The Mountain's Cage

In the second year after being trafficked into the深山, I went to my nephew's parent-teacher conference in his stead.

The new volunteer teacher was my former lover.

But he seemed… unable to recognize me.

My sister-in-law told me he was the only one from the village who had ever made it out to university.

1

At my nephew's conference, I ran into the new volunteer teacher.

He was the man I had deeply loved before I was taken.

He stood among the crowd, chatting with a parent.

Two years had passed, yet he remained unchanged.

That gentle smile, that handsome face.

Meanwhile, I had withered into an unremarkable village woman.

And I was two months pregnant.

Without warning, my nephew kicked me under the table. "Where's my candy?"

I had coaxed him into bringing me to this conference.

I'd heard the volunteer team and some police officers had entered the village. The woman next door had escaped here last night and been rescued by the authorities.

I wanted to gamble too.

Ignoring my nephew, I clutched the old phone I had stolen from home, trembling slightly with excitement.

I never expected to see Luke here.

My heart pounded like a drum as I watched him nervously, my mind filled with the wild joy of imminent escape.

Seeing I wouldn't answer, my nephew grew furious and started kicking his chair wildly. "My candy! My candy! My candy!"

His voice immediately drew the attention of the parents around us.

No one had noticed me before, but now all eyes were fixed on me.

I had been bought by a man named Vance.

The whole village knew I dreamed of running away every day.

They all watched me for Vance.

Cold sweat broke out on my forehead as I forced a smile. "I… my sister-in-law was busy, so she asked me to come to the conference for the child…"

For this chance to escape today, I had risked everything—stolen Vance's phone and wallet, tricked my nephew Vinny. If I failed, Vance would drag me back and beat me to death.

The commotion caught Luke's attention. He stood up and looked over, his voice steady and calm.

"Parent, what's wrong with the child?"

Instinctively, I covered my face.

I was no longer that vibrant college girl. Years of beatings and imprisonment had left my skin rough, like withered orange peel.

I kept my head down, hair covering my face. "The child… wants candy…"

I wasn't sure if rushing over to beg him for help would work.

Maybe he had already forgotten me.

Maybe he would think I was insane and send me back to Vance.

I sat there, restless and uneasy.

Luke walked over to me, pulled a piece of candy from his pocket, and handed it to me.

That's when I noticed the ring on his ring finger—the one I had given him.

Time had worn it down, making it look old.

Vinny snatched it happily, twisted off the wrapper, and stuffed it into his mouth.

Maybe it was that ring that gave me a glimmer of hope. I gathered my courage, looked up, and said in a trembling voice,

"Teacher, do you have any candy in your office?"

Luke's gaze lingered on my face for a moment, deep and unreadable.

I couldn't see through him. I wasn't even sure if he recognized me.

After a few brief seconds, he nodded. "Yes. Come with me."

I gently soothed Vinny. "I'll go get you some candy. Don't make a fuss—"

Vinny spat at me. "Hurry up!"

With his permission, I breathed a sigh of relief. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, I tried to walk normally out of the classroom.

Suddenly, I heard Vance's angry voice behind me. "That bitch ran again! Anyone see her?"

"She just went out."

The next second, I burst through the door and ran frantically toward Luke. Grabbing him, I spoke in a rushed, desperate voice,

"Are the police here?! I was trafficked! Please! Save me!"

Luke looked down at my hand gripping his, stunned for a moment, then frowned. "Police?"

I could hear Vance and the other neighbors getting closer, and I was on the verge of tears. "The police who came with you!"

Luke glanced behind me, then suddenly pulled open a broken little door and pushed me inside.

Bang!

The door closed.

I collapsed onto a sofa. Outside, I heard Vance's furious curses. "A woman ran over here. Did you see her?"

"Vinny's guardian?"

"Yeah."

"Vinny's grades are terrible. I need a literate guardian to sign some papers. Come with me first."

