The Silent Escape"
The warehouse was silent except for the steady hammer of rain on the tin roof. Min Hyun crouched behind a stack of crates, heart hammering. Jihoon pressed himself against the cold metal, wincing as his wound throbbed. Soojin's hands trembled, her soaked hair sticking to her face.
A faint metallic click echoed through the empty space. A gun being loaded.
Hyun froze.
Footsteps followed, slow and deliberate — heavy boots striking the wet concrete. Three, maybe four men. Searching.
Jihoon mouthed the words he didn't dare speak: They found us.
Min Hyun's eyes darted to the far end of the warehouse. A narrow window, cracked open, tangled in old vines — their only way out.
He motioned silently. Jihoon nodded. Teeth clenched, he gripped a metal pipe, ready to move.
The footsteps grew closer. A shadow of a flashlight swept across the floor.
Now.
Hyun grabbed Soojin's arm. "Go."
Soojin crawled first, moving fast but silent. Jihoon followed, ignoring the stabbing pain in his ribs. Min Hyun was last, ducking as a shadow passed the window. The old hinges groaned as they pushed it open, letting the rain pour in.
They dropped quietly into the muddy ground outside. Thunder roared overhead. The storm masked their movement as they dashed toward the docks.
Ahead, a ship rocked gently under the downpour — its deck dimly lit, empty.
"This way," Hyun whispered, guiding them.
They climbed aboard, each step careful, silent. Once on deck, they flattened against the crates and coils of rope, blending with the shadows. The smell of saltwater and oil filled their lungs, the wind whipping through the rigging.
Somewhere in the distance, faint shouts carried over the storm — the goons had arrived at the warehouse. But the trio was already gone. Silent. Hidden. Safe, for the moment.
Soojin let out a trembling laugh, the sound swallowed immediately by the rain. Jihoon slumped against a crate, finally letting himself breathe.
Min Hyun's eyes scanned the horizon, sharp and alert. "Safe?" he murmured. "No. Just farther from where the danger started."
The storm raged around them, the waves slapping against the hull. Busan disappeared behind a curtain of rain, swallowed by mist, along with the chaos they had just escaped.
For now, they waited — hidden, quiet, alive.
Silent Refuge"
The ship creaked under the storm, rain drumming on its deck like a relentless drumbeat. Min Hyun, Jihoon, and Soojin huddled behind a stack of crates near the stern, pressed close to the wet wood. Their clothes were soaked, their bodies trembling from adrenaline and cold, but the immediate danger had passed.
From somewhere in the distance, muffled voices carried over the wind — the goons searching the warehouse they had just fled. Footsteps struck concrete, shouted orders bounced off the buildings... but here, on the ship, the trio was invisible. The shadows embraced them, hiding them perfectly from prying eyes.
Min Hyun exhaled slowly, the tension leaving his shoulders just enough to notice how exhausted they all were. Soojin shivered, curling into herself, and Jihoon leaned against the crates, letting out a long, shaky breath.
"They... didn't find us," Soojin whispered, almost disbelieving.
"No," Min Hyun murmured, his voice low, still alert. "We're... invisible. For now."
The rain pelted harder, masking any sounds they might make. The engine of the docked ship groaned, rocking slightly under the storm. Hyun's hand brushed Soojin's hair back from her face, damp and tangled. "We can rest a bit... just for a while."
Minutes passed. The adrenaline faded, replaced by bone-deep exhaustion. Eyes grew heavy. The rhythmic lapping of the waves and the hammer of rain on the deck became a lullaby, a steady heartbeat in the chaos.
Jihoon let his head fall against the crate. Soojin, leaning on Min Hyun, sighed softly. Hyun kept one eye open longer than the others, scanning the shadows, listening to the wind. Slowly, his head nodded, too.
Sleep took them, fragile but unavoidable, hiding them in plain sight while the storm raged on outside.
Morning Light and Awkward Confessions
The first sunlight slanted through the deck, bouncing off puddles and glinting off three very ridiculous humans.
Jihoon stirred first, groaning like a man personally offended by the universe. He sat up—and froze.
"Oh... oh no," he whispered, staring at himself. The wet floral cardigan clung to him like clingy seaweed. The scarf drooped over one eye. And the wig... the wig had formed its own soggy personality.
Soojin yawned behind him. "Hyun... wake up..."
Min Hyun stretched—and froze, staring at Jihoon. Then Jihoon noticed him: pastel blouse, wig slipping over his face, and a scarf that had somehow wrapped around his neck twice.
Jihoon's arms shot up. "Hyun! You... you're a woman too?!"
Hyun tugged at the scarf, which immediately snapped back and slapped him across the face. "Yes. Yes, I am! Welcome to the club of miserable, soggy, poorly dressed women!"
Jihoon screamed, flailing like a wet noodle. He tripped over his own cardigan and slid three feet across the deck, arms flailing, landing in a puddle with a dramatic splash. "I... I can't! Look at me! My hair! My skirt! I... I'm doomed!"
Soojin couldn't hold it in and laughed until tears rolled down her cheeks. "Oh my—look at you two! It's like a live-action cartoon!"
