Smack!
Zero grabbed Sabretooth's wrist and whispered, "Victor, not now. There are too many people in the amusement park."
"What does that matter? You think any of them can stop me?" Sabretooth sneered, utterly unconcerned.
Zero said nothing.
Of course, no one could stop him. That wasn't the point. Zero just didn't want him making a scene.
Killing someone in front of so many witnesses would cause a huge mess.
"If anyone does try, I'll just kill them too." Sabretooth's voice was low, laced with malice.
"Victor, don't complicate things. You know how much the Commander values the plan. Let's wait until later tonight when the crowd thins out."
Zero was practically begging, rubbing his throbbing temples.
"You trying to use Stryker to threaten me?"
Sabretooth's eyes narrowed as he grabbed Zero by the neck and lifted him off the ground.
Zero felt his throat on the verge of being crushed, his face turning red from lack of oxygen.
With great effort, he choked out, "Don't… misunderstand. It's just… a suggestion."
Sabretooth stared at him for a couple of seconds, then finally dropped him.
Cough! Cough!
Zero staggered back, coughing violently.
"Damn it. That really takes the fun out of it," Sabretooth grumbled. But he didn't press further, backing down for now.
After all, it was already getting dark. The amusement park would be closing soon.
In America, many businesses shut down early at night. People didn't usually wander around late—freedom or not, the amusement park was no exception.
About an hour later, guests began to leave in waves, and vendors around the park started packing up.
---
Creaaak…
A black sedan pulled up outside the amusement park. Erik and Rorschach stepped out one after the other.
"This is the place, right?"
Erik looked around, then double-checked the address on his file. Confirmed.
The two headed into the park.
It was the tail end of closing time. Other than the vendors tidying up their booths, the park was almost deserted.
"Excuse me, sir—do you know where Bradley is?"
As they passed the entrance to a roller coaster, Erik asked an older man locking the gate.
"What do you want with him?" The old man was cautious, giving them both a once-over.
Erik's eyes lit up—finally, someone who knew Bradley.
"I'm from his hometown. Just need to talk to him." Erik lied without batting an eye.
"Oh, I see. Just keep heading east. His place is all the way at the end."
"Thanks, sir."
Following the directions, Erik and Rorschach moved east through the quiet park. Sure enough, they soon spotted a short man packing up some props.
Looked just like the photo. Bradley.
Rorschach muttered internally, Lucky break. Looks like Sabretooth hasn't gotten to him yet.
But then—Erik suddenly stopped. His gaze sharpened, snapping to the left.
Rorschach followed his eyes. Two burly men were standing near the carousel, smoking.
Sabretooth. And Zero.
Erik didn't recognize them, but Rorschach did. Immediately.
No doubt—they were here to kill Bradley.
Well, scratch what I said earlier about good luck.
Still, even after identifying them, Rorschach remained calm and collected. He didn't consider them a real threat.
With his current power, Sabretooth was nothing.
"Erik, those two don't look like park staff," Rorschach said in a low voice.
"Doesn't matter. Let's keep going," Erik replied, withdrawing his gaze and motioning for Rorschach to follow.
As far as he was concerned, unless they got in his way, he didn't care who they were.
They approached Bradley.
"Excuse me, Mr. Bradley? I'm Erik, this is Rorschach. Mind if we talk?"
Bradley paused, eyeing them warily.
"Do I know you?"
"We haven't met, but that's not important. We're about to," Erik said with a smile.
At the same time, his power flared—he gestured toward a prop in Bradley's hand, and it floated into the air.
"You… you're one too?"
"That's right. I'm a mutant," Erik said firmly.
"Another one?"
Sabretooth, watching from afar, raised a brow in surprise.
Then a cruel grin spread across his face. "Zero, looks like we've hit the jackpot. Guess luck's on our side tonight."
Sabretooth's mission lately had been to help Stryker find and capture mutants—dead or alive.
And now, just as he was taking a break, another one practically fell into his lap.
No—make that two.
If the tall guy was a mutant, chances were the younger one was too.
Perfect.
Once I finish this cigarette, I'll kill them all.
His grin widened, eyes gleaming with malice.
Back at the booth, Erik hadn't noticed a thing. His focus was entirely on Bradley.
And Bradley, seeing Erik's ability, softened slightly.
"Come in."
After a moment's hesitation, Bradley invited them inside.
"Didn't think I'd run into one of my own in a place like this," he said, gesturing for them to sit.
It had been nearly five years since he'd seen another mutant—ever since he escaped from Stryker.
"There are more of us where I come from," Erik said immediately. "And we'd be glad to have you. We want all mutant brothers and sisters to stand united."
"You mean… you're from a mutant organization?" Bradley's tone changed subtly.
Mutant organizations… he'd gone to great lengths to escape one. No way he was jumping back in.
He didn't want anything to do with that life again.
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