Shaking her head, Jouri said, "I'll get someone to move the sculpture. It's going to be difficult to recover the head, though—any trail would have gone cold after so long."
Frank nodded. "Just try your best—it doesn't matter if you actually find it. Life's like that."
Soon, Jouri's people arrived, but just as they packed up the statue, several Toyota Land Cruisers came bounding toward them.
A group of wights alighted—it was the most appropriate term for them, what with their dried seaweed-like skin, droopy eyelids, and lifeless eyes.
They were basically limping too, like they were going to keel over at any moment.
Their leader was none other than the punk who had mocked Frank earlier, laughing himself silly when he leaned forward and saw that Frank and Jouri were still around.
"And here I thought you'd run scared." He sneered. "But you're really flattering yourself, staying here and waiting for me! I won't hold back since you want this so much!"
He and the wights jumped down. Though they encircled Frank and Jouri, they did not attack, as the punk continued to gloat. "I don't like bullying the weak. Just get down on your knees and apologize—and let me have the chick—and everything will be fine."
Frank and Jouri traded glances and laughed out loud.
That was just such a cliche. Not even the most stereotypical thugs would do that!
"You don't like bullying the weak?" Jouri asked, bemused. "Then why bring so many people with you? You're obviously afraid that people would talk. But I'm curious… None of you should have any qualms about doing a crime. What, did someone put a collar on you?"
The punk laughed coolly. "I'll be straight with you—a group with unimaginable might exists here in Shagan. No one knows what their boss is thinking too, since he insists on maintaining law and order!
He had done nothing amazing, but these people feared him that much? Impossible!
"Alright, cut the crap," he snapped. "Surrendering is beyond the question, but since you're all such good boys, I can consider letting you go as long as you swear not to abuse civilians. How about that?"
While they were unseemly, Frank was sure they were not beyond saving since they revered him.
He had just underestimated their ruthlessness, as the punk snapped, "I won't lie—we are wary about Mr. Frankton, but this is way out in the boonies. There are no witnesses around, let alone cameras—he'd be none the wiser even if we killed you both."
Jouri smiled, nodding. "That's actually quite smart, but also misguided. What you just said has already sealed your fate!"
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