Thanks to the MMA fighter of my past boyfriend who taught me some tricks of self-defense and even Brazilian jujitsu, I can defend myself and even try to escape. I mentally laughed at the irony that I am going to use Brazilian jujitsu in Brazil. So let’s break some shit.

I took out the pen and stuck it in between my teeth--yuck--and grabbed his palm with both hands, then twisted until it wouldn't twist anymore, hooking my leg around his arm so the back of my knee braced the cap of his elbow. Grinning up into his surprised face, I then pulled back with both hands while rocking my body in the opposite direction. Snap. His elbow now bent in two directions.

The entire move took less than three seconds. I took the pen in my fist, spat into his face. Steeled myself, jaw clenched, squeamishness locked down tight. He saw it coming. I made sure he did. I held the pen up high, palm of one hand cupping the back of my pen-wielding fist, slammed it down as hard as I could into his eye socket, putting all my weight, all my strength into the move. It pierced his eye like...well, like an ink pen through Jell-O. I hit resistance, and the pen stuck. He was thrashing, gurgling, twitching. I smelled shit. I put my palm to the end of the pen where it protruded from his skull, slammed my fist down onto the back of my hand like a hammer, driving the pen deeper into his brain.

He went still. I checked his breathing and his pulse to be sure. He was dead. I killed a man. I felt bile rise in my throat, I rushed to the bathroom and puked my guts out. I washed my face and mouth and came back in the room and started searching him. I unlaced his boots and wore them; I don’t want to run through Brazil barefoot, tying the laces as tight as I can so they don’t fall off my feet. I took a key from his pocket and hoped for it to be the key to the elevator. I also found a folding knife in his pocket and took it. I tried the key into the elevator and it opened. Thank the lord.

As the elevator closed I pushed the button marked as P as I hoped it meant parking and the elevator descended down and opened in a dark place which I assumed is the parking lot. There were a group of boys there eying me, assessing me up and down. They had a car and I need that car. I took out the pocket knife and pointed it towards one of them. They held up their hands in defense and shook their heads. I pointed towards the car and one of them took out a pair of keys from his pocket and threw it towards me. I took them and slipped them in one of my fingers. I started going towards the car still pointing the knife at them. One of them came forward and I tightened my hold around the knife and held it high. He said “No harm, take the money.” pointing towards the car. I assumed it is his car. He opened the trunk of the car and handed me some money after taking some for his own. I nodded at him showing my gratitude and he nodded back saying “boss is no good” pointing at the building above and I said “yes” not caring if he understood or not.

I sat in the car and started it pulling out of the parking space and sped towards the nearest road I saw. After about 30 minutes of driving I was drenched in my sweat and probably on a highway.

Brazil is fucking hot. I still had that mantra that Jung kook is coming, Jung kook is coming, Jung kook is coming.

I stopped at a gas station and filled some gas in the car and went into the shop nearby. I bought some snacks from there and a prepaid phone. The shopkeeper eyed me seeing me all in sweat and asked “American?” “Yes” I answered. He gave me a sim of local number and said “just put the pin code mentioned on the sim before the number and you can make the call.” I nodded my head and said a ‘thank you’ not sure whether he understood or not. I also bought map from there to know where I am heading.

I hopped into the car and drove off. I stopped somewhere in the middle and got out of the car. I opened the trunk of the car and took out a pair of shorts and a shirt from there. I got back in the driver’s seat and opened the dashboard and found a bill of 5 of whatever currency used there. Shit. Now I don’t have any money either.

I took out the phone and followed the instructions to make a call and dialed my brother’s number from memory.

The line rang once, twice, three times...four, five, and six. "Come on, bro," I muttered, "pick up the damn phone."

I heard a click, and then a smooth male voice. "Who is this?"

I choked, blinked back blurry stinging salt out of my eyes. The relief I felt was immeasurable. NOPENOPENOPE. I'm not crying. For sure I'm not crying. "I—Jung kook? It's—it’s Y/n."

A pause. “Y/n?” Another pause. “Sit-rep? Um I mean what is your situation?”

“I know what a fucking sit-rep means. I watch TV. I am fine. I got away.” Jung kook sighed on the other end of the phone and asked “How did you escape?” I didn’t want to recall that part so I just said I got away somehow.

“Where are you?” he asked. “Brazil. Heading out of Sao Paulo toward--well, I don't know how to pronounce it. A city on the coast, south of Sao Paulo. Starts with a 'G' and has an 'A' with a slant over it at the end. Gwar-yooh-jah or some shit." I answered. "Guaruja." He said it gwar-ooh-zha. "Good plan. I can be there in--less than twelve hours. Are you hurt?" I hesitated. "I'm fine. I can last twelve hours."

“Y/n” he said my name….softly. Strangely inflected, like with emotion. It made my heart squirm and stomach flop. “What did they do to you?” he further asked. “Nothing, really. Nothing to worry about. I got away. I am alive, not permanently damaged and, I am in transit.”

“How did you manage that?” “I stole a dude’s car and stopped at a gas station, bought a prepaid phone and a map. I’ve got my route mapped out. I don’t know if I have enough fuel to go till there but I can walk if needed.” I said. “I’m impressed” he sounded like he wanted to say a lot more but kept it to himself. “Do you think you’re being pursued?” he asked. I checked the rear view mirror and saw nothing unusual besides the cars on the highway. “No. I don’t think so” I answered. “I am sure when Roth finds out what I had done to run away he will send out groups of men after me.” I said further. “You met Roth?” he asked amused. “Y-Yes” my voice broke and I was on the verge of tears. No. not gonna cry. “Yea, I met Roth and he is a vicious son of a bitch.”

“What did you have to do to get away?” this, said softly in that same concerned tone. “Nothing I am willing to talk about on phone. I gotta keep my shit together. Maybe after you’ve rescued me I’ll let myself think about it a little bit, but for now I’m fine. Just get here as soon as possible Jung kook.” I said not wavering a bit.

“Get to Guaruja, Y/n. Find a hide-out, don’t talk to anyone and don’t stop for anything. I’ll be there as soon as I possibly can. You are going to be fine. I am on my way.” He said. Tears were pressing the back of my eyes and threatened to fall out. “Yes Jung kook, I am fine. This is like a road trip, just in….. Brazil.” I said trying to convince myself more than anything.

“Just get here.” I said and ended the call before he can hear the knot in my throat. I didn't cry. I was just sweating...from my tear ducts. I had a little sniffle.

No big deal.

Jung kook is coming. Jung kook is coming. Jung kook is coming.