16
I survived.
Carter took me back to the city square, where I boarded the company bus. It was then that I saw Sofia once again.
When Sofia saw me, she gave me a contract and said, "Henry, sign this and you'll officially become a member of our company. Coach Carter will give you your instructions soon enough. Now, do you have any other specific requests?"
I said, "I want to see Alice."
Sofia didn't object, but her voice took on a deep, serious tone as she replied, "You can go see Alice, but if she wants to leave with you, she needs to fulfill her loyalty pledge and become a member of our company."
Alice was an intern policeman, and I knew that she would never stoop to the level of becoming a murderer.
Nevertheless, as long as they didn't kill Alice, I had a plan of my own.
17
Soon, I saw Alice in the basement cell.
She appeared to be in a terrible state — bruised, battered, and deprived of her usual vitality.
Seeing her like that broke my heart.