The men took off their casual clothes to reveal their military uniforms. Their attire resembled those of a special squad. Alex couldn't understand how did they acquire them. Jira was more dangerous than he thought.
It looked like a play where a group of soldiers had caught a criminal. Watson firmly tied the blindfold and started walking again.
The whole scenario looked so real that it seemed fake, becoming the perfect disguise. It was clear that Dr. Watson came prepared, unlike Alex.
It did catch the eye of the public, and the reaction was as planned. The people looked at the group with amusement, like a boy pulling his mother's sleeve for her to stop.
'Mom, Mom. Look over there.'
He pointed towards them with excitement, as the mother joined in.
'Oh my, it looks like some kind of performance.'
'Yes, it is, Madam. We are rehearsing for our show.'
Watson played his part professionally as the ring leader.
Everything seemed like the usual. Kids were running here and there, people were laughing and enjoying, taking pictures of the animals, eating food.
An 8-year-old boy played tag with her little sister and, like children, wasn't looking where he was going and accidentally bumped into a handsome young British who was lost in thought.
Jason intently thought of ways to help Alex. He had to create a commotion. He thought of setting one of the many animals free, and the gorilla seemed a tempting choice. He had to reject this idea since it might save Alex but would bring casualties and harm to the people and the gorilla itself.
He was searching for a way with minimum damage. Time was running out as Alex, along with the soldiers, got closer to the exit gate.
The 8-year-old boy bumped into Jason in the middle of this.
'I'm very sorry, mister.'
Like a well-groomed child, he apologized. To the boy, this was an accident, but to Jason, this was a brilliant opportunity. As soon as Jason saw the boy, an idea sparked.
Jason planted the seed of his plan and left the child. And precisely 5 seconds later, it bloomed.
'You're lying! You're lying! I Don't Believe You.'
The boy yelled sobbingly. Everyone looked to see a boy crying frantically.
Even the armed group, who was on high alert, was forced to look. This was the ideal commotion and gave Alex the short window he needed.
--Nice going, Jason.
Everyone in the military group was made to look back, giving into curiosity. Alex couldn't see what was happening and took a leap of faith. He broke out of the handcuffs through sheer force. He remembered one was on his right, a few meters away. Alex swung his leg and kicked him.
--That's one. Next one was….
He had to rely on his imagination and guess where the others were and what they would do. The one after him heard a strange sound and turned around to get a hefty punch dealt to his stomach.
--That's two.
He groaned as Alex covered his mouth and swept him off his feet. Alex grabbed his gun and hit the other two on the head with it.
--3,4.
The last two looked back to their surprise to see Alex was still blindfolded. Alex rapidly headed towards them. He caught the 5th's gun by the tip, pushing it upwards and hitting him on the face with his own gun.
The last one jumped to gain distance from him and aimed. Jason caught his arm, pulling it away from the trigger, sinking his fist into his chest, and knocked him out with a kick. Alex removed his blindfold.
'How did you get the child wailing?'
Jason averted his eyes.
'I… told him about the miracle of birth.'
Alex chuckled. The kid wasn't ready to handle the truth yet.
'No wonder.'
Alex had left Watson for last but couldn't find him.
'It's unfortunate that you couldn't join us, Alex. Be sure to come with us next time.'
His voice came from a pager. Jason saw him on the route to the outside.
'You are not getting away.'
He bolted to the gate as Dr. Watson exited the zoo.
Watson calmly walked out as the security guards let him pass but stopped Jason, who was madly running towards the gate. They stalled him, but eventually, Jason dodged them and continued his pursuit. He exited the zoo.
Watson was already in the back of a luxurious car, and the driver's and the front seat was occupied by two of the other group of soldiers. The driver started the car and carried off. Jason ran as fast as he could, but as the car picked up speed, it was far out of Jason's reach.
Jason put his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath.
'Shit!'
He was thinking about what he could do. Calling for any backup will take too long. Should he steal a bike for now? A strange noise like a motorcycle on its last legs from behind interrupted his thoughts. He spun around and saw Alex on the infamous Jet Bike.
Takumi's house was near to the zoo. Alex had left the Jet bike there, fixing it from its last race. He was trying to give it the look of an actual motorcycle but was only in its initial stage.
Nonetheless, the bike was fully repaired, and the seat was replaced by a motorcycle's seat, just enough for two people.
Also, the throttle was fixed to be on the handle instead of the ring. Alex grabbed the Jet bike from Takumi's garage.
'Hop on.'
As surprised as Jason was, he didn't question anything and did as told. Alex twisted the throttle, and they were on their way. The Jet bike gained speed fast, and soon they found the car.
The driver heard the Jet bike's signature noise, and after seeing Alex in the side mirror on something only God knows, he called for reinforcement.
The reinforcement arrived on bikes themselves. Two of them were in front of the Jet bike, and two were behind, pinning it. One of the soldiers from behind sped up to intercept them. He got till the tail from the left and went in to crash into the Jet bike.
'Hold on.'
Alex pulled both of the brakes of the bike, significantly decreasing the speed. The rider ended up at the front of the bike. Alex grabbed the handle of the motorcycle, turning it. The motorcycle went right ahead of the bike and crashed into a pole, barely missing the soldier from the right.
The soldier from the right tried his luck and decided to do the same.
'Keep on going straight.'
As the motorcycle got near the Jet bike, Jason stood up and jumped on the seat of the motorcycle, kicking the soldier away.
'Oh dear, I certainly hoped it didn't have to come to this.'
Dr. Watson looked back as Alex and Jason separately approached the car.
'Do it.'
His cold voice reached the driver as he signaled the soldiers on the motorcycle. The two soldiers remaining received the message and crashed into each other, causing an enormous explosion, forcing Alex and Jason to stop and letting the car get away.
They sacrificed their lives for the car to get away.
'Incredible resolve.'
Jason knew they were mercenaries for hire but respected their loyalty. They turned to an alley to get away from the public eye.
'Now what?'
Alex asked him. In a matter of minutes, Alex saw the gravity of the situation. He didn't know what Jira was, but the people in it don't hesitate to kill others.
'They will not be coming back to the zoo anymore. I managed to take a picture of the hooded man.'
Jason couldn't blame Alex for this. He didn't expect this to happen regardless of what Alex might have done. He was unprepared.
'It will not take long for me to find him. I have also acknowledged your skill, and I might require your assistance in my mission.'
Not everyone could adapt to these circumstances so quickly. Alex had the potential to be of help. From this, he learned that Jira will come for him and wouldn't think twice to resort to violent methods. Thus, keeping him near is the best option.
'Thanks, also the man's name is Dr. Watson.'
'I see. I will try to find that man's whereabouts. Until then, carry on your normal life.'
'Are you sure I can?'
Jason understood his concern. The sirens of the ambulance could be overheard from afar. Many thoughts came to him.
'We cannot let many people know about this, so yes. Dr. Watson has brought himself to the public. He will not move carelessly.'
They returned to the zoo to salvage what they could, but the men had disappeared from there. Jason told Alex he would contact him after finding Watson. Meanwhile, Alex returned to his everyday life.