| October 5, 2023 – 2:00 PM
Lin grabbed her jacket and stepped out onto the porch, scanning the property until she spotted General Richard Fang near the barn.
He stood with his arms crossed, posture relaxed but alert, watching Jake with quiet amusement as the four-year-old darted around the chicken coop—barely missing a very unimpressed hen.
Lin smirked, stepping closer. "General."
Richard glanced at her, one brow lifting slightly.
"Want to go for a walk?"
The older man studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Sure." He gave a small smirk. "And drop the 'General.' I'm retired, after all."
Lin chuckled. "Alright, Richard."
With one last glance at Jake—who was now in a stare-down with a particularly bold rooster—they headed toward the back of the property.
| October 5, 2023 – 2:10 PM
The path along the river was peaceful, the distant sound of rushing water filling the quiet between them. The trees swayed lazily in the afternoon breeze, casting long shadows against the fence line.
Richard walked with easy, measured steps, his hands behind his back. Lin, a few paces beside him, glanced at him thoughtfully.
"So… what do you remember?"
Richard gave her a sideways look. "About what?"
Lin tilted her head slightly, smiling faintly. "About things that don't make sense. Like people quitting their jobs, leaving the city. Like you suddenly deciding a cruise was the safest option for Jake."
She didn't say it outright—but she didn't have to.
Richard exhaled through his nose, slowing his steps.
"Huh." His voice was thoughtful. "You noticed that too, didn't you?"
Lin nodded. "I notice everything."
| October 5, 2023 – 2:20 PM
Richard was quiet for a moment, his gaze fixed ahead. When he finally spoke, his voice was lower, rougher.
"It's hard to explain." He clasped his hands behind his back, his expression unreadable. "It's like… a feeling. A voice in the back of my head saying, 'Get out while you can.' I can't remember why, but I know I need to protect Jake."
Lin watched him carefully. "You're not wrong."
Richard stopped walking. Turned to face her.
"You know something." Not a question. A statement.
Lin held his gaze, smirking just slightly. "Let's just say I trust my instincts. And if yours are telling you to keep Jake safe?" She tilted her head. "You're in the right place."
For a man who had spent decades reading people, Richard took his time studying her now. Measuring her words, weighing her intent.
Finally, he exhaled, shaking his head. "You really are something, kid."
Lin grinned. "So I've been told."
| October 5, 2023 – 2:30 PM
They walked in silence for a while, the crunch of gravel under their boots the only sound between them.
Then Richard glanced around the farm, his sharp gaze sweeping over the reinforced fences, the strategic layout, the careful planning etched into every detail.
"This place…" He exhaled slowly. "It feels safe. Like it was built for more than just farming."
Lin smirked, her hands slipping into her jacket pockets.
"It was."
Richard chuckled softly, nodding to himself.
"Smart girl."
Lin grinned. "That's what everyone keeps telling me."
| October 5, 2023 – 2:45 PM
The sound of tiny, determined footsteps came barreling toward them.
Lin turned just in time to see Jake sprinting across the field, arms wrapped tightly around something soft and wriggling.
Rex and Roxanne bounded after him, keeping pace easily, though the Doberman looked significantly more invested in whatever was in Jake's grasp.
Jake skidded to a stop in front of Lin, chest rising and falling with quick breaths. His dark eyes were wide with excitement as he held up his precious cargo.
"Rabbit," he declared, shoving the small, twitching creature toward her face.
Lin blinked.
A very fluffy, very annoyed-looking brown rabbit twitched its nose at her.
Richard Fang let out a quiet laugh beside her. "Well, looks like he made a friend."
Lin tilted her head, studying the bunny. "Where'd you find him, kid?"
Jake puffed up proudly. "In the grass. Hiding."
Lin arched an eyebrow. "You sure you didn't… chase him first?"
Jake paused, looking completely unrepentant. "Maybe."
Lin snorted, reaching out to pat the rabbit's head. "Alright, little troublemaker. What are we naming him?"
Jake thought hard, his small brows scrunching. "…Bob."
Lin chuckled. "Bob the Rabbit?"
Jake nodded seriously, hugging the rabbit tighter. "Bob."
Richard crossed his arms, amused. "Seems like you've got your first official pet, Jake."
Jake beamed, small and quiet, but undeniably happy.
Lin smirked. "Alright, Bob it is. But if Bob escapes, you're on bunny-catching duty, got it?"
Jake nodded with all the seriousness of a soldier receiving his first mission. "Got it."
Lin sighed, shaking her head. "Great. Another troublemaker on the farm."
Rex gave a low bark of agreement, while Roxanne simply stared at Bob like she was assessing his worth.
Lin had a feeling this was just the beginning.
| October 5, 2023 – 3:00 PM
Jake held onto Bob like he was carrying a national treasure, small hands wrapped securely around the rabbit's fluffy body.
Lin watched with mild amusement as he marched toward the petting area, Rex trotting beside him like a loyal escort. Roxanne, on the other hand, was eyeing the rabbit with the cautious skepticism of a predator debating whether or not something was worth chasing.
"Alright, kid," Lin said as they reached the rabbit hutch. "Let's introduce Bob to his new home."
Jake stopped just short of the enclosure, eyes narrowing as he examined the other rabbits already inside. He wasn't letting go.
Lin crouched down beside him. "What's wrong?"
Jake clutched Bob tighter. "They don't look nice."
Lin held back a laugh. "They're rabbits, not mobsters."
Jake gave her a skeptical look, then glanced at Bob. The rabbit—despite having been manhandled for the last ten minutes—was still strangely calm, twitching its nose as if unbothered by its fate.
Lin nudged the gate open. "Alright, let's see if Bob wants to make friends."
Jake reluctantly knelt, finally setting Bob down inside the enclosure. The moment his tiny hands released their grip—
Bob bolted.
A streak of brown launched across the pen, startling the other rabbits into a frenzy of nervous hopping.
Jake gasped, gripping the fence. "Bob!"
Lin sighed. "Well, he's fast."
Jake turned to her, eyes full of betrayal. "He's running away."
Lin patted his head. "He's getting used to his new home."
Jake wasn't convinced. He frowned at the rabbits, then at Bob, who had wedged himself into a corner, staring back at them like he was already planning his escape.
Rex let out an amused huff, as if he found the entire situation hilarious. Roxanne just tilted her head.
Richard Fang chuckled, arms crossed. "Seems like the kid's learning an important life lesson."
Lin smirked. "Yeah. Sometimes, the things you love just run away from you at full speed."
Jake looked up at her, determined. "I'm gonna teach Bob not to run."
Lin bit back a laugh. "Good luck with that, kid."
Jake nodded seriously. "I'll be his best friend. Then he'll stay."
Lin sighed dramatically. "If only it worked that way."
But Jake was already plotting, eyes locked on Bob like this was his most important mission yet.
Lin had a feeling Bob the Rabbit had just gained a very stubborn owner.