Come, Let Me Take You Home 70

No. 70 A Touch of Melancholy Emerges

“I need to go back to our hometown.”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

“Is everything alright?”

“If I’m not mistaken, no.”

“Yi Yao, is there anything I can do?”

“Focus on your studies and prepare for the May exams. It’ll be our last monthly exam in middle school.”

“…”

The fading sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the garden.

The sunflowers drooped, their faces turned away from the dying light. The overgrown weeds swayed gently in the breeze.

I packed my phone, wallet, and other essentials, then pulled on the baseball cap Lan Zhuoyue had given me.

“You know how to cook, right?”

Xiaodie stood at the doorway, her eyes filled with worry. She was wearing a simple sundress.

“It’s time you learned to be independent,” I said, slipping on my shoes. “I’ll be back soon. Remember the dreams we talked about? Once this is all over, we’ll make them a reality.”

She wanted to say something, but she simply nodded. “I’ll be waiting.”

Those three simple words were my entire world.

It was six in the evening when I left her house.

I knew this day would come.

I would see my mother one last time, endure the somber rituals of the family funeral, and then, like everyone else, collect her ashes.

I had disrupted the timeline, altering my own future, leaving me adrift in a sea of uncertainty.

The journey to our hometown was a two-hour train ride, followed by a short car trip.

The train station was deserted, a testament to the weekday evening lull. I purchased my ticket without any hassle.

Such a peaceful world…

After this, my father, following the script of my memories, would find a new wife, a new family.

And then, three years of peaceful high school life.

The thought calmed my anxious heart, a strange sense of resignation settling over me.

But as I sat in the waiting area, a sudden gunshot shattered the silence. A bullet pierced the large announcement screen, sparks flying from exposed wires.

“Aah!”

Panic erupted. Screams filled the air, transforming the once-tranquil space into a scene of chaos.

“My bag! My bag!”

“Forget the bag! Where are our children?”

“Has anyone seen my son?”

“Run, honey!”

“Where are you, darling?”

“Bang!”

Another gunshot. This time, the bullet struck a fire extinguisher, sending a cloud of white powder billowing across the floor.

“Listen up, everyone! Get down on the ground! Anyone who moves will end up like that fire extinguisher!”

A man in black, brandishing an unfamiliar pistol, stood in the center of the waiting area, his voice amplified by a megaphone.

Several men, similarly dressed, flanked him.

What was going on?

They moved with a precision and efficiency that rivaled trained police officers. Each man carried a metal baton, strategically positioned to block all exits. They herded the terrified passengers into a tight circle, their movements coordinated and controlled.

Fear paralyzed the crowd. They obeyed, their faces etched with terror.

I realized I was the only one still standing.

The man in black tossed the megaphone aside and approached me, his gaze fixed on me.

“Yi Yao, a student in Class 11, Grade 9 at Upper Capital City No. 3 Middle School. Am I correct?”

I stood tall, my heart pounding. “You’re looking for me?”

“Yes. Our boss wants to see you.” He smiled faintly, gesturing towards the exit. “This way, please.”

Why… why now?

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have time.”

“Oh?”

He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Our boss said you were the most extraordinary woman he had ever met. And he was right. You possess a courage that’s rare even for a grown man. Do you know who we are?”

I hesitated. “Shadow?”

“Hahaha! Not only courageous, but intelligent too! However, your answer isn’t entirely accurate. We are ‘Fierce,’ one of the four branches of the Gathering Hall. Shadow, Radiance, Glory, Fierce. Remember that. We are Fierce.”

“I don’t believe I’ve done anything to offend you.”

“Don’t be so modest. Our boss has taken an interest in you. You’re one of us now. As for how you managed to steal Shadow’s weapons and cover your tracks… well, we can overlook that for now. Just come with us.”

How did they know?

They shouldn’t have known any of this. The plan had been flawless.

“My time is precious, little lady. I’ve said all I need to say. Now let’s go.”

He pointed the gun at me, his gaze unwavering.

I can’t… I can’t go with them…

If I did, I might miss my chance to say goodbye to my mother…

“Mommy, I’m scared…”

“It’s okay, honey. Just stay still…”

A child’s voice, on the verge of tears, pierced the tense silence.

The man instinctively glanced towards the source of the sound.