There was a loud bang as a stick hit the iron door. I trembled in fear.

After a frenzy of smashing, Vance's voice faded as he cursed and walked away.

From what I could gather, he was determined to catch me and break my legs.

Cold sweat soaked me. I turned my head and saw, through the window, a naked woman lying on the roadside, crawling slowly forward.

It was the woman from next door who had escaped last night!

Hadn't she been rescued by the police?

Behind her, a man wearing a police coat was beating her with a stick as thick as an arm.

As he beat her, he shouted, "A single cop tricked you out! I'll beat you to death! Let's see if you dare run again, you bitch!"

The stick landed on her back, her buttocks, her legs. Blood streamed from her head as she writhed and screamed helplessly on the ground.

Through blood-filled lips, she begged, "I was wrong, I won't run anymore, don't hit me… ah… please stop…"

My mind went blank. My whole body shook violently.

The news was fake…

The police were fake…

It was all a trap to lure out the "unruly" women and beat them into submission!

Everything I had done for today was for nothing.

I was finished…

Vance would break my legs and lock me up… until the baby was born.

Just as I was panicking, the door behind me suddenly opened.

A harsh white light streamed in.

"…The school needs to collect student information, so I asked the child to bring a literate guardian. But she seemed in a hurry to go home and cook and twisted her ankle."

Luke was speaking as he stepped inside.

Behind him stood Vance.

His face was dark as he glared at me viciously.

My heart tightened with fear. I stepped back, hit the windowsill, and my legs gave way. I collapsed by the window, trembling like a leaf.

I thought Vance would rush in and beat me to death, but instead, he said to Luke with exaggerated politeness,

"Teacher, why don't you come to our place for dinner?"

His tone was full of fawning.

Then he walked in, grabbed me roughly, and dragged me away.

I turned my head desperately, my eyes pleading with Luke.

But he looked at me as if I were a stranger.

Luke pushed up his glasses, which had slipped down his nose. In his pupils, I could see the reflection of the woman being dragged away, bloodied. He looked away and followed without a word.

For a moment, I thought Luke was coming to save me.

But the next second, a villager's words shattered my illusion.

"Luke, you haven't been back to the village in years. Look how successful you've become."

2

Before I was trafficked, Luke and I were engaged.

That afternoon, we had planned to go try on wedding dresses at a shop.

Just as we were about to leave, Luke suddenly changed his mind. "I know a bridal shop you might like."

Luke was always attentive to me, so I trusted him. I changed our plans and followed him into another shop.

But the moment I stepped into the fitting room, I blacked out.

When I woke up, I was lying on Vance's bed.

Vance said I was his bought wife, and if I tried to run, he'd beat me to death.

I tried to escape, but in a remote mountain village where even getting to the city meant crossing several mountains, with everyone in the village united against me, escape was nearly impossible.

The price of failure was a beating.

Some even lost their lives.

And now, Luke was walking behind me, greeting the villagers with ease.

Everyone in the village seemed to respect him.

The faint hope I had kindled was cruelly extinguished.

Was Luke in on it?

Would he tell Vance about my attempt to escape today?

As soon as we got home, Vance slapped me hard.

He cursed, "Are Vinny's parents dead? Showing off like that? Don't think just because you can read a few books you're something special!"

My ears rang from the slap, and I nearly fell.

Luckily, it seemed things weren't that bad.

He didn't know I had tried to run.

The next second, screams came from next door.

The woman there wasn't so lucky. She was being beaten brutally, her cries piercing.

That should have been my fate too.

I quietly breathed a sigh of relief and followed Vance carefully.

Vance told me to cook dinner, then politely led Luke inside.

I crouched by the small stove in the kitchen, feeding firewood into the pot.

Fragments of their conversation drifted out.

"…You're the only one from our village who made it. From now on, all the young men are counting on you to find them wives. Educated women give birth to smart children."

Luke replied with a casual murmur.

My sister-in-law's voice was light and eager as she tried to connect.

