Silas suddenly stopped upon hearing this, asking, "What's wrong?"
"I suddenly changed my mind. Just throw it at my feet." The man in the black hat seemed exceptionally vigilant, not even allowing Silas a chance to approach.
"Alright, alright." Silas quickly agreed and tossed the black bag at his feet.
Silas did not want to expose his powers in front of everyone right now; he just wanted to act like a normal person.
Thud!
The black bag fell at the man in the black hat's feet. He slowly crouched down, but his gun muzzle and gaze never left the passengers.
He felt around on the floor before finally locating the black bag, then quickly stood up and weighed it in his hand.
"You people are quite rich," the man in the black hat sneered.
He then stuffed the black bag into his clothing. Time passed second by second.
The passengers' mood grew heavier and more painful. No one wanted a cold gun barrel constantly pointed at them.
The bus continued to drive and soon arrived at the police cordon.
"A bus?" the defending police officer frowned.
That shouldn't be right. A broadcast notification had already been sent out; a bus like this shouldn't be able to reach here.
"Stop!" the officer shouted into a megaphone.
The driver glanced at the robber.
"Drive through!" the man in the black hat yelled without hesitation.
Gritting his teeth, the driver floored the gas pedal. The bus instantly accelerated, barreling through.
"Hey! Get out of the way!" The police officer quickly shoved his partner, barely dodging the bus's charge.
Crash!
The bus smashed through the cordon and sped into the restricted area.
The officer hurried to his comrade's side, grabbed his communicator, and said, "Attention! Attention! A bus has broken through and entered the area!"
Inside the cordon:
The police had surrounded a group of robbers barricaded inside a storefront. The surrounding crowds had scattered, and a shootout could break out at any moment.
"Phew~ I really don't know if we'll make it out alive," one officer said.
"Don't worry, we will. I'm still waiting for my son's birthday present," an older officer reassured him, patting his shoulder.
"What the hell?! A bus just drove in!" the commanding officer shouted in disbelief.
Just then, a rumbling sound came from not far away. The speeding bus came to a smooth stop right behind the police line.
"Oh, for heaven's sake!" The commanding officer, furious, kicked a patrol car. What in the world was this bus doing?
However, since the bus had broken through the cordon, it was certainly suspicious. A contingent of officers immediately aimed their guns at the bus, ready to shoot if anything went wrong.
The commanding officer looked through the bus windows and saw a full load of passengers, with one person standing near the driver.
With his years of experience, he knew this wasn't right!
"Attention, all units! Do not fire without orders!" the commanding officer immediately broadcasted.
Inside the bus:
"You get off the bus. Tell the police the situation truthfully, and tell them to let my brothers out. Then we'll release these hostages!" the man in the black hat told the driver.
"Me?!" The driver swallowed hard, excited. Did this mean he was safe now?!
"Of course, but don't try anything funny!" The man in the black hat cleared a path for him.
The driver pressed the button, and the bus doors opened. The police on the ground became even more tense when they saw the doors open.
The driver walked past the robber, slowly stepped off the bus, and stood with his back to the police, his hands raised high.
"Don't shoot! I'm the driver! Our bus has been hijacked!" the driver yelled, his entire body trembling.
The robber was terrifying, but the police were just as dangerous! He was certain that any wrong move would result in him being instantly riddled with bullets.
"Let him approach, but he must maintain that position," the commanding officer ordered.
Immediately, the driver, having received the instructions, backed away without daring to look back, his hands raised above his head, wishing his arms were longer.
The moment the driver reached the police, two officers quickly moved forward, subdued him, and handcuffed him without a word.
"Get down! Honestly tell us the situation here!" the commanding officer said.
The driver didn't hesitate, reporting truthfully: "Our bus was taken over by one robber. There are about eighteen passengers on board. The robber said he would release the hostages only if his accomplices are allowed to safely leave the area."
"My name is Andrew Sies. I have my ID and work badge in my pocket." The driver, Andrew, said this without a pause, speaking in one breath.
"Check it out!" the commanding officer signaled to an officer to verify his information.
The subordinate retrieved the items from his clothing, examined them, and handed them over. "Sir, he's telling the truth."
"Yes, it checks out. However, sir, I need you to go outside with one of my subordinates and wait. We will clear your record once we resolve this," the commanding officer said.
The commanding officer tucked the documents into Andrew's clothes and instructed a subordinate to escort him away.
"Things are getting more complicated. Call the sniper on the southwest flank and tell him to observe the situation inside the bus." The commanding officer rubbed his temples in frustration.
The sniper on the southwest flank immediately followed the order, adjusting his scope and observing the situation inside through the bus window.
One robber, holding a pistol, was holding an entire busload of passengers hostage.
"Sir, the situation inside the bus matches the driver's report. The robber's head is exposed in the kill zone. I recommend immediate termination," the sniper said confidently.
Because there was virtually no cover inside the bus, he was very confident he could land a headshot on the robber.
However, the robber inside wasn't stupid. Sensing that the police might have a sniper, he immediately ducked down. "A few of you, get over here!"
"No!"
"Don't!"
"I'm scared!"
The passengers panicked again, but this time, the robber showed no mercy. Bang! He immediately fired, hitting a passenger in the shoulder.
"Ah!" The wounded passenger instantly fell to the floor, face flushed, clutching their left shoulder with their right hand, screaming in pain.
"You! You! You! And you! If you don't get over here! Even if I die, I'll take a few of you down with me."
The robber was smart. He chose four women, all middle-aged or elderly, selecting those who would not have the strength to fight back.
The commanding officer outside naturally heard the gunshot and immediately asked, "What happened?"
The sniper replied, "The perpetrator ducked down on the floor and disappeared from my sight. One passenger was shot in the shoulder."
"Is he crazy!" The commanding officer was shocked that the robber was so reckless, opening fire without a second thought.
The four middle-aged and elderly women, trembling, went to the robber's side and, following his instructions, shielded him from the sides.
"Good. Now I need a helper. Kid, you seem quite brave. You're going to get off the bus and relay messages for me by the door!" The robber focused his attention on Silas.
"Silas~" Misty held Silas's hand with worry.
Silas gave her a reassuring look, then said to the robber, "I agree."
"Excellent! I need someone with your nerve. Don't try anything funny." The robber aimed his gun at Misty.
Clearly, he had noticed that Misty and Silas had an unusual relationship.
Silas showed no change in expression, but inwardly, he was speechless. He wasn't worried at all about Misty getting hurt.
With his reflexes, he could easily save Misty; it would just mean revealing his powers.
Silas walked out of the back bus door, drawing the attention of the police.
"I need you to let my accomplices out! And make it fast! Otherwise, I can't guarantee the safety of these passengers!" the robber shouted.
Silas heard him and immediately shouted, "The robber said! You need to release his accomplices! And you must hurry! Otherwise, he can't guarantee the safety of the passengers inside!"
"Another hostage?" the commanding officer asked.
The sniper replied, "It seems so. And it's not the same person who was holding the gun just now."
"Please stay calm! We will do as you say, but you must guarantee the safety of the hostages!" the commanding officer shouted through his megaphone.
No one noticed that underneath the bus, right next to Silas, a dark shadow had appeared.
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