Chapter 4

Chapter 4

At a time like this, I have to stay calm.

This is the last thing I can do before I die.

I must make sure Shihan survives.

“Shihan, don’t be afraid. Dad is right here with you. Keep an eye on them.”

Over the phone, I heard the faint voice of a man:

“Fuck, where’d she go!”

“I didn’t see her run out to the main road. She must still be in these woods,” another man’s voice replied.

“Search faster! If we let her get away, the Boss will never let us off.”

“The Boss? Why be afraid of him? He’s just waiting for us to call. Let’s have our fun first, then contact him when we’re done.”

“No way. This Chen Shihan is a virgin. The Boss has had his eye on her for a long time. He’s definitely going first.”

“Whatever. The Boss promised we each get her twice-once while she’s alive, and once after she’s dead.”

“I want to see how many cigarettes I can fit into a fresh one…”

“You bastard, you’re making me hard just talking about it. Hurry up and find her!”

Footsteps drew closer. I lowered my voice and whispered to Shihan, “Don’t be afraid. Take deep breaths. Dad is here.”

Just then, the footsteps stopped.

It felt as if they were standing right in front of her.

My heart leaped into my throat.

After a few seconds, the footsteps started again, but this time they seemed to be moving further away.

“The girl definitely isn’t here! She’s wearing white; we would’ve seen her easily!”

“Let’s go. We’re wasting time. Let’s find the Boss and ask him what to do.”

“Fuck! I’m soaking wet down there, and the bitch ran off!”

I waited until I could no longer hear anything on the other end before whispering to Shihan, “Are they gone?”

“Yes!”

“Did you see their faces just now?”

“No, I didn’t dare look,” Shihan said, her voice trembling as she fought back tears.

“Do their voices sound familiar? Are they people you know?”

“No, I don’t know them. I’ve never heard their voices before.”

At that moment, a bold and necessary decision formed in my mind.

Those two men, and the “Boss” they mentioned who had been eyeing Shihan for a long time…

If I couldn’t find out who they were, this danger would always be lurking around her.

So.

I wouldn’t just save Shihan for tonight.

I had to ensure she would never fall into the same danger again.

“Shihan, Dad is asking you to do one last thing.

“Don’t go to the West Gate right now.

“Try to see if you can quietly follow them. Get a clear look at one of their faces. Just one…”

“Dad!” Shihan finally broke down, sobbing into the phone.

“What is wrong today? You’re not usually like this…

“You never let me stay in danger. Before, whenever I was in trouble, you’d show up by my side immediately…

“I’m really scared right now. Why won’t you let me call the police, and why won’t you come find me?”

Tears fell as I closed my eyes.

I didn’t want to lie to her anymore.

I decided to tell her everything.

“Shihan, Dad is actually in the distant year of 2026.

“On New Year’s Eve in 2011-your present-something happened to you in this park.

“You’ve been gone from Dad for fifteen whole years.”

There was a long silence on the other end.

I thought she would scold me for talking nonsense or being drunk.

But then, I heard her voice calm down.

“Is it true, Dad…? Then, in these fifteen years, have you been doing okay on your own? Have you been eating your meals on time…?”

Hearing those words, I couldn’t hold it back anymore. I set the phone down and let the tears pour out.

I quickly picked the phone back up.

“Don’t worry, Dad’s been doing great. I found a stable job and made a bunch of friends. It’s New Year’s Eve today, and everyone is drinking together. That’s when your call came through.”

“That’s good. Then I’m relieved.”

I heard her give a small, comforted laugh over the phone.

“Shihan, hurry up and…”

Before I could finish, an unprecedented wave of pain surged from my abdomen. I collapsed to the ground, my consciousness beginning to blur.

“Dad, you’re lying to me, aren’t you! Your voice has been so weak! Something happened to you over there, didn’t it!” Shihan asked anxiously.

“Shihan, keep your voice down, I…”

I coughed up a large mouthful of blood.

Is my time… running out?

No, Shihan isn’t completely out of danger yet. She hasn’t seen the killer’s face.

I can’t die!

I fought desperately to stay conscious.

“Dad’s fine… don’t let them find you…”

Just then, I heard Shihan scream.

Immediately following it was a man’s lecherous voice.

“Hey there, little beauty. So this is where you were hiding.”