"Luke, remember when you fell into that ditch? Vance saved you, right?"

Vance was the man who had bought me.

Luke laughed lightly. "Vance is my savior."

Bang!

The pot slipped from my hands and shattered on the ground with a loud crash.

Hot water splashed onto my calf, burning.

Luke turned to look outside.

I was pale, staring at him in disbelief.

Vance grabbed a pair of chopsticks and threw them at me. "Are you asking for a beating? No lunch today?"

"I'm sorry… I'll make it again…"

I crouched down, ignoring my burned arm, and picked up the broken pieces.

Suddenly, a shadow fell over me.

I instinctively shrank back, raising my arm to shield my face.

In my field of vision appeared a hand—pale, with prominent knuckles. It picked up a piece of porcelain and said calmly, "You're burned. Go treat it."

I froze. Slowly, I looked up and saw Luke crouching in front of me. The light from his glasses reflected a cold gleam. His lips were pale, and though his tone was gentle, it sent a chill down my spine.

"I'll clean it up myself…"

Luke turned his back to Vance, grabbed my wrist, and said firmly, "Go put some ointment on it."

My sister-in-law rushed out, looking as if she had committed a grave offense. "Let her do it. Don't dirty your hands."

Luke looked up. His cold pupils reflected my face.

Terrified and awkward, I forced a stiff smile. It was ugly.

"Brother, I brought some liquor. Let's order some braised pork and appetizers from the east end of the village. No need to redo the meal."

Vance agreed readily, his attitude softening.

Luke wiped his hands clean, stood up, and put an arm around Vance as they went back inside.

My sister-in-law shot me a glare. "Go change your clothes."

Then she led Vinny inside.

I was drenched in cold sweat.

Was Luke still the Luke I knew?

3

By the time I went inside, they were already drinking.

Luke sat across from me, chatting idly with Vance.

Vance, who had never been to school, kept praising Luke for his success and eloquence, then took a jab at me.

"Unlike this woman. What's the use of all that learning? It's not as good as a fertile belly. See? Now that she's pregnant, she's finally behaving."

Luke smiled but said nothing.

After a few rounds of drinks, Vance's hands started wandering.

"Pour me some wine."

I kept my head down, not daring to resist. I obediently poured his wine.

Tears welled in my eyes. Vance's touch made me sick.

Even harder to bear was the look Luke shot me.

Vance pushed the half-eaten egg custard toward me. "You've been losing weight. Eat more. Don't starve my son."

Suddenly, a man's wail came from next door, followed by curses and the sound of a whip.

My sister-in-law laughed awkwardly. "She's more trouble than ours. Ran three times in a month. Yesterday, Old Wang tricked her into thinking the police had come. She ran to the school at night and got caught."

My heart skipped a beat. I felt Vance's hand on my back stop, his grip tightening.

Vance stared at me thoughtfully.

I trembled slightly, forcing a smile. "She… she's really foolish. I just want to have this baby safely and live with you and the child."

Vance laughed. "Is that so?"

"Yes—"

The next second, a slap sent me sprawling to the floor.

"I underestimated you."

Vance kicked over the stool, then kicked me in the stomach. He crouched in front of me, grabbed my hair, and yanked me up. "You want to run with her, don't you?"

My face burned. My voice trembled. "I don't… I wouldn't dare—"

Luke was sitting right there. "Brother, don't you trust me? I was the one who asked her to come to the school."

Vance smiled at him. "I trust you. Not her. This woman flirts with anyone. Don't worry, just sit. I'll teach her a lesson."

With that, he grabbed my hair and dragged me into the bedroom, throwing me onto the bed.

I let out a desperate cry. "Luke, save me… save me…"

Slap.

Another slap.

He grabbed my clothes. "Have you forgotten who your man is? You're looking at the bowl while eyeing the pot. Who's Luke? You dare to flirt with him?"