Now!

I spun around, my leg lashing out, connecting with his abdomen. He gasped, stunned, and I seized the opportunity, wrenching the gun from his grasp.

“What the…”

Unfamiliar with firearms, I opted for hand-to-hand combat. My kicks and punches were swift and precise, but he blocked them all, his movements fluid and practiced.

He’s trained…

I had put all my strength into those attacks, but they had barely fazed him.

“Bang!”

A bullet whizzed past my ear.

The other men, who had been armed only with batons, had drawn their guns, their aim unwavering.

I was trapped, surrounded, outmatched.

“Interesting. The first person to snatch a gun from me right under my nose. And a little girl, no less.”

He retrieved his gun, spat on the ground, and tucked it into his waistband.

“You’re Yi Yao, right? Here’s your chance. I won’t use my gun. Take me down, and we’ll forget this ever happened.”

He stepped back, assuming a fighting stance.

“Come on, let’s see what you’ve got.”

Could I trust his word?

“Don’t worry, I’m not like those Shadow bastards. We Fierce value loyalty. If I can’t even handle a little girl like you, we’ll let you walk away. We’ll even cover your mother’s funeral expenses.”

His words startled me.

“Don’t look at me like that. It wasn’t hard to find out about your little situation. Now stop stalling and fight!”

The setting sun cast a warm glow through the dusty windows, illuminating the rows of worn seats.

A flock of doves soared past, their white wings symbols of peace in a world consumed by violence.

The wail of sirens grew louder in the distance.

“Come on, what are you waiting for? You don’t think those pathetic city cops can touch the Gathering Hall, do you?”

He was growing impatient.

“Fine, I’ll make the first move.”

He lunged at me, his fist a blur.

Instinctively, I raised my arms to protect my chest and lifted my right leg to block his attack. But as his fist connected, I realized my mistake.

“Thud!”

A sickening crunch. His fist had struck my right leg, sending a jolt of pain through my body. I stumbled backward, falling to one knee.

Apart from my taekwondo instructors, I had never fought a trained adult male.

Pai Ge, despite his strength, had always held back during our training sessions. I could take down multiple opponents my own age, but against a grown man, I was outmatched.

“This isn’t the Yi Yao my boss described. Is that all you’ve got?”

You…

His words ignited a spark of defiance within me, a fighting spirit honed by my sister’s rigorous training. Ignoring the pain in my leg, I lunged forward, unleashing a roundhouse kick.

“Thud!”

My foot connected with his arm, the impact reverberating through my body. The pain only fueled my determination. I followed up with a side kick, aiming for his ribs.

My attacks were precise, relentless. Double flying kicks, followed by a roundhouse kick, then a side kick.

He was forced to defend, his playful smirk fading as he raised his arms to block my blows.

“Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!”

He staggered backward under my relentless assault, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. But I could sense he was still holding back.

My reckless attacks were taking their toll. My breath grew ragged, my muscles burning.

I had no retreat.

Fight fire with fire. Meet violence with violence.

The sun dipped below the horizon, the last vestiges of daylight fading from the sky.

My legs screamed in protest, but I pushed myself harder, my speed increasing, my movements becoming a blur.

“You… you have the potential to be a martial arts prodigy,” he said, his voice laced with admiration.

What do you care?

“Join us, girl. This city is rotten to its core.”

Mind your own business!

“Attention everyone inside! You are surrounded!”

A booming voice from outside the waiting area interrupted our fight.

“Team A in position. Over.”

“Team B reporting. Snipers in place. Over.”

Dark clouds obscured the last sliver of sunlight.

Footsteps pounded on the pavement outside, drawing closer. The roar of a helicopter filled the air.

“Hahaha! Interesting! Hahaha!”

The man laughed, releasing his defensive stance and grabbing me, his gun pressed against my temple.

“Nobody move! I have a hostage!”

“Execute Plan C! Retreat!”

He barked orders, and the other men, with impressive coordination, surged towards the ticket gates, smashing through the glass.

He dragged me through the shattered glass, his arm a vise around my waist. A helicopter, which had seemingly appeared out of nowhere, hovered overhead, a rope ladder dangling precariously.

“Farewell, you pathetic fools!” he shouted, his voice echoing through the abandoned waiting area.