulders. They carried me back through the woods to the log cabin. Inside, no one remained—only George’s scattered bloodstains from his self-harm and Jerome’s from being beaten. It seemed I’d see neither of them again tonight.They lashed the rope binding my arms to the chandelier above and left me on the mattress. I collapsed face-down, ready to sleep—but one of the workers who’d wielded the flashlight returned and raped me. He taunted that since it’d been so long, I’d have a lot more of it by morning. His words barely registered. My mind was filled only with thoughts of Hue and George.Imagining George forced to watch Hue die sent a pang through me. There were no words—just a pain in my chest and a strange stirring below. Remembering George’s despair and his self-harm, the image of his filthy face and frantic screams—it made me ache. My pelvis trembled and tingled until I didn’t notice when the worker finished and left. I found myself grinding against the mattress, imagining George’s face, until I climaxed and fell into the deepest, most peaceful sleep I’d had in Labraham.Thus ended my midnight escape.“Don’t feel too burdened, okay?”“Ugh… unh.”“All right. Now, recite the three things you must always do.”“Um… never take my eyes off him, and… watch if he takes his medicine again… and… encourage him.”“Good job. Not so hard, is it?”“….”“Come here, would you? Good. Since I asked you specially, pay close attention, okay? Thank you.”I heard a light kiss. At first gentle, then more fervent. Soon Mat (맷, Mat) gasped and moaned. Unsure when to open my eyes, I stayed still until the moans grew louder, then looked up.At the doorway stood Jerome and Mat. Thanks to their voices I knew who they were. I watched silently as Jerome’s hand slipped inside Mat’s shirt, caressing his back while pressing a tender kiss to his neck. My memories of Jerome were only of rape, so this gentle affection felt surreal. Mat clung tightly around Jerome’s neck, his ear and nape flushed bright red.I looked down ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) at my own body. There were no traces of rape—only the healed scratches from last night’s chase. I sat up, stiff bones creaking, but manageable. At my movement Jerome and Mat paused. Jerome crossed the room with a bright smile.“How are you feeling? You look all right, Raymond.”Mat stood alone, face scarlet, glancing at me before turning his gaze back to Jerome. Jerome knelt before me, bruised cheek and split lip marring his handsome face. I stared into Jerome’s shining green eyes and said,“Couldn’t be better, asshole. How’s George? Still out of his mind?”Jerome grinned.“Our Acacia-ssi is asleep snoring on his meds.”“Simon said he’d gouge out my eyes and pull out my tongue? What? I’ve got to regain my body and mind? Fuck off.”My throat hurt from all the talking. Clearing it, I continued:“Yeah, gouge out my eyes and tongue—there’s plenty to do. What if I run off again sleeping all day?”“Don’t worry about that. I’m assigning a watcher.”Jerome gestured to Mat. Mat bit his lower lip and stepped forward. I stared, expressionless, but Mat wouldn’t meet my eyes. Jerome drew Mat close and kissed the crown of his head, whispering:“Right, Mat. You’ll watch Raymond carefully, won’t you?”“…Yes.”“I think you two make quite the pair. I heard you got along before, too. Keep being good to each other.”Jerome, elated, left us in the cabin. Mat stood quietly, eyes downcast, seeming to wait for me to speak first. I could barely recall how long it’d been since I’d last seen him. My fucked-up memories made it hard. I vaguely remembered Mat once being beaten by Simon—was that the last time?I never expected him to stay afterward. Maybe Jerome treated him well? Were they lovers? Mat’s face was still soft and pale like when I first met him. His reddened eyes and trembling lips looked almost cute. His body bore no injuries. It seemed his mind alone was crooked. I stared at Mat’s dumb face, then finally spoke:“I thought you were savvy, but I was wrong. I can’t believe you ever fooled me.”Only then did he cautiously meet my gaze and squat before me, fishing a cigarette from his pocket. Watching him, I couldn’t help rolling my eyes.“You still didn’t run after all this mess? You idiot.”Instead of answering, Mat offered me the cigarette. I hadn’t smoked in ages. He lit it, and I inhaled deeply, the buzz pleasant. I exhaled, face stony. A tear rolled down Mat’s cheek.“S-Sorry…”He whispered, tears gleaming in his clear blue eyes. Again, he wept. I watched him without emotion, puffing the cigarette to its filter.Sorry. Sorry. I repeated his words. Of course he had reason to apologize—he’d once taken all my cash and my car and fled. He’d led Jerome to Labraham and abandoned me when I could have escaped. In a way, Mat’s betrayal had derailed everything. But…It wasn’t really his fault. The workers’ conspiracy—the rapes, the torture, the drugs—had been the top-floor boys’ doing. I smoked to the end of the stick, looking at Mat pensively. Had he done anything else to betray me? Acacia… George wouldn’t have let Mat get that deeply involved. The top-floor boys didn’t like outsiders.No, it was simpler than that.“You’ve sided with Jerome?”I looked him in the eye. Mat trembled but kept smoking. So it was as I thought—he’d joined their ranks.“Honestly, Mat, that’s a stupid choice.”I regarded his pale young face.“They like playing among themselves. You’re just being used.”That hit him. Mat looked up, a spark of defiance mingled with tears in his eyes.“Why? Do you think I’m lying—ugh—cough.”His parched throat erupted in coughing. He rushed to fetch water. I watched him gulp it down, then he blinked tear-wet blue eyes and said, more steadily:“You said I’d do anything to deceive you.”“No—it’s Jerome deceiving you. He’ll do anything to use you.”“No.”Mat said firmly.“That’s not true.”Despite the tear tracks on his face and the moisture in his eyes, his conviction shone through. Foolish as he was, Mat could still turn back. I met his gaze and said,“Think carefully before you go too far.”

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