### Chapter 9: The Trust Dilemma
Frothy was about to respond to Sheriff Ciroko when a quick and precise blow hit the back of the sheriff's head, causing him to collapse to the ground, unconscious. Frothy quickly turned around and saw his friend, the Clone, standing there with a resolute look.
- What did you do? asked Frothy, his voice full of surprise and concern.
— I saved you from making a mistake, Frothy — replied the Clone. — You need to understand that no one can be trusted in this world. The sheriff just wants you to turn yourself in so you can be arrested. He doesn't care about true justice.
Frothy looked at the fallen sheriff, his heart heavy with doubt. — But he seemed sincere...
— Sincerity can be a mask, Frothy — interrupted the Clone, his voice firm. — We have a mission. We cannot stop until we eliminate all evil from this city. They wouldn't understand. They would betray us.
There was an intensity in the Clone's eyes that Frothy couldn't ignore. He knew the Clone was right in many ways; traditional justice had failed countless times. But something inside him still hesitated.
"Don't worry, Frothy," the Clone said softly, placing a hand on Frothy's shoulder. - I'm always with you.
And with those words, the Clone disappeared as suddenly as he had appeared. Frothy stood there for a moment, fighting the storm of thoughts and emotions inside him. Finally, he decided: he couldn't trust anyone except the Clone. The mission was clear, and he couldn't afford to be distracted or deceived.
Turning his back on the unconscious sheriff, Frothy disappeared into the darkness of the forest, determined to continue his solitary crusade.
Two days later, Sheriff Ciroko woke up in the same clearing where he had been attacked. His head was throbbing, and he felt disoriented. He looked around, trying to understand what had happened. Memories slowly returned, and he remembered Frothy's figure and that other person... or was it a hallucination?
He stood up with difficulty, using a tree for support. He knew the city needed him, and that Frothy was more determined than ever to follow his violent path. But Ciroko also knew that he couldn't give up. There was a connection, a chance at redemption for both him and Frothy.
With heavy steps, he began walking back to town, determined to find a way to save Frothy from himself and, perhaps, his mysterious and dangerous Clone friend.
### End of Chapter 9
The trust dilemma had set Frothy on an even darker path, as Sheriff Ciroko struggled to understand the truth and find a way to stop more bloodshed. The battle for justice was far from over, and the city's fate hung in the balance.