Ryo had finally reached his limit.
Every path he had taken led back to the same emptiness, and in that moment, he believed the only way to be free was to disappear from this world altogether.
Just as he was about to act on that thought, a voice cut through the silence.
"Stop."
He turned sharply. A women with deep red hair stood a few steps away, her eyes wide not with fear, but urgency.
"Leave me alone," Ryo shouted. "Just let me end this."
"Are you insane?" She snapped back." Why you would try to throw your life away?"
"Stay out of this," Ryo growled. "It's none of your business. "
She didn't leave.
It took time long, painful minutes but eventually her words broke through his walls. Against his instincts, Ryo began to talk. And when his strength finally gave out, she offered him a place to rest.
Her name was Elizabeth.
She took him to her house hidden in the mountains and prepaid a simple meal. Even then Ryo remained cautious. After everything he had been through trust does not come easily.
Elizabeth started with something small.
"How old are you?"
Seventeen, Ryo replied.
She nodded. "Then I'm two years older than you nineteen."
Slowly, piece by piece, Ryo told her his story his past, his mistakes, and how he had come close to losing himself completely.
"Freedom huh?" Elizabeth said quietly after he had finished. Let me tell you something , Ryo . If you asked people to define freedom you'd get one word but endless meanings. That's what makes it special. There are as many versions of freedom as they are people on this earth. That's why it's the only dream that never truly dies."
Ryo felt something unfamiliar settle in his chest. Safety.
No one had ever explained it like that before.
For the first time In a long while, he felt hope.
Elizabeth looked at him and asked the question that changed everything :
"So tell me Ryo... what's your version of freedom?"