"Be gentle… I… I'm pregnant…"

"Just get pregnant again," Vance sneered. "You're young. What's there to fear about a belly? Serve me first, then we'll talk."

He was too strong. No matter how much I struggled, I couldn't stop him.

Outside, my sister-in-law was still crying to Luke.

"We feed her well and treat her well, but she's never satisfied. Don't worry. We'll straighten her out eventually."

A heavy blow landed on my leg. Pain and numbness consumed my senses.

The searing pain on my scalp reminded me—I was going to die.

Tears burst forth. A fierce hatred surged within me. I grabbed a water bowl and smashed it against the back of Vance's head.

The bowl shattered. Shards of porcelain cut into my palm, and blood gushed out instantly.

Vance groaned in pain and loosened his grip.

I escaped from under him, threw open the door, and, half-dressed, crashed into Luke's arms.

"Please… spare me… I won't do it again… I swear I won't…"

Luke held my arm and pulled out a handkerchief to press against my bleeding wound.

"Brother, the volunteer team just arrived. There are strangers in the village. Don't make a scene. She's pregnant."

Vance pulled out a rusty long knife.

"It's fine. I'll just cut off her legs first. It won't affect the pregnancy."

Vance wasn't joking. He meant it. Everyone in the village was used to this.

I shoved Luke away and ran for my life.

In the quiet afternoon, I sprinted down the main road toward the village entrance.

Vance chased after me with the knife, the rough blade scraping against the sandy ground with a harsh sound.

A three-wheeled cart came toward me, filled with village men.

When they saw me, they jumped off without a word, rolled up their sleeves, and spread out to block my way, laughing. "Old Vance, running again?"

Vance panted heavily. "Help me out."

With the road blocked, I plunged into a nearby pond in despair.

I had learned to swim, but it had been years. As soon as I hit the water, the foul, muddy liquid filled my nose.

My oxygen ran out. I flailed hopelessly a few times, then sank to the bottom, exhausted.

Maybe dying was better than being beaten to death by them.

4

When I woke up, I was lying in a pitch-black room.

There was a small window on the wall, and pale moonlight filtered through the iron bars.

Someone was holding my ankle.

I flinched and sat up immediately, the chains on me clinking.

"It's me."

Luke's calm, cold voice cut through my chaotic thoughts.

In the moonlight, I saw a bottle of iodine beside him. He was holding my ankle with one hand, rolling up my pant leg to clean my wounds.

"Can you get me out of here?"

When I spoke, I was shocked by how hoarse my voice sounded.

Luke blew gently on my wound, then looked up at me through his clear glasses. "If you behave, you won't suffer."

He didn't answer my question. Instead, he evaded it, trying to soothe me.

Tears streamed down my face. "You said you loved me. Why—"

His eyes were dark and unreadable. "Claire, I still love you."

Those words weren't a salvation. They were more like a demon's whisper.

I tentatively took Luke's hand, felt his slight stiffness, and slowly pulled myself up to kiss him.

He froze at first, then, as if triggered by some long-lost emotion, he cupped my face and kissed me back fiercely.

After the passionate kiss, I leaned against him.

"Luke, do you remember the violin I used to play?"

That was a memory we shared.

"I remember." Luke's cold hand stroked my hair, his voice distant, lost in recollection. "You were beautiful back then."

I held my breath. "Do you… want me to be as beautiful as I was before?"

I looked at the cold moonlight outside the window and clenched my hands.

I had to go back.

No matter the cost.

"Luke, take me away. From now on, I'll play the violin for you."

Luke finally relented. "Wait for me a little longer. When we get back, I'll support you through school."

When we first started dating, Luke couldn't even afford to eat. Even when we got engaged, he wasn't wealthy.

Now, he had money.

I didn't want to know where it came from.

I just held him tightly. "Luke, I love you. Don't disappoint me."

5

On the seventh night, Vance showed up.

He kicked the door open.

I was wearing thin clothes, waiting for Luke.

