Minho

I am not afraid. There is no room for it. Fear would prevent me from fulfilling my promise to Lucas. Fear makes you not think clearly and right now I need all my concentration.

Neither of us says a word. The road to Wayv passes silently between us. I only barely hear the galloping of the horses. The wind blows freezing through my face, but it is welcome. The cold indicates that I can still feel something. Somehow it gives me hope, I just don't know what for.

Maybe that I haven't lost all my humanity in the last four years? I would like to think that.

I don't have any words of encouragement, I never have. I don't want to give them false hope, they know what they've gotten themselves into. And yet, although they know it, why are they now riding by my side? The reasons are beyond me. I imagine that life on the road and constant escape have brought us together. Even if it's just my own perception.

Jinki thinks he owes me something, but that's not the case at all. Lucas is here for his brother. And Jonghyun stayed for the food. That I was allowed to be a part of these men's lives fills me with pride. If I ever had friends, it is them.

What will happen to them if we fail? A few robberies won't send them to the gallows. They might even be allowed out of prison after a few years and lead a halfway normal life.

I don't care exactly how I die. The end remains the same for me. Whether I die today trying to free Mark, or hang in a week after turning myself in. The few days make no difference. But there is no one I would rather ride to my death with than these three men. That's why I'm not afraid.

I am tired.

Jinki tapped me on the shoulder wordlessly. And I didn't have to explain to Lucas where she, he, had gone either. I know that my decision was right. But then why does it feel so wrong? Maybe because our goodbye should have turned out differently? I'll never see him again. I think I regret not telling him how I really feel about him. Of course he would never be able to return my feelings. But even if he had laughed at me, told me that I was not up to his social standard. Told me I was crazy; all that would be insignificant. I could have been honest at least for one last time in my life.

But I didn't take that chance. And why? Because I was afraid. But that will no longer determine my life from today on.

Of all the people in the world, it had to be him. Life has funny ways of showing you its irony. After you have lost something, you realize its worth.

Just before death I realize that I don't have to be afraid. At least I die knowing these two certainties.

I know that all of this was worth it. Yoona will live a beautiful life. And that's worth giving mine up for.

I barely dodge the arrow that grazes my face. A hissing sound flashes past me. What is going on here? How could the royal troops get here so quickly? If they were at Exo Pass, they should arrive in Wayv days later than us.

I pull hard on my horse's reins. The next arr