Life of Bāo - Chapter 3
May 12, 2023
You made it, and so did Bāo. However, an earthquake caused him to get stuck in a tree, ending Chapter 2. We now flashback to the unfortunate incident on the bus from the end of Chapter 1. You may recall that Bāo stole something valuable from a man in a leather jacket. You can unpack your bags and put on your best running shoes. It’s time to run and begin Chapter 3. Enjoy.
Chapter 3
May 12, 2023
Bāo immediately began to run. I shouldn’t have stopped. I should have disappeared as soon as I got off that bus. How could I be so stupid? Bāo’s feet slapped the pavement. He turned and looked back. He seems closer. That’s impossible. There’s an intersection ahead. The light’s still green. If I can make it across, I can lose him. He’ll have to stop for the traffic. His lungs burned as he picked up his pace. The crosswalk lights blinked red. Faster.
Bāo reached the intersection just as the light turned red. He kept running. A car to his left moved forward and then stopped. A car horn blared. He was in the crosswalk. Cars traveling in the other direction suddenly stopped. More horns and shouts sounded in a symphony of anger. He ran faster. I’m going to make it. He stepped onto the sidewalk, slowed, stopped, bent forward, and placed his hands on his knees. His chest burned. He labored for air. He lifted his head and looked in the direction of his pursuer. The man sprinted toward him. Shit! He’s not stopping. He started again, and as he ran, his vision spotted a police vehicle driving in his direction. Great! That’s all I need. The police immediately turned on flashing red and blue lights, made a U-turn, and began following. He’s probably calling it in now.
Screeching tires skidded on the pavement, followed by a loud bang sounded from the intersection he had just crossed. Car horns blared. He looked back to see that the pursuer stopped, bent over, and lifted his head. He made it through the intersection. The fool is still chasing me. Bāo turned and ran. As he ran, he looked for the police vehicle. It was slowed by cars lined up at the red light of the next intersection. I can enter a store and get to the alley if I reach the intersection. At the intersection, he turned left. A department store. Perfect. He ran into the store, dodged shoppers, and ignored their protests. He removed the cash from the wallet he stole on the bus and dumped the wallet in the trash. A red exit sign ensured his escape route. He pushed the door handle and ignored the ‘Alarm will sound’ sign. They usually don’t have these activated. The alarm sounded. It’s not my lucky day.
He reached the alley and slowed to a walk. I’m only five minutes from the mobile phone store. If I can make it there, I’ll be safe. The mobile phone store came in sight. Yan is outside the store, her back leaning against the grey brick wall. Her purse hung at her side. Bāo walked closer and said, “I hope you haven’t been waiting long.” He leaned in and hugged her as his left hand placed the gold bracelet in her purse.
Yan questioned, “Why are you out of breath?”
Bāo replied, “I was running to get here. I lost track of time.” Bāo sighed loudly as a police vehicle stopped beside them. Unbelievable. It is not a good day.
As the people’s police exited the vehicle, he said, “You’re very fast. Turn around and place your hands on the wall. Why were you running?”
Yan asked, “What’s going on?”
As he placed his hands on the wall, Bāo replied to Yan, “Nothing. It was just a misunderstanding.” To the people’s police, he replied, “I was running back to this store. My girlfriend was waiting.”
The people’s police removed a wallet, comb, and cash from Bāo’s pockets and placed them on the ground. Finding no weapons, the officer commanded, “Okay, turn around.”
Bāo turned, and his heart quickened as he saw the man in the leather jacket on the opposite side of the street. The people’s police placed Yan and Bāo into the backseat of the police vehicle. The man in the leather jacket was now on his phone. Why is he not coming over here? Who is he calling? Why? Where have I seen him before? I know I have seen him before. The people’s police asked, “What are your names?”
“My name is Bāo, and this is Yan. We are on holiday from Chengdu Children’s Welfare Institute, also known as an orphanage.”
“Your holiday is over. I’ll be escorting you back to the CCWI.”
Bāo turned and looked through the back window as the police vehicle pulled away from the curb. The man slammed his phone on the ground. He is very angry. Oh no, he was the man threatening Big Eddie. He looks a lot different in that leather jacket. How could I be so stupid?
Bāo asked Yan, “You're mad, aren’t you?”
Yan did not say a word. She didn’t even look at Bāo during the ride back. The officer radioed the station and asked them to call the orphanage. The vehicle turned into the front entrance, and the director, with folded arms, stood at the front door and glared. With a wry smile, Bāo said, “Thank you, officer.”
The people’s police replied, “If I see you again, it won’t go as well for you next time.”
The director said, “Yan, go to your room and stay there.” He pointed at Bāo, “You follow me.”