While walking, I kept peeking into the room where the snake had been to check. Where is it? Which room was it again? I found the snake in room 74. However, the problem was that I was carrying a child on my back and a cat in my arms, and the weight made it impossible to do anything. I put Henry back on the bed and grabbed the snake with my hand. Then I opened the cat bag I was carrying and put the snake into a small pocket inside the bag.
Coexist! Please! Even if you don't like it, at least try!
I locked the cat bag and put Henry back on my back. When I went outside, the water had already risen to my thighs, and I could see the Russians wading through the water and walking towards the central staircase. "Let's go together!" I started running as fast as I could, but the speed was so slow that a land turtle might have walked faster. It was hard to walk because the water made my body float. With Henry's weight on my back and my own, I barely managed not to fall. I supported Henry's bottom with one hand and held the wall with the other, trying to calm my heart that felt like it was about to burst. I was just passing room 68. 路路路路路路We can escape. We can escape! I've done it in my dreams! We can do it! I'm not scared! I'm not scared!
The water seemed to be like a grim reaper, constantly dragging at my ankles and waist. I couldn't walk fast. I tried hard not to be overwhelmed by fear. If fear filled my mind, I might have abandoned everything and fled alone.
路路路路路It's okay. We can escape. When I meet the owners of these animals and the parents of the child, I'll grab them by the collar and ask why they brought them here without taking care of them when the water started leaking. I'll be angry and tell them that we almost died. And I'll tell them not to bring animals or children to forbidden places. Damn. I can escape. Calm down. 路路路路路路If there were a barrier at the stairs, I would have cried my heart out.
I finally reached the central staircase. I spat out the bag handle I had been holding in my mouth and lifted my head, which had been drooping, to look up the stairs. The barrier had not come down. Tears welled up in my eyes. A heavy sense of relief washed over me when I realized they hadn't abandoned me.
I clenched my teeth and started climbing the stairs, but then relaxed my face, knowing it was a bad habit. I leaned all my weight on the stair railing with one hand. I had never clung to anything as desperately as I did to this railing. While supporting Henry's bottom with my arm, I fell twice on the wet, slippery stairs before finally reaching the top. I thought about the possibility that Henry, the snake, or the cat might have been hurt when I fell, but I had no time to check.
As soon as I got off the stairs, I put Henry down and panted, grabbing the door. The water followed me, just two steps behind. I pressed the button on the panel next to the door that looked like it would close it. Only when the door closed did I realize I was panting like a dog, sticking out my tongue to catch my breath. We made it. We escaped from the dormitory. I accomplished one thing. I couldn't do anything but breathe and lay on the floor to rest. I thought of Baek Ae-young, who had counted the time while gathering food. Remembering her words about not wasting time, I counted to 100 and got up again.
After a short rest, I started walking again with the 6kg cat and the child, who I estimated to weigh about 25kg, on my back. I adjusted Henry, who was slipping, and thought about the path I had walked with Viktor. According to my dream, I would meet Shin Hae-ryang, Baek Ae-young, and Seo Ji-hyuk at the escape boat port. 路路路路路路This time, I don't have to ride the cable car. Suddenly, I felt a surge of energy. My clothes were soaked, and the weight on my back made me want to collapse, but the thought of seeing them again made me happy.
People were gathered at the escape boat port. As I approached, leaving wet footprints, Yu Geum, the Russians, Carlos, and a few others turned to look at me. One of the people standing in front of the escape boat dock suddenly came towards me. He was very tall and well-built.
"Nice to see you here, sir."
Kang Soo-jung smiled at me. I shook her hand in a daze and looked around. Huh? Why is Kang Soo-jung here? Where are Shin Hae-ryang, Seo Ji-hyuk, and Baek Ae-young? I shook Kang Soo-jung's hand and was confused by the unexpected turn of events. Did they leave on the escape boat?
"Did Team Leader Shin Hae-ryang escape on the escape boat?"
"Yes, something like that."
Kang Soo-jung then laughed like a mischievous child.
"I tricked him. He must be surprised right now."
"You called him to fix the escape boat, and then closed the door, right?"
Kang Soo-jung laughed softly.
"Yes? Why?"
"Baek Ae-young tried to get on the escape boat, but I forced her out and pushed him in. A healthy guy like him should give up his spot for someone who's sick, right?"
"Was Baek Ae-young sick? She seemed fine when I saw her recently."
"I thought so too, but her voice was hoarse, and she was touching her left chest and frowning. I thought she might have a heart problem, so I sent her first."
Neck? Left chest? An invisible hand seemed to stroke my back and then suddenly choke me. The image of Baek Ae-young in the collapsed cable car is still vivid in my mind. The endless ringing in my ears and the despair as the floor collapsed, the endless flow of blood. I tried to shake off the unpleasant feeling and asked Kang Soo-jung again.
"Is Seo Ji-hyuk okay? He came to our dental clinic a few days ago."
"Ah, he was complaining about his left leg and couldn't walk, so I sent him first. A few minutes ago, he was running around, but then he started crawling on the floor and screaming, acting like he was in pain. Sigh. His leg was fine."
"His leg was fine?"
Ignoring the goosebumps on my back and shoulders, I asked, and Kang Soo-jung chuckled softly.
"He was saying something about feeling like he had been shot in the leg, but when I looked at his bare leg, it was fine. He was making a fuss to get on the escape boat, so I sent him off, thinking it wouldn't help much anyway."
Kang Soo-jung twirled her index finger in the air, and just as I was about to respond, Jeong Sang-hyun, who had been quiet, interjected.
"Then why didn't you send me first and send Ji-hyuk later?"
"Lee Ji-hyun gave up her spot for Seo Ji-hyuk. Shouldn't you have done the same for her?"
"Baek Ae-young was fine until this morning!"
"You saw her voice was hoarse. If you were like Seo Ji-hyuk, did you roll on the floor and scream, or take off your pants in front of everyone?"
Jeong Sang-hyun grumbled and walked away towards Carlos. Kang Soo-jung shook her head at him.
"I prioritized the injured for evacuation. Later, whether it's the higher-ups of the underwater base or journalists, they will check if the evacuation process was followed. I didn't send anyone I favored first."
Then Kang Soo-jung looked at the child I had laid on the floor, exhausted. Henry was sleeping soundly, even with his limbs wet. Looking at his peaceful forehead, as if this situation had nothing to do with him, I managed to separate myself from the current chaotic state.