Vance squinted. "You look nice. Did you know I was coming?"

I forced myself to stay calm, enduring the stench of alcohol on him as I struggled. "I… I was about to sleep."

Vance kissed me without a word, his hands starting to roam.

I couldn't hold back the nausea. I turned my head and threw up.

Vance grabbed my hair and slapped me.

"Puking? Take it off!"

Those disgusting touches reminded me of the humiliation I was enduring…

Suddenly, Luke's clear voice cut through the night.

"Vance."

Vance froze. He turned. "Luke, I… I…"

"You know the rules."

Luke held a cigarette between his fingers, the red ember glowing in the dark.

Vance let go of me and pulled his clothes back on. "I… I just couldn't help it."

Luke lifted his eyelids and let out a cold laugh. "Go ahead if you want to die."

Under Luke's icy stare, Vance shuddered and ran off.

Luke watched him disappear, then stubbed out his cigarette on the wall and walked in.

I curled up on the bed, my clothes half torn.

He tried to lift my blanket, but I kicked him away, hysterical. "You're in on it with them! Go to hell! Go to hell!"

Luke just stood there, watching me. He gently touched my head, his fingers running through my hair, leaving a trace of warmth on my scalp.

"I'm sorry I was late today…"

I closed my eyes, steadied myself, and begged cautiously, "Can you… keep me from seeing him anymore?"

Luke stroked my back slowly. "Mm. You won't see him again."

I looked up and kissed him.

He carried a chill and a faint scent of tobacco.

That night, Luke didn't leave.

He whispered in my ear, "Claire, be good. Behave, and I'll take you away."

6

Two months passed.

My belly grew bigger.

Luke came every day. Sometimes, my sister-in-law brought me meals. I never saw Vance again.

I gradually relaxed. Luke had promised to take me away, so I stopped resisting.

One day, my sister-in-law forgot to lock the door after bringing me food.

The shackles on my feet were broken, and Luke hadn't bothered to fix them.

I leaned against the wall, wanting to go outside and bask in the sun.

Creak. I pushed open the small door. In front of me was a dilapidated backyard that had been abandoned for years.

Warm sunlight fell on me.

Fragments of conversation drifted through the back window.

Curious, I moved closer and heard a familiar voice.

Vance was drunk.

He slurred, "Luke, I have to thank you. Without you stringing her along, who knows how long she'd keep making trouble. After she gives birth, I'll treat you to the full-moon banquet."

Luke's cold voice came through, tinged with weariness.

"You saved my life. It's the least I can do. How's that list coming?"

"I've asked around. Twenty thousand per wife. I'll have them give you the money tomorrow."

Luke hummed in acknowledgment. "Transfer it to that card. Include their names."

"Don't worry…"

Even though I had suspected it, hearing the truth—that Luke was involved in human trafficking—still made my heart ache.

I was a woman sold into the mountains.

Beaten. Raped.

Pregnant.

Why would Luke save me?

Maybe, to him, it was just a novelty.

Or maybe he enjoyed having people under his control.

As long as I didn't make trouble or try to escape, his trafficking business could run smoothly.

That night, Luke came again.

This time, I was dressed neatly, sitting on the bed waiting for him.

Luke naturally took off his coat and came to hug me.

I dodged him and said calmly, "Luke, I don't want to leave anymore."

He stared at me in shock.

"Why the sudden change of heart?"

I smiled. "I love Vance. I want to stay here and have his child."

Luke was silent for a few seconds, a dark glint flashing in his eyes. "No. You have to come with me."

"Thanks, but no thanks." My tone was icy. I stood up and walked toward the door. "I've accepted my fate, Luke. I know about your business. I wish you prosperity."

He grabbed my wrist. "Don't be like this—"

"Who's being like what?!" I turned and lashed out at him wildly. "How long do I have to wait? Until the baby is born? Would you dare say that in front of Vance? Vance! Vance! Do you hear what Luke is saying—"

Luke clamped his hand over my mouth. "Shut up if you want to live!"

