12

Since that day, Sophia and I returned to our old ways, talking and laughing every day, and continuing our escape journey. After more than three months, we arrived in the deep mountains and old forests of Northeast China.

Because Sophia's brother works as a forest ranger here, and this is a job that his sister arranged for him privately. Sophia said that she had already made plans for her own retreat, because she knew that this marriage would not last long.

We live a very comfortable life here. We grow vegetables and go fishing every day. We can also hunt non-protected animals in the mountains and forests. Sophia's brother not only taught me how to shoot a gun, but also made a bow for me and taught me archery.