NOVEL NEXT Chapter 15: Chapter 15
Sorry for the small break, got dragged for family holidays. As an apology, here's some bonus chapters!
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"Without screws, the wheels can't be fixed. How can you drive a car with only three wheels?" Just as the driver was worried, a patient from the mental hospital walked out and suggested, "Why not take one screw from each of the other three wheels? Use the removed screws to fix the wheels; that way, each wheel will still have three screws, and it won't affect the driving."
"Yes, that's so clever! Even Caitlyn wouldn't have thought of that."
Under the dim streetlight, Justin held Caitlyn, telling her a story. The little girl got tired not long after walking and was quite bored along the way, so Justin shared a story about a mental patient. He often told Jinx the same story: "The driver was surprised and asked, 'You're a mental patient, how could you come up with this solution?' The patient replied with a laugh, 'I have mental issues, but my intelligence is intact. Even mental patients can be smart.'"
"What are you trying to say?" Vi interrupted, unable to endure such a boring story. How could Justin not be worried at all?
"I just want to tell you that Jinx is very smart, and she'll be okay." Justin sighed deeply, attempting to comfort Vi, or perhaps himself. He walked over, held Vi's clenched fists, and whispered, "Don't rush… The more urgent the situation, the less you should hurry."
"The more agitated, the calmer you must be."
"The angrier, the more rational you must remain."
"The more agitated, the calmer you must be; the angrier, the more rational you must remain…" Jinx recalled every word Justin said clearly. As she silently repeated the phrases in her heart, she bit her lip hard in an attempt to stay calm and rational. Even when her lips bled, she remained oblivious.
Logic told her that this group might genuinely not know where Justin was, yet emotionally, she struggled to accept this outcome. If even they didn't know Justin's whereabouts, where else could she search? The suffocating feeling of being abandoned made true calmness elusive. Regardless, even if they didn't know where Justin was, she had to find him!
"Let's send one hand first, and then cut off a piece every hour..." Jinx said as she drew her dagger and approached Caitlyn. Caitlyn realized Jinx's intention and struggled continuously, but being tied hand and foot, she could only sit there helplessly.
Something was wrong! Jinx instinctively sensed danger and suddenly moved to the side. A bullet whizzed past right in front of her eyes. A sniper? Impossible! Jinx had specifically tied Caitlyn in a blind spot, with no windows around. How could someone from outside have a clear shot? Someone snuck in? No, her warning traps showed no signs of intrusion. It was him! It was Sheriff Musk!
Jinx quickly realized and reached for her gun at her waist with her injured left hand. Musk was also injured. Who would be faster? "Bang!" She was faster! In one swift motion, she drew her gun, aimed, and fired. Jinx's bullet struck Musk's sniper rifle, forcing him to roll to safety behind cover.
"Hey! Sheriff, did I misjudge you? To you, the responsibility and dignity of an enforcer are more important than your own daughter? What a horrible excuse for a father!" Jinx taunted bitterly from behind cover.
"No, you're wrong. For me, Erin is always the most important," Musk thought as he pulled out a photo of his daughter from his pocket and took one last look at it. Jinx was indeed cunning, but what she missed was that for Erin, the importance was not her irresponsible, useless father, but the affluent lifestyle in the wealthy district. Even if he died, as long as he died as a hero, a sheriff, Erin could still receive the best education in the orphanage and grow into an outstanding member of high society. However, if something happened to Caitlyn and he survived, he would have to face the wrath of the council. Then he and Erin would end up living like the rubbish of the undercity.
Life in the upper city was far better than in the undercity but also much more complicated. Jinx had overlooked this, and that's why Musk had the upper hand. "I am Sheriff Musk!" Musk shouted into the radio. "I am ordering all enforcers to launch a full assault on the station!"