32 The Great Escape (End)

Jacques was sitting on a bench near the bus station. A cigarette stick was hanging from his fingers, while the other hand held a mobile phone. He was talking to one of his direct subordinates and giving him instructions.

The heads of the organization mobilized all of their manpower in order to search for a girl that was less than ten years old and they didn't even know her face.

A mission that was deemed to be impossible, but here he was, talking to one of his men and hoping that they "might" get lucky in their random search.

"Sir, are you sure about this?" the man on the other line asked in a serious tone. "Almost everyone has that hair color. Even my own daughter has that hair color."

"Just keep an eye for any suspicious looking children wandering on the streets," Jacques replied. He was on his fifth call and he was very tired from receiving the same response over and over again.

"Our bosses are very pissed right now. If we don't at least show some effort, heads might start rolling."

"U-Understood. I'll do what I can."

"Thank you. Please, do your best."

"Yes, Sir."

Jacques rubbed his bloodshot eyes. After the operation, he immediately went to report to the higher ups and didn't get a wink of sleep. The net that the organization has cast was very ambitious.

They called in every bit of manpower they had to cover all the train stations, bus stations, piers, cities, small towns and villages within a ten mile radius of the couple's residence.

In order to maximize the efforts, their subordinates even asked their relatives, friends, and acquaintances to keep an eye out on any suspicious girls wandering around alone.

It was the greatest undertaking that the organization known as "Memento Mori" had done over the past few years. All for the sake of one girl and the secrets that she possessed.

-----

"We're here, Emma," Jack said as he helped the young girl get down from the truck. "Should I buy a ticket for you?"

Stella, who hid her identity and used the name Emma, firmly rejected Jack's kind offer.

"Thank you, Uncle, but I still have money to spare," Stella answered.

"How about I pretend to be your guardian until you safely board the ferry? The staff might stop you if you go without someone accompanying you."

Stella hesitated for a bit before nodding her head. Jack was right. It would be suspicious if she bought a ticket for herself. The staff might ask some questions and it would just make things complicated.

Jack walked to the ticket counter and helped Stella buy her ferry ticket. The next boat would leave in two hours. It was currently six in the evening, and the sun had already set.

"Should we have dinner first?" Jack asked. "I'm hungry, how about you?"

"Un, I'm hungry as well, Uncle."

"That settles it! Let's grab some hotdogs."

Jack held Stella's hand and went to one of the stalls that were selling hotdog sandwiches. Both of them were famished from the long trip. Stella ate heartily and was able to finish two hotdogs with ease.

Jack looked at her in pity. He thought that aside from physical abuse, Stella's step-mom also refused to give her food. Although she didn't look malnourished, the kind man wasn't able to stop himself from thinking too much.

Stella was eating her hotdogs as if they were the most delicious things in the world. Jack ordered two hotdogs as take-out and handed them to Stella. He said that she could eat them when she arrived in London.

The young girl gratefully accepted the free food and thanked her Uncle Jack for the umpteenth time. She made a vow that no matter what happened, she would repay this kindness in the future.

The two waited in the ferry station for the moment the passengers were called to board the boat. Stella lowered her head and her gaze were fixed to the ground. She didn't want to catch anyone's attention and decided to act low key.

Suddenly, the sound of an argument took place not far from where they were seated. An old lady with white hair was knocked to the ground by a well-built man wearing a black hat.

Instead of apologizing, the man even cursed the old lady for not looking where she was walking. The old lady felt wronged and lashed out at the man for bullying an old lady like her. The people who saw what happened hissed at the man's shamelessness.

They saw that the old lady was just standing in place and checking the contents of her bag. The man was the one who hit her because he was talking to someone on the phone while walking. He didn't notice the old lady until he felt that he knocked into someone.

Instead of helping her to get up, he even cursed her for blocking his way. The people watching felt anger, but none of them moved. The man looked like a bouncer from a club and they didn't want to get hurt for being righteous.

The old lady hurt her waist due to the fall and was having a hard time getting up. Everyone just looked at her and didn't offer any assistance.

