Chapter 58: She Ruined a Good Story

[Chapter 58: She Ruined a Good Story]

With the police car racing through the streets, they soon arrived at an area filled with chaos. A swarm of police officers crouched behind their cars, weapons drawn, aiming at a house.

By the window stood a young man, a handgun pressed to his own temple, shouting, "Don't come any closer!"

Tears streamed down his face.

The officers watched him intently, one policeman shouted toward the house, "Put down your gun!"

The young man only pressed the gun harder against himself, yelling, "I don't want to live anymore!"

Bang!

A shot rang out. A police officer fired at the young man but thankfully missed, leaving everyone in shock.

Ian thought to himself, "This seems familiar. Isn't this just like that story about a young man trying to take his own life and getting shot by the police?" The timing felt off, though. But then again, this world had its differences from his original one. If not, he could have taken full advantage of his transmigration.

Quickly pulling out his camera, Ian pointed it outside. A story about police facilitating a suicide would be big news -- the only downside was that it wouldn't be his exclusive piece; he spotted several fellow reporters in the vicinity.

Just then, a blonde police officer named Katherine dashed out, shouting, "Don't shoot! What do you think you're doing? He wants to commit suicide, and you still want to shoot at him?"

The other officers looked at each other, shrugging.

One officer explained, "He's too agitated; he might shoot at us. We need to stop him."

"That doesn't justify you shooting at him! If you're not going to help, then get out of here!" Katherine yelled.

The officers reluctantly stayed behind their cars. Seeing this unfold, Ian and the other reporters cursed together, "Damn! She ruined a good story!"

The anticipated event failed to materialize, igniting the ire of all the reporters. What a great story, just thrown away!

...

At that moment, another car pulled up in the back. It was Leyso. He had recently moved to Los Angeles and had become one of Ian's journalists, although he barely managed to get any substantial stories on his own.

Ian waved him over, handing him the camera. "Stay close to me."

Leyso smiled slightly. "Got it."

Ian turned and made his way towards the house. Scarlett called out, "Ian!"

Ian glanced back at her, smiling, "You want to join? It might get dangerous."

Scarlett looked around, her excitement bubbling instantly.

Young girls often had a taste for thrill. She took a deep breath and replied, "Yes, I want to come."

"Then come on, my little reporter," Ian laughed, bringing Scarlett along as they approached the house together.

Seeing Ian arriving at the side of the house with Philip Leyso and Scarlett, Katherine shouted, "Ian Carr, stop! What do you think you're doing?"

Ian shrugged. "As you can see, what else can I do?"

Katherine was furious. "Are you trying to kill that kid?"

Ian laughed, "At least I didn't bring a gun; I think we're safer than you cops."

Katherine was momentarily speechless.

Ian proceeded toward the house, arms open, calling out, "I don't have a gun, don't be nervous, kid."

The young man paced back and forth by the window, shouting, "I have a gun! If you come any closer, I'll kill you! I don't want to live!"

He cried and wailed.

Ian walked slowly closer. "Can you tell me why?"

"I'm done for; I failed my exam," the young man lamented.

Over that?

Ian nodded slowly, edging a bit closer. "That's really tough. For a student, school is everything. Do you feel like you've let your parents down?"

The young man nodded sadly.

Behind them, an angry shout erupted, "What are you saying? Ian Carr, step away! Let me handle this!"

...

A police officer approached confidently, addressing the young man, "Kid, don't be sad. One bad test doesn't mean anything!"

The young man looked at the officer, asking, "Who are you?"

The officer replied, "I'm a negotiator. I want to talk to you, kid."

Ian shook his head. "I don't think being a cop helps in this situation; you just fired at him. Watch out; he might shoot you."

The negotiator snapped back, "Shut up!"

Unexpectedly, the young man aimed and shot at the negotiator, hitting him in the leg, who yelped and collapsed.

Scarlett gasped, but Ian quickly sheltered her, holding her behind him.

So soft! So tender!

...

Officers from a distance shouted, "I told you that guy was dangerous; we should take him out!"

Some had their guns trained on the young man, but Ian and his crew blocked the line of fire, making it difficult to get a shot; Katherine yelled for everyone to drop their weapons.

Ian was astonished. He was confused because a slight pain had spiked in his left eye just moments ago. But what had he done?

He hadn't done anything, so why the pain?

Especially since he hadn't copied the negotiator's ability. He didn't even gain a fourth skill. Wait a minute, hadn't he said, "Watch out; he might shoot you" just now?

Ian's intention had merely been to amplify the news; the event was fixed, but how the host performed would intensify it. Yet he hadn't expected the young man would literally shoot!

Could it be...

...

Holding Scarlett close, Ian looked at the young man and asked, "Are you feeling a bit better now?"

The young man glared at Ian, gun still aimed at him. "Who are you?"

Ian shook his head gently. "I'm not a cop; please don't point that gun at me."

He maintained a focused gaze on the young man, channeling his energy.

In the next moment, a sharp pain pulsed through his left eye again, and the young man did lower the gun.

He repositioned it back at his own temple, crying, "I don't know what to do anymore!"

A tear streamed down from Ian's left eye.

Ian's lips twitched with a hint of a smile, though he struggled to control it.

"I was once like you, but worse. My name is Ian Carr, have you heard that name before?"

The young man hesitated for a moment, "Ian Carr? I know you. The Burning Torch and the hotel shooting incident."

Ian nodded with a smile. "Yes, that's me. But did you know that when I was your age, I was in an even worse situation? I didn't fail just at exams; I had never studied properly.

I was into drinking, gambling, and reckless behavior... I almost lost the Los Angeles Herald my father left for me."

The young man looked at him quizzically. "Why didn't you just kill yourself?"

"I thought about it, but I made it through and got to where I am now," Ian smiled. "Everyone hits rock bottom in life. Just like this guy next to me..."

He pointed at Leyso. "His situation is worse; he's close to death, with less than two years to live."

The young man stared at Ian and Philip Leyso, who nodded with a smile. "Too bad I didn't bring my medical records."

Ian continued to smile, "What's your name?"

"Bill," the young man answered hesitantly.

"Well, Bill, I can see you're a good kid. A person who can face their own shortcomings has a bright future ahead. I would bet the reputation of the Herald that you're going to be an outstanding young man! Truly exceptional!"

"But I just shot a police officer!" Bill protested.

Ian chuckled, "That doesn't matter; it's at least not worse than death. Are you willing to trust me? I can help you! Just give me the gun, okay?"

As he spoke, Ian's left eye emitted a faint glow; the piercing pain inside him intensified, yet the young man seemed transfixed.

He handed over the gun.

*****

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