Even if Captain appeared at this moment, it wouldn't make any difference. Besides, even if it could, that was simply impossible. By the time Captain returned home, these people would have already taken Umee far away. He wouldn't know where she had gone, nor that she had been abducted by this group.
Tears welled up in Umee's eyes, fear gripping her tightly. Was this really it? Would she not escape this time? Was she going to be killed by these people?
Would Captain even know? Or would he panic and search for her aimlessly?
How many days would it take before her body was discovered? Would she die without even understanding why?
Umee's mind spiraled into chaos and despair. The car sped down the road, and the scenery outside became increasingly sparse. Each time the surroundings grew quieter, with fewer passing vehicles, her heart sank deeper, as if she were falling into an abyss with no way out.
What had she done to deserve this?
She couldn't remember.
Overwhelmed with confusion and terror, she felt like she was standing on the edge of death, with no escape. Suddenly, a loud "boom" echoed through the air, startling everyone. The car skidded violently, veering off the road before crashing into a bush and coming to a halt.
"Damn it!" the driver cursed loudly.
"It looks like a tire blew out," he muttered.
The others quickly got out of the car. Halley scanned the area around them.
"Where are the others? Why don't I see them?" she asked, her brows furrowing as an ominous feeling began to creep in.
Could something have happened? Could someone have intercepted the others?
The crew-cut man immediately tried to reassure her.
"Don't worry, Miss. My guys are all highly trained and armed. No one can touch them. Besides, who would it be? The Kimberly family rescuing her? No one knows we're doing this. They're probably just taking a while to catch up. Don't worry."
But his attempt to console Halley only made her more uneasy. She stared down the empty road, her heart pounding faster. If the Kimberly family truly found out, what would she do? How would she face Lauren and Tom?
Damn it! She couldn't let them see her true face. To the Kimberly family, she had always been the obedient and sensible one. She couldn't let that image be destroyed. All her efforts would have been for nothing.
Halley's hands clenched tightly without her realizing it. Her gaze turned to the car, her eyes brimming with silent fury and hatred. A sudden, crazed idea crossed her mind—what if she just killed Umee here and now?
But before she could act on it, one of the lackeys suddenly shouted, "Who's that?"
The voice drew everyone's attention, including Umee's. She looked up and froze in shock.
There, walking steadily toward them, was a tall figure with a cold, furious expression. It was… Captain.
Why was he here?
A wave of panic surged through Umee. She couldn't let Captain get involved. Compared to these brutes, he was just a frail old man, like a dry twig that could snap at any moment. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she leaned out and shouted, "Get out of here! Run! They have guns!"
Halley sneered at her words.
"Who's this old geezer? Come to save our precious little Umee?"
The crew-cut man smirked disdainfully.
"What can an old man like him do?"
Umee's fear grew as she saw Captain continue to approach, seemingly unfazed. Dressed in simple clothes and wearing cheap plastic sandals, he looked so vulnerable, yet he kept walking.
He was her benefactor, the one who had sheltered her for so many days. Umee couldn't let him die like this.
She pounded on the car window desperately, but her efforts were futile.
By now, Captain was just a few steps away from Halley and her group. He stopped and spoke firmly, "Let her go!"
The thugs exchanged mocking laughs, as though they had just heard the punchline of a joke. Halley smirked too, her lips curling.
"Let her go? That's as easy as dying of old age, don't you think, Grandpa? Since when did Umee become your grandchild? She's my sister, and I'm taking her with me. You have no say in this."
Captain let out a cold chuckle.
"I'll ask one more time. Are you letting her go or not?"
Halley couldn't contain her amusement, covering her mouth as she laughed.
"And if we don't?"
The crew-cut man stepped forward, his tone dripping with disdain.
"Old man, you'd better go home and enjoy whatever days you have left. Stop meddling in things that don't concern you."
Captain narrowed his eyes. "I said, you'll let her go."
Before anyone could process what was happening, Captain lunged forward, grabbing one of the men by the neck and slamming him to the ground. The move was swift and precise, like the opening strike of a seasoned fighter.
Halley and the others froze, their derisive expressions instantly wiped away. The crew-cut man stepped in front of Halley protectively and barked, "Get him! Take him down! Kill him if you have to!"
Umee panicked, her voice rising.
"Hey! Don't you people have any respect for elders? How can you attack an old man like that?"
But Captain wasn't as frail as Umee claimed. He intercepted a punch from one thug, delivering a kick to another's stomach that sent him sprawling. His movements were sharp, agile, and precise, dodging attack after attack with ease. In a matter of moments, several of the thugs lay groaning on the ground, while Captain remained unscathed.
The tides had turned. Halley and the crew-cut man exchanged nervous glances. He quickly drew a gun, and the remaining lackeys followed suit, pulling weapons from their belts as they stumbled to their feet.
Initially, they hadn't thought they'd need guns for an old man, figuring one person would suffice. But now they were rethinking their assumptions. They pointed their weapons at Captain.
Once again, Captain showed no fear, but Umee was frantic.
"Run! Run now! Are you just going to stand there and wait to get shot? Those are guns, real guns!"
But Captain didn't move. Tears streamed down Umee's face as she imagined him riddled with bullets, his body full of holes like a battered sieve.
The crew-cut man sneered, "Old man, you still have time to regret this. Leave now, and maybe we'll spare you."