CHAPTER 1: THE ENVELOPE
The room stayed silent long after the envelope touched the floor.
The girl didn’t move at first.
Her fingers were still locked around the two cans, knuckles pale, as if letting go—even for a second—would cost her everything.
“Take it,” the man said quietly.
His voice wasn’t what she expected.
It wasn’t cold.
It wasn’t cruel.
It was… tired.
The girl blinked through her tears, her breath trembling in short bursts. Slowly—like approaching something dangerous—she loosened one hand and reached for the envelope.
It was warm.
Not from the cold room—but from him.
Inside, there was no money scattered loosely.
There was a card.
A clean, white card with a symbol embossed in silver.
And behind it—cash. More than she had ever seen in her life.
Her eyes widened.
“What… is this?” she whispered.
“A way out,” the man replied.
Behind her, the woman on the bed coughed violently, her body shaking under the thin blanket.
The man’s gaze shifted instantly.
“How long has she been like this?”
The girl hesitated.
“…Three days.”
That was all he needed.
Without another word, he turned, pulled out a small radio from his coat, and pressed a button.
“I need a medical unit. Now.”
The girl froze.
This wasn’t real.
People like him didn’t help.
They took.
They always took.
May you like
But this time—
He didn’t.
