Chapter 149: Gwen Stacy

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Mike looked at the police car.

In the back seat sat a little girl, her face filled with terror. In the driver's seat, a police officer lay motionless—already dead from a gunshot wound.

The girl looked no older than five or six. She had beautiful platinum blonde hair, adorned with a cute butterfly hairpin, and wore a pink dress that made her look like a delicate porcelain doll.

At that moment, her mouth hung open as she gasped for breath, tears welling up in her eyes. She stared at Mike, utterly petrified.

Mike's heart ached for her. He bent down, gently lifted her from the car, and held her in his arms, softly patting her back. "It's okay, don't be scared."

The little girl stiffened for a moment before bursting into uncontrollable, gut-wrenching sobs.

A small crowd had gathered in the distance, with someone already calling the police.

Two minutes later, just as the girl's cries were growing hoarse, the police finally arrived.

The officers who stepped out of their vehicles took one look at the scene, and their expressions darkened. They rushed to the police car to check on the fallen officer.

"It's Captain Stacy!"

One officer gasped in horror. Seeing the fatal gunshot wound in his chest, his face fell. "He's gone…"

Mike had already confirmed this when he first arrived. If there had been even the slightest chance to save him, he would have used his card to do so.

"Where's the suspect?"

Another officer demanded, his face cold and tense. He sprinted over to where Mike stood and saw the unconscious criminal lying on the ground. Recognizing him instantly, his eyes flared with rage.

"Damn it! It's Quake! He killed Captain Stacy!"

Roaring in fury, the officer kicked Quake's limp body. Before he could land another blow, two fellow officers grabbed him, pulling him back.

"Calm down! There are too many people watching!"

"Damn it! I'll kill him! That bastard!" the officer shouted, shaking with rage.

"Enough! Captain Stacy's daughter is right here!" another officer reminded him sharply.

At this, the furious officer finally forced himself to stop. He spat on Quake's unconscious body, then yanked at his own hair before slamming his fist against the police car in frustration.

The other officers shook their heads, exchanging helpless glances.

One of them turned to Mike. "Sir, did you take him down?" He gestured toward Quake.

Mike nodded.

The officers gave him a grateful look. "We'll need you to come to the station with us—just to give a statement. It won't take long."

Mike nodded again.

The enraged officer had calmed slightly. He reached out to take the little girl from Mike's arms, but the moment his hand touched her, she flinched and let out a terrified wail.

Mike immediately took a step back. "I'll hold her."

The officers hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.

After carefully placing Captain Stacy's body into the back of a police car, one officer drove away with it. Two more officers loaded Quake into another vehicle before speeding off toward the station.

Finally, Mike climbed into the last police car, still holding the little girl. The driver was the same officer who had shouted about killing Quake.

A heavy silence filled the car. The little girl clung to Mike's neck, sniffling softly.

Suddenly, the officer slammed his hand against the steering wheel. The car horn blared loudly before he took a deep breath and muttered, "I'm Oliver. I was Captain Stacy's friend."

Mike nodded in understanding.

That explained his earlier outburst.

Oliver let out a bitter laugh, his face full of regret. "Damn it… If I had known, I would've dragged him to that damn football game with me! That bastard Quake… How dare he? How dare he take revenge on Stacy? That son of a bitch should be put to death! Fuck!"

Through the rearview mirror, Oliver glanced at the little girl still clutching Mike tightly. His expression softened with sorrow.

"This kid only had her dad left… and now…" He let out a long sigh.

Mike gently patted the girl's back. "What's her name?"

"Gwen. Gwen Stacy."

Upon hearing this, Mike's hand paused almost imperceptibly before he resumed patting Gwen's back, his voice gentle. "Gwen, don't be scared. Uncle is here with you. Don't be afraid."

He whispered softly in Gwen's ear, and gradually, her sobbing quieted.

Glancing at the rearview mirror, Oliver let out a sigh of relief.

Silence filled the car once again.

Before long, the police car came to a stop. Mike carried Gwen into the station, following Oliver inside.

Several officers who had been close friends with George Stacy approached, offering their thanks to Mike.

"Gwen, come with me."

A young female officer reached out to take Gwen, but before she could even touch her, Gwen let out a loud, panicked wail and clung even tighter to Mike's neck.

The officers exchanged helpless glances, but no matter what they tried, they couldn't get Gwen to let go.

Seeing no other option, the officers sighed and allowed Mike to carry Gwen while he gave his statement.

The process was quick and uncomplicated. Mike encountered no issues, but as he looked down at Gwen—still latched onto him, her wide eyes filled with fear, crying at the slightest touch from anyone else—he found himself facing a dilemma.

"Does she have any other family?" Mike asked, turning to Oliver.

Oliver thought for a moment before shaking his head. "George's parents passed away years ago. His wife also died in a car accident along with her parents."

Mike's mouth twitched slightly. "No uncles? Aunts? Anyone?"

"Not that I know of… I've known George for years, and he never mentioned any relatives."

They stared at each other in silence for a moment.

Oliver scratched his head. "How about this—I'll take you two home for now. We'll handle George's affairs, and once things are settled, we'll come get you."

Mike looked down at Gwen. Her large, tear-filled eyes were still filled with fear, her little hands clinging onto him as if letting go would send her into an abyss. He let out a sigh. "I guess that's the only option."

After all, he couldn't spend the night at the police station.

Riding in Oliver's squad car, Mike took Gwen back to his apartment in Manhattan.

Oliver quietly noted down Mike's address and apartment number before driving away.

Mike unlocked the door and flicked on the lights, carrying Gwen inside and settling onto the couch with her still wrapped around him.

Even now, she refused to let go.

Gently patting her back, Mike spoke softly. "It's okay. We're home now. Why don't you let go for a bit? I'll make you something to eat, okay?"

Gwen stared up at him, her large, bright eyes still brimming with fear.

The events of the day had shaken her to the core. She had watched her father get shot before her very eyes, the horrifying sight of his blood and the killer's twisted expression forever burned into her mind.

She shook her head and clung to Mike even tighter.

Mike sighed. Searching his mind, he conjured a calming spell to soothe Gwen's emotions.

At his current level, materializing simple abilities and skills took little time.

The spell worked quickly. Gwen's fear slowly faded, and at last, she began to relax.

(End of Chapter)