Beyond the Divorce

"No, she can't leave my sight!" Atlas said firmly as he tightened his grip on me. I knew he was afraid of losing me.

I felt a little guilty. I must be a burden to him at times like these.

Cane naturally understood Atlas's intentions and didn't say much. He led the way ahead with long strides.

After walking quickly for over ten minutes, we left the woods and saw a village ahead. Two cars immediately approached us, and Atlas hurriedly ushered me into one of them. When Cane retrieved our clothes from the car's trunk, Atlas said, "Change immediately!"

Glancing at my clothes, I realized they would easily reveal where we had been.

We changed into clean clothes, so we looked decent when we were in the car again.

By now, it was bright outside.

The sky was a grayish-white, and the air was refreshing.

As the car drove on the road, I realized we had emerged from behind a village.

The car sped up and soon turned onto an inconspicuous and secluded road, with banana trees on both sides obscuring the path. I realized that this was the entrance to the base.

40 minutes, and there was still no

guards, and explained why we were here. I saw

said, "Don't be nervous, I'm here. Remember,

"Understood."

scrutinized

was heavily guarded. Guards were stationed every few steps

that no one could possibly escape, not even with

later, I saw the leader say something to Cane, who walked back to us with a relieved expression.

the way ahead as our car drove in, displaying

kept driving

densely distributed simple bamboo

and elderly people in

bamboo houses.

looked like a big village. No one would have

drive in. An extensive and imposing bamboo building was in the middle of a square framed by the mountain.

signaled us to wait. People quickly got out of the car and rushed inside. By now, it was