It was pitch black ahead, and I could only see the shadow of the man turning into an alley. Using all of my strength, I sprinted into the alley and yelled, Stop! However, the man turned a deaf ear and ran even faster with the child on his shoulder. He did not care at all if the child would become unwell from all the shaking. That was when I became more convinced that the man was up to no good.
This alley surrounded by old abandoned houses was narrow and littered with trash, which hindered my pursuit. Just as we were around ten meters apart, the child suddenly woke up and let out a shrill cry, giving the man a shock. I took the opportunity to grab a rotten bench from the ground and threw it at his back. He stumbled after getting hit, allowing me to grab his nape after leaping forward.
Right then, I heard from behind me the delicate sound of someone gasping for air and soft footsteps. Its her, she came after us.
The man was surprisingly able. I reached out to grab the child but was greeted with a punch headed for my face and a crooked grin that gave me chills. I was unable to dodge the punch as I already had my hands on the child, so pain promptly filled my face.
Tan Jiao behind me yelled out in shock, Wu Yu! Surprisingly, her voice warmed my heart at that moment.
I felt a hot stream of blood coming out from my nose, but I could not care less. Immediately, I handed the child over to Tan Jiao and said, Hold the child! I wanted to subdue this madman without having to worry about the child.
Yet, the madman was quick to react. After letting out a short chuckle, he slipped by me and grabbed a hold of Tan Jiaos long hair. The four of us were close to each other, and everything happened so quickly that I could not do anything. Tan Jiao, with a pained expression, shrieked miserably before letting go of the child. I felt a tightness in my chest and wanted to help Tan Jiao, but I caught a glimpse of the child falling headfirst to the ground!
I sprung forward and caught the child. I slowed his fall to the ground, where he burst out into tears while clinging tightly to my shirt. When I turned around again to look for Tan Jiao, I found the madman pulling her by the hair without care, dragging her on the ground into the dark depths of the alley. She called my name in a sobbing and desperate voice while kicking frantically on the ground.
As though a knife was stabbing my heart, I placed the child down and ran toward her. I landed a heavy punch on the madmans abdomen, causing him to let go because of the pain. In return, he swung a heavy blow at me. I grabbed him by the shoulder, intending to subdue him. But he was exceptionally flexible, able to bend his body into an impossible angle. He broke free from me before disappearing into the darkness in no time.
I chased after him for only a second before stopping and returning to the dark alley where the child was all curled up crying. Tan Jiao had sat up after some struggle and was holding her head in both hands while letting out shuddering sobs. Suddenly, I felt annoyed and perplexed by all the crying.
What a strange night. What the hell just happened?
I came before her and placed my hand on her shoulder. All of a sudden, she threw herself into my arms and hugged me tightly.
I was slightly stunned.
Police sirens and shouts echoed through the air not far from here. I was completely drained after going through a whole night of running and that tussle just now, so I had no choice but to sit down and lay against the wall when she hugged me tightly. She even sat on my thighs, making me totally immobile.
When my breathing finally returned to normal, her crying had also stopped. With her head down, she pushed off me and wanted to get up. Instinctively, my arm tensed up, not willing to let her go.
Does it still hurt? I asked softly.
She hung her head and replied, Yeah.
I lifted my hand and wanted to part her hair. Let me take a look. Then, out of nowhere, like a cat that had its tail stepped on, she grabbed my hand abruptly while raising her watery eyes to stare at me, yelling, No! No looking! No touching!
At this tiring, tense, and chaotic night our puzzling destiny was like a foggy night. Yet, with her in my arms and her watery eyes staring at me while simmering with resentment, I somehow developed the urge to laugh out.