Darkness filled the cabin.
The air was heavy.
Still.
Benji and his teacher sat back-to-back.
Bound tightly.
Ropes cutting into their skin.
Benji slowed his breathing.
Forced himself to stay calm.
His heart pounded—
But his mind steadied.
"They think I'm finished."
The teacher's voice was barely a whisper.
Benji nodded.
Even in the dark.
"That's our advantage."
Carefully—
Benji shifted his hands.
Feeling behind him.
Searching.
A broken edge of wood.
Sharp enough.
He pressed the rope against it.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Fibers began to snap.
One by one.
Silently.
The teacher's eyes stayed on the door.
Listening.
Waiting.
Outside—
Footsteps faded.
Further away.
Benji pulled his hands free.
His wrists burned.
But he didn't react.
He turned—
And quickly untied his teacher.
"Good…"
A quiet breath.
"…now think."
The teacher sat forward slightly.
Blood still seeping through his clothes.
His strength fading.
But his mind—
Sharp as ever.
"They left four unconscious…"
A pause.
"…two still active."
Benji's thoughts raced.
Fast.
Focused.
"They'll come back to check us."
His eyes moved across the cabin.
Scanning.
Calculating.
Rope.
An oil lantern.
Rusted nails.
Broken wooden planks.
Everything mattered.
Everything could be used.
His eyes sharpened.
He leaned closer—
Whispered his plan.
The teacher listened.
Then—
A weak smile appeared.
"You're my student."
Benji nodded.
Firm.
"I'll handle distraction." said by the mentor
"I'll handle traps." replied by Benji
They moved.
Quietly.
Quickly.
Benji tied a rope low across the doorway.
Covered it lightly with dust.
Invisible.
He placed the oil lantern above the doorframe.
Unstable.
Ready to fall.
Nails—
Positioned upward beneath a loose mat.
Hidden.
Deadly.
His breathing stayed steady.
Focused.
Behind him—
The teacher dragged himself into view.
Deliberately.
Then—
A loud cough.
Forced.
Outside—
Voices.
"He's alive?"
Footsteps rushed closer.
The door burst open—
A body stepped in—
And tripped.
CRASH.
The lantern fell.
Shattered.
Oil splashed upward.
A scream filled the cabin.
Blinded.
Burning.
Another rushed in—
His foot came down—
On nails.
A sharp cry.
His body collapsed instantly.
Benji stood still.
Watching.
Shaking—
But focused.
He grabbed a wooden plank.
Tight.
His hands trembled.
For a second—
He hesitated.
A memory flashed.
His teacher.
Bleeding.
Fighting.
His grip tightened.
Benji stepped forward—
And struck.
The plank connected.
The first attacker dropped.
The second tried to rise—
Benji moved again.
A strike to the knee.
A scream.
Then silence.
Benji stepped back.
Breathing heavily.
His chest rose and fell rapidly.
He didn't feel strong.
He didn't feel proud.
But—
He didn't freeze.
The teacher watched him.
A quiet pride in his eyes.
"You chose survival."
Outside—
Footsteps returned.
Two more.
They stopped.
Seeing the fallen bodies.
Their expressions changed instantly.
Weapons drawn.
Benji's eyes widened.
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"Now."
The teacher moved first.
Bursting forward despite his injuries.
A sudden strike—
One attacker dropped instantly.
The second turned—
Too late.
Benji moved from the blind side.
Just like he was taught.
He used his weight—
His position—
And threw him.
The man crashed into the wall.
Unconscious.
Silence.
The fight—
Was over.
The teacher's body gave in.
He collapsed.
Benji rushed forward.
Caught him before he hit the ground.
Distant sounds—
Sirens.
Getting closer.
The remaining attackers fled into the forest.
Gone.
Benji stood there.
Shaking.
Breathing hard.
The teacher looked at him.
A faint smile.
"How was your first fight?"
Benji's voice was quiet.
But unbreakable.
"A little tough maybe."
Later—
A hospital room.
The teacher lay on the bed.
Bandaged.
Weak.
But alive.
Beside him—
Benji sat silently.
"You've grown."
Benji didn't answer.
He looked out the window.
His eyes were different now.
Sharper.
Stronger.