I glared at him with hatred. If it weren't for Luke, I wouldn't be in this situation. Now he was pretending to be a savior!

I bit down hard. The taste of blood filled my mouth.

Luke grunted in pain. His hand was bleeding.

They all deserved to die. Why wouldn't they just die!

Finally, Luke relented. He sighed. "Calm down. I'll let you go."

I collapsed to the floor, exhausted. I lowered my head, wiped the blood from my lips, and let out a faint, bitter laugh.

"Luke, I'll hate you for the rest of my life…"

7

I was released from the small room where I had been locked up.

Vance was in a good mood. Every meal, he made me a steamed egg.

They no longer bothered to hide their conversations from me. At the dinner table, they openly discussed human trafficking.

That's how I learned that in three days, another batch of women would be brought to the village.

Every time newcomers arrived, chaos ensued.

This time, there were over a dozen.

Enough to turn the entire village upside down.

While Vance was out, I approached the woman next door.

"Can you steal the keys to the three-wheeler?"

She hesitated, then nodded. She took my hand nervously. "Sister, can we really escape this time?"

"We will."

Her body was still covered in bruises, and there was a scar on her face from being scalded with hot water.

She told me that before she was taken, she was an art student. One of her paintings could sell for thirty thousand.

But now, her fingers had been broken and were bent at odd angles.

My throat tightened. I hugged her. "As long as we get out, there's hope."

When I got home, I cooked a full table of dishes and borrowed my sister-in-law's cheap lipstick.

Once, I had been the center of attention on campus. After a few days of rest and a little makeup, I was more than presentable.

My sister-in-law teased me. "Oh, Vance has only been gone half a day, and you already miss him?"

I grinned. "Sister-in-law, I'm young. I don't hide my feelings. Don't laugh at me."

She was completely reassured and started telling me how cute Vinny had been as a child.

But I hadn't forgotten how, over the past two years, Vinny had learned from the adults to curse and hit me.

They were all demons in sheep's clothing. And the child in my belly would be the same.

Carrying Vance's blood was a stain I could never accept.

Vance came home.

The moment he stepped through the door, his eyes locked onto me.

I knew that with a little effort, I could captivate him.

I eagerly grabbed his arm. "Honey, the baby and I are starving."

It was the first time I had treated him like this, and he was pleasantly surprised. He rubbed his hands together and pinched my cheek. "You look beautiful today."

I suppressed my nausea and forced a smile. "I dressed up for you."

I led Vance to the table and poured him a drink.

Then I said, "After the baby is born, I want to build up the back yard and turn it into a bedroom for him. He can study there every day."

Vance took a sip, wrapped his arm around me, and said happily, "Sure. When the kid grows up, he'll be like Luke—take us to the city to enjoy life."

For three days straight, I cooked hot meals for Vance and plied him with drink.

On the night of the escape, I finally got him drunk.

Late at night, I ran out of the yard. The woman next door was already waiting for me on the three-wheeler.

She looked panicked. "Sister, hurry. My husband will be back soon."

I climbed on quickly. "Go!"

With the three-wheeler, the mountain roads would be easier.

The village was already buzzing. Many families were busy preparing for a banquet that night and had gone to help at the west end of the village.

Even my sister-in-law had gone.

The noise masked the roar of the three-wheeler's engine.

We drove out of the village entrance, but suddenly the vehicle tilted. A wheel got stuck in a muddy ditch, and no matter how hard we tried, we couldn't get it out.

She was on the verge of tears. "Sister, what do we do… it won't move…"

Just then, a village woman passed us. She glanced at us a couple of times, then suddenly ran back toward the village, shouting, "Someone's trying to escape!"

Her shrill voice echoed in the dark.

I jumped down anxiously and helped her push.

If we couldn't get out, we would both die.

Ten minutes passed. Still stuck.

"Hurry! They're up ahead!"

