LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 15: Rescue
Two figures could be seen frantically running through the narrow, shadowy streets, their voices echoing into the evening air.
"Catherine! Where are you?" shouted Emma, her voice strained with desperation as she cupped her hands around her mouth.
Junior ran beside her, his sharp eyes scanning every darkened corner and alleyway. But when he glanced at Emma, he noticed her pace faltering. Her breaths were coming in quick, shallow gasps, and her face was pale with exhaustion.
"Hey, Emma," Junior called, stepping in front of her to halt her frantic movements. "You need to rest for a bit. You're going to faint if you keep pushing yourself like this," he said, his tone filled with genuine concern as he watched her struggle to catch her breath.
"But—" Emma began, her voice shaky.
Before she could finish, Junior gently placed a finger to her lips, silencing her. "Shush," he whispered softly. "I know you're worried, but your health is important too. We'll find her, I promise. Just trust me."
Emma froze at his touch, her shoulders trembling. Tears began to stream down her face as she whispered in a broken voice, "Not again... I'm not going to lose someone from my family again."
Junior's expression shifted, his eyes widening slightly as her words struck him. "Lose someone from my family again?" he repeated quietly, trying to understand.
Emma's lip quivered, and she let out a heart-wrenching sob. "This isn't the first time... children have gone missing before. It keeps happening in this area."
"What?" Junior said, his voice sharper now. "Didn't anyone report it to the authorities?"
Emma looked at him with tired, tear-streaked eyes. "Do you really think they care? This is downtown. No one in the city cares about what happens here."
Her words hit Junior like a weight. He looked away, his mind racing. *She's right. Why would anyone care about a lawless place like this?* He glanced back at Emma, her face filled with despair, and his jaw tightened.
"This... missing children," Junior murmured to himself, piecing things together. "Why is it only the children? That has to mean something. Could this be the key to the bigger mystery I'm trying to solve in this city?"
He turned back to Emma, a newfound energy lighting up his face. "Emma, thank you! You've given me an important clue!" he exclaimed, a determined smile spreading across his lips.
Emma blinked at him in confusion. "I... I don't know what you're talking about," she said, her voice hesitant as she wiped the tears from her cheeks.
Junior grinned and patted her shoulder. "Don't worry about it. Let's rest for a little while, and then we'll keep looking for Catherine. I need you to stay strong, okay?"
Without waiting for her reply, he pointed to a nearby wooden bench. "Let's sit over there," he said, taking her hand and leading her toward it.
"Sit, Emma," Junior said gently, gesturing for her to rest.
Emma, still lost in thought about his sudden outburst of gratitude, blinked and stuttered, "W-What did you say, Junior?"
He chuckled lightly. "I said we should sit down and rest for a bit."
"Oh, right," she mumbled, her confusion lingering as she quickly sat on the bench. Junior followed, sitting beside her.
---
Minutes passed as the two rested on the bench, exhaustion taking over their bodies. Before long, both of them had drifted off, their heads unconsciously leaning against each other. The faint hum of the night wrapped around them, and for a moment, the chaos seemed to fade.
Suddenly, a dark figure emerged from the shadows behind them. The figure moved silently, a glint of steel reflecting in the dim light as a blade appeared in his hand. He raised the knife high, aiming directly at Junior's back.
But just as the blade descended, a sharp *clang* rang out. The knife was deflected, embedding itself into the bench instead. In an instant, a shadow darted past, and before the attacker could strike again, Junior and Emma vanished from the bench.
"Phew, I made it just in time," said a familiar voice. Helen stepped into the faint light, her face covered in sweat and her breathing labored.
"Prince Junior! Are you okay?" she said urgently, her hands quickly patting him down as she checked for injuries. Her touch startled both Junior and Emma awake.
"What's going on, Helen?" Junior asked groggily, rubbing his eyes.
Helen's face was tense, her voice filled with urgency. "Your Majesty, you're in danger. These figures are targeting you. I managed to get here ahead of the knights, but we don't have much time."
She pointed toward the bench where they had been sleeping moments ago. Junior and Emma turned to see four dark figures stepping out from the shadows, their movements deliberate and menacing.