Min Hyun tried to help Jihoon up—but slipped on the wet deck, scattering his wig and scarf in a glorious tangle. He flailed, arms windmilling, and landed next to Jihoon with a wet splat. "I said survive, not invent synchronized swimming!"
Jihoon, now half-submerged in a puddle, poked his wet wig. "I... I deserve a medal! Yes! For surviving as a woman in a storm! With style!"
Soojin wiped tears of laughter. "Style? You two look like rejected 90s pop stars caught in a hurricane!"
Hyun flicked his wig like a crown, dripping water everywhere. "Fine. We survived the storm, survived the goons... now survive dressing like humans without falling over."
Jihoon rolled dramatically onto his back, kicking one leg into the air. "Normal humans are overrated!"
Soojin groaned, laughing through exhaustion. "You are both impossible. I can't even..."
The three of them untangled scarves, wigs, and wet fabric like a slapstick routine. Puddles splashed. Wigs flew. Cardigans twisted. And through it all, the sun glinted on the mess, making the absurdity feel glorious.
Min Hyun shook his head, a grin tugging at his lips. "Okay. Laugh now... but after this, we plan. Before anyone sees us and calls the Coast Guard for fashion crimes.".
Morning Shenanigans on the Deck
The sound of heavy footsteps on the deck made Jihoon freeze.
"Someone's coming..." he whispered, eyes wide, tugging at his wig and scarf.
Soojin and Min Hyun scrambled. Jihoon and Min Hyun smoothing out their wet cardigans and straightening tangled wigs. They flailed quietly like three very nervous, soggy performers.
The ship's captain appeared at the top of the stairs—a burly man with a stern frown that softened only slightly when he noticed them. "What... happened here?" His gaze swept over the wet deck and finally settled on Jihoon.
Jihoon cleared his throat, standing as straight as he could. His voice, high-pitched and quivering with dramatic flair, rang out: "Oh... sir! We were trapped! Trapped here by horrible goons! They—they wanted to take us!"
The captain blinked. "Goons?"
"Yes! Horrible men! They chased us through wind, rain, and—the terrible, terrible storm!" Jihoon flailed for emphasis, accidentally flicking Min Hyun's wig.
Min Hyun muttered, tugging it back into place, "Thanks a lot, Jihoon..."
Soojin stepped forward, waving her hands like a frantic director. "It's true, sir! We barely escaped! If it weren't for us being... resourceful," she glanced pointedly at their mismatched, soggy outfits, "we'd be—well, worse off."
The captain's frown softened, but then he raised an eyebrow. "So... where are you three going now?"
The trio looked at each other, shifting nervously.
Jihoon swallowed, voice shaking. "We... we don't know. We have no place... we barely saved our lives..."
The captain studied them for a long moment, then his expression softened. "Come with me. You can dry off first... then decide what to do."
Jihoon gasped in relief, clutching his chest in dramatic fashion. "Oh... sir! You're... too kind! Truly!"
Soojin and Min Hyun shared a glance, half-smiling, half-exhausted. "Thank you, sir," Soojin said softly.
They followed the captain off the deck, trying not to trip over each other—or over their own ridiculous outfits. Jihoon's skirt kept catching on the railing, and Min Hyun's wig slid dangerously, but somehow, by some miracle (and sheer panic), they made it to the small rowboat waiting below.
As they settled in, Jihoon whispered to Soojin, "We might actually survive this... if he doesn't realize we're completely useless at being women."
Soojin snorted. "Keep your voice down, or you'll blow the act. And don't let him see you trip in that wig again."
Min Hyun grumbled, tugging at his blouse. "Next time, I pick the disguise."
The captain rowed them silently, occasionally glancing back to make sure they were still upright.
The rowboat rocked gently as the captain guided them to a small, cozy home nestled by the harbor. The scent of saltwater mixed with earth and vegetables drifting from the garden gave the place a comforting, homey feel.
As they stepped onto the porch, a woman with kind eyes and a straw hat appeared, watering the small vegetable patch.
"Honey, I found three girls who took shelter on the deck last night," the captain said, gesturing toward Jihoon, Min Hyun, and Soojin. "Some trouble with goons... and a storm. They were soaked to the bone."
The woman smiled warmly, setting down the watering can. "Girls?" she called softly.
Jihoon, Min Hyun, and Soojin bowed politely. "Good morning, ma'am," Jihoon said, voice still dramatic but slightly calmer.
"Good morning, dear," she replied with gentle curiosity. "What happened? Are you all right?"
Soojin stepped forward first. "Yes... we're okay now. We just... had a little trouble last night, and we didn't know where else to go."
The woman's expression softened. "Oh, poor dears. Come inside, then. You can dry off and change your clothes."
Inside, the kitchen smelled faintly of herbs and everything organized neatly. She handed them three simple sets of clothes—modest, practical, and very grandmotherly in style.
"Here you go," she said. "You'll feel much better after freshening up."
Soojin blinked at her outfit and shrugged. "Well... better than wet clothes, I guess."
