In the bustling city of Jinzhou, a tall man in a hooded cloak walked through the crowded streets with a young boy in tow. They appeared to be a father and son enjoying a holiday outing, but observant onlookers could sense the fear hidden behind the boy’s facade.
"Yes, his beloved grandson is now in our hands... Once we send him out of Jinzhou, no one will find him."
The man stared at the little boy beside him as he talked through the contact, signaling him not to mess around.
With this boy and his grandpa around, even the Patrollers in Jinzhou gotta watch out for us a bit... Let’s get in touch after I leave the city."
As they approached the city gate with lax security, it was clear that the child’s grandpa had not reported the kidnapping — likely because he was also an outlaw himself.
The cloaked man hurried through many alleyways, but had to stop abruptly when he bumped into something.
A woman dressed in vibrant attire with long scarlet hair, was performing a puppet show. Her captivating act drew a crowd of children and their parents. The flying puppets seemed so lifelike that all the children couldn’t take their eyes off them, including the young boy in his grasp.
The puppet show drew in a large crowd of children, making it difficult for him to maneuver through. But he didn’t have to rush, as the performance was coming to an end.
As expected, the woman with crimson hair took an elegant bow, amidst thundering applause and her puppet waving goodbye. Taking advantage of the break, he motioned for the boy to follow as they slipped through the bustling crowd.
"Alright everyone, who wants to join me for the next show? Raise your hand!"
Suddenly, the red-headed puppeteer asked with a dazzling smile, scanning the children in the audience. Almost all hands shot up in excitement.
"Yes, you in the back with your father. Come on down!"
All eyes turned to the little boy with his hooded "father", both surprised to be chosen.
"Me...? Is she pointing at me?"
The little boy looked up at the man with a mixture of excitement and fear. After some hesitation, the man made their way to the front.
"I’m sorry, but we’re in a hurry..."
"It’s alright, it will be done soon... Will you join us too, mister?"
"Me...? I’ll pass..." The man instinctively refused, but he failed to notice how the little boy had already wriggled free from his grasp.
He went to grab the boy, but only grabbed a weird puppet instead. In that instant, a strong electric current knocked him unconscious.
...
...
"Boss! Bad news!"
A rough-looking man burst into the old mansion, shouting loudly.
"Idiot! Can’t you see I’m already annoyed?"
Startled, the elder man in the center of the hall scolded him for his rudeness. Stressed and worried about his kidnapped grandson, he lost his usual calm demeanor and angrily threw his teacup at the intruder in frustration.
"It’s that woman, that redhead woman returned... She had come back with our young master!"
"What?"
Before the old man could fully comprehend, the woman in question walked inside, accompanied by a young boy — his kidnapped grandson. She was none other than the puppeteer who had just performed in the alleyway.
"Grandpa!"
At the sight of the old man, the boy burst into tears and ran towards him, seeking refuge in his embrace. The old man was both surprised and delighted.
"Oh, my sweet child...! Are you hurt? How did you make it?"
The boy shook his head to indicate that he was not hurt, and then pointed to the red-haired woman not far away.
"This lady brought me back from the bad guys!"
"Why are you here? A spy for the Patrollers, yet you want to help me?"
The redhead woman only gestured to her puppet, which revealed a hooded man, captured.
"I’m only after them, they happen to be your enemy. I’m just using you," she said nonchalantly. "But your grandson is innocent."
She scanned the crowd of gangsters filling the hall, a sly smile playing on her lips.
"Or do you really believe you can thwart me, the infamous mole, with your little crew?"
The old man closed his eyes and sighed, signaling for his men to lower their weapons.
"Get out of here and don’t show your face again."
With graceful poise, the woman exited. The old man sighed once more and let out a bitter laugh.
"Grandpa, what are you laughing about?"
"She's always in and out as if she knew I won't stop her, talking about we aren't the target 'yet'... Sounds like I'm never off the hook."
As he gazed at his grandson’s cherubic face, the old man silently lost himself in thoughts.
Electro
Rectifier
