Chapter 2: Fugitive

Words : 2064 Updated : Mar 27th, 2025

Jimmy observed the man; he wasn't a stranger. It was Warner Zaire, Tina's husband. Warner was a notorious troublemaker in the area who bullied the weak but feared the strong. He spent most of his time in the bars and entertainment spots of Larkhaven, pretending to be a big shot with a few cronies, but in reality, he was just a bottom-feeder among thugs. When Tina saw her husband, she burst into tears, pointing at Jimmy. "Honey, it's this bastard. He wants us out and even hit me." Warner's face darkened upon hearing this. How dare this punk act up at his doorstep? Rumor had it that Warner had been working for a big shot these past years, making a decent amount of money and exuding a faint air of authority. Jimmy's past crimes sounded intimidating, but to someone like Warner, he was just a reformed convict and nothing to fear. "You're asking for it!" Warner lunged forward, swinging his fist at Jimmy with a smirk. To Warner, Jimmy looked wiry and hardly able to withstand a punch. His notoriety came from his ruthlessness and fighting skills, which caught the eye of a local crime lord and made him a small-time leader under the boss. "Warner is the local tyrant. Jimmy's in for it now," murmured the onlookers, shaking their heads, convinced that Jimmy would suffer under Warner's hands. Tina smirked, fully aware of her husband's nature. When Warner hit someone, it ranged from hospitalization to permanent injury. Jimmy sneered, amused by Warner's audacity. Did this lowlife really think he could take him on? After all, Jimmy had once been invited by the military to the Northwestern Ridges, where he single-handedly defeated a War God Level adversary. Warner was nothing to him. Jimmy sidestepped easily, dodging Warner's punch and landing a sharp slap across his face. Smack! The force sent Warner stumbling back, a red handprint blooming on his cheek. Warner steadied himself, his anger boiling over. He drew a knife from his waist, eyes filled with malice as he charged at Jimmy. "You're dead, kid." Jimmy chuckled coldly, deftly grabbing Warner's wrist and twisting it, freezing Warner's expression. "Ah!" Warner screamed, bones cracking audibly, agony contorting his features as beads of sweat rolled down his forehead. He found the turn of events impossible. Warner gritted his teeth, unable to comprehend how Jimmy possessed such strength. "What a trash!" Jimmy laughed, delivering a kick that sent Warner flying into a nearby wall. With a thud, Warner hit the ground, rolling and groaning in pain. The crowd was stunned, even Tina covered her mouth in disbelief. Jimmy approached Warner, whose fear was palpable despite the pain. Trembling, Warner stammered, "W-What are you going to do?" Before Jimmy could reply, Tina's shrill voice rang out, "He's killing him! The ex-con is killing him!" The crowd buzzed with gossip. "I never knew Jimmy was this violent. Didn't expect him to be such a brute." "Yeah, heard he went to prison for murder. How's he out so soon?" Gossip and pointing fingers ensued, especially from the neighborhood's busybodies. Jimmy ignored them, knowing they were fickle and opportunistic. He turned to Warner with icy resolve. "Move your stuff out of my house now." Though the house was on the outskirts of Larkhaven, its value had soared over the years, and it was worth at least a few million. Warner and Tina were no ordinary couple—a thug and a shrew. They wouldn't give up easily on something within their grasp. Wracked with pain and seething with hatred, Warner glared at Jimmy. How was he free so soon? According to his crimes, Jimmy should have never seen daylight again. Could he have busted out of prison? The idea took root, convincing Warner that Jimmy was indeed a fugitive. Reporting him would seal his fate! For the first time ever, Warner thought about calling the cops for his own protection. He'd never been pushed this far. "Babe, this bastard must have escaped prison. Call the cops now," Warner urged Tina, who quickly dialed for the police. "See? He's definitely an escapee." "Yeah, Jimmy committed such serious crimes. No way he got out in five years." The crowd eagerly fueled the rumor mill, branding Jimmy a fugitive. Jimmy kept his cool, knowing the cops would help boot Warner's family and give him back his property. That was his plan all along. Shortly after Tina made the call, a few police officers arrived at the scene—one middle-aged and two younger ones. The middle-aged man was Jeremiah Looske, a local officer. A flicker of surprise crossed his face when he saw Warner lying on the ground. Warner had been loitering around the area for years, and he knew him well—perhaps too well. The two were more than just acquaintances; they had a long-standing relationship that involved certain unspeakable dealings. Warner saw his acquaintance and shouted, "Chief Looske, this guy's a fugitive. Arrest him!" "Yes, he's an escapee. Look what he did to us! Arrest him now," Tina cried, feigning victimhood, ignoring their occupation of Jimmy's home. Jeremiah's expression turned wary as he approached, cuffs at the ready. "Come with me to the station," he ordered coldly. Nabbing a fugitive would be a feather in his cap, and even if it weren't, it would still score points with Warner. Either way, he'd lose nothing. Besides, Jimmy's public assault provided ample grounds for arrest, leaving Jeremiah no qualms about detaining him. "I'm not a fugitive. Aren't you even gonna ask what went down here?" Jimmy sidestepped Jeremiah's cuffs, his expression darkening. It was clear that Jeremiah and Warner were in cahoots. "Got any proof?" Jeremiah mocked. Jimmy pulled out a release certificate from his bag and handed it over. "I did my time, but I've been released. You have no reason to detain me." Jeremiah examined the certificate, his voice stern, "Clearly, you haven't changed. You are already assaulting people. You're coming with me to the station." "Arrest him!" Warner sighed in relief, silently jubilant. "Think you can beat me? You'll regret it in there." Dropping the pretense, Tina stood up and sneered at Jimmy, "Let's see you act tough now, you bastard!" Jimmy's expression hardened. It was clear that Jeremiah and Warner were acquaintances.

Chapter 2: Fugitive

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