Three: Serious Condition

"Damn, they're like leeches!" Alven growled, realizing that the Exodus police had the advantage in this underwater environment. He had to find a safe hiding place quickly or he'd be caught.

Meanwhile, in the simple farmer's hut, Foreplay was still groaning in pain. Qinny painstakingly tore a piece of cloth into a bandage and wrapped it tightly around her friend's injured arm. Win stood guard by the window, his eyes scanning the darkness outside.

"How's he doing?" Win asked, not taking his eyes off of him.

"The bleeding has stopped, but he's lost a lot of blood. We need better medicine," Qinny replied worriedly.

"The farmer said there's a small fishing village at the end of this rice field. Maybe we can find help there," Win suggested.

Suddenly, Foreplay opened her eyes with difficulty. "Alven... what about him?" she whispered.

Qinny and Win exchanged glances. They were both worried about Alven, who had disappeared amidst the chaos.

"We have to wait for him," Qinny finally said, trying to hide her anxiety. "He's cunning, he'll definitely be able to evade the police."

Outside, the sound of footsteps drew closer to the hut. Win motioned for them to hide again. This time, they huddled in a dark corner, hoping to avoid being seen.

The door opened slowly, and it wasn't the police who appeared, but the old farmer who had helped them earlier. His face looked worried.

"What's wrong, Grandpa?" Win whispered.

"The police are looking for you. They're searching the entire area. You need to get out of here immediately," the farmer said in a low voice.

"But our friend isn't back yet," Qinny replied, staring hopefully at the door.

"There's no time. If they find you here, I'll be in danger too," the farmer urged.

"Follow me. There's a secret path behind this hut that leads to a small forest near the beach. From there, you can try to find further shelter."

With heavy hearts, Qinny and Win helped Foreplay to her feet. Despite the pain, Foreplay managed to walk. They followed the old farmer to the back door of the hut, hidden behind the bushes.

The secret door creaked softly as the old farmer opened it, revealing a narrow, damp passageway that led down a steep slope. The air inside was stuffy, smelling of wet earth and moss. Qinny supported Foreplay, who occasionally winced in pain, while Win walked behind, trying to erase their footprints as best as possible with a small twig.

"Hurry, kid. Don't make a sound," the old farmer whispered, his voice hoarse with age and tension.

In the distance, from the direction of the hut, the faint sounds of shouting and interrogation could be heard. Their hearts pounded. The police had arrived at the hut.

The journey felt long and torturous, especially for Foreplay, who was beginning to lose consciousness from blood loss. Her arm, which Qinny had bandaged so crudely, continued to ooze fresh blood. The passageway finally opened into a gap between the roots of a large tree, forming a sort of natural gateway. They had reached the small forest the farmer had mentioned. The moonlight filtering through the leaves provided minimal illumination.

"From here, head straight towards the sound of the waves. There's a fishing village there. Hopefully, they'll help," the farmer said, pointing in one direction.

He then handed Win a small package containing some dried fish and sea fruits. "This is all Grandpa has. Go now, before dawn."

Without waiting for a response, the old farmer turned and disappeared back into the secret passage, carefully closing the gap.

The three of them were silent for a moment, catching their breath. The sound of crashing waves could be heard faintly in the distance.

"We have to find a place to treat Foreplay immediately," Win said, his face anxious as he watched his friend's increasingly pale condition.

Qinny nodded. "The fishing village is our hope. But we also have to be vigilant. We don't know if they'll be friendly or turn on us."

Foreplay, with the last of his strength, murmured, "Alven... we have to find Alven..."

"We will find him, Foreplay. But you have to be strong first," Qinny replied softly, but her eyes conveyed deep worry for Alven's fate, separated from him.

Meanwhile, Alven was still like a mouse being chased by a cat through the corridors of the Exodus Kingdom. He darted between giant coral pillars, making sharp turns through narrow alleys carved from shell structures, trying to hide from the relentless pursuit of the kingdom's police. Their lanterns swept in all directions, casting his shadow dancing on the coral walls.

"Damn it, they won't give up!" Alven hissed, catching his breath behind a worn sea god statue.

He could hear the rapid swishing of the policemen's fins and their shouts of command. One of the officers even managed to touch the hem of his robe before he managed to escape with an acrobatic maneuver.

He had to think fast. The main city was too dangerous. He remembered old stories of ancient, abandoned trade routes on the outskirts of the kingdom, near the wild seaweed forests. Perhaps there he could find a place to hide, or even a way out.

With renewed determination, Alven changed direction, heading away from the bustling center of the celebration that had now become his hunting ground. He had to find his friends. Worry gnawed at him, but he knew he would be of no use to them if he were captured. He had to survive first, then devise a new plan.