Duglesk
Chapter 8
Quits shook her head dengan menee and ending to one at uddenly a thundemen
derdining ar explosion enbond from the fox for wrongured by screams. Inanments. Quinim done for concer
Scary and Joseph, equally and joined her beneath the dealing hur in the world was four mark Sunley
Qastilyn ewably proent placing a finger is her lips to Gence teanley, and then whispered. “Comnitors”
What Jorph and soundry hodin now–chance first–floor lobby want
son following Quanlyn’s gar Indeed a masked firewood in the middle of the gas and inamuditing mergone at night.
“Everyone stay put the masked mascated, turning to marcely shutter the pass at the jewelry wore counter. “Hand over all the jewelry, now?”
The sad nervously wood hands rosed, as they begin unlocking titers and even avusted in bagging the jewelry,
“Is he inune” Bobbing a jewelry shop at the most fancy mal Sunley feed noticing out of the corner of his eye a staff member surreptiously presing the alarm button. The police station is nearby they be here soon. No sane person would attempt something like this here”
“I think there’s something off about that guy Joseph observed pouring at the man’s trembling hand gripping the gun. “He’s shivering and his body is waging. He might be having a medical ice or is drank. If the police worm in he could become
EVEN IDOTE Enncic”
As anticipated, within minutes, a contingent of police officer armed on the scene. As soon as they begin addressing the crowd through a loudspeaker outside, the robber’s emotions intensited.
He pressed the gun to an employee’s head and shouted. “Was it you who sached on me Was Then without hesitation. he pulled the trigger.
Another loud shot rang out, and everyone saw a splash of blood. Fortunately, the gun’s recoil caused the robber to jerk back. and his aim was off. The clerk was hit in the shoulder and fell to the ground, screaming in agony
Nonetheless, alarms blared, and the cries of children pierced through the chaos. The robber glanced over and saw a cluster of kids huddled together. He swiftly approached, grabbed one and pointed has gun at the child, yelling. What’s with all the crying Stop”
Upstairs, Quinlyn and the others could clearly see that the kids were Harner’s classmates. Harriet was being held tightly by Tin, who had just finished her manicure, hiding behind an artificial plant partition
Stanley gasped and gritted his teeth. “How did our luck get so terrible? Joseph quickly restrained him, fearing he might act impulsively.
At that crucial moment, Quinlyn sprang into action. She crouched low and dashed into a nearby store selling climbing gear.
“Hey, Quinlyn” Joseph, caught off guard along with Stanley, took advantage of the distraction to cautiously sneak over.
Inside the store, the owner was hiding under the checkout counter Quinlyn quickly grabbed a folding knife and a coll of rope, snatching a marker from the counter as she passed
Joseph rushed in and inquired, “What are you doing?”
Quinlyn looked up at him, glanced at her hands, and handed him the pen. “Go write something
Joseph was utterly puzzled by her plan. Seeing that she had already moved on, he hurried after her. Just before reaching the lounge on the second floor, he was astounded to find Quinlyn staring intently at the officers outside, trying to force their way in
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Chapter 8
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She spread her arms wile, preventing them from smashing the glass window. The crowd awaiting rescue was anxious but too terrified to speak, merely staring in silent horror.
As Joseph drew nearer, Quinlyn seized him by the arm. She gestured towards the officers outside the glass partition and declared, “Inform them that a solitary robber, intoxicated and having injured someone, now holds a child hostage”
Joseph finally grasped the purpose of the marker. He swiftly approached the glass window and jotted down the robber’s details. As anticipated, the officer on the rope hesitated momentarily before promptly radioing his superior for guidance
“There’s one more crucial detail; Quinlyn intervened, tugging at Joseph’s sleeve and gazing up at him calmly. “He appears to be carrying explosives. I glimpsed a fuse, albeit an oddly colored one”
Joseph and Stanley instantly broke into a cold sweat at this revelation. Stanley took a few hurried steps forward, crouched, and inquired of Quinlyn. “What color was the fuse you observed?”
Quinlyn replied, “It was multicolored.” In the borderlands, she was accustomed to seeing everything in shades of gray or
earth tones.
“It must be from a simulation game gear store, Stanley speculated seriously, nodding towards Joseph. “They’ve gained popularity recently and can mimic real fuses.
Joseph furrowed his brow and inscribed a message on the glass: [The robber is armed with explosives.] Precision was paramount in such circumstances; ambiguity could jeopardize credibility and, consequently, lives.
The officer on the other side engaged in prolonged radio communication following this latest message.
Quinlyn tugged at Joseph’s attire once more, her innocent voice surprisingly composed. “I’ll go undercover; you cover for
me
Joseph and Stanley were taken aback but quickly protested in unison. “Absolutely not, it’s far too perilous!” Allowing a ten- year–old to confront robbers seemed ludicrous under any circumstance.
However, renewed cries from children and an impatient male shout echoed from the first floor, heightening the mall’s
tension.
“Time is of the essence, Quinlyn declared, bending down to conceal a knife in her sock and slinging a rope over her shoulder before dashing off.
Joseph and Stanley, caught off guard, couldn’t prevent her. “Quick, jot it down” Stanley urged Joseph while hastily pursuing
her.
Fearing for Quinlyn’s safety, Joseph gritted his teeth and scribbled her plan on the glass. With eyes closed, he dashed out, leaving the officers outside bewildered.
On the second floor, Quinlyn found a secluded spot by the glass railing and tied the rope to it, her back facing the men. Stanley, intending to assist, marveled at her speed and the intricate, sturdy knot she tied. Despite pulling it several times, it remained secure. Seeing Quinlyn prepare to swing down, he was astounded.
“For heaven’s sake, at least use a safety lock or tie it around your waist, and I’ll lower you,” Stanley exclaimed anxiously.
Never had he seen such recklessness, yet even as he spoke, he acknowledged the absurdity of his suggestion. He should have restrained her instead of aiding her escape.
Joseph, arriving slightly behind, hesitated and softly inquired. “You’re sure about this, aren’t you?”
Quinlyn turned to him and silently nodded. Only then did Joseph exhale deeply, pull Stanley back, and advised her. Then
be cautious.”
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It was the first time anyone had offered such words to Quinlyn. She gave Joseph another look, and then lightly grasped the rope and, with swift precision, descended to the first floor before anyone could blink.