She went first, disappearing into the small changing area. When she returned, Jihoon and Min Hyun froze.
"Oh my...!" Jihoon burst out, clutching his chest dramatically. "Soojin... what... what is that?!"
Soojin twirled, holding the hem of the granny-like dress. "What? I think it's cute... and dry!"
Min Hyun's eyes widened. "Fine? She looks like she stepped straight out of a knitting circle!"
Both of them burst into laughter, nearly toppling over in their wet slippers.
"Your turn!" Soojin called, while narrowing her eyes a little. "Don't keep the fashion show waiting!"
Jihoon and Min Hyun stepped into the changing area. Moments later, muffled voices could be heard.
"This... this isn't my size!" Jihoon groaned. "The top is too tight!"
Min Hyun tugged at his blouse, frowning. "Seriously... how am I supposed to move in this?"
Soojin peeked in, laughing. "Uh... maybe we should ask granny for something else?"
The two of them called out politely. "Granny... could we have something a little bigger?"
The granny chuckled knowingly. "Ah... I thought so. Here—try my husband's pants with the tops. That should be much more comfortable."
Moments later, Jihoon emerged wearing the granny's floral top tucked into grandpa's pants, slightly loose but manageable. Min Hyun followed, his top snug but the pants fitting just right.
Soojin couldn't stop laughing. "Oh my... Granny tops and grandpa pants! You two look... like a fashion experiment!"
Jihoon struck a dramatic pose. "I... I am still brave! Alive! And... fashionably heroic!"
Min Hyun rolled his eyes, tugging at the trousers. "Brave? Maybe. Fashionable? Definitely not."
The granny chuckled softly. "There you go. Now you're dry and can move freely."
Soojin laughed until tears came to her eyes. "Honestly, I can't stop laughing... you two are priceless."
Jihoon flopped into a chair dramatically. "I demand... recognition! A medal! Or a crown!"
Min Hyun muttered, "Or maybe... therapy..."
The granny's cheerful voice carried across the garden.
"Breakfast is ready, dears! Come eat while it's warm!"
Soojin, Jihoon, and Min Hyun followed, still in their quirky outfits—granny tops tucked into grandpa's pants. The morning sun warmed the small garden, where vegetables and herbs rustled gently in the breeze.
"Grandpa left for work," the granny said with a gentle smile. "He'll be back in a few hours, so enjoy your meal outside."
As they settled at the small wooden table, the granny's eyes swept over them, noticing their wet hair and slightly rumpled clothes.
"Oh my... you three must have had a really tough time like this... in the storm and all. Poor dears!"
Soojin bowed slightly. "Yes... we barely made it out safely, ma'am," she said, trying to keep her voice soft and feminine.
Jihoon attempted a high-pitched, trembling voice. "It... it was terrifying, granny! The goons! The storm!"
Min Hyun tried the same, but it came out a little shaky, sounding less convincing.
The granny's eyebrows shot up as she noticed how they were eating. "And I wonder... what kind of experience made you eat like this?" she asked, wide-eyed. The way they devoured their food—chopsticks stabbing, bowls practically inhaled—was unlike any girls she'd ever seen.
Jihoon, still mid-bite, paused dramatically. "Survival, granny! Pure survival!"
Soojin tried to nibble delicately, but her mouth was so full she could barely speak. "Uh... y-yes... survival..." she mumbled, cheeks puffed out, managing an awkward nod.
Then, just as Jihoon said "survival," his voice suddenly slipped back into a manly tone, loud and full.
The granny's eyes narrowed sharply. "Why... why does your voice sound like a man's?"
Jihoon froze, cheeks red.
Soojin quickly leaned in, cheeks puffed from holding her own bite of food, and defended him. "Ah! That... that's because he has... food in his mouth and throat, ma'am! Yes, that's why it sounds... different!"
The granny blinked, then gave a small, amused shake of her head. "Hmph... very well. But you two really do have quite the appetite for poor little girls in distress!"
Jihoon muttered under his breath, embarrassed. "I... I'm trying, okay? Survival!"
Min Hyun tugged at his blouse, smirking slightly. "And I'm just following suit..."
The morning air was filled with the sounds of chopsticks, soft bird calls, and occasional suppressed laughter as they were having their meal.
When the food was almost finished Soojin noticed someone over the fence.
A figure was standing beyond the garden, staring at them with intense focus. Motionless, silent, watching their every move.
Soojin subtly gestured to Jihoon and Min Hyun. Both glanced toward the fence, trying to act casual while still chewing.
The light, peaceful morning now carried an undercurrent of tension.
Slowly, the figure outside started moving toward the garden, deliberate and quiet.
Soojin's heart skipped a beat.
Jihoon froze mid-step. Min Hyun straightened, a wary glint in his eye.
The garden, bright and peaceful a moment ago, now seemed charged with anticipation.
And just as the figure reached the gate, the scene paused—leaving the three of them frozen, caught between relief, fear, and curiosity.
Who Could be the person ? The stranger approaches, and the morning calm shatters. Are the goons still after them, or has a new danger arrived, closer than they could imagine?