Bonnie and Jim continued to shop at the market. They’d browse through the trinkets on the stalls, giving off the impression that they didn’t realize something was unusual there. She swept her eyes across her surroundings but didn’t see anyone suspicious. So, she gave him a look, hinting at him to take a seat at a food stall.
Once both of them sat down, she leaned closer to him and whispered, “I checked out our surroundings, but I didn’t discover anything or anyone unusual. What about you?” He shook his head gently and frowned.
“I’ve got nothing for now. Could it be that our assailant is extremely proficient and discreet?”
“You say that, but both of us aren’t exactly amateurs. We should’ve been able to suss out something.” She rubbed her chin and mulled it over.
“Let’s just continue to observe them. If they’re targeting us, that means they’re trying to do something. They won’t be holding back forever.”
“Okay. Remember. Don’t wander off too far from me. I’m worried that you’re their target,” he said solemnly.
‘I’m not worried about myself. Keeping Bonnie safe is what matters most to me,’ he thought.
She nodded. “Alright.”
Both of them had just finished talking when they heard an ear-piercing scream.
“Someone’s mugging me! Can anyone help me?!”
They followed the voice and turned their gaze. Then, they saw it. There was a lady from across the road, who was chasing after the mugger who snatched her pouch. She was holding a baby in her arms. Her face was filled with despair as she cried and ran.
Bonnie saw it and couldn’t bear it anymore. She shot up from her seat and raced after the mugger.
“Hold it right there, you damn thief! Give her back her pouch.”
‘How despicable. I can’t believe he’d snatch something from a lady who’s holding a baby. What a crazy, heartless guy!’
Jim saw it, stood up, and gave chase as well.
They ran the mugger into a remote alley. Realizing that he was still running very fast, she swept her eyes across her surroundings. Then, she picked up a pebble and lobbed it at his ankle. “Eeek!” The mugger yelped, his face contorted with pain. He stumbled and rolled on the ground.
She walked over and kicked him. At the same time, she took the lady’s pouch. “Haven’t you seen that she’s got her hands busy with a baby? How despicable!”
Bonnie was so angry that she kicked him again.
“Eek!” The mugger yelped and clutched his ankle, while he moaned painfully.
‘How is it that a pebble hurt me this much? It feels as if my leg is ruined.”
At that moment, Jim dove into the alley from another side. He let out a sigh of relief when he saw that she was safe.
“Now that you have the pouch, let’s get a move on. We can’t afford to stay here for too long.”
‘I’m not sure if I’m wrong, but I get the feeling that the mugger led her here on purpose. It’s such a remote alley that nobody would’ve used it. ‘However, the mugger led her here nonetheless. Perhaps he has some ulterior motive. Or, I could be wrong. We’d better get out of there.’ “Alright.” She responded and took the pouch with her. Then, she walked out of the alley with Jim.
Just as they arrived at the entrance, several yellow-haired thugs swarmed them and stood in their way.
