The van rattled and lurched away from the dirt road in Popeye village. Inside the van, the atmosphere was suffocating. Ryo's heart pounded in his chest, drowning out the engine's growl and the occasional muffled voices of the kidnappers up front. His wrists were bound tightly, and the rope cut into his skin, but he barely felt the pain.
Sophie was pressed against the side of the van, her face pale. The stench of sweat and the lingering scent of burnt rubber filled the cramped space, and Ryo could feel his pulse quicken with every passing second.
He glanced toward the front of the van, where the masked men were talking in hushed tones. Their words were a blur to him, but the one thing he understood was their urgency.
The van sped down the road, jolting over the uneven surface. Josh's mind raced. He had to do something.
Through the haze of his thoughts, in the distance he heard sirens blaring. Ryo's heart jumped with joy. The police were looking for them. As the sound of the sirens faded and the van sped on, Ryo kept searching for an opportunity to escape. His eyes fell on the back window. It was cracked - barely a gap. The van slowed down.
He had to move now.
With a swift motion, he twisted his arms, struggling against the rope. Sweat dripped down his face, the adrenaline surging through him. He worked his wrists against the bond, every movement slow and deliberate. The ropes were tight, but they weren't made of steel. He could do this. He just had to be quick.
"Ryo?" Annie's voice was barely a whisper, but it cut through his concentration. "What are you doing?"
He didn't answer. He couldn't afford to speak. He felt the knot loosen just a fraction. With one final tug, the ropes snapped free.
He gasped for air, rubbing his raw wrists, the sting of the friction making him wince. But there was no time to lose. He had to move.
His eyes darted toward the front of the van, where the kidnappers were still oblivious to the change in the back. He crept to the edge of the van, crouching low, his body tense with every movement.
The engine roared louder and he seized the opportunity and reached out, his hands trembling as they found the door latch.
The van hit a bump, and Ryo saw his chance. With a deep breath, he threw the door open, the rush of wind slapping his face.
The hot air hit him and for a second he hesitated. Then, without thinking, he threw himself into the open air. The world spun around him as he hit the dirt road, the force of the fall knocking the breath from his lungs.
His body rolled, scraping against the harsh gravel. Pain shot through his limbs, but he forced himself to stand, pushing through the burning sensation in his muscles.
He glanced up. He had escaped. He was free.
A sudden sound caught his attention - a sharp screeching, followed by a burst of heat. His stomach dropped as he saw the unmistakable shape of a big man coming towards him. His fist landed in his cheek. Ryo fell to the ground.