"Grandma, are you alright?" Stella wasn't able to turn a blind eye to what happened and decided to lend a hand. She supported the old lady's body until she was able to stand up. Stella also picked up her bag and placed it on her shoulder.

"I'll take this. Just support her," Jack took the bag from the girl's shoulder. Like Stella, he wasn't able to continue being an observer.

The three headed to a bench when a voice called out from behind them.

"Oi! Where do you think you're going?"

The three turned their heads to look at the menacing man behind them.

"You are just going to leave without offering an apology?" the man sneered at them. "This suit of mine cost more than what the three of you are wearing combined. How about you compensate me?"

Stella glared at the man and her small hands were balled into fists. She wanted to punch him in the gut so badly, but she held back. She didn't want to make a scene in the pier and delay her trip to London.

Jack shot an equally venomous gaze at the detestable man. He wasn't afraid of a fist fight. He had his share of gang fights when he was young. Even if the man was bigger than him, he was confident that he could easily break his balls if push comes to shove.

The man was annoyed because the two people who helped the old lady weren't intimidated. He was about to teach them a lesson when a hand held his shoulder in place.

"Why don't you just let this matter slide?" A man wearing an expensive business suit said with a smile. His red hair was very striking. His sapphire green eyes and devilish grin made him look like a Hollywood Star. "If you still insist on troubling these good Samaritans, I swear I will wipe the floor using your face."

"Who are you?" The well-built man narrowed his eyes. He was the guy that Jacques had called a few minutes ago. He was one of the agents of the organization who had played many shady dealings in the past. Because he had been involved in many illegal activities, he was able to sense whether a person was dangerous or not.

The agent could tell that the man wearing an expensive business suit was not a simple guy. He could feel the man's strong grip on his shoulders.

"Me? I'm just a passerby that hates to see a bastard bully an old lady and a little girl. So what would it be? Want to have a go with me?"

"N-No. I'm a busy person, I will now take my leave."

"Good. I like sensible people. Make sure to watch where you are going next time."

The agent walked away while stealing glances at the red haired man who gave a threatening presence. He casually walked towards Stella, Jack, and the old woman with a smile.

"Are you alright, Grandma?" the dashing man asked.

"You should have beaten him up for me, Cain." the old woman was still feeling aggrieved over what happened.

"Sorry, Grandma Ella," Cain replied awkwardly. "I didn't want to make a scene."

"Hmp! If not for this child and this good man, that person would have bullied me to no end."

The man was about to say something when one of the staff announced that the people could now board the boat.

"It's time to go, Emma." Jack patted the girl's head. "I'll send you off before I go home."

"Thank you, Uncle."

"Oh? Are the two of you going to board the ferry to London?" the old lady asked. "Why don't you come with us. We have first class accommodations. Although the trip is short, it will be more comfortable staying with us than the regular quarters."

Before Stella could reject the offer, Jack hurriedly covered her mouth and accepted the offer. He whispered to her that it would be safer if she stayed with the old woman. Since the lady was feeling indebted to them, she would ensure that Stella would remain safe during the trip.

Since Jack already accepted the offer, Stella didn't embarrass him by saying no. The old lady happily took her hand while Jack and Cain walked a few steps behind them.

The man who they had an argument with earlier was looking at the passengers one by one. This time he was not alone. There were three others beside him and the four of them together were an imposing sight.

They were just looking at the passengers and not hindering them, so the staff didn't ask them to leave.

When the man's eyes landed on Stella, he thought that it would be a great opportunity to vent his anger. However, when he saw the red haired man behind her he immediately changed his mind.

He already labeled the man as dangerous, why would he provoke him again? He was not that stupid!

----

The ship horn echoed throughout the pier. It marked that the time for departure had arrived.

Stella was on the deck and waving her hand to bid her Uncle Jack goodbye. Although the two of them had only met for a short while, the girl burned his image in her memory.

When she returned to France to take her revenge, she would try to find him and compensate him for his help.

Jack waved back until Stella's small, and lonely silhouette, disappeared from view. He sincerely wished that she would be reunited with her mother. Unfortunately, his wish would never come to pass.