NO ESCAPE: Three Cursed Kings

The factory never slept. Even at midnight, thick smoke continued pouring out of the rusted chimneys, spreading into the dark sky like poison. The sound of giant machines echoed endlessly through the building—metal crashing against metal, engines roaring, workers coughing, supervisors screaming. It was hell disguised as work. And inside that hell, Rihaya stood beside a boiling furnace with sweat running down her neck. “Move faster!” the supervisor barked. Rihaya flinched slightly before quickly lifting another heavy basket of iron scraps. Her arms trembled from exhaustion, but she forced herself to keep moving. If she slowed down, she would lose part of her pay again. The air inside the factory was suffocating. Smoke. Heat. Dust. Pain. Sometimes she wondered how humans survived in a place like this. But survival was the only thing she had left. Her thin slippers dragged weakly against the dirty floor as she carried the basket toward the melting section. Around her, dozens of workers looked just as miserable. Some had burns on their arms. Some coughed every few seconds. Some looked half-dead already. Nobody smiled there. Nobody dreamed there. The factory crushed dreams long ago. Rihaya carefully emptied the basket before wiping sweat from her forehead. Her stomach twisted painfully. She was hungry again. But she ignored it. Hunger was normal. She hadn’t eaten properly in days anyway. A loud ringing noise suddenly echoed through the building. Break time. The workers immediately rushed toward the resting area like starving animals. Some carried bread. Some had rice wrapped in nylon bags. Others bought cheap noodles from the food woman outside the gate. Rihaya quietly sat alone near the wall. She reached into her worn bag and pulled out a small loaf of bread. Just one. Her fingers tightened around it for a moment before she slowly placed it back inside the bag. No. Josh needed it more. She drank water instead. Cold water wouldn’t stop the hunger, but it would silence it for a while. “You’re not eating again?” Rihaya looked up and saw an older woman staring at her with pity. The woman worked beside her almost every night. “I’m not hungry,” Rihaya lied softly. The woman snorted. “You keep saying that every day.” Rihaya forced a smile. “I ate before coming.” Another lie. The woman sighed but didn’t argue again. Everybody in the factory had their own suffering. There was only so much pity people could spare. The break ended too quickly. Soon the screams of supervisors filled the air again. “Back to work!” Rihaya stood up immediately and returned to the furnace section. Hours passed painfully. Her body already ached from carrying metal all night, but she continued working silently. Every movement burned her muscles. Still, she endured it. Because Josh was waiting at home. That thought alone kept her standing. By the time the shift finally ended, dawn had already begun creeping into the sky. The workers slowly dragged themselves out of the factory like ghosts. Rihaya stepped outside and inhaled deeply. Fresh air. Even polluted city air felt better than factory smoke. Her salary for the week was placed roughly into her palm by the accountant near the gate. The moment she counted it, her chest tightened. Too small. Again. It wasn’t enough. Not for rent. Not for food. Certainly not for medicine. The accountant barely looked at her. “Two deductions.” Rihaya frowned slightly. “Deductions?” “You broke equipment last week.” Her eyes widened. “I didn’t—” “Next!” The accountant shoved her aside immediately. Rihaya nearly stumbled. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. There was no point arguing. Poor people never won arguments. She quietly folded the little money into her pocket and began walking home. The streets were slowly becoming busy as morning approached. Shop owners opened their stalls. Cars moved noisily through the roads. The smell of roasted corn drifted through the air. Rihaya looked away quickly. Food vendors were dangerous when you were hungry. Very dangerous. After almost thirty minutes of walking, she finally reached the tiny building she called home. The apartment looked like it would collapse one day. Cracked walls. Broken windows. Leaking roof. But it was still home. Rihaya gently pushed the door open. “Josh?” No answer. She stepped inside quietly. The small room was dim and cramped. A weak fan turned slowly above their heads, making squeaking noises every few seconds. Josh was asleep on the bed. At least… she thought he was. Rihaya smiled faintly as she removed her slippers. He looked peaceful for once. Slowly, she walked closer and sat beside him. Josh was only seventeen, but