Chapter 28: Freedom's Scars

As they walked towards Jason's car, parked in the garage, the warm sunlight cast a stark contrast to the darkness that had unfolded inside the house. Silky opened the garage door and slid into the driver's seat, while Adapt got into the passenger seat. Jason, still shaken, hesitated for a moment before slowly getting into the backseat. It wasn't until they were all settled in that Adapt and Silky finally got a good look at Jason's damaged appearance. The bites, hickeys, and bruises on his neck and jaw were visible, and it was clear that the injuries didn't stop there. Adapt's eyes widened in horror as he took in the sight, his face pale with anger. Silky's grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles white with rage. "Jason, oh man..." Adapt trailed off, his voice cracking with emotion. Silky's eyes met Jason's in the rearview mirror, filled with a deep sadness and anger. "We're so sorry, Jason. We're so sorry we didn't get here sooner." Jason looked away, trying to brush off their concern. "I'm just glad to be free," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. But Adapt and Silky wouldn't let it go. They had seen the worst of Sangwoo's cruelty, and it had left them seething. Adapt turned around, his eyes locked on Jason's. "We're going to get him, Jason. We're going to make sure he pays for what he's done to you." Silky's voice was cold and hard. "He's going to rot in prison for the rest of his life." Jason's eyes welled up with tears as he looked at his friends. He knew they were angry on his behalf, and it was a comforting feeling. For the first time since he was kidnapped, he felt like he wasn't alone. As they pulled out of the garage and onto the street, Jason took a deep breath, feeling the warm sun on his face. He was free, and he had his friends by his side. It was a new beginning, and he was determined to make the most of it. The silence in the car was oppressive, filled with unspoken emotions. Adapt and Silky were still trying to process what they had seen, while Jason was trying to come to terms with what had happened to him. But as they drove away from the house, they knew they were in this together, as friends. The drive to the hospital was a blur, but eventually, they arrived. Jason was checked out by the doctors, and he received the medical attention he needed. As they sat in the hospital waiting room, Adapt and Silky held Jason's hands, their faces etched with concern and anger. "We're here for you, Jason," Silky said, his voice firm. "We're not going to let you go through this alone." Jason smiled weakly, feeling a sense of gratitude towards his friends. He knew he could count on them, no matter what. And as they sat there, waiting for the medical team to finish their assessment, Jason knew that he was one step closer to healing, both physically and emotionally.