Behind us, people came running with hoes and pickaxes, swarming toward us.

I pushed with all my might and shouted, "Step on it!"

With a powerful roar, the vehicle lurched out of the ditch, bounced a few times, and didn't stop.

She abandoned me and drove off into the night.

The wind cut across my face like a knife.

I felt like I had fallen into an ice pit. Without hesitation, I turned and ran.

They were men. I couldn't outrun them. Within half a minute, the taste of blood filled my mouth.

I had no choice but to dive into the nearby woods. Thorny branches scratched my face as I fled in the dark, like a desperate trapped animal.

Worse, Vance was coming.

He was tall and strong, faster than anyone.

Just as he was about to catch me, Luke, who had been missing for so long, appeared.

He threw his coat over my head, and everything went black.

"Luke! Throw her over here! I'll beat her to death!"

Luke held me tightly, his voice cold. "Vance, another one just ran off. Go after her! If the police find out, we're all finished!"

Vance hesitated for a few seconds, then gritted his teeth. "Fine. I'll go. You take this bitch home!"

The footsteps faded away.

Luke pulled me out from under his coat.

I turned to run, but he dragged me back into the dark and covered my mouth. "Quiet. I'll get you out."

His hot breath hit my ear as he pressed me down under a slope, holding me still.

His grip was strong. He wouldn't let go, nearly choking me.

He pulled me along, hiding in the woods, until Vance and the other men drove past us in a vehicle. Only then did he pull me out and lead me along the mountain path.

I struggled desperately. "Let me go! Or I'll die with you!"

"There are police ahead. They'll catch them. Don't be afraid." Luke hugged me tightly, speaking quickly. "We'll follow behind them. It's safer this way."

I thought I had misheard. I stopped struggling and stared at him blankly.

"I'm sorry for hiding this from you for so long. The police told me not to tell you."

Luke's racing heartbeat pounded against my ear. It felt like my throat was blocked. I couldn't accept this sudden shift in identity.

Surprised… and terrified…

After all these years, I couldn't trust anyone anymore.

Deep down, I even believed I could never escape. When Luke told me the police were ahead, my first reaction was doubt and fear.

The mountain path was rough. Our breaths mingled in the dark.

I decided that if he was lying to me this time, I would jump off the cliff. I would rather die than go back to that village.

Luke's hands were steady. I touched some scars on his wrist. "You didn't have these before."

He lifted me down from a jagged rock and continued pulling me forward. "I got them from the traffickers. After you disappeared, I searched for you for a long time. I followed the police to many places, pretending to be a trafficker. I saved a lot of people, but I could never find you. This place was the last one I could think of."

I heard the regret and pain in his voice. It hit me like a thunderbolt.

"That bridal shop…"

"I had a wedding dress custom-made. I wanted to surprise you. But because of my mistake, you were taken. I'm sorry…"

Luke wiped the corner of his eye, pushed up his slipping glasses, and forced a smile.

"This place is too remote. It took me over a month to contact the police. But thankfully, I can take you away now."

My eyes burned. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Luke was silent for a long time before he said, "Because most trafficked women are mentally unstable. Revealing my identity too soon could have jeopardized the rescue."

Only then did I begin to believe that I might actually escape this place.

My voice was dry. "Luke… this time… can I really get out?"

Moonlight fell on Luke's head. His eyes held a gentle light. "Yes, Claire. I'm taking you home."

My nose stung. I quickened my pace to keep up with him.

Luke said the police car was a kilometer away.

A recent landslide had blocked the road with rubble, or they would have reached the village by now.

As we rounded a bend in the mountain path, a van suddenly appeared in front of us.

Not far away, the woman who had escaped on the three-wheeler lay by the roadside, covered in blood, lifeless.

Vance was on the phone. "What? The new women are all cops? Then Luke—"

He stopped mid-sentence. He had seen us.

I was consumed by a wave of terror. Instinctively, I grabbed Luke.

