Chapter 13 : I'm Still Here
Joy and Chris stood frozen in place, their eyes meeting in silent apprehension as they waited for what the law enforcement have to say.
The police officer stood before Joy and Chris, his gaze calm but penetrating as he addressed them with a sense of gravity that hung heavily in the air. "Are you two involved in this incident?" he inquired, his voice measured and composed.
Joy and Chris exchanged a silent glance, a moment of unspoken communication passing between them before turning their attention back to the police officer.
Chris, reaction etched with a seriousness that belied the weight of the situation, replied evenly, "Yes, we are involved....but we are both victims in this incident...In fact they specially targeting us...We are not the one who caused trouble."
The officer's gaze shifted towards the figure lying on the stretcher, Malcolm. The officer's voice remained steady as he inquired, "Is that person who caused trouble?" His finger pointed towards Malcolm, who lay still.
Once again, Joy and Chris shared a silent exchange, a shared understanding passing between them as they both turned their gaze towards Malcolm.
In unison, they confirmed "Yes, that's the suspect." Chris's finger extended towards Malcolm.
The police officer writing down a few notes before looking up and asking, "Are there any suspects other than him?"
Joy hesitated for a moment, confusion crossing her face. Then, as if remembering, she said, "There are two more suspects... But they managed to escape."
"What do these suspects want? Why are they targeting you two?" the officer pressed, his gaze sharp.
Chris glanced over at Malcolm, who lay motionless on the stretcher, then turned back to the officer, a mixture of anger and determination in his eyes. "Officer, my friend here is their prime target. They want to kidnap her to exploit her body and her status. They have no use for me, so they want me dead." His voice trembled with barely contained rage as he clenched his fists.
The police officer diligently recorded their statements in his report as medics tended to Joy and Chris, treating their injuries.
Despite their physical discomfort, Joy and Chris cooperated fully, listening intently to the officer's questions and answering honestly, their eyes never leaving his face.
After an hour of thorough questioning, the officer closed his notebook. "Thank you for your cooperation. If you need anything or if those criminals return, please contact our department immediately. Your safety is our priority." He handed them a card with the department's direct number.
The medics finished treating Joy and Chris' injuries, carefully bandaging their wounds.
After the police wrapped up their questioning, they stepped out of the ambulance. Uncle Jimmy waved goodbye to Chris and Joy before heading back to his duties.
Joy and Chris sat in silence, the weight of the recent events pressing down on them now that they were alone.
Chris stared at the ground, a look of disappointment etched on his face. "I'm sorry, Joy. Our plans have been ruined because of this incident. As your guide, I should be responsible for your safety." His voice was heavy with regret.
Joy looked at Chris and gave him a warm smile. "Don't worry about it, Chris... It wasn't your fault. We should be thankful that we were able to escape."
Chris met her gaze, a hesitant smile forming on his face. "Thank you, Joy. I feel better now... But it's getting dark. We should find you a hotel to stay in."
Joy nodded in agreement. "Yes, that would be a good idea. I don't want to sleep outside at night. We should find one quickly."
Determined, they began to search for a hotel, wandering through the city's streets. The evening air was cool, and the sky was painted in hues of deepening twilight. As they walked, the city lights flickered on, casting a warm glow on the sidewalks.
After a while, they spotted an old but beautiful hotel at the end of the street. Its vintage sign flickered softly, and the exterior, though aged, exuded a quaint, welcoming charm. Joy looked at Chris, her eyes lighting up with relief and excitement. "I think we found it."
Joy approached the hotel's front door, the wooden frame creaking slightly as she pushed it open.
Chris followed closely behind her, his eyes scanning the interior. The lobby was cozy, with antique furnishings and a soft, inviting ambiance. "This looks like a nice place to stay," Joy remarked. "Let's check in."
They made their way to the front desk, where a young lady with a friendly smile greeted them. "Good evening. How can I help you?""
"Hello, we would like to book a room, please," Joy said in her polite voice, her weariness momentarily forgotten.
To be continued....