chapter10：butterfly

Tom staggered on his way home, with an indescribable sadness in his eyes. Although he didn't know who the meddlesome woman on the phone was.

her voice sounded extremely familiar to him as if he had heard it somewhere before. When he reached a corner,.

he suddenly noticed a shadow following him. Startled,.

he quickly hid himself. The person failed to catch up with him and had to leave dejectedly.

Then Tom heard some strange cries for help and groans.

Driven by curiosity and a sense of justice, he quietly went to check.

What he saw frightened him greatly.

It turned out that a man was raping a woman, and while enjoying this cruel act, the man was cutting off her feet.

Before Tom could react, he was knocked unconscious from behind.

When he woke up again, he found himself in the hospital of the federal detention center.

Soon after, the police came to interrogate Tom. A serious - looking policeman sat opposite Tom, looking at him sharply and asked, "What's your name?"

Tom rubbed his still - aching head and replied, "I'm Tom."

The policeman frowned and continued, "Do you know why you are here?"

Tom said blankly, "I only remember seeing a man hurting a woman, and then I was knocked unconscious from behind. I don't know anything else."

The policeman raised his voice, seemingly doubting his words, "You said you saw a man hurting a woman.

Then why were you there? And why didn't the man hurt you but just knocked you unconscious?"

Tom hurriedly explained, "I was on my way home when I heard the noise and went to have a look.

I don't know why he just knocked me unconscious either.

I really just happened to pass by. When I saw that scene, I wanted to help.

How could I be in cahoots with such a bad person?" The policeman stared at Tom for a while, as if judging the truth of his words, and then asked, "Where were you before? Had you been drinking?"

Tom hesitated for a moment and replied, "I was at the bar before and had some drinks, but I wasn't drunk."

The policeman sneered, with obvious distrust in his laughter. He raised his voice and said, "Not drunk?

Then explain to me why you were staggering like a toddler who has just learned to walk, and you reek of alcohol.

How do you explain that?" Tom sighed helplessly, with sincerity in his eyes, and said, "Mr. Policeman,

I know my current state is easily misunderstood.

I did have some drinks, so I'm a bit dizzy, but I'm still fully conscious.

I'm really innocent.

This matter has nothing to do with me at all. You must believe me."

The policeman looked expressionlessly at the clipboard in his hand, which recorded various information about the crime scene.

His eyes lingered on Tom for a moment, and then he continued to ask, "

We found your footprints at the scene. How do you explain this? Don't tell me it's just a coincidence."

Hearing this, Tom's eyes widened immediately, full of panic.

He said eagerly, "Mr. Policeman, I just heard the noise at that time and was curious about what was happening, so I walked closer to have a look. Of course, there would be footprints.

You can't just decide that I'm related to this horrible thing just because of these footprints.

It's like when there are people fighting on the street and passers - by gather to watch. Can the footprints they leave prove that they are participants?"

The policeman was silent for a while. There was scrutiny and doubt in his eyes. After a while,

He said slowly, "We will investigate thoroughly.

But during this period, you stay here honestly and don't think about leaving.

This detention center is not a place where you can come and go as you like."

Tom lowered his head dejectedly and nodded slowly.

His heart was full of helplessness and grievance.

He felt as if he had fallen into a huge quagmire and couldn't get out no matter how hard he struggled.

He didn't know how to prove his innocence. In this small detention center,

he seemed to have lost all his freedom and hope.

Suddenly, he remembered the woman's warning.

Although the voice sounded a bit strange, it carried a sense of inexplicable sincerity and concern.

His heart skipped a beat, and a bold idea flashed through his mind: Maybe only by getting out and finding the truth could he prove his innocence.

However, it was not easy to leave this detention center. Tom quietly observed the surrounding environment.

He found that the intervals between the night patrols in the detention center were relatively long.

If he could take advantage of this gap to climb over the wall and get out, he might have a chance to find the truth.

He knew this idea was very risky, but he had no other choice now.

Tom carefully walked to a corner of the cell, which was far from the guards' sight.

He took out his mobile phone, took a deep breath, and dialed the woman's number. With each ring of the phone, his heart beat a little faster.

Finally, the phone was connected, and Amy's somewhat puzzled voice came from the other end, "Hello?"

Tom quickly lowered his voice and said, "It's me, Tom. I'm in the detention center. I've been wronged. I know what you said before about my being in danger was true. Now I must get out to find the truth. Can you help me?"

Amy was startled. She didn't expect Tom to call her from the detention center and say that he wanted to go out to find the truth. She said worriedly, "Tom, how can you get out of the detention center? This is very dangerous. If you are discovered, you will be in more trouble."

Tom said anxiously, "I know, but I have no other way. I can't be locked up here for no reason. I must find evidence to prove my innocence. You could see the dangerous scenes about me before. You must have some special ability. Can you help me again?"

Amy was silent for a while on the other end of the phone.

She knew Tom was in a difficult situation, and she herself was also full of doubts about this case.

She gritted her teeth and said, "Tom, I can try to help you, but you must be careful. First, tell me the specific situation in the detention center. Are there any opportunities or loopholes that can be exploited?"

Tom looked around and whispered, "I've observed that the intervals between the guards' night patrols are relatively long. I plan to climb over the wall during this time.

But I don't know much about the outside situation. I need you to give me some information, such as clues about the person who might frame me, or more details about the case."

Amy thought for a while and said, "I've been investigating this matter these days.

All I know is that he was wearing a long black trench coat and a hat, covering his face tightly, and there was a very strange smell on him, like some kind of herbal medicine mixed with engine oil."

Tom memorized this information as he listened and said, "Okay, I got it. Then I'm going to look for an opportunity to get out now. You should also be careful."

Amy cautioned, "Tom, if you find any dangerous situations after you get out, be sure to contact me in time.

We will face it together and find the truth." After Tom hung up the phone, although he was still a little scared, he was more determined.

He began to look for things in the cell that could help him climb over the wall.

He tore the bed sheet into several strips and tied them together to make a simple rope.... Night finally came.

Tom hid in the corner, nervously waiting for the guards' patrol.

His heart was beating fast, as if it was about to jump out of his chest.

When he heard the guards' footsteps going away, he knew the opportunity had come. He quietly walked to the wall, tied one end of the simple rope to an iron railing in the cell, and then pulled it hard to make sure the rope could bear his weight.

He took a deep breath and began to climb up the rope.