Vance stared at us, hung up the phone, picked up his hoe, and led a few men toward us, a sinister smile spreading across his face.

"Luke, looks like you're not so honest either."

Luke shielded me firmly and stepped back. "Vance, I'll give you money. Let me take her."

Vance sneered and spat. "Luke, I saved your life. And now you want to take your sister-in-law away? That's not right, is it?"

My palms were sweating with tension. "Vance, I… I'll go back with you."

Luke grabbed me tightly. "Brother, when the police come, you won't be able to escape. Don't add murder to your crimes."

Vance pointed at the woman nearby. "She's already dead, Luke. I don't care anymore. The village is under control. Those female cops won't get away. And both of you will die."

I was trembling with fear. Suddenly, a few tall men pointed toward the village and screamed, "Brother! The village is on fire!"

The small village, hidden in the dark, was now wrapped in a dragon of fire.

It glowed red.

The wind fanned the flames, spreading visibly. Within half a minute, it had become a sea of fire.

While they were distracted, Luke called out, "Claire."

I looked at him.

He cupped my face and kissed my ear briefly. "Be good. When I say so, run. Don't look back."

My mind went blank for a second. The next moment, I saw him charge at the men.

Vance was caught off guard and knocked to the ground.

"Claire, run! Get the police!"

His words rang in my ears.

I snapped back to reality and ran without hesitation toward the dark road ahead.

Blood pounded in my ears. My footsteps echoed off the mountain walls.

Behind me, the sounds of cursing and fighting grew faint yet clear.

"Damn it! Luke! Let go!"

"Get his hands! Cut them off!"

A car horn blared, long and piercing.

I ran through the dark, my lungs burning. Tears streamed down my face. I fell a few times, bloodying myself, but I got up and kept running.

All I could think of was Luke's words: "Get the police!"

The police were ahead! Hope was ahead!

The woman on the three-wheeler lay by the roadside, covered in blood, silent.

In the distance, the village was engulfed in a towering inferno. The sea of fire consumed the sins buried in the filth.

I sobbed. I'm sorry, Luke…

I can't stop…

I'm sorry…

"Ah…"

I let out a scream and ran forward with all my might.

As I turned the corner, red and blue lights flickered in my eyes.

The clear sound of sirens came from the horizon.

I vaguely heard Vance's voice: "Hit his head! He's done for!"

I fell to my knees and wailed.

The mountains were filled with flashing red and blue lights.

They cast a long shadow behind me.

8

In December, I gave birth to a boy.

He looked just like Vance.

Even a single glance gave me nightmares.

So, until his first month, Luke never brought him to me.

Luke's forehead was still wrapped in bandages. He had just been released from the ICU. After recovering a bit, he came to take care of me.

After I was rescued, they sent me to the nearest hospital—Jiangzhou Women's and Children's Hospital.

I had been beaten too many times and had developed many ailments. Luke said I needed to recover slowly. I wouldn't be discharged or get married until I was fully healed.

One night, I woke up from another nightmare, clutching Luke tightly and crying.

"Another nightmare?" He gently stroked my back.

I sobbed. "I dreamed they beat you to death…"

In the dream, by the time the police arrived, Luke was lying in a pool of blood, lifeless.

The entire village was engulfed in flames. The heat was suffocating.

Everyone was dead. Only Vance and I survived.

Luke kissed me. "Don't be afraid. I'm here."

I cried a lot. "I'm sorry… I shouldn't have left you."

"It's okay…" Luke whispered soothingly. "If I hadn't saved you, I would have blamed myself. Take it slow. Everything will get better."

"Will you still marry me?" I asked.

"Yes."

After the baby's first month, Luke took me out of the hospital.

Soon after, Luke and I got our marriage license.

We never spoke of that terrifying past.

As we walked out of the civil affairs bureau, the sun was shining. Luke asked, "Claire, what do you want to do?"

I thought for a moment. "Study."