My Deer Girlfriend

13

As dawn broke, the city of Seoul emerged on the horizon, its skyscrapers like sentinels against the early morning sky. The group had driven through the night, the tension from their escape slowly giving way to cautious optimism as they neared their destination. Seoul, with its bustling streets and towering buildings, offered a stark contrast to the quiet, hidden existence they had left behind in the forest.

Soojin navigated the car through the increasingly busy streets, her eyes scanning for any signs of danger or recognition. The city was waking up, its inhabitants starting their day, oblivious to the extraordinary circumstances of their new visitors.

"We need to find a place to lay low," Soyeon suggested, her eyes fixed on the moving scenery outside. "Somewhere safe, where we can regroup and plan our next move."

Yuqi, looking out at the city with a mix of wonder and apprehension, nodded in agreement. "But we have to be careful. The city is full of eyes."

Minnie, now dressed in the oversized black sweater Miyeon had found for her, looked out the window with curiosity. Despite the tight squeeze in the back, she had managed to adjust her serpentine body to fit comfortably, a testament to her adaptability.

Miyeon, sitting close to Minnie, reassured her with a gentle pat on the arm. "We'll find a place soon," she said, trying to sound more confident than she felt.

In their search for a haven within the bustling city, the group stumbled upon an abandoned loft situated in an older, less frequented part of Seoul. The building, a relic of a bygone era, stood inconspicuously among the newer structures, its façade worn but still holding a certain charm. The loft, located on the top floor, was accessible via a creaky old elevator that seemed to question their decision with every groan and shudder on the way up.

Once inside, they found the loft spacious yet desolate, dust layers marking the passage of time. Large windows bordered one side of the space, offering a panoramic view of the city skyline, a juxtaposition of their current vulnerability against the backdrop of an indifferent, sprawling urban landscape.

"This could work," Soyeon said, scanning the interior, her mind already ticking through the logistics of making the place safe and habitable. "It's off the grid, and with a bit of cleaning and setting up, it could be a decent hideout."

Yuqi, ever the optimist, clapped her hands excitedly. "It's perfect! We can make it cozy in no time. And look at that view!"

Minnie, still adapting to her new surroundings, slithered around, exploring corners and crevices with cautious curiosity. The vast, empty space echoed with the sound of their voices, a stark reminder of the isolation they had chosen for safety.

Soojin, along with Shuhua, began assessing the loft's entrances and exits, planning how to secure them against unwanted visitors. "We'll need to set up some security measures," Soojin noted, her eyes sharp and calculating. "Just because it's abandoned doesn't mean we won't attract attention eventually."

Miyeon, meanwhile, took on the task of sketching a rough layout of their new home, allocating spaces for sleeping, eating, and communal areas. "We'll need supplies," she mused aloud, listing essentials like food, water, and basic medical supplies in her head. "We can't stay hidden here forever without going out for necessities."

As the day unfolded, the group worked tirelessly, cleaning and organizing their new hideaway. The loft slowly transformed from a forgotten shell into a semblance of a home, a sanctuary amidst the chaos of their lives. It was a testament to their resilience and determination to survive, a place where they could regroup and plan their next steps in relative safety.