'Potential suspects' on the loose

*Bai Li*

"Run!"

I yelled as I grabbed Xin Lei's hand. Thankfully, she understood it quickly as she matched my pace to dash towards the exit. Something fell and I heard the sound of a glass breaking. It was quick and short.

Was it the forensic evidence sample?

But I had no time.

As soon as I had heard the door open, I knew this was the only chance.

Now or never. The seconds ticking by were as precious as gold, while everyone was unable to react.

Somebody wanted to trap us so that there would be nobody left to sniff the case trail. I knew how such cases worked.

It was a series of endless questioning with the case leading to nowhere. They would say that the investigation was going on, but actually, they would be eating popcorn, enjoying and laughing at us from outside the prison as if a comedy movie was going on. Xin Lei and I would have been forever behind bars.

I was only 32, and Xin Lei was even younger than me. I was pretty sure that our feelings were mutual; that is not wasting our youth in between the prisoners for the rest of our lives.

I already knew that the door was just a few yards away before this mayhem happened, so it took only four big steps to reach over there.

Now about the person who opened that door, Tian Song? He was an obstacle.

From my side, I was on the right side, so I stretched my left arm to reach his left shoulder. I grabbed his shoulder, used my strength to bend him, and quickly pushed him away towards my back opposite to my direction.

I sensed Xin Lei adeptly shift towards me to not bump into him.

"Officier Song!"

That almost arching position would cause him to trip or at least take a while to steady himself.

"Hey, stop!"

Like hell, we would.

"After them!" The guy shouted.

"Cocoa!" I called out my buddy.

"Arf!"

I heard Guard Wu's voice as we ran. "Cocoa is there and I will also say out loud all the directions and the obstacles along the way."

Lin Zihao must have told him, plus he would have noticed it too.

"Got it."

"Still a few yards away from the main gate." He shouted.

"I will get us a few more seconds."

With my other free hand, I took out the goon's gun and fired a shot towards the sky.

It worked because I didn't hear their steps. They must have halted with the sound of the sudden shot. That was enough for us to get out of the gate.

"Right in 3-2-1!" Guard Wu said.

In three seconds, we had to turn right, and so we did. Xin Lei was with me, holding my hand tightly.

I heard the police sirens ringing loudly behind my back.

'Alright. Let's do this.'

*Xin Lei*

We ran from those police officers with Guard Wu and Cocoa guiding Bai Li with the directions. I would also tug him to a side if there were any obstacles.

I turned my head a little and saw three police cars from afar.

Damn!

We ran along the footpath. The road was busy with cars. If I remember, there was a crossroad just up ahead.

As we dodged the people, Guard Wu said, "A right turn at the crossroad. There is a hot pot shop which is busier at this time of the day. We can use the crowd to hide."

"Arf!"

"Obstacle two steps, right!" He said.

There was a lamppost ahead. Bai Li and I swiftly turned around it.

The pedestrians stayed out of our way, thank God for that.

Bai Li said, "Farther to the hotpot shop, there is also Ditan Park when we take a left. It's a huge park to hide."

"Roger."

'Right. That's a good place to lose these officers.'

We took a right at the crossroad. I saw the meat hot pot shop signboard.

Just then, a crowd of people came outside the shop.

'Lucky!'

"Arf!"

"Crowd at the front!" He said for Bai Li.

Just then, I heard the siren. No time!

I quickly pulled him in between the crowd, following Guard Wu and Cocoa.

Bai Li said, "Follow the crowd."

The crowd was quite dense with people. We slowed down, trying to surround ourselves with people.

"Look straight."

'Will we be alright?'

Bai Li softly squeezed my hand. "Don't worry. Stay calm."

I felt his warmth seeping in my skin. His hand was much much bigger than mine. I pressed his palm in return.

Just from the corner of my eye, I saw the police cars stop.

"Look inside the shop! They must be hiding in the crowd. Don't let them get away."

I recognized Duan Deming's voice. There were hurried footsteps of police officers rushing inside.

'Oh God, please don't look over the crowd here.'

A woman in the crowd looked at us. "Oh, you are police officers too?"

I forgot that we were wearing police uniforms.

'What if she calls them?'

"Yes, mam. We are officers." I shot a look at Bai Li. "There are some accused on the loose who we suspect as thieves."

Guard Wu added. "We have to nab them as soon as possible."

"Oh, how responsible is our police!" She smiled.

I twitched my eyebrow. We were the 'potential thieves.'

We walked on.

"Left in 3-2-1."

Some parts of the crowd walked straight, and some took a left with us.

Bai Li said, "We need to get rid of these uniforms."

Guard Wu said, "I will bring some clothes. There is a small alley, and a small room is at the corner hidden in between the planks. But we cannot stay there for much longer. The police will come searching for you."

"Look over there!" I heard an officer's command.

"Quick."

Bai Li, Cocoa, and I entered the alley. As Guard Wu said, wooden planks were resting on the wall. He went away to fetch out clothes.

I typed. "I found the planks."

"Take me over there."

Bai Li ran his hands over them and picked up one. I tried to help. I lifted one side of the plank.

So heavy!

"I will do it. Stay alert with Cocoa."

I coughed. Cocoa rubbed his head on my thigh.

Bai Li lifted the planks. Meanwhile, I was keeping a watch on the road.

A few minutes later, Bai Li called. "I found the door. Come inside."