sickness had already stolen so much from him. His cheeks looked thinner these days. His skin had become pale. Still, whenever he smiled, he somehow looked like the same little boy she raised after their parents died. Rihaya carefully touched his hair. “I brought bread,” she whispered softly. Josh suddenly stirred awake. “Rihaya?” “You’re awake already?” He sat up slowly and smiled weakly. “You came home late.” She laughed quietly. “You say that every day.” “That’s because you work too much.” She avoided his eyes immediately. “I’m fine.” Josh stared at her carefully. Even exhausted, Rihaya was beautiful. Her tan skin glowed softly beneath the morning light entering through the broken window. Her long dark hair was messy from work, yet somehow it still framed her face beautifully. But Josh noticed something else too. She looked thinner. Again. “You didn’t eat, did you?” he asked quietly. Rihaya quickly handed him the bread. “Eat first.” Josh frowned. “You always do this.” “I already ate at the factory.” “You’re lying.” “I’m not.” “You are.” Rihaya sighed dramatically. “Must you interrogate me every morning?” Josh smiled weakly before tearing the bread into two pieces. He handed one half back to her. “We share.” Rihaya wanted to refuse. But Josh was stubborn. Finally, she accepted it. The two siblings ate quietly together on the small bed. For a moment, the world felt peaceful. No factory. No suffering. No hunger. Just them. Josh suddenly laughed softly. “What?” “You remember when I tried cooking rice alone?” Rihaya burst into laughter immediately. “You almost burned the entire kitchen!” “I was eleven!” “You added sugar instead of salt!” “I thought they looked the same!” Rihaya laughed harder. Josh smiled while watching her. He loved hearing her laugh. Because she rarely did anymore. After their parents died, Rihaya changed completely. At only sixteen, she dropped out of school and started working to raise him. She worked day and night without complaining. Josh knew how much she sacrificed. Too much. And he hated it. A sudden cough escaped his throat. Then another. Rihaya immediately turned toward him. “Josh?” “I’m okay.” But the coughing continued. Violently. Josh quickly turned his face away. Rihaya’s expression changed instantly. “Josh…” He grabbed a small cloth near the pillow and covered his mouth. His shoulders shook painfully. Rihaya’s chest tightened in fear. “Josh, look at me.” “I’m fine…” “Look at me.” Slowly, Josh lowered the cloth. Rihaya froze. Blood. Fresh blood stained the fabric. Her breathing stopped. “Josh…” “It’s nothing.” “Nothing?!” Josh tried smiling. “It happens sometimes.” Rihaya’s eyes widened with panic. “Since when?!” Josh looked away silently. Tears immediately filled Rihaya’s eyes. “How long?” “…Two weeks.” “What?!” “I didn’t want you to worry.” Rihaya stood up instantly. “We’re going to the hospital.” Josh grabbed her wrist weakly. “No.” “We’re going!” “We can’t afford it.” “I said we’re going!” Her voice cracked loudly. Silence filled the tiny room. Josh stared at her quietly. Then he smiled sadly. “You look scary when you’re angry.” Rihaya’s eyes burned with tears. “Don’t joke right now.” Josh coughed again. This time harder. Rihaya quickly supported him. Fear crawled violently through her chest. Something was wrong. Very wrong. And deep down— she already knew it. Hours later, they finally arrived at the small hospital nearby. The waiting area was crowded and noisy. Children crying. Patients groaning. Doctors rushing around. Rihaya held Josh’s hand tightly the entire time. Please be okay. Please. After several examinations, the doctor finally entered the room holding some papers. His expression alone made Rihaya’s stomach drop. Josh looked nervous. The doctor sighed quietly before sitting down. “There’s damage in his lungs.” Rihaya’s fingers tightened instantly. “What kind of damage?” The doctor hesitated. Then finally spoke. “Lung cancer.” The room became silent. Rihaya blinked slowly. As if she didn’t understand the words. Josh lowered his head quietly. “No…” she whispered. The doctor continued speaking, but his voice started sounding distant. Treatment. Operation. Urgent. Expensive. Dangerous. The words stabbed into her mind endlessly. “How much?” Rihaya asked weakly. The doctor mentioned the amount. And her entire world shattered. It was impossible. Completely impossible. Even if she worked every day for years— she could never afford it. The doctor kept talking gently, but Rihaya barely heard him anymore. Josh suddenly coughed again. Then— he collapsed from the chair. “JOSH!” Doctors immediately rushed toward him. Rihaya’s scream echoed through the hospital